Soccerscene the only online publication dedicated to the Australian and international football industry. It serves as a practical guide for those involved in the business of running a football club and bringing readers up-to-date research and development across all football matters providing insights, discussion and information related to topics that matter.
India shows interest in hosting Asian Champions League
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) have expressed their interest in hosting the Asian Champions League Group E (West Zone) fixtures later this year, according to Goal.
If the country does get the nod to host the matches, Goa and Kolkata will likely be the host venues.
West Region matches in the Champions League are set to be played between April 14-30 of this year, with East Region games scheduled for April 21 – May 7.
The final of the tournament will be played over two legs on November 21 and 27.
Dato’ Windsor John, the AFC General Secretary, speaking of the developments at the time said: “The AFC is most grateful for the support of the AFC Competitions Committee, the Member Associations and the participating clubs in producing this schedule for the biggest and most inclusive AFC Champions League in history.
“Once again, the AFC will put the safety and welfare of all its stakeholders as its overriding priority, but we demonstrated with the successful AFC Champions League in 2020 that the unity, solidarity and strong leadership of the AFC can deliver its club competitions in the most challenging of times.”
Image Credit: Asian Football Confederation Website
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) wrapped up the AFC Member Association Anti-Doping Programme webinar on Monday, highlighting the confederation’s desire to strengthen the honour and fairness of football in Asia.
With 40 Member Associations (MAs) present, the AFC’s webinar was designed to educate MAs on the recently implemented AFC Anti-Doping Activities and Monitoring System, a broad sweeping process aiming to standardise anti-doping practices across the confederation.
Designed to modernise Asian anti-doping practices, the AFC Anti-Doping Activities and Monitoring System is helping to transition MAs from paper-based data collection to digital alternatives. Through this, MAs will be able to observe and record doping activities far easier and will be in compliance with the AFC Anti-Doping Regulations and World Anti-Doping Code.
The AFC Anti-Doping Activities and Monitoring System also includes a number of tools to help boost MAs anti-doping effectivity, such as real-time data submission and secure access controls. Additionally, the system includes provisions to conducting educational programs, recording anti-doping violations, and programme testing.
Saudi Arabian Football Federation Medical Committee Member, Dr. Khalid Awad, outlined the importance of the anti-doping webinar.
“It was a pleasure to be part of the discussions and to learn more about this new system. I feel it has great potential to strengthen collaboration among MAs,” he said in a press release.
“We can use the platform not only to safeguard the integrity of our sport but also to develop more ways to educate ourselves and help our athletes perform at their highest levels.”
Pakistan Football Federation Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Muhd Azam Khan expressed his satisfaction for the AFC’s commitment to modernising anti-doping practices in Asia.
“This is an excellent step by the AFC to digitise records. It will serve as a stimulus for the growth and development of MAs,” he said via press release.
“Additionally, I am confident it will motivate us to organise more capacity-building initiatives in our respective federations.”
The webinar also allowed the AFC and MAs to share the discoveries of a recent AFC survey, which aimed to discover the unique problems each MA has in regard to doping in football.
Nine Entertainment is reportedly in discussions to acquire Optus’ sports streaming service, Optus Sport, as part of plans to strengthen its own Stan Sports platform.
This would include handing over the rights to the Premier League, which has been the main selling sport in Optus’ sports streaming subsidiary.
According to the Australian Financial Review (AFR), Nine initiated talks in December, while Optus has been seeking buyers for the service since late 2023.
Optus Shifts Focus Back to Core Business
Optus initially launched its sports streaming service to diversify revenue streams and complement its telecommunications offerings. However, the company has decided to refocus on its core operations and move away from content-based ventures.
In recent years, Optus Sport has opted not to renew broadcast rights for major competitions such as La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, reflecting a strategic shift towards cost-cutting and prioritising its core telecommunications business.
Additionally, the service has seen its subscription price increase from $14.99 to $24.99 over the past two years. Optus also introduced charges for its customers, who previously enjoyed complimentary access to the platform, further signalling its move away from subsidised content offerings.
Nine’s Strategy to Stay Competitive
Acquiring Optus Sport would enable Nine to secure key sports rights, including the English Premier League and FA Cup, while expanding its subscriber base.
This move comes as the Australian streaming landscape becomes increasingly competitive, with international player DAZN poised to enter the market.
DAZN, which recently acquired Foxtel in a AU$3.5 billion deal, is expected to make a significant impact when it launches locally later this year.
Stan Sports: Building a Robust Portfolio
Stan Sports currently holds the rights to premium events such as the Olympic Games, UEFA Champions League, and several rugby union and tennis properties.
Adding Optus Sport’s rights would bolster its offerings and help Nine contend with rivals like Paramount+, BeIN Sports, Amazon Prime, and free-to-air broadcasters.
Consolidation on the Horizon
Australia’s crowded sports media market is ripe for consolidation, with multiple players vying for lucrative rights deals.
Free-to-air broadcasters have maintained a strong foothold, supported by Australia’s anti-siphoning laws, which ensure key events remain available outside paywalls.
Conclusion
While Nine has declined to comment on the AFR report, Optus noted it routinely reviews its businesses to ensure they deliver value.
As the market evolves, this potential acquisition could be pivotal in shaping the future of Australian football broadcasting.
As it stands, the average Australian consumer requires at least four subscriptions to watch every European competition and each of the Top 5 leagues which remains a frustrating solution to legal broadcasts in the country.
