Alejandro Domínguez, president of South American football body CONMEBOL, is facing an internal ethics complaint alleging that he received millions of dollars from funds recovered after the 2015 FIFA corruption investigation, according to The New York Times.

The complaint, filed by a whistleblower said to have direct knowledge of the matter, alleges that Domínguez and another senior CONMEBOL official received more than $5 million linked to money returned to the federation following corruption cases involving former football executives.

Three people familiar with the complaint told The New York Times that senior FIFA officials had known about the allegations for more than a year before the matter reached FIFA’s ethics committee.

World Cup scrutiny grows

The allegations emerge weeks before the men’s World Cup begins, placing renewed attention on governance within international football and on Domínguez, who also serves as one of FIFA’s vice presidents.

Domínguez became CONMEBOL president in 2016 after his predecessor was indicted following a United States Department of Justice investigation that uncovered more than $150 million in bribes and kickbacks tied to football marketing and media rights across South and North America.

Southampton face further spying allegations from Championship clubs

Southampton are alleged to have spied on other Championship clubs during the season, according to evidence submitted to the English Football League (EFL) ahead of next week’s play-off disciplinary hearing.

The club have pleaded guilty to spying on a Middlesbrough training session before last week’s Championship play-off semi-final, with Middlesbrough now seeking Southampton’s removal from the final against Hull City at Wembley on May 23.

Telegraph Sport reported the EFL has received written evidence alleging Southampton also observed at least one other rival team’s training sessions this season.

Widen pressure on Southampton

The EFL is expected to hold a hearing on Tuesday and is considering whether the Championship play-off final should be postponed while the case is reviewed. Middlesbrough are understood to be dissatisfied they will not attend the hearing directly.

Other Championship clubs are also believed to have privately questioned Southampton’s knowledge of opposition tactics and set-piece routines during matches this season. If an independent panel concludes the club repeatedly spied on rivals, Southampton could face expulsion from the play-off final.

FIFA media rights executives visit India amid World Cup broadcast deadlock

FIFA media rights executives are visiting India this week as negotiations over broadcasting rights for next month’s Club World Cup remain unresolved, according to a report from Reuters. No Indian broadcaster has yet secured the rights less than three weeks before the tournament begins on June 11.

FIFA said in a statement to Reuters that it had concluded media rights agreements in more than 180 territories, while discussions in India were continuing and “must remain confidential at this stage”.

Talks between FIFA and the Reliance-Disney joint venture, India’s biggest media company, have failed to produce an agreement. Sony has also not submitted a bid. India risks missing live television coverage of the tournament if no deal is reached before the competition starts.

Pricing gap remains obstacle

Reliance-Disney offered around $20 million for the rights, while FIFA initially sought $100 million and was later seeking at least $60 million. It remains unclear whether FIFA executives are meeting representatives from the venture during the visit.

The delay leaves limited time for broadcasters to establish distribution arrangements and sell advertising inventory before the opening match. Football has an estimated 85 million fans in India.

Championship clubs have voted to replace profitability and sustainability rules (P&S) with a squad cost ratio (SCR) system from next season, following approval at Friday’s EFL meeting.

Under the new framework, clubs will be restricted to spending a maximum of 85 per cent of their revenues on first-team squad costs, bringing the Championship’s financial controls closer to those used in the Premier League. The measure was approved with 20 clubs voting in favour and four against.

The EFL said the revised system would allow “real-time monitoring during the season” rather than reviewing club finances retrospectively. The league added that the changes were intended to create “a simpler and more responsive system of cost control within the Championship”.

Differs from the Premier League

Squad costs will include wages for first-team players and coaching staff, amortised transfer fees and agents’ fees. The SCR framework will replace P&S rules that have been in place in the Championship since 2017.

The Championship model differs from the Premier League’s version by allowing owners to inject up to £33 million across a three-year period into club revenues, although no more than £15 million can be added in a single season.

League One clubs also approved changes to the existing Salary Cost Management Protocol (SCMP) rules, with the aim of reducing losses and the reliance on owner funding in the division.

As part of the amendments to SCMP, the percentage of turnover that clubs in League One will be able to spend on wages has been reduced from 60 per cent to 50 per cent, with manager costs to now also be included within the SCMP c alculation.

League One Clubs also approved a change to remove the staggered approach to equity injections in the division, meaning that all equity injections will be included within the calculation at 50 per cent.

 

China broadcaster secures FIFA World Cup rights deal

China Media Group has agreed a broadcasting deal with FIFA covering the 2026 and 2030 men’s World Cups, ending uncertainty over television rights in China less than a month before the next tournament begins.

FIFA confirmed the agreement on Friday, and said the agreement also includes the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cups.

FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafström said: “The Chinese market is of very big importance to the global football community … we’re very happy and proud of our partnership with CMG to bring the World Cup to all fans in China.”

2026 rights worth $60 million

Broadcast rights for the 2026 tournament alone were valued at US$60 million, according to Chinese outlet The Paper. The deal follows a prolonged stand-off between FIFA and Chinese broadcasters ahead of the competition.

China is regarded as one of football’s largest television markets, with state media estimating that around 200 million people in the country follow the sport.


 

Botafogo seek bankruptcy protection and criticise Textor management

Botafogo have filed for bankruptcy protection after warning that financial pressures had begun to affect the club’s daily operations. The Brazilian club’s SAF said the measure was needed to preserve activities, meet obligations and protect the continuity of the sporting project.

In a statement, Botafogo said the company had faced mounting financial problems linked to asset seizures, FIFA-imposed transfer restrictions, accelerated debt repayments and liquidity shortages. The club added that the situation had created uncertainty over its short-term future.

The SAF also directed criticism at John Textor, whose Eagle Football holding company continues to control Botafogo and Olympique Lyon. Botafogo said there had been “a strong process of decapitalisation within the Eagle Group structure” in recent months.

Missing funds

Financial pressure on Botafogo has increased since Textor’s departure from the leadership of Eagle Football earlier this year. The club claimed more than BRL900 million (€154 million) had failed to return to Botafogo while financial support and investment had also stopped.

Botafogo said the lack of funding had affected the club’s ability to maintain operations and sporting competitiveness.

The Championship play-off final between Hull City and Southampton could be postponed while disciplinary proceedings involving Southampton are ongoing, the EFL has said. The match is scheduled to take place at Wembley on May 23.

In a statement, the EFL warned supporters that the timetable for the proceedings may affect the fixture. Fans were advised to check ticket terms and conditions before purchasing, although tickets for the final have not yet gone on sale.

Southampton were charged last week with breaching EFL rule 127 following a complaint from Middlesbrough before the clubs’ play-off semi-final. The rule prohibits clubs from observing an opponent’s training session within 72 hours of a match. Southampton beat Middlesbrough 2-1 on aggregate to reach the final.

Disciplinary process ongoing

The EFL said the case is being handled by an independent disciplinary commission and that it does not control the proposed timetable for the proceedings. The process could also be extended if either club appeals against the outcome.

If Southampton were excluded from the final as part of any sanction imposed, Middlesbrough would take their place at Wembley. The EFL did not indicate when a decision in the case is expected.

Saudi Arabia's PIF named World Cup 2026 tournament supporter by FIFA

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has been named an official tournament supporter for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and Asia, as the country expands its involvement in international football ahead of hosting the 2034 edition.

In a statement, FIFA said the agreement with PIF will cover programmes linked to grassroots football, youth and women’s participation, education projects and infrastructure development connected to the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Financial terms of the agreement and details of specific commercial activations were not disclosed by FIFA or PIF.

Saudi football strategy

The partnership follows PIF’s involvement with FIFA’s Club World Cup 2025 and adds to Saudi Arabia’s growing commercial and organisational role in global football since securing hosting rights for the 2034 World Cup.

“PIF continues to accelerate the growth of football globally by expanding access to the game and creating opportunities that benefit players, fans and the wider football ecosystem,” Mohamed AlSayyad, head of corporate brand at PIF, said in the statement.

US waives visa bond requirement for some World Cup fans

The United States will exempt football supporters from five World Cup-qualified countries from paying visa bonds of up to $15,000 if they have bought tickets for the 2026 tournament, the State Department said on Wednesday.

The Trump administration introduced the bond requirement last year for visitors from 50 countries that US authorities said had high visa overstay rates and other security concerns. Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia are among the affected countries and have all qualified for the World Cup.

Fans from those nations who purchased tickets through FIFA and enrolled in the FIFA Pass system for expedited visa appointments are now exempt from the requirement.

FIFA welcomes exemption

In a statement reported by AP News, FIFA said the decision reflected “our ongoing collaboration with the U.S. government and the White House task force for the FIFA World Cup” and thanked the administration for its support ahead of the competition.

Players, coaches and some team staff had already been excluded from the bond policy under measures designed to prioritise visa processing for the tournament, which the US will co-host with Canada and Mexico.

Olympique Lyon are facing possible expulsion from UEFA competitions next season amid concerns the French club may not have complied with conditions attached to a financial settlement agreed with European football’s governing body, according to The Telegraph.

The Ligue 1 club are fourth in the table with one game remaining and remain in contention for Champions League qualification. Lyon are guaranteed at least a Conference League place, while Europa League qualification is also possible depending on the final standings.

UEFA's Club Financial Control Body sanctioned Lyon last July for breaching financial sustainability regulations and set conditions the club were required to meet over a four-year period. Among them was a requirement for Lyon’s ownership to inject €60 million by 15 July and convert the funds into equity by 15 October. That obligation may not have been fulfilled.

Financial losses deepen pressure

Lyon disclosed losses of €186 million for the first half of 2025/26 earlier this week as the club continue to deal with financial difficulties. The club are now controlled by Michele Kang and Ares Management, a principal creditor to former owner John Textor.

The club said some liabilities stemmed from agreements involving Brazilian club Botafogo and Belgian side RWD Molenbeek that were “unknown and had not been reported” in previous financial statements.
 

Championship clubs to vote on SCR plan allowing equity-linked revenue boost

Championship clubs are expected to hold a close vote on Friday over plans to replace the division’s profitability and sustainability regulations with a squad cost ratio system from next season.

Under the proposal, clubs would be limited to spending 85 per cent of football revenue on player-related costs, aligning the Championship with new Premier League rules. The Guardian reported the change would also allow annual equity injections of about £10 million to count towards revenue calculations.

At least 16 of the Championship’s 24 clubs must support the proposal for it to pass. A source at one Championship club told The Guardian the outcome was expected to be “tight” because of differing views on financial controls across the division.

League One also set for vote

League One clubs are also due to vote on Friday on reducing permitted spending under the salary cost management protocol from 60 per cent to 50 per cent of turnover. The proposal follows growing concern among owners over rising operating losses in the division.

Average owner investment in League One clubs reached £9.6 million this season, compared with £2.6 million four years ago. Some owners had discussed introducing a salary cap and luxury tax system for clubs exceeding spending limits, although those measures will not be included in the vote.
 

Court clears Real Madrid over Bernabéu concert complaints

Real Madrid said a Madrid court has cleared the club and its stadium operating company of criminal responsibility linked to concerts held at the Santiago Bernabéu between April and September 2024.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the club said the Provincial Court of Madrid had upheld appeals filed by general director José Ángel Sánchez and Real Madrid Estadio SL against an earlier ruling that allowed criminal proceedings to continue. According to the club, the court ordered the dismissal of the case against both parties.

The club added that the court concluded responsibility for complying with local noise regulations rests with concert promoters using the stadium rather than with the venue owner.

Spanish media reports said the ruling does not automatically allow concerts to resume because noise and regulatory issues remain unresolved.

Concerts suspended

The case stemmed from a complaint filed in July 2024 by the Bernabéu Affected Residents’ Association and six local residents over alleged noise pollution caused by concerts at the stadium. Earlier this year, a judge approved the case to proceed to trial over alleged environmental offences linked to noise pollution.

Real Madrid renovated the Bernabéu between 2019 and 2024 in a project reportedly costing €1.3 billion, with the club aiming to increase revenue through concerts and other events. Last September, the club said it would provisionally reschedule concerts at the venue to comply with municipal regulations.

A consortium led by former Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos have reached an agreement in principle worth around €444 million to acquire Sevilla, according to The Athletic. The group entered a three-month exclusivity period in January to negotiate a deal for the LaLiga club.

The agreement was reached on Tuesday following due diligence and shareholder discussions on Monday. The consortium is backed by investment fund Five Eleven, with Ramos acting as the public face of the bid.

The purchase must still be completed by late May or early June, with the consortium required to provide the capital needed to finalise the transaction. A financial guarantee has already been presented as part of the process.

Sevilla face relegation battle

Sevilla are 13th in LaLiga with three matches remaining in the 2025/26 season and sit three points above the relegation zone.

The club have endured a difficult domestic campaign after several years of financial and sporting instability.

Florentino Perez calls Real Madrid elections and plans new presidential bid

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has called fresh elections at the club and confirmed that he will stand again for the role during a hastily arranged press conference on Tuesday.

Speculation had emerged ahead of the appearance that Perez could resign from the position he has held since 2009, following his earlier spell as club president between 2000 and 2006. Instead, Perez opened the briefing by stating that he would remain in office and contest the next election.

The 79-year-old said he had asked the club’s electoral board to begin the process for new elections, adding: “Those who want to come out and stand against me, they can. I am also going to stand to defend the rights of our members.”

Dismisses rumours over his health

During the wide-ranging appearance, Perez also addressed rumours concerning his health after reports circulated claiming he was seriously ill. He denied the claims and said he remained in “perfect health” while continuing to lead both Real Madrid and his construction group ACS.

Perez has been elected unopposed in each of Real Madrid’s past four presidential elections, which were held in 2013, 2017, 2021 and 2025. The current board will stand again in the forthcoming vote.

Lyon post €187 million first-half loss for 2025/26 season

Olympique Lyon recorded a net loss of €187 million for the first half of the 2025/26 season, according to the club’s latest financial statement. The deficit widened by 59 per cent year on year, while negative equity doubled to €348 million between July and December.

Revenue declined 8 per cent to €76 million despite Lyon competing in the Europa League. Matchday income rose 25 per cent to €22 million, matching the club’s broadcast revenue as Ligue 1’s domestic media market continued to affect distributions to clubs.

Commercial income remained stable at around €15 million. Lyon also generated €45.3 million from player transfers, producing capital gains of €23.4 million, broadly in line with the same period in 2024/25.

Debt rises to €616 million

Lyon cut staff costs by 39 per cent to €60.4 million as the club continued cost-reduction measures linked to their financial difficulties. Other operating expenses fell 22 per cent to €38.5 million during the reporting period.

The club said amortisation and provisions reached €158.6 million, three times higher than a year earlier, contributing to the increase in losses. Net financial debt also rose 19 per cent to €616.3 million.

Eagle Football Group, which owns Lyon and is chaired by Michele Kang, said uncertainty remained following the appointment of a judicial administrator to holding company Eagle Football Holdings Bidco.

Southampton could face play-off sanction over spying charge

Southampton could be hit with a sporting sanction rather than a financial penalty if they are found guilty of breaching EFL rules over alleged spying before their Championship play-off against Middlesbrough, according to The Times.

Clubs now expect sporting sanctions to apply in spying cases after the EFL introduced a specific rule in June 2019 banning observation of an opponent’s training session within 72 hours of a match.

If Southampton are found guilty, possible punishments could include forfeiting a place in the play-off final or being deemed to have lost the first leg 3-0. Should Southampton fail to reach the final, another option could be a points deduction for next season.

Targets ruling before final

The EFL is aiming for the disciplinary process, including any appeal, to be completed before the Championship play-off final on 23 May. An independent panel will decide the timetable, although the league wants the case resolved before the final takes place.

Middlesbrough complained about alleged unauthorised filming on private property before Saturday’s first-leg semi-final at the Riverside Stadium, which finished 0-0. Southampton were charged by the EFL on Friday following the complaint.

Middlesbrough are seeking sanctions against Southampton that could include their removal from the Championship play-offs after the EFL charged the south coast club over alleged unauthorised filming at a training session.

The charge followed a complaint from Middlesbrough concerning an alleged incident before Saturday’s goalless first leg, when a member of Southampton staff was reportedly seen filming training from an area beside the club’s pitches.

Middlesbrough claim the individual was confronted by a member of the club’s media team and asked to delete footage recorded on a mobile phone.

According to The Times, Middlesbrough also hold CCTV footage and believe the individual has previously been seen alongside Southampton coach Tonda Eckert after Championship matches.

EFL disciplinary process under way

The matter has now been referred to an independent disciplinary commission, with the EFL aiming to conclude proceedings quickly while allowing Southampton time to respond to the allegations.

Southampton said on Friday they would be “fully co-operating with the league through this process”.

Several FAs stunned by soaring World Cup ticket prices for players’ families and guests

Several national football associations have been confronted with higher World Cup ticket costs after additional purchases for players’ families and guests became subject to FIFA’s dynamic pricing model.

The Guardian reported that associations were initially offered a six-week period after December’s World Cup draw to secure tickets at fixed prices. Any further requests made from the end of January were priced under what Fifa describes as “adaptive pricing”, with costs increasing for most matches.

One association executive said that recent requests for hundreds of extra tickets resulted in a substantially larger bill than expected. Another claimed the average cost of tickets for players’ relatives and guests had risen to about $3,000 per seat after further purchases.

Smaller nations fear budget impact

FIFA introduced four ticket sales phases for the tournament, beginning in October, before later adding an additional sales window.

Several associations have privately expressed concern about the increases, particularly among smaller nations with tighter budgets. FIFA sources said the ticket terms had been communicated clearly from the outset and maintained that associations meeting the original deadlines should not have faced higher prices.

FIFA officials travel to China to discuss cut-price World Cup broadcasting deal

FIFA officials are travelling to China this week to discuss a reduced broadcasting deal for the 2026 men’s World Cup with state broadcaster CCTV, according to a report from the South China Morning Post.

The governing body had initially sought $300 million for the rights but is now prepared to lower the fee to between $120 million and $150 million. CCTV had previously indicated it was willing to pay around $80 million.

Mattias Grafstrom, FIFA’s secretary general, and Jean-Christophe Petit, the organisation’s director of media rights, are expected to join meetings in Beijing.

Talks include 2030 package

Broadcast negotiations are reportedly focused on packaging rights for both the 2026 and 2030 World Cups.

The 2026 tournament will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico and is due to begin next month, and the 2030 edition is scheduled to be held across Morocco, Portugal and Spain.

Monchi appointed Espanyol sporting director after Aston Villa exit

Espanyol have appointed former Aston Villa president of football operations Monchi as the club’s new sporting director, following his departure from the Premier League side in September.

Monchi, 57, left Villa after criticism of the club’s transfer strategy and a poor start to the current season.

The appointment brings Monchi back to LaLiga, where he previously built his reputation across two periods at Sevilla, either side of a spell at Roma.

Reports to CEO and chairman

Espanyol said in a statement that the various sporting divisions “will maintain their current executive leaderships, which will now report to the new general sporting management”. Monchi will report directly to chief executive Mao Ye and club president Alan Pace.

Pace, who is also chairman of Espanyol majority shareholder ALK Capital, took control of the club earlier this year.

Sunderland’s owners have begun exploring a sale of the Premier League club after potential investors were approached in recent weeks, according to FootBiz. The report said investment bank Moelis has been retained to oversee a possible transaction.

Kyril Louis-Dreyfus has held a 64 per cent stake in Sunderland since 2023, with Juan Sartori owning the remaining 36 per cent. Louis-Dreyfus first became involved at the club in 2021 when Sunderland were playing in League One.

Investors and funds previously interested in acquiring Premier League clubs had been offered the opportunity to review materials related to Sunderland.

Revenues to rise sharply

Sunderland revenues are expected to rise sharply following the club’s return to the Premier League and their mid-table finish this season.

The club generated one of the highest revenues in the Championship during the 2024/25 campaign, outside teams receiving parachute payments, with total operating revenue of €48 million.

 

Southampton charged by EFL over Middlesbrough training ground complaint

Southampton have been charged by the English Football League after Middlesbrough alleged a member of the club’s staff carried out unauthorised filming at their training ground before the Championship play-off semi-final between the sides.

The EFL said on Friday the case would be referred to an Independent Disciplinary Commission after Southampton were charged with allegedly breaching regulations concerning good faith between clubs and observing another club’s training session within 72 hours of a fixture.

The charges follow a complaint lodged by Middlesbrough after a man, believed to be part of Southampton’s backroom staff, was discovered at Rockliffe Park on Thursday morning. Southampton said they “acknowledge” the charges and would “be fully cooperating with the league throughout this process”.

Promotion play-off

The EFL said Southampton would ordinarily have 14 days to respond, but added it would request an expedited process because of the circumstances surrounding the case.

Middlesbrough are understood to possess CCTV footage of the incident after the individual was confronted by club personnel before leaving the training ground area.

 

Aston Villa owners in talks to buy stake in FC Annecy

Aston Villa’s ownership group, V Sports, are in advanced discussions to acquire a controlling stake in French second-tier club FC Annecy, according to The Athletic.

The report said negotiations have progressed in recent months as V Sports seek to expand their multi-club model, which already includes Portuguese side Vitoria Guimares, and Spain’s Real Union. Villa established an informal partnership with Annecy last year, sharing information on players and operational methods.

V Sports director of global football development Matthew Kidson has been overseeing links between the clubs. The Athletic reported that a formal agreement would support plans to send more Villa players to Annecy, while also improving facilities and potentially redeveloping the club’s 15,600-capacity Parc des Sports stadium.

Push for promotion

Annecy are currently seventh in Ligue 2 and remain in contention for a promotion play-off place ahead of their final match against Rodez.

Villa academy players Triston Rowe and Travis Patterson have both joined Annecy during the current season, while Villa staff have continued to visit France to monitor player development and support collaboration between the clubs. The Athletic added that V Sports have also explored investment opportunities with other European clubs.

 

Trump questions $1,000 World Cup ticket prices for US opener

US president Donald Trump said he would not pay more than $1,000 to attend the United States’ opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, adding to scrutiny over ticket pricing for the tournament.

In an interview with the New York Post, Trump referred to prices for the US men’s national team match against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and said: “I wouldn’t pay it either, to be honest.”

At the time of writing on Friday, the cheapest available ticket on FIFA’s official ticketing platform for the match was priced at $1,220 for a category three accessible seat. The highest-priced ticket available was listed at $4,105 for a front-row category one seat, a new premium category introduced for the tournament.

Ticket prices

FIFA president Gianni Infantino earlier this week defended the pricing structure, arguing that the governing body had to reflect market conditions in the United States entertainment sector. He also pointed to the country’s secondary ticketing market as a factor affecting prices.

“We have to look at the market … in the US it is permitted to resell tickets as well,” Infantino said. “So if you were to sell tickets at the price which is too low, these tickets will be resold at a much higher price.”

Venezia have secured a €100 million investment from a group led by sports executive Tim Leiweke following the club’s promotion to Serie A, according to a club statement.

The Italian club confirmed Canadian rapper Drake, who invested in Venezia in 2024, helped introduce Leiweke and his daughter Francesca Bodie as part of the transaction.

Leiweke has held senior roles across North American sports organisations including the Los Angeles Galaxy, Los Angeles Lakers and Toronto Maple Leafs. He has been appointed co-chairman of the club’s operating committee, while Bodie will become president. Leiweke said the group aimed to make Venezia “a permanent fixture in Serie A”.

Significant minority investment.

Venezia did not disclose the structure of the investment or the size of the stake acquired by Leiweke’s group. The club described the deal as a significant minority investment.

The club returned to Italy’s top division after a 2-2 draw against Spezia secured promotion with one game remaining. Venezia had been relegated from Serie A the previous season and will now compete in the top flight in 2026-27.

Independent Football Regulator to block unlicensed gambling sponsorship

The Independent Football Regulator has been urged to prevent Premier League clubs from accepting sponsorship from gambling operators unlicensed in the UK as part of its consultation on a new licensing regime for English football clubs, according to The Guardian.

Entain, the owner of Ladbrokes and Coral, submitted a response to the regulator asking it to clarify that clubs should not be allowed to enter commercial agreements with betting companies operating unlawfully in Britain. Several Premier League clubs currently have sponsorship arrangements with unlicensed operators.

Everton, Sunderland, Fulham, Bournemouth and Burnley all have shirt sponsorship deals with gambling companies not licensed in the UK, while 18 Premier League clubs have displayed adverts for such operators on pitchside LED boards this season.

Unlicensed gambling scrutiny grows

The Premier League’s voluntary ban on front-of-shirt gambling sponsorship will begin next season, although clubs are still permitted to sign agreements with operators outside the UK regulatory system. Some clubs are expected to move existing deals to shirt sleeves.

Entain chief executive Stella David wrote to Premier League chief executive Richard Masters in February warning about links between sports piracy and unlicensed gambling.

Sky seeks up to €1.9 billion from Telecom Italia and DAZN in Serie A case

Sky has filed a lawsuit seeking up to €1.9 billion in damages from Telecom Italia (TIM) and sports streaming platform DAZN over their Serie A broadcasting agreement in Italy, according to Reuters.

Sky alleges that a 2021 distribution partnership between TIM and DAZN breached antitrust rules and was designed to exclude Sky from the market. DAZN secured exclusive domestic rights to screen all Serie A matches from 2021 to 2024 in a deal worth €2.5 billion before agreeing preferential distribution terms with TIM.

Italy’s antitrust regulator ruled in 2023 that the TIM-DAZN agreement restricted competition and fined the companies €800,000 and €7.2 million respectively after changes were made to parts of the contract.

Hearings to begin later this year

Sky is seeking €1.1 billion in compensation for lost profit, while the total claim could rise to €1.9 billion once interest payments and alleged brand devaluation are included.

TIM said it was informed of the claim on 25 March and expects key hearings to begin in the final quarter of the year.

Manchester United confirm Dave Brailsford exit from club board

Manchester United have formally confirmed Sir Dave Brailsford’s departure from the club’s board of directors, according to a Companies House filing.

The filing stated that Brailsford’s role as a director was terminated on April 30, ending his formal involvement in United’s board structure after stepping back from day-to-day duties at Old Trafford last summer.

Brailsford returned to a broader position within INEOS in 2024, focusing on his responsibilities as director of sport and work with the Grenadiers cycling team. He joined United’s board in December 2023 after Sir Jim Ratcliffe completed his minority investment in the Premier League club.

Reshapes board structure

Rob Nevin, chairman of INEOS Sport, will replace Brailsford on the board. Brailsford had remained a director alongside members of the Glazer family, former manager Sir Alex Ferguson and former chief executive David Gill.

Jean-Claude Blanc, who joined the board alongside Brailsford following Ratcliffe’s investment, also stepped away from his position last year.

Liverpool freeze future ticket rise after supporter protests

Liverpool have revised planned ticket price increases after discussions with the club’s Supporters Board and protests from fans at recent matches.

The club confirmed that a previously announced three per cent rise in general admission prices for the 2026/27 season will remain in place, but ticket prices will now be frozen for the following campaign.

Liverpool said in the statement: “Following further dialogue with its Supporters Board, the club can now confirm an inflationary increase of three percent to general admission tickets for season 2026/27, followed by a price freeze for season 2027/28.”

Plans for price increase prompted criticism

Liverpool had announced in March that ticket prices would increase by three per cent next season, with further inflation-linked rises planned for 2027/28 and 2028/29. The plans prompted criticism from supporters, including protests during the Premier League home match against Crystal Palace.

Supporters held up yellow cards across Anfield during the Crystal Palace match, while chants against the club’s ownership were heard around the stadium.

Liverpool Supporters Board said it welcomed the revised approach and would continue discussions with the club over future pricing proposals and alternative revenue options. The board added that it recognised some supporters would remain dissatisfied with next season’s increase despite the freeze for 2027/28.

The Premier League generated record revenue of £3.66 billion in 2024/25, although turnover increased by only 0.1 per cent year-on-year, according to the league’s latest financial report. Profit fell 25 per cent to £87 million.

International broadcasting remained the competition’s largest source of income, contributing £1.85 billion, equivalent to around half of total revenue. The overseas rights cycle is due to enter a new phase from 2026/27, when the Premier League plans to internalise international media production and distribution following the end of its partnership with IMG.

The figures also showed a decline in distributions to clubs. Payments fell 3.5 per cent year-on-year to £2.82 billion.

Costs Increase

Operating expenses rose 22 per cent to £556.3 million, largely due to an £80 million payment to community football linked to the Premier League’s 2021 agreement with the UK government over domestic TV rights.

The payment was triggered by lower-than-expected parachute payments, as more clubs moved between the Premier League and the Championship.

Legal costs fell slightly to just over £44 million in 2024/25, according to The Times, down from £48 million a year earlier.
 

De Tavernost warns on piracy as Ligue 1 broadcasting revenue remain under pressure

LFP Media director general Nicolas de Tavernost said piracy has cost Ligue 1+ around €100 million in lost revenue, during a hearing before the French Senate’s Culture, Education, Communication and Sport Committee on Wednesday. According to L’Equipe, de Tavernost said the platform could have attracted an additional 400,000 subscribers without illegal streaming.

The outgoing executive also referred to “potential conflicts of interest” when questioned about Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser al-Khelaïfi, who also heads beIN Media Group, following the collapse of Ligue 1+’s attempt to acquire rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

De Tavernost said neither the French Football Federation nor the LFP had pursued action with FIFA over the matter, which contributed to his decision to step down at the end of the season.

€11.7 million for winning Ligue 1

Separately, L’Equipe reported that Ligue 1 clubs have received preliminary estimates from the LFP projecting domestic and international TV rights revenues of €412.2 million for the 2026/27 season. After deductions including the share due to CVC Capital Partners, solidarity payments and Ligue 2 allocations, the net amount available for Ligue 1 clubs would fall to €184.1 million.

Under the current projections, the Ligue 1 champions would receive €11.7 million from domestic broadcasting revenues, while the bottom club would collect €3.6 million.
 

Real Madrid challenge RFEF and LaLiga Copa del Rey rights agreement

Real Madrid have filed a legal challenge against agreements between the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and LaLiga covering the production and commercialisation of Copa del Rey audiovisual rights until 2031/32, according to El Confidencial.

The agreements reintroduce a centralised model for managing the competition’s broadcast rights, with the RFEF and LaLiga arguing that the structure improves production standards and strengthens the product’s position in the audiovisual market.

Real Madrid believe the arrangements exceed the organisations’ powers and restrict clubs’ ability to make independent decisions over audiovisual matters.

LaLiga defends agreements

LaLiga said it will defend the agreements, which it considers legally valid. The organisation also pointed to previous court rulings supporting centralised production, arguing the system helps protect the value and consistency of the competition’s broadcast product.

Servimedia reported that the agreement has generated €5 million more than initially forecast for the RFEF. Federation president Rafael Louzán announced the measure in September 2025 as part of renewed cooperation between the RFEF and LaLiga following his appointment.
 

Infantino defends FIFA World Cup ticket pricing policy

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended the governing body’s World Cup ticket pricing strategy, arguing that demand in the resale market shows supporters are willing to pay significantly more than face value for seats at the tournament.

Speaking at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles, Infantino said FIFA had to apply “market rates” in the United States, where ticket resale laws allow seats to be sold at prices far above their original value. He added that 25 per cent of group-stage tickets had been priced below $300.

Infantino also rejected criticism that FIFA's pricing was excessive, saying tickets were still appearing on resale platforms at more than double their original price. “Even though some people are saying that the ticket prices we have are high, they still end up on the resale market at an even higher price,” he said.

Jokes and inaccurate claim

FIFA's official resale platform has listed four tickets for the 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey at more than $2 million each. Infantino joked that he would personally buy a hot dog and a Coke for any supporter willing to pay that amount.

The comments come after Football Supporters Europe filed a complaint with the European Commission in March over what it described as excessive ticket pricing for the tournament. The Times reported that Infantino also claimed tickets for US college American Football events could not be bought for less than $300, despite lower-priced seats being available from about $30.

Serie A are assessing the creation of a separate media company to manage the sale of international television rights, with the potential involvement of new investors. The proposal is at an early stage and forms part of a broader review of how the league commercialises its content abroad.

Lega Serie A president Ezio Simonelli said the league are working with advisers to explore a structure that could attract financial partners without granting governance rights. The vehicle would focus on international rights, distinct from the league’s existing domestic commercial operations.

Speaking at the Merger & Acquisition Summit 2026 organised by Il Sole 24 Ore on Tuesday, Simonelli said: “We are considering international TV rights … the possibility of creating a media company with other investors. We are at an early stage, we cannot say that we will do it, but we do not want to leave anything untried.”

Infrastructure and scheduling constraints

He added that previous discussions with investment funds had stalled over governance concerns, but the current proposal centres on a structure limited to financial participation. Simonelli said there was no widespread opposition at this stage and that further evaluation would depend on more detailed data.

Simonelli attributed the league’s international commercial challenges to stadium infrastructure and match scheduling, adding that “our biggest matches are at 20:45 and in the Middle East … people are sleeping”, which he said limits audiences in one of Serie A’s key overseas markets.
 

DAZN agrees Telenet distribution deal for Belgian Pro League coverage

DAZN has reached an agreement with Telenet to distribute its Belgian Pro League coverage, ending a prolonged period of uncertainty over the league’s domestic broadcast arrangements. The deal gives the streaming service a local partner after months without wider carriage.

From the start of the 2026/27 season, Telenet customers will be able to watch all Pro League matches live. The agreement runs for the remainder of DAZN’s current rights cycle, which is due to continue until the end of the 2029/30 campaign.

The agreement follows a dispute between DAZN and the Pro League after the streamer sought to terminate its domestic rights contract and withheld payments due under the deal. The league subsequently initiated legal proceedings to enforce the agreement.

Distribution uncertainty

In January, the Belgian Arbitration and Mediation Centre ordered DAZN to continue covering the Pro League until the end of the 2025/26 season. The ruling also required the streamer to resume negotiations with telecom companies over wider distribution.

Telenet will begin limited coverage this month, making selected play-off matches available to its television customers, including fixtures from the season-ending title play-offs.
 

Marseille face possible UEFA sanctions after alleged settlement breach

Olympique de Marseille are facing potential sanctions from UEFA after allegedly breaching the terms of a financial settlement agreed in 2022, according to L’Équipe.

The club were placed under enhanced financial monitoring after failing to meet Financial Fair Play requirements and accepted a deal with UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body that included a fine and a commitment to improve their financial position over time.

Figures submitted to the French financial regulator show Marseille’s losses have increased across the monitoring period, with deficits reported in each of the past three seasons. Sources cited by L’Équipe said the club are now considered to be “in breach” of the agreement, with a decision from UEFA expected later this month.

UEFA exclusion risk

Marseille are expected to argue that a drop in domestic television revenues has contributed to their financial position, which they may present as a mitigating factor during the review process.

If UEFA determines the breach to be limited, sanctions could include further fines or restrictions on squad registration in European competitions, while more severe findings could lead to exclusion from UEFA tournaments.
 

LaLiga to close LaLiga+ streaming platform from 30 June

LaLiga will shut down its streaming platform LaLiga+ on 30 June, ending seven years of broadcasts as it shifts away from a single-platform distribution model.

The organisation said the move reflects a shift in the audiovisual market, with audiences increasingly spread across multiple channels, reducing the role of a single streaming service.

The platform currently carries competitions including handball, as well as basketball and futsal, but LaLiga said it will now focus on enabling distribution and supporting the wider sports media ecosystem rather than operating a dedicated streaming platform.

Strategy shift

LaLiga sources told 2Playbook that the platform had met its original objectives, adding: “LaLiga+ was not created as a business in itself… but with a broader aim: to provide visibility… to numerous sports federations”.

LaLiga+ was launched as LaLigaSportsTV and has required more than €10 million in technology investment, alongside annual spending of around €5 million on media rights to support more than 45 federations.