FIFA have been inundated with offers of sponsorship for next year’s women’s World Cup in the wake of the Euros after deciding to sell commercial rights to the tournament as a standalone event for the first time. For the previous World Cup in the United States in 2019, FIFA did not offer bespoke packages to sponsors, with all the branding provided by companies who are long-term commercial partners of the men’s World Cup such as Adidas, Coca-Cola and Visa.

FIFA are convinced that the women’s World Cup now has sufficient commercial appeal to stand on its own two feet, with the strong expressions of interest shown so far indicating that they are likely to be vindicated. The protracted Birmingham City takeover is being further delayed amid concerns that the bid from local businessman Paul Richardson and former Barcelona striker Maxi Lopez may be backed by Russian money.

The EFL are in the process of scrutinising the source of the duo’s funding after being tipped off that some of it may have been provided by Russian business interests in Cyprus.  The Cypriot government have forged close links with Russia in recent years, with the island earning the nickname of ‘Moscow on the Med’. Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss respond to Lionesses’ powerful letter demanding next PM builds on Euro 2022 legacy but stop short of pledging all girls play football and get two hours of PE at school

Chelsea’s new majority shareholders, Clearlake Capital, have received billions of pounds of investment from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, the owners of Newcastle United. Clearlake own 60 per cent of Chelsea following the £4.25billion takeover earlier this summer led by LA Dodgers owner Todd Boehly. Chelsea sources told Sportsmail that there was no Saudi involvement in Clearlake’s purchase of the club, alleviating concerns over a potential conflict of