The Sound of Football Sound of Football

Eager to find an alternative to the current, unsatisfactory profit and sustainability rules, the Premier League has this week agreed to introduce new rules that limit the money a club can spend to a multiple of the lowest club’s TV revenue. Will this “anchoring” be an effective way of controlling finances, or will it become just something else to circumvent? While the Premier League has been quite open of its opposition to the introduction of the Independent Regulator for Football, less has been said by UEFA or FIFA, who have in the past opposed what they see as government interference in football. Could that be about change, following last week's launch of the Spanish government's own independent body to control the crisis-riven RFEF. 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_573.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? Plenty of EFL action this week with the start of the League One play-offs, and an automatic promotion place up for grabs on the final day of the Championship. And after the sheningans in their first meeting, will VAR behave itself when Spurs face Liverpool? Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

This weekend, technology robbed us of the greatest FA Cup comeback in living memory, with the unforgiving VAR offside lines denying Coventry City a 121st minute winner in their semi-final against Manchester United after being 3-0 down. And when it wasn't shattering dreams, the objectivity of those using it to officiate was being called into quesion. Nottingham Forest have demanded that referees who admit a fondness for clubs they believe are “contextual rivals” should recuse themselves from officiating, after self-confessed Luton fan Stuart Attwell failed to overturn three decisions in last weekend's defeat at Everton. 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_572.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? With a fifth Champions League spot for the Premier League off the table, the North London derby and Villa match against Chelsea have become key fixtures in the battle to grab fourth spot. Chelsea's women have the chance to complete a famous win over Barcelona, going into the home leg of their Champions League semi-final a goal up. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

There's an adage that at the end of the season the table never lies, but with so much affecting this season's Premier League placings does it still hold true? Is it possible to understand everything that's going on in football? From financial regulations to club and country coefficients, from law changes to competition restructing, from new metrics to constantly evolving tactics, there's always something new to get your head around. Is that a bug of the modern game or a feature? 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_571.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? It's FA Cup semi-final weekend. Can Mark Robins' Coventry City side get the better of his old club Manchester United? Will Chelsea and City give us another multi-goal thriller? Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

Across Europe the major league titles are already almost won; in Germany, Leverkusen should seal the championship this weekend. The English top flight is the exception with a three way race that could provide the most exciting climax to a Premier League season. It's not all good news for the “Best League in the World”. This week, around the time it was announced that Everton have been deducted a further two points for breaching PSR rules again, it was revealed that clubs are looking at introducing a “luxury tax” to punish over-spending clubs instead of deucting points. Could solving overspending by spending more money be the most Premier League idea ever? 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_570.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? There are important matches in the Premier League title race while the Woman's FA Cup reaches the semi-final stage with one of Tottenham or Leicester assured of reaching their first major final. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

The games across the congested Easter weekend can often define what remains of a season. In England the lead changed in both the Premier League and the Championship. In women's football, Arsenal won the the first (and almost certainly their only) silverware of the season, beating Chelsea and denying Emma Hayes the quadruple in her final season at the club. In Germany, the title race is as good as done. Bayern's defeat to Dortmund has opened a 13 point gap between themselves and Xabi Alonso's Leverkusen. For many people, Harry Kane's decision to move to Bayern was motivated by a desire to win something. It's unfortunate for him then that his move has coincided with Bayern looking like they'll miss out on the title for the first time in over a decade. But he's still had a really good season. 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_569.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? The run-in gives us some great rivalries this weekend. Can Ipswich hold on to top spot in the Championship in the Old Farm derby? Can Rangers go to the top in Scotland in the Old Firm? And that's all before Liverpool head to Old Trafford. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_569.mp3

The international break often leaves football news outlets scratching around for content. It's a good thing they had Ben White declining to join the England squad and Nike's cross of St George design faux pas to whip up some outrage. Trying not to dwell on such matters, we move on to discuss options for improvements to the qualification process for international tournaments. Starting next week, the qualification phase for the next women's Euros will use the Nations League model. Could that same system breath life into qualifying for men's tournaments too, or is there an even better option out there? 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_568.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? Club football returns with a huge match in the Premier League as Arsenal try to hold on to top spot against the champions, City. There's also Bayern v Dortmund and the Women's League Cup final. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.