Real Madrid were offered chance to pursue lucrative global tour over Champions League
While the Bernabeu hierarchy were never going to agree to the idea due to how much they value winning actual trophies, the fact that external agents could even consider raising such a plan - including quoted figures of potentially €120m in revenue - is seen as reflecting the fraught position the game is in and a potential move to 'globalised football'.
Uefa sources say Madrid did not even bother filling in the club feedback survey for the first season of the expanded Champions League in 2024-25, as they continue a legal war with Uefa from the ill-fated launch of the Super League in April 2021.
Madrid are also understood to have greatly resisted plans for Barcelona- Atletico Madrid to form the first Liga game in the United States, should the Spanish domestic competition eventually make the long-anticipated leap to playing games abroad.
The details come in the paperback update to this writer's book, 'States of Play: how sportswashing took over football', released on Thursday 7 August. A new chapter delves into football in 'the age of authoritarianism', taking in Fifa president Gianni Infantino 's relationship with Donald Trump, as well as how billionaires' impact on the sport is now starting to echo the real world.
Those in football even have a phrase for the latter, which is 'billionaire idiot syndrome'. That is the dynamic of figures who became extremely wealthy in one field believing that affords them expertise in all areas, including football. Some managers have even complained of owners sending them proposed team line-ups, offering a modern spin on an old-fashioned problem.
The chapter outlines a growing fear in the sport that all of these forces are going to create a fully 'globalised game', where domestic leagues gradually decline in prominence against new competitions like the expanded Club World Cup.
Only emphasising Infantino's burgeoning individual relationship with the Trump administration, the Fifa Council - notionally the most powerful body in the organisation - had no advance knowledge that Ivanka Trump would be opening the draw for the Club World Cup in December 2024.
It is also reported that Sir Jim Ratcliffe 's initial idea for his first few months of minority ownership of Manchester United was to culminate with Gareth Southgate 's appointment, but the former England manager did not want to discuss another role before Euro 2024.
Ratcliffe wanted to make drastic changes in the first four months of his time at Old Trafford, as much to symbolise how things at the club were finally changing. This was intended to culminate with the appointment of Southgate but no deal could be struck before Euro 2024, so United were panicked into keeping Erik ten Hag that summer.
A chaotic first year eventually saw the Dutch coach replaced by Ruben Amorim and Dan Ashworth leaving as sporting director mere months into the job, a process that major rivals felt was 'ludicrous'.
States of Play, which covers how football has been transformed by geopolitics and capitalism, won 'football book of the year' at the 2025 Charles Tyrwhitt Sports Book Awards in May. The updated paperback is out on Thursday 7 August
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
6 minutes ago
- Metro
Rio Ferdinand tips Man Utd transfer flop to be 'like a new signing' this season
Rio Ferdinand is confident that one of Erik ten Hag's big-money signings will revive his Manchester United fortunes this season under Ruben Amorim. It has been another summer of rebuilding for the Red Devils after a dismal Premier League campaign which saw them finish a lowly 15th. Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have arrived through the door to try and provide an attacking spark, while United are also hopeful of beating Newcastle United to the signing of Benjamin Sesko. But new signings alone will not be enough to inspire a turnaround at Old Trafford, and Amorim will have to get a better tune out of several players already at the club. And Ferdinand is hopeful that Mason Mount can step up and take on that responsibility after his latest impressive display in United's pre-season draw with Everton on Sunday. In The Mixer: Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every week – click here and sign up before Friday to make sure you don't miss the first edition. Mount started just 13 league games across his first two seasons at United in large part due to his consistent struggles with injury. But now, with a proper pre-season behind him, Ferdinand believes Mount could prove as good as a new signing for Amorim if he is able to put his injury woes behind him. 'I saw him out in Chicago and one of the things I said to him was, 'How are you feeling?' Ferdinand told talkSPORT. 'Because he's been robbed of any minutes really for injury. It's been really really disappointing to see. 'Being injured and in the shadows, I never had that at a new club. That is so depressing. It can take your soul away at times. 'I'm sure he's been in some dark moments. He will be like a new signing. I think this is no surprise. 'Whenever he's been fit in his career he's played, at Chelsea especially. Managers have played him when they won the Champions League. 'He was one of the most important players. He has the quality. He has the work ethic. He has the legs. 'He has the ability to be a really really good top player. I just hope he gets the time to play minutes to show himself.' More Trending Amorim was also keen to sing Mount's praises after his display against Everton, and is confident that the midfielder will hit the ground running in the new season. 'Yeah [Mount will carry this form],' Amorim said. 'Because he does everything 100%, every training, every game, he's always the same player. 'That is the only thing for you to maintain the consistency. He works a lot.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Good, bad and outright hilarious Fantasy Premier League team names for 2025-26 as FPL players pick squads MORE: Man Utd told to sign £10m Newcastle star in summer transfer window MORE: Ollie Watkins stance on Manchester United transfer after Benjamin Sesko bid
The Independent
6 minutes ago
- The Independent
Jose Mourinho pays tribute as former Porto captain Jorge Costa dies aged 53
Former Porto captain Jorge Costa died on Tuesday at the age of 53 after suffering a cardiac arrest at the club's training centre, the Portuguese side said. The former defender, who was in his second season as Porto's Director of Professional Football, was rushed to hospital but could not be saved. 'Throughout his life, both on and off the pitch, Jorge Costa embodied the values that define FC Porto: dedication, leadership, passion and an unshakeable spirit of conquest,' the club said in a statement. 'He left his mark on generations of fans and became a symbol of Portismo.' Over his career, Costa played 530 games in all competitions, making 383 appearances for Porto and earning 50 caps for Portugal's national team. The centre-back helped the national side make the semi-finals of Euro 2000 and scored two goals for Portugal. The Portuguese Football Federation said: 'The Portuguese Football Federation deeply regrets the death of Jorge Costa. Footballer, coach, manager, and current director of professional football at FC Porto, Jorge Costa was one of the most remarkable players of a generation fundamental to the establishment of Portuguese football.' As captain, he led Porto to UEFA Cup glory in 2003 and a Champions League triumph in 2004 under manager Jose Mourinho. The defender was one of six players to win five consecutive Portuguese league championships with Porto, alongside Aloisio, Drulovic, Paulinho Santos, Rui Barros and Folha. He earned the nickname 'Bicho', translating to 'animal', from teammate Fernando Couto during their partnership in central defence. Mourinho posted a picture of the pair on Instagram, writing, 'I know what you would say now if you could, 'mister stop crying, tomorrow you have a match and your boys need you ready and strong'. I promise you Bicho, I am going to do it. RIP, because your legacy stay[s] with us.' UEFA president Aleksandar Ceferin also paid tribute, saying: 'It is with profound sadness that we have learned of the sudden passing of Jorge Costa. 'A legend of Portuguese football, Jorge was more than a football player – he was a leader and a true warrior who inspired generations. He embodied grit, resilience and loyalty. His unforgettable moment lifting the UEFA Champions League trophy in 2004 remains a legendary tribute to his unwavering dedication and spirit. 'On behalf of UEFA and the European football family, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, team-mates, and all who are grieving his loss.' The Portuguese prime minister, Luis Montenegro, released a statement expressing his condolences and described Costa as 'an example of dedication and commitment to the teams he was part of and to our national team'. Costa returned to Porto in April 2024 as director under new president Andre Villas-Boas. 'Jorge Costa's legacy will always remain alive in the memory of all Porto fans. You will never be forgotten, Captain,' the club added.
The Independent
6 minutes ago
- The Independent
What are the pros and cons of introducing digital identity cards?
The prime minister is said to be 'seriously considering' a national system of digital identification, both to make it easier to access online services, including government ones, and to clamp down on illegal working by irregular migrants. Given the push to introduce artificial intelligence in so many areas of our lives, it may be an idea whose time has come. But there are political, as well as practical, complications. What is digital ID? It would in essence be a virtual ID card, and using it in the existing, and enhanced, Government Gateway would make it easier for people to manage everything from tax records and social security entitlements to driving licences, education, citizenship and probate – a vast array of areas in which the individual has dealings with the state. It could also be used, as a passport or driving licence is now, to help with all sorts of other activities, such as banking or getting a job. There is a separate, and obviously sensitive, question about whether digital ID should also encompass someone's medical history, voluntarily or otherwise. Why digital ID now? According to the briefings, the aim is to reduce the cost and increase the efficiency of the government machine, so that, for example, people don't have to spend hours on hold when contacting a government agency. Unavoidably, though, it is also a way to detect people who shouldn't be in the country or working in the UK. That, the theory goes, means less of a 'pull factor' for certain sorts of migrant. Would it work? In a sense it is working already, in that almost everyone must have a unique tax reference, a national insurance number, a driving licence number, an NHS number and so on, and can, if they wish, share this information with others. But at the moment the system is compartmentalised and clunky, even if more and more interactions are taking place online and with chatbots. What stage are we at? Reports emanating from a 'senior minister' say that the prime minister has ordered a 'comprehensive and expansive look' at the proposal: 'Keir is leading on it,' they said. 'This is a serious piece of work. After a year in government, it is clear that technology is underpinning everything. Digital ID is foundational. Things are moving forward.' Didn't we have identity cards before? They were introduced as plain cardboard documents during the Second World War as a national security measure. People had to use them to get rationed food and petrol, and had to be ready to produce them on demand, a serious infringement of the traditional British way of doing things. The request for 'Papers, please' has always been regarded as an alien phenomenon. In the words of Boris Johnson in 2004: 'If I am ever asked, on the streets of London, or in any other venue, public or private, to produce my ID card as evidence that I am who I say I am ... then I will take that card out of my wallet and physically eat it in the presence of whatever emanation of the state has demanded that I produce it.' (He subsequently brought in compulsory photo ID for elections.) Even now, a driver stopped by the police is granted 14 days to produce their driving licence at a police station. The wartime measures were resented, and were abolished in 1952. Mandatory ID would be a minor revolution. What about the ID cards Tony Blair wanted? He still does, by the way. Much of the present momentum for change comes from the Tony Blair Institute (TBI), as if the former PM has never given up the struggle. At any rate, the current prime minister's chief aide, Morgan McSweeney, commissioned the TBI to produce proposals, and is said to be 'forceful' in making the case for them to No 10. Certainly, a more primitive version of this project was very much 'on the cards 20 years ago' when the Blair administration tried to bring in ID cards, but it ran into enormous resistance and administrative problems. The motives, in essence, were no different from today. In 2003, the then home secretary, David Blunkett, argued that cards with biometric data were needed so that 'people don't work if they are not entitled to work, they don't draw on services which are free in this country, including health, unless they are entitled to', and that 'when we find people we can identify quickly that they are not entitled and get them out'. When a limited, entirely voluntary ID card was introduced in 2010, some 15,000 were in circulation, but the incoming Conservative-Liberal Democrat government scrapped the entire scheme, after £5bn had been spent. A voluntary biometric residence permit is available as an option for foreign students or workers. Official photo ID cards for voting have also been introduced in recent years. What does the opposition say? Despite showing little interest in it while in government, earlier this year the shadow home secretary, Chris Philp, conceded that digital ID could help tackle 'illegal' immigration. But Nigel Farage remains stubbornly libertarian, and opposes digital ID because he 'doesn't trust this government' and claims that it 'hurts law-abiding citizens'. Labour, and the Tories, could use his reluctance to argue that, given he is not prepared to use every possible measure in the fight against irregular migration, Farage wouldn't succeed in his own ambition to stop the boats. Will it happen? With 40 Labour backbenchers recently calling for change and the Conservatives warming to the idea, alongside the trend towards digitising everything, it feels pretty inevitable, like it or not. Will it work? To some extent, but there are ways to get around any system, and digital is no different from paper in that respect. It could make things worse for some. If a fraudster managed to 'steal' a vulnerable person's digital ID, for example, then it would be 'open sesame' on their entire life, and comprehensive identity theft might become more common. Leaks cannot be ruled out. There's also the grim possibility that a migrant who wanted to come to the UK to work, deprived of any ID, would just melt into the underground economy, and become even more exposed to crime and exploitation. In a worst-case scenario, some criminals or a malign foreign government could execute a mega-hack in which millions of people's data is stolen or frozen and held to ransom. Last, we must reflect on British governments' past lamentable record on grand digital integration schemes – and the fact that the current proposal, which would potentially bring together HMRC, the DWP, the DVLA, the Passport Office, criminal records, local authority records, and the NHS database, would be hugely more ambitious, and hazardous, than anything attempted before.
