Inside World Football - For the Business of Football

Levsil Sofia to tear down Georgi Asparuhov Stadium to make way for €100m new build

March 26 – Bulgaria’s Levski Sofia have unveiled plans to build a new stadium, which will cost the club BGN 200 million (€100 million). The new facility, which will be built on the site of the current Georgi Asparuhov Stadium (pictured), will have a seated-capacity of 20,200.

The news was revealed by former Levski Supervisory Board member and club shareholder Petar Ganev, who reviewed the documentation before the club’s General Meeting this week.

Concacaf

More abuse in NWSL as fan ‘hate speech’ targets Barbra Banda

March 26 – The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is just two rounds into its new season, and with coaching and administrative issues taking up news space off the pitch, they are now having to deal with abuse in the stands investigating ‘hateful language’ directed towards, Barbra Banda.

Newcastle players to take the bus

March 26 – After waiting 55 years, 10 months, and 1 day since lifting a major domestic trophy, Newcastle United’s long-suffering fans were eagerly awaiting their hero’s open-bus tour through the city, however the club announced there would be instead a party at Town Moor. Cue outrage and the club hastily back tracking.

Legal

Joey Barton convicted of assaulting his wife

March 26 – Joey Barton has never lived a quiet life and yesterday was found guilty of assaulting his wife.

Liverpool set to lose Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid on a free transfer

March 26 – Real Madrid is considered to be the Holy Grail for any top professional footballer, which Liverpool defender, Trent Alexander-Arnold (TAA) most certainly is. Now, following in the steps of other local scouse legends Steve MacManaman and Michael Owen, TAA looks set to move to Spain.

Legal

Blatter and Platini again cleared of corruption charges in Swiss court

March 26 – Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini were again acquitted of corruption charges on Tuesday, after Swiss prosecutors appealed a previous ruling that cleared them over a payment of two million Swiss francs in 2011.

Europe

LFP Media expands French leagues’ global footprint with CAMB.AI deal

March 25 – LFP Media has signed a multi-year agreement with CAMB.AI to enhance the international accessibility of Ligue 1 McDonald’s and Ligue 2 BKT.

Sponsorship

Argentine FA banking on HSBC as it strengthens Asian presence

March 25 – The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has secured HSBC as its new regional sponsor in India and Singapore, furthering its international expansion strategy.

Football Asia

AFC renews media rights deal with ESPN until 2028

March 25 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has renewed its media rights deal with ESPN for the 2025-2028 cycle, ensuring continued exclusive coverage of Asian football across South America and Central America, while also holding non-exclusive rights in the Caribbean.

FIFA

Club León kicked out of Club World Cup over FIFA’s multiple-club ownership rule

March 25 – Club León have been excluded from the Club World Cup because they don’t meet FIFA’s multiple-club ownership criteria.

Concacaf

Ednaldo Rodrigues re-elected CBF President following Ronaldo withdrawal

March 25 – Following the withdrawal of Ronaldo Nazario’s candidacy from the process, Ednaldo Rodrigues has earned re-election as President of the Brazilian Football Association (CBF).

Sponsorship

FSCG dials into Crnogorski Telekom again as partnership stretches to 18 years

March 25 – The Football Federation of Montenegro (FSCG) and Crnogorski Telekom have renewed their cooperation for another year. The country’s largest telecommunications company is one of the FSCG’s longest-standing sponsors, with the pair having been partners for 18 years.

Americas

Pochettino linked with Spurs return after poor USMNT Nations League displays

March 25 – Fresh from a humbling in the CONCACAF Nations League, United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) boss Mauricio Pochettino is having to deal with expanded rumors about a return to one of his former clubs, Tottenham Hotspur.

Stamford Bridge future could make or break Chelsea co-ownership

March 25 – Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly has a complicated relationship with his partner and the majority owner of the Premier League club, Clearlake Capital, and that looks set to continue unless an agreement is reached regarding the future of Stamford Bridge.

Broadcast

CBF’s aim to grow Brazilian women’s football receives Globo renewal boost

March 25 – Globo, the giant of Brazilian broadcasting, has renewed its right agreement with the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) to air elite men’s and women’s competitions.