Botafogo transfer bans intensify as FIFA deadline and Lyon claim add pressure - Botafogo’s financial restructuring is now colliding with FIFA enforcement and an intra-group dispute with Lyon, creating immediate squad-planning limits and a wider credit signal for counterparties trading with clubs in judicial recovery. By Chris Brown
Dutch court backs KNVB in eligibility dispute - A Dutch court ruling backing the KNVB has removed the immediate risk of widespread match replays in the Eredivisie, protecting the league’s sporting integrity and end-of-season commercial timetable. By Chris Brown
Morocco releases Senegal fans jailed over AFCON final disorder - Morocco has released three Senegal supporters jailed over disorder at the Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat, closing one strand of a wider operational and legal fallout that is testing the tournament’s governance and host-market risk controls. By Chris Brown
Messi faces US$7m lawsuit over Argentina friendly no-show - Miami-based promoter is suing Lionel Messi and the Argentine Football Association over an alleged US$7m appearance deal that it says was undermined when the player did not take the pitch in an October exhibition match. By Chris Brown
French court throws out Cardiff City compensation claim over Emiliano Sala death - A French commercial court has dismissed Cardiff City’s €122m-plus damages claim against Nantes over Emiliano Sala’s death, ending the latest stage of a long-running dispute that has carried significant legal costs and governance implications for player travel and intermediary oversight. By Chris Brown
Fulham signs Harvey as Official Legal AI Partner - Fulham have signed legal AI platform Harvey as their Official Legal AI Partner in a multi-year deal that gives the brand matchday visibility at Craven Cottage across the club’s men’s and women’s first teams. By Spencer Gallagher
New law targets ‘tailgating’ as ticketless stadium entry becomes criminal offence - Ticketless entry to football matches in England and Wales will become a specific criminal offence from March 22, giving police and courts new powers to fine offenders and impose banning orders aimed at deterring dangerous overcrowding. By Chris Brown
Opinion: Sport has become a mainstream asset with new developments creating new opportunities - DLA Piper argues that sport has become a mainstream investment asset class, with private equity and institutions reshaping ownership, governance and exit strategies while growth areas such as women’s sport, multi-club models and tech-enabled stadium developments create new opportunities alongside tighter regulation and greater scrutiny of fan and community impact. By Chris Brown