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Mauricio Pochettino has delivered a stunning verdict on Chelsea’s 2016–17 Premier League triumph: strip them of the title and hand it to Tottenham.

Pochettino’s Tottenham side finished runners-up that season with a club-record 86 points, just seven behind Antonio Conte’s Chelsea, who lifted the trophy after an extraordinary 30-win campaign and 93 points.

But Chelsea’s title-winning season has been dragged back into the spotlight after the Premier League fined the club £10.75 million for historical breaches involving undisclosed payments and transfer-related reporting between 2011 and 2018.

The cases included deals involving stars such as Eden Hazard, Willian, David Luiz and Nemanja Matić.

For Pochettino, that punishment does not go far enough.

“We should win one Premier League. We should have been awarded it.”

The former Tottenham boss, who later managed Chelsea during the 2023–24 season, insists Spurs were not competing on a level playing field.

“We didn’t compete before the start of the season with the same card.”

Pochettino believes Tottenham could have strengthened their squad had they operated under the same circumstances — potentially changing the outcome of the title race.

“Maybe with the same rules, we could’ve signed some players that would have made the team better or scored more goals.”

He was careful not to diminish Chelsea’s performances under Conte, acknowledging that they were an excellent side.

But his message was blunt: if the rules were broken, there should be consequences for the title.

“If you broke the rules, then ‘ciao’ — you need to give it to another team.”

And Pochettino says he would apply exactly the same standard to Tottenham.

“If we were at Tottenham and broke the rules, I’d admit the same: We don’t deserve the title because we broke the rules.”

Tottenham’s 2016–17 campaign remains their best-ever Premier League finish. Spurs won 26 games, lost just four and amassed 86 points — yet still finished behind Chelsea.

Despite Pochettino’s explosive call, however, Chelsea remain the officially recognised 2016–17 Premier League champions. No retrospective title change or points deduction has been imposed following the Premier League’s findings.

For now, the trophy remains at Stamford Bridge.

But Pochettino has made his position crystal clear: if Chelsea broke the rules, he believes Spurs should have the crown.

The crisis rocking Nigerian football has taken a dramatic new turn, with FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) set to launch a joint assessment mission in Abuja after insisting that no decision has yet been taken on the unfolding Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) situation.

The development effectively throws the latest claims of an agreement between FIFA, the National Sports Commission (NSC) and other stakeholders into fresh doubt.

In a strongly worded email dated September 7 and addressed to Barrister Emmanuel Ikpeme, FIFA’s Chief Member Associations Officer, Elkhan Mammadov, said FIFA and CAF were still examining the legal, governance, administrative and electoral issues arising from the crisis within the NFF.

“At this stage, FIFA and CAF have not reached any conclusions regarding the matters under review and no determination has been made with respect to any potential next steps,” the message stated.

The position is a significant departure from reports suggesting that FIFA and the NSC delegation led by its Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and Director-General, Bukola Olopade, had reached an understanding over the proposed football reforms.

FIFA Puts NFF Election on Hold

In what could prove to be the most consequential part of the communication, FIFA asked that the ongoing NFF electoral process be suspended, with no further steps or decisions taken until further notice.

FIFA said the request was necessary to preserve the status quo while it and CAF complete their assessment and consult the various stakeholders.Importantly, however, the football governing body stressed that the suspension should not be interpreted as a ruling on the validity of any position, decision or action taken by any of the parties involved.

In other words, FIFA has frozen the process without yet declaring who is right or wrong.

Ikpeme, Not NSC, Named Key Contact

FIFA also made it clear that Emmanuel Ikpeme, whom it recognises as the NFF's Deputy General Secretary, should remain the primary point of contact between the NFF, FIFA and CAF — rather than the National Sports Commission — until further notice.

That move further underscores the importance FIFA attaches to dealing through the recognised football administration while its investigation continues.

FIFA, CAF Delegation Heading to Abuja

The international football bodies are now preparing for a joint mission to Abuja at the earliest opportunity.

The delegation is expected to meet with representatives of:

The NFF administration;NFF members;The NFF electoral bodies; and The Federal Government, including the National Sports Commission.

The mission, FIFA said, is intended to give both organisations a clearer understanding of the circumstances surrounding the latest developments, hear directly from the various stakeholders and identify issues requiring further examination under the applicable FIFA, CAF and NFF regulations.

No Winner, No Verdict — Yet

The message from Zurich is unmistakable: the matter remains open.

FIFA and CAF have reserved the right to make recommendations or proposals to their respective decision-making bodies after completing their assessment.

Until then, FIFA has warned against assuming what action it will eventually take.

The latest development therefore leaves Nigerian football in a state of suspense, with the electoral process effectively frozen and the next move now resting with FIFA and CAF.

For now, there is no final verdict, no approved reform deal and no clear winner in the escalating battle over the future direction of Nigerian football. FIFA and CAF are coming to Abuja. And before they leave, the full picture of the NFF crisis may finally begin to emerge.

Shockwaves have hit West African football as Ibrahim Musa Gusau loses his grip on the WAFU Zone B presidency following his dramatic exit from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Gusau’s reign at the regional level has come to an abrupt end, just days after he resigned as President of the NFF, triggering a major leadership shake-up in West African football.

In a decisive move, the WAFU Zone B leadership has appointed Oumarou Sawadogo, President of the Burkina Faso Football Federation, as Gusau’s successor.

The development means Nigeria has been stripped of its place at the top of the sub-regional football bloc, with Burkina Faso now taking the leadership seat.

Gusau had occupied the powerful WAFU Zone B presidency while simultaneously steering the affairs of Nigerian football. But following his departure from the NFF, that dual leadership has now come to an end.

Sawadogo inherits the regional presidency at a crucial moment as WAFU Zone B continues to drive football development, organise competitions and coordinate programmes involving its member associations.

The sudden change marks a dramatic new chapter for the regional body — and signals the end of Nigeria’s latest spell at the summit of WAFU Zone B. From Abuja to the regional stage, Gusau’s football leadership era has ended — and Burkina Faso is now calling the shots.

There is the prospect of a genuine sports revolution in the air. There is a refreshing spirit across the land. There are glimpses of a new dawn for the entire sports sector through the developments in football.

Beyond sport, there are also emerging, the faint outlines of a new nation from 2027. Things are coming together. Things are falling into places and fitting in like a jig saw puzzle.


Even the Universe is involved in the evolving ‘conspiracy’. Otherwise, who can explain the spate of coincidences of developments in Nigerian sports?

Presidential support

It was all kick-started by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He directed that proper sports reforms take place. And he backed his directive with the money to get it done.

Such level of presidential interest has not been seen since the era of late Admiral Augustus Aikhomu.

The president means business, and everyone knows it.

The NSC – getting things done!

The National Sports Commission, NSC, bosses have been very busy, demonstrating proficiency in managing the crisis-situation in Nigerian football and maneuvering through the maze of difficult issues. They dealt with the disbandment of the board of the NFF masterfully. It went without any outcry, or resultant crisis.

They led a delegation to the headquarters of FIFA and came back with a bouquet of flowers (that I hope are not coated with hidden poisons)from the embattled president of FIFA. I hope they now have the clearance to carry out the needed reforms in Nigerian football without involving the Congress of the NFF. That organ should have been dismantled as well, and without the threat of any sanction for ‘Third-Party interference’ hanging on our necks.

The NSC, I hope, are now set to advance matters to the next level – setting up a body of credible, neutral, and knowledgeable persons to dismantle the old failed system and to create new instruments for genuine football development in the best interest of the country.

A few days before that, Dr. Allen Onyema, Chairman of AirPeace Airline, had approved that the ‘file’ of the Olympic Gold Medalists of 1996 be dusted, and that the names of the heroes be uplifted again and inscribed in Gold on the ‘NIIA Sports Diplomacy Wall of Fame’ at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs in Lagos.

The induction ceremony will be held in October/November, 2026, a year that marks the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Olympic Games Boycott led by Nigeria, as well as the 30th anniversary of Nigeria’s greatest moment in sport, the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.

Two of Nigeria’s great sports ambassadors will also be decorated on the day – late captain and manager of the Super Eagles, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi; plus the only world record breaker in Nigeria’s athletics history, Tobi Amusan(even as her record has been broken by America’s Olympic champion Masai Russel).


Governor Uba Sani – a new titan

Then, last week, came the bombshell. In my humble reckoning, the best news of the year came from Kaduna.

The Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, CON, has joined Allen Onyema to fan the embers of the ‘Dream Team’, Nigeria’s victorious Olympic football team of 1996. Following that success, the Governor of Kaduna State at the time rewarded the players and their officials with plots of land in Kaduna. For some reason, the deed was not completed. The parcels of land were not documented and handed over the players.

30 years after, Governor Uba Sani has awakened ‘dead bones’, dusted the long-buried files, completed the process and redeemed the State government’s promise.

There was more great development

The state government was handed back the ownership of Ahmadu Bello Stadium, a heritage site that was built and opened in 1964 by the government of Northern Nigeria under Sir Ahmadu Bello. The stadium has deep historical significance to Northern Nigeria . It was taken over by the federal government for renovation for the Nigeria ‘99 FIFA Under-17 championship.

To have taken over all the State stadia became the worst decision ever. Some administrators in charge at the time, not versed in sports matters, ignorantly destroyed all major sports infrastructure in the country. Nigeria has not recovered from that misadventure and financial brigandage since then.

The Ahmadu Bello stadium, Kaduna, the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan, and the Township Stadium, Calabar, had some of the best football facilities in Africa. Their ‘renovation’ became their destruction by some Nigerian and Israeli contractors.

Governor Uba Sani has come to spearhead a redemption of those monuments. The Governors of Oyo and Cross Rivers States should follow Uba Sani’s lead, secure the release of the two other State stadia from the NSC and rebuild them for the sake of posterity and for the coming reformation of sports in Nigeria.

By Segun Odegbami

FIFA has accused UEFA of waging a “smear campaign” against president Gianni Infantino as the bitter row over a scrapped $4.2bn investment deal escalates into a legal battle.

UEFA has accused FIFA and Infantino of “criminal mismanagement” over the proposed Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE), a plan that would have sold a 20% stake in a new FIFA commercial subsidiary to US investment firm Thrive Capital.

But in court filings in the United States, FIFA has hit back, arguing UEFA is seeking documents to support a foreign criminal case that does not exist.

“Rather than participate in that democratic process, UEFA issued a press release - the beginning of a weeks-long smear campaign against FIFA and its leadership,” FIFA said.

The governing body also dismissed UEFA’s legal arguments as suffering from a “fundamental defect” and “legal deficiencies”.

The proposed deal would have seen Thrive Capital, led by venture capitalist Joshua Kushner, invest $4.2bn in the new FIFA entity. The plan was abandoned within days of being publicly revealed in July after triggering fierce opposition across world football.

FIFA had argued that the deal would dramatically increase funding for its 211 member associations, raising payments for the 2027-30 cycle from £5.9m to £14.7m per association.

UEFA claims the deal was struck at an artificially low valuation and alleges FIFA’s World Cup commercial assets were priced at around £15bn without an open auction or independent valuation.

It also alleges that Infantino discussed the concept with Kushner for almost a year before the final terms were agreed and claims the FIFA president failed to properly consult the organisation’s governing bodies.

UEFA has asked a New York court to order the disclosure of documents and testimony from Kushner and his company Thrive, as well as American financier Greg Maffei, a key adviser to the proposed deal.

Neither Kushner nor Maffei is expected to be a defendant, UEFA says, but their evidence could shed light on how the controversial proposal was developed and valued.

FIFA, however, claims UEFA has an ulterior economic motive for opposing the scheme, arguing that giving smaller football nations greater financial resources would strengthen global competition and potentially weaken UEFA’s market dominance.

UEFA has declined to comment, although sources have indicated that its position is simple: if FIFA has nothing to hide, it should release the documents and allow the legal process to move forward.

The row marks a dramatic escalation in UEFA’s opposition to Infantino, who is facing calls to resign from three continental confederations.

Kushner has also expressed regret over becoming involved in the deal, saying the group “failed to appreciate the political dynamics of global football” and would not have participated had it known how the controversy would unfold.

What began as a failed investment proposal has now become a high-stakes battle over FIFA’s finances, governance and Infantino’s leadership.

The transfer window has slammed shut. The big-money deals are done. The deadline-day chaos is over. Clubs can no longer splash millions on new signings.

But there’s still plenty of talent sitting on the sidelines. A remarkable group of household names are now free agents, meaning clubs can potentially snap them up without paying a transfer fee.

And the list is loaded with former Premier League champions, Champions League winners, Ballon d’Or winners and some of the biggest names of the past decade.

Pogba, Benzema and Ramos headline the free-agent market
At the very top of the list is Paul Pogba.

The 33-year-old former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder is searching for his next chapter after Monaco terminated his contract following a difficult spell blighted by injuries.

Pogba's career has been interrupted repeatedly in recent years, but there is no doubt about the pedigree. At his best, he was one of the most exciting midfielders in world football.

Then there is Karim Benzema.

The former Real Madrid superstar and Ballon d’Or winner has also suddenly become available after his contract with Al-Hilal was terminated.

At 38, Benzema is no longer the unstoppable striker who terrorised European defences at Madrid — but his experience, finishing and enormous trophy haul make him one of the most intriguing free agents on the market.

And then there is Sergio Ramos.

Forty years old. Four Champions League titles. World Cup winner. One of the most decorated defenders of his generation.

Ramos has been without a club since leaving Monterrey in December 2025, yet he has still not called time on his extraordinary career.

Could one more adventure be waiting?

⚡ Sancho is still looking for his next move
Few names on this list carry more intrigue than Jadon Sancho.

The 26-year-old's Manchester United career never reached the heights expected after his £73m move from Borussia Dortmund in 2021.

Loan spells followed at Chelsea and Aston Villa, and now Sancho is searching for another opportunity.

A move to Brazilian giants Palmeiras has reportedly been agreed — but until everything is officially completed, Sancho remains one of the biggest names on the free-agent market.

At just 26, he could still have plenty of football left to offer.

⯑ Champions League pedigree is everywhere
Sancho isn't the only player whose CV jumps off the page.

Dani Carvajal spent 13 years at Real Madrid, making an astonishing 451 appearances and winning virtually everything there is to win.

David Alaba, meanwhile, left Madrid after five years and arrives on the market with a résumé that includes 12 league titles and four Champions League triumphs.

Then there's Riyad Mahrez.

The Algerian winger won the Premier League five times and lifted the Champions League with Manchester City. He scored 37 goals in 122 appearances for Al Ahli before his contract was terminated.

He may not be available for long, however, with reports linking him with a move to Al-Shabab.

⯑ And the list goes on...
There are plenty of other familiar faces waiting for their next opportunity.

Raheem Sterling, 31, is available after leaving Feyenoord following just eight games.

Philippe Coutinho, 34, has been without a club since leaving Vasco da Gama and has previously been linked with a move to MLS.

Jamie Vardy, 39, is also searching for his next destination after leaving Cremonese following their relegation to Serie B.

And there are plenty more experienced players available:

Jordan Ayew, 34
Dele Alli, 30
Joselu, 36
Anthony Martial, 30
Conor Coady, 33
Wilfried Zaha, 33
James Rodríguez, 35
Tyrell Malacia, 27
Oleksandr Zinchenko, 29
Solly March, 32
Georginio Wijnaldum, 35
Yves Bissouma, 30
The window may be closed — the market isn't For these players, deadline day didn't bring an ending. It simply brought another question: Who will take the gamble?

Some are veterans chasing one final chapter. Others, such as Sancho, Malacia and Zinchenko, are still young enough to rebuild their careers at the highest level.

And with no transfer fee required, clubs could be looking at some potentially huge bargains.

The transfer window may have slammed shut. But the free-agent market is still wide open.

The Irish Football Association (IFA) has withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino’s bid to remain FIFA president, adding further pressure on the under-fire leader ahead of next year’s election.

The Northern Ireland governing body said it was time for change after expressing serious concerns over Infantino’s approach to FIFA’s governance and financial affairs.

The decision follows controversy surrounding a proposal to sell a 21% stake in FIFA’s commercial operations to a private investment company. The plan was eventually abandoned after strong opposition, particularly from UEFA, which had warned it could consider boycotting FIFA competitions.

In a statement, the IFA said the proposal had gone beyond a simple communication failure and raised serious concerns about FIFA’s strategy, governance and management of its assets.

The association had previously supported UEFA’s opposition to the plan but had stopped short of formally withdrawing its backing for Infantino. It has now joined a growing number of football associations calling for new leadership.

Football associations in England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland have already withdrawn their support for Infantino, who is expected to seek a fourth term as FIFA president at the election in March 2027.

Former Players unite against FIFA
Former Manchester United and France defender Mikaël Silvestre, a member of FIFA’s Players’ Voice Panel, published a statement calling for significant changes within the organisation. The statement was subsequently shared by prominent players and former internationals, including England defender Lucy Bronze, France World Cup winner Emmanuel Petit and former England goalkeeper David James.

The players criticised FIFA for making major decisions without sufficient consultation with footballers or supporters. They argued that the sport had moved away from its traditional values under Infantino’s leadership and called for players and fans to have a greater say in how football is governed.

“Change is necessary,” the statement said, arguing that recent developments had made it impossible for players to remain silent.

Infantino is facing increasing pressure from several parts of the football world. UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin has suggested that the FIFA president should either step aside or face a serious challenge at next year’s election.

However, Infantino still retains influential support. Samuel Eto’o, president of the Cameroon Football Association and a former Barcelona striker, has defended the FIFA president and said he does not believe Infantino has done anything wrong.

Eto’o credited Infantino with expanding opportunities for smaller nations and increasing Africa’s influence within international football.

With more national associations and prominent players now calling for change, the pressure on Infantino is growing. The crucial question will be whether his opponents can unite behind a credible alternative before the FIFA presidential election next March.

FIFA chief operating officer Kevin Lamour has left the organisation less than three weeks after publicly challenging president Gianni Infantino over a controversial plan to bring private investment into FIFA's competitions.

FIFA confirmed on Monday, 17 August 2026, that its working relationship with Lamour had ended. The governing body did not provide a reason for his departure, saying only that FIFA and Lamour had “agreed to part ways”.

In a message to FIFA staff, secretary general Mattias Grafstrom said the decision followed recent discussions and thanked Lamour for his contribution during his two years with the organisation.

Lamour joined FIFA in November 2024 after previously working as deputy general secretary at UEFA. He was one of the senior figures within FIFA's administration, although he was two levels below Infantino.

His departure comes against the backdrop of growing political tensions surrounding Infantino and his plans for FIFA's commercial operations.

Controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise plan

The dispute centred on FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a proposed company that would have overseen the commercial and ticketing rights connected to FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.

Infantino's plan to sell a 21% stake in the proposed company to private investment firms triggered strong opposition across international football.

UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation all raised concerns about the proposal. UEFA went as far as threatening to boycott the World Cup if the plan was implemented.

Lamour subsequently became one of the most outspoken internal critics of the project.

Last month, he described FFE as “the project of one person” and argued that football's political leaders needed to take responsibility for what was happening within FIFA.

He also claimed that FIFA's own administration had been “deceived” over the project.

Lamour said FIFA employees' primary responsibility was to serve football and argued that a president should unite and inspire people rather than divide them.

Acknowledging his obligation to FIFA, he nevertheless said he also had a responsibility to certain principles and to his colleagues.

“If that means I lose my job, then so be it,” Lamour said at the time.

 FFE abandoned after widespread opposition

The pressure surrounding FFE eventually forced FIFA to abandon the proposal.

The decision was a significant setback for Infantino, who has increasingly faced criticism from football authorities over his leadership and commercial ambitions.

A further blow came when Carlos Cordeiro, a senior adviser to Infantino, resigned during the controversy.

Infantino subsequently secured backing from a number of senior FIFA executives at a meeting in Morocco earlier this month. Lamour, however, was reportedly not invited to the meeting.

His departure now adds another dramatic chapter to the dispute.

 Infantino faces growing opposition ahead of election

The controversy comes at a particularly sensitive time for Infantino as he seeks a fourth term as FIFA president.

UEFA and Concacaf have withdrawn their previous support for his re-election at the FIFA Congress in March 2027.

Several European football associations have also turned against him. England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have already withdrawn their support, while the Scottish FA became the latest to do so on Monday.

However, Infantino still retains substantial backing elsewhere.

Football authorities from Africa, South America and Oceania have supported his bid, while several Concacaf members have broken with their confederation to back him. Mexico is among those supporting Infantino.

The divisions demonstrate how contested the FIFA presidency has become as the 2027 election approaches.

What FIFA says about Lamour's departure

FIFA has not directly linked Lamour's departure to his criticism of FFE or Infantino.

Its official statement was limited to confirming that the relationship between FIFA and its chief operating officer ended on 17 August.

“FIFA thanks Kevin for his two years of service and wishes him the best of luck for the future,” a FIFA spokesperson said.

Grafstrom similarly told FIFA Council members that the organisation had agreed to part ways with Lamour following recent discussions.

Lamour has been approached for comment.

His departure nevertheless raises further questions about the internal divisions within FIFA, particularly after the collapse of the FFE project and the growing opposition to Infantino ahead of next year's presidential election.

For now, FIFA maintains that Lamour's exit was an agreed decision. But given the timing and his recent public criticism of the president's plans, his departure is likely to fuel further scrutiny of the leadership and governance of world football.

A growing alliance of football’s major continental confederations is preparing a new blueprint for how the global game should be governed, amid an escalating confrontation with FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) are understood to be working together on a policy document that would outline a possible alternative model for FIFA. The initiative reflects mounting frustration over what the three organisations regard as an increasingly centralised and opaque style of leadership under Infantino.

People familiar with the discussions say the group is considering fundamental questions about FIFA's future. These include the organisation's core responsibilities, the way its leadership should be structured, how decisions should be made and how FIFA's substantial financial resources should be distributed among its members.

The use of FIFA's reserves is expected to be a particularly important issue. With the governing body holding billions of dollars in reserves, the confederations want to examine whether the money could be distributed and invested in a way that provides greater long-term benefits for national associations and football development.

The move comes after a major dispute over Infantino's recently abandoned proposal to create a commercial vehicle that would allow private investors to acquire an interest in World Cup-related assets. FIFA eventually withdrew the plan following widespread opposition, but the episode has deepened concerns among several of its most powerful members about transparency and consultation.

Rather than waiting for FIFA's leadership to initiate the governance review they have requested, UEFA, Concacaf and the AFC have begun developing their own proposals. The resulting framework could eventually become the platform for a challenger seeking to defeat Infantino in FIFA's next presidential election.

There is also a more dramatic possibility. If the dispute cannot be resolved, the proposals could potentially provide the foundations for an alternative structure outside FIFA, although such a development would represent an extraordinary rupture in international football.

The three confederations have already signalled that they are prepared to consider more direct action. In a joint statement, they called for leadership that serves football rather than concentrates power, while discussions have reportedly begun about the possibility of staging alternative competitions if the conflict with FIFA's leadership continues.

UEFA's position has become particularly confrontational. European officials have threatened to boycott FIFA competitions unless the governing body agrees to an independent investigation into the controversy surrounding the World Cup investment proposal and provides firm guarantees that similar decisions will not be made without proper consultation in the future.

One immediate consequence could involve the Under-20 Women's World Cup. UEFA has indicated that European teams could withdraw from the tournament if FIFA fails to respond to its demands quickly enough.

The growing alliance also has potential implications for the FIFA presidency. Concacaf president Victor Montagliani is currently viewed as one of the strongest possible candidates to challenge Infantino. Montagliani has previously insisted that his immediate priority is securing his own re-election at Concacaf, but his public comments about leadership and accountability have closely reflected the language now being used by FIFA's critics.

The political manoeuvring is intensifying as senior European football officials gather in Salzburg for meetings surrounding the UEFA Super Cup. UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin is expected to meet with Nasser Al-Khelaifi, chairman of European Football Clubs, as European football seeks to maintain a united position over FIFA's leadership.

The meetings come at a critical moment for Infantino. Although FIFA has apologised for mistakes surrounding the failed investment initiative and withdrawn the proposal, opposition from major confederations has continued.

What began as a dispute over one controversial commercial proposal has therefore evolved into a much broader argument about who should control the future of global football.

For the first time in years, influential parts of the football world are not simply demanding changes from FIFA—they are beginning to consider what a different FIFA could actually look like.

Twice in World Cup history, FIFA has overturned a red-card suspension. Both times, a head of state made a call. The question is not simply whether the reversals were justified, but how far sport’s justice system can be pushed before it stops looking like justice.


Folarin Balogun, sent off for a foul on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Tarik Muharemović, was cleared to face Belgium after FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee invoked Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. His one-match suspension was suspended for a year and replaced with a $40,000 fine. On paper, a technical ruling. In practice, one of the tournament’s defining controversies.

There was a striking precedent. In 1962, Brazil’s Garrincha was sent off in a World Cup semi-final for kicking a Chilean opponent. FIFA overturned the suspension, allowing him to play in the final, which Brazil won. Political pressure accompanied the decision: Chile’s president cosigned a petition seeking clemency, while Peru’s president reportedly called the referee to play down the incident. Sixty-four years later, football appeared to find itself in much the same place.

 


Trump and Balogun

The controversy over Balogun was not merely the outcome, but the process. Reports suggested the disciplinary chair acted alone, without other committee members normally expected in a case of such significance. More troublingly, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that he personally called FIFA requesting a review. FIFA’s president acknowledged the call but maintained that it did not influence the decision.


Whether FIFA was actually influenced is almost beside the point. Once a head of state is known to have lobbied a governing body while a case is pending, and to have secured a favourable decision through a rarely used route, the appearance of interference is already damaging. Belgium lodged a formal complaint, and other federations soon began citing the Balogun ruling in seeking leniency in their own cases. One exception can quickly unsettle an entire disciplinary framework.

The issue is therefore bigger than whether Balogun deserved his suspension. That is a football question. The sharper question is whether sporting justice can remain credible once it appears to bend towards political pressure rather than legal principle.

 

Why Independence Isn’t Optional

A disciplinary body has one fundamental obligation: to apply the rules consistently, regardless of who is watching. Once outside pressure begins shaping outcomes, the institution risks ceasing to be a judicial body and becoming a negotiating table. And negotiating tables do not command the respect courts do.

Remove independence, even in one high-profile case, and the consequences spread. Athletes doubt that sanctions are evenly applied. Clubs question whether outcomes reflect rules or influence. Fans wonder whether results are earned on the pitch or settled off it. Eventually, the competition itself loses legitimacy.

Sports justice should not be held to a lower standard than “real” justice merely because games rather than liberty are at stake. A disciplinary panel considering a red card is still performing a judicial function: applying a code to facts through a prescribed process and producing a binding outcome. Compromise that function, and it becomes discretion wearing justice’s clothes.

 

What FIFA’s Own Rules Say

FIFA does not need to invent a standard for independence. It has already been written once.

Its Statutes require member associations to manage their affairs independently and without outside influence. They demand political neutrality and processes that guarantee the independence of internal bodies. These principles are not decorative. FIFA has suspended national federations, including Nigeria, Kuwait and India, when governments crossed the line.

Strictly speaking, those provisions apply primarily to member associations rather than FIFA’s own disciplinary committees. But the principle is difficult to escape: FIFA cannot demand independence from institutions beneath it while appearing comfortable with political pressure directed at itself.

The FIFA Code of Ethics goes further, requiring integrity, independence, objectivity and freedom from conflicts of interest. The problem is not limited to proving that someone was actually influenced. The appearance of compromised judgment matters because confidence in justice depends on both reality and perception.

The Disciplinary Code itself is grounded in due process, including the right to be heard, appeal rights and proportionality. Article 27 gives FIFA discretion to suspend sanctions, but discretion must operate within procedural safeguards. Discretion is not the problem; discretion exercised outside its protections is.

 

Five Guarantees Every Athlete Is Owed

Across FIFA’s Disciplinary Code, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) framework and wider principles of due process, five basic guarantees emerge:

Clear notice of the allegations.
A genuine opportunity to respond before a decision.
An impartial tribunal is protected from outside pressure.
A reasoned decision capable of scrutiny and challenge.
A meaningful right of appeal, insulated where possible from pressure affecting the original decision.
These principles extend beyond FIFA. Wherever disciplinary power exists, fairness must accompany it.

CAS Had to Earn Its Independence Too

The Court of Arbitration for Sport was created in the 1980s, in part, to address the uncomfortable problem of sporting federations effectively adjudicating their own disputes. But CAS itself had to prove its independence.

In Gundel v FEI in 1993, questions arose over whether CAS was too closely connected to the International Olympic Committee to be genuinely independent. Although the Swiss Federal Tribunal upheld CAS, the scrutiny triggered important reforms, including the creation of the International Council of Arbitration for Sport to provide greater institutional separation.

The issue returned in Mutu and Pechstein v Switzerland. The European Court of Human Rights accepted CAS as sufficiently independent, while finding that Claudia Pechstein had wrongly been denied a public hearing in proceedings affecting her livelihood. The lesson was clear: institutional independence matters, but so do procedural guarantees.

 

FIFA Has Punished Political Interference Before

FIFA’s history makes the Balogun controversy particularly uncomfortable.

Nigeria was suspended in 2014 after government intervention in the Nigeria Football Federation. Kuwait endured a roughly two-year suspension after legislation interfered with federation independence. India was suspended in 2022 after a court-appointed committee took control of its federation. Pakistan was suspended twice, in 2017 and 2021, for undue third-party interference.

FIFA’s response was severe: entire countries, athletes included, were excluded rather than allow political interference to stand. That is the standard against which the Balogun controversy deserves to be judged.

 

The Difficult Balance

Should political leaders remain silent when sporting decisions affect national interests? Probably not. Public disappointment and criticism are inevitable.

But there is a meaningful difference between criticising a decision and directly contacting the governing body while that decision is being considered. Ordinary legal systems recognise the distinction: criticising a judgment afterwards is legitimate public discourse; calling the judge while the case is pending is something altogether different.

Sporting integrity is tested precisely in difficult moments — when the caller is powerful, the tournament politically important, and the price of saying no considerable. If independence survives only when no one important challenges it, then it was never really independence. It was convenient to wear Independence’s clothes.

Conclusion

Sport derives its legitimacy not merely from the rules of the game, but from confidence that those rules are applied fairly. A decision’s popularity should matter far less than whether it was reached independently, transparently and according to established law and procedure.

That is why the Balogun controversy reaches beyond one red card, one footballer or one World Cup match.

Once politics begins shaping — or appears capable of shaping — sporting justice, the greatest casualty may not be the player who is suspended or cleared.

It may be the game’s credibility.

By Abdulhakeem Damilare Orovwuje, a legal practitioner with an interest in sports law and dispute resolution, lives in Agbado, Lagos

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has strongly denied allegations that UEFA made a six-figure payment to a woman who was allegedly involved in a relationship with him during his time as the organisation’s general secretary.

According to a Daily Telegraph investigation, the woman received a departure payment from UEFA after her alleged relationship with Infantino. Infantino, who is married, has categorically denied the allegations and rejected any suggestion of inappropriate conduct.

A FIFA spokesperson said: “FIFA president Gianni Infantino strongly denies these allegations, and they are categorically untrue. Any insinuation of inappropriate conduct or violation of statutes or regulations is defamatory.”

The spokesperson also said that no employee at UEFA or FIFA had ever filed a complaint concerning Infantino’s behaviour, adding that there had been no incident involving him.

UEFA confirmed that a departure payment had been made to the woman but said it was not a payoff. The organisation explained that the payment included costs associated with her completing an MBA at a local business school.

UEFA said all payments were made in accordance with the regulations in place at the time. However, it acknowledged that its rules have since been strengthened and now reflect the standards expected of a modern, high-profile organisation.

Infantino served as UEFA’s general secretary from 2009 to 2016 before becoming FIFA president. The allegations come at a politically sensitive period for Infantino, as he faces scrutiny over his leadership and previously proposed plans to attract private investment into World Cup-related assets.

The Premier League has gone transfer-mad.

English clubs have smashed the summer spending record for the second year running, pouring a staggering £3.410bn into the transfer market.

And the message to the rest of Europe is clear: the Premier League has money — and plenty of it.

Last summer’s record of £3.14bn has already been blown away.

Then came deadline day.

Manchester City paid an initial £60m for Iliman Ndiaye, pushing the total beyond the previous record.

And that still wasn’t the end.

Soon after the window slammed shut, City confirmed another blockbuster: £125m for Enzo Fernández from Chelsea, matching the British transfer record.

Three of the 10 most expensive transfers in football history have now been completed this summer — and every one involved a Premier League club.

Chelsea paid £117m for Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa.

Manchester City spent £116m on Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest.

Liverpool committed an initial £106m for Bradley Barcola, with the deal potentially rising to £123m.

The numbers are staggering.

Just five years ago, Premier League clubs spent £1.13bn in an entire summer.

Now they are spending almost three times that amount.

England is buying England

Perhaps the most remarkable part of the spending spree is where the money is going.

Increasingly, Premier League clubs are buying from each other.

Around 35% of transfer-fee deals this summer have been completed between Premier League clubs, up from 30% last year.

Add deals involving clubs lower down the English pyramid and that figure rises to 44%.

Tottenham paid up to £100m for Sandro Tonali.

They also spent £85m on Mateus Fernandes and potentially £85m on Savio.

Arsenal paid £75m for Bruno Guimarães.

Manchester United spent £70m on Carlos Baleba.

The Premier League is becoming its own transfer marketplace.

Europe struggles to keep up

The financial gap is becoming impossible to ignore.

Premier League clubs have maintained a net spend of more than £1bn, comfortably ahead of Europe's other major leagues.

And even when English clubs sell, much of the money simply stays in England.

Newly promoted Ipswich Town have spent more on players than European heavyweights such as Barcelona, AC Milan, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain.

That tells you everything about the scale of the Premier League's financial muscle.

Why leave England to shop abroad?

There is a simple reason many clubs are increasingly looking closer to home:

certainty.

A player who has already succeeded in the Premier League is a safer bet than an expensive import who still has to adapt to English football.

Recent big-money signings from abroad have not always delivered, giving clubs another reason to target proven Premier League performers.

There is also a darker side to the boom.

Foreign clubs know exactly how much money Premier League sides have — and that can push asking prices higher.

So English clubs are often choosing to spend huge sums on players they already know, rather than gamble on talent from overseas.

The result?

Record spending. Record fees. Record power.

The Premier League isn't just dominating English football.

It is reshaping the global transfer market — one £100m deal at a time.

FIFA has imposed lengthy suspensions on Argentina internationals Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina following incidents that occurred after Argentina’s 1–0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.

Paredes has been suspended for 10 matches for his involvement in confrontations with Spain players after the final whistle. Molina has received a seven-match ban after being found to have played a role in the post-match altercations, including an alleged incident involving Spain captain Rodri.

FIFA’s disciplinary proceedings examined multiple allegations against both players. Paredes faced three assault charges, while Molina was investigated for two alleged assaults as well as an additional charge of unsporting behaviour.

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has also been punished. FIFA has issued the federation a $321,000 (£243,000) fine for a number of disciplinary violations, including discriminatory chants and gestures by supporters, misconduct by members of the team and the use of a sporting event for political or other non-sporting demonstrations.

Argentina will additionally face restrictions on spectators at its next two home matches. However, one of those matches will be subject to a suspended sanction.

The AFA was also penalised over a political banner displayed by Argentina players following their 2–1 semi-final victory over England. The banner expressed Argentina’s claim to sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, which Argentina refers to as the Islas Malvinas. FIFA determined that the display could violate its regulations prohibiting the use of football events for non-sporting demonstrations.

The disciplinary measures bring an end to FIFA’s investigation into the controversial scenes surrounding Argentina’s World Cup campaign. Spain ultimately claimed the title after defeating Argentina 1–0 following extra time in the final.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez have chosen to celebrate their marriage in a way that reflects what matters most to them: family, privacy and the life they have built together.

Rather than hosting a lavish ceremony, the couple exchanged their vows in the living room of their home in Cascais, Portugal. For Rodríguez, the decision was deeply personal and very different from the wedding she once imagined as a child.

Growing up, she dreamed of a fairytale celebration, complete with a magnificent castle, a grand carriage, a dramatic wedding dress and a diamond-covered crown. But over the years, her idea of the perfect wedding changed.

Today, Rodríguez says she values an intimate celebration surrounded by her partner and their children far more than an extravagant event.

The choice of their living room also carried special meaning. It is a place where the family spends time together and creates everyday memories. Rodríguez hopes that their children will one day look back and remember that their parents made one of the most important promises of their lives in a place that was already part of their family story.

For a couple accustomed to luxury, the decision was not about what they could afford. With beautiful homes, expensive cars, horses and countless extraordinary experiences already part of their lives, Rodríguez felt that another grand display would not necessarily make the occasion more special.

Instead, they chose something simple and personal.

Their living room became the setting for a milestone they wanted their children to remember—not for its extravagance, but because it was the place where their family shared an unforgettable moment together.

US President Donald Trump has warned that it would be a “terrible mistake” for FIFA to remove president Gianni Infantino from his position.

Trump’s comments come after UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation issued an open letter accusing Infantino of breaking their trust “through deception” over his proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).

The FFE plan would have involved creating a new company to manage the commercial and ticketing rights for FIFA competitions, including the World Cup. Under the proposal, a 21% stake in the company would have been sold to a private investment group.

“FIFA would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing president Gianni Infantino,” Trump wrote on social media.

“He is fantastic, having just presided over the most successful World Cup, by four times, ever presented. If he is gone, it will never be as successful or profitable again.”

The 2026 World Cup was co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, with Spain winning the tournament after defeating Argentina in the final.

Trump’s latest remarks mark his strongest public defence of Infantino since details of the FFE proposal emerged on 28 July. When he first addressed the issue on 31 July, Trump said he had not discussed the proposal with Infantino.

Thrive Capital, the US venture capital firm founded by Joshua Kushner, was expected to lead the proposed investment group. Kushner is the brother of Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law.

The FFE proposal was ultimately abandoned, but the controversy has intensified scrutiny of Infantino’s leadership and FIFA’s plans for managing its lucrative commercial rights.

FIFA has accused some of its critics of carrying out a coordinated campaign to weaken the organisation and force out president Gianni Infantino.

The governing body issued the statement after a report by the *Daily Telegraph* made allegations concerning Infantino's private life. The newspaper reported that a woman allegedly involved in an affair with Infantino while he was UEFA general secretary later received a severance payment from UEFA.

Infantino has strongly rejected the allegations, with FIFA describing the claims as "categorically untrue". The organisation also criticised what it called speculation, misinformation and claims that have not been properly substantiated.

The dispute comes as Infantino faces increasing opposition from European football authorities following the collapse of his proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). The plan would have established a new company responsible for commercial and ticketing rights, with a 21% stake potentially being sold to a private investment firm.

UEFA has publicly stated that it no longer has confidence in Infantino and has warned that a boycott of FIFA competitions remains possible. The European governing body has also said it has yet to receive guarantees that the FFE proposal cannot be brought back in another form.

Opposition has grown beyond UEFA, with Norwegian Football Federation president Lise Klaveness calling on Infantino to step down.

FIFA, however, insists that Infantino continues to have a legitimate mandate after being elected by its member associations.

"The FIFA president was democratically elected by FIFA's Member Associations and continues to serve with their mandate," the organisation said.

FIFA also argued that anyone seeking to replace Infantino should do so through the organisation's established democratic procedures rather than through public accusations or what it described as misinformation.

The strongest resistance to Infantino has so far come from Europe. Elsewhere, he continues to enjoy significant support.

The Mexican Football Federation has backed the FIFA president, despite taking a position different from its regional governing body, Concacaf. Mexico joined South America's CONMEBOL in opposing any attempt to remove Infantino without a vote involving all 211 FIFA member associations.

Infantino also has unanimous backing from the 54 member associations of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The growing divide therefore reflects a broader battle over FIFA's leadership and commercial direction, with Infantino facing serious criticism in Europe while retaining substantial support across other regions of world football.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri is approaching a crucial crossroads in his career, with Barcelona and Real Madrid both emerging as potential destinations if he decides to leave the Etihad Stadium this summer.

The 30-year-old has entered the final year of his contract with City and has yet to agree to an extension. While the Premier League champions remain confident he will stay, growing interest from Spain has intensified speculation over his future.

Real Madrid have admired Rodri for several years, but Barcelona have now entered the race. Sources close to the Catalan club claim the midfielder has given his approval for them to begin discussions with Manchester City. Although no agreement is in place, it represents a significant step if Barcelona decide to pursue a transfer.

Rodri's recent seasons have been disrupted by injury. He missed much of the 2024-25 campaign after suffering a serious knee injury and later dealt with a hamstring problem. However, he reminded everyone of his quality during the summer by captaining Spain to World Cup success and earning the tournament's Player of the Tournament award.

Earlier this season, Rodri indicated that any decision regarding his future would be made after the World Cup. He is currently recovering from back surgery and has not yet joined Manchester City's squad on their pre-season tour of Asia.

Once he returns, he will have three clear options: sign a new long-term contract with City, remain until his current deal expires and leave as a free agent next summer, or seek a move back to Spain before the transfer window closes.

Manchester City have consistently stated that they expect Rodri to remain at the club and would only consider a sale if a substantial offer were made.

A move to Barcelona would reunite Rodri with several Spain teammates, including Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí and Pedri. On the other hand, joining Real Madrid would see him link up again with former City teammate Bernardo Silva, who reportedly arrived at the Spanish giants on a free transfer this summer under returning manager José Mourinho.

If Rodri chooses Barcelona, his arrival may not receive universal approval. The midfielder previously represented Atlético Madrid, while comments he made in the past about Real Madrid being "one of the best clubs in the world" could make his reception among Barça supporters an interesting one.

Should Manchester City lose Rodri, replacing one of the world's finest midfielders would be a major challenge. Since arriving in 2019, he has helped the club win four Premier League titles, the Champions League and two FA Cups, becoming the heartbeat of Pep Guardiola's midfield.

City would likely look to Mateo Kovačić, Nico González or Tijjani Reijnders to fill the void, while club-record signing Elliot Anderson is expected to play an important role. The club also remain interested in Lille teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi, although asking the 18-year-old to replace a player of Rodri's stature would be a considerable task.

For now, Rodri's future remains uncertain, but with Barcelona and Real Madrid monitoring his situation and Manchester City determined to keep him, one of the biggest transfer stories of the summer could soon unfold.

UEFA is continuing its campaign to find a single candidate capable of challenging Gianni Infantino in next year’s FIFA presidential election, even as it prepares to abandon its threatened boycott of FIFA competitions.

The decision to drop the boycott follows assurances from FIFA that the controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal will not be brought back. The plan, which involved opening FIFA’s commercial interests to private investment, triggered strong opposition across European football and led UEFA’s 55 member associations to consider withdrawing from FIFA tournaments.

UEFA is expected to formally communicate the decision to its member associations and FIFA Council representatives following its executive committee meeting in Monaco. The move will allow European teams to take part in the upcoming FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland, where England, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and hosts Poland are scheduled to compete.

However, ending the boycott does not mean UEFA has ended its opposition to Infantino. European football officials remain determined to find a unity candidate to contest the FIFA presidency when the election takes place in March 2027. UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin has ruled himself out of the race but has indicated that a challenger is likely to emerge.

The election could be significantly closer than Infantino might have expected only a few months ago. A candidate needs 106 votes from FIFA’s 211 member associations to secure victory, meaning an opposition campaign would need to build support well beyond Europe.

One of the strongest potential challengers is CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani, who is reportedly considering a bid. Other names have also emerged, including AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa and FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafström, although neither has formally entered the race.


UEFA has also stepped away from the idea of pursuing a formal vote of no confidence against Infantino. Such an initiative would require the backing of three-quarters of FIFA’s membership, making it considerably more difficult than simply building a coalition around an alternative candidate.

For UEFA, the objective now appears to be political as much as electoral. Even if Infantino manages to win another term, European officials believe that a narrow victory could weaken his authority and raise questions about the level of support for his leadership.

The dispute began after Infantino’s proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative sparked widespread concern over the potential commercialization and private ownership of major FIFA competitions. FIFA subsequently abandoned the proposal, but the controversy continued to fuel criticism of Infantino’s leadership and governance.


Infantino, meanwhile, continues to seek re-election and retains significant support, particularly among some African and South American associations. With the nomination deadline set for November 18, the coming months will be crucial in determining whether UEFA and its allies can agree on a single candidate capable of mounting a serious challenge.

The withdrawal of the boycott may ease the immediate confrontation between UEFA and FIFA, but it does not resolve the deeper political conflict. With several confederations increasingly questioning Infantino’s leadership, the 2027 FIFA presidential election is shaping up to be one of the most contested in recent years.

With a new campaign approaching, the usual question returns: how will all 20 Premier League clubs fare?

This season is particularly difficult to predict. There are numerous new managers, major transfers across the division and several clubs looking very different from the teams that finished last season.

Here is our predicted final Premier League table.

1. Arsenal — Champions

Arsenal finally ended their long wait for a Premier League title last season, and I expect them to retain it.

Mikel Arteta has built a squad packed with quality in virtually every position. The champions also have something they lacked in previous years: the confidence and experience of knowing exactly what it takes to finish the job.

Their impressive Community Shield victory over Manchester City offered another early indication of their strength.

Unless injuries or an unexpected loss of form intervene, Arsenal look the most complete team in the division.

2. Manchester City

Manchester City enter a new chapter after Pep Guardiola's departure and the arrival of Enzo Maresca.

There has been considerable change at the Etihad, with several influential figures leaving. Rodri, Bernardo Silva and John Stones are among the major departures, leaving Maresca with the difficult task of rebuilding without losing the club's winning mentality.

Still, City retain Erling Haaland, and having a striker of his quality makes them impossible to dismiss.

New additions are also expected before the transfer window closes. City may not immediately return to their previous dominance, but another trophy-winning campaign looks likely.

3. Liverpool

Liverpool endured a dramatic fall from champions to fifth last season, leading to another managerial change.

Andoni Iraola now takes charge, bringing an energetic, aggressive approach from Bournemouth. The transition will not necessarily be straightforward, particularly as the club moves into life after Mohamed Salah.

Nevertheless, Liverpool still possess enormous talent.

Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak give the attack a new dimension, while several young players could make significant breakthroughs. If the squad adapts quickly to Iraola's methods, Liverpool should comfortably return to the Champions League places.

4. Chelsea

Chelsea are my biggest gamble near the top of the table.

Xabi Alonso has arrived after establishing himself as an outstanding young coach at Bayer Leverkusen. His biggest challenge will be turning Chelsea's enormous squad into a coherent team.

There is plenty of ability available to him, and the club's decision to add experienced figures such as Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck suggests they are also trying to bring greater leadership to the dressing room.

Morgan Rogers and Maxence Lacroix strengthen the squad further.

With no European competition to distract them, Chelsea could surprise a few people. A top-four finish is certainly within reach.

5. Manchester United

Michael Carrick gets his first full season in charge after helping United recover from a difficult period and secure Champions League football.

The expectation should be much higher this time. United need to challenge for trophies and establish themselves among England's leading clubs again.

Youri Tielemans brings intelligence and experience to midfield, while Andrey Santos offers considerable potential.

There are still obvious gaps that need addressing, particularly if United genuinely want to challenge for the title. I do not expect them to go that far, but another strong season should be possible.

6. Aston Villa

Unai Emery continues to be one of the Premier League's most accomplished managers, and Villa remain capable of competing at the highest level.

However, this summer has brought significant change. The departures of important players, including Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers, leave Emery with another rebuilding job.

Alejandro Garnacho has the opportunity to revive his career, while Joao Gomes adds quality to midfield.

Villa's recruitment of young Swiss midfielder Johan Manzambi could also prove inspired. There is plenty of uncertainty, but Emery's tactical ability gives Villa a very high floor.

7. Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham simply cannot afford another season like the last one.

Roberto de Zerbi now has considerably more backing from the club, and Spurs have invested heavily in strengthening the squad.

Andrew Robertson and Marcos Senesi provide experience, while the midfield has received an enormous financial investment through the arrivals of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes.

Jan Paul van Hecke should strengthen the defence, while Micky van de Ven remaining at the club is another positive.

The talent is certainly there. The question is whether De Zerbi can turn it into a consistent team. I expect a dramatic improvement.

8. Nottingham Forest

Forest's campaign last season was undermined by constant managerial upheaval.

Oliver Glasner now has the opportunity to bring some stability. His demanding style should suit a club that possesses considerable attacking quality.

The sale of Elliot Anderson provides Forest with significant funds to reinvest, while Ousmane Diomande adds strength at the back.

Morgan Gibbs-White remains one of their most important players.

If Glasner gets the balance right, Forest should move comfortably away from the relegation battle.

9. Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton return to European competition, this time in the Conference League, meaning Fabian Hurzeler will have to manage a heavier schedule.

That additional workload is a concern, but Brighton remain one of the division's best-run clubs.

The departures of Danny Welbeck, James Milner and Jan Paul van Hecke remove experience, although Luka Vuskovic and Pascal Struijk strengthen the defence.

There is enough talent throughout the squad for Brighton to enjoy another successful season.

10. Brentford

Keith Andrews impressed after taking over from Thomas Frank and now has the chance to establish himself.

Brentford narrowly missed out on European football last season, and there is little reason to expect a major decline.

Mamadou Sangare's arrival represents another ambitious investment, while Callum Wilson provides valuable Premier League experience if he can remain fit.

Igor Thiago also gives Brentford a dangerous attacking focal point.

A top-half finish looks realistic.

11. Crystal Palace

Palace face another significant change following Oliver Glasner's departure.

Pierre Sage has earned an excellent reputation and now inherits a squad containing plenty of quality.

Dean Henderson remains dependable in goal, while Adam Wharton gives them creativity in midfield. Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr provide plenty of threat going forward.

The biggest issue will be retaining their best players.

If Palace avoid further major departures, another comfortable mid-table season — and perhaps another cup run — should be achievable.

12. Newcastle United

Newcastle enter the campaign with plenty of uncertainty.

Eddie Howe has left, along with several important players, while Matthias Jaissle now faces the task of rebuilding the side.

The departures of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon represent a huge loss of quality and experience.

Jaissle has added several promising young players, including Sean Steur, Bazoumana Toure and Amar Dedic, but Newcastle still need proven quality in midfield.

The club's difficult summer could translate into a difficult season unless recruitment improves quickly.

13. Everton

David Moyes knows Everton still have plenty of work to do.

The club have made some intelligent additions, particularly Hayden Hackney and Christian Norgaard, while Iliman Ndiaye remains an important attacking talent.

Tyler Dibling has also impressed during pre-season.

However, there are concerns at full-back and up front. Everton need greater reliability from their strikers if they are to turn promising performances into points.

Another season of survival looks likely, but Moyes will want considerably more.

14. Bournemouth

Bournemouth face one of the division's most interesting challenges.

Andoni Iraola has left, Marco Rose has taken over, and the club now have European football to contend with as well.

Those changes make a repeat of last season's sixth-place finish extremely difficult.

The injury to Eli Junior Kroupi is another setback, although Alex Scott remains a major asset and the club have continued to recruit intelligently.

Antonio Silva and Alvaro Rodriguez could become important players, while Juanlu Sanchez looks another shrewd addition.

I would not be surprised if Bournemouth outperform this prediction.

15. Leeds United

Daniel Farke asked Leeds to show greater ambition in the transfer market, and the club have responded.

James Trafford's arrival from Manchester City gives them a goalkeeper with major potential, while Harry Wilson is an excellent attacking addition.

Tarik Muharemovic should also improve the defence.

The biggest weapon could once again be Elland Road. Leeds will make life extremely uncomfortable for visiting teams.

I expect them to survive, although another difficult season is likely.

16. Fulham

Fulham begin another new era following Marco Silva's departure.

Alvaro Arbeloa has been handed the job after his time at Real Madrid, making this another appointment that carries an element of risk.

Fulham have nevertheless established themselves as a Premier League club and should have enough quality to avoid serious trouble.

Shea Charles could prove an important addition, while Arbeloa's familiarity with Real Madrid's young players has helped bring Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios to London.

Stability should be the main objective.

17. Sunderland

Sunderland's achievement last season was extraordinary.

Few expected Regis le Bris to take the newly promoted side all the way to European qualification, but that is exactly what happened.

Repeating that success will be extremely difficult.

Keeping Granit Xhaka was a major boost, while Brian Brobbey offers an attacking threat. However, Sunderland have not made enough additions to suggest they can reproduce last season's remarkable results.

A reality check could be coming.

18. Coventry City

Coventry return to the Premier League with plenty of optimism.

Doug King's ownership has brought renewed ambition, while Frank Lampard has overseen an impressive transformation.

The club have also been aggressive in the transfer market. Taiwo Awoniyi provides experience and physical presence, while Gus Hamer's return is a major boost.

Loum Tchaouna, Aurele Amenda and Caleb Yirenkyi add further options.

Coventry have clearly decided to attack the Premier League rather than simply hope for survival.

Even so, staying up will be an enormous challenge.

19. Ipswich Town

Ipswich face another difficult Premier League campaign after Kieran McKenna's surprising departure.

Gary O'Neil now has the responsibility of building on the club's promotion, and the transfer spending shows that Ipswich are serious about remaining in the top flight.

They have invested heavily, bringing in numerous players including Abdoul Ouattara and Julio Enciso.

Daizen Maeda could bring pace and energy to the attack, while Abdul Fatawu is another player capable of making a difference.

Ipswich deserve credit for their ambition, but the Premier League may still prove too strong.

20. Hull City

Hull are back in the top division after a nine-year absence and have wasted little time rebuilding their squad.

Sergej Jakirovic has already welcomed a large group of new players, including goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis and defender Nobel Mendy.

The club have shown genuine ambition and are clearly unwilling to accept that promotion should automatically be followed by relegation.

That spirit could make Hull entertaining to watch.

Unfortunately, we suspect the quality and depth of the Premier League will eventually prove too much.

Final Prediction
Position Club
1 Arsenal
2 Manchester City
3 Liverpool
4 Chelsea
5 Manchester United
6 Aston Villa
7 Tottenham Hotspur
8 Nottingham Forest
9 Brighton & Hove Albion
10 Brentford
11 Crystal Palace
12 Newcastle United
13 Everton
14 Bournemouth
15 Leeds United
16 Fulham
17 Sunderland
18 Coventry City
19 Ipswich Town
20 Hull City

The Premier League rarely follows the script, and this season could be particularly unpredictable. Arsenal look best placed to retain the title, while Chelsea and Tottenham could be among the biggest improvers.

At the other end, the promoted clubs face an uphill battle, with Sunderland also at serious risk of dropping back into the Championship after their extraordinary campaign last season.

Celta Vigo’s LaLiga season opener against Osasuna has been postponed after a fungus outbreak severely damaged the playing surface at Estadio de Balaídos.

The match, originally scheduled for Sunday, was called off after an inspection found that the condition of the pitch had deteriorated despite efforts by Celta to treat the problem. LaLiga said the decision was agreed upon by the clubs and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), citing an illness affecting the stadium’s playing surface.

The two clubs, however, disagree over when the postponed fixture should be played.

Osasuna said Celta had worked to address the fungus and that it understood why the original match could not go ahead. The club claimed, however, that the two teams had agreed to reschedule the game for September 24 or 25, during the international break.

According to Osasuna, that arrangement would have limited the impact on both teams’ schedules and provided players with additional recovery time early in the season.

LaLiga and the RFEF instead scheduled the match for August 27. Osasuna said the decision was made without its consent, despite league and federation officials being aware of the agreement between the clubs.

“The team most affected by the initial postponement for reasons beyond its control is again the most affected by the new schedule,” Osasuna said.

The club also criticized the timing of the postponement, arguing that the decision came only three days before kickoff and reflected what it described as a broader pattern of late calendar changes.

Celta said LaLiga had inspected the pitch the previous week and approved the work being carried out to eliminate the disease. However, the club said recent weather conditions slowed the recovery of the field and ultimately made postponement unavoidable.

The pitch was inspected again by league officials on Wednesday before the decision was finalized.

While both clubs accepted that the damaged surface made the original fixture impossible, Osasuna remains unhappy with the replacement date. The dispute now centers on whether the match should be played on August 27 or moved to the September international break.

Osasuna ended its statement with a pointed criticism of the league’s handling of the situation: “This is not football — it’s La Liga.”

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is reportedly part of a consortium that is close to acquiring a significant minority stake in Liverpool Football Club.

According to Sky News, the consortium, led by British-Indian businessman Amit Bhatia, is nearing a deal to purchase roughly one-third of the Premier League club from current owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG).

FSG confirmed last month that it had been approached by Bhatia’s investment group, which includes Bezos and Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin.

An FSG spokesperson said: “An investment consortium led, managed, and represented by Amit Bhatia has expressed interest in making a strategic minority investment in Liverpool Football Club.”

Sky News reports that an announcement could be made in the coming days. The proposed transaction could value Liverpool at approximately £4.5 billion ($6 billion).

Bezos, whose wealth is estimated at around $257 billion, has previously explored opportunities to invest in professional sports. Last year, he considered bids for the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders but ultimately did not pursue either deal.

Bhatia, a British-Indian millionaire and former co-owner of Queens Park Rangers, is the son-in-law of billionaire steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal. He confirmed his departure from QPR’s board last month, around the same time FSG acknowledged discussions with his consortium.

FSG acquired Liverpool in 2010 for around £300 million, when the club was facing significant financial difficulties. Since then, Liverpool have won two Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League, while also benefiting from major investment in Anfield and the club’s training facilities.

FSG also owns the Boston Red Sox and sold a minority stake in Liverpool to investment firm Dynasty in 2023. That investment provided the club with additional capital following the pandemic but was not intended to fund future player transfers.

If completed, the proposed deal would give Bezos and his fellow investors a substantial financial interest in one of the world’s most valuable and successful football clubs, while FSG would retain overall control of Liverpool.

Jorge Messi, the father and longtime representative of football superstar Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68 in Rosario, Argentina, following a prolonged illness.

According to Argentine media reports, Jorge passed away at a sanatorium in Rosario at around 10 p.m. on Friday. His death marks a deeply personal loss for Lionel Messi and the family who stood behind his remarkable journey from Argentina to the pinnacle of world football.

Jorge played a crucial role in shaping his son’s early career. When Lionel was just 13, he helped make the life-changing decision to move to Spain and pursue an opportunity with Barcelona. The move also gave Lionel access to the growth hormone treatment he needed, which had been difficult for the family to afford in Argentina.

During Lionel’s first challenging years in Spain, Jorge remained by his son’s side while other members of the family stayed in Argentina. He supported Lionel through the uncertainty of adapting to a new country and helped him remain focused on his dream of becoming a professional footballer.

Lionel has previously spoken about the difficult decision he faced as a teenager, recalling how his father asked whether he wanted to continue chasing his dream in Spain or return home. Lionel chose to stay — and Jorge stayed with him.

Beyond his role as a father, Jorge became a key figure in Lionel’s professional career, overseeing many aspects of his son’s business and commercial affairs while generally keeping a low public profile.

Concerns about Jorge’s health became more widely known during the 2026 World Cup, when Lionel appeared emotional following Argentina’s opening match. The family later indicated that Jorge was undergoing treatment and recovering.

Jorge Messi is survived by his wife, Celia Cuccittini, and their four children — Lionel, Rodrigo, Matias and Maria Sol.

For Lionel Messi, the loss is not only that of a father but of the person who stood beside him from his earliest days in Rosario, supported his biggest dreams and helped him take the first steps toward becoming one of football’s greatest-ever players.

Gianni Infantino will continue as FIFA president after receiving the unanimous support of the organization's senior management board during a meeting in Rabat, Morocco, on Wednesday.

The meeting was called in response to growing criticism over Infantino's failed proposal to transfer parts of FIFA's commercial and event operations to private investors through the FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative.

UEFA had recently expressed its loss of confidence in Infantino, describing the proposal as an "opaque" and "back-room" deal. Opposition also emerged from within FIFA, including Secretary General Mattias Grafström, who described the situation in an internal memo as "a sad and reproachable series of events."

Despite the backlash, the management board, together with Grafström, released a statement after the meeting reaffirming its full support for Infantino's leadership, confirming that he will remain FIFA president.

More Articles ...

  1. UEFA Renews Yellow-Card Rules, Initiates Running Match Clock
  2. FIFA staff to attend crisis meeting with Infantino in Rabat
  3. Jordan FA President Accuses FIFA of 'Blackmail' Amid Infantino Leadership Crisis
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