FC Barcelona expands with Mexican television channel

Shramith Surya23/03/2023 5:55 am23/03/2023

Image credit: Christian Bertrand / Shutterstock.com

FC Barcelona has broadened its reach with television channel Afizzionados, who became the LaLiga side’s official regional partner until 2026.

Afizzionados is a pay-tv channel that focuses entirely on sports, including live game broadcasts, debates, interviews, news, and analysis. Super Estadio and Vamos América are two of its original productions, with exclusive content covering the major European teams.

FC Barcelona, via this new agreement with Afizzionados, has been able to expand its worldwide network of partners. Afizzionados is broadcast on izzi 503/801 and Sky 545/1545 signals in Mexico.

Vice President of FC Barcelona Marketing Area, Juli Guiu, said via press release:

“Thanks to the agreement with afizzionats we can get a little closer to our Mexican supporters with audio-visual experiences and content associated to the football world. This will enhance the sense of belonging among Mexican fans, a country for which Barça has a special love.”

The partnership acts as another major step in growing FC Barcelona’s presence in Mexico, a country they have had close connections with since 1937. During the height of the Spanish Civil War, the club made one of its most important international tours of all time, which served as a driving force for the club in difficult times. As part of the deal, millions of Afizzionados subscribers will have access to special content and experiences modified for Barca supporters, which include draws for tickets for games at Spotify Camp Nou and men’s and women’s football shirts.

General Sales Manager for Izzi and Sky, Michel Bauer, added via press release:

“This new deal with such a high calibre sports club as FC Barcelona is a unique opportunity for us to continue advancing our mission to become the first-choice sports channel among consumers. We are also delighted to offer a chance for all Barça fans in Mexico to get a bit closer to and be more united to the Catalan club.”

The partnership will extend the prolific relationship shared between FC Barcelona and Mexico. Along with the deal with Afizzionados, FC Barcelona’s Exhibition appearing in Guadalajara and Monterrey early last year is a key step in fostering stronger ties with Mexico.

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Victory unites with Roasting Warehouse in culture-led partnership

Patrick Irving16/04/2026 8:55 am16/04/2026

Image credit: Melbourne Victory

The Melbourne-based anf family-owned business will join the Victory family, uniting two institutions which represent the city’s culture and identity.

A partnership with local roots

As the newest partner of Melbourne Victory, Roasting Warehouse joins forces with a vital part of the city’s sporting landscape.

The club’s Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie, outlined why the partnership bears so much value to both parties.

“We are excited to collaborate with Roasting Warehouse, a community-oriented destination for high-quality coffee, proud of its foundations in Melbourne,” said Carnegie via official media release.

“Football and coffee sit at the epicentre of Melbourne’s culture. The two go hand-in-hand, consistently at the centre of the conversation that stirs Melburnians, which is no different to the conversation sport and Melbourne Victory stir in the State.”

Indeed, this is a partnership which combines the identity, passions and culture of an entire city, therefore giving it the foundations required for long-term, mutual success.

Representing the best of Melbourne

Both Victory and Roasting Warehouse are hugely successful in their respective industries. They are institutions with community-oriented philosphies, who pride themselves on craft and quality.

“We’re incredibly proud to partner with Melbourne Victory, a club that represents the heart, passion, and ambition of Melbourne,” revealed Roasting Warehouse Head of Brand, Alexander Paraskevopoulos.

“As a Melbourne-founded, family-run business, supporting a team that means so much to the local community feels very natural for us.”

Furthermore, through their high-quality blends, Roasting Warehouse will look to prepare Victory’s players and staff for high performances on the pitch as the seasons nears completion.

But this is about far more than just fueling athletes.

This is a partnership which embodies and unites two of Melbourne’s greatest strengths and cultural markers – a connection forged from the city’s very own DNA.

For more information about Roasting Warehouse, click here.

Marie-Louise Eta makes history as new Union Berlin head coach

Patrick Irving15/04/2026 6:05 am14/04/2026

Image credit: FC Union Berlin

In an historic appointment, Eta will take over as head coach of Union Berlin until the end of the season.

History in the making

Previously the first female assistant coach in Bundesliga history with Union Berlin, Eta will now take the reigns of the men’s first team on an interim basis.

Currently, the club sit in 11th place in the Bundesliga table, but with only two wins so far in 2026, relegation appears an all-too-real prospect, and one which the club is desperate to avoid.

“Given the points gap in the lower half of the table, our place in the Bundesliga is not yet secure,” said Eta via official media release.

‘I am delighted that the club has entrusted me with this challenging task. One of Union’s strengths has always been, and remains, the ability to pull together in such situations.”

Eta will begin as Union’s new head coach with immediate effect, and will be in the dugout for the club’s matchup against Wolfsburg this weekend.

A step into an equal future

Eta’s appointment signals a major step towards a more level playing field in the football landscape.

Furthermore, Eta joins other coaches including Sabrinna Wittmann, Hannah Dingley and Corinne Diacre who, in recent years, have blazed a trail for female coaches to step into the men’s game.

Wittmann currently manages FC Ingolstadt in Germany’s third division, and was the first female head coach in Germany’s top three divisions.

In 2023, Dingley became caretaker manager of Forest Green Rovers, and thus the first woman to lead a men’s professional team in England.

Diacre, now head coach of France’s women’s national team, managed Ligue 2’s Clerment Foot between 2014 and 2017.

Final thoughts

The impact therefore, is that Eta’s appointment will show future generations of aspiring female coaches that men’s football is an equally viable and possible pathway as the women’s game.

The time is now to level the playing field.

And while it may be a short-term role, its effect on attitudes towards equality and fair opportunities in the game will hopefully resonate long after the season ends.