This weekend games across Germany have been disrupted by fans throwing chocolate coins on the pitch as a mark of protest against plans to encourage investment in the Bundesliga, plans they feel weaken their traditional fan-ownership models.

As fans groups in England look toward 50+1 as a potential future to safeguard the game, the system as it stands in Germany could be at its most vulnerable.

For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.

What's in the Weekend Boxset?

It's a weekend of knockout football with the FA Cup 4th round and Afcon's round of 16. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

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Having already been deducted ten points for breaching Premier League Profit and Sustainability rules, Everton could now face more sanctions; and Nottingham Forest could be punished too.

The charges come on the same day as the EFL sent a letter to the Reading owner, Dai Yongge, demanding that he either put money into the club or sell-up, and just a day before the leaders of England's top leagues were due to face questions from the Culture, Media and Sport committee.

For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.

What's in the Weekend Boxset?

Afcon continues with the champions Senegal taking on Cameroon and Tunisia facing Mali. Back in the Premier League, it's a Sound of Football derby as Arsenal host Palace. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

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Just before Christmas, the European Court of Justice ruled that UEFA had acted illegally in sanctioning clubs looking to form a European Super League. For the clubs that lead the breakaway attempt, the ruling seems to mean that UEFA's control of football has been broken and they can push ahead with plans to restructure international club football. But how will their plans fit with FIFA's expanded Club World Cup, which starts in 2025?

Also this week we take a moment to reflect on the life and legacy of Franz Beckenbauer, who died this week aged 78.

For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.

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What's in the Weekend Boxset?

It will be an emotional night on Friday in the Allianz as the Bayern restart the Bundesliga season against Hoffenheim. On Saturday the Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in the Ivory Coast with the hosts taking on Guinea-Bissau. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

It's our Christmas special and of course that means it's time to open up all the doors on our advent calendar. Join Graham, Terry and Jan in their final podcast of 2023 as they find out who or what will be the 24 biggest talking points in football in 2024.

Merry Christmas from all of us at the Sound of Football.

For a full list of all the doors opened on this advent calendar, check out the Show Notes on our blog.

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While other major leagues in Europe are struggling to get good TV deals, the Premier League has once again secured a big uplift. The new domestic TV deal will see even more games broadcast live; the vast majority of which will be on Sky who, after the withdrawal of Amazon, now have twice as many matches than when they had exclusive rights.

Also this week, we discuss the options open to Sunderland as they look for a new manager after sacking Tony Mowbray. We also ponder what Sir David Brailsford can do for United, coming in as part of the team working for new investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.

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What's in the Weekend Boxset?

The games don't get easier for Manchester United, this week they're at new table leaders Liverpool. There also promises to be an emotional return to Turf Moor for Sean Dyche as his Everton side take on Burnley in what is already a relegation six pointer. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

The FA Cup third round draw has given us box office fixtures this season with Arsenal v Liverpool and Sunderland v Newcastle. While such ties are mouth-watering, some would suggest they lack the romance that makes the competition special.

Should the FA Cup third round be seeded to guarantee bigger ties for smaller clubs reaching that stage? Would messing with the old competition like that take away some of its magic?

For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.

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What's in the Weekend Boxset?

Despite what we said on the podcast, Palace wont feature in the Boxset this week. Instead we have the Tony Mowbray derby without Tony Mowbray, as managerless Sunderland host West Brom. There's also the MLS Cup final. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

In the finest Sound of Football tradition, going back to the earliest days of the podcast, we present our fake draw for next summer's Euros in Germany.

Being in separate seeding pots, there's potential for England, Scotland and Wales to be drawn into the same group (though Wales still need to get through a tricky pair of play-off matches). There's also a high risk of a “group of death” with strong tournament teams like Croatia and the Netherlands in Pot 3 and the holders Italy among the lowest seeds in Pot 4.

The real draw is at 17.00 UK time on Saturday 2 December.

For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog, where you can also see how our draw turned out.

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What's in the Weekend Boxset?

In addition to the glitz and glamour of Saturday evening's draw, the FA Cup reaches its second round, Spurs look to break out of their losing run away to City, and on Friday, Team GB's qualification for next summer's women's football at the Olympics hangs on the outcome of England's must-win Nations League tie against the Netherlands. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

Everton have been hit with an immediate 10-point deduction for breaching Premier League financial rules. Their guilt would appear to be undeniable but is the punishment fitting when the champions Manchester City sit top of the table with 115 outstanding charges against them.

Also this week, we discuss the plans announced by Brighton & Hove Albion to construct, within the city, the first purpose-built stadium for women's football.

For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.

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What's in the Weekend Boxset?

Everton's first match since their points deduction will be an emotional home tie against Manchester United. It's one of three huge Premier League games in this weekend's Boxset. On top of that there's also a top-two Derby D'Italia. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

Last week the NWSL announced a new TV deal that has the potential to change the landscape of women's football globally. Will the WSL or other European leagues be able to compete with the new financial strength of the US league?

Also this week, at the start of the third international break - notoriously the most convenient for clubs to ditch their managers - we ponder if there's any reason there's yet to be a managerial casualty so far in this season's Premier League.

For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.

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It was another weekend of VAR controversary in the Premier League but this weekend its failures were a matter of opinion rather than fact. Mikel Arteta was left fuming when his Arsenal side were denied three inconclusive shouts to disallow the only goal of the game against Newcastle. Then on Monday night the London derby between Spurs and Chelsea descended into chaos with five disallowed goals and two red cards. After a number of process errors, apologies and referee demotions it's hard to remember a time when respect for decision-making at the top level has ever been as low. Does the blame fall solely on VAR or do expectations need to be reassessed? For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_551.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? Wayne Rooney is still looking for his first win as Birmingham boss, will he find it away to Sunderland on Saturday lunchtime? Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.