ALK Capital, the owner of Burnley FC, are aiming to raise around £150 million in order to fund a multi-club ownership model, according to Bloomberg.

The business publication says the New York-based group has held initial discussions with potential investors over ways to raise capital.
Earlier this month, The Athletic reported that ALK are in talks over a potential investment in Spanish club RCD Espanyol.

Last year, the US management firm revealed a ‘strategic partnership’ with Dundee, as part of a collaboration intended to ‘cultivate and promote player development’ between the Scottish side and Burnley.

Burnley to make Premier League return next season

ALK, which completed an 84 per cent takeover of Burnley in December 2020 for a reported £170 million, has overseen two promotions during the company’s tenure at Turf Moor.

Despite Burnley reporting a loss of £28.5 million for the 2023/24 season, the Lancashire club are expecting a significant uptick in revenue due to their return to the Premier League for the 2025/26 campaign.

Everton make four new appointments to leadership team

Everton have announced four new appointments as part of the Premier League club’s leadership structure.

Nick Cox has been hired as technical director, as well as naming James Smith as director of scouting and recruitment, and appointing Chris Howarthto direct the club’s football strategy and analytics operations, and Nick Hammond o lead the club’s player trading activity.

Cox joins from Manchester United, where he has served as the club’s academy director since 2019, while Smith, who currently holds the position of director of scouting and recruitment at City Football Group (CFG), will join Everton in September.

Howarth has worked with 14 different European clubs throughout his career, with Everton owner The Friedkin Group acquiring his data consultancy Insight Sport as part of his arrival. Meanwhile transfer specialist Hammond most recently worked as a transfer consultant at Leeds United and Newcastle United, and previously served as director of football at Reading for 13 years.

CEO hails new leadership structure

All four new arrivals will work alongside Everton CEO Angus Kinnear, who recently joined the Merseyside club from Leeds United. “I’m delighted with the appointments of Nick, James and Nick,” Kinnear said.

“Their CVs speak for themselves - they are exceptional operators, hugely respected in the game and an example of the ambition we hold as a Club in ensuring the pathways and structures in place across our football operations are of the very highest standard."

NBA star Kevin Durant invests in Paris Saint-Germain

NBA star Kevin Durant has acquired a minority stake in French champions Paris Saint-Germain, through his media and investment company Boardroom, the club have confirmed.

The 36-year-old has signed a strategic partnership with PSG owner Qatar Sports Investments (QSI).

Durant’s previous involvement with PSG

Last August, the two-time NBA champion established a relationship with PSG via private equity firm, Arctos Partners, which holds a 12.5 per cent stake in the club.

Boardroom Sports Holdings, Durant’s investment vehicle, has now secured a purchase and strategic partnership agreement with PSG, formalising his involvement with the team.

Through this collaboration, Boardroom and QSI will partner on a range of commercial, investment, and content production initiatives.

VfB Stuttgart ‘set to terminate’ CFO’s contract one year early

Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart are considering terminating the contract of CFO Dr. Thomas Ignatzi, Kicker has reported. Ignatzi first joined Stuttgart in 2021, with his contract reportedly set to run until 15th August 2026.

According to the German publication, changes to the club’s executive board are ‘imminent’, while Ignatzi’s departure could be confirmed as early as Wednesday at a supervisory board meeting.

As part of a restructuring, the finance team is ‘likely’ to fall under the management of the club’s CEO Alexander Wehrle.

Further changes at Stuttgart

Meanwhile, Peter Schymon, deputy chairman on Stuttgart’s supervisory board, is also reportedly set to leave the club.

The 54-year-old represents German car manufacturer Mercedes Benz, which acquired a 10 per cent stake in the club in 2024. With Schymon leaving the company, Stuttgart will reportedly to discuss his potential replacement during their annual general meeting in July.

New York Jets co-owner Woody Johnson is leading the race to acquire John Textor’s 43 per cent share in Crystal Palace, The Telegraph has reported.

The American tabled a bid worth around £200 million for Textor’s stake in the club, which reportedly have a valuation of approximately £500 million.

The 78-year-old, who has owned the Jets since purchasing the NFL franchise for $635 million in 2000, previously tried to buy Chelsea in 2022.

Last week, UK media reported that Palace have received three offers for Textor’s stake, with the US businessman looking to sell his shares.

Palace awaiting Europa League verdict

The South London club, which qualified for next season’s Europa League after their FA Cup victory, are still awaiting a final decision from UEFA on whether they will be able to compete in the competition, due to Textor’s majority ownership of French club Lyon.

Palace face being removed from the Europa League due to breaches of UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules.
 

Juventus and Adidas ink ten-year, €408 million extension

Juventus have agreed a ten-year extension to their kit supply deal with Adidas, running until the end of the 2036/37 season and worth €408 million over its duration.

While the renewal has the same total valuation as the existing deal, it will run for ten seasons rather than eight, meaning the annual value is down by around €10 million.

Adidas has produced the Italian club’s kits since 2015, when the German sportswear brand took over from rivals Nike.

Aiming to ‘bring fans closer to the club’

“This renewal fills us with pride and testifies to the synergy between these two great companies,” said Maurizio Scanavino, CEO at Juventus.

“Together, we will continue to develop products, create unique experiences, ambitious projects, and contaminations that speak the language of new generations, with the aim of bringing fans even closer to the club, making it an integral part of their daily lives, their passions, their identity.”
 

Southampton owner open to new investment but has no plans to sell

Southampton owner Dragan Solak has said he is open to new investment, but has no intentions to sell the English club, during an interview with BBC Sport.

The Serbian businessman is the lead investor in Sport Republic, a British sports investment company that acquired an 80 per cent majority stake in Southampton back in 2022.

Sport Republic’s ownership portfolio also includes third tier French club Valenciennes, Turkish Süper Lig side Göztepe S.K., and FC Mali Coura.

Solak doesn’t rule out bringing in new partners in the future

Speaking to BBC Sport, Solak said: “I have never had any plans of selling the club.

“I might invite some partners to join me if and when we are promoted to the Premier League, because I think we'll need maybe [more investment].

“But selling was never on my mind, I was thinking much more about this 10-year project of how to develop the club commercially and financially so it is more robust and less dependent on TV rights deals.”

Paris Saint-Germain ordered to pay Adrien Rabiot €1.3 million

French champions Paris Saint-Germain have been ordered to pay former player Adrien Rabiot €1.3 million after a ruling from the Paris Court of Appeal, L’Équipe has reported.

The Marseille midfielder, who previously played at the Parc des Princes between 2010 and 2019, won his legal case, with his fixed-term contracts reclassified as permanent.

Back in 2018, Rabiot was axed from PSG’s first team squad until the end of the season, after refusing to extend his tenure at the club, prompting his ultimate departure to Juventus the following summer.

Rabiot’s lawyer reflects on court ruling

“This is an important decision because it punishes the club for the arbitrary and unjustified dismissal of the player,” Rabiot’s lawyer Romuald Palao told AFP.

“Furthermore, he was unfairly sanctioned by the club at the time, a sanction that should not have existed.”

Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) are interested in acquiring LaLiga club Gefate, as reported by The Times.

A potential takeover would see the US group adopt a multi-club ownership model. At present, FSG’s sports team portfolio also includes MLB’s Boston Red Sox, and the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins.

Earlier this year, FSG were linked with a takeover of Malaga, after previously pulling out of talks to buy French side Girondins de Bordeaux last summer.

FSG ‘evaluating opportunities’

Spanish businessman Angel Torres, who has owned Getafe since 2002, has previously stated his intention to leave the Madrid-based club, when the renovation of their Estadio Coliseum stadium is complete in 2027.

An FSG spokesman told The Times: “FSG routinely engages in conversations and evaluates opportunities across global sports, a common process to assess ventures that align with the organisation’s strategic priorities.”
 

Sheffield Wednesday handed transfer ban until 2027

Sheffield Wednesday have been handed a three-window fee ban by the EFL, preventing the club from spending money on transfers until 2027.

In a statement, the EFL said that the club would be sanctioned after ‘exceeding 30 days of late payments’ to players and staff between 1st July 2024 and 30th June 2025.

Wednesday have subsequently confirmed their intention to challenge the ruling.

The Championship club and owner Dejphon Chansiri recently received separate disciplinary charges from the EFL, after repeatedly failing to pay their staff and players on time for the months of March and May.

Former owner planning to “rescue” the club

Amid Wednesday’s ongoing financial difficulties, former owner Milan Mandaric has said he will try to buy back the club, in order to save it from being “destroyed” under its current ownership.

The Serbian-American businessman said: “It needs a big rescue now - all of us who love football and love Sheffield [Wednesday] have no doubt about that.

“I am going to definitely try to see [Chansiri] with my people and be very straight in telling him that he is going to destroy the club unless he lets new people like me get involved.”
 

Nottingham Forest receive boost in City Ground redevelopment plans

Nottingham Forest have received a boost in their plans to renovate the City Ground, after the local Rushcliffe Borough Council ‘recommended that planning permission be granted.’

The Premier League club are looking to demolish and rebuild the Peter Taylor stand as part of the redevelopment, increasing the stadium’s total capacity from 30,445 to 35,000.

In a joint statement on Wednesday, Forest and the council said: ‘Nottingham Forest has been in regular dialogue with Rushcliffe Borough Council, Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council regarding the redevelopment of the City Ground.

‘The parties can confirm they are working towards the Rushcliffe Borough Council Planning Committee date of Thursday 26th June to consider the application.’

Forest’s plans for further expansion

The Midlands club have previously revealed that they intend to start the redevelopment as soon as they receive the green light from local authorities.

In the future, Forest also plan to redevelop the Bridgford Stand, raising the stadium’s capacity to 40,000.
 

Malaga co-owner to propose €20 million capital increase

Malaga CF co-owner BlueBay is set to propose a capital increase of €20 million during the club’s general shareholders meeting next Thursday, according to Palco23.

The report also says the hotel franchise will propose an investment of €600 million to help revitalise the LaLiga 2 club.

BlueBay holds a 49 per cent stake in Málaga, while the remaining 51 per cent majority share belongs to Sheikh Abdullah Al Thani — currently under the control of the club’s judicial administrator, José María Muñoz.

Earlier this month, Spanish prosecutors requested 14-year prison sentences for Abdullah Al Thani, as well as his three sons, due to alleged misappropriation of funds, unfair administration, and the imposition of abusive agreements.

New investment to help “create a great club”

In a statement, BlueBay president Jamal Satli Iglesias said: "Our goal is to create a great club, with unprecedented future potential in terms of assets and sporting assets.

“Nothing, on a personal level, excites me more than making this great project a reality for my city , for the city where my children were born, and for the largest city, the best city, together with all the people of Málaga, fans, and supporters of our beloved Malaga.”
 

Monza set for takeover by US investors

A US consortium is close to completing a takeover of Italian club Monza, Calcio e Finanza has reported.

According to the Italian sports business publication, the takeover could be finalised in the next few days.

Monza are currently owned by the the family of Silvio Berlusconi, the former Italian prime minister who purchased the Lombardi-based club in 2018.

Club eyeing Serie A return

In January, the club held takeover talks with Italian-American tycoon Mario Gabelli, however these ultimately broke down.

Following their relegation to Serie B at the end of the 2024/25 season, Monza are seeking an immediate return to Italy’s top flight.

FIFA has spent more than $50 million on marketing to promote this year’s Club World Cup, The Athletic has reported.

Football’s global governing body has increased its initial budget by ‘millions’ over the last month in order to help boost ticket sales for the competition.

FIFA slashed ticket prices for the Club World Cup earlier this month. For the opening match between Inter Miami and Al Ahly, prices saw a significant drop from $349 to $55.75. In spite of this, FIFA said that it anticipated “great attendances” throughout the competition.

Mixed bag of attendances

So far, match attendances have fluctuated during the first few matches of the Club World Cup. Although the Inter Miami vs Al Ahly fixture ultimately drew 60,927 fans, FC Porto’s matchup against Palmeiras was only watched by 46,275 at the 82,500-seat MetLife Stadium.

Similarly, Brazilian club Botafogo’s win against Seattle Sounders at Lumen Field delivered an attendance of 30,151, which is less than half of the venue’s 68,740 capacity.

Bayern Munich set for ‘€65 million a year’ sponsorship extension with Telekom

Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich are set to extend their longstanding main sponsorship agreement with Deutsche Telekom, according to German publication Sport Bild.

Deutsche Telekom’s current deal with Bayern was signed in 2022, and runs until the end of the 2026/27 season. The telecommunications firm’s logo has featured on the front of the club’s kits since 2002.

Bayern Munich are now close to finalising a five-year extension, which will be worth €65 million per season, and €325 million in total, up from around €50 million annually under the previous contract.

Emirates interested

Despite interest from Emirates in becoming Bayern’s new shirt sponsor, the club opted to renew with Deutsche Telekom after the company significantly increased its offer.

The latest extension marks the most lucrative sponsorship deal in German football, followed by Borussia Dortmund’s new principal partnership with Vodafone, which is reportedly worth around €30 million a year.

LaLiga president says his “goal” is to prevent future editions of FIFA Club World Cup

LaLiga president Javier Tebas has called on FIFA to scrap plans for future editions of the expanded Club World Cup.

During an event marking the 10-year anniversary of the centralisation of LaLiga’s audiovisual rights, Tebas said he aims to prevent future editions of the expanded, month-long tournament, which is currently being played in the US, and comprises 32 teams for the first time.

“My goal is to ensure there are no more Club World Cups, that’s very clear,” said Tebas.

Should be ‘eliminated’

Doubling down on his assessment of the revamped Club World Cup, Tebas continued: “There's no need for yet another competition that moves money to a sector of clubs and players and comes from somewhere.

“There's no more money here; we have to maintain the ecosystem and eliminate it. Keep it as it was before, which was a weekend. There's no way, neither in terms of dates, nor economics, nor maintaining the sustainability of football.”

Serie A launches betting rights tender from 2025 to 2029

Serie A has launched a tender process for the Italian top flight’s betting streaming and data rights for the next four years between the 2025/26 and 2028/29 seasons.

The league has submitted a request for proposals (RFP), inviting submissions ahead of a 30th June deadline.

Serie A is offering five packages for sports betting and data rights for the next four-year cycle. The tender also includes rights to the Copa Italia and Supercoppa domestic cup competitions.

Legal battle with Stats Perform

The return to market comes amid Serie A’s ongoing legal dispute with Stats Perform, which previously held the league’s betting data and video rights between 2021 and 2024.

Although the Stats Perform had provisionally been granted the rights for the next five years between 2024 and 2029, the company later pulled out of the deal, prompting legal action from Serie A.

Former Real Madrid and Wales player Gareth Bale is fronting a US consortium’s proposed takeover of English club Plymouth Argyle, as reported by The Telegraph.

The 35-year-old is part of a consortium that comprises a private equity group, as well as members of the Storch family.

While initial talks between the group and League One club have reportedly taken place, the discussions have yet to progress further.

Seeking additional investment

In March, Plymouth’s majority shareholder Simon Hallett agreed to a deal in principle to sell a minority stake, however this fell through last month.

The club was relegated from the Championship at the end of the 2024/25 season, as the team target a swift return to England’s second tier.

John Textor lists Eagle Football Holdings for IPO

Lyon owner and Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor has listed his company Eagle Football Holdings for an initial public offering (IPO) in the US, according to a report from Bloomberg.

In recent weeks, the American has been linked with selling his 43 per cent stake in Crustal Palace, with reports last week revealing that Palace had received three separate offers for his share.

Eagle Football has made a confidential S-1 filing, although the number of shares and their value have not been disclosed. In November 2024, Textor first announced plans for an IPO, with a company valuation of $2 billion.

Palace’s ongoing UEFA saga

By winning the FA Cup, Crystal Palace qualified for next season’s Europa League campaign, however the club’s status in the competition is currently unclear, due to UEFA’s multi-club ownership regulations. This is because of Textor’s involvement as the majority owner of Lyon.

UEFA’s rules state that no individual can have influence over two clubs in the same competition, meaning Palace could be in breach of the regulations. Textor’s recent offer to place his Palace share into a blind trust was rejected by European football’s governing body, after he missed the 1st March deadline, prompting him to look to sell his stake.

FC Barcelona set to eclipse €1 billion in revenue by 2027

Barcelona are on course to reach €1.1 billion in annual revenue by 2027, a forecast by Morningstar DBRS has revealed. According to the Toronto-headquartered agency, the LaLiga champions’ credit rating has improved from ‘stable’ to positive’.

This is due the club’s ‘improved financial performance’ over the last two years, as well as their projected return to the Spotify Camp Nou for the 2025/26 season, following the stadium’s reported €1.5 billion renovation.

The credit rating provider is also forecasting Barcelona to generate a gross operating profit of €90 million for 2025, and revealed that the club had a debt of around €1.5 billion in 2023.

"Expactation of further improvement"

Morningstar said: ‘The change in trend to positive from stable is supported by [Barcelona’s] improved financial performance over the last two seasons along with the expectation of further improvement thanks to higher revenues because of the club's return to the Spotify Camp Nou as well as effective cost controls carried by the club and supported by [UEFA] and LaLiga sustainability frameworks.

'Morningstar DBRS expects the club to deliver positive free cash flow and show deleveraging capacity.’

Germany’s Federal Cartel Office: Exemptions from 50+1 rules are no longer possible

Germany’s Federal Cartel Office has revealed its assessment of the 50+1 ownership rule within German football.

The 50+1 rule states that members hold a 50 per cent share in a club, as well as one more vote, granting them voting rights.

Although the Federal Cartel Office found no fundamental issues with the German Football League’s (DFL) rule, it has deemed that there can be no exceptions to the rule going forward.

The office’s CEO, Andreas Bundt, has called on the DFL to take three measures, including the removal of exceptions from the 50+1 rule. Although clubs such as Bayer Leverkusen and VfL Wolfsburg had previously been exempt from the rule, this can no longer be allowed to happen.

Additional measures include ensuring that the values of the 50+1 rule also apply to the DFL’s own voting process, after former Hannover managing director Martin Kind voted in favour of DFL investment, going against instructions from the club.

DFL responds to assessment

Hans-Joachim Watzke, spokesperson for the DFL’s executive board, said: “The DFL Executive Board will continue to advocate for the protection and continued existence of the rule. We will discuss the Federal Cartel Office's assessment in detail following the review that has been ongoing since 2018 within the DFL Executive Board.

“One thing is clear: the entire league association, the DFL, will have to find solutions to jointly safeguard and strengthen the rule.”

Plans for new governance bill in French football opposed by some Ligue 1 clubs

The new governance bill proposed by the French senate last week has caused tension among some Ligue 1 clubs, L’Équipe has reported. Some clubs within France’s top flight are unhappy with the proposal, which would see media rights divide up more equally between teams in comparison to the current structure.

Having been adopted by the French senate, the bill is still yet to be approved by France’s National Assembly.
The French Football Federation (FFF) is seeking to reform the top two tiers of men’s professional football - Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 - which would see clubs become shareholders in a new entity that would oversee the two leagues, in place of the Professional Football League (LFP).

Last week, the French senate confirmed that FFF reserves the right to dissolve LFP if the two organisations cannot come to an agreement.

FFF president also draws criticism

FFF president Philippe Diallo has also been a source of criticism among some clubs, due to his perceived closeness to French senators.

Some teams reportedly believe that Diallo is responsible for the proposal for a more equal split in broadcast rights revenue among clubs.

WSL to expand to 14 clubs from 2026/27

The Women’s Super League (WSL) will expand to 14 teams from the 2026/27 season, the league has announced.

This follows a club vote during a WSL Football shareholders meeting on Monday, with the proposal now subject to approval from England’s Football Association (FA).

From next season, there will be no automatic relegation from WSL 1 to WSL 2. Conversely, the top two placed teams within the second tier will earn automatic promotion, while the third-placed team in WSL 2 will enter a relegation/promotion playoff with the club that finished 12th in WSL 1.

Earlier this year, WSL Football (then known as Women’s Professional Leagues Limited), which governs the top two tiers of English women’s football, was reportedly considering scrapping relegation between 2026 and 2030, in order to expand both WSL 1 and WSL 2 to 16 teams each. However, these plans were ultimately abandoned, following significant backlash from fans.

Help the game “reach its potential”

Nikki Doucet, CEO of WSL Football, said: “Over the past few months, WSL Football has led a thorough and robust, consultative process backed by research and analysis which explored multiple options that could drive the game forward and help it reach its potential.

“Our priority was to find a route that would benefit the whole women’s game pyramid, and we believe this next evolution of women’s professional football will raise minimum standards, create distinction and incentivise investment across the board.”

VfB Stuttgart open legal proceedings against former shirt sponsor

VfB Stuttgart 1893 are taking legal action against their former main shirt sponsor Winamax, the German club have confirmed.

In the statement, Stuttgart announced that they have now filed a lawsuit against Winamax with the civil chamber of the Stuttgart regional court, after the French betting brand failed to make payments despite ‘numerous reminders’ from the Bundesliga club.

Stuttgart said: ‘The filing was necessary and unavoidable as the partner had not made any payments, despite all out-of-court efforts by VfB Stuttgart 1893 AG. VfB Stuttgart 1893 AG is claiming the partner’s contractual payments from the contractual relationship ending on 30th June 2025.

€2.5 million in missed payments

The agreement, which was signed in 2023, and was set to run until the end of the 2025/26 season, was recently terminated due to unpaid fees.

Winamax owed Stuttgart around €2.5 million in missed payments.
 

French broadcaster Canal+ has submitted two offers to LFP Media for the new Ligue 1 channel, L’Équipe has reported.

Following the termination of the French Football League’s (LFP) five-year domestic rights agreement with DAZN after the 2024/25 season, which was reportedly worth around €400 million annually, the organisation recently confirmed plans to launch its own Ligue 1 channel.

This month, LFP launched its tender process for the new channel, which will be produced by LFP Media, and is set for launch ahead of next season, according to L’Équipe.

LFP Media’s two proposals from Canal+

The first offer from Canal+ would reportedly see the network air eight weekly Ligue 1 fixtures, as well as co-broadcasting the Sunday night game alongside the Ligue 1 channel. From the 2026/27 campaign, Canal+ would then broadcast all nine matches each fixture round.

As reported by L'Équipe, the alternative offer would involve Canal+ distributing the new channel, with this believed to be the preferred option for LFP.

Spurs take legal action against INEOS

Tottenham Hotspur are taking legal action against INEOS Automotive, having filed a claim in the London Commercial court.

The Premier League club initially signed a five-year partnership with the Sir Jim Ratcliffe-owned company in 2022, which designated the INEOS Grenadier as Spurs’ official 4x4 partner. However in March, the club agreed to terminate the contract after three years.

Earlier this year, INEOS reached a settlement with New Zealand Rugby (NZR), after the national rugby body initiated legal proceedings against the firm over an alleged missed first payment of 2025.

INEOS on termination of Spurs deal

In a statement shared by UK media, INEOS said: “INEOS Automotive has been a partner of Tottenham Hotspur since 2022, expanding on a partnership agreement that INEOS Group had in place with the club since 2020.

“We have a contractual right to terminate our partnership contract and in December 2024 exercised that right.”

Inter Milan announce early repayment of €400 million bond

Inter Milan have announced an early repayment of the club’s €400 million bond, which was due in February 2027.

The Italian club say that unpaid interest and additional amounts of €12.96 million take the total amount owed to around €412 million.

Although further terms of the refinancing were not disclosed, the 20-time Serie A champions revealed the bond will be paid off in the coming weeks.

Inter’s change in ownership

Last year, Inter were acquired by US asset management firm Oaktree Capital, after their previous ownership, Chinese company Suning Holdings Group, failed to repay a €395 million loan ahead of a 21st May deadline.

During Tuning’s tenure, the club issued an initial €300 million bond in 2017 order to refinance the club’s debt, which was set to mature in 2022. Five years later, Inter issued a second €415 million bond at a 6.75 per cent interest rate, which Oaktree subsequently inherited from Suning after taking over the club.

Crystal Palace have received three separate bids for the 43 per cent stake in the club owned by John Textor’s Eagle Football Holdings, according to UK media.

Among the bidders is a consortium led by Bejan Esmaili, a former executive at Morgan Stanley, and ex-Roc Nation lawyer Wajid Mir. This group had entered a period of exclusivity with Textor in January, however that ended without a final agreement. Jason Kidd, the head coach of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, had been a part of said consortium, before he alternatively opted to invest in Everton back in April.

Also included in the Esmaili and Mir-led group is Golden State Warriors star Jimmy Butler. Saudi businessman Haider and Manoor Syed, who were involved in the negotiations with Palace earlier this year, are no longer included in the latest bid for Textor’s stake.

Woody Johnson, the co-owner of NFL franchise the New York Jets, has also submitted a bid for Textor’s share in the club. However, his offer is worth ‘marginally less’ than the other two bids on the table.

Awaiting verdict on breach of UEFA regulations

Although Crystal Palace qualified for the Europa League after their FA Cup win, Palace are facing a potential ejection from the competition, due to Textor’s involvement with French club Lyon as majority owner.

The American businessman reportedly met with UEFA representatives in Switzerland recently, as the club await a decision on whether they are in breach of the organisation’s multi-club ownership rules.

European football market revenue rises to record £38 billion in 2023/24

The revenue of the European football market has reached a record high of €38 billion for the 2023/24 season, as per this year’s Deloitte Annual Review of Football Finance. That figure marks an eight per cent increase on last year’s revenue of €35.3 billion for the 2022/23 campaign.

Meanwhile, the ‘big five European leagues - namely the Premier League, LaLiga, Serie A, the Bundesliga, and Ligue - 1 generated a combined €20.4 billion in revenue over the last year, eclipsing the €20 billion mark for the first time.

Premier League clubs delivered the highest revenue of Europe’s top five leagues, accounting for an aggregate revenue of £6.3 billion, which is up by four per cent on 2022/23. This was primarily driven by an increase in commercial revenue, which totalled more than £2 billion.

WSL clubs' revenue up 34 per cent

The report has additionally revealed that WSL clubs’ combined revenue rose to £65 million for 2023/24, marking a 34 per cent increase on last season.

Each club delivered revenue of more than £1 million for the first time, with Deloitte forecasting total revenue from WSL teams to reach £100 million for the 2025/26 campaign.

Burnley owners in talks to acquire stake in Espanyol

ALK Capital, the owners of Burnley FC, are in advanced discussions to acquire a stake in Spain's Espanyol, potentially expanding their portfolio in European football, according to a report from The Athletic.

Espanyol, currently owned by Chinese toy car manufacturer Rastar Group, has been seeking new investment since their relegation from La Liga two years ago. Despite their relegation, Espanyol managed to secure a return to Spain's top division and maintained their status by finishing 14th last season.

Should the deal go through, Burnley would join a growing list of Premier League clubs adopting the multi-club ownership model. This approach has been seen with Manchester City's owners, City Football Group, who acquired Girona in 2017, and V Sports, owners of Aston Villa, who have a stake in Real Union.

Previously had a 'strategic partnership' with Dundee

ALK Capital has previously engaged with Scottish side Dundee through a 'strategic partnership' and considered investing in Belgian club Kortrijk during Vincent Kompany's tenure as head coach.

Burnley's owner Alan Pace, who completed an MBA in Barcelona and has ties to the city, led ALK Capital's leveraged buyout of Burnley for £170 million in December 2020. Since then, NFL star JJ Watt has joined as a minority investor. Burnley have rerurned to the Premier League after finishing second in the Championship last season.

Bayern Munich deliver annual economic impact of €4.5 billion for local region

Bayern Munich deliver an annual economic impact of €4.5 billion for the city of Munich and state of Bavaria, a new study commissioned by the club has revealed.

Bayern’s awareness and advertising generates €3.6 million each year, making up 80.4 per cent of the overall figure, according to the report led by management consultancy firm SLC Management.

The study also found that Bayern generate an annual sales effect of €256 million, as well as an employment effect of €223 million.

In addition, a nationwide survey across Germany revealed that 60.1 per cent of people associated Bayern Munich with the Bavarian capital, the most popular response. This was followed by the club’s home stadium, the Allianz Arena, which was mentioned by 59.1 per cent of those surveyed.

‘Industry leader’ in social benefits

Reflecting on the study, SLC Management managing director, Professor Dr. Alfons Madeja, said:“The economic dimension of professional football in Germany cannot be reduced to high player salaries. The social benefits, especially for the respective city and region, can be demonstrated with some impressive figures.

“This is especially true for FC Bayern Munich as the industry leader.”

West Ham United sign ‘£12 million’ main sponsorship deal with betting brand

West Ham United have agreed a main sponsorship deal with Irish gambling brand BoyleSports for the 2025/26 season.

According to The Daily Mail, the one-year agreement is worth £12 million, and will see the company’s logo feature on the front of West Ham kits, replacing Betway.

This comes ahead of the Premier League’s ban on betting shirt sponsors, which takes effect from the 2026/27 season.

Club have ‘lost their moral compass’

The new partnership has drawn backlash, as West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta faces a potential lengthy ban from football, due to alleged spot-fixing during matches.

The Brazilian, who was first charged in May 2024, is currently awaiting the outcome of his trial, which will be revealed in the next few weeks.

In response to the East London club’s new deal, Will Prochaska, director of the Coalition to End Gambling Ads, said: ‘The modern gambling industry has poisoned football, and teams like West Ham have lost their moral compass.

Despite coming from a town smaller than most second-tier football clubs, Villarreal CF continues to outperform far bigger rivals both on and off the pitch. 

Now, with Champions League football secured again after finishing fifth in LaLiga, CEO Fernando Roig Negueroles explains why being based in a small city is no obstacle to success. 

And with the qualifications for next seasons edition of Europe’s finest tournament, Villarreal are set for another financial and sporting boost — one that Roig Negueroles does not underestimate.

“It can represent maybe a third or a quarter of the total income we will have next year. So, it's important,” he says.

Roig Negueroles is the son of Fernando Roig Alfonso – the club’s owner and president since 1997. Together, they’ve overseen one of the most remarkable stories in European football: a small-town club winning the Europa League in 2021 and reaching the Champions League semi-finals in 2022.

Competing from the shadows

Villarreal, a town of just 52,000 residents, stands in stark contrast to the major cities that typically dominate Spanish football. Roig Negueroles is well aware that Villarreal’s story challenges conventional logic. But as he points out, success in football doesn’t always correlate with city size or market scale.

He cites Zaragoza — Spain’s fifth-largest city — as an example. Despite its size, the city’s main club, Real Zaragoza, plays in the second-tier. For him, it’s a reminder that success in football isn’t dictated by geography, but by how a club is run, the strength of its image, and the consistency of its sporting decisions.

“It helps to be a big city, but it's not definite,” he says. 

Especially internationally, Roig Negueroles states that the size of the city doesn’t matter — what truly counts is how the club is perceived.

 “Abroad, it's not that important if you are a big or a small city. It's the image of the club that is important.”

As part of that international focus, Villarreal runs around 30 academies worldwide — with the highest number in the United States, and others across Asia, South America, and Australia — helping the club build recognition and strengthen its name abroad.

“We are opening many academies all around the world and we're growing and growing in that area,” he says.

The idea behind Villarreal's academies is to position the club's brand and name globally, driven by commercial reasons. Villarreal aims to be a club that believes in youth development, and they are committed to exporting that belief. 

Should a player show exceptional potential, they are given the chance to be tested at the club's academy in Villarreal,

Easier than 20 years ago

The shifting economics of modern football have, in some ways, levelled the playing field for smaller-market clubs like Villarreal. As Roig Negueroles points out, revenue no longer depends primarily on local ticket sales — the main sources of income have moved elsewhere. 

“20 years ago, clubs were depending more on ticketing than on TV-income. Right now, we depend more on TV, on getting into European competitions and on player sales.”

When asked who Villarreal see as their direct competitors, he points not to Spain’s traditional giants, but to clubs with similar economic realities: Real Sociedad, Real Betis, Athletic Club, Valencia, and Sevilla. Clubs who — like Villarreal — fight every year for a place in Europe just behind the financial firepower of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid.

“If we play our cards well by being cleverer on selling players and getting more times into European competitions, then we can compete with them, but it's not easy. It's not easy at all.”

While one of those clubs, Valencia, is just under an hour away and based in Spain’s third-largest city, Roig Negueroles doesn’t see that as a challenge for Villarreal. On the contrary, he replies with a smile.

“It is hard for Valencia to be close to Villarreal, not the other way around”.

What exactly the club does differently or better than others, he can't quite pinpoint. He believes it’s the stability within the club, with people who have been there for many years, coupled with common sense, that contributes to their success.

The balancing act: Europe or sales

Sustaining that competitive edge and level of the squad comes with delicate trade-offs. Villarreal doesn’t hide the fact that European qualifications from time to time are crucial to maintaining their sporting level. 

“If we do not qualify for Europe, we have to sell some players,” Roig Negueroles says and continues.

“We need to be in Europe, and we need to qualify for the Champions League once in a while to keep the same level in the squad as we have right now,” he says.

To formalise that ambition, the club has internal performance benchmarks that are unusually clear. 

“Internally, our goal is that every five years, we have to be in Europe in at least four of them and one of them has to be in the Champions League.”

Despite the club’s European success in recent years, the memory of relegation back in 2012 still looms at Villarreal. It was a lasting reminder that stability in LaLiga cannot be taken for granted and top-flight stability comes before any continental ambition.

“So, our first goal is to be in the first division every single year, and after that it is trying to qualify for Europa as many years as possible,” he says.

The French Football Federation (FFF) has claimed a victory over France’s Professional Football League (LFP) in its plans for a new governance bill, L’Équipe has reported.

Last month, reports surfaced that the FFF was looking to scrap the LFP in favour of a new entity that would govern the top two tiers of French men’s football - Ligue 1 and Ligue 2. The proposed reform, which would allow clubs to become shareholders in the new company, would assimilate the structure of the Premier League.

The French senate has now adopted the new bill on the governance of French football, and confirmed that the FFF holds the right to dissolve LFP if there is no agreement between the two parties.

New Ligue 1 channel "moving forward"

Meanwhile, LFP Media CEO Nicolas de Tavernost has revealed that the new Ligue 1 channel will be priced at less than €20 per month. Following the termination of LFP’s domestic broadcast rights agreement with DAZN, the organisation recently confirmed plans to launch its own in-house platform.

“What I can tell you is that the price will be less than 20 euros per month and that there will also be a subscription for young people,” de Tavernost confirmed in an interview with the After Foot show on RMC. He added that the project is “moving forward”, with the new channel set to be in place before the start of the 2025/26 season.
 

FIFA consider expanding Club World Cup to 48 teams

FIFA is set for internal discussions on potentially expanding the Club World Cup to 48 teams for its 2029 edition, according to The Guardian.

This year’s Club World Cup features 32 clubs for the first time, as part of an expanded format, up from seven in previous years. The decision to expand the competition further would be subject to the success of this summer’s tournament, which kicks off on Saturday 14th June, and will run until 13th July.

A potential expansion of the Club World Cup would align with the 2026 World Cup, which will comprise 48 teams for the first time.

FIFA to consider increasing limit on teams from one country

FIFA will hold talks with all stakeholders regarding the Club World Cup’s format and structure going forward after this year’s competition. The organisation will also consider increasing the number of eligible clubs from one country, which is currently capped at two. This proposal has the backing of Premier League teams.

For this year’s Club World Cup, Brazil and the US have four and three teams respectively who are set to compete in the tournament, as FIFA made an exception for clubs that won their continental competitions.
 

Italian Government considers reform of Serie A audiovisual law

The Italian Government is considering changes to its Serie A audiovisual law, according to Italian media. Italy’s Council of Ministers is contemplating repealing the Melandri Law, which has been in place since 2009, and regulates the sale and distribution of media rights revenue.

Among the proposed changes is a more equal distribution of broadcasting income among clubs, which would increase from the current 50 per cent under the new legislation. The remainder would be allocated based on various factors, including sporting merit since the 1999/00 season and the development and utilisation of Italian players.

The new law would also scrap the league's single-buyer rule, allowing one broadcaster to obtain exclusive rights for a period of up to three years.

Serie A expresses opposition

In a statement, Serie A president Ezio Simonelli said:

"Serie A highlights, above all, its clear opposition to any form of increase in external mutuality that would lead to further subtracting fundamental resources from the development and sustainability of Serie A, which already contributes to the support of the lower categories to the extent of 10 per cent of the audiovisual rights."
 

Burnley contact FIFA over unpaid transfer fees by John Textor-owned club Botafogo

Brazilian club Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas, which are majority owned by Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor, have been accused of unpaid transfer fees, as reported by The Times.

The Rio de Janeiro-based club still owe money for the signing of Vitinho, who joined from Burnley last summer in a deal worth around £6.5 million, plus an extra £2 million in performance-driven bonuses.

The English side have contacted FIFA regarding the alleged unpaid fees, after previously reaching out to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).

Botafogo’s latest transfer controversy

In an initial ruling that was issued in January, FIFA handed the Brazilian club a select time period to pay off the outstanding money. Football’s global governing body recently followed up with a second ruling, after the situation remained unresolved.

Earlier this year, Botafogo received a €130,000 fine from FIFA, after MLS club Atlanta United complained to FIFA over an unpaid transfer fee for Thiago Almada, who also signed for the Brazilian side last summer.
 

Vitesse reveal step-by-step plan to Dutch FA in hopes of retaining 2025/26 license

Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem have revealed a step-by-step plan to the Dutch Football Association (KNVB), in the hope of retaining their license for next season.

Last month, the KNVB’s licensing committee took a proposed decision to revoke Vitesse’s license for the 2025/26 campaign, stating that the club had ‘continued to circumvent and evade the licensing system’. In a statement on Wednesday 11th June, Vitesse said: ‘In the past period, Vitesse has met important conditions for retaining the license at high speed.

‘A long-term agreement has been concluded with an accountant, the KNVB has been extensively informed about various substantive matters and the KNVB's questions have been answered repeatedly in various contact moments.’

Vitesse sign up two new sponsors

Ahead of the upcoming season, Vitesse have signed up two new sponsors, namely The Money App and Frank Energie, which will serve as the club’s main partners for the next three seasons. The Money App’s logo will feature on the front of the team’s shirts from the start of the 2025/26 campaign, while the Dutch energy supplier’s branding will be visible on their away kits.

Meanwhile, Vitesse have confirmed the departure of Dane Murphy, who will resign from the club’s supervisory board, in order to become the new CEO at English club Charlton Athletic.
 

Ex-Malaga owner facing 14-year prison sentence

Sheikh Abdullah Al-Thani, the former owner of Malaga CF, is facing a 14-year prison sentence over the alleged misappropriation of funds, unfair administration, and the imposition of abusive agreements, according to Spanish media reports.

Spain’s prosecutor’s office is also seeking sentences for Al-Thani’s three sons, Nasser, Rakan and Nayef, who were members of Malaga’s board. Multiple former club executives have also been indicted as part of the investigation and face sentences of around five years.

Al-Thani, who bought Malaga for around €36 million in 2010, was the subject of a complaint filed in 2019 by the Association of Small Shareholders (APA), leading to an investigation into the club, and his subsequent removal as their owner in 2020.

The Prosecutors’ case against Al-Thani

According to the prosecutors, the Al-Thani family took irregular payments from the former LaLiga club, including inflated salaries, as well as loans, rented properties, and alleged purchases using club funding.

In addition to the potential prison sentences, the prosecution is also aiming to ban the four Al-Thani family members from managing commercial companies for the same duration.

Nottingham Forest have written to UEFA to express the club’s concerns over the potential involvement of fellow English club Crystal Palace in next year’s Europa League season, according to UK media.

Forest are reportedly claiming that Palace are in breach of UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules, which mandate that no individual can exert control over more than one team at once within the same competition.

Palace, who qualified for the Europa League following their FA Cup win, are co-owned boy John Textor, who is also the majority owner of French club Lyon.

In order to address their ownership situation, Palace have recently met with UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body (CFCB), with a decision on their status expected to come in the next three weeks.

Forest could replace Palace

Evangelos Marinakis, the Greek businessman who owns Nottingham Forest, recently stepped away from day-to-day running of the club, in order to a void a potential conflict of interest, as he is also the owner of Olympiacos.

After Forest failed to qualify for next season’s Champions League, in which the Greek side will be competing, Marinakis subsequently reclaimed his shares in the Premier League club.

Forest, who finished seventh at the conclusion of the 2024/25 campaign, would stand to benefit if Palace were to be disqualified from the Europa League for next season, as the club would take their place.

LaLiga president Javier Tebas slams “absurd” FIFA Club World Cup

LaLiga president Javier Tebas has branded this year’s expanded FIFA Club World Cup as “completely absurd” during an interview with Cadena Cope radio.

The tournament kicks off on 14th June, running until 13th July, and will comprise 32 teams for the first time as part of an expanded format.

Two Spanish clubs, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, will feature in this summer’s competition.

A hindrance to domestic leagues

“It is completely absurd,” Tebas said. “It's not just about the physical wear and tear on the players, which is obvious, but the Club World Cup model affects the entire ecosystem of national leagues, especially in Europe.”

Reflecting on the status of the two Madrid clubs, Tebas added that it has still yet to be determined whether they will have a later start date, with the 2025/26 LaLiga season set to begin on 16th and 17th July.

He continued: “It can't be that we keep having to constantly change our schedule for other competitions that we are not in favour of.

“They haven't consulted us about dates, they haven't consulted us about anything. What they're doing is damaging Spanish competition, if big teams like Real Madrid or Atletico can't play on the first day of LaLiga.”

Arsenal’s women’s team to play all WSL matches at Emirates Stadium next season

Arsenal’s women’s team will play all 11 of their home WSL fixtures at Emirates Stadium during the 2025/26 season, the club have announced.

The 60,704-seat stadium became the main home of the women’s team last year, hosting eight league matches and three home Women’s Champions League games during the 2024/25 campaign.

Next season, the team’s longtime home, Meadow Park, will hold league phase Women’s Champions League fixtures, as well as domestic cup matches.

Growing demand for Arsenal women’s team tickets

Last season, more than 415,000 tickets were sold for home matches, marking a 20 per cent increase on 2022/23.

In 2024/25, the Arsenal Women drew an average attendance of 34,110 across nine WSL matches, and delivered a record attendance of 56,748 for their North London derby clash against Tottenham Hotspur earlier this year.

British architect Norman Foster chosen to design new San Siro stadium

AC Milan and Inter Milan have selected British architect Norman Foster to design the clubs’ new stadium, La Gazzetta dello Sport has reported.

Through the agreement, for which the contract is being finalised, Foster will collaborate with US architecture firm Manica, which had already been given the brief of developing the new venue in San Donato.

The 90-year-old’s portfolio includes the new Wembley Stadium, which opened in 2007, as well as Qatar’s Lusail Stadium, which was built ahead of the FIFA World Cup in 2022.

Manica and Foster selected from shortlist of five finalists

In March, plans for the new stadium at the site of the iconic San Siro received the green light from the Municipality of Milan, after both clubs submitted a feasibility plan. AC Milan and Inter are aiming to finalise the purchase of the San Siro and its surrounding area by July.

According to Calcio Finanza, the two Milan clubs considered 13 prospective candidates to design the new stadium, before shortlisting five finalists, which included Populous, Herzog & de Meuron, BDP Pattern and Bjarke Ingels, Aecom, as well as Manica and Foster.