Independent Regulator Loophole

GM football fans. It’s Friday, Jan. 17 - a loophole for the independent regulator, A-list celebrities buy a Colombian club, and everything else you need to know. Forwarded this email? Sign up here.

Enjoy reading Route One? Share with a friend using this link.

FIXTURES

Premier League MW22: Brentford vs Liverpool, Sat 18, 15:00 / 10:00. Liverpool remain unbeaten in their last 16 Premier League matches, while Brentford lost three straight home games before their draw with Man City. Arsenal vs Aston Villa, Sat 18, 17:30 / 12:30. Arsenal have taken 24 points from a possible 30 at home this season, making them the best-performing home side. Everton vs Tottenham, Sun 19, 14:00 / 09:00. Spurs have lost 11 games in the league, with only the current bottom three having lost more times this season. Meanwhile, Everton are winless in their last five matches. See the full list of Premier League MW22 fixtures here.

Results…

• Premier League: Man Utd 3-1 Southampton (Match Report) | Ipswich 0-2 Brighton (League Table)

• Copa Del Rey: Real Madrid 5-2 Celta Vigo | Athletic 2-3 Osasuna | Real Sociedad 3-1 Vallecano

TOP TALKING POINTS

Independent Regulator Loophole

UK government sources are concerned that critics of the Independent Football Regulator have found a loophole that will delay its introduction.

The loophole relates to whether the bill should be classified as ‘public’ or ‘hybrid’. A hybrid bill would mean it only affects specific groups–like clubs–and not the rest of the country. If the bill is made hybrid, it would trigger extra consultation periods for clubs, which could delay the bill's progress for years. A vote on this change will likely happen in February.

During its last committee session on Wednesday, the discussions were around the 375 amendments proposed, addressing everything from state ownership of clubs to replacing the use of the word ‘crest’ with ‘badge’. Most of the amendments were tabled by Conservative peers who echo the Premier League’s concerns, namely, that the regulator will ruin the top flight’s global competitiveness.

Some members are also considering pushing for a ‘sunset clause’. The clause would allow the football regulator to be scrapped after a set period time, likely to be five years, if it was ineffective or not operating as intended.

French Regulator vs Lyon

French football’s financial regulator has accused Lyon owner John Textor of a “clear and persistent lack of understanding” of the rules. This comes after the American businessman claimed in a radio interview that the decision to provisionally relegate Lyon to Ligue 2 next season–over concerns about the club’s finances–was “preposterous”.

Textor says that the regulator has been influenced by his rivals, particularly PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi. A PSG spokesperson responded to the interview saying that Textor made a “fool of himself through his crude and false comments about our president, club and fans”.

Aside from Lyon’s financial situation, the French Football Federation (FFF) has expressed concern with the league’s broader financial health. The league’s broadcasting revenue of €500m is half what clubs were promised, leading to owners pushing for the league to create its own streaming platform.

Celebrities Buy Colombian Club

Wrexham owners and actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are part of a takeover of Colombian team La Equidad. Other celebrities, including actress Eva Longoria and model Kate Upton, are also among the investors. Further celebrity A-listers are in talks about joining the investment.

The consortium has acquired 99% of La Equidad for a reported $30m. The move marks Reynolds and McElhenney’s third investment in football clubs, following Wrexham and a minority stake in Mexican side Club Necaxa.

La Equidad has been in Colombia’s top league Primera A since 2007. The club finished 13th–out of 20–in the 2024 season, and currently sits 15th in the table.

POLL

ON THE BALL

Europe

> Reports in Germany suggest Marcus Rashford is a serious option for Borussia Dortmund, even permanently (More) | Manchester City are interested in signing Juventus full-back Andrea Cambiaso (More); City reach a verbal agreement to sign Frankfurt’s Omar Marmoush (More)

> Lamine Yamal will be Barcelona’s number 10 from next season (More) | Khvicha Kvaratskhelia officially announces he’s leaving Napoli on social media; reports suggest he’ll move to PSG (More)

> Former Aston Villa boss Carla Ward appointed as new Ireland women’s team head coach (More)

> Five men have been charged with fraud related to a multimillion-pound loan to a League One football club (More) | Former Real Madrid defender Fabio Coentrao is under investigation for allegedly owning an illegal fish farm (More)

Americas

> Chicago Fire FC are among three teams that are in talks to sign Neymar who is currently playing for Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal (More)

> Inter Miami signed defender Gonzalo Lujan to a contract until 2027 (More) | LA Galaxy sign free agent goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski (More) | See MLS transfer tracker (More)

Rest of the World

> Kick It Out (KIO) has asked Fifa if it has taken any action over a video posted on social media by Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez last year featuring an alleged "racist and transphobic" chant (More)

> Al Hilal are ready to offer Mohamed Salah a lucrative contract if he wants to play in Saudia Arabia (More); Hilal won 9-0 over Al-Fateh to maintain their lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League (More)

> Al Ahli have agreed in principle on a deal to appoint Massimiliano Allegri as the new head coach for next season (More / via X)

ROUTERS’ VOICE

Yesterday’s Poll: Do you think other leagues will consider getting rid of VAR too? 

🟨 🟨 🟨 🟨 🟨 ⬜️ ⏰ Absolutely... (46%)

🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 👎 Nope... (51%)

⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ✍️ Other... (3%)

Your punditry takes:

• ⏰ J.M: “I think other leagues will consider it. It would be a step backwards to get rid of VAR, but it definitely needs some tuning to actually work as intended (for example, having dedicated VAR personnel, not just "off duty" referees).”

• 👎 J.Mc: “Why risk going against the worldwide view, then having to accept it in major competitions (World Cup, Champions League, Europa etc). It’s better to work on improving implementation and interpretation.”

• ✍️ G.G: “It’s how it’s implemented that’s the issue, and there is no doubt that AI would improve it by providing non-biased or peer pressure opinions in any assessment. Offside should be changed and fully automated.”

EXTRA TIME

Every January transfer in Europe’s top five leagues.

Are Liverpool a team of two halves?

The history of Madrid’s winning mentality.

EA Sports reveals its Men’s Team of the Year.

Roy Keane and Rod Stewart have unsettled business.

Three brothers sign for the same team.

Opta’s latest Premier League projections.

The closest VAR call yet.

Why £100m players might be a thing of the past.

A bicycle kick assists a bicycle kick.

Why do the English love non-league football? (video)

GAME FACE ON

Question: Can you name the three players who have over 100 goals and assists in the Premier League?

Scroll below for the answer.

ON TODAY

Women’s Super League

• Liverpool vs Brighton (19:00)

La Liga

• Espanyol vs Valladolid (20:00)

Bundesliga

• Frankfurt vs Dortmund (19:30)

Serie A

• Roma vs Genoa (19:45)

Ligue 1

• Montpellier vs Monaco (18:00)

• Lille vs Nice (20:05)

Primeira Liga

• Benfica vs Famalicao (20:15)

*All time in UK. ET -5. CST -6. PST -8. MST -7. CET +1.

Answer

Ryan Giggs. Frank Lampard. Wayne Rooney.