Author: moshood

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 Huawei, the Chinese telecoms firm, was banned from implementing the rollout of the country’s 5g network. The prime minster has also publicly opposed security laws initiated in Hong Kong.

A statement from PPTV said: “After many rounds of talks, there remain disagreements on the value of rights between PP and the Premier League. Regrettably we have not reached an agreement with the Premier League.

“Despite PP paying more than the copyright cycle fee to Premier League in advance, as agreed, PP will terminate its cooperation with the Premier League.”

China is one of the biggest overseas markets and many clubs are going to great lengths to expand their brands in the country.

Three clubs are currently under Chinese ownership. Southampton are 80 per cent owned by Gao Jisheng’s Lander Sports Development, Wolverhampton Wanderers are owned by Chinese investment conglomerate Fosun International and newly-promoted West Bromwich Albion are 87.8 per cent owned by Guochuan Lai, a Chinese billionaire.

Manchester City’s owners, the City Football Group, also received £265m for a 13 per cent from Chinese investors, China Media Capital, in 2015. At the time, City chairman, Khaldoon al-Mubarak said it would “leverage the incredible potential that exists in China”, adding that “the exponential growth pathway for the game [in the country] is both unique and hugely exciting”.

In December, Arsenal distanced themselves from criticism of China’s persecution of Uighurs in Xinjiang by Mesut Ozil, their highest paid player.

In July 2019, the Premier League played their preseason Asia Trophy in China, in which Newcastle United, Wolves, West Ham and Manchester City competed.

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos has revealed he hopes Lionel Messi stays at Barcelona for the good of Spanish football.

Messi continues to be linked with a move this summer, with the Argentinian of the belief he can leave for free as per the terms of his contract.

Barcelona, however, insist a release clause of £625million has to be paid if he is to leave the Camp Nou.

Manchester City are the favourites to sign the six-time Ballon d’Or winner should he depart the Catalan club.

But Ramos is hoping that deal won’t materialise as, despite Messi being a thorn in the side of Real Madrid for over a decade, he wants him to stay in La Liga.

When asked for his thoughts on the situation ahead of Spain’s Nations League clash with Germany, Ramos said: “With regards to Messi, I think it’s not an issue that concerns us. He has earned the right to decide his future.

“I don’t know if he is doing it in the best way, but of course, for Spanish football, for Barcelona and for us who like to win while being the best, we would like him to stay here.”

Talks between Messi’s representatives and Barcelona are set to continue on Thursday. The player’s father and agent, Jorge Messi, met with club officials on Wednesday but the two parties were unable to find a resolution.

Kepa Arrizabalaga is reportedly keen to stay at Chelsea and fight for his place in the starting XI, even if Frank Lampard opts to sign a new goalkeeper.

Club record signing Kepa struggled in Lampard’s first season in charge at Stamford Bridge and was heavily criticised by fans after making a number of mistakes.

The Blues are eyeing Rennes goalkeeper Edourard Mendy this summer yet Kepa – signed for £71.6m in the summer of 2018 wants to battle for the No. 1 jersey at Chelsea, according to reports.

The 25-year-old is still aiming to win Lampard over and hopes he is given a chance to impress at the beginning of next season.

Lampard dropped Kepa for Chelsea’s final three matches of last season – the win against Wolves which clinched Champions League football, the defeat in the FA Cup final to Arsenal and the Champions League last-16 second-leg loss to Bayern Munich.

Ex-Blues goalkeeper Petr Cech, currently technical and performance advisor at Chelsea, recently suggested the club would be patient with Kepa.

‘Kepa struggled last season, that is unquestionable,’ Cech said.

‘But the club invested in him and gave him a long-term contract because they believe he has the qualities and attributes to be successful.

‘Additions will be made to the squad, perhaps even in goal, and this is what is being discussed now. But nobody is giving up on Kepa and we all hope he has a great future.’

Kepa was signed two years ago after Chelsea sold Thibaut Courtois to Real Madrid.

Yet his first season was best remembered for his refusal to leave the pitch against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, resulting in a very public fallout with then-manager Maurizio Sarri.

And though Kepa found last season tricky too, he is determined to make a success of his career at Chelsea, having been a club-record signing when he joined from Athletic Bilbao.