Israel’s Beitar for sale with buyer reportedly from UAE
September 16 – Beitar Jerusalem have confirmed they are in talks with a potential investor from the United Arab Emirates following days of speculation.
Finance
Bale(ing) out: Real Madrid close in on a deal to return Welsh winger to Spurs
By Andrew Warshaw
September 16 – Never go back is an old football adage. But in what would be an audacious verging on sensational swoop, Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly in talks with Real Madrid about an on-loan re-signing of Gareth Bale, whom they sold to the Spanish giants for a then world record transfer fee all of seven years ago.
Ashley makes legal move in bid to reignite Newcastle’s Saudi sale
September 15 – The hiring of a law firm by Mike Ashley and Newcastle United to contest the Premier League’s decision-making over the proposed takeover of the club by a Saudi-led consortium raises new questions over whether the deal for the club could be put back together.
US investors Bolt, take leap into Belgian football with Waasland-Beveren buy
September 14 – Waasland-Beveren have become the latest foreign-owned club in the Belgian top flight following investment by Bolt Football Holdings, the American majority owners of Crystal Palace.
Newcastle and Ashley critical of Premier League’s ‘inappropriate’ scuppering of Saudi sale
September 10 – Newcastle United have accused the Premier League of acting inappropriately after it rejected a takeover by a Saudi Arabian-backed consortium last month.
Bellerin buys into the eco-agenda with stake in Forest Green Rovers
September 9 – Recognised by FIFA and the United Nations as the world’s most environmentally sustainable club, Forest Green Rovers have now attracted attention from Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin who has become the club’s second-largest shareholder.
Billy Beane puts his money on playing ball with AZ Almaar stake
September 9 – Moneyball guru Billy Beane (pictured) has acquired a minority share in Dutch top-flight club AZ Alkmaar. He previously held an advisory role at the Eredivisie outfit.
OL’s Aulas demands €117.7m from Ligue 1 for ending 2019/20 season early
September 4 – The row over the premature ending of France’s 2019/20 Ligue 1 season is rumbling on with Olympique Lyonnais (OL) demanding €117.7 million in compensation.
Man City owners CFG complete €10m deal for Troyes to become 10th owned club
September 3 – Manchester City owners City Football Group (CFG) have completed their acquisition of a majority stake in French Ligue2 side Espérance Sportive Troyes Aube Champagne (ESTAC).
Player values edge back up but Messi drops to €124m. Bayern starlet Davies adds €35m
September 2 – A new analysis of player values has found that in the major 10 European leagues they are showing signs of recovery due to the fact that almost all leagues were eventually able to finish the 2019/20 season. However, most players still have not regained their ‘pre-pandemic’ market value.
Charlton set for another new owner as court rules there is no time to wait for Elliott
September 2 – Businessman Paul Elliott has had his takeover attempt thwarted after he was denied an injunction to prevent the sale of Charlton to any other party, meaning a takeover by US-based Danish businessman Thomas Sandgaard could be imminent.
Racist charges force Hansen to put Salt Lake MLS and NWSL clubs up for sale
September 1 – The owner of a Major League Soccer franchise in the United States is selling up amid allegations of racism.
FIFA doubled spending on 2019 Women’s World Cup
By David Owen
August 31 – FIFA invested nearly twice as much in last year’s Women’s World Cup in France as in the tournament’s previous edition in Canada in 2015.
Infantino’s FIFA sees commercial revenues stall as staff count doubles
By David Owen
August 28 – Gianni Infantino’s New FIFA may have enjoyed the odd commercial success, notably with esports, but it has failed to reignite the body’s value as a marketing vehicle for international corporations. This has been treading water since FIFA was engulfed by reputational issues in the final days of the Blatter era.
Serie A closes in on venture capital cash as CVC and Advent pitch a new deal
August 26 – Private equity is a step closer to investing in the Italian top flight with firms CVC Capital Partners and Advent International preparing a joint bid of €1.3 billion for a minority stake in Serie A.