SFS - Social Football Summit’s Post

A recent report from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) Investigative Journalism Network unveils how investment funds are reshaping European football. I recommend everyone to have a read and judge for themselves, but a few key issues stand out for me. Key Issues: ⚽ Fan Disconnection: Rising costs and a focus on profitability alienate local fan bases, eroding the cultural essence of football. ⚽ Integrity Risks: Smaller clubs are often held back for business gains, compromising the sport’s fairness. ⚽ Conflict of Interest: Multi-club ownership raises questions about fair competition, especially in international tournaments. ⚽ Ethical Concerns: Investments from Gulf states highlight associations with regimes with questionable human rights records. The Future: As football becomes an industrial asset, valued at €51.7 billion, the need for robust regulations is evident. Both UEFA and FIFA face challenges in maintaining fair play and financial transparency. The EBU’s investigation underscores the urgent need for transparency and regulation to balance commercial interests with preserving football's cultural heritage. Final Thoughts: European football stands at a crossroads. Balancing profitability with integrity and cultural values is essential. Cross-border collaboration in investigative journalism has proven vital in shedding light on these critical issues. Let’s keep this topic hot, lines of communication open, stay informed and advocate for the true spirit of the Beautiful Game! ⚽️ #Football #FootballIntegrity #FootballFinance #SportsConsulting #EBUInvestigation #IntegrityInSports #EuropeanFootball #Transparency

Understanding the impact of oil money on European football clubs requires examining various factors. For instance, its influence on club ownership, financial strategies, and the broader football ecosystem. The infusion of oil wealth into European football clubs has significantly transformed the sport’s landscape. https://lnkd.in/diTYzHvc

⚽️🇪🇺 With the start of the UEFA EURO 2024 hours away (and the European Parliament elections results now settled), let’s dive into this piece from European Broadcasting Union (EBU) analyzing the disruptive effect investment funds and multi-club ownership have on European #football: - Influence on transfer market - Competition integrity risks - Conflicts of interest - Ethical debates - Ban bases’ disconnection - Unwanted/Unexpected side effects The European football heritage is, by all means, at a crossroads. Associations like Union of European Clubs European Leagues Professional Footballers' Association (PFA), as well as the European Commission, should find a way to saveguard a model that has led to the success of the “beautiful game” in our continent. In the end, this is also part of that European strategic autonomy. https://lnkd.in/dW7U39Mh

Looks like this idea of a European Super League has not gone away according to this Harvard case study on Real Madrid. It is also interesting to note the radical change in the underlying business model of the club "moving away from the transfer policy of the galácticos era to prioritising the signing of younger players who can be developed into superstars." Not surprising given the enormous level of debt carried by this club over the years combined with the introduction of Financial Fair Play rules. For a related article, please see our blog post from last year - Five Disruptive Scenarios for the Beautiful Game https://buff.ly/3BMToBf

🎤 Betting on the Future: A United Team on Sports Integrity This week, at ICE Barcelona, IBIA’s Head of Global Operations, Matt Fowler, joined an esteemed panel of experts to discuss “Betting on the Future: A United Team on Sports Integrity.” Together with representatives from UEFA, the International Olympic Committee – IOC, and Harris Hagan, the session tackled some of the most pressing challenges in sports and betting integrity, including: 🔎 Detecting fraudulent player behaviour and criminal activity in sports. 📉 Addressing the reputational and economic impact of integrity breaches. 🤝 Collaborating across stakeholders to prevent match-fixing and build a sustainable, fair betting market. This session underlined the importance of shared responsibility and proactive measures to safeguard the future of sports and betting. We’re proud to have contributed to this vital discussion and thank the organisers and fellow panellists for such an engaging session. Let’s keep pushing for integrity, transparency, and collaboration in sports and betting! Follow us 👉 International Betting Integrity Association

Recently, I had the opportunity to write a blog on the topic of multi-club ownership in football. Statistics indicate a growing trend in multi-club ownership, with clear advantages stemming from potential synergies for owners. However, it is crucial to critically examine the potential risks associated with this development, particularly regarding the integrity of the game. To address these concerns, UEFA implemented new regulations on May 1, 2024. These rules aim to balance the protection of the sport's integrity with the need to attract investors and stimulate the growth of football. What do these regulations entail? What has changed compared to the previous rules? And what does it have to do with the new Champions League format, starting next season? Discover the details in the blog! https://lnkd.in/eAWgSyWD

The #UPC has furthered the line of UPC decisions on public access to documents. Josie Miller comments on the recent Order of The Hamburg LD in the Ballino v. UEFA case, an Order 'that provides much needed additional information to those wishing to seek access to documents, and provides further reasoning as to the circumstances in which access may or may not be granted'. #UnifiedPatentCourt #Patent #Litigation #UPCNugget https://lnkd.in/eut38xYC

🚨 New Publication Alert! 🚨 I’m excited to share that my latest legal article on the case of 'FC Barcelona v UEFA' has been published by Bar and Bench. ⚖️⚽ In this article, I delve into the significant legal battle between FC Barcelona and UEFA, analyzing the implications this case has for football law and the wider sports industry. The case raises important questions about financial fair play regulations, club autonomy, and the role of governing bodies in the sport. It challenges UEFA's authority in enforcing financial regulations and explores the potential impact of this legal fight on the future of football governance. 🔗 Read the full article here [https://lnkd.in/dGbYv9bT] to dive deeper into this landmark case and its potential to reshape the future of football governance. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and engaging in discussions around this fascinating legal development. #FootballLaw #Barcelona #UEFA #SportsLaw #LegalInsights #FootballGovernance #BarAndBench #FIFA #PwC

Betano, a company based in Upper Austria, is the first sports betting provider in UEFA's history to sponsor a European Football Championship – this year's EURO 2024. This connection can already be seen as problematic as the company profits from gambling addiction. Another controversial fact is that the business was recently convicted in Germany, as it has been operating for years without a gambling licence. While the company is an international player in the market, it is relatively unknown in its country of origin. Thanks to a national peculiarity, Austria is attractive to many betting providers: it is the only country in the EU that classifies sports betting as a game of skill rather than a game of chance. While games of chance are subject to stricter laws, games of skill are not uniformly regulated but a matter for the federal states, leading to legal confusion and a grey market. These types of companies also face no advertising restrictions. As a result, international betting providers operate in Austria without a licence and adequate player protection. A Top Story by Claudia Tschabuschnig. Read here: https://buff.ly/4erzQ3D