Manchester City and Spygate prove lawyer gulf is opening in football Sport Business In February 2023, Manchester City fans unfurled a banner at the Etihad Stadium bearing the words “Pannick on the streets of London”. This play on The Smiths’ 1986 song referred to Lord David Pannick KC, the barrister hired to spearhead the club’s defence against 115 charges for alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules. [...]
Arsenal gatecrash top five of club valuations following return to glory Sport Business Arsenal have returned to the top five of the world’s most valuable football clubs according to the latest edition of an annual independent ranking. The newly-crowned Premier League champions, who meet Paris Saint-Germain in the final of the Champions League this weekend, have enjoyed a 23 per cent increase in enterprise value to €4.93bn, according [...]
Pep Guardiola to stay on CFG payroll after quitting Manchester City Sport Business Pep Guardiola is to continue working for City Football Group despite confirming his departure as manager of its flagship club, Manchester City. Guardiola will take charge of his final match on Sunday, having become the most successful manager in City history during a 10-year spell that gleaned six Premier League titles. The former Barcelona and [...]
Premier League clubs’ success could earn HMRC £40m windfall May 19, 2026 Premier League clubs’ unprecedented success in Europe this season could earn HMRC a £40m windfall, according to tax experts. Bonuses paid out to players for winning domestic and continental trophies could hit £70m, generating a lucrative pot for the taxman, if Arsenal, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace clean up in the next two weeks. The [...]
West Brom shock at 24-hour verdict while Manchester City case drags on April 29, 2026 West Bromwich Albion have been left shocked at how swiftly the judgement was reached in the EFL Profit and Sustainability case that cost them a points deduction. Last week it was announced that the Championship club would be docked two points for a breach of spending rules. The two-day hearing concluded on Thursday evening, and [...]
Manchester City: Sheikh Mansour faces calls for ban from English football over UAE links to genocide April 17, 2026 Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour could be barred from the Premier League if the UK government heeds calls to sanction him over alleged links to genocide in Sudan. Human rights group FairSquare has called on the government to investigate the man who has led Manchester City’s transformation into one of the world’s richest and most [...]
Football clubs are starting to build out their legal benches April 9, 2026 As they say, if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life. With the popularity of sports ever-growing, it is no surprise that lawyers are flooding into legal work involving sports. Even the driest M&A deal can be a little more exciting when it involves deals for your favourite [...]
Chelsea suffer biggest financial loss in Premier League history April 1, 2026 Chelsea have confirmed by far the biggest annual financial loss in Premier League history after they recorded a deficit of £262m last season. The figures surpass the previous record, the £197m loss made by Manchester City in 2010-11 during a period of rapid investment by their Abu Dhabi-based ownership. It also takes the amount lost [...]
Tottenham Hotspur relegation: A black swan event the Premier League needs? March 26, 2026 The Premier League trades on its unpredictability so the relegation of Spurs, one of its ever-present clubs, could offer a Leicester-like lift in a dull season, says Ed Warner. Barnsley, Oldham Athletic, Bradford City, Swindon Town, Portsmouth. Just a few members of the not-so-exclusive club of 16 teams that Tottenham Hotspur fans will be desperate [...]
Erling Haaland follows Eze and Salah chess passion with investment March 20, 2026 Manchester City and Norway striker Erling Haaland has followed fellow Premier League stars Eberechi Eze and Mohammed Salah in sharing his passion for chess after investing in the game. Haaland has backed Norway Chess and its modernised format, the Total Chess World Championship Tour, alongside Norwegian business leader Morten Borge. It is the superstar’s latest [...]