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There have been 195 ACL injuries across women soccer’s top leagues, according to the ACL Women Football Club. “It’s not a coincidence I think that you get Leah and Beth injured after the Euros last summer,” said Arsenal star Miedema. Miedema believes this was an issue that world soccer’s governing body FIFA must address. A British Journal of Sports Medicine study found women to be three to six times more likely to experience an ACL injury than men. European soccer’s governing body, UEFA, referenced to CNN the Women’s Health Expert Panel it established, which has a “high priority” researching ACL injuries.

Persons: Vivianne, –, Miedema, we’ve, It’s, ” Miedema, CNN’s Christina Macfarlane, – Leah Williamson, Beth Mead, Laura Wienroither, Canada’s Janine Beckie, Catarina Macario, France’s Delphine Cascarino, Ryan Pierse, ”, Pep, “, “ You’ll, Williamson –, “ It’s, Leah, Beth, “ They’ve, they’re, Leah Williamson, Clive Rose, Jonas Eidevall, Miedema’s Organizations: CNN, Arsenal, Women Football Club, United States Women’s National, League, English Premier League, FA, Champions League, England, ”, FIFA, of Sports Medicine, UEFA, Women’s, English Football Association, Super League, Barclays Women’s, Nottingham Trent University Locations: Netherlands, Man, Switzerland

☆ Branson, Virgin Group reputations at centre of $250 mln London court clash
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( Sam Tobin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, July 3 (Reuters) - British billionaire Richard Branson severely damaged Virgin Group's reputation by residing in a tax haven while UK-based airline Virgin Atlantic sought a government bailout during the pandemic, according to internal Virgin emails cited in a $250 million London lawsuit on Monday. The emails were cited by lawyers for U.S. train operator Brightline, which is being sued by the Virgin Group after cancelling a deal to use the Virgin brand in 2020, just over 18 months after it was signed. Under the deal Brightline operated a rail line in Florida using the name Virgin Trains USA. Brightline's lawyers cited internal Virgin Group emails describing group founder Branson being based in the British Virgin Islands for tax purposes as "a reputation killer", while one email from an external public relations adviser said: "Richard needs to show he's not a ruthless, tax-evading billionaire." In an April 2020 email, Virgin Group CEO Josh Bayliss referred to Branson's tax residency in relation to the request for a bailout, saying: "Richard cannot escape the criticism.

Persons: Richard Branson, Brightline, Branson, Richard, Josh Bayliss, Daniel Toledano, Virgin Atlantic's, Brightline's, Nigel Tozzi, Sam Tobin, Susan Fenton Organizations: Virgin Atlantic, U.S, Virgin Group, Virgin, Virgin Trains, British Virgin Islands, Real Madrid, Thomson Locations: Florida, British Virgin, Britain, United States, Barcelona, Bay

☆ A North Korean stunned world soccer when he scored in Serie A. Then Han Kwang Song went missing
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-01 | by ( Gawon Bae | Andrew Mcnicol | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +20 min

But the Covid-19 pandemic led to North Korea fully sealing its borders, making it impossible for Han and fellow repatriated North Korean nationals to return home. PyongyangHan was born in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang in 1998. The opening of North Korea through sport seemed like a door that would not be closed any time soon. They followed the Olympics and soccer,” former North Korean men’s soccer national team head coach Jørn Andersen told CNN Sport, adding that he had limited contact with the North Korean public during his time in Pyongyang between 2016 and 2018. Holding a North Korean passport, Han was no exception to these sanctions, despite his preternatural soccer talent.

Persons: Han Kwang, Qatar’s, Han, –, Hahn, hea, Kim Jong, Pyongyang Han, Kim Jong Un’s, Kim, Alberto Mier, Jørn Andersen, ” Andersen, Han Kwang Song, Enrico Locci, YuMi, Rome –, Choe, “, Mario Berreta, ” Cagliari’s, Max Canzi, ” Canzi, ‘ Tell Mario, ”, Canzi, Nicholas Pennington, Tullio M, Pennington, ” Han, Juventus –, Duhail, Sandro Stemperini, Qatar Han’s, Andersen, hasn’t, he’s, ” Anderson, regretfully Organizations: CNN, Juventus, Little North, South, CNN Sport, United Nations Security Council, North, Pyongyang International Football School, CNN North Korea, Korean, soccer, team, North Korean, Bundesliga, Liga, KCTV, FIFA, Cagliari's Serie, Chievo Verona, Academy, ISM Academy, AC Perugia Calcio, Cagliari, Canzi, Serie A, Perugia, Getty, AC Perugia, Juventus ’, Serie, ISM International Scouting Center, UNSC, North Korea, DPRK, Democratic People’s, Al, Qatar’s, Qatar Stars, Qatar, UN, Fiorentina, Sport, Qatar Stars League, “, Qatar Airways, – Locations: Korean, Italian, Pyongyang, South Korean, North Korea, Qatar, London, South Korea, Germany, Italy, England, Spain, Perugia –, Italy’s, Umbria, Rome, Europe, “, Cagliari, Puglia, Seoul, North Korean, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Qatari, Korea, North, Ahli, ”, Doha, China, Russia

☆ Arsenal, Belgian FA among winners selected by UEFA for social change work
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

June 27 (Reuters) - UEFA announced the inaugural recipients of their "FootbALL Awards" on Tuesday, recognising the contribution to social change, given to Belgium's Football Association, the German Football League, Arsenal and former France player Lilian Thuram. The "FootbALL" programme, launched by UEFA at the Champions League final earlier this month, highlights the power of football to drive positive social change across European communities. The Belgian FA (RBFA) was one of the first national associations to establish a comprehensive football social responsibility strategy. The German Football League (DFL) has been recognised for continuous fight against discrimination and for their activities during International Weeks Against Racism, UEFA said. "Their work showcases the importance of leading by example, which is exactly what the FootbALL programme represents," said UEFA Director of Social & Environmental Sustainability Michele Uva.

Persons: Lilian Thuram, Uva, Anita Kobylinska, Christian Radnedge Organizations: UEFA, Belgium's Football Association, German Football League, Arsenal, Champions League, Belgian FA, Adidas, Social, Environmental, Thomson Locations: France, London, Frankfurt, Germany, Gdansk

☆ Summer transfer window: The biggest moves so far as Saudi Arabia becomes major factor
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —European soccer’s summer transfer window is in full swing, with several household names already moving to pastures new. Karim Benzema – Real Madrid to Al-IttihadIn the first major coup of the summer for the Saudi Pro League, Karim Benzema has agreed to join Al-Ittihad once his contract expires with Real Madrid. After a disappointing season, Real Madrid will be hopeful that Bellingham will be a star midfielder for years to come once the ageing Luka Modric and Toni Kroos depart. The 32-year-old midfielder has signed a contract worth around £86 million ($109.8 million) a year, according to UK media. Rice, who was in the youth ranks at Chelsea and then West Ham, was voted Conference League player of the season.

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo’s, Al Nassr, Karim Benzema –, Karim Benzema, Ittihad, Benzema, Frenchman, Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid Jude Bellingham, Florencia Tan Jun, Bellingham, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, N’Golo Kanté, Ittihad N'Golo Kanté, Justin Tallis, Kanté, Christopher Nkunku –, Chelsea Christopher Nkunku, Annegret Hilse, Germain, Chrisopher Nkunku, Nkunku, Todd Boehly, Kai Havertz, Germany's, Maja Hitij, Kai Kavertz, Mikel Arteta, Havertz, Boehly, Declan Rice –, Declan Rice, Richard Heathcote, Rice, West Ham’s, Mateo Kovačić –, Mateo Kovačić, Pep Guardiola’s, İlkay Gündoğan, Bernardo Silva, Alexis Mac Allister, Alex Pantling, Lionel Messi, Mac Allister, Jurgen Klopp, Mac, Roberto Firmino’s, Rúben Neves, Al Hilal Rúben Neves, Naomi Baker, Al Hilal, Neves Organizations: CNN, Super League, CNN Sport, Saudi Pro League, Al, Real Madrid, League, La Liga, Real, Champions League, Borussia Dortmund, Birmingham City, English, Ittihad N'Golo, France, Getty, Benzema, Chelsea, Premier League, FA, Europa League, UEFA Super, Leicester, Leipzig, RB Leipzig, Bundesliga, Reuters, Paris Saint, Arsenal, Ukraine, Gunners, Manchester City, football’s, Europa Conference League, Gent, Manchester United, Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Manchester, Argentina, Brighton, Liverpool, Anfield, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Wolves, Everton, Molineux, Portugal Locations: England, Saudi Arabia, Europe, Portuguese, Saudi Arabian, Karim Benzema – Real Madrid, Al, Ittihad, Bellingham, Dortmund, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Leicester, Paris, Leipzig, Bremen, Germany, Declan Rice – West Ham, West Ham, Mateo Kovačić – Chelsea, Madrid, Spain, Croatian, Brighton, Argentina, Qatar, Barcelona

“We can think about it.” His players, at that point, could “visualize” completing a domestic and European treble. Among English teams, though, only United can lay claim to the genuine article. In the first 54 years of European competition, four teams won the treble. Should City, as expected, beat Inter Milan on Saturday, it would make it six in the last 14 years. Cup carries more historical weight than other domestic cup competitions.

Persons: Pep Guardiola, ”, Guardiola, ure, twitter.com/xVn, Gil l Organizations: Manchester City, League, Premier League, Liverpool, European, Milk, UEFA, Europa League Locations: Real Madrid, Manchester

☆ Jubilant Man City overcome Inter to complete the treble
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

[1/17] Soccer Football - Champions League Final - Manchester City v Inter Milan - Manchester City fans at Manchester's 4TheFans Fan Park for the Champions League Final - Manchester, Britain - June 10, 2023 Manchester City fans celebrate after winning the Champions League final Action Images via... Read moreSummary City beat Inter 1-0 to win club's first Champions LeagueRodri scores 68th minute winner for Guardiola's sideVictory completes treble with FA Cup and Premier LeagueISTANBUL, June 10 (Reuters) - Manchester City finally expanded their domestic domination across the continent as they beat Inter Milan 1-0 with a second-half Rodri goal to win the Champions League for the first time and complete a rare treble on a nervous Saturday evening. An eruption of joy greeted the final whistle with City's players sprinting towards their fans in the Ataturk Stadium. It belongs to us," said City manager Pep Guardiola. City may have experienced a horrible sense of deja vu as chief playmaker De Bruyne also failed to finish the final two years ago when City fell short against Chelsea. It was City's night, and the celebrations will be long and loud, while for Inter there was no repeat of their surprise 2010 win over Bayern Munich.

Persons: club's, Ederson, Pep Guardiola, Kevin De Bruyne, De Bruyne, Erling Haaland, Rodri, Guardiola, City's, Sheikh Mansour, Noel, Liam Gallagher, jinx, Simone Inzaghi's, Matteo Darmian, Francesco Acerbi, Alessandro Bastoni, Haaland, Andre Onana, Manuel Akanji, Lautaro Martinez, selfishly, Romelu, Bernardo Silva, Federico Dimarco, Edin Dzeko, Lukaku, Martyn Herman, Ken Ferris, Ed Osmond Organizations: Soccer Football, Manchester City, Inter Milan, Champions, League, City, Inter, FA Cup, Premier League ISTANBUL, Premier League, FA, Champions League, Manchester, Chelsea, BT Sport, Oasis, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Roma, Sevilla, Europa League, Fiorentina, West Ham United, Europa Conference, Thomson Locations: Manchester, Britain, Spanish, Barcelona, Real, Liverpool, Porto, Brazilian

☆ Why Do Team Owners Raise the Championship Trophy First?
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( Andrew Keh | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

“I wanted that moment to belong to the players,” Cuban said. “And as it turned out, Dirk holding the trophy over his head has been iconic. “I don’t think it’s as joyful a moment as it could be for the players,” said Julian Gressel, a midfielder for the U.S. men’s soccer team. He had to wait for Arthur Blank, the co-founder of Home Depot, to raise the M.L.S. trophy (Blank even got his own confetti cannon shower) when Atlanta United won the title in 2018.

Persons: Mark Cuban, Cuban, Dirk Nowitzki, “, ”, Dirk, Julian Gressel, Arthur Blank, Gressel Organizations: Dallas Mavericks, U.S, Home, Atlanta United, Vancouver Whitecaps Locations: Germany, M.L.S

☆ Juventus deny withdrawal from Super League project
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MADRID, June 6 (Reuters) - Juventus have not withdrawn from the European Super League (ESL) project, the Italian club said on Tuesday following a media report that they had sent Real Madrid and Barcelona a letter informing them of their departure. But Juve added that they will discuss with Real and Barca, the other clubs remaining in the project, a potential exit. "Juventus will proceed with any communications due under the law following the outcome of the discussions and evaluations (regarding a potential exit)," the club said. A spokesperson for the Super League was not immediately able to comment. The breakaway Super League was formed in April 2021, when 12 of Europe's top football clubs launched a bid to wrestle control of the game and its lucrative revenue away from European soccer governing body UEFA.

Persons: Barca, David Latona, Elvira Pollina, Joan Faus, Emma Pinedo, Janina Nuno Rios, Inti Landauro, Ken Ferris Organizations: Juventus, European Super League, Real Madrid, Juve, Real, Barca, UEFA, Super League, League, Manchester United, Manchester, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Thomson Locations: MADRID, Barcelona, Manchester City, Liverpool

CNN —Inter Milan and Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku says the world’s top soccer stars could form a union to tackle racist abuse in the sport. Speaking exclusively to CNN, Lukaku says authorities are currently not doing enough to protect players in the wake of yet more racist abuse aimed at Vinícius Jr. during Real Madrid’s match against Valencia last month. “I think it will start,” Lukaku told CNN’s Senior Sports Analyst Darren Lewis when asked whether players could form a union. “That’s where you need to start, that’s where we need to have diversity,” Lukaku said of the upper echelons of the sport. “I think that’s how it should happen,” Lukaku added.

Persons: Romelu Lukaku, Lukaku, Vinícius Jr, ” Lukaku, Darren Lewis, “, FIFA ”, “ It’s, Vinícius, Marco Bertorello, Senegal’s, Samoura, Rwanda’s Martin Ngoga, Ghana’s Anin Yeboah, India’s, Mugdal Organizations: CNN — Inter Milan, CNN, Valencia, Inter Milan, Juventus, CNN’s, UEFA, FIFA, La Liga, Getty, ”, Belgian, Board, Twitter Locations: Belgium, AFP, Belgian, European

☆ Opinion: What Oppenheimer’s reading list can teach us
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-04 | by ( Jane Carr | Opinion Jane Greenway Carr | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +15 min

Oppenheimer’s list of books included works by Plato, mathematician Bernhard Riemann and scientist Michael Faraday, and the “Bhagavad-Gita,” with which he has famously long been associated. What happens when the inner workings and potential reach of scientific inventions are unknown, even to the human beings who create them? Still, Pride is also a time to revel in culture’s power to transform, sustain and bring joy to LGBTQ communities. But Medvedev knows that above all else he needs Putin to think of him as unequivocally loyal and useful. What it will do is help 40 million borrowers who, like me, were drowning in debt and need immediate relief.

Persons: Robert Oppenheimer, ” Oppenheimer, Plato, Bernhard Riemann, Michael Faraday, William Shakespeare’s “, ” Charles Baudelaire’s “, Fleurs, Mal ”, Eliot’s, Oppenheimer, ” Matthew Zapruder, ”, William Carlos Williams, Nick Anderson, ChatGPT, Stuart Russell, Jessica Chia, Bethany Cianciolo, Russell, isn’t, ” Russell, “, Clay Jones, Joe Biden, John Avlon, Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, Joel Pett, Poppy Harlow, James Comey, Donald Trump, Republicans ’, MAGA, Julian Zelizer, Zelizer, Trump, Kayleigh McEnany, Rob Finnerty, Matt Wolking, Cupp, McEnany, that’s, Kayleigh, Pride Luciano, Sereno, Luciano Vecchio, It’s, ” Vecchio, “ Sereno, Dmitry Medvedev, Vladimir Putin, Russia’s, Frida Ghitis, Medvedev, Putin, ” Medvedev “, Michael Bociurkiw, Biden, Sophia A, Nelson ., Nelson, it’s, …, Brandon Bell, Jill Filipovic —, —, Filipovic, we’ve, ” Don’t, Keith Magee, Kara Alaimo, James Moore, Texas GOP Tess Taylor, Lala Tanmoy Das, Alex Soros, Scottie Pippen can’t, Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Nathaniel S, Butler, NBAE, Michael Jordan, ” Pippen, Charles Barkley, Phil Jackson —, Will Leitch, ” Leitch, Pippen, Leitch, There’s Organizations: CNN, Manhattan, American, Committee, Tribune, Agency, Biden, Republicans, Trump, GOP, Luciano Vecchio Pride, United, AFP, Russia’s Security, Republican, Texas GOP, Philadelphia 76ers, Getty, NBA Locations: Berkeley, Iowa, revel, it’s, Argentina, United Russia, United Kingdom, Russia, Houston City, America, European, Texas

☆ UEFA condemn harassment of referee Taylor, Roma's Mourinho charged over abusive language
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Taylor came under scrutiny following Roma's shootout loss to Sevilla in UEFA's second-tier final on Wednesday. The day after the match, videos circulated on social media showing English referee Taylor and his family being harassed by Roma fans at Budapest Airport. "UEFA vehemently condemns violent behaviour directed towards its referee Anthony Taylor and his family. Such actions are unacceptable and undermine the spirit of fair play and respect that UEFA upholds," UEFA said in a statement. It was yellow, yellow, yellow all the time."

Persons: Jose Mourinho, John Sibley, Anthony Taylor, Taylor, Taylor dishing, Mourinho, expletives, Gonzalo Montiel, Aadi Nair, Christian Radnedge, Pritha Organizations: Soccer, Europa, Sevilla, AS Roma, Puskas Arena, UEFA, Europa League, Serie, Roma, Budapest, Thomson Locations: Budapest, Hungary, UEFA's, Portuguese, Sevilla, Nashik, India

☆ Opinion: Why I won’t take my young Black son to a European soccer game
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Opinion Keith Magee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —My little boy, who is not quite 9, would like to go to a professional football game here in Britain where we live. A 2021 survey found a third of ethnic minority football fans had experienced racism at stadiums, and in England and Wales, race-related hate crimes at matches are on the rise. Clubs whose fans or players commit hate crimes should have points deducted, impacting their position in their league. For national teams, racist behavior by fans or players should result in a tournament ban. While diversity among football players is high, representation off the pitch is shockingly poor at every level.

Persons: Keith Magee, I’m, Keith Magee Arron, Martin Luther King Jr, “, ”, Shaka Hislop, Vinícius Júnior, othered, Mesut Özil, Vinícius Organizations: Newcastle University, United, University College London Institute for Innovation, CNN, Black, Real Madrid, Football, United Nations, FIFA, UEFA, La Liga, Liga, Twitter, Facebook, German Locations: United Kingdom, Black Britain, Britain, Valencia, Spain, Europe, Italy, British, England, Wales, White

The logo of Russia’s state gas company Gazprom was emblazoned on the shirts of players at the soccer club Toennies chaired. In Germany, Toennies’ story is far from unique. At the centre of Gazprom’s influence campaign was Schalke 04, the soccer club Toennies chaired at the time and which Gazprom began sponsoring in 2006. Russian gas imports have dropped dramatically and Germany is supplying tanks and other weapons systems to Ukraine. In 2001 Toennies assumed another of his older brother’s roles – chairman of soccer club Schalke 04.

Persons: Clemens Toennies, Vladimir Putin, Toennies, Willy Brandt, ”, Putin, Sberbank, Angela Merkel, “, ” Merkel, Bernd, Clemens, Putin’s, Alexei Gromov, Gromov, Gerhard Schroeder, Schroeder Organizations: Gazprom, Toennies, Schalke, Gazprom’s, Reuters, Miele, Volkswagen, Deutsche Telekom, ” Schalke, Chelsea, Kremlin, Former Locations: WIEDENBRUECK, Germany, Russia, Russian, Moscow, Ukraine, Berlin, Russians, Crimea, Gazprom, Rheda, German, Europe, Nord Stream, Dresden

☆ An NFL Proposal Risks Fan Ire. Just Look at European Soccer.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Andrew Beaton | Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

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☆ José Mourinho left in tears as Roma reaches Europa League final, giving him a chance to continue his perfect record
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The phrase “nobody’s perfect” just might not apply to José Mourinho when it comes to European soccer finals. “My concern isn’t marking my place in the Roma history books,” Mourinho told Sky Sports after the match. Roma will now face Sevilla in the Europa League final at Budapest’s Puskás Aréna on May 31. The Spanish team is likely to be a formidable foe – not least because Sevilla has won all six of its previous Europa League finals. Roma reached the Europa League following a 1-0 victory on aggregate against Bayer Leverkusen.

☆ Inter Milan Regains Some Past Glory With a Trip to the Champions League Final
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Lautaro Martinez of Internazionale celebrates the team’s victory over AC Milan. Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty ImagesMILAN—For a club that had played for the biggest prize in European soccer five times before, Internazionale had begun to feel before this season like a sixth Champions League final might never come. A decade of financial challenges away from the pitch had somehow turned this blue blood into a Cinderella in blue-and-white stripes.

☆ Champions League Live Updates: Manchester City vs. Real Madrid
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Tariq Panja | Andrew Das | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Cup and the Champions League. If it is found to have violated those rules, City could be stripped of a string of Premier League triumphs. But that inquiry — ongoing, and cloaked in the strictest secrecy — is specifically related to Premier League rules. That means there appears to be little risk that City would lose the Champions League title if it manages to finally win it. UEFA’s greater enmity these days is actually toward City’s opponent on Wednesday, Real Madrid, which remains a proponent of creating a Super League that would rival the Champions League.

☆ LaLiga in the bag, but Barcelona still face huge problems
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

BARCELONA, May 14 (Reuters) - Barcelona may have won the LaLiga title on Sunday, but their outstanding domestic campaign has been somewhat overshadowed by turmoil off the pitch including deepening financial problems and a refereeing scandal that could drag on for years. Spanish prosecutors in March filed a complaint over alleged payments Barcelona made from 2001 to 2018 totalling 7.3 million euros ($8 million) to firms owned by former refereeing official Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira. A Barcelona court has agreed to take on the case. Also in March, European soccer's governing body UEFA opened its own formal investigation into the club, looking into the same payments. FINANCIAL HEADACHESAnd it comes at a time when Barcelona are already facing huge accounting problems related to their massive wage bill, to the COVID-19 pandemic and to the club's 1.6 billion-euro renovation project.

"Our commitment to Juventus is unchanged and no meetings have taken place," a spokesperson for Exor said when asked to comment by Reuters on Friday. Juventus also faces potential new penalties, including further points deductions, in a separate case over alleged irregularities in payments to players. The Agnelli family has owned the club, which it listed in 2001, almost uninterrupted since 1923. New potential co-investors could include Middle Eastern or Asian sovereign wealth funds, or U.S. funds or family offices, two sources said. Juventus ranked 11th in Deloitte's European Money League published in January, based on its annual revenue of 400 million euros in 2021/22.

☆ Champions League semifinal: AC Milan faces Inter Milan in derby clash
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

AC Milan and Inter Milan are set to face each other in the semifinal of Europe’s most prestigious competition and the stakes couldn’t be much higher. “I prayed to God to give me the joy of Inter winning, and hopefully He will agree,” Enrico Vanzini told Reuters. Both sides last met in the Champions League semifinals in 2003. “We are talking about Champions League, we have not had ups and downs but an outstanding run,” Pioli told reporters Tuesday. “We want to try to overcome this last step before winning a Champions League final, something that hasn’t happened to all of us.

☆ Real Madrid, European Soccer’s Aristocrat, Learns to Live as an Underdog
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Florentino Perez , the longtime president of Real Madrid, has come to expect his club to reach the semifinals of the Champions League. The tournament, the most prestigious in club soccer, is in Real’s DNA, he says, part of its reason for existing. No one has more than Real’s 14 titles. What Perez struggles to grasp these days is how Real Madrid can possibly go into a Champions League semifinal as an underdog. Yet that’s exactly what the aristocratic club will do on Tuesday night when it takes on Manchester City in the first match of a home-and-away series.

☆ FIFA Threatens Women’s World Cup TV Blackout in Europe
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Tariq Panja | Andrew Das | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Broadcasters also appear to be taking a cautious stance on assigning a value to Women’s World Cup rights that have never previously been on the market. This year is the first time FIFA has decoupled the women’s tournament from the men’s; previously, the women’s rights were bundled as an extra in the bidding for the men’s World Cup rights. He noted that while viewing figures for the women’s tournament are between 50 percent and 60 percent of those for the men’s World Cup, the amounts offered for the women’s games have been much lower than that: In Europe alone, he said, they were “20 to 100 times lower than for the men’s FIFA World Cup.”“Whereas broadcasters pay $100-200 million for the men’s FIFA World Cup,” Infantino said, “they offer only $1-10 million for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. This is a slap in the face of all the great FIFA Women’s World Cup players and indeed of all women worldwide.”There has been a substantial interest in women’s soccer in Britain, Europe’s biggest market, which peaked when England beat Germany to win the European championship on home soil last year. According to news media reports, the BBC and ITV — the two main British broadcasters — have offered about 9 million pounds ($11.2 million) for the World Cup rights, the highest among European broadcasters.

☆ Prescient bets by the likes of Shaquille O'Neal and Serena Williams have triggered an explosion in tech investing among Europe's sports stars
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Callum Burroughs | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

European sports stars are following US counterparts, such as Shaquille O'Neal, in betting on tech. O'Neal, who also made early bets on Google and Lyft, has shown how sports stars can become successful venture capitalists once their playing careers end. He's not alone in the US, with the football star Tom Brady and the basketball stars LeBron James and Steph Curry all actively investing in tech. The tennis legend Serena Williams went a step further and set up her own fund, Serena Ventures. Shaquille O'Neal has proven to be a shrewd tech investor with early bets on Ring, Google, and Lyft.

☆ Chelsea: How American billionaire owner blew over $600 million but ended up with nothing this season
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —“We’re all in – 100%,” US billionaire businessman Todd Boehly told Chelsea fans upon his arrival at the club in May 2022. Chelsea crashed out of the Champions League after losing to Real Madrid 4-0 on aggregate. Following the loss against Real Madrid, Chelsea captain Thiago Silva spoke candidly to reporters on the issues that come with this kind of spending. Besides Kai Havertz and Marc Cucurella, no Chelsea outfield player has started more than 20 games in the Premier League this season. The Blues are on course to have their lowest scoring season in Premier League history with their current total of 30 goals.

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