AS Roma have suffered a record loss of €219.5 million for the 2021/22 financial year, exceeding the €204 million deficit suffered in 2019/20.

The club’s financial statements for 2021/22, which have been seen by Calcio e Finanza, show that total revenues were €205.8 million, down from €226.5 million in 2020/21.

Broadcast income reached €93 million, including revenues from the Europa Conference League, which Roma won, while commercial income amounted to €38.5 million and matchday income reached €25.5 million.

However, revenues from player trading fell to €14.6 million, with just €6.2 million earned from capital gains.

Wage bill totals €150.5 million

Costs amounted to €400.9 million, compared to €374.9 million in 2020/21. Personnel expenses reached €182.8 million, with the wage bill totalling €150.5 million.

Among other costs, depreciation and write-downs amounted to €90.2 million, of which €77.5 million related to the depreciation of players. Roma’s net worth remained negative at the end of the 2021/22 financial year, falling to -€340.4 million.
 

Udinese report €69 million loss for 2021/22

Udinese have posted a loss of €69 million for the 2021/22 financial year, driven by higher amortisation costs following the revaluation of the club in 2020.

The independent revaluation deemed the multi-year rights of the Serie A club’s players, together with its stadium and brand, to be worth a total of €226 million.

According to Calcio e Finanza, without the impact of the revaluation, Udinese would have achieved a profit of €13 million. The club is aiming to break even in 2022/23, in which it has already collected €40 million in capital gains.

In 2021/22 total revenues reached €78 million, with broadcast income of €36.1 million, commercial revenues of €8.8 million and matchday income of €5.1 million.

The club earned €17 million from capital gains, although net of the effects of the revaluation the proceeds from the sale of players would have been €68 million.

Accounting slippage

Costs in 2021/22 totalled €144 million, with most of the expenses related to depreciation and write-downs, amounting to €62.8 million, of which €52.8 million related to players.

However, around €26 million was linked to the accounting slippage caused by depreciation deriving from the revaluation of 2020 and the suspension of depreciation in previous years.

The club's net worth remained solid at the end of the 2021/22 financial year, although it fell to €127 million.
 

FC Barcelona fined €800,000 for exceeding salary limits

FC Barcelona’s finances have been dealt a fresh blow after being handed three new Financial Fair Play sanctions amounting to almost €800,000, The Daily Mail reports.

The Catalan giants have been fined for the exceeding of salary limits in 2021/22 with the signings of Dani Alves and Andreas Christensen, as well as the renewal of Ronald Araujo's contract.

Barça are understood to have appealed all three sanctions imposed on them before the RFEF UEFA license second instance committee.

Call for more flexible rules

Last November, Barcelona president Joan Laporta tried to convince LaLiga to be more flexible with their FFP rules after admitting his club could not make any signings in January.

The club spent around €150 million on new players, including Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, during the summer.
 

Angers SCO HQ searched by police amid investigation into role of agents

The headquarters of French club Angers SCO have been searched by police as part of an investigation into financial transactions and the role of certain agents in player transfers.

French newspaper Ouest-France reports that the investigation is being carried out by the SCCJ (Central Service of Races and Games) after being commissioned by the Bobigny prosecutor's office.

The search, which took place on Tuesday morning, follows a previous raid last June, when the headquarters of Angers as well as Saint-Étienne weresearched by police over their links with at least three agents who had been placed in police custody in Nanterre, near Paris.

Secret financial links

The two clubs were suspected of having secret financial links with agents and a preliminary investigation was opened into the illegal exercising of the profession of sports agent and aggravated money laundering.

The three agents taken into custody did not hold an official licence. Angers sports advisor Jalal Benalla, who was not at the club at the time, was also questioned in June, then released without charge.

West Bromwich Albion controlling shareholder Guochuan Lai has failed to repay the £4.95 million loan his company took from the club by last Saturday’s deadline, The Athletic reports.

The loan was taken to help Wisdom Smart Corporation, a related company, through the Covid-19 pandemic. Lai has assured the club’s directors it will now be paid in early 2023.

In a statement released in June 2022, Lai said he would return the money, with £50,000 interest, by 31st December 2022, after the initial date was postponed from 15th September 2021.

“Remain in dialogue”

West Brom released a statement on Saturday, which read: “The directors of West Bromwich Albion Football Club remain in dialogue with Controlling Shareholder and Chairman Guochuan Lai regarding an outstanding loan owed to the club by his related party, Wisdom Smart Corporation Limited.

“The £4.95m loan is due for repayment, with interest, today (Saturday, December 31, 2022), and Lai has assured the club’s board of directors the repayment will now be made early in the new year.”

The development comes after the club secured a £20 million loan from MSD Holdings UK Limited to finance the club’s “general business operations”.

 

Sampdoria takeover offer withdrawn by Merlyn Partners

The investment fund Merlyn Partners has withdrawn its bid to buy Sampdoria, according to Italian media reports.

The Luxembourg-based firm had tabled an offer of €20 million to be immediately injected into the Serie A club, in addition to the capital increase of around €30 million requested by the club's board of directors.

However, the Genoese edition of La Repubblica has claimed that the fund, represented by former J.P. Morgan executive Alessandro Barnaba, has now removed its offer.

It is understood that key stumbling blocks emerged around the funding of the capital increase and the potential presence of former president Massimo Ferrero as a minority shareholder, with Barnaba aiming to be the 100 per cent majority shareholder.

€35 million loan deal

Ferrero is now said to be focused on completing a deal with Banca Sistema for a two-year convertible loan of €35 million to deliver the capital increase, which the ex-president believes can go a long way to securing the club’s future.

The search for new owners of Sampdoria has been ongoing since Ferrero resigned in December 2021 following his arrest by the Italian law enforcement agency Guardia di Finanza as part of an investigation into corporate crimes and bankruptcy.

Ferrero, who had owned the club since 2014, was told last month via his lawyers that he can now take up any role at any club, including Sampdoria, following the expiring of his disqualification from holding corporate positions.

 

FIGC president Gabriele Gravina calls for Italian football to “play as a team”

Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina has called on clubs and other stakeholders across Italian football to work together to help reform the game in the country.

In his address marking the start of the year, Gravina said the industry had faced several challenges in 2022, including the ongoing impact of the Covid pandemic, and the economic difficulties caused by the war in Ukraine.

However, he insisted that “in this complex 2022 I have also found many positive sides and different food for thought, which give me hope for the near future.”

He pointed to new attendance records following the return of spectators, various programmes implemented to deal with the effects of the pandemic, and the confirmation of Italy’s bid to host Euro 2032.

“Renewed relationship”

“All this has been possible thanks to … a renewed relationship between the clubs, the leagues, the technical components and the FIGC,” he said.

“This must be the spirit with which to face the challenges of tomorrow, not being afraid of change, on the contrary becoming protagonists of a season of reforms that can finally solve the chronic problems of our movement.

“Only by playing as a team, in fact, can we achieve the ambitious goals we have set ourselves.”

 

Inter Milan will not remove DigitalBits logo until new sponsor deal is struck

Inter Milan does not plan to remove the logo of DigitalBits as their front-of-shirt sponsor until a new partner is found, Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport reports.

The Serie A club is in search of a new sponsor to replace the cryptocurrency company after a series of missed payments, but are yet to find a new main commercial partner.

The DigitalBits logo has already been removed from the Inter women’s and youth team shirts, and the club had been considering removing the logo from the senior men’s team shirts.

However, according to Tuttosport, when Inter return to action against Napoli on Wednesday, the DigitalBits logo will continue to adorn their shirts.

eBay sleeve sponsor deal

Last month, Inter announced a deal with eBay as the club’s new sleeve sponsor reported to be worth €5 million. However, this pales in comparison to the three-year DigitalBits agreement, which is said to be worth €80 million including bonuses.

Inter are expected to earn around €24 million per year from any front-of-shirt sponsor deal with a new partner.

West Ham United have reported a profit of £12.3 million for the 2021/22 financial year after suffering a loss of £26.9 million in 2020/21.

Turnover was £252.7 million, up £60 million on the previous year, driven by improved matchday, commercial and retail income thanks to the return of supporters following the Covid-19 pandemic.

The results were also boosted by the team’s successful 2021/22 season, finishing seventh in the Premier League, securing back-to-back European qualification for the first time in the club's history, and reaching the semi-finals of the Europa League.

The accounts showed that West Ham’s net debt, including cash, fell by £130 million on the previous year, with net assets of £40.9 million, including cash of £96.5 million at year end.

Additional investment

West Ham said the club’s finances have been boosted significantly by the additional investment from Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky, who acquired a 27 per cent stake in the club in November 2021, becoming joint-chairman alongside David Sullivan and David Gold.

The club said Kretinsky’s investment has “added further strength and expertise to the club’s capital structure and enabled funds generated through the continued growth in income across all core revenue streams to be directed into key areas of focus, building on the positive progress made at West Ham United in recent years.”

West Ham added that the “club's shareholders take no dividend or salary and therefore the injection of £125 million of new equity into the club, utilised to pay down debt, has enabled a higher profit which will continue to be re-invested into the club.”

 

FC Barcelona and Real Madrid top LaLiga broadcast revenue table for 2021/22

FC Barcelona and Real Madrid once again earned the most broadcast revenue from LaLiga’s distribution to its clubs for the 2021/22 season.

Real Madrid topped the table after receiving €160.59 million, marginally ahead of Barcelona, who were handed €159.88 million. Atletico Madrid earned the third highest amount with €130.38 million, followed by Sevilla with €87.58 million.

LaLiga said its total revenues from broadcast rights were €1.6 billion, up 10.8 per cent on the previous campaign. The amount includes adjustments already made following the league’s investment deal with private equity firm CVC Capital Partners.

Faster growth than Premier League

The Spanish league pointed out that the figure has grown by 15 per cent from €1.39 billion in 2016/17 – faster growth than the English Premier League, whose broadcast rights income has grown by 5 per cent over the same period, from €2.4 billion to €2.5 billion.

LaLiga argues this is “a good figure considering that the number of pay TV subscribers in the UK is twice as high as that in Spain (15 million subscribers compared to more than 6.4 million in Spain).”

The league also noted that “the number of subscribers to OTT platforms is also more than twice as high in the UK as in Spain (36 million subscribers compared to 14 million in Spain), as well as having a higher population, a higher number of households and a higher per capita income level than in Spain.”

LaLiga added: “Real Madrid and FC Barcelona are on a par with the six highest-earning Premier League clubs. If we add Atlético de Madrid, all three have a higher share of audiovisual rights revenue than any club in the German Bundesliga, Italian Serie A and French Ligue 1.”

 

Sevilla members vote not to approve 2021/22 accounts

Sevilla’s accounts for the 2021/22 financial year have not been approved by the club’s members after the LaLiga side reported a loss of €24.8 million.

At the club’s annual board meeting, 52.2 per cent of club members voted no when asked to approve the accounts. Members also voted against the council of administration led by president José Castro, with 57.2 per cent voting against his leadership.

The opposition to Castro comes amid a battle for the club between Castro and former president José María del Nido.

In 2021/22 Sevilla earned total revenues of €232.9 million, with €186 million coming from ordinary business. Broadcast income was €88.7 million, while commercial revenues were €25.9 million. The club also received €58 million in prize money and €13.4 million from season tickets.

The total wage bill was €183 million, with other costs amounting to €71 million. Sevilla will now seek approval of the 2021/22 accounts with a new vote.

2022/23 budget

Sevilla also announced their budget for 2022/23, which was not put to a vote. The club has forecast total revenues of €243.7 million, with ordinary income of €197.7 million and transfer revenues of €38 million. The wage bill is projected to be €172.2 million, a reduction of 6.2 per cent on 2021/22.

 

Juventus announce new board of directors

Juventus have named a new board of directors following the resignation of the entire board in November amid a police investigation into allegations of false accounting and market manipulation.

In a statement, Juventus confirmed that economics expert Gianluca Ferrero is to replace Andrea Agnelli as president after being widely tipped to take the reins at the Turin club.

Ferrero will be joined on the board by Fioranna Vittoria Negri, Maurizio Scanavino, Diego Pistone and Laura Cappiello. The selected candidates had been put forward by Exor, the holding company that owns a majority share in the club.

Commenting on the rationale behind the new appointees, Juventus owner John Elkann told Sky Sports: “It will be made up of highly professional figures from a technical and legal point of view, led by the president Gianluca Ferrero.

“Together with the other directors, [Ferrero] will have the task of addressing and resolving the legal and corporate issues that are on the table today.”

Agnelli defends time at club

Meanwhile, outgoing president Agnelli has defended his time at Juventus and denied once again the allegations of false accounting and market manipulation.

Addressing the club’s shareholders’ meeting held on 27th December, he said: “I personally, as well as all the members of our board of directors, are firmly convinced that the club has operated well over these years and that the remarks raised against us are not justified.

“In this we are also reassured by the in-depth analyses conducted in recent weeks by independent experts who have issued specific opinions confirming the full correctness of the work of our board.”

 

Crystal Palace chairman: Lyon takeover will not affect running of club co-owned by John Textor

Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has insisted that the day-to-day running of the club will not be affected by the takeover of Olympique Lyon by fellow co-owner John Textor.

The American businessman completed his acquisition of the Ligue 1 club last month via his investment vehicle Eagle Football, through which he has consolidated all of his football holdings into one company.

They also include his 40 per cent stake in Palace, as well as his 90 per cent shareholding in Brazilian club Botafogo, and 80 per cent stake in Belgian team RWD Molenbeek.

The takeover of Lyon was delayed several times, with the buyout on hold for a number of weeks before approval was given by the Premier League and Palace.

“Stays exactly the same”

In a Palace TV interview, Parish noted that “there are new shareholders effectively as part of Palace because [Textor] has new shareholders as part of Eagle Football.”

However, he added: “The governance of Palace stays exactly the same. So John is still the general partner in name, a partner with Josh [Harris], David [Blitzer] and I. The decision-making is exactly the same.

“We’ve looked at every possible eventuality we could imagine to try to make sure it’s at worst neutral for the club, and at best we get all of the benefits of having a link to these clubs and get some knowledge.

“It doesn’t change the governance, doesn’t change the control structure, doesn’t change what I do day to day, doesn’t change what [sporting director] Dougie [Freedman] does day to day.”

A legal summary document has revealed the new ownership structure of Olympique Lyonnais following the completion of John Textor’s takeover of the club earlier this week.

The document, which has been seen by L’Équipe, shows that all investors put their funds into Textor’s company Eagle Football, which now officially owns the Ligue 1 club.

The summary reveals that the American businessman owns 75 per cent of Eagle, with two investment firms also owning stakes – Iconic Sports with a 19 per cent share, and Elmwood Partners 6 per cent. 

Textor has put into Eagle cash and football assets worth a total of $310 million, which includes his 40 per cent shareholding in Crystal Palace, 90 per cent stake in Brazilian club Botafogo, and 80 per cent stake in Belgian team RWD Molenbeek.

Iconic Sports – whose co-owner James Dinan, who also jointly owns the Milwaukee Bucks basketball team, will be on the Lyon board – invested $75 million into Eagle, while Elmwood Partners put in $25 million.  

The document also showed that American fund Ares Management has lent Eagle $405 million, of which $275 million is long-term debt, with no requirement for periodic interest payments for eight years. The remaining $130 million is being released as a bridge loan, subject to replacement in the short to medium term by other sources of income. 

Paris court dismisses lawsuit

Meanwhile, L’Équipe has also reported that the Paris Administrative Court of Appeal has dismissed Lyon’s lawsuit against the LFP, in connection with the early termination of the 2019/20 Ligue 1 season at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Lyon argued that the LFP did not have the right to stop the season, nor adjudicate it by using the method of the number of points scored per match played.

The court dismissed Lyon in its lawsuit, and the club will not receive the €126.7 million in damages it was seeking. 
 

Ex-Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero in discussions with Oaktree over deal to save club

Former Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero is in discussions with American asset management firm Oaktree Capital Management to help secure the Serie A side’s future in exchange for a stake in the club, Italian media have reported.

The search for new owners of Sampdoria has been ongoing since Ferrero resigned last December following his arrest by the Italian law enforcement agency Guardia di Finanza as part of an investigation into corporate crimes and bankruptcy. Ferrero had owned the club since 2014.

However, this Wednesday, Ferrero's lawyers were told that he can now take up any role at any club, including Sampdoria, following the expiring of his disqualification from holding corporate positions. His possible future role within the club was set to be discussed this week.

According to Italian newspaper Il Secolo XIX, in the absence so far of a takeover offer for Sampdoria deemed viable, Ferrero is carrying out a structured finance negotiation with Oaktree, which has previously agreed a similar deal with Inter Milan.

Tax authorities

The pressure on Sampdoria to find new owners and resolve its financial difficulties continues to intensify, with the club required this week to pay the majority of the outstanding amount of €6.5 million it owes the Italian tax authorities.

It is understood that Ferrero's goal is to recapitalise Sampdoria next month and relaunch it with a view to a sale, while also allowing the club to make reinforcements to its squad in the January transfer window. The team are currently second from bottom in the Serie A table.

As he looks to secure the club’s future, it is also believed that Ferrero is ready to sacrifice a percentage, even a large one, of the majority shareholding in Sampdoria held by his daughter Vanessa and grandson Giorgio.
 

Aston Villa receives planning approval for Villa Park redevelopment

Aston Villa has been granted planning permission by Birmingham City Council for phase one of the club’s redevelopment and expansion of Villa Park.

In a statement, the club said the project will increase the stadium’s capacity to over 50,000, “allowing Villa Park to host major international tournaments and enable its return to the world stage.”

Last month, the venue was shortlisted by the UK and Ireland bid to host Euro 2028.

The first phase of the stadium redevelopment will include a brand-new North Stand, enhancements to the existing Trinity Stand and the creation of Villa Live, a new, 6,500 sqm multi-purpose commercial destination to replace the existing shop, academy building and security lodge.

Over 7,000 sqm of new public realm surrounding the stadium’s Witton Lane entrance will also be created, “significantly improving accessibility, biodiversity, safety and the overall experience for fans, visitors and the local community,” Aston Villa said.

Boost to local economy

The club added that once operational, the redevelopment of Villa Park will contribute an estimated £119.9 million to the West Midlands economy each year, creating hundreds of jobs during and post-construction, and attracting 1.65 million visitors to the local area annually.

Sheffield United have this week become the subject of another takeover bid, according to Yorkshire Live.

American businessman Henry Mauriss failed in his attempt to acquire the club earlier in the year, and it is understood that owner Prince Abdullah has accepted another offer to sell the EFL Championship club.

The identity of the bidder is not yet known, but it is believed the deal is now set to go to the EFL.

It was at this stage that the bid from Mauriss fell down, with the ClearTV owner unable to satisfy the EFL with his business plan to purchase the club.

Strict guidelines

The new bidder, who is believed to be willing to spend a “substantial” amount to purchase the club, is now subject to the same strict guidelines.

However, should the EFL give the green light, Sheffield United could have a new owner within weeks. The Blades are currently in the automatic places for promotion and are said to be an attractive proposition for those looking to own a top-flight club.

 

Chelsea appoint Christopher Vivell from RB Leipzig as technical director

Chelsea have appointed Christopher Vivell as the club’s new technical director following the departure of Petr Cech in the summer.

In a statement, Chelsea confirmed that Vivell has taken up the role immediately.

The 36-year-old German joins from RB Leipzig, where he was responsible for recruitment and scouting across all age groups.

During his time there he also co-ordinated the overall strategy for squad building and recruitment among Red Bull’s wider football group.

Vivell previously spent five years with Leipzig’s sister club RB Salzburg in Austria as head of scouting and recruitment and prior to that was first team scout at Hoffenheim.

 

UEFA warns UK and Ireland over issues with Euro 2028 bid

The leaders of the UK and Ireland’s bid to host Euro 2028 have been warned that UEFA is growing frustrated over delays in agreeing some key guarantees, The Times reports.

One of the issues relates to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and its potential naming rights. UEFA’s rules insist on a “clean”, unbranded venue and insiders at the European governing body said an agreement had still to be reached with the club.

Spurs, who have been in talks with Google and other companies about the naming rights, insist that they have agreed with UEFA to find “an acceptable solution”.

Although UEFA rates the Tottenham ground very highly as a potential venue for the Euros, insiders say it will not accept any compromise that would affect its commitment to “clean” stadiums.

The other guarantees that need to be addressed are understood to relate to policing, airports and tax exemptions.

Joint bid

The UK and Ireland have submitted a joint bid to host the tournament and are up against Turkey in the UEFA vote, which is due to take place next September.

It is understood that Turkey has signed off all of its guarantees already, while UEFA had far fewer issues with the Euro 2024 hosts, Germany, than the UK and Irish bid. The message has been passed to bid leaders that they need to sort out the guarantees as a matter of urgency.

 

Atalanta to expand Gewiss Stadium capacity to 25,000

Atalanta have announced that the capacity of the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo will be increased to 25,000 as part of the final phase of its renovation.

The venue was revamped earlier in 2022 in phase one of the project, with the capacity currently 21,300.

Speaking during Atalanta’s Christmas dinner on Monday night, the club’s CEO Luca Percassi confirmed they had signed an agreement to complete the final works by September 2024.

“The team, fans and city will have the stadium they deserve with 25,000 seats,” he said.

Small gym

According to Corriere della Sera, the expansion will include a small gym underneath the Curva Nord –the curved stand at the north end of the stadium – so the squad can warm up and hear the fans just before games.

The venue was previously known as the Stadio Comunale and then the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia before Atalanta purchased it in 2017, as they became only the fifth club in Italy to own and operate their own stadium, after Juventus, Reggina, Udinese and Frosinone.

The takeover of Olympique Lyon by American businessman John Textor has been backed by Jamie Dinan, a hedge fund manager and co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks basketball team.

In a statement confirming the buyout, which was completed on Monday, Textor’s company Eagle Football revealed that Iconic Sports, an investment firm co-run by Dinan, is among the co-investors to have backed the deal.

Iconic Sports has acquired a stake in Eagle Football, along with the other co-investors involved in the takeover – the global alternative investor Ares Management, as well as another investment firm, Elmwood Partners.

Ownership experience

In the statement, Textor said: “I would like to call our supporters attention to the key backers of Eagle Football without whose help this investment would not have been possible. 

“The ownership experience of both Iconic Sports and Ares in global professional sports, including football, means they bring much more than just capital to our family of clubs. 

“In addition, the technology and consumer-apps experience of Elmwood Partners will help us to set new standards for the future of fan enjoyment.”
 

FIFA president Gianni Infantino targets World Cup every three years

FIFA president Gianni Infantino wants to hold the World Cup every three years as part of a long-term plan to revolutionise international football, The Daily Mail reports.

Infantino is said to have been emboldened by the commercial and sporting success of the tournament in Qatar, which generated record revenues of £6.2 billion — up £840 million on the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The FIFA president is understood to be convinced that staging the World Cup in the middle of a European winter over the past month has proved to be a game-changer, and shows that the sport can continue to grow and be globalised.

Infantino’s long-term ambition is to institute a radical new tournament cycle, in which the World Cup takes place every three years, with the Club World Cup and continental competitions such as the European Championship being held in the other years.

Talks nearly concluded

No change is possible until after the 2030 World Cup, as talks between stakeholders over the 2024 to 2030 international calendar are close to being concluded.

If Infantino's alleged plans are approved, World Cups could be hosted in 2030 and 2033, Club World Cups in 2031 and 2034, and the Euros in 2032. FIFA have not commented on the alleged plans.
 

LFP hands out 76 sanctions for betting breaches

France's Professional Football League (LFP) has announced that 76 players, coaches and directors have been sanctioned for sports betting offences.

All instances relate to bets placed during the 2020/21 season. In a statement, the LFP said the individuals had “not respected … the ban on sports betting laid down by the Sports Code.”

Among all players in the top two divisions, Quevilly-Rouen midfielder Samy El Khiar has received the biggest sentence. He has been banned for four games and will be made to pay €2,000 in the case of any repeat offence.

Auxerre goalkeeper Donovan Léon has been handed a five-match ban, three of which are suspended, while Brest forward Irvin Cardona will sit out four games, two of which are suspended, and has received a €1,500 fine.

Montpellier midfielder Sacha Delaye and Strasbourg defender Alexander Djiku are both banned for one match, while Jean-Charles Castelletto, the Nantes defender, has been given a four-match suspended sentence.

Prohibited from betting

The LFP said: “The actors of competitions organised by the FFF or the LFP (in particular players, coaches, managers of professional football clubs) are generally prohibited from betting, online or in physical networks, on all football competitions, whether national or foreign.”

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has announced the launch of a new 32-team men's Club World Cup starting in 2025.

The new Club World Cup concept was initially scheduled to launch in China in 2021 with 24 teams but was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking at a FIFA Council meeting last Friday, Infantino said the tournament is now set for a further expansion from June 2025 and will take place every four years.

The announcement followed reports last week that the tournament would be rejected by Europe's biggest clubs amid growing concerns about the international calendar and player welfare.

During the meeting the FIFA president also revealed that the World Cup group stage format – which is to be expanded to 48 teams for the 2026 tournament, from the current 32 – will be “rediscussed”.

The FIFA Council chose in 2017 for the nations to be split into 16 groups of three, but Infantino said 12 groups of four may be used following the dramatic conclusions to the group stages in Qatar.

No formal proposals

Sky Sports News reported that the Premier League has not seen any formal proposals from FIFA about the expanded Club World Cup in 2025 or an expanded 2026 men's World Cup.

It is understood that the Premier League is open to continuing engagement with FIFA, via the World League's Forum, to ensure there are no radical changes to the international calendar that will affect the domestic league structure and player welfare.

According to Sky, the Premier League is expecting meaningful agreements to be reached with the leagues before anything is signed off.

Infantino also announced changes to the windows for the international match calendar from 2025, including the launch of friendly tournaments – ‘FIFA World Series’ – which would take place in the March window in even years.

 

European Super League CEO insists project is ‘not dead – very alive’ despite legal blow

Bernd Reichart, CEO of A22 Sports Management, the company behind the European Super League, has claimed the project has not been killed by the publication of an opinion by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) last Thursday.

The detailed but non-binding opinion of the ECJ advocate general Athanasios Rantos agreed with the Super League’s case that UEFA had a monopolistic role in organising club football in Europe, but argued that this was legally permissible due to the special status of sport within EU competition law.

“Yesterday was an opinion of the judge; the full sentence is not coming until next spring,” Reichart told a breakfast meeting in Madrid on Friday attended by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and FC Barcelona counterpart Joan Laporta.

“It is important to explain the legal context. The Super League is not dead – not at all, it is very alive.”

Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus are the only clubs who have remained within the Super League project following its collapse within days of being unveiled last April.

Unhappy with status quo

Reichart said that since late October he had been meeting with representatives of clubs around Europe whom he claimed were unhappy with the status quo, but do not want to say anything publicly due to fear of recriminations from UEFA.

“We have met with more than 30 clubs in more than 10 countries in Europe, who share our diagnosis of football’s problems, and believe that fundamental reforms are necessary in the competitions and a proper system of financial fair play is required,” he said.

“In the coming months we will be looking to explain about this more, and there is a lot of interest in understanding our view. Then when we have legal certainty about the future environment we will be able to put forward our proposal.”

 

Law firm hired by Hertha Berlin backs up Lars Windhorst espionage allegations

A law firm hired to investigate allegations of espionage by Hertha Berlin investor Lars Windhorst has concluded that the accusations are true, German media have reported.

It had been alleged that Windhorst hired the Israeli private intelligence company Shibumi to orchestrate a clandestine campaign aimed at ousting the former Hertha president Werner Gegenbauer.

Windhorst had described the allegations as “nonsense” and did not accept the reliability of the filed documents.

However, the accusations contributed to a major fallout between the Hertha hierarchy and Windhorst, who has since reached an agreement with the American investment firm 777 Partners to sell his 64.7 per cent shareholding in the club.

"Sufficient indications"

The law firm Noerr was commissioned by Hertha to investigate the allegations, and according to the German publication Business Insider, which has seen Noerr’s report, the firm found that there are "sufficient indications" Windhorst commissioned Shibomi to carry out the year-long operation.

Noerr noted that the campaign ran from 21st June 2021 to 20th June 2022 under the code name ‘Project Euro 2020’.

The report said: "The facts we have ascertained provide tangible evidence that LW [Lars Windhorst] has committed a breach of duty towards Hertha KGaA and the club."

Commenting on the report, the current Hertha president Kay Bernstein said: "We have the report of the law firm commissioned by us and we are discussing in the committees how to deal with it. I ask for your understanding that we do not anticipate this process and do not express ourselves in public until then."

 

Ex-Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein: ‘American owners still pose threat to English pyramid’

David Dein, one of the driving forces behind the formation and growth of the Premier League, has warned that the English domestic game still faces threats to its structure despite the apparent failure of the European Super League.

The former vice-chairman of Arsenal and the FA was speaking following the publication of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) advocate general Athanasios Rantos’ opinion that FIFA and UEFA rules were “compatible with EU competition law”, dealing a hammer blow to the European Super League project.

Dein claimed that despite the outcome, the promotion and relegation structure of the English pyramid must still be “protected” from the growing presence of American owners.

“I was very worried about the Super League,” he told The Times. “That was the owners not reading the tea leaves properly.

“They got the wrong message, and that clearly was driven by owners thinking that there was a holy grail out there [of a closed shop and increased revenue], and that probably promoted the sale of Liverpool and Manchester United.”

“Different dynamic in the States”

Dein stressed that promotion and relegation adds to the drama and jeopardy that makes English football so special.

“It works,” he said. “They’ve got a different dynamic in the States. They have a sterile league and they can move franchises around from city to city. We’re not like that. We are passionate about our clubs. It’s club football that means so much and has to be protected.”

The backers of the proposed European Super League face having to take out separate legal action in the UK for English clubs to be involved, even if they win the upcoming European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling, The Times reports.

The revelation comes ahead of the recommendation due to be made on Thursday by advocate general of the ECJ, Athanasios Rantos, on legal action against UEFA and FIFA brought by the company A22, which claims that the football authorities are unfairly blocking competition.

However, according to The Times, even insiders close to A22 admit that as a result of Brexit there will be no obligation on the English leagues or FA to follow the ECJ’s ruling if it goes in A22’s favour.

Deducted 30 points

After the European Super League was launched and quickly collapsed last April, the Premier League brought in rules which would mean that any club joining a breakaway tournament would be deducted 30 points.

Its new owners’ charter says clubs must “not engage in the creation of new competition formats outside of the Premier League’s rules”, such as a Super League.

UEFA is said to be confident that the ECJ’s judgement will go in its favour. Rantos’s recommendation is not legally binding on the court’s judges but usually provides an indication of the final outcome.

 

Atalanta post €11 million profit thanks to capital gains

Atalanta have reported a profit of €11 million for the six-month period from 1st January to 30th June 2022.

The accounts for the period were published after the club changed its year end date from 31st December to 30th June following the takeover of the club in February by a group of US-based investors led by Boston Celtics co-owner Stephen Pagliuca.

Total revenues for the half year amounted to €119.5 million, with capital gains from player transfers the biggest source of income, generating €44.2 million.

The most notable player sales included German defender Robin Gosens to Inter Milan for €25 million and Italian midfielder Andrea Colpani to AC Monza for €9 million.

Income from broadcast rights was €37.6 million, with €25.3 million from Serie A, €4 million from the Champions League, €7 million from the Europa League and €1.1 million from the Coppa Italia. Commercial revenues totalled €11.8 million.

€31 million wage bill

Expenses for the year came to €103.3 million. Personnel costs were €44.6 million, with a total wage bill of €31 million. Depreciation and amortisation costs amounted to €34.4 million, of which €28.3 million related to the depreciation of players.

During the first six months of 2022, Atalanta spent €43.8 million on new signings, including €22.8 million for Ivorian winger Jérémie Boga from Sassuolo, and €20.7 million for Turkish centre-backMerih Demiral from Juventus.

 

EU lawmakers were ‘wooed by Qatar ahead of World Cup’

The European Parliament is at the centre of a spreading corruption scandal over claims that Qatar sought to buy influence ahead of the World Cup, The Financial Times reports.

The revelations have come after Belgian police seized at least €1 million in cash and detained a current and a former Socialist MEP as part of an international investigation into the claims.

Qatar allegedly offered European lawmakers World Cup tickets, free trips to the Gulf state and other valuable hospitality as it sought to persuade them to soften their criticism of its treatment of migrant workers ahead of the tournament.

Former Italian Socialist MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri has been charged with corruption, after Belgian police seized €600,000 in cash at his home. Among the accusations is that he took his family on a €100,000 trip paid for by Qatar.

One of the parliament’s vice-presidents, Greek Socialist MEP Eva Kaili and her partner Francesco Giorgi, a parliamentary assistant who formerly worked for Panzeri, have also been arrested after Belgian police seized €150,000 from their home.

Invitations to dinner

Since the start of the parliamentary term in 2019 and in the run-up to the tournament, Qatari officials in Brussels sought to improve the narrative on the country’s labour and human rights record, according to five MEPs, who described invitations to dinner, trips and promises of World Cup tickets.

The Qatari embassy in Brussels did not respond to a request to comment from The Financial Times. A Qatari diplomat told the newspaper that “like many governments, we frequently organise visits to Qatar for foreign officials and members of parliamentary groups.”

He added that “our aim is only to have a constructive dialogue and show them the reality on the ground.”

 

Women’s Super League to reopen talks about external funding

The Women’s Super League(WSL) is re-engaging investment bankers at Rothschild to explore whether to raise funding for the top-flight from third parties, according to Sky News.

The move comes as the WSL, which currently sits within the FA, sees soaring domestic and international interest in the sport following England's victory in the European Championships this summer.

Sources told Sky that the WSL could potentially seek as much as £100 million in outside financing to fund the development of the competition and the broader women's game.

Rothschild's reappointment - more than 18 months after it was asked by the WSL and FA to explore funding options for the league – comes as attendances at WSL matches reach unprecedented heights.

Bridgepoint approach

Bridgepoint, a private equity firm which recently approached the England and Wales Cricket Board with a proposal to buy a stake in The Hundred, approached the FA about investing in the WSL in 2020.

That approach was rebuffed, since when frequent talks have taken place about the Premier League assuming ownership of the WSL.

Football insiders say the Premier League remains interested in some form of deal, although it is not thought to have tabled a credible proposal yet.

AFC Bournemouth have announced that the protracted takeover of the club by American businessman Bill Foley is finally complete.

In a statement, the Premier League club said that Maxim Denim, who has been the owner since 2011, has sold his 100 per cent stake to Black Knight Football Club, of which Foley is the managing general partner.

The American is the founder and owner of the National Hockey League (NHL)’s Vegas Golden Knights, the first major league sports team in Las Vegas. He has also led the construction of several sports venues in the Las Vegas Valley.

The deal to acquire Bournemouth includes a number of limited partners, including a 50.1 per cent holding for Cannae Holdings Inc. and other investors, many of whom have invested in the Golden Knights.

The minority ownership group is led by award-winning actor, director and producer Michael B. Jordan and Nullah Sarker. Bournemouth marks Jordan’s first foray into professional sports ownership. The club said that he and Nullah “will work closely with Bill in areas including global marketing and internationalisation of the club.”

£120 million deal

The value of the takeover deal was reported by The Athletic in October to be £120 million. Foley assumes the role of chairman with immediate effect and he will be attending the club’s next home match, against Crystal Palace on 31st December.

“Having also purchased a home in the local area, Bill reaffirms his commitment to the football club and surrounding community,” Bournemouth said.
 

Europe's top clubs reject FIFA’s 32-team Club World Cup plan

Europe's biggest clubs have rejected a proposal from FIFA to launch a new Club World Cup in the summer of 2025, according to The Daily Mail.

The newspaper understands that FIFA has been seeking approval to stage a 32-team competition in the US during negotiations that have taken place in Qatar over the last few weeks, but the clubs are refusing to endorse the proposals.

The Daily Mail claims that FIFA had been hoping to get the deal done at a meeting of the European Club Association (ECA) in Doha last Friday, but FIFA president Gianni Infantino pulled out at the last minute when it became clear his project would not be signed off.

Refused to sign MoU

In what was interpreted as an act of retribution FIFA then refused to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the ECA despite the fact that the current agreement expires on 31st December.

The MoU is an agreement between FIFA and the clubs covering the international match calendar, player release dates and compensation paid to the clubs.

If a new deal is not signed in the interim clubs could theoretically refuse to release players to play for their countries during the next international break in March.
 

Villarreal CF losses ease to €743,000 for 2021/22

Villarreal CF have announced a loss of €743,000 for the 2021/22 financial year after posting a record deficit of €14.2 million the previous year.

As well as the return of spectators following the easing of Covid restrictions, the club’s finances were boosted by its run to the semi-finals of the Champions League, after winning the Europa League the previous season.

While the club did not reveal the total prize money it received from UEFA in 2021/22, the payments for its results in the Champions League had already reached €34.6 million even before the knockout phase had begun.

Break even in 2022/23

Villarreal also revealed that it expects to break even in 2022/23, with income of €133.6 million expected to be matched by expenses totalling the same amount.

The projected revenue would mark a 4 per cent decline on the income earned in 2021/22. During the current season Villarreal are competing in the Europa Conference League.

An independent regulator is finally set to be introduced to English football next year, according to The Daily Mail.

The newspaper claims that the proposal, which was central to the recommendations put forward by former sports minister Tracey Crouch in her fan-led review published last November, has now been signed off by the prime minister Rishi Sunak.

It is understood the UK government will present its White Paper or proposed legislation in the new year, although there will be no announcement before Christmas.

Appropriate individual

The Daily Mail revealed that the proposals, which are likely to become law by 2024, will see a panel appointed to search for an appropriate individual to head the independent football regulator.

The office would have directors and scores of members of staff, overseeing the most contentious issues in the game.

The body would boost the representation of fans in the running of clubs and the game and could also lead to a fairer financial settlement imposed on the Premier League in its negotiations with EFL clubs.

 

Amazon named as possible buyer for Manchester United

Amazon has become the latest company to be linked with buying Manchester United following the Glazer family’s announcement last month that the club is up for sale.

A report from The Athletic claims that the tech giant, which holds broadcast rights to Premier League matches and has a sleeve sponsorship deal with Napoli, has been mooted as a possible buyer by people close to the talks.

A spokesperson from the company said: “Amazon declined to comment on rumour and speculation.”

Other companies that have been linked with United include Apple and the fashion giant Zara, although both have denied reports they were keen on buying the club.

However, Ineos chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe –Britain's richest man – is thought to be interested.

Lower asking price

The Athletic also revealed that Raine Group, United's exclusive financial advisors for a potential sale of the club, has set an asking price below the figures initially quoted, as the Glazer family prepare for offers.

United's owners issued a statement in November indicating they would be open to investment or a full sale. However, the £9 billion price tag they reportedly placed on the club is said to be far more than the £6-7 billion set by Raine Group.

 

Manchester City look into increasing Etihad Stadium capacity to 60,000-plus

Manchester City are to explore the possibility of expanding the capacity of the Etihad Stadium to more than 60,000.

In a statement, the Premier League champions announced they are conducting feasibility studies into a development project, central to which would be an expanded North Stand.

The study will also consider an expanded and covered ‘City Square’ fan zone with food and drink outlets, a new club shop and museum, workspace and an onsite hotel.

The club said that fans and the local community will be invited to share their priorities and feedback on concepts in advance of formal consultations in early 2023.

Sixth in top-flight

The work, if it goes ahead, would make the Etihad Stadium the sixth in the current top-flight capable of holding at least 60,000, alongside Old Trafford, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Emirates Stadium and London Stadium. Work is also under way to take Anfield’s capacity to more than 60,000.

The Etihad Stadium’s current limit is 53,400, a figure reached after work to add a third tier to the South Stand was completed in 2015.

 

Sampdoria takeover by Lille owner moves closer with binding offer

The possible takeover of Sampdoria by the investment fund Merlyn Partners has moved a step closer after the Luxembourg-based firm submitted a binding offer, Italian news agency ANSA reports.

It is understood that the fund has tabled an offer of €20 million that would be immediately injected into the Serie A club, in addition to the capital increase of around €30 million requested by the club's board of directors.

Merlyn Partners, which already owns Ligue 1 club Lille, would also need to restructure Sampdoria’s debts of around €150 million.

The fund, which is represented by former J.P. Morgan executive Alessandro Barnaba, is expecting to receive a response to its offer after Sampdoria’s shareholders' meeting, which is scheduled to take place this Wednesday, 14th December, although it could be pushed back to next Monday, 19th December.

Former president

The search for new owners of Sampdoria has been ongoing since former president Massimo Ferrero resigned last December following his arrest by the Italian law enforcement agency Guardia di Finanza as part of an investigation into corporate crimes and bankruptcy. Ferrero had owned the club since 2014.

The Rosan Trust has held legal ownership of the club since Ferrero’s departure, but any new takeover would need to be approved by the former president.

 

EFL appoints new Club Financial Review Panel

The English Football League has confirmed the appointment of its new Club Financial Review Panel (CFRP).

The CFRP will be chaired by Christopher Quinlan KC, and will also comprise Jonathan Bellamy (legal member and vice-chair), Geoff Mesher (audit member), Dan Jones (audit member), Nick Igoe (football member) and Alison Royston (football member).

In a statement, the EFL said the CFRP is “an independently appointed expert panel, including members with appropriate accountancy, legal and football expertise, selected following an extensive process undertaken by Sport Resolutions, an independent dispute resolution service provider for sport.”

Primary point of contact

The EFL added: “The Panel will make determinations based on the information provided to the Club Financial Reporting Unit (CFRU) and by the relevant club(s).

“The CFRU was introduced earlier this year, again following the unanimous approval by clubs, to oversee the League’s Regulations in relation to Club Financial Records, HMRC Reporting and the Financial Fair Play (FFP) Regulations (P&S in the Championship and SCMP in Leagues One and Two).

“The CRFU is the primary point of contact with clubs and their officials and has delegated authority from the Board. This gives the CRFU the right to exercise the League’s existing powers to compel the provision of information and documents as it works to review clubs’ submissions under the Financial Regulations.”