Chelsea bidders reduced to final three as Ricketts family pull out
April 19 – The consortium led by Chicago Cubs owners the Ricketts family has pulled out of the running to buy Chelsea, leaving three bidders remaining.
Finance
Italian court clears Juve of doping its balance sheet with over-inflated transfer deals
April 19 – Juventus and other clubs have been acquitted by Italy’s Federal Court following a widespread investigation into the inflation of transfer fees.
RB Leipzig starlets top rookie ranking, Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi valued at €50m
April 12 – RB Leipzig have the two hottest talents under the age of 23 in Europe, according to the latest ranking by transfer value from the CIES Football Observatory.
Cost-cutting Anderlecht commit to keeping women’s team budget unchanged
April 12 – Belgian club Anderlecht have vowed to preserve the budget for their title winning women’s team despite cuts across the board.
EFL considers salary cap as part of reform of club financial regulations
April 11 – Following UEFA’s introduction of new financial monitoring rules, the English Football League (EFL) is also considering new financial fair play rules, including a salary cap at 70% of club revenue.
European clubs to get €240m for releasing players through to end of EURO 2024
April 10 – UEFA is making €240 million over the 2020/24 cycle as club compensation for releasing players for its national team competitions, and increase of €40 million on the previous cycle.
ECA and European Leagues welcome reform of UEFA’s financial ‘fair play’
By Andrew Warshaw
April 8 – The two umbrella organisations representing Europe’s clubs and leagues have given their wholehearted support to UEFA’s important new financial monitoring rules designed to beef up the previously flawed system and which, tellingly, no longer include the words “fair play”.
Premier League probe of Man City ongoing as alleged evidence of FFP breaches surfaces
By Paul Nicholson
April 8 – On Wednesday Manchester City announced it would be celebrating the 10th anniversary of its first Premier League title and that history making goal in the 93rd minute of extra time by Sergio Aguero that won it for them.
Parisian club Red Star FC to be added to 777 Partners portfolio
April 7 – Parisian club Red Star FC have entered exclusive takeover talks with American investment fund 777 Partners to become part of their expanding club portfolio.
UEFA forges ahead with financial reforms that will cap squad wages and transfer spending
By Paul Nicholson
April 7 – UEFA have rubber-stamped wide ranging changes to their financial sustainability regulations for clubs, the first major reforms to rules that were introduced in 2010 but were starting to creak under an evolving football business and the financial effects of the pandemic.
US investor Chris Kirchner closes in on Derby buy, but where’s his money coming from?
April 7 – American businessman Chris Kirchner has been named as the preferred bidder for English second-tier side Derby County, the club’s administrators have confirmed.
Chelsea’s £3bn sale would be the highest ever sale of any sports club, but are they worth it?
By Paul Nicholson
April 6 – If Chelsea are sold for £3 billion (€3.6bn, $4bn) it would not only be the highest ever sale figure achieved by a football club, but would eclipse the highest number ever paid for a spoirts organisation anywhere in the world.
FIFA’s 2021 not-so-transparent financials
By David Owen
April 1 – There’s more than one way to skin a cat. FIFA succeeded in meeting its 2021 revenue projections. Indeed, it exceeded them somewhat, securing $766.5 million against a budgeted $742 million. But the route the football body took to arrive at this happy conclusion is far different from that expected – and somewhat mysterious.
European sponsorship business hit €27bn in 2021 but still €2.8bn off 2019 high
April 1 – The European sponsorship market bounced back in 2021 with a 17.8% uplift after a slow 2020, but has not yet returned to the pre-pandemic levels of 2019, according to the 2022 ESA Sponsorship Market Overview.
Moshiri’s struggling Everton post third consecutive £100m-plus loss
By David Owen
March 30 – Everton, the Merseyside club in danger of losing its English top-flight status for the first time since the 1950s, has posted its third consecutive loss in excess of £100 million.