Football
USL success sees Cincinnati land MLS expansion franchise
FC Cincinnati has been rewarded for its rapid development as a United Soccer League (USL) team by being elevated to Major League Soccer (MLS) status for the 2019 season.
FA seeks to reassure members over Wembley deal
The English Football Association (FA) has moved to reassure its council members that selling Wembley Stadium could allow it to spend more than £1bn (€1.1bn/$1.3bn) on grassroots football as it considers an offer for the venue from US billionaire Shahid Khan.
Fifa to host 2026 World Cup meeting
The committees behind the two bids to stage the 2026 Fifa World Cup will meet with inspectors from football’s global governing body tomorrow (Wednesday) ahead of the June 13 vote to determine the host of the national team tournament.
Manchester United returns to women’s football
The English Football Association (FA) has approved Premier League club Manchester United’s application to form a team in the second-tier Women’s Championship.
Platini seeks return to football after Swiss justice move
Former Uefa president Michel Platini is targeting a return to football after Swiss federal prosecutors confirmed he is not being charged as part of an investigation into possible financial wrongdoing.
Saint-Etienne’s talks with Peak6 break down
French Ligue 1 football team Saint-Etienne has revealed that it has ended discussions with US investment fund Peak6 over a possible takeover of the club.
Champions League final returns to Istanbul as Euro 2020 schedule announced
Uefa has announced that the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey, will host the final of its Champions League competition in 2020, while European football’s governing body has also confirmed the schedule for the Euro 2020 national team tournament.
Fifteen groups express interest in A-League franchise
Football Federation Australia has today (Friday) confirmed that it has received interest from 15 groups seeking to be given a licence to play in the top-tier A-League.
Fifa Council member detained on corruption allegations
Kwesi Nyantakyi, a member of the Fifa Council at football’s global governing body, was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of corruption in his native Ghana.
The Champions League continues to deliver growth but remains under scrutiny
The Uefa Champions League is set to deliver another big increase in revenues in the next cycle, but there are still doubts it will survive beyond 2024. Frank Dunne explains why.
Ronaldo extends endorsement deal with Herbalife
Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has signed an extension to his endorsement partnership with nutrition company Herbalife.
Agnelli hits out at Infantino plans, suggests new Champions League format
Andrea Agnelli, president of Italian Serie A football team Juventus and chairman of the European Club Association, has hit out at Fifa president Gianni Infantino’s plans to introduce a new club competition, while he has also floated the idea of the format of Uefa Champions League being modified.
Wembley sale | FA chairman Clarke issues update to council members
The Football Association chairman, Greg Clarke has written a letter to FA Council members about the potential sale of Wembley Stadium and provided a Q&A to answer some of the questions raised about Shahid Khan's offer to buy the venue. The association granted SportBusiness International permission to publish the Q&A here.
Trio of 2006 World Cup executives face tax evasion charges
Three key figures behind the 2006 World Cup in Germany have been charged with tax evasion in connection with payments to Fifa, football’s global governing body.
Morocco calls for US territories’ exclusion from World Cup vote
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has written a letter of complaint to Fifa, the sport’s global governing body, over the eligibility of US territories being able to vote on who should host the 2026 World Cup.
5 things we learned | Day two, Leaders Sport Business Summit, New York
The All Blacks are seeking commercial opportunities in the US to "future proof" their finances and Tim Leiweke teases a cashless, payment-less system at Seattle's NHL stadium. Bob Williams reports back from day two of Leaders Week in New York.
PSG targets US growth with opening of New York office
French Ligue 1 football club Paris Saint-Germain has opened a new office in New York in a move designed to further grow its brand in North America.
5 things we learned | Day one, Leaders Sport Business Summit, New York
Anheuser Busch thinks the legalisation of gambling in the US might influence where it places its advertising and Visa reveals how the failure of the US team to qualify for the Fifa World Cup made it increase its digital spend. Bob Williams reports back from day one of Leaders Week in New York.