Infantino’s Trump ties trigger new IOC ethics test - A FairSquare complaint has asked the IOC to investigate FIFA president Gianni Infantino over alleged political neutrality breaches, escalating governance scrutiny around his relationship with US President Donald Trump. By Chris Brown
Winnipeg gives NSL its first expansion foothold - Winnipeg will join the Northern Super League in 2027 as its seventh franchise, extending the competition into the Prairies and advancing its plan to build a broader national footprint. By Chris Brown
Louis Vuitton turns World Cup trophy ritual into luxury retail opportunity - Louis Vuitton has expanded its FIFA World Cup involvement through an official supplier and licensing agreement that combines high-profile final-day exposure with a limited-edition luxury product collection. By Chris Brown
Brazil turns up pressure on betting’s sports marketing boom - Brazil’s government is tightening betting advertising rules across broadcast, digital and sponsorship channels, increasing compliance costs for operators and creating new restrictions for sports rights holders, clubs and commercial partners. By Chris Brown
Argentina World Cup semi-final build-up overshadowed by FBI probe into AFA finances - A US federal investigation into the Argentine Football Association’s financial operations has overshadowed Argentina’s World Cup semi-final build-up against England, increasing scrutiny on the federation’s Miami-linked business activities. By Chris Brown
Infantino fuels player burnout and quality fears with 64-team World Cup hint - Gianni Infantino has signalled that FIFA will examine a 64-team World Cup after the 2026 tournament, reigniting concerns over player workload, competition quality and the continued expansion of global football inventory. By Chris Brown
Barcelona push direct fan strategy with Barça Play launch - FC Barcelona have launched Barça Play as a new audiovisual hub inside their website and official app, accelerating the club’s push to own more of their global fan relationship. By Chris Brown
UEFA set to resist Russian return despite IOC shift - UEFA could block any attempt to reintegrate Russian teams into international football after the IOC moved to ease restrictions on Russia, creating another potential institutional clash with FIFA. By Chris Brown
Deloitte warns football growth is slowing after €40bn milestone - European football revenue passed €40bn for the first time in 2024/25, but Deloitte has warned that slowing growth, rising losses and saturated competition calendars are creating pressure on clubs to diversify revenue models. By Chris Brown
Pressure mounts on Infantino as FIFA president stands firm - Pressure is mounting on Gianni Infantino after FIFA defended its handling of Folarin Balogun’s World Cup suspension while UEFA, Javier Tebas, Giovanni Malagò and European lawmakers criticised the decision and its political context. By Chris Brown
Croatian FA appoint Hawk-Eye as VAR technology partner - The Croatian Football Federation has signed a five-year VAR technology agreement with Hawk-Eye Innovations, securing coverage across the country’s top club competitions until 2031. By Chris Brown
MLS extend Avery Dennison kit licensing deal - Major League Soccer has extended its licensing agreement with Avery Dennison, keeping the company as the league’s official supplier for names, numbers and sleeve logos across all 30 clubs. By Chris Brown
APEX takes strategic stake in Northern Super League - APEX has taken a strategic stake in the Northern Super League, marking the first completed private equity investment in a professional women’s football league and giving Canada’s top-tier competition growth capital for its next commercial phase. By Chris Brown
Italian bill proposes 2% football betting levy - Italian lawmakers are reviewing a bill that would redirect a 2% levy on domestic football betting to the FIGC, creating a proposed €230m annual funding stream for youth development, women’s football, grassroots facilities and gambling harm prevention. By Chris Brown
UEFA criticises FIFA over Balogun suspension controversy - UEFA has publicly criticised FIFA’s decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s automatic World Cup ban after reported intervention by US President Donald Trump, deepening governance concerns around FIFA’s neutrality and disciplinary process. By Chris Brown
FIFPRO demands action over World Cup player abuse - FIFPRO has called for stronger protection for World Cup players after warning that racist and discriminatory abuse has become a systemic tournament issue requiring enforcement beyond monitoring and reporting. By Chris Brown
Malagò sets July deadline for Italy’s Euro 2032 stadiums - Italy’s Euro 2032 preparations have entered a critical stadium selection phase, with FIGC president Giovanni Malagò setting a July deadline as Cagliari push to keep their new €218m stadium project in contention. By Chris Brown
StubHub faces class action over World Cup ticket failures - StubHub is facing a proposed US class action seeking at least US$5m after World Cup ticket buyers alleged that orders were cancelled or left unfulfilled despite its replacement-or-refund guarantee. By Chris Brown
UEFA excludes Karviná and reshuffles Czech European places - UEFA has excluded MFK Karviná from the 2026/27 Europa League over match-influencing activity, forcing a reshuffle of Czech clubs across the Europa League and Conference League. By Chris Brown
Real Madrid reject Gasol investment deal with Liga F - Real Madrid have rejected Liga F’s €55m investment agreement with Pau Gasol’s Gasol16 Ventures and Fortified Partners, warning that the 25-year commercial structure could restrict club autonomy and create unequal treatment across Spanish women’s football. By Chris Brown
Laporta sets financial and stadium priorities for new Barcelona term - Joan Laporta has begun his fourth term as FC Barcelona president with commitments to complete Spotify Camp Nou, consolidate the club’s financial recovery and defend its member-owned model. By Chris Brown
Trump ticket disclosure adds to FIFA Peace Prize scrutiny - Donald Trump’s disclosure of US$15,000 in FIFA Club World Cup final tickets received from Gianni Infantino has added to scrutiny of their relationship amid calls for an ethics investigation into the FIFA president’s Peace Prize decision. By Chris Brown
West Ham begin supporter consultation on club crest - West Ham United have launched a supporter-led consultation on the future of their club crest, beginning a multi-year process that could produce a new visual identity from the 2028/29 season. By Chris Brown
German police raid DFB headquarters in Euro 2024 bribery probe - German authorities have searched the DFB’s headquarters and other sites over suspected improper benefits linked to UEFA Euro 2024, creating further governance pressure for German football’s governing body. By Chris Brown