Sports Ticker #134 - FIFA faces fracas with furious footballers and boxing's back on the BBC - a speed read of commercial updates from the sports world

In a fortnight which saw the return of the English Premier League to televisions around the world, tennis’ top stars prepare for a revamped doubles competition at the US Open, and a new record set at the annual Dorset Knob Throwing Contest after the champion competitor tossed his bread roll a commendable 32.05m, we bring you news of boxing’s return to free-to-air television, an insight into the multibillion pound claim brought by players against FIFA, and a look at Telford’s record breaking role in pickleball’s rise to the top.

More than a roaring victory: Euros mark turning point for women’s football
Not only did the UEFA Women’s Euros 2025 cement the Lionesses’ dominance on the international stage following back-to-back victories in the tournament, it marked a sporting success many years in the making. Despite early questions around UEFA’s decision to host this year’s competition in Switzerland, a country which boasts fewer and smaller stadiums than many found in other countries, there became no doubt as to the competition’s success. According to tournament organisers, 29 of a total 31 matches sold out this year, with total attendance numbers surpassing 657,000, almost a hundred thousand more than in 2022 and more than double that of 2017. According to GlobalData, the tournament is projected to top $44 million in sponsorship revenue and $99 million in broadcast revenue once all figures are accounted for, increases of 144% and 142% on the previous tournament, respectively. This is a clear reflection that brands and fans alike are not only recognising but underpinning the growing success of women’s football on the world stage. 

FIFA’s fracas with furious footballers: Inside a multibillion-pound claim
Following a ruling by the European Court of Justice (CJEU) last year in the infamous Diarra case, which held FIFA’s transfer rules to be unlawful under EU competition law (see our take here), football’s international governing body, no stranger to controversy in recent years, now faces a multibillion-pound follow-on claim from a group of current and former players. On 4 August 2025, the Justice for Players foundation (JFP) served notice of its intention to file a class action against FIFA alongside the football associations of France, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, and the Netherlands. The JFP alleges that more than 100,000 players have suffered loss as a result of FIFA’s practices, with economic experts estimating that the players would have earned approximately 8% more in earnings over their careers if not for the unlawful transfer rules. If successful, the claim could see billions of pounds awarded in damages and a substantial systemic change to FIFA’s rules which, whilst amended by the body following the CJEU ruling, have not been accepted by the international players’ union, FIFPRO. Operating at the intersection of sports and competition law, we will be keeping an eye on this case as it develops. 

K hosts largest pickleball tournament outside the US and it’s a big Dill
The tranquil Shropshire town of Telford played host to the largest ever pickleball event outside of North America last week. Nearly 2,000 players from over 40 countries turned out in style to compete in the ever more popular sport, which combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping pong with its signature Swiss cheese-esque ‘pickleball’, a large plastic ball with holes across its carapace. The ‘Elite Island Resorts English Open’, as the tournament is formally styled, saw players aged between 7 and 70+ compete across multiple categories, including singles, doubles, junior and wheelchair events, in what was a hugely successful outing for the growing pastime. Although pickleball officially dates back to 1965, the record-breaking tournament reflects the sport’s boom in popularity over recent years, with the sport now the fastest growing in the United States, and enjoying a similar rise across the UK. According to Pickleball England, the sport’s national body, there are now around 40,000 active players nationwide, with membership growing by 65% over the past year alone. With momentum showing no signs of slowing, the question is: will you be picking up a paddle anytime soon?

MoDs with CoD: Ministry of Defence teams up with British Esports
The Ministry of Defence is levelling up by teaming up with the British Esports Federation to sharpen the digital skills of UK armed forces. As part of the collaboration, the two will work together to host the International Defence Esports Games, an annual esports tournament for UK military personnel. It’s not all fun and games, however, with the military keen to exploit the synergies offered by the partnership in aid of boosting digital literacy, particularly in areas such as AI and drone operation. According to Lieutenant General Sir Tom Copinger-Symes, Deputy Commander of UK Strategic Command, the benefits of the arrangement are clear: “As competition and conflict increasingly play out in cyberspace and the digital arena, these games equip our people to think, operate and innovate across both the physical and virtual worlds, developing team coordination and rapid decision-making under pressure”. 

BBC hopes for a knockout return after boxing returns to free-to-air TV
After more than 20 years, boxing is set to make a triumphant return to the BBC following a new broadcasting deal with promotion company Boxxer, whose previous exclusive agreement with Sky Sports recently came to an end. According to the public service broadcaster, the squared circle will once again feature in Saturday night primetime, as well as on iPlayer and the BBC Sport website, 87 years after the BBC aired the UK’s first televised boxing match — the fabled showdown between Eric Boon and Arthur Danahar. Boxxer CEO Ben Shalom said of the deal: “Partnering with the BBC to deliver big-time British boxing on Saturday night TV is a historic moment. We’re proud to bring the most entertaining British fighters to the biggest possible audience. This huge platform will give our fights the exposure they deserve and help us take the sport to huge new audiences”.

Extra time...

…and finally, in the wake of the Lionesses’ triumphant Euros campaign, what better time to discover that Bend it Like Beckham, a film often seen as a pivotal turning point in women’s footie and an all round classic flick to boot, is in development for a sequel. For those who can’t justify a trip to Brazil to watch the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2027, you can at least look forward to a local showing of Bend It Like Beckham 2, which is earmarked for release in the same year. Will Gurinder Chadha hit all the same notes as her original coming of age classic, or will the sequel fail to score at the box office? Stay tuned.