WEDNESDAY 15 JULY 2026 - LOS ANGELES - 40 years ago at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, within the Estadio Azteca, Argentina defeated England 2-1 in the quarter final. That day, Diego Maradona delivered the haunting Hand of God to illegally punch the ball over England Goalkeeper Peter Shilton CBE. A decade ago at a dinner of the Southern Amateur League, Peter recalled the experience for us. Some say that Maradona's so-called Hand of God cheated England out of a place in the 198

MONDAY 15 JUNE 2026 - BOSTON - Two articles ago, we examined allegations of illegal ticket pricing at World Cup 2026. Last week, we asked whether FIFA's discounted tickets were a lifeline or a brand betrayal. This week, we turn from FIFA's ticket marketplace to a commercial negotiation closer to home, and highlight the risks of AI being used in contract drafting without adequate legal oversight. Even if FIFA used AI in negotiations of its contracts with ticket agents, it almo

MONDAY 01 JUNE 2026 - LONDON - So last weekend I caught up on the ticket prices for the World Cup as it now looks like I can be there this month after chairing the 2026 ICAEW Webinar on Sport. Rather than kicking off with the usual spreadsheet of people, places and dates like I did for WAFCON in Morocco last year, this time I was shocked on sight as FIFA appeared to be advertising tickets up to USD 5.75m - for one match! Admittedly, my cousin has expensive taste and it was S