William Hill keeps punting on Spurs in multi-year renewal
May 16 – Premier League Tottenham Hotspur have extended their partnership with bookmakers William Hill in what the club says is a multi-year deal.
Bayern push deeper into US and Hispanic markets via content deal with ESPN
May 16 – ESPN has signed a content deal with German Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich to bring club content to the broadcaster’s digital and linear networks in the US, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America.
Turkey talk credentials as they lobby for Euro 2024 hosting
By Andrew Warshaw
May 15 – The similarities are striking. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. Up against a heavyweight rival. Eager to reward a football-mad nation with the ultimate prize. Just as underdogs and four-time losers Morocco are desperate to upset the odds and land the 2026 World Cup, so Turkey are equally determined to make up for lost time and hold the 2024 European Championship finals after three demoralising failures.
No Turkish delight at DFB after Ozil and Gundogan’s ‘symbolic’ meet with Erdogan
May 15 – British-based German internationals Mesut Ozil and Ilkay Gundogan, both of Turkish origin, have been lambasted by their national federation and German politicians for posing for photos with Turkey’s controversial President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
US opens up sports betting market nationally ending Nevada-only sports betting law
By Paul Nicholson
May 15 – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled yesterday (Monday) that the federal law banning sports betting was unconstitutional, paving the way for the legalisation of sports betting across the US.
Gianni finds a friend. Real Madrid like idea of big money Club World Cup
By Paul Nicholson
May 15 – It has been a quiet week so far in terms of news regarding FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s frantic lobbying to get backers for his $25 billion sell off plan for new FIFA endorsed Club World Cup and Nations League competitions. But he has received support from one area.
Chelsea tread new path with £50m Hyundai sleeve sponsorship
May 15 – Premier League Chelsea have scored a record £50 million, five-year sleeve sponsorship deal with Hyundai, who are reportedly doubling that paid by current sleeve sponsor Alliance Tyres.
El Haddadi loses appeal to switch nationality to Morocco for 2018 World Cup finals
May 15 – On-loan Deportivo Alaves forward Munir El Haddadi has lost his appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in a bid to switch national allegiance from Spain to Morocco ahead of the World Cup.
Beko and Barca fatten UNICEF coffers by €1m with #EatLikeaPro fundraiser
May 15 – Home appliances brand Beko has used its Barcelona sponsorship partnership to raise €1 million for UNICEF to help tackle childhood obesity.
Photoshoot bombed as CAS extends doping ban to rule Guerrero out of World Cup
May 15 – Peru’s joy has quickly turned to disappointment after captain Paolo Guerrero was ruled out of the World Cup after his doping ban, which had just expired, was increased from six to 14 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Violence, rioting and HFF ‘won wager’ as PAOK vs AEK Cup final ends in chaos
By Andrew Warshaw and Paul Nicholson
May 14 – Despite the Greek authorities going to extraordinary lengths to maintain order by flying in a Spanish referee to take charge of last weekend’s domestic cup final, a season of unprecedented turmoil was capped by yet more trouble – on and off the pitch.
Saudis replace ref at last minute for King’s Cup final over matchfixing suspicions
By Samindra Kunti
May 14 – A World Cup-bound referee who is one of Asian football’s most experienced officials has been placed under investigation in Saudi Arabia after being removed from handling last weekend’s Saudi cup final.
FA budgets £16m spending on Wembley as revenue drops to £351.2m
By David Owen
May 14 – The Football Association is budgeting £16 million of capital expenditure on Wembley – the world famous stadium which might soon be sold to Shahid Khan, owner of Fulham and the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL) – in 2018.
Region splits on political lines as Saudis lead formation of SWAFF ‘sub-confederation’
By Samindra Kunti in Jeddah
May 14 – The political splits in the middle east between Qatar, Iran and their neighbours looks to be spilling over into football in a more formal basis with the creation at the weekend of the South West Asian Football Federation (SWAFF).
UEFA feels wrath of Liverpool over Kiev and the CL festival of money-grabbing
May 14 – UEFA’s decision to stage next week’s Champions League final in Kiev “needs explaining” according to Liverpool’s head of club and supporter liaison.