An unwillingness to insert a "relegation payback" clause is "hampering any potential deal" for Premier League side Newcastle United. It was revealed last month that a group of "seriously wealthy" American investors can meet Mike Ashley's £300M ($385M) valuation for the club. The investors, however, "are wary that, should Rafa Benitez's men suffer relegation, the club's value would drop through the floor" (London DAILY MAIL, 11/24).
A National Rugby League integrity unit investigation into the Cronulla Sharks' salary cap scandal "uncovered an alleged fake invoice scam and a bogus finance loan used to secretly pay two players." Investigators reportedly "plan to quiz" former Sharks exec and current Manly Sea Eagles CEO Lyall Gorman this week about a A$100,000 "invoice" from a telecom for equipment and services that were "never used or even delivered" (Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH, 11/24).
Barcelona must pay €100M ($113.4M) "on top of a transfer fee" if it tries to sign a Liverpool player before '20. The deal was reportedly struck as part of Philippe Coutinho's £142M move to Barcelona in January. The "extra charge" was reportedly brokered by Liverpool Sporting Dir Michael Edwards (BBC, 11/21).
