Fifa’s battle to regulate football agents gains momentum
Fifa have claimed a significant victory in their attempt to regulate the world’s top football agents, as the European Commission has backed the governing body’s move to bring in strict new rules including a cap on fees. Although it will be a hearing at the European Court of Justice that ultimately settles the issue, the Commission’s written submission to judges carry significant weight. It is seen by sources involved as a “huge development” and being hailed as a win for Fifa in what had been developing into a highly fractious conflict. Agents argue that the global body is attempting to unfairly affect their earning potential through a labour negotiation issue that actually has nothing to do with football, and goes against European Union antitrust laws. One strident position has been that setting a price cap would essentially represent a price-fixing cartel by the clubs, which top agents had been putting a lot of focus on. The European Commission have instead argued that a cap is entirely justified in order to protect players and contractual stability, as well as limiting conflicts of interest while protecting players who lack experience or information about the transfer system. An additional note was that agents’ fees are actually excessive and out of kilter with any normal fees for a service. The Commission’s observations also pointed to the “degree of discretion” which EU law generally affords sporting associations in order to fairly govern. Of the cap, it was stated “the defendant has plausibly pointed out that very high agency commissions, which are completely decoupled from the cost of the consideration, create a strong incentive to exert massive influence on players in particular in order to force an early transfer.” A further issue the new rules are set to tackle is on representing various parties on the same deal. The Commission has also backed restriction of this, arguing it “appears suitable” to mitigate against potential conflict of interest. A date for the hearing at the court in Luxembourg has not yet been set. Read More Fifa must secure Saudi promise over World Cup human rights, Amnesty warns Saudi Arabian World Cup in 2034 sparks ‘significant concern’ from major leagues Saudi Arabia set to host World Cup 2034 as Australia opts against bid
2023-11-01 03:50
The 49ers acquire Chase Young from the Commanders, AP sources say
The San Francisco 49ers got some needed help for their struggling defense, acquiring edge rusher Chase Young from the Washington Commanders for a conditional third-round draft pick
2023-11-01 03:29
Transfer portal changes equation for women's coaches, who used to build dynasties on prep recruits
Over 1,200 women’s basketball players entered the transfer portal last year
2023-11-01 03:25
Commanders trade Chase Young to the 49ers and Montez Sweat to the Bears, AP source says
The Washington Commanders have traded Montez Sweat to the Chicago Bears for a 2024 second-round pick and Chase Young to the San Francisco 49ers for a third-rounder, according to a person with knowledge of both moves
2023-11-01 03:24
57-year-old Chinese-Chilean table tennis player wins over crowd at Pan American Games
Table tennis player Zeng Zhiying left China all alone for an adventure in Chile in 1989
2023-11-01 03:19
Belgium vs England LIVE: Women’s Nations League team news and line-ups as Fran Kirby starts tonight
Sarina Wiegman’s England travel to Leuven for their second Women’s Nations League match against Belgium in just five days. At Leicester’s King Power Stadium on Friday night, the Lionesses secured all three points following an early strike from Lauren Hemp. The held on to their slender lead for the rest of the game to run out 1-0 winners but it was far from a convincing peformance from the World Cup runners-up. A 2-1 loss back in September to the Netherlands means England are second in Group A1 and they will be determined to back up last week’s win with another victory tonight. The group winners will move into the Nations League semi-finals and the Lionesses must remain in touch with their Dutch counterparts if they hope to reach the knockout stages. A place in the Olympics is also at stake as the four group winners in League A meet in the semi-finals before the two finalists join France as the 2024 Olympic Games’ European representatives. Follow all the action from Belgium vs England below plus get the latest odds and tips right here:
2023-11-01 02:55
Ohio State RB Miyan Williams lost for the season due to injury. WR Emeka Egbuka (ankle) practicing
Ohio State Coach Ryan Day says an injury requiring surgery has ended the season for running back Miyan Williams
2023-11-01 02:55
Chiefs and Patriots compete for fans and influence in Germany ahead of games in Frankfurt
The Patriots have the history
2023-11-01 02:51
Steelers left wondering about flags that are thrown and not thrown and fines that come either way
On the same weekend Pittsburgh running back Jaylen Warren was levied his second $48,556 fine for an unflagged helmet hit, the Steelers complained about inconsistent and curious calls and non-calls in their loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars
2023-11-01 02:47
Sheffield Wednesday owner asks fans for £2m
The Sheffield Wednesday owner Dejphon Chansiri has asked the struggling club’s fans to chip in with £2m to pay a tax bill and the wages of players and staff. The Thai businessman who said last month that he would stop putting more money into the Championship club while he was being “treated unfairly” by supporters, said he had cash-flow issues from his other companies. Wednesday, who were placed under a player registration embargo last week, owe money to HM Revenue and Customs and are at risk of being put under a transfer embargo. Chansiri urged fans to raise funds, telling the Sheffield Star: “If 20,000 people gave £100 then it’s £2m, and it’d be clear — so we can finish it. “That would cover everything, HMRC and the wages. That would need to be done before November 10 if they don’t want to pass the 30 days, but that means that there can be no next time — if we were to hit 30 days then we’ll get a ban for three windows. If you don’t want to save your club, then don’t call yourselves the owners and me the custodian.” If clubs go for 30 days between July 1 and June 30 either without paying players’ wages or a debt to HMRC, they incur a three-window transfer embargo. The Sheffield Wednesday Supporters’ Trust said on X: “We are astounded by the request for fans to pay a £2m HMRC bill. A fit and proper owner would not ask fans to do this.” Wednesday, who recorded their first league win of the season by beating Rotherham on Sunday, are bottom of the Championship. They were promoted from League One last season but Chansiri then sacked manager Darren Moore before in turn sacking his replacement Xisco Munoz after a winless start to the campaign. Read More Newcastle boss Eddie Howe praises ‘ultimate professional’ Jacob Murphy Belgium vs England LIVE: Women’s Nations League latest updates Sir Bobby Charlton funeral announced for November 13
2023-11-01 02:46
Nighttime becomes the right time for November football in the Big Ten, like it or not. Bundle up
Night football historically has been a rarity in the Big Ten after the first Saturday in November
2023-11-01 02:45
West Virginia's Kerr Kriisa suspended 9 games for receiving impermissible benefits at Arizona
West Virginia guard Kerr Kriisa has been suspended nine games for receiving impermissible benefits
2023-11-01 02:22