The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will feature a prize purse of $1 billion, which will be distributed among the 32 competing teams, football's global governing body has announced.

FIFA has also revealed that the winner of the competition will pocket $125 million. $475 million of the overall prize pot will be based on sporting performance, while the remaining $525 million will be based on participation.

European clubs will earn between $12.81 million to $38.19 million for taking part in the competition, while South American teams will receive $15.21 million.

Clubs from North, Central America, and the Caribbean, Asia, and Africa will each receive $9.55 million, while teams from Oceania will be paid $3.58 million.

Expanded Club World Cup model

This year’s Club World Cup marks the first edition of the tournament under a revamped format, which has seen it expand from six teams to 32 teams.

The tournament will be staged in the US between 14th June and 13th July.
 

PSG owner QSI in talks to buy Malaga

PSG majority owner Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) is interested in buying Spanish club Malaga CF, as reported by L’Équipe.

QSI are said to be in advanced talks to purchase the LaLiga 2 team for a fee of €100 million. Malaga CF are currently owned by Bluebay, Spanish hotel and real estate group, and Qatari businessman Abdullah Al Thani.

QSI’s interest in the Spanish club is partially due to the city hosting matches during the 2030 FIFA men’s World Cup and the tourism the city attracts.

QSI’s growing sports empire

Once complete, any potential takeover would see QSI expand its sports investment portfolio, which also includes SC Braga, Premier Padel, the Audi Formula 1 tea and the Washington Wizards.

Since QSI first acquired PSG in 2011, the group has presided over a trophy-laden tenure at the club, during which they have won ten Ligue 1 titles.
 

Chelsea Supporters’ Trust calls for Premier League to take action against Todd Boehly

Chelsea Supporters’ Trust has called for the Premier League to take action against minority owner Todd Boehly, due to his ownership of ticket resale website Vivid Seats.

In an open letter addressed to Premier League CEO Richard Masters, the Trust said it was “dismayed” to discover the US businessman’s involvement with the platform, of which he owns a 41 per cent stake.

The Trust cited concerns from fans that this constitutes a “breach of trust” and “clear conflict of interest,” highlighting the fact that Vivid Seats has listed hundreds of Chelsea FC general admission tickets at inflated prices.

Vivid Seats selling tickets for up to £20,000

Despite being listed by the league as an ‘unauthorised ticketing website’, Vivid Seats enables customers outside of the UK to buy and sell match tickets unofficially.

As mentioned in the letter, tickets are being sold on the platform at inflated prices of up to almost £20,000 for Liverpool’s final home game of the season against Crystal Palace.
 

FC Porto to raise bond to €50 million

FC Porto are set to increase their bond issue to €50 million, the Portuguese club have revealed.

Porto initially launched a €30 million bond issue in December, which helped raise €21 million for the club.

The new bond loan will take effect from 2nd April, and will run until 2028 with an interest rate of 5.5 per cent.

President says club are “on the right track”

Andre Villas-Boas, the president of FC Porto, said the club is “on the right path to achieving financial sustainability,” in an interview with Journal de Notícias on Wednesday.

He continued: ”In two markets we made €173 million in sales, which is very high,” adding that he was proud to see that the club has “recovered all its credibility in the international banking sector.”
 

PSG have chosen the southern Parisian suburb of Massy as the site for the club’s new €1 billion, 90,000-seat stadium, as reported by L’Éssentiel de l’Éco.

According to the French publication, the Ligue 1 champions have been engaged in consultations and visits for months.

The move will see PSG leave the Parc des Princes, which has been their home since 1974.

New venue to support PSG’s long-term objectives

The decision to leave the city of Paris for Massy, which is around 15 km outside of the French capital, follows years of unsuccessful negotiations over the sale of the Parc des Princes.

PSG reportedly favour the construction of a new venue, which would align better with the club’s long term ambitions, both on and off the pitch.

New San Siro construction to cost €1.2 billion

The reconstruction of the San Siro stadium will cost €1.2 billion, according to a dossier presented by AC Milan and Inter Milan to the Municipality of Milan on Tuesday 25th March.

Earlier this month, both clubs submitted an offer to buy the stadium and its surrounding area.

According to Calcio Finanza, the new stadium will have a capacity of 71,500, and will account for €700 million of the overall figure.

New venue to be completed by 2031

After acquiring the San Siro site, the Milan clubs plan to complete the construction of the new venue by 2031.

Included within the project are plans to build a new hotel, museum, offices, and a green area.

Bournemouth report £66.2 million loss for 2023/24

Premier League club AFC Bournemouth have posted a pre-taxation loss of £66.2 million for the period ended 30th June 2024.

This marks a significant departure from Bournemouth’s statements for the 2022/23 season, during which they made a profit of £44.5 million. The club attributes this to increases in staff costs and amortisation, in relation to the club’s increase in revenue.

Despite this, Bournemouth’s directors deem the club’s financial situation to be ‘satisfactory’.

Cherries see revenue increase

Over the last year, Bournemouth’s turnover increased from £141 million to £160.8 million. The club cited the team’s higher-placed league finish (12th) in the 2023/24 season as a key driver in this.

Currently placed 10th in the English top flight, Bournemouth look set to retain their Premier League status for next season, as they target further commercial growth going forward.

Dan Ashworth set for new FA role

Former Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth is set to take up a senior role at England’s Football Association (FA), as reported by The Telegraph.

The 54-year-old was sacked by the Premier League club in December, following a brief five-month tenure at Old Trafford.

Ashworth is now set for a new position at the FA, where he will be tasked with overseeing the renovation of St. George’s Park, the dedicated training facility for England’s national teams.

A return to the FA

Ashworth previously served as director of elite development at the FA from 2012 to 2018, before his tenure at Premier League club’s Brighton, and then Newcastle.

Despite his short stint at United, Ashworth’s appointment and departure cost the club £4.1 million, as revealed in their recent financial accounts.

Ex-FIFA president Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini acquitted of corruption charges

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and French football legend Michel Platini have been acquitted of corruption charges in a Swiss court, following allegations of fraud.

The trial centred around a payment of 2 million Swiss francs. (£1.6 million) from Blatter to Platini in 2011, which both figures claim was an overdue payment for Platini’s previous work as a presidential adviser whilst at FIFA.

Although Blatter and Platini were both cleared of fraud charges in 2022, Swiss federal prosecutors subsequently appealed the ruling.

Blatter hails “justice” after verdict

"Finally, the court has dispensed justice and for me, my family and my friends,” said Blatter, following the ruling on Tuesday 25th March. "I'm full of emotion right now.”

Meanwhile, Platini’s lawyer told reporters that they will now look to initiate legal action against the prosecutors.

Lamine Yamal has taken the football world by storm with his performances for both club and country. In the summer of 2024, he celebrated his 17th birthday just a day before helping Spain win the EUROs, earning the Young Player of the Tournament award in the process.

But beyond Lamine Yamal, how does the next generation of talent stack up globally?

We have analysed the 13 biggest leagues in the world using the Off The Pitch Player Valuation Tool to identify the most valuable players aged 18 and under.

The results reveal a staggering €912 million worth of talent in this age group. According to our model, eight players have already surpassed the €25 million mark — five of whom are just 17 years old.

Plenty of young prospects in Spain

In Spain, we find the famed FC Barcelona academy, La Masia. The club’s dire financial situation over the past couple of years has forced them to rely heavily on young talent from their academy. 

Fortunately, this strategy has paid off, with Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí emerging as the two most valuable players aged 18 and under.

Yamal carries a transfer valuation of €158 million, though his value is slightly impacted by his contract, which expires in July 2026. Due to La Liga regulations for players under 18, his current deal is limited in length. However, Yamal has expressed his desire to renew his contract once he turns 18.

Despite his commitment to the club, FC Barcelona’s ongoing financial struggles make it difficult to offer lucrative long-term deals, potentially opening the door to interest from other clubs.

Meanwhile, Cubarsí is valued at €85.2 million, making him the fourth most valuable centre-back in the world. Unlike Yamal, his future at FC Barcelona is more secure. Having turned 18 in January, he quickly signed a contract extension keeping him at the club until 2029, with a staggering €500 million release clause.

At the Catalan club’s rival, Real Madrid, Endrick is the only player among the 10 most valuable young talents. In 2022, Real Madrid reached an agreement with Palmeiras for his transfer, set to take effect when he turned 18. The reported fee was €47.5 million, excluding bonuses.

At present, his value stands slightly below that figure at €44 million. Limited game time in Real Madrid’s stacked attacking line-up has made it difficult for Endrick to showcase his full potential and boost his market value.

Brazilian winger Estêvão is following a similar path to Endrick. Chelsea have reached an agreement with Palmeiras for his transfer, set to take effect when he turns 18. Currently, his valuation stands at €41.5 million, but Chelsea are securing him for a fee of only €34 million.

Interestingly, Chelsea have reportedly signed another player from the list of the 10 most expensive young talents. Geovany Quenda, a 17-year-old right winger from Sporting Lisbon, has attracted attention despite scoring just one goal in the Portuguese league this season. He is currently valued at €34.5 million.

Another promising player is French midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille. At just 17, he is already valued at €27 million, highlighting his immense potential. Despite his young age, he has made his mark in Ligue 1 and is considered one of France’s most exciting prospects.

English talents in the Premier League

In England, no standout young superstar has emerged, but there is a strong pool of young talent spread across the Premier League and the Championship.1

In North London, two young talents have broken into Arsenal’s first team. Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri have both taken advantage of injuries in the squad to earn valuable minutes. Nwaneri, valued at €35 million, has benefited from regular playing time and has made goal contributions in both the Premier League and the Champions League.

Arsenal’s injury problems have played a major role in their rise. With key attackers like Saka, Havertz, and Martinelli sidelined, Arteta has turned to Nwaneri to fill the gaps in attack. In defence, injuries have created an opening for Lewis-Skelly, who currently holds a market valuation of €15.25 million.

Newly crowned Carabao Cup winners Newcastle also have a promising young talent in Lewis Miley. At just 18 years old, he is already valued at €22 million. Miley broke into the first team last season but has struggled with injuries this campaign.

Across the River Tyne, Sunderland have their own rising star in 17-year-old Chris Rigg, who has played almost every game this season. Currently valued at €16 million, he could be a key figure in Sunderland’s future.

Which league has the most talent value?

To determine which leagues have the most valuable young talent, we summed the player values for each of the 13 biggest leagues.

La Liga has a total of €313 million in value, followed by the Premier League at €139 million.

South American leagues continue to produce young talent, despite top European clubs scouting and signing players early in their careers. The Brazilian and Argentinian leagues alone account for €94 million and €29.5 million worth of talent under the age of 19, respectively.

The Saudi Pro League has by far the fewest young talents among the major leagues, with just €1.25 million worth of players under the age of 19 — more than ten times less than the Dutch league, which ranks second to last in this category.

In recent years, the Saudi Pro League has made headlines for its massive spending on star players, bringing in names like Neymar, Duran, and Ivan Toney. However, when it comes to developing young talent, the Saudi league appears to be falling short.

While top clubs like Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr compete with Europe’s elite in transfer market spending, they significantly lag in talent production. The data suggests that there are virtually no noteworthy under-19 prospects in the entire league.

One factor to consider is that the Saudi Pro League only recently lowered the age restriction for player eligibility from 18 to 16 at the start of the 2023/24 season. Having players under the age of 18 is a very new phenomenon in the league, which could help explain the current lack of young talent.

Crisis opens opportunity

For players under the age of 19 to break into top clubs, they must either perform exceptionally well in training or receive opportunities due to squad issues.

There is no doubt that La Masia has a history of producing world-class talent, with legends like Messi, Xavi, and Iniesta emerging from the academy. However, having regular starters at just 17 years old is a relatively new trend for FC Barcelona.

Between 2017 and 2020, Barcelona spent massive sums to replace Neymar, signing Coutinho, Dembélé, and Griezmann. Following a financial mess and league restrictions, the club has shifted its focus back to its academy, which has proven successful.

FC Barcelona still recruits senior players in the transfer market, such as Raphinha, Lewandowski, and Dani Olmo, but La Masia talents now have a direct pathway into the first team.

Lamine Yamal is still just 17 years old and made his debut at 15 in March 2023, becoming the youngest player ever to play for the club.

His talent is undeniable, as he has consistently proven. However, if FC Barcelona had not faced financial struggles, it's possible Yamal wouldn’t have progressed as quickly as he has today.

Chelsea’s ownership group could reportedly split over the club’s stadium plans, majority owner Todd Boehly has said in an interview with Bloomberg.

The Premier League team are exploring two options regarding their home venue, going forward. The first of these involves the redevelopment of Stamford Bridge, which would see their longtime home expand to 40,000 seats. Alternatively, Chelsea are also reportedly considering building a new stadium in Earl’s Court.

BlueCo, the Boehly-led consortium comprising Clearlake Capital, Hansjörg Wyss, and Mark Walter, completed a reported £2.5 billion takeover of Chelsea in 2022. Reports of a rift between the owners emerged in September, with both parties reportedly interested in buying the other out to become the club’s sole owner.

Stadium plans integral to club ownership’s alignment

“We have to think long term about what we’re trying to accomplish,” Boehly told Bloomberg.

“We have a big stadium development opportunity that we have to flesh out. That’s going to be where we’re either aligned or we ultimately decide to go different ways.”

Premier League clubs discuss earlier transfer window deadline

Premier League clubs are set to vote on ending the summer transfer window earlier on 14th August, as reported by The Telegraph.

If approved, the move would see the window close two days before the 2025/26 season kicks off on 16th August. By comparison, last season’s summer window closed on 30th August, two weeks after the campaign began on 16th August.

If this receives the green light, one potential challenge for the Premier League would be to convince Europe’s other elite leagues to follow suit in adopting an earlier transfer deadline.

Next steps

Clubs will vote on the proposal during a Premier League clubs meeting on Thursday 27th March, with 14 votes needed in order for the motion to pass.

The aforementioned proposals were reportedly discussed during a previous meeting in February, amid complaints of the overlap period with the season in play and the window still open.

San Siro sale investigated by Milan Public Prosecutor’s Office

The proposed sale of the San Siro to AC Milan and Inter Milan is being investigated by the Milan Public Prosecutor’s Office, as reported by Calcio Finanza.

The opening of the investigation follows a complaint filed by Luigi Corbani, the president of the Is Meazza committee, which aims to protect the iconic stadium.

Earlier this month, plans for a new stadium at the San Siro site were give the green light by the Municipality of Milan, after both Milan clubs submitted a feasibility plan and proposal for the acquisition of the venue.

San Siro site to be sold for the right price

The fee for the purchase of the San Siro and its surrounding area is central to the investigation. The area has a combined valuation of €197 million, of which the stadium itself accounts for €73 million, and the surrounding site makes up the remaining €124 million.

As reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport, there have been discussions of an €80 million discount for the removal of demolition rubble, which would be covered by the Municipality of Milan.

Mexican team Club Leon have been ejected from the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, for failure to align with FIFA’s multi-club ownership regulations.

Two Mexican teams, Club Leon and CF Pachuca, had both qualified for the competition, but share the same owner in Grupo Pachuca.

The FIFA Appeal Committee released a statement that said the clubs failed to fit within the criteria regarding multi-club ownership, with a replacement for Leon set to be revealed in due course.

This year’s expanded Club World Cup, which will comprise 32 clubs for the first time, will be held in the US between 14th June and 13th July.

Club Leon threaten legal action

A statement from Leon in response to FIFA’s ruling said: ‘Club Leon expresses its disagreement with the decision made by Fifa, which could exclude us from the next Club World Cup.

‘Should Club Leon be prevented from participating in the 2025 Club World Cup with the same rights with which it earned a place on the pitch, we will pursue the matter to the fullest extent possible in the highest sporting courts.’

LaLiga president demands tougher action against tech companies enabling piracy

LaLiga president Javier Tebas urges other leagues and authorities to take a stronger stance against piracy, warning that major tech companies are facilitating illegal activities that harm the football industry.

“We have to be clear and take a stand against companies that facilitate piracy,” Tebas told Off The Pitch at a LaLiga event in Tarragona, Spain.

LaLiga has been at the forefront of the fight against audiovisual piracy, implementing technology to detect and block illegal streaming activities. However, Tebas pointed out that while LaLiga can block 100 out of 400 piracy incidents committed through Cloudflare, the problem persists on a much larger scale. The Spanish league has been sharing its technology with other countries to aid in combating the issue.

Legal action

To reinforce its stance, LaLiga has taken legal action against Google, accusing the tech giant of cooperating with and profiting from criminal activities by allowing pirated content to be accessible through its platforms. The league has also condemned Cloudflare for enabling piracy operations.

LaLiga estimates that audiovisual piracy drains approximately €600 million annually from the league and its clubs. Tebas stressed that only a collective effort, including legal action and improved cooperation between leagues and digital platforms, can effectively curb the issue.

Reading forced to find buyer after owner disqualified by EFL

English club Reading’s owner, Dai Yongge, has been disqualified under the English Football League’s (EFL) Owners’ and Directors’ Test.

Reading could subsequently be expelled from the EFL, if they fail to secure a new buyer ahead of a 4th April deadline, as reported by BBC Sport.

The EFL said in a statement: ‘The disqualification requires Mr Yongge to divest his interests in the club, and in the event that he fails to do so within the agreed timeframe, the League will consider all options available within its regulations to bring the matter to a conclusion.’

Reading’s next owners

Last month, Reading revealed that the club had entered a period of exclusivity with a potential buyer.

Previously, a proposed takeover led by former Wycombe Wanderers owner Rob Couhig fell through last September, after a breakdown in talks.

The UK Government is ready to “crack on” with Manchester United’s new stadium plans, according to Lisa Nandy, the UK’s Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Nandy said: “We are impatient to get the economy growing again and get projects like this off the ground. We’re not wasting a minute.

“Manchester United have to make their own plans and satisfy their own investors. What we have to do as a Government is maximise the benefits of projects like these for the communities that they serve.”

United’s new home

Earlier this month, United unveiled plans to build a new, 100,000-seat venue, as part of a broader regeneration of the Old Trafford area, which will cost around £2 billion.

Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham recently said he is hoping for between £200 million and £300 million in government funding to finance the project, however this would not be spent on the new venue itself.

Takeover of Dutch club Go Ahead Eagles falls through

The proposed takeover of Go Ahead Eagles by John Lageman has fallen through, the Dutch club have confirmed.

The Dutch businessman decided to withdraw from the takeover, despite having held extensive discussions with the Eredivisie club, and following approval from the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB).

The Vierhouten family will remain as the majority owners of the Deventer-based club, holding a 90 per cent share. The club’s former chairman, Hans de Vroome, will also retain his 10 per cent stake.

Lagemen exits talks with “heavy heart”

Reflecting on his decision to exit the takeover, Lageman said: “I had to make this decision with a heavy heart. During this process I noticed that my vision of the financial course of the club does not fully match the view of the management.

“I have a lot of appreciation for the efforts and involvement of all parties, but ultimately I came to the conclusion that it is better not to take this step. This was not an easy decision.”

LaLiga match between Barcelona and Osasuna to take place on 27th March, despite appeals

The LaLiga fixture between Barcelona and Osasuna will go ahead on Thursday 27th March, despite appeals from both clubs for the match to be played at a later date.

The game, which was originally set to take place on 8th March, was postponed after Barcelona doctor Minarro Garcia passed away hours before kickoff.

With the game rescheduled for 27th March, both teams were unhappy with the decision, subsequently appealing against the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).

The RFEF's ruling

Barcelona wanted to delay the game due to the lack of availability of some of the club’s international players, while Osasuna argued that their players would have less than 72 hours of rest between two fixtures.

The Appeals Committee nonetheless found that these were not “sufficient” reasons for moving the match, upholding the RFEF’s initial ruling.

Global seven-a-side women’s football league launches, offering $5 million prize purse

A new global seven-a-side women’s football series has launched with a $100 million investment over five years, as reported by The Guardian.

The first edition of the invitational competition is reportedly set to take place in Lisbon from 21st to 23rd May. The inaugural tournament will comprise eight clubs, which have not yet been revealed, with all matches set to air live on DAZN.

The series is being funded by Jennifer Mackesy, co-owner of NWSL club NJ/NY Gotham FC.

Prize money

Each event will feature a prize purse of $5 million, with the winner of each tournament set to receive $2.5 million.

The second instalment of the seven-a-side series will be staged in a ‘different continent’ in November or December.

The United Soccer League (USL) has revealed plans to incorporate promotion and relegation, following majority approval from club owners.

The move sees the USL become the first US-based football league to adopt a promotion and relegation system, and comes as part of a plan to align with elite European divisions.

In February, the USL announced the launch of a new Division One league, which will take effect from the 2027/28 season. Once established, this will form part of a three-tiered system alongside the USL Championship and USL League One.

USL looking to “transform” football landscape in the US

“Promotion and relegation transforms the competitive landscape of American soccer," said Paul McDonough, president of the USL.

“With the 2026 World Cup and other major international events approaching, we have a unique opportunity to build on that momentum and create a sustainable future for the sport in the U.S.

“This shift challenges the status quo and brings a level of excitement and relevance that can elevate the game across the country.”

Manchester clubs accused of age-fraud

Manchester United and Manchester City have been accused of age fraud involving six academy players, following an investigation led by The Telegraph.

Both Manchester clubs have reportedly been made aware of photographs and documents which indicate that several foreign-born academy players are in fact older than their listed ages.

Although their identities have not been revealed, three of the academy players in question have played for England.

Manchester United response

A statement from United said: “We are committed to operating all aspects of our academy within the rules and regulations laid down by our governing bodies, including in the recruitment and registration of players.

“We take our responsibilities for player wellbeing and safeguarding very seriously. Indeed, we take pride in the reputation we have developed for considering the participants in our programmes as first and foremost children, rather than players.

DAZN teams up with McDonald’s to offer three-month Ligue 1 subscriptions

DAZN has partnered with McDonald’s to offer 120,000 customers in France a three-month Ligue 1 subscription if they purchase a meal from the fast food franchise.

The UK-based broadcaster will provide customers who order from the special Ligue 1 menu on McDonald’s’ French delivery app with an access code, enabling access to Ligue 1 coverage for the remainder of the 2024/25 season.

The Ligue 1 deal is priced at €14.15, which is a fraction of DAZN’s €39.99 month-to-month subscription free.

Resolution between DAZN and LFP

Until recently, DAZN had been embroiled in a legal dispute with the French Football League (LFP), regarding its Ligue 1 rights. The company withheld half of its payment from LFP in February, and demanded €573 million in compensation.

The legal battle between the broadcaster and governing body was put to bed at the end of February, when DAZN agreed to pay the outstanding €35 million, and dropped its case.

Atletico Madrid ‘consider’ ceding 2030 World Cup hosting rights to Valencia

Atletico Madrid are considering ceding hosting rights for the 2030 FIFA men’s World Cup to Valencia, according to Relevo.

The Spanish club are open to allowing Valencia’s Nou Mestalla stadium to serve as a host for the tournament in place of the Metrapolitano. Atletico Madrid CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín met with Rafael Louzán, the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), to discuss this possibility.

By withdrawing the Metropolitano as a host venue, Atleti would lose out on around €20 million in revenue.

Nou Mestalla set to open in time for the World Cup

In January, Valencia confirmed plans to resume construction of the Nou Mestalla, which is set to be completed by summer 2027.

In order to be eligible to host matches at the 2030 World Cup, stadiums must be available more than one month before the competition kicks off, as per FIFA’s guidelines.

As club football pauses for the first international break of 2025, we have analysed which clubs are the most financially efficient and which are the biggest underperformers.

Our rankings are based on Off The Pitch’s Efficiency Ranking, which calculates a club’s expected points relative to its financial position. The algorithm determines expected points using key financial metrics, including the estimated wage bill for 2024/25, net transfer spending, squad valuation, and the wage-to-spend ratio.

Using this model, we identify the most over- and underperforming teams across Europe’s top five leagues, as well as the Championship. Since the model is universal, it enables comparisons across leagues, providing a broader perspective on club performance.

Top performers

Sunderland are currently the most financially efficient team across the selected leagues. Relegated from the Premier League to the Championship in the 2016/17 season, they dropped further to League One the following year.

In 2022, Louis-Dreyfus acquired a majority stake in the club, becoming the youngest chairman in English football. Since then, Sunderland have reached the play-offs once and are now in contention for another, currently sitting in fourth place.

Last season, Nottingham Forest finished 17th in the Premier League. This season, they have already amassed 54 points and currently sit in third place, making them serious contenders for a Champions League spot.

This also makes them the most financially efficient team in the Premier League. However, this is not due to frugal spending. In recent years, Forest have invested heavily in their squad to secure Premier League status. Now, with potential Champions League qualification on the horizon, their bold strategy appears to be paying off, completely transforming their outlook for the future.

Bournemouth have also excelled under the leadership of Andoni Iraola, currently sitting on 44 points. Based purely on financial data, they would have been expected to face relegation, yet they have completely defied those expectations.

The third most financially efficient team is the German side Mainz 05. In February 2024, Danish head coach Bo Henriksen was brought in to steer the team away from the relegation battle. Since then, he has completely turned things around, recently signing a contract extension, and Mainz are now unexpectedly pushing for European football, currently sitting in third place.

Another financially efficient Bundesliga team is FC Augsburg. Despite spending modestly, they have remained consistent and are currently in ninth place.

Looking to Italy, Bologna last year qualified for the Champions League for the first time since 1964. Despite selling key players such as Zirkzee and Calafiori in the summer, and facing the added challenge of European fixtures, they continue to thrive in the domestic league. With 53 points, they currently sit in fourth place.

Premier League underperformers

All three newly promoted clubs to the Premier League rank among the 10 worst-performing teams in terms of financial efficiency. Southampton, Leicester, and Ipswich have endured historically poor seasons, and statistically, the likelihood of any of them surviving at this point is less than 1 per cent.

Southampton are rock bottom, both in the league and in terms of efficiency score. Despite already being projected as the weakest team, they have still managed to underperform expectations, highlighting just how dire their situation is. 

So far, they have accumulated only nine points. The record for the lowest-ever Premier League points total belongs to Derby County, who finished the 2007/08 season with just 11 points.

Leicester, meanwhile, look nothing like the team they were before their relegation in 2022/23. Following Enzo Maresca’s departure to Chelsea in the summer, they have gone through two managers. First, Steve Cooper, who was sacked in November, and now Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has struggled significantly.

Ipswich Town, arguably the most excusable of the three promoted sides, should still be able to compete more effectively given their financial resources. However, they too have been unable to cope with the demands of the Premier League.

Champions League finalist in trouble

Two historically top six Premier League clubs are also among the 10 lowest performers—Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

Tottenham’s defeat to Fulham last weekend marked their 15th loss of the season, their highest tally since the 2008/09 campaign. 

However, they are still in the Europa League, where they have a chance to salvage their season. Winning the competition would not only secure silverware but also grant them a Champions League qualification spot, offering a lifeline after a disappointing domestic campaign

Manchester United find themselves in a very similar position to Spurs, having also struggled with injuries. However, one key difference is that they changed head coach, appointing Rúben Amorim in November. Like Tottenham, they still have a chance to redeem their season in the Europa League.

Finally, last year’s Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund are also worth mentioning, as they find themselves in the bottom half of the Bundesliga table and at risk of missing out on European football for the first time since the 2009/10 season. 

In February, they appointed former Bayern Munich manager Niko Kovač to turn things around, but so far, he has managed just two wins in six Bundesliga matches.

Despite their domestic struggles, Dortmund are still alive in Europe. After knocking out Lille in the Champions League round of 16, they now face FC Barcelona in the quarter-finals.

FC Barcelona have reached an agreement to remain at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium until the end of the 2024/25 LaLiga season, as reported by Mundo Deportivo.

The new deal, which was signed with local authority Barcelona Serveis Municipals (BSM), allows the club to continue playing home matches at the 55,926-seat venue until 20th May, following the team’s final league fixture against Villarreal.

In January, FC Barcelona submitted a request to remain at the Olympic Stadium for the remainder of the current campaign, following the cancelation of a Rolling Stones concert in May.

Camp Nou renovation

The extension of their agreement provides a viable option for the club, if the team are unable to return to the Camp Nou before the end of the season. The venue has been undergoing a renovation, which began in 2023, and is expected to be completed by June 2026.

The Catalan club initially planned to return to the Camp Nou before the end of 2024, however the stadium’s reopening was postponed in January until May at the earliest.
 

Serie A executive open to staging Italian Super Cup in India

The Italian Super Cup could be staged in India as part of a plan to expand the tournament’s global audience, according to Serie A commercial and marketing director Michele Ciccarese.

This competition, which was held in Saudi Arabia in January, has been hosted by a number of countries outside of Italy, including Qatar, the US, and China.

Speaking at the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit, Ciccarese said: “What we do is to bring our international trophy like the Super Cup in all over the world, for a simple reason, to engage a wider audience and bring the best of that culture.”

Cross market activations

Ciccarese additionally suggested collaborations between Serie A and Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket clubs, in order to help grow Indian football ahead of the 2036 Olympic Games, for which the country is bidding to host.

“Maybe potentially to create a cross-market activation with the IPL together in order to help grow the grassroots, to have the right presence in the 2036 Olympics for Indian football.”
 

New San Siro plans approved by Municipality of Milan

AC Milan and Inter Milan’s proposals for a new stadium at the San Siro site, and regeneration of its surrounding area, have been approved by the Municipality of Milan.

Earlier this month, the two clubs submitted a feasibility plan and proposal for the acquisition of the San Siro, as well as a plan to build a new stadium.

The two clubs are aiming to finalise the acquisition of the stadium and its surrounding area by July, and will continue to collaborate with the Municipal Administration.

AC Milan president optimistic

Paolo Scaroni, president of AC Milan, outlined his optimism on the new stadium plans during an event organised by PWC and Calcio e Finanza, and revealed plans for expanded hospitality in a new San Siro.

"Of the 71 thousand spectators that we imagine the new structure will have, we will have around 9 thousand corporate ones, which we will sell to companies."
 

2026 World Cup lands on RTVE in Spain

Spanish public broadcaster RTVE has acquired rights to the 2026 FIFA men’s World Cup, according to El Mundo.

The agreement is worth €55 million, and will see RTVE sublicense rights to select matches to Mediapro, which will be able to create its own channel to sell World Cup rights to other networks.

RTVE outbid private broadcasters in order to secure rights to next year’s competition, which will be staged across the US, Canada, and Mexico.

RTVE’s expansive portfolio

RTVE’s latest deal takes the free-to-air (FTA) broadcaster’s overall investment into sports rights to more than €360 million, also including a €50 million deal for the 2028 European Championship broadcasting rights..

The network’s content offering also includes the men’s UEFA Champions League finals, as well as Spanish domestic cup the Copa del Rey.

INEOS has reportedly ended its partnership with Tottenham Hotspur, as reported by Mail Online.

The UK-based chemical company, which acquired a 27.7 per cent minority stake in fellow Premier League club Manchester United last year, initially partnered with Spurs in 2022, in a deal that designated the INEOS Grenadier as the club’s 4 x 4 partner.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe-owned INEOS has agreed to an early termination of the five-year contract, which includes a ‘multi-million pound’ pay out.

INEOS exits another sports partnership

The end of INEOS’ agreement with Spurs follows recent terminations of the firm’s deals with Sir Ben Ainslie’s America’s Cup team.

Meanwhile, the company is currently facing legal action from New Zealand Rugby, following the cancelation of their deal, which was set to run until 2027.
 

Future of Inverness at ‘significant risk’, says Scottish club

Inverness Caledonian Thistle have revealed in a statement that the Scottish club’s future is at ‘significant risk’, after not receiving any takeover bids before the 6th March deadline.

Despite receiving some interest, potential investors cited three main concerns with purchasing the Scottish League One team, the first of which being the the levels of loans from club directors, which total around £3.5 million.

Prospective buyers also cited the nature of Inverness’s ‘disparate shareholdings’, which would make it more difficult to acquire adequate control of the club, as well as uncertainties regarding the ownership of the land surrounding the team’s Caledonian Stadium home.

Inverness’ financial struggles

Inverness entered administration in October, amid the club’s financial difficulties, and were subsequently docked 15 points by the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL).

The club say that their joint administrators are aiming to ‘work towards a resolution’ in order to exit administration and retain their place within the SPFL.
 

UK Government “absolutely committed” to Football Governance Bill

The UK Government has progressed with its Football Governance Bill, which has continued to pass through the House of Lords. A spokesperson from the UK Government told The Times: “We are absolutely committed to introducing an Independent Football Regulator to put fans back at the heart of the game."

“Ministers have been consistently clear that the Bill, which continues to progress through Parliament, will introduce a “light touch” set of rules to improve the sustainability of clubs and help ensure the game continues to thrive in communities for generations to come.”

Once it passes into legislation, the Bill will see the introduction of a new independent regulator to oversee the top five tiers of English men’s football. This comes as part of a plan to protect the financial sustainability of clubs, while providing greater representation for supporters.

The independent regulator’s first chairman

Meanwhile, the Government has reportedly shortlisted three potential candidates to become the chairman of the new Independent Regulator.

These include former Aston Villa CEO Christian Purslow, as well as Sanjay Bhandari, who serves as chairman of anti-discrimination organisation Kick It Out, with the third candidate unknown.
 

Former presidents of Spanish club Cordoba sentenced to four years in prison

Former presidents of Spanish club Cordoba, Jesus Leon and Carlos Gonzalez, have been sentenced to four years in prison, due to disloyal administration.

The Cordoba Provincial Court determined that the two former executives used club money in February 2014 to fund renovation works at Gonzalez’s house.

Both former executives concealed these payments under invoices from Grupo Constructor Grucal Andalucia, of which Leon served as president, for the construction of the Ciudad Deportiva de la Fundación Córdoba, which never took place.

The court ruling

In addition to their sentences, both Leon and Gonzalez were ordered to pay €1.2 million back in compensation to Cordoba.

Last July, Leon was previously ordered to pay €3.8 million in damages to the club, and received a three-year ban from managing other people’s assets by the Commercial Court of Cordoba.