England’s Premier League will be able to continue to seek top prices for domestic TV rights for top flight games after the media regulator dropped a two-year investigation into the auction process.
Alarmed by the runaway costs broadcasters have to pay to show the top games in the country’s national sport, Ofcom launched an investigation in 2014 to examine whether the current system restricted competition.
Driven by a fierce rivalry, British pay-TV companies Sky and BT paid a combined £5.14 billion to show live matches from 2016 to 2019, sparking fears that those costs would be passed on to consumers.
Ofcom said yesterday it had closed the investigation after the league agreed to increase the number of matches made available for live broadcast in the 2019/2020 season.
Galliani in office until September
Adriano Galliani, the Milan chief executive officer, will stop his involvement at the Serie A club next month, reports said.
Galliani, however, will remain in charge and compete the transfer market operations before the new season gets underway.
Last week, Silvio Berlusconi sold his shares in Milan to a Chinese group and they intend to introduce new faces to the board.
Among those pencilled for the exit are Galliani whose popularity with the fans fell significantly these past few years.
West Ham confirm Masuaku signing
West Ham United have signed left-back Arthur Masuaku from Olympiakos Piraeus on a four-year contract.
The 22-year-old won the Greek SuperLeague last season, his second successive title since moving to Olympiakos from Valencien-nes in 2014.
The Lille-born defender, who moves for an undisclosed fee, has represented France at youth level and described moving to West Ham as an “honour”.
Masuaku said: “When I was 18, my target was to come here.
“To be able to play with players like Payet, I was thinking on the way here, it’s going to be crazy.”
Coman hoping to stay at Bayern
France winger Kingsley Coman admits he would love to stay at Bayern Munich beyond the end of his two-year loan from Juve.
The 20-year-old is halfway through that loan stay and there have been suggestions Bayern could complete a permanent transfer for €20m before the current deal expires next summer.
“I would love to stay at Bayern Munich,” Coman said.
“It was one of my goals, when I arrived, to play here for a long time. I can see myself playing here for many years, even if you never know how things will go over the years.”
Schweinsteiger still valid says Voeller
Bayer Leverkusen’s director of sport Rudi Voeller believes Bastian Schweinsteiger has at least another two years at the “highest level” despite reports he may be set for a Manchester United exit.
Manager Jose Mourinho ap-pears ready to make Schweinsteiger one of the early casualties of his new era at Old Trafford, but Voeller believes such a decision would be too hasty.
“No matter where his future lies, Bastian will play on at the highest level for at least another two years,” Voeller said.
“It’s going to help him that he will no longer be playing for the national team. It will do Bastian good that this additional burden has been released. Philipp Lahm is the best example of that.”
Gabriel injury
Arsenal’s Brazilian central de-fender Gabriel was carried off on a stretcher after damaging ankle ligaments during their 3-2 pre-season win over Manchester City in Gothenburg on Sunday.
Arsenal have already lost Per Mertesacker for several months with a knee problem leaving Calum Chambers and Laurent Koscielny as their only experienced centre-backs with a tough opening Premier League match looming at home to Liverpool next Sunday.
Arsene Wenger did not rule out bringing in another defender.
“I’ve said many times that we are in the market,” he said.
“Of course, it’s not an easy market for us. Let’s hope we have good news from Gabriel.”
Jese for Paris SG
Paris St Germain have signed forward Jese Rodriguez from Real Madrid.
The 23-year-old forward has put pen to paper on a five-year contract with PSG and becomes the French champions’ fifth signing of the summer.
The former Spain U-21 international said: “I am delighted to join Paris St Germain.
“Like Paris St Germain, I have big ambitions for the coming seasons and it will be a great pleasure to work under the direction of Unai Emery, who has developed an excellent reputation in Spain, and across Europe, for his quality as a coach.
“I can’t wait to begin this next challenge of my career.”