FOOTBALL

Shrewsbury Takeover Approved by EFL and Regulator

Shrewsbury Town and an American consortium
7 September 2026

Shrewsbury Town’s long-running takeover has moved closer to completion after an unidentified American consortium received approval from both the Independent Football Regulator and the English Football League. The League Two club is now finalising the remaining transaction documents.

Chairman Roland Wycherley put Shrewsbury up for sale in 2024, with earlier takeover attempts collapsing and supporter groups demanding answers. The club says its new owner and principal investors will be announced once documentation is completed and the transaction formally concludes.

Crvena Zvezda Fans Display Mladic Tifo Again

Crvena Zvezda, Partizan and Ratko Mladic
6 September 2026

Crvena Zvezda supporters displayed a giant tifo of Ratko Mladic during a minute’s silence before Sunday’s derby with Partizan. Mladic died last month while serving a life sentence for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity from the Balkan wars.

The display followed similar Mladic banners at a European qualifier that brought Crvena Zvezda fines totalling €98,250 and an away-ticket ban from UEFA. UEFA cannot discipline the club for the domestic display, leaving any action to the Serbian Football Association.

NEOM End Al-Hilal’s 47-Game Unbeaten Run

NEOM and Al-Hilal
7 September 2026

NEOM stunned Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Hilal 2-0, handing them their first league defeat of the season and ending a 47-match unbeaten run. The loss also marked Al-Hilal’s first home league defeat since losing to Al-Nassr in April 2025.

Kalidou Koulibaly scored an own goal after 15 minutes before Amadou Kone doubled NEOM’s lead shortly before half-time. Al-Hilal stayed on 15 points, while NEOM moved to 12 and stopped the leaders four matches short of Al-Ahli’s 51-game record.

Edu Leaves Nottingham Forest Global Football Role

Edu and Nottingham Forest
7 September 2026

Edu has left his position as Nottingham Forest’s global head of football after just over a year at the club. His contract is believed to have been terminated, and Forest do not expect to appoint a direct replacement for the former Arsenal sporting director.

Edu had not attended a Forest match since February and his position had been under scrutiny following a previous falling-out with Nuno Espirito Santo. Chief football officer George Syrianos will assume his responsibilities across Forest and owner Evangelos Marinakis’ wider football operation.

Cheick Doucoure Set for Return After 20 Months

Cheick Doucoure and Crystal Palace
7 September 2026

Crystal Palace midfielder Cheick Doucoure is set to make his first senior competitive appearance in nearly 20 months after recovering from successive serious injuries. Manager Pierre Sage confirmed the Mali international will feature in the club’s upcoming Carabao Cup match.

Doucoure first ruptured his Achilles in November 2023, returned for 13 appearances, then suffered a torn meniscus in January last year. After Under-21 minutes, a full pre-season and continued training, Sage says the 26-year-old is ready for limited senior action.

Leon Goretzka Ruled Out for Several Weeks

Leon Goretzka and Aston Villa
7 September 2026

Leon Goretzka will remain sidelined for several weeks before making his Aston Villa debut after his body reacted to increased workload following time away from matches. The summer signing said he needs a short break before returning at full strength.

Goretzka joined Villa on a free transfer after eight years at Bayern Munich but has yet to enter Unai Emery’s squad. The setback means he will miss at least four matches and will not return until after the September and October international fixtures.

Barcelona Plans €210m Bonds After Record Revenue

Barcelona
7 September 2026

Barcelona plan a new €210 million bond issue as repayments linked to the Camp Nou redevelopment begin before the stadium is fully generating expected revenue. The club also reported record operating income of €1.06 billion for 2025-26.

Half of the bond issue was placed in July at 5.14%, with the rest planned for October or November. Barcelona’s 2026-27 budget projects €1.195 billion operating revenue, while sporting costs are forecast at €636 million, around 53% of revenue.

Belgian FA Withdraws Infantino Support Over Balogun Case

Royal Belgian Football Association, Gianni Infantino and Folarin Balogun
7 September 2026

The Royal Belgian Football Association will not support Gianni Infantino’s 2027 FIFA re-election bid and has asked for the Folarin Balogun suspension controversy to be placed on the agenda for the next FIFA Council meeting on 15 October.

Belgium says FIFA has still not properly explained why Balogun’s mandatory World Cup ban was suspended after lobbying from Donald Trump and White House officials. The federation also cited wider transparency and governance concerns around FIFA’s abandoned investment proposal.

Dutch Clubs Form Breakaway Leagues Amid Safety Concerns

Dutch amateur clubs and the KNVB
7 September 2026

More amateur football clubs across the Randstad are creating competitions outside the KNVB because of frustration over aggression and disorder around matches. NOS reported that teams excluded from these new leagues disproportionately often contain many players from migrant backgrounds.

Some competitions invite only clubs participants say they enjoy playing and enforce their own sanctions, without promotion or relegation. The KNVB says it does not welcome the trend, stresses inclusion and says it is working on measures to improve match safety.

Inter Extend Pio Esposito Contract Through 2032

Pio Esposito and Inter Milan
7 September 2026

Inter Milan have extended Pio Esposito’s contract until 2032 after the 21-year-old established himself in the first team. He recorded 10 goals and six assists in 48 appearances during his breakout season as Inter won Serie A and the Coppa Italia.

Esposito joined Inter’s academy in 2014 and returned after a two-year loan spell at Spezia. He credited Cristian Chivu for his development and has already scored this season, opening his account with a backheel goal against Monza.