The Athletic

Manchester United reached an out-of-court settlement in March 2026 with a man who alleged he was sexually assaulted as a 14-year-old by former club caretaker Billy Watts at the Cliff training ground in 1986. Watts, who died in 2009, faced multiple complaints and was named in the 2021 Sheldon inquiry. The club paid an undisclosed sum without admitting liability. The victim, speaking publicly for the first time, described devastating lifelong impacts, including suicidal thoughts, and criticized the club for never apologizing.

7 reports · 2 sources · Updated Aug 28, 06:30 AM UTC

Arsenal is pursuing Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes with bids exceeding £70 million, as the Brazilian midfielder reportedly seeks a move to compete for trophies. Newcastle insists he is not for sale, but manager Eddie Howe's resignation on July 30, 2026, and the club's failure to qualify for the Champions League have fueled tensions. Guimaraes is unhappy after a promised transfer pathway was blocked, and Arsenal is confident of finalizing the deal in early August.

60 reports · 9 sources · Updated Aug 6, 09:05 AM UTC

Eleven U.S. cities that hosted 2026 FIFA World Cup matches are demanding $1 million each in promised but unpaid legacy contributions from FIFA. FIFA President Gianni Infantino verbally assured host city executives the payments would be made for building mini-pitches and social projects, but no funds have been delivered. Host committees are winding down operations, complicating recovery. FIFA declined to comment. The dispute adds pressure on Infantino amid backlash from UEFA over a collapsed plan to sell FIFA competition stakes. U.S. taxpayers contributed billions to tournament costs while FIFA retained most revenue.

9 reports · 4 sources · Updated Aug 4, 05:05 PM UTC

FIFA President Gianni Infantino proposes creating FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a $20 billion subsidiary to manage World Cup and Club World Cup commercial rights, selling minority stakes to private investors like Joshua Kushner's Thrive Eternal, with JPMorgan advising. The plan, reportedly worth over $4 billion, could expand the World Cup beyond 48 teams and increase tournament frequency. UEFA issued a fiery statement condemning the move, arguing football governance is not a commodity and warning of lost transparency and integrity. The rift highlights a major clash over football's future commercialization.

220 reports · 25 sources · Updated Aug 11, 09:57 AM UTC

FIFA President Gianni Infantino proposes selling up to 21% of a new commercial entity, FIFA Forward Enterprises (FFE), valued at $20 billion, to private investors led by Joshua Kushner. The plan would commercialize rights to the men's and women's World Cups and Club World Cup. UEFA and its 55 member associations, along with the Premier League and European Leagues, strongly oppose the move, calling it a "reckless" commodification of football. UEFA has convened an emergency meeting, and European nations have agreed to boycott future World Cups, citing governance concerns and potential EU competition law violations.

40 reports · 17 sources · Updated Aug 3, 08:26 PM UTC

Real Madrid has entered negotiations to sign 19-year-old RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, submitting a €100 million bid (€90M fixed + €10M add-ons) that Leipzig rejected, demanding over €100M and possibly up to €130M. Paris Saint-Germain also remains interested but has not made a convincing offer. Diomande, who scored 13 goals and provided 9 assists last season, has a contract until 2030. Real Madrid, under José Mourinho, has already signed several players this summer. A bidding war between the European giants is possible.

100 reports · 18 sources · Updated Aug 7, 04:36 AM UTC

After Liverpool's 1-0 pre-season win over Wrexham at Yankee Stadium, midfielders Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai had a heated two-minute argument on the pitch. The dispute arose when Szoboszlai gave the captain's armband to Kostas Tsimikas instead of Jones upon being substituted. Teammates and staff intervened. The incident was resolved in training the next day, but it highlights Jones' uncertain future as Inter Milan has increased its bid to €35 million for the out-of-contract player.

11 reports · 4 sources · Updated Aug 12, 06:52 PM UTC

A Spanish judge in Gran Canaria rejected defense motions to dismiss charges against Real Madrid defender Raúl Asencio and three former youth academy players—Ferrán Ruiz, Juan Rodríguez, and Andrés García—for recording and distributing a sexual video involving a minor in June 2023. Asencio faces charges for sharing the video, while the others face child pornography and privacy violation counts. Despite victims withdrawing complaints, the trial is set for September 2026, with prosecutors seeking a 2.5-year sentence for Asencio.

6 reports · 3 sources · Updated Jul 31, 07:56 PM UTC

On July 29-30, 2026, false rumors spread on Italian social media claiming AC Milan legend Franco Baresi, 66, had died. The club issued an official denial, stating Baresi is alive but in a difficult health period, reportedly undergoing treatment after lung nodule surgery. Italy’s Deputy PM Matteo Salvini mistakenly posted a tribute before deleting it. AC Milan urged privacy and condemned misinformation.

36 reports · 13 sources · Updated Jul 31, 05:08 PM UTC

Major League Soccer’s search for Don Garber’s successor narrowed to three finalists—Paraag Marathe, Larry Berg, and David Nathanson—but Marathe withdrew hours later. Berg and Nathanson remain as candidates. MLS owners will vote on August 3 in New York City to select the league’s third commissioner. The new leader faces challenges including a new CBA, a calendar shift to summer-spring, and media rights renegotiation. Garber remains under contract through 2027.

7 reports · 2 sources · Updated Jul 30, 07:11 PM UTC

USMNT midfielder Gio Reyna, 23, is in negotiations to transfer from Borussia Mönchengladbach to Ligue 1 side Strasbourg, owned by Chelsea's BlueCo consortium. After one season at Gladbach (19 appearances, one goal), Reyna has struggled with injuries and limited playing time, logging just over 500 Bundesliga minutes in 2025-26. Despite this, he was selected for the 2026 World Cup, scoring against Paraguay. The move would be his fourth club in as many seasons.

7 reports · 2 sources · Updated Aug 4, 09:50 AM UTC

Following Brazil's round-of-16 exit at the 2026 FIFA World Cup—their earliest elimination since 1990—head coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that veterans Neymar, Casemiro, and Danilo will no longer play for the national team. Ancelotti stated the tournament marked the end of a generation of over-30 players, signaling a major squad overhaul. He plans to build a new team ahead of the 2028 Copa America, though defender Marquinhos will remain for continuity. Neymar and Casemiro have also publicly stated their international careers are over.

6 reports · 3 sources · Updated Jul 31, 09:44 AM UTC

Eddie Howe has departed as Newcastle United head coach after five years, including a historic 2025 Carabao Cup win—the club’s first trophy in 70 years. Following a downturn last season (12th in Premier League, Champions League exit), Howe chose to take a break. Al Ahli manager Matthias Jaissle, who won consecutive Asian Champions League titles, is in advanced talks to replace him. Both clubs are majority-owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

38 reports · 13 sources · Updated Jul 31, 03:49 PM UTC

Fulham, led by former Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa, is pursuing 22-year-old forward Gonzalo García, offering up to €60 million. Real Madrid initially agreed to sell due to a crowded attack (Mbappé, Vinicius, Endrick), but new coach José Mourinho has paused the transfer after being impressed by García's pre-season form. Real Madrid seeks to retain future control via clauses. García, a youth product with 13 goals in 51 La Liga matches, won the Club World Cup Golden Boot last summer.

23 reports · 7 sources · Updated Aug 4, 07:53 PM UTC

On July 30, Hupu News reported that three prominent football journalists—Newcastle correspondent Craig Hope, The Athletic's lead reporter David Ornstein, and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano—simultaneously claimed exclusive knowledge of Eddie Howe's dismissal as Newcastle United manager and the appointment of a successor named Jaisle. The claims were posted nearly simultaneously on social media platform X, leading to confusion over which outlet or reporter broke the story. As of the report, no official announcement from Newcastle United has been made, leaving the situation unconfirmed. The incident highlights competitive dynamics in football journalism and the race for breaking news exclusivity.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 30, 07:56 AM UTC

Bournemouth's 20-year-old French striker Eli Junior Kroupi fractured his fifth metatarsal during pre-season training in Austria and underwent successful surgery on July 29, 2026. He is expected to be sidelined for three to four months, missing the start of the Premier League season. Kroupi scored 13 goals last season, helping Bournemouth finish sixth and qualify for the Europa League. The injury impacts transfer interest from Barcelona, Arsenal, PSG, and Tottenham, all of whom had been monitoring the player.

9 reports · 8 sources · Updated Jul 29, 09:37 PM UTC

Major League Soccer (MLS) owners will hear a proposal to overhaul roster and salary cap rules, moving toward a more open spending structure while retaining designated player slots. The changes, part of the “MLS 3.0” evolution, aim to boost competitiveness against European leagues and Liga MX, improve TV ratings, and simplify team-building. The proposal will be presented at the Board of Governors meeting in Charlotte ahead of the All-Star Game. Any reforms are tied to a new collective bargaining agreement with players, as the current CBA expires in January 2028.

5 reports · 3 sources · Updated Jul 29, 07:55 AM UTC

Chelsea are in advanced talks to sign veteran Brighton striker Danny Welbeck, 35, who scored a career-high 13 Premier League goals last season. The move signals a strategic shift under new manager Xabi Alonso, moving away from signing young players toward experienced, Premier League-proven talent. Brighton is willing to sell with one year left on Welbeck’s contract, provided a fair fee is agreed. The potential signing could lead to departures of current Chelsea strikers Nicolas Jackson and Liam Delap.

23 reports · 10 sources · Updated Aug 8, 02:13 PM UTC

Leeds United are in advanced negotiations to sign 23-year-old goalkeeper James Trafford from Manchester City. Trafford, who joined City from Burnley for £27 million last summer, saw his playing time limited after City signed Gianluigi Donnarumma. Leeds need a new starter after losing goalkeepers Meslier and Darlow. Newcastle United dropped their interest, and Trafford prefers a move to Leeds, where he hopes to become a regular Premier League starter.

15 reports · 7 sources · Updated Aug 3, 11:31 AM UTC

In a tense World Cup quarterfinal on July 12, Argentina defeated Switzerland. Swiss forward Breel Embolo was sent off in the 71st minute after receiving a second yellow card for diving, following earlier incidents including a yellow card for a foul on Paredes. Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez made crucial saves, including denying Embolo and Xhaka. Paredes also suffered an injury from consecutive blocks, temporarily halting the match.

79 reports · 15 sources · Updated Jul 29, 08:34 AM UTC

The French Football Federation (FFF) is finalizing Zinedine Zidane’s appointment as head coach of Les Bleus, succeeding Didier Deschamps after his final match—a World Cup third-place playoff against England on July 18, 2026. Zidane’s contract, reportedly worth €300,000–€450,000 monthly, begins September 1. He plans a major staff overhaul, including assistants from Real Madrid and Fabien Barthez as goalkeeping coach. The official announcement is expected within a week, with the first matches in Nations League games against Turkey, Belgium, and Italy.

52 reports · 15 sources · Updated Jul 29, 09:11 AM UTC

The German Football League (DFL) is negotiating a €1 billion loan with US investment firm Apollo Sports Capital, secured against future domestic broadcast revenue over 20 years. The proposal, discussed in a June meeting in New York, does not involve equity transfer and requires a two-thirds majority vote from the 36 Bundesliga clubs. This marks the latest attempt to introduce external investment into German football, following two failed efforts in 2023 and 2024 that were abandoned due to fan protests under the '50+1' ownership rule. The rule ensures fan control but limits external capital, leaving German clubs—except Bayern Munich—struggling to compete financially with the English Premier League. The DFL previously tried to sell stakes in broadcast rights for €2 billion and €1 billion, but both were blocked or withdrawn after protests. The current loan proposal is in early stages, and fan reactions are expected after the season starts in late August.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 12:35 AM UTC

Real Madrid forward Vinicius, 26, accidentally drove a golf cart into a flowerbed while vacationing with girlfriend Virginia Fonseca at a luxury resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Virginia captured the incident on video, laughing and teasing him about his spatial awareness. Hotel staff and guests helped free the cart. The couple, dating since last October, had reconciled after a brief breakup earlier this year. Separately, Vinicius's future at Real Madrid is uncertain as contract renewal talks stall with one year left on his deal. Arsenal is reportedly monitoring the situation, with the idea of signing him approved at all levels within the club. However, Arsenal may need to break their salary record to match his £400,000 weekly wage. Real Madrid is reluctant to let him leave as a free agent next year and may approve a sale this summer. Vinicius scored 22 goals last season and has been with Real Madrid for eight years.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 27, 05:12 PM UTC

Japanese football legend Kazuyoshi Miura, aged 59 years and 149 days, scored his first competitive goal in nearly four years during an Emperor's Cup qualifying match. Playing for J3 club Fukushima United, he netted a volley in the 52nd minute of a 7-0 victory over Iwaki Furukawa. Miura, who inspired a character in 'Captain Tsubasa,' has extended his loan until June 2027 and will continue playing into his 60s as Japanese leagues shift to an autumn-spring calendar.

15 reports · 8 sources · Updated Jul 27, 10:50 AM UTC

Swedish midfielder Lucas Bergvall, 20, has informed Tottenham Hotspur he wants to leave this summer after losing his starting role under recent managers. Despite a strong debut season under Ange Postecoglou—winning the Europa League and being named Player of the Year—Bergvall saw reduced minutes under Thomas Frank, Igor Tudor, and Roberto De Zerbi. Currently playing for Sweden at the 2026 World Cup, he seeks a new challenge. Tottenham, holding a contract until 2031, will demand a substantial fee, with interest from clubs like Chelsea and Nottingham Forest.

27 reports · 9 sources · Updated Jul 27, 09:47 AM UTC

A controversy has emerged over potential sports betting irregularities during the 2026 World Cup. The Athletic reported that the Copenhagen Group, an independent integrity monitoring body, identified 7 yellow alerts after analyzing all 104 tournament matches. Specific concerns included a red card for American player Folarin Balogun against Bosnia-Herzegovina, after which a prediction market on his presence against Belgium reportedly opened, along with unusual betting movements around several matches. FIFA, however, stated that its integrity task force found no suspicious betting activity or indications of match manipulation. The Copenhagen Group noted that alerts do not constitute evidence of fraud, and experts cited by The Athletic suggested some fluctuations could be explained by financial hedging strategies. With nearly $240 billion wagered on the competition, monitoring new prediction markets is becoming a major issue for football governing bodies.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 26, 01:03 PM UTC

Following the conclusion of the World Cup, Spanish midfielder Rodri was awarded the FIFA Golden Ball as the tournament's best player, while Argentine star Lionel Messi received the Silver Ball. However, according to Argentine media statistics, over a dozen major football media outlets independently selected Messi as their best player of the tournament. These outlets include The Athletic, IFFHS, Sky Sports, The Guardian, beIN Sports, FOX Sports, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Goal.com, Yahoo Sports, Bleacher Report, CBS Sports, The Daily Star, AIPS, SofaScore, Transfermarkt, WhoScored, and 365Scores. The report highlights a divergence between FIFA's official award and the consensus among prominent football media organizations.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 26, 04:23 AM UTC

The Belgian Football Federation (RBFA) ended Rudi Garcia's tenure as head coach on July 20, 2026, following a World Cup quarter-final loss to Spain. Despite qualifying for the 2026 World Cup and securing Nations League promotion, the federation sought a new direction. Two days later, Mark van Bommel was appointed as Garcia's successor, signing a contract until Euro 2028. Van Bommel, a former Bayern Munich and Barcelona star, previously coached Antwerp to a domestic double.

21 reports · 10 sources · Updated Jul 24, 07:52 PM UTC

Ahead of Germany's 2026 World Cup opener against Curaçao in Houston, TV expert Jürgen Klopp jokingly remarked that Julian Nagelsmann is "still" setting the lineup, implying his tenure may be temporary. Nagelsmann refused to comment, while former players criticized Klopp for disrespect. The incident fuels speculation about Klopp as a future national coach, highlighting friction between the two figures.

117 reports · 18 sources · Updated Jul 27, 09:34 AM UTC

Max Murray, a 19-year-old Huddersfield Town academy graduate and lifelong fan, has gone viral after showcasing an extraordinary long throw-in during a pre-season friendly against Fleetwood Town on July 21, 2026. The throw, which traveled approximately 36 yards into the six-yard box, drew comparisons to Premier League throw-in specialists Rory Delap and Michael Kayode. Murray, who made his senior debut on the final day of last season, signed a contract extension this summer. A video of the throw posted on X (formerly Twitter) amassed over three million views in 24 hours. Former throw-in consultant Thomas Gronnemark praised Murray's technique, noting his ability to generate spin and flight, and suggested his action can still develop further. The article highlights how a mundane football skill can launch a player's career.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 04:08 AM UTC