Khaldoon Al Mubarak
Premier League terminate £490 million TV deal in China
The Premier League has terminated its TV rights deal with China, its biggest overseas contract, leaving a huge hole in clubs’ finances. The deal with Chinese broadcaster PPTV was worth around £490m and had lasted only one of its three years. The conflict is said to have been around a fee of £160m that the Premier League was owed in March but did not receive. “The Premier League confirms that it has today terminated its agreements for Premier League coverage in China with its licensee in that territory,” a spokesman said on Thursday. “The Premier League will not be commenting further on the matter at this stage.” It is not known if the conflict is based purely on money or involves the escalating political tensions between China and the UK government. Boris Johnson announced in July that Hua...
Manchester City targeting Mauricio Pochettino to replace Pep Guardiola
Manchester City are targeting Mauricio Pochettino as their next manager if Pep Guardiola fails to agree new deal, claims The Sun. Gaurdiola’s long-term future at the Etihad is in some doubt with the Spaniard yet to commit beyond next season. City are big fans of Pochettino with the former Tottenham boss keen to coach again in England. But Poch knows Guardiola, reeling from Saturday’s Champions League exit to Lyon, has just ten months left on his contract. So far Guardiola has not committed to staying beyond next summer, which could soon leave City in limbo. The club hierarchy would ideally like him to extend his deal and continue – despite another Euro failure. His close friends at City – chief exec Ferran Soriano and director of football Txiki Begiristain – are keen for him to stay on. Bu...
