Ken Bates, who owned Chelsea FC for 22 years, has died aged 94. He bought the club for £1 in 1982 and saved it from financial ruin, eventually selling it to Roman Abramovich for £17m in 2004. Bates was known for his pugnacious style and controversial decisions.
Tottenham Hotspur is spending an unprecedented £230m on player transfers, funded partly by Joe Lewis's art sales. This lavish spending, with high fees for players like Van Hecke and Fernandes, signals a shift from past frugality to a strategy focused on immediate success under manager Roberto De Zerbi.
Premier League clubs lost £948mn in 2024/25, a sevenfold increase from the previous year, despite record revenues of £6.8bn. Deloitte attributes the losses to increased transfer spending and a lack of one-off sale profits, with net debt rising to £3.6bn. Lower leagues face even greater financial strain.
Wallsend Boys Club, a grassroots team in north Tyneside, has a remarkable history of producing elite footballers, including Alan Shearer and potentially Elliot Anderson, valued at £116m. The club's success is attributed to its strong community focus and emphasis on life skills, not just football.
Fifa and European Football Clubs (EFC) have formed a joint venture to operate the Club World Cup, aiming to expand the lucrative tournament to 48 teams by 2029. This collaboration could lift country caps, increasing European club participation and commercial value, despite ongoing delays in solidarity payments from the last event.
Ipswich Town has appointed Gary O’Neil as their new manager on a three-year deal, preparing for their Premier League return. O'Neil, formerly of Strasbourg, replaces Kieran McKenna and aims to lead the club to new heights. Separately, Aaron Ramsey has been named head coach at Oxford.
Antonin Panenka reflects on his revolutionary penalty kick that won the 1976 European Championship for Czechoslovakia against West Germany. The audacious chip down the middle, which humiliated goalkeeper Sepp Maier, has become a legendary move in football, with Panenka expressing pride and amusement at its continued use, though lamenting the lack of royalties.
Un chant raciste et transphobe entonné par des supporters argentins après la victoire contre la France en 2022, et repris par des joueurs, soulève des questions sur l'animosité entre les deux nations. Le journaliste Hervé Mathoux enquête en Argentine.
Alessandro Casolari, a former Italian football ultra leader known as "Caso," recounts a life filled with crime, including hostage negotiation, cocaine smuggling to Italy, and alleged human rights abuses in prison. The author, a journalist, details Casolari's journey from leading ultras in Ferrara to his involvement with Farc guerrillas and his claims of political prisoner status.
The article chronicles the extraordinary life of Alessandro Casolari, an Italian figure who transitioned from leading football ultras in Ferrara to involvement in international cocaine smuggling and hostage negotiation. It details his criminal activities, prison experiences, and his self-proclaimed political prisoner status, highlighting his complex and often contradictory personality.
Haiti's national football team is returning to the World Cup after 52 years, challenging stereotypes of a nation often defined by turmoil. Representing a diaspora of players, many born abroad, the team aims to showcase Haiti's resilience and a different narrative beyond its struggles.
A palavra 'soccer' tem origem na Inglaterra, cunhada por estudantes universitários no século XIX para diferenciar o 'association football' do rugby. Apesar de ter sido amplamente usada no Reino Unido, tornou-se um tabu, sendo associada aos EUA, onde o termo 'futebol' é dominante para o futebol americano.
West Ham United co-chair David Sullivan is facing potential forced sale of his stake after allegations of sexual misconduct spanning decades. The new football regulator is investigating his suitability to own a club.
UEFA confirms Russian football clubs will not participate in 2026/27 European cup tournaments due to ongoing suspension since 2022.
14-year-old Li Haoyan has made history as the first Chinese player to sign for Barcelona's famed La Masia academy. He will join the under-15 Cadet B team next season, having previously played for CF Damm in Spain.
Millwall FC has launched a 78-page "Pride playbook" to guide football clubs in building partnerships with LGBTQ+ teams and fostering inclusive environments, aiming to combat rising homophobia and transphobia in grassroots men's football.
The UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has warned football clubs, including Premier League teams, against sponsorship deals with unauthorized crypto and trading firms, citing risks to fans and potential legal liabilities for clubs.
The UK's Financial Conduct Authority has warned football clubs, including Premier League teams, about sponsorship deals with unauthorized crypto businesses, citing risks to fans and potential breaches of financial laws.
The UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has cautioned top football clubs against signing sponsorship deals with unauthorized international financial firms, particularly crypto and trading platforms, warning that these firms may be targeting unsuspecting fans and breaching UK laws.
Intisar Shanib has been appointed president of Libya's Darnes Sports Club, becoming the first woman to hold the position. Her unopposed election is seen as a significant achievement for women in Libya, with a focus on club development and youth programs.
Former Leicester City winger Marc Albrighton believes Jack Grealish could reignite his Manchester City career following Pep Guardiola's departure, suggesting a new manager will offer a clean slate for the player.
President Lee Jae-myung congratulated Naegohyang Women's Football Club on their AFC Champions League victory via social media, also acknowledging the fighting spirit of Suwon FC WIMEE and their supporters.
Hull City owner Acun Ilicali reflects on his journey with the club, culminating in a Wembley playoff final for Premier League promotion. The Turkish media mogul discusses his management style, team investment, and the challenges ahead.
Dominic Johns, after a two-year struggle with a severe leg injury and subsequent infection, will captain Football Club at the HKFC Standard Chartered Soccer Sevens. The injury, sustained in 2024, required multiple surgeries and a lengthy recovery, impacting him mentally.
