Frank Dalleres

HM Revenue and Customs has petitioned the High Court in London to have Sky Sports pundit and former England and Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher declared bankrupt over an unpaid tax bill. Carragher’s representatives have been approached for comment, while HMRC said bankruptcy petitions are used as a last resort. The report notes Carragher’s successful transition from football to broadcasting, his media work with Sky Sports, CBS Sports and The Overlap, and warns that bankruptcy could restrict his ability to manage businesses, obtain credit and act as a company director. The petition could be withdrawn if the outstanding liability is paid before a bankruptcy order is made.

The International Swimming League will return with a one-night All-Star Match at London’s Aquatics Centre on 19 December, offering what organizers describe as a record single-night prize pool. The competition marks the league’s comeback after its three-season run ended in 2022. The ISL previously faced conflict with swimming’s governing body, FINA, and later financial difficulties following sanctions and asset freezes imposed on founder Konstantin Grigorishin after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Organizers have not yet announced the participating athletes.

Altenar has asked a US federal court to reject Sportradar’s request to move their multimillion-dollar dispute into confidential arbitration in Switzerland. Altenar alleges that Sportradar abused its dominant position by withholding US betting data access while launching competing products, and argues that the parties’ arbitration agreement covers only their non-US relationship. Sportradar says Altenar’s US litigation is unfounded, stems from a terminated contract, and should be handled under the Swiss dispute-resolution process previously agreed to by Altenar. Sportradar says it complies with antitrust laws and expects to prevail regardless of the forum.

Manchester City's €100m signing of Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi highlights French football's accelerating talent drain. Ligue 1 clubs are increasingly selling leading players to Premier League and other overseas buyers because of collapsing media-rights revenues, while domestic transfer spending has risen much more slowly. The resulting loss of talent is weakening French clubs in European competition, reducing UEFA revenue and creating a cycle of further financial dependence on player sales, with Paris Saint-Germain the main financially insulated exception.

Former Bayern Munich players Thomas Müller, Mats Hummels, Lucas Hernández and Yann Sommer have joined a majority takeover of Portuguese top-flight club Estrela Amadora. The €40 million deal buys 90% of the Lisbon-area club and is led by former Bayern player liaison Johannes Mosmang, with funding from investment groups ADvantage and LEAD and strategic support from the KI Group. Mosmang becomes president and says the project will focus on disciplined, sustainable growth. Estrela finished 15th in an 18-team league last season, while Portugal’s reputation for developing and selling players is highlighted as an attraction for investors.

Former France and Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre has called for change at FIFA, arguing that its leadership has prioritized its own interests, excluded players from major decisions and disregarded fans. His statement was backed by England players and former internationals Lucy Bronze, David James and Emmanuel Petit, while FIFPRO endorsed greater player representation and governance reform. The dissent further undermines Gianni Infantino's prospects of securing re-election, although he retains strong support from football leaders in Africa and South America.

Former LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman says he would prefer the Saudi-backed rebel tour to end rather than continue in a diminished form. LIV Golf's future is uncertain after Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund withdrew its backing following about $5 billion in spending to challenge the PGA Tour. BC Partners is discussing a reduced “LIV 2.0” featuring fewer events and smaller purses, but its viability may depend on the continued participation of stars such as Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm. Current CEO Scott O'Neil remains hopeful, while Norman reflects on the tour's original ambitions and its impact on professional golf prize money.