Football
Results, transfers and decisions shaping the game.
Football
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Uefa to hold emergency meeting over Fifa's controversial World Cup commercial rights sale
Uefa will hold a meeting of all 55 member associations on Thursday afternoon to discuss its response to Fifa's plans to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.
The European football governing body is seeking to coordinate its response to Fifa president Gianni Infantino's proposals, which have drawn significant criticism. Among the options under consideration is a potential European boycott of Fifa tournaments. While a boycott of next year's Women's World Cup has been mentioned, there's reluctance to impact the women's game due to protests primarily aimed at monetising the men's World Cup and Club World Cup. Fifa has offered $40m to member associations who back the plan, setting a September 19 deadline. This move by Fifa is seen by some as a 'race to the bottom line,' sparking outrage from Uefa and the UK Prime Minister, as previously reported.
Argentina faces FIFA disciplinary proceedings over World Cup final behaviour and Falklands banner
FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Argentina for potential breaches of multiple laws during the World Cup, including their behaviour after the final and displaying a Falklands Islands banner.
The disciplinary action stems from several incidents, notably the 'Las Malvinas son Argentinas' banner held by players after their semi-final win against England, referencing the disputed British overseas territory. Investigations also involve players such as Leandro Paredes and Gonzalo Montiel for their actions during a brawl after the final. This follows reports of Spain coach De la Fuente condemning Argentina's 'intolerable' behaviour in the World Cup final.
Sources
Roberto Mancini apologises as he returns as Italy head coach
Roberto Mancini has issued an apology upon his reappointment as Italy head coach, three years after leaving the role for a contract with Saudi Arabia.
Mancini expressed deep regret for his previous departure, comparing it to 'losing the woman of your life' and stating he did 'something that shouldn't have been done.' He is committed to leading the national team back to its former standing. His return follows a period of managerial turmoil for Italy, with talks reportedly held with Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola for the national team manager role.
Sources
Liverpool secure second pre-season win under Andoni Iraola
Liverpool beat Wrexham 1-0 in New York to maintain a perfect pre-season record under new head coach Andoni Iraola.
Substitute Rio Ngumoha scored the only goal in the 75th minute with a deflected strike that looped in off Wrexham defender Lewis Brunt. The match, played at Yankee Stadium, was part of Liverpool's pre-season tour, with co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in attendance for Wrexham. This victory marks two wins out of two for Iraola on his first pre-season tour as Liverpool manager. The club's CEO, Billy Hogan, has also spoken about investment and the transition period under FSG.
Sources
Mauricio Pochettino nearing new contract with US Soccer
USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino and US Soccer are reportedly in the final stages of agreeing on a contract extension that would run through the 2030 World Cup.
The new deal is expected to see Pochettino earn significantly more than his current contract. He was appointed in September 2024, with the initial aim of leading the team through the 2026 World Cup, where they were eliminated in the last 16. Both parties had expressed interest in an extension prior to the tournament, highlighting a mutual desire to continue the partnership.
Sources
Real Madrid confident of signing Rodri despite injury concerns
Real Madrid is reportedly confident in securing a deal for Manchester City's Rodri, who is set to undergo back surgery.
Rodri's potential absence at the start of the Premier League season due to surgery has not deterred Real Madrid from pursuing a transfer. This development comes amid speculation about Manchester City's own midfield transfer targets, with Enzo Maresca prioritizing retaining Rodri. The situation also involves reported interest from other clubs, highlighting Rodri's importance.
Sources
Celtic manager O'Neill promises more signings
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill insists the club will make further signings this summer, aiming for quality over quantity.
O'Neill's statement comes amidst some fan frustration, and he addressed speculation surrounding Callum McGregor's future. The club has already broken its transfer record to sign striker Kasper Hogh, and is reportedly nearing a deal for another striker from Bodo/Glimt. These moves indicate a strategy to strengthen the squad with targeted acquisitions.
Sources
Jack Grealish attracting interest from Saudi side Al Hilal
Manchester City forward Jack Grealish is reportedly attracting interest from Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal.
The interest from Al Hilal follows a pre-season snub for Grealish, suggesting his future at Manchester City may be uncertain. This news is part of a broader trend of players moving to the Saudi league, which has been actively recruiting high-profile talent.
Sources
Tottenham beat Sydney FC on penalties in pre-season friendly
Tottenham secured their third pre-season victory by defeating Sydney FC 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Mathys Tel scored a stunning free-kick for Tottenham during the match. This win continues Tottenham's preparations for the upcoming season. The club has also seen reports of manager Roberto De Zerbi telling unhappy players to leave.
Sources
WSL to reintroduce Sunday evening kick-offs
The Women's Super League (WSL) will bring back Sunday evening kick-offs as part of a broadcast strategy overhaul following indifferent viewing figures last season.
The WSL will offer six different TV slots to broadcasters for the 2026-27 campaign, a significant shift from last season's focus on Saturday and Sunday lunchtimes. This change aims to improve viewership and engagement for the league.
Sources
Manchester United's central defence faces scrutiny
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick may have concerns about the depth and reliability of his five central defenders for the upcoming campaign.
Carrick has Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven, Harry Maguire, Matthijs De Ligt, and Lisandro Martínez at his disposal. While this group offers a blend of youth and experience, there is no immediate plan to strengthen the position unless one or more players depart, raising questions about their ability to withstand the demands of a long season and potential injury issues.
Sources
Kalvin Phillips' loan struggles offer cautionary tale for Elliot Anderson
As Kalvin Phillips nears a fourth loan move from Manchester City, his struggles are highlighted as a potential cautionary tale for fellow City player Elliot Anderson.
Phillips' career since his record-breaking move to Manchester City has been marked by a series of loan spells, failing to establish himself at the Etihad. The article suggests that Anderson, who is also at City, could learn from Phillips' experience regarding navigating loan moves and seeking consistent game time to develop his career effectively.
Sources
Football
· 10 topics · Read the edition
Fifa's World Cup commercial rights sale sparks outrage from Uefa and UK Prime Minister
Fifa has announced plans to sell commercial rights to its tournaments, including the World Cup, to private investors.
This move has triggered a significant backlash, with Uefa strongly criticizing Fifa for 'attempting to sell the soul of football' and considering legal action. Elite clubs have also expressed strong private criticism, and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has condemned the proposal. Multiple sources suggest this is part of a plan to raise millions from a new venture, which has led to fears of a potential boycott by European nations.
Sources
Xabi Alonso begins Chelsea reign with thrilling 6-4 friendly win; Welbeck and Henderson links played down
Xabi Alonso secured a 6-4 victory in his first match as Chelsea manager against Western Sydney Wanderers, with Joao Pedro scoring a hat-trick.
The pre-season friendly saw a high-scoring debut for Alonso, featuring a quickfire nine-minute hat-trick from Joao Pedro. Despite the win, Alonso played down speculation linking Chelsea with experienced players like Brighton's Danny Welbeck and Brentford's Jordan Henderson. He stated that while there would be many transfer rumors, the club was focused on building a squad with 'proper balance,' reflecting a potential shift in transfer strategy towards more experienced signings.
Sources
Kick It Out reports record discrimination incidents, calls for tougher sanctions
Anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out received a record 1,744 reports of discrimination during the 2025/26 season, a 25% rise.
The charity has revealed a significant increase in reported incidents, with data indicating a growing trend of discriminatory 'mass chanting' at matches, specifically mentioning anti-immigrant chants like 'stop the boats' and 'send them back' at all levels of the game. Kick It Out is now advocating for more stringent sanctions to be implemented to address the rising discrimination in football. This surge in reported abuse has prompted calls for tougher measures from the anti-discrimination body.
Sources
Vinicius Jr to remain at Real Madrid, ending Arsenal's reported interest
Vinicius Junior will be staying at Real Madrid beyond this summer.
Sky Sports News has been informed that the highly-rated winger is not expected to leave the Santiago Bernabéu. This development effectively ends speculation linking the Brazilian star with a move to Arsenal, who were reportedly exploring a transfer.
Sources
Roberto Mancini reappointed as Italy manager amid managerial turmoil
Roberto Mancini has been appointed as the manager of the Italian national team for a second time.
Mancini's return follows a period of significant upheaval for Italian football, with technical director Paolo Maldini and Leonardo having resigned. Andrea Pirlo had also reportedly ruled himself out of contention for the role. The appointment aims to bring stability after what has been described as 'chaos' in the search for a new manager.
Manchester City's Enzo Maresca prioritizes retaining Rodri
New Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca's top priority is reportedly to persuade Rodri to stay at the club.
The Italian manager, who previously served as an assistant under Pep Guardiola, is tasked with continuing City's successful legacy. Keeping hold of the World Cup-winning midfielder Rodri is seen as crucial to achieving this. Real Madrid are rumored to be preparing a bid for the influential player, making Rodri's contract situation a key concern for Maresca's tenure.
Sources
Celtic break transfer record to sign striker Kasper Hogh
Celtic have signed Denmark striker Kasper Hogh from Bodo/Glimt on a four-year contract, breaking their club transfer record.
The move for Hogh is described as a 'really good match' for Celtic, indicating strong confidence in the striker's potential impact. This record deal signifies a significant investment by the Scottish club as they look to strengthen their squad.
Sources
Savinho open to Tottenham move from Manchester City
Manchester City winger Savinho is reportedly open to leaving the club and joining Premier League rivals Tottenham.
The prospect of a move to Spurs has seemingly garnered interest from the young Brazilian. This potential transfer could see another player swap the Etihad Stadium for North London, adding to the significant transfer activity this window.
Sources
Hearts face scrutiny after Champions League exit under new manager
Wouter Vrancken's reign as Hearts manager has begun with a Champions League elimination.
Former Hearts forward Ryan Stevenson has delivered a 'scathing verdict' on the team's performance following their chastening exit from the Champions League. The early signs under Vrancken's management appear concerning, raising questions about the team's trajectory.
Sources
Chelsea set to sign attacking midfielder Giulia Dragoni from Barcelona
Chelsea are reportedly on the verge of signing Italian attacking midfielder Giulia Dragoni from Barcelona.
The potential transfer indicates Chelsea's continued activity in the market as they look to strengthen their squad, this time with a focus on emerging talent from a major European club.
Sources
Football
· 10 topics · Read the edition
John Stones verbally agrees Inter Milan move
John Stones has verbally agreed to join Inter Milan on a free transfer.
The England international defender left Manchester City in June and appears set for a move to Italy. Inter and Juventus had previously shown interest in the 32-year-old, but Sky in Italy reports that Inter are now in pole position. Stones impressed during England's run to the World Cup semi-finals, which has reportedly boosted his transfer appeal.
Sources
Chelsea pursuing experienced signings Henderson and Welbeck
Chelsea are reportedly in talks to sign both Jordan Henderson from Brentford and Danny Welbeck from Brighton.
In a shift from their usual focus on youth, Chelsea are targeting experienced players. Danny Welbeck, 35, is being considered to bolster the forward line after scoring 13 goals in 37 Premier League games last season. Veteran midfielder Jordan Henderson, 36, is also a target, with Brentford reportedly willing to let him leave on a free transfer despite him having a year left on his contract.
Sources
Leeds United close to club-record deal for James Trafford
Leeds United are nearing a club-record agreement with Manchester City for goalkeeper James Trafford.
The deal is reported to be worth around £40m. This potential transfer highlights Leeds' commitment to securing a top goalkeeper and marks a significant investment for the club. Trafford's move would represent a substantial fee for Manchester City, underlining the player's perceived value.
Sources
Pirlo appointment for Italy falls through, Maldini and Leonardo resign
Paolo Maldini and Leonardo have reportedly resigned from their roles with the Italian Football Federation after Andrea Pirlo's potential appointment as head coach was blocked.
Pirlo is no longer in contention for the Italy coaching role due to links with a Russian betting company. Maldini had only recently been appointed technical director on July 11th, with Leonardo brought in as his advisor. Their departures just 16 days later signal significant upheaval within the national team management following the failure to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup.
Sources
English football trial to combat goalkeeper tactical time-outs
English football will trial a new measure this season to prevent goalkeepers from using tactical time-outs to disrupt play.
The trial, supported by various footballing bodies including the Premier League and FA, aims to stop goalkeepers feigning injury or stopping play for tactical reasons, which can also provide opportunities for coaching instructions. This initiative seeks to maintain game momentum and ensure fairer play throughout the season.
Sources
Premier League continues to outspend other major European leagues
Premier League clubs have spent over £1.4 billion on new players this summer, exceeding the combined spending of the other four major European leagues.
The financial dominance of the Premier League is stark, with English clubs spending approximately £303 million more than clubs from the Bundesliga, La Liga, Ligue 1, and Serie A combined. While this figure represents gross spending, even factoring in player sales, the Premier League's net spend remains significantly higher, widening the financial gap between England's top flight and its European counterparts.
Sources
Tottenham's new training facility plans blocked by High Court
A High Court judge has quashed a council's decision to grant planning permission for Tottenham Hotspur's new women's and girls' football academy.
The ruling followed a legal challenge by the campaign group Guardians of Whitewebbs, who argued the decision by Enfield Council to allow the construction on 16 acres of land in Whitewebbs Park was unlawful. The decision to build the facility on parkland has been overturned, halting Tottenham's plans for the academy.
Sources
Referees' body vows to increase diversity among match officials
Howard Webb, England's chief refereeing officer, has stated his commitment to increasing the number of match officials from under-represented communities.
Webb believes that expanding the talent pool will ultimately 'raise standards' within officiating. This commitment comes as the Professional Referees' Body (Pro Ref) has merged its various men's professional game lists, aiming to service the Premier League and Championship from the upcoming season with a broader range of officials. The initiative aims to address historic under-representation in the sport's officiating pathway.
Sources
Nigeria aiming for 11th Wafcon title
Nigeria's Super Falcons are targeting their 11th Women's Africa Cup of Nations title in the upcoming tournament.
The Super Falcons will face Malawi, Zambia, and Egypt in the group stage. As the defending champions, they are considered strong contenders to retain their crown and extend their record of success in the competition.
Sources
Relentless football schedule continues after World Cup
The football schedule remains intense, with multiple leagues and cup competitions commencing shortly after the conclusion of the World Cup.
The Scottish Premiership, Dutch Eredivisie, and England's Carabao Cup are all set to begin their new seasons. European club competition qualifiers started in early July, while Liga MX and Major League Soccer have already resumed their seasons. This continuous flow of matches, starting so soon after a major tournament, leads to a feeling of overwhelm for some observers.
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