FIFA’s Club World Cup continues to struggle for credibility and acceptance, but the game’s governing body has attempted to boost its appeal by creating a US$ 1 billion fund for participants. It is likely that the new prize money will mean that clubs like Chelsea and Manchester City will make more than £ 55 million from taking part. The fund dwarfs the US$ 440 million set aside for the Qatar World Cup in 2022 and FIFA has called it “a new benchmark for global club football”. The broadcaster DAZN has provided another boost for the competition by investing US$ 1 billion in TV rights, while TNT has confirmed it will screen 24 games. The FIFA Club World Cup kicks off on June 14 with Inter Miami playing Egypt’s Al-Ahly.
AWAY teams fared very well in the first legs of the Champions League last 16. Five of the eight matches were won by the visitors, including Arsenal’s sensational 7-1 victory at crisis club PSV Eindhoven. The Gunners are undoubtedly through to the quarter-finals. Aston Villa are also in a very strong position after their 3-1 win in Bruges, while Inter Milan, Barcelona and Liverpool all face their second legs with confidence. Bayern Munich have a three-goal advantage to take to Leverkusen, thanks to two goals from Harry Kane and Real Madrid have a slim advantage after their 2-1 win against Atlético Madrid. The Dortmund-Lille tie ended in a draw, which leaves the tie very open.
EVERTON have secured a long-term £ 350 million financing deal for their new stadium at Bramley Moore dock. This will refinance existing debt and allow the club to better service its commitments. The Friedkin Group, when acquiring 98.8% of the club, promised to consolidate debt and refinance at competitive rates. The new facility is backed by a consortium of blue-chip investors and was oversubscribed multiple times.
CROATIA’s top club, Dinamo Zagreb could have a new stadium in the next few years after the City of Zagreb, the Croatian Football Association and the Croatian government announced a major project in the capital. The new arena will be co-owned by the City and government and will cost around € 175 million. The first phase will be the renovation of Stadion Kranjčevićera and then the club’s existing home, the 25,000-capacity Maksimir, will be demolished to pave the way for the construction of a new stadium that will hold 35,000 people.
AMBITIOUS Wrexham have received a financial boost totalling £ 14.3 million as the club continues its pursuit of promotion from League One. The source of the investment has not been announced, but some experts believe it could have come from the New York-based Allyn family, who are minority shareholders in Wrexham. It comes at a time when planning permission for a new 5,500 capacity stand at the Kop end of the Racecourse Ground was received by the club.
Game of the People was founded in 2012 and is ranked among the 100 best football websites by various sources. The site consistently wins awards for its work, across a broad range of subjects. [View all posts by Neil Fredrik Jensen](https://gameofthepeople.com/author/georgefjord/)