February
European football club takeovers halve in a year
Just 23 clubs in Europe changed hands in 2024, according to figures from governing body UEFA, a steep drop from the 44 that were sold in 2023, and 48 in 2022.
Sam Kerr found not guilty of racist slur
The jury was unanimous, but the judge said the soccer star’s behaviour “contributed significantly to the bringing of this allegation”.
Jury mulls Sam Kerr’s fate as her lawyer calls police ‘indefensible’
The defence argued to jurors that the Matildas captain’s “f---ing stupid and white” comment was a poor attempt to express a justified frustration.
Sam Kerr ‘spoke her truth’ to white police officer, fiancee says
US soccer star Kristie Mewis tried to explain Sam Kerr’s behaviour towards the officer, as more body cam footage of the Australian on that night is released.
Schoolyard racism and serial killings: Sam Kerr defends her outburst
The Perth-born soccer star, defending a charge that she racially harassed a London policeman, told the court why she had been “triggered” by him and a taxi driver.
‘Humiliated’ police officer denies engineering Kerr racial charge
The cop says he did not ignore the soccer star’s fears about her taxi driver and add to his own statement to get the accusation to stick.
‘F---ing stupid and white’: Sam Kerr in the dock
Bodycam footage of an emotional Matildas captain, shown in court, has captured the moment she allegedly racially harassed a police officer.
March 2024
Kerr backed by Matildas star and Chelsea coach as ‘race slur’ revealed
The Matildas captain has the “full support” of the national squad and English team after new details emerged over her alleged clash with a police officer.
January 2024
Kerr honoured at FIFA awards as Ange, Gustavsson miss out
Sam Kerr was named in the FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World XI, voted for by players around the world.
Sam Kerr suffers ‘devastating’ ACL injury
Sam Kerr has suffered an ACL injury during Chelsea’s warm weather training camp in Morocco, almost certainly ruling her out of the Olympics.
August 2023
Women’s soccer is just starting to roar
England and Spain are home to the two richest soccer leagues. From a business and marketing perspective, it was the dream Women’s World Cup final.
England v Spain a battle of money and league development
Sunday’s FIFA World Cup will showcase elite players from two domestic leagues that have become talent hubs for the game.
Why Saudi Arabia is spending a fortune on luring big sporting names
The kingdom says the splurge will help its plan to diversify its economy away from oil. But critics say it amounts to “sportswashing”.
Sam Kerr’s minutes a mystery as Denmark clash looms
The Matildas captain was limited to the stationary bike on Sunday in the 15-minute window of training open to media, amid speculation about her on-pitch minutes.
July 2023
The key money metric where women outshine the men
Sam Kerr has helped the Matildas sell more jerseys before the Women’s World Cup than the Socceroos sold during or since the men’s tournament, Nike says.
‘She’s the one that lifts you’: how Sam Kerr can change the game
Sam Kerr has unexpectedly developed a talent for leading young players, according to her assistant coach at Chelsea.
May 2022
The little-known buyout firm behind the $7.4b Chelsea deal
The sale of the soccer club to the owner of the LA Dodgers was born from a failed M&A deal involving unheralded private equity firm Clearlake Capital.
April 2022
Serena Williams, Lewis Hamilton join bid to buy Chelsea
The tennis legend and F1 driver have each pledged an estimated $17.6 million to help purchase the Premier League club from sanctioned Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.
Poison, planes and Putin: Abramovich’s race to save a fortune and stop the war
Since Ukraine was invaded, Russian oligarch and owner of the Chelsea football club Roman Abramovich has been rushing to salvage his assets while conducting back-channel peace talks.
March 2022
Abramovich puts $7.35b price tag on football powerhouse Chelsea
The Russian businessman is selling the club after 19 years and promised to donate money to help the victims of war in Ukraine, amid mounting pressure from British MPs.