THE UEFA Congress in Belgrade has not been without its controversy. While FIFA have been getting intimate with the White House, Alekander Ceferin has been speaking about the governing body’s bizarre idea of making the 2020 World Cup a 64-team tournament as part of the 100th anniversary of the first competition. Ceferin, who claimed he knew nothing about such the 64 nation concept until the FIFA Council meeting, says it is a bad idea, while others believe it is flawed and would create a bloated, overlong event. The World Cup has gone from a 16-team format (last seen in 1978) to 48 in 2026. Ceferin said that Russia would be allowed back into UEFA competitions when the war stops. Meanwhile, the Serbian organisers of the UEFA Congress upset Kosovo by removing their flag from the venue. Earlier, the Kosovan Football Federation head was seen posing with the flag, which prompted somebody to take it away from public view. This was rather ironic given Ceferin proclaimed that football can bring people together and called for unity “in an increasingly divided world.”
CHELSEA have provided a glimpse of their 2023-24 financials, revealing a £ 128.4 million profit for the season. This is a complete turnaround from 2022-23 when the club lost £ 90.1 million. Naturally, this has raised many eyebrows, especially as the club has “sold” the Chelsea Women’s team to BlueCo 22 Midco Ltd, a Todd Boehly company. The Chelsea Women’s side is valued at £ 150 million. UEFA are going to examine the detailed financials in due course. The club used this process, which may be interpreted as a related party transaction) to sell two hotels for £76.5 million. Revenues fell to £ 468 million from £ 513 million which was largely attributable to a lack of Champions League football.
HINDSIGHT is a wonderful thing but after one relegation and a possible second consecutive drop, Luton Town may be wishing they spent more to avoid returning to the Championship after one season in the Premier. The club generated record revenues of £ 132.3 million in 2023-24 which was more than seven times the £ 18.4 million earned in 2022-23. They made a profit of £ 41.6 million versus a £ 16 million loss a year earlier. The club’s wage bill was £ 56.9 million, representing 43% of income. Profits on player sales amounted to £ 1.2 million. While some fans have criticised their lack of activity in the January transfer window, Luton did not squander the vastly increased income from a season in the Premier League. The £ 48.8 million operating profit has already been spent on Kenilworth Road, their training ground and offices with the rest set aside for investment in the club’s academy and new stadium.
CARLISLE United seem to be on the brink of relegation to the National League, 50 years after their solitary season in the top flight. Carlisle, who are American-owned, are nine points of safety at the foot of League Two and they have lost 23 of their 40 league games. Apparently, they have one of the division’s biggest playing budgets and their coach is none other than Mark Hughes. The former Manchester United forward has called for everyone to “stick together” at Brunton Park, but that’s probably not enough. They have six games remaining, starting with Newport at home on April 5. After that, their five fixtures include Morecambe, Port Vale, Accrington Stanley, Cheltenham and Salford.
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