‘The correct decision’: Reaction as West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta cleared July 31, 2025 West Ham United star Lucas Paqueta has been cleared of spot-fixing after an independent panel found charges of deliberately incurring yellow cards to be not proven, the Football Association has confirmed. It comes two years after the FA announced an investigation into the Brazil international midfielder, a development blamed for derailing Paqueta’s likely £85m transfer [...]
Is director training the answer to football’s governance woes? July 31, 2025 A new study suggests reforming football governance by testing and training directors. But is the regulator capable, asks Ed Warner? Countless millions follow professional football in England, claiming allegiance to a favourite club whose fortunes are entwined daily with each individual’s emotions, their highs and lows in seemingly unavoidable synchronicity. Turns out these essential forces [...]
Exclusive: Arsenal star joins athlete investors in UK fitness brand Hytro July 30, 2025 Arsenal star Jurrien Timber has joined a growing group of athletes investing in Hytro, the UK-based blood flow restriction brand used by leading sports teams and space missions. Timber, his twin brother Quinten, who is also a Netherlands international, and NFL player Benjamin St-Juste, a cornerback for the LA Chargers have all made investments via [...]
London Spirit: Tech titans strike Nike kit deal in Hundred first July 30, 2025 London Spirit’s new part-owners, Silicon Valley-based consortium Cricket Investor Holdings, have agreed a kit deal with Nike for the Hundred franchise which will begin next year. The Nike deal is the first bespoke commercial contract secured by one of the Hundred teams, as sponsorship deals have previously been sold centrally by the England and Wales [...]
Luke Littler World Matchplay prize money puts world No1 in sight July 28, 2025 Luke Littler’s prize money from his triumph over James Wade in the World Matchplay final has moved him one step closer to becoming darts world No1. The 18-year-old has become the fifth player to win the PDC Triple Crown after being victorious at the Premier League in 2024 and the World Championship earlier this year. [...]
Brentford FC sponsor rapped by watchdog for pushing gambling to kids July 23, 2025 Premier League club Brentford FC’s main sponsor, Hollywoodbets, has been rapped by the advertising watchdog for targeting children. The Advertising Standards Authority today upheld a complaint from a minor prompted by an ad for the bookmaker on the esports website Virtual Football League. The complainant was presented with the ad, which urged users to sign [...]
Three Lions fans snap up 2026 World Cup packages… in three days July 23, 2025 Hospitality tickets to watch England at next summer’s World Cup sold out within three days of being put on sale last week, with fans eager to secure the right to follow Thomas Tuchel’s side in the US, Canada and Mexico at the first opportunity. Fifa released hospitality packages last Monday for the group and first [...]
Oval Invincibles sale delayed due to unresolved issues, reports say July 22, 2025 Unresolved issues including the future name of the franchise have delayed completion of the sale of Oval Invincibles – and the flow of funds to hard-up counties – according to reports. The deal will see RISE Worldwide, a subsidiary of the Ambani family’s Reliance Industries, take 49 per cent ownership of the Oval Invincibles franchise [...]
Crystal Palace made to wait until August for Europa League verdict July 22, 2025 Crystal Palace may have to wait until after the Community Shield to discover their Europa League fate for the upcoming season. The Eagles have been told they will find out no later than 11 August whether they will play in the Europa League or the Conference League in 2025/26 after submitting an appeal to the [...]
Trump threat to block Washington Commanders stadium ‘is serious’ July 22, 2025 President Donald Trump means business when he says he could block the relocation of the NFL’s Washington Commanders, according to the White House. “The president was serious,” said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt when asked about Trump’s threat to stop the Washington Commanders from building a new stadium if the team doesn’t go back [...]