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English soccer clubs are "dangerously exposed" to financial risk, the country's Independent Football Regulator said in a report released on Tuesday, after finding that 94% of clubs in the top five divisions were operating at a loss.The IFR, established last year, proposed stronger cost controls and contingency planning as part of a six-point plan to improve the financial sustainability of the English game.Its draft State of the Game report, which will undergo an eight-week public consultation before a final version is published, found nearly two-thirds of English Football League and National League clubs were "technically insolvent".Many were increasingly dependent on cash injections from their owners to remain in business, the regulator said."This has led to a dangerous cocktail of rising debt and an over-reliance on owner funding, leaving clubs and their fans at risk," the IFR said in its report.The regulator said clubs should manage financial risks more effectively and have contingency plans in place should owners withdraw their support."While some of our clubs are among the richest and most competitive in the world, others are standing on the edge of financial disaster," said IFR Chair David Kogan."A significant number of clubs have told us they would not survive if their owners walked away. This lack of resilience can no longer be ignored." PREMIER LEAGUE BACKS REPORTThe Premier League said it agreed with the report's preference for a "football-led solution to revenue distribution.""As the report makes clear, new funding must go hand in hand with effective financial controls and wider reforms to strengthen clubs," the league said in a statement.The Premier League is negotiating a new revenue-sharing deal with the English Football League, which organises the three divisions immediately below the top flight.Media reports said that Premier League clubs have offered to provide £1.8 billion ($2.38 billion) over 10 years, in addition to existing funding, but the EFL has asked for £1 billion over five years."We believe the proposal we have made to the EFL, which was unanimously approved by Premier League clubs in July, meets the objectives the IFR has set out in its report," the Premier League added."The league remains committed to concluding a long-term partnership with the EFL that is fair, generous and balances the interests of all clubs." 

The Qatar Sports for All Federation applauded the success of its Sports for All Summer Program 2026, in which various segments of society and all age groups across more than 65 locations took part. These locations included public parks, sports clubs, youth and commercial centers, neighbourhood playgrounds, schools, and various other sports facilities.Advisor to the Minister of Sports and Youth and President of the Qatar Sports for All Federation Abdulrahman bin Musallam al-Dosari stated that the program's success is reflected in the growing community interest in sports, with the number of participants exceeding 36,100 across more than 65 different locations.He noted that this significant turnout confirms the program's ability to reach diverse segments of society, instill the values of sports in children as an integral part of daily life, and contribute to achieving Qatar National Vision 2030. He appreciated the broad participation in the program's activities, which he considered an indicator of the federation's successful plans to expand the scope of its activities and reach the widest possible segment of the community by distributing events among sports clubs, youth centers, gyms, playgrounds, public parks, and schools.The ongoing support from the Ministry of Sports and Youth, and the fruitful cooperation with more than 50 partners, entities, and institutions, were among the most important factors in the program's success, al-Dosari said, adding that this support contributed to providing a comprehensive sporting environment and helped deliver an outstanding edition of the program.For his part, Executive Director of the Qatar Sports for All Federation Abdullah al-Dosari said that the goal of the Sports for All Summer Program 2026 was to reach the largest possible number of community members, especially children and youth and that this was achieved through the efforts of the Ministry of Sports and Youth, represented by the Qatar Sports for All Federation, and in cooperation with all federations, ministries, and various other entities, to transform the summer vacation into an opportunity for physical activity, promoting public health, building skills, and making the most of leisure time.He noted that the program saw wide participation thanks to the diversity of activities and events, including the children's camp at the Lusail Sports Hall, the step challenge in malls, as well as women's events at Education City and Muay Thai and swimming training sessions. 

The Centre for Empowerment and Care of the Elderly (Ehsan), affiliated with the Qatar Social Work Foundation, has resumed the activities of its day clubs with the start of the new academic year. The aim is to continue the mission of providing distinctive programmes and services to empower and care for seniors, enhancing their quality of life, and strengthening their active presence in society. The clubs include three women’s branches in Izghawa, Al Wakra, and Al Shamal, in addition to a men’s club. Ehsan is also preparing to open the Men’s Seniors’ Majlis in Katara to enrich the community activity system. These clubs have transformed into vibrant environments that combine recreation, empowerment, and social interaction, providing members with opportunities to engage in diverse activities that foster independence and strengthen their connections with their surroundings. During the previous season, Ehsan organised 477 activities, including 104 handicraft and skill-based workshops that highlighted the talents of seniors in arts and crafts, 197 awareness lectures covering social, health, family, and psychological issues, and 163 empowerment courses across various fields such as Holy Qur’an memorisation and recitation, e-learning, physical fitness, and others. These activities effectively contributed to enhancing members’ knowledge and refining their experiences. In addition, 13 trips and external visits were conducted, which offered enriching social and cultural experiences and strengthened community ties among the seniors. Ehsan’s partnerships with governmental and community institutions, including the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, the Ministry of Municipality, Qatar Museums, the Primary Health Care Corporation, Mada Centre, and Doha University of Science and Technology, have played a key role in the success, continuity, and diversity of these activities. Sheikha Ahmed al-Hareeb, acting director of Ehsan’s Awareness and Community Department, stressed that restarting the clubs with the new school year marks a fresh milestone to build on past achievements. She noted that the upcoming phase will feature more innovative initiatives tailored to the needs of seniors, supporting their sustainable integration into society. “Ehsan clubs have become platforms for empowerment and development,” she said. “Through them, we focus on several goals, most notably enabling seniors to carry out their daily activities independently, maintaining their physical and psychological well-being, activating their developmental role and benefiting from their experiences, as well as strengthening their integration with different segments of society and expanding partnerships with governmental and civil institutions to ensure sustainable services.” Ehsan offers membership in its clubs under certain conditions, including being 60 years old or above, whether citizens or expatriates with a valid residency permit. Applicants must provide a medical report confirming their health stability, in addition to completing the membership form and submitting the required documents via the centre’s website or by visiting its headquarters.