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By Dennis ” There There

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Image source: Getty ImagesByBen Collins, BBC Sport journalist, and Dale Johnson Football issues correspondent52 mins ago205 CommentsFifa has reacted to criticism from New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill. Sherrill said that the world football governing body was to blame for fans having to pay $150 for a 30 minute train journey from New York City to MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, to attend World Cup matches this summer. There are no concessions, so children and senior citizens must also pay the entire $150, “Elevated fares will inevitably push fans to alternative transportation options. “Fans being fleeced by PS111 World Cup train tickets – FSA18 hours agoGovernor’s Fifa demand ‘unprecedented’MetLife Stadium, which will be named New York/New Jersey Stadium during the World Cup as part of the policy on corporate sponsored names, will host eight matches, including an England group game and the final on 19 July. “Fans being fleeced by PS111 World Cup train tickets – FSA18 hours agoGovernor’s Fifa demand ‘unprecedented’MetLife Stadium – which will be named New York/New Jersey Stadium during the World Cup as part of Fifa’s policy on corporate sponsored names – will host eight matches, including an England group game, and the final on 19 July.Train fares for matches at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, outside Boston, have also been vastly increased to $80 (PS59), with coach tickets costing $95 (PS70).Sherrill said that Fifa should subsidise the cost of public transport for World Cup games this summer.The governor posted on X, external that her administration “inherited an agreement where Fifa is providing $0 for transportation” while NJ Transit has a bill of $48m (PS35m), and claimed the tournament organisers will make $11bn (PS8.1bn). Schirgi said that it was unprecedented for Fifa to set arbitrary prices and then demand that they absorb the costs. “No other major sporting event, concert, or global event has faced a similar demand. “While Fifa’s projected revenue is approximately $11bn, not profit as the governor claims incorrectly, Fifa was always a non-profit organisation according to our statutes. “Revenues generated by the Fifa World Cup go towards developing football, especially for women and youth, around the world. The $11k World Cup Final ticket – What we learned from the first open sale2AprilMore about this storyFollow Your Club with BBC Sport12MarchListen to the latest Football Daily PodcastGet football news delivered straight to your mobile16 August 2025

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Image source: Getty ImagesByNick MashiterFootball reporter1 Hour ago180 CommentsByNizaar KinsellaFootball reporterFrank Lampard, Coventry City and the Premier League are back. Coventry’s focus is now on winning the Championship title after Friday’s 1-1 draw with Blackburn. Lampard’s reputation suffered after a 12-month battle with Everton, and a short caretaker stint at Chelsea, where the club was under a transfer ban. He also won just one game in 11 matches. Lampard’s critics have been quieted by his success at Chelsea and Everton. What does this mean for Lampard’s career? During his caretaker tenure at Chelsea, Lampard spoke openly about his decision to choose his next job. It looks like he made the right choice. How Coventry returned to the Premier League after 25 years13 Hours agoCoventry promotion unique and special – Lampard11 Hours agoCoventry draw with Blackburn to win promotions to Premier LeagueEarly Arrival and Squad BreakfastsCoventry was at a low point when Lampard arrived. Mark Robins led them from League Two into the Premier League in 2023, but they lost the play-off final on penalties to Luton. Robins’ reign included an FA Cup semifinal, which they also lost on penalties to Manchester United. But Lampard needed to reinvigorate this club. In November 2024, he told the team and staff at Ryton that they were better than their table indicated. He took over the club when they were 17th, beating John Eustace for the job. The season ended in a dramatic play-off semifinal defeat by Sunderland. Lampard has influenced players to join CBS Arena, even though they had other options. They wanted to work with the former England midfielder, who has 106 caps. Coventry kept their best players by rejecting Sheffield United’s bids to sign Bobby Thomas, while Milan van Ewijk chose to stay despite Wolfsburg’s interest. The Blades made multiple offers for Thomas, but Lampard made clear that he wanted him to stay and formed a strong relationship. Lampard’s humbleness and knowledge surprised some players when he joined the squad, given his decorated career. Lampard usually arrives at Coventry’s Sky Blue Lodge training grounds around 7.30am. He uses the gym before eating breakfast with the team. He will allow the players to talk. The transition from Robins and Lampard was fluid, as the squad’s average age began to decrease. Lampard is more than just a coach. The fact that he has been able to top the table with the same team shows his ability to recover. It has allowed him, for the very first time, to feel like a boss, and not a player, when he speaks with staff. Some Coventry fans feel that Lampard was needed by the club and vice versa. This is hard to argue with, given the outcome. Jack Rudoni, who joined Coventry for PS5m from Huddersfield five months before Lampard arrived, has thrived under Lampard. “People only see him as the gaffer, because they don’t really know him. But he’s much more than that,” he told BBC Sport. “He is a good man and has a great rapport with everyone. “You can talk to him about anything, and he’ll give you advice on football or not. There is no one better to learn from. He has been brilliant on and off the field. “He and i have a good rapport, and we communicate closely. He helps me with small things, like timing runs, where to go, and even shooting techniques. “He has been brilliant. It’s great to be able to guide me and give tips. I’m happy that it worked out on the field, which then repays him for working with me. “Lampard’s focus will now be on building a Coventry team that can compete in the Premier League. This will ensure the Sky Blues return to the top tier for the first time since the mid-1990s is not short lived. Image source, Getty ImagesRelated topicsCoventry CityChampionshipFootball

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ByDan Roan and Craig Wall, BBC Sport senior journalists3 hours ago95 commentsThe chief executive of Australia’s National Rugby League has said that concerns about a multi-million-pound investment in Super League could drain the talent from the UK game “are completely unfounded”.Andrew Abdo was in the UK, holding talks with British officials regarding the potential groundbreaking deal between the sport’s two leading competitions. “We’re trying to make rugby league as strong as we can in the UK and Europe,” he told BBC Sport. “That is the exact opposite to it becoming a feeder program. “We are doing this to grow, to attract players from other codes to this market and to ensure that there is good investment in pathways for the competition to thrive. Leeds Rhinos Chairman Paul Caddick has also expressed concern about the prospect of investment. He said, “we do not intend to be swallowed up”. Caddick said that if Australia took value out of English rugby, the gap would only grow and we would be subservient to Australia. This is something I wouldn’t agree to. “It all comes down to the first question, ‘why?’ It’s not about extracting our wealth or enabling them. Abdo responded to these concerns by saying: “I understand that people tend to assume the worst in the absence information. “But the fears that the Super League will become a feeder to the NRL are far from the reason we’re doing it. “Rugby league in Australia has grown significantly over the last decade. But Caddick has warned that the challenges facing the sport are greater in the UK because of the dominance in football. He added that the NRL was not “a magical ticket or Father Christmas”. “We fully comprehend the challenges that this market presents. We listen to understand the challenges and opportunities that this market presents. “Who would be in charge? Image source, Getty ImagesThe NRL is run by an independent body – the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) – and it wants to replicate that model in the UK if it is to invest. Abdo revealed a deal depends on “assurances that we can actually have the ability implement our gameplan”. Image source, Getty imagesThe NRL, which is run by the Australian Rugby League Commission, is an independent body. It wants to replicate this model in the UK to attract investment. Abdo revealed that a deal is dependent on “assurances we can implement the gameplan”. “The ability to execute a plan comes from very clear governance, which allows decision-makers to think about the long-term interests of the sport as a whole and not just the short-term. “We’re doing it because we believe in the game and want to globalise. If the two biggest competitions in the World are able to work together and co-operate, it can only strengthen rugby league. “In order to be able invest, you need strong and clear government and I think that is part of the current challenge – so this is something that we are obviously working on. “While Super League club owners lose a total amount of almost PS20m each year, attendance and audiences have increased. Peter V’landys said last year that the UK game was heading for a ‘train crash’ if it didn’t find ways to increase its revenue. Abdo responded that the NRL was not interested in Super League returning to a winter competition in order to allow the sport to be broadcasted year-round globally. If aggregating all rugby league rights is beneficial to us in the future, we will certainly consider it. Negotiations are encouraging, but no formal offer has been made yet. Jones told BBC Sport that the sport was open to investment. “The NRL fits perfectly.” They are the most likely to be the leaders in the current negotiations we are having with different parties. “I don’t believe this will be a lengthy process because we have some planning to do. The earlier an investor comes on board, the more beneficial it will be for everyone. Jones said Super League already had “a growth trajectory”, and that investment will “turbocharge” the league. However, he admitted that “finance” and “control” issues still needed to be resolved. Jones responded that the ARLC wants to decide on the composition of an independent commission which would run Super League. “But for the moment, that’s a’redline’ because it’s vital that the UK game be represented. Our governance structure is already independent. “I believe there is a solution that will allow both parties to feel comfortable that they have some control. However, the UK game still has some control over how this territory is run. “This isn’t a takeover. This is a partnership, but also an investment. There is capital, but there are also synergies between the two competitions that play in the same sport. The NRL also has expertise to offer the game in the UK. “It is about globalisation and ensuring that the sport can be seen as widely as possible. We talked about pathways and it wasn’t just about bringing the best talent from England to Australia. It was about how we can improve the UK’s pathway system and deliver better. “One of the most important parts of the discussion was that ‘this cannot just flow through to the clubs and into players’ salaries and inflate the players’ salaries’. “Yes, the money goes to the clubs, but also to the centre. It has to take care of the women’s, wheelchair and community games. “Related TopicsRugby LeagueMore about this storySuper League is in danger of a ‘crash,’ says V’landys28 Oct 2025Which Super League games will BBC broadcast live in 2026?”

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