Sofas and season tickets: Inside the world of retail finance May 16, 2025 Retailing financing is on the up and as big banks steer away from the market, specialist lenders are cashing in. Fresh research from the finance and leasing association (FLA) showed consumer finance grew by 13 per cent in March 2025, compared to the year prior. The first quarter of 2025 saw a six per cent [...]
India-Pakistan, England cricket chiefs and sport’s moral compass May 15, 2025 The ECB will be grateful that it has not yet had cause to reach for its moral compass in the India-Pakistan conflict, writes Ed Warner. I was in Paris at the 2022 Wheelchair Rugby Euros when Russia invaded Ukraine. The very next day’s results show Russia beating Poland 1-0. This in a sport in which [...]
Crystal Palace face FA Cup final amid boardroom battles and upheaval May 14, 2025 Crystal Palace’s preparations for Saturday’s FA Cup final have been taking place against a backdrop of more discord in the boardroom. The club’s biggest shareholder John Textor has made renewed attempts to purchase the combined 36 per cent stake of fellow American investors, Josh Harris and David Blitzer, with the timing of his latest approach [...]
David Beckham and Spain’s tax shake-down May 14, 2025 Spain’s socialist prime minister is waging a vicious campaign against law-abiding people who’ve benefited from the country’s David Beckham tax – and the Spanish economy will suffer as a result, says John O’Connell There aren’t many people more famous than David Beckham. He’s so famous, in fact, that he even has a tax law named [...]
Premier league players challenge use of data by betting firms May 14, 2025 A growing group of professional footballers in the UK are challenging how their personal performance data is being collected, used, and ultimately monetised. The global sports data and technology group (GSDT) has recently submitted firm “stop processing” requests on behalf of footballers and other sportspeople. This forms the latest part of its ‘project red card’ [...]
World Cricketers’ Association call for better IPL communication May 13, 2025 Some players are uncomfortable with returning to the Indian Premier League (IPL) due to the level of information supplied by organisers, according to the World Cricketers’ Association. Play in both the IPL and Pakistan Super League was suspended due to heightening political tensions, some of which has been described as terrorism by the UK government. [...]
Manchester United swap trophy parade for BBQ if they win Europa League May 13, 2025 Manchester United are not planning a trophy parade if they win the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur next week. The club, run by British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, could put some gloss on a difficult season by beating Spurs and claiming a Champions League place on 21 May in Bilbao. But even if they [...]
Carlo Ancelotti becomes Brazil national football team manager May 12, 2025 Carlo Ancelotti has been announced as the manager of the Brazil football team, it was confirmed on Monday. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced Ancelotti will become the next head coach of the Seleção, who have won the Fifa World Cup on five occasions, having concluded a successful stint with Real Madrid. The Italian has [...]
Kogan set for football regulator role after CMS committee endorsement May 9, 2025 David Kogan looks set to be confirmed as chair of the football regulator after a Culture, Media and Sport committee gave him a qualified endorsement for the role. In a report following his grilling by MPs on Wednesday, the committee said it was “content to endorse David Kogan OBE’s appointment as Chair of the Independent [...]
IPL suspended as PSL moved to UAE over India-Pakistan ‘war’ May 9, 2025 The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been suspended while the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has been shifted to the UAE over tensions between Pakistan and India. The two nuclear powers have been at odds of late with a recent air strike killing 31 in Pakistan, according to Islamabad officials. It has led to each nation’s [...]