Real Madrid and Santiago Bernabeu Stadium
Saturday

Real Madrid have installed only the name “Bernabeu” on the redeveloped stadium’s Castellana facade, dropping the full “Santiago Bernabeu” wording previously displayed. The change is part of the club’s evolving commercial presentation of its extensively renovated home ground.

Several Real Madrid members have criticised shortening the historic name and raised concerns over whether the club crest will remain prominently displayed. Further facade work is still pending as Madrid combines the stadium’s football identity with expanded entertainment and commercial uses.

Scotland, Sebastien Pocognoli and the Scottish FA
Saturday

The Scottish FA has identified former Monaco coach Sebastien Pocognoli as its leading candidate to replace Steve Clarke. The 39-year-old Belgian has held discussions with senior association officials and an appointment is now described as potentially imminent.

Pocognoli built his reputation by leading Union Saint-Gilloise to their first Belgian league title in 90 years before moving to Monaco. Scotland want their new coach installed ahead of a four-match Nations League block beginning against Slovenia in September.

Premier League, Metropolitan Police and London clubs
Friday

The Premier League will fund live facial recognition deployments by London’s Metropolitan Police on selected matchdays. Documents show £3.42m has been approved for testing the technology, forming part of the league’s wider policing and technology investment of up to £10m.

Police can use the system to identify people on football banning orders or wanted for serious offences. Deployments require match-specific justification, visible warning signs and senior authorisation, while images of supporters who do not match police watchlists are deleted immediately.

Liverpool, Fenway Sports Group and 1892 Holdings
Friday

Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group have entered a definitive agreement to sell roughly 30% of the club to 1892 Holdings, a consortium involving Jeff Bezos, Amit Bhatia and Eduardo Saverin. FSG will retain majority ownership and operational control.

The transaction values Liverpool at roughly £5bn to £6bn and could return more than £1.5bn to FSG, pending regulatory approval. Bhatia will become vice-chairman, while the investment brings global business and technology links without creating a new transfer budget.

Shakhtar Donetsk and Chelsea
Friday

Shakhtar Donetsk have identified Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge as their preferred home venue for this season’s Champions League matches, according to the uploaded report. No final agreement has been signed, but the Ukrainian champions are working toward a London-based arrangement.

Shakhtar have played European home fixtures outside Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion, previously using venues in Poland, Slovenia and Germany. Chelsea’s absence from European competition makes Stamford Bridge available during Champions League windows and reduces Shakhtar’s travel burden.

Mikel Arteta and Arsenal
Friday

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal supporters do not need to worry about his future despite entering the final 12 months of his contract. The manager confirmed he wants to remain and believes the club shares that intention, with formal renewal talks still pending.

Arsenal are prioritising squad work before resolving the contract, and Arteta says timing is not a concern because both sides are comfortable with the situation. The Spaniard led Arsenal to last season’s Premier League title and Champions League final.

Burnley and Finotive One
Friday

Burnley have terminated their front-of-shirt sponsorship agreement with trading company Finotive One only 42 days after announcing it. The club removed affected merchandise from sale and offered full refunds or exchanges to supporters who had already bought the new kits.

Existing partner Vertu Motors has stepped in as replacement sponsor, but the late change leaves Burnley absorbing commercial, merchandising and promotional costs immediately before their Championship opener. The club said ending the agreement was necessary to protect its interests and supporters.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Marseille and Newcastle United
Friday

Marseille have stripped Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg of the captaincy after he rejected a £15m transfer to Newcastle despite the clubs reaching an agreement. Head coach Bruno Genesio confirmed the disciplinary decision came from management and openly said he disagreed with it.

Hojbjerg’s refusal blocked a sale Marseille wanted as part of efforts to reduce their wage bill and improve finances. Timothy Weah wore the armband in the next friendly, while reports say owner Frank McCourt remains angered by the collapsed Newcastle move.

Bayern Munich and Viessmann
Friday

Bayern Munich are reportedly preparing to sell a five percent equity stake to German heating and climate-control company Viessmann in a deal valued around €250m. The transaction would make Viessmann Bayern’s fourth external shareholder alongside Allianz, Adidas and Audi.

The reported investment would inject major capital while leaving the member-owned association with 70 percent and majority voting control. Allianz, Adidas and Audi each hold 8.33 percent, so the structure preserves Bayern’s existing member-controlled ownership model despite the new investor.

Jimmy Rimmer, Aston Villa and Manchester United
Friday

European Cup-winning goalkeeper Jimmy Rimmer has died aged 78. The former Aston Villa, Manchester United, Arsenal and Swansea player started Villa’s run to the 1982 European Cup final and was also part of United’s 1968 European Cup-winning squad.

Aston Villa, Manchester United and Arsenal paid tribute after his death. Rimmer made 229 league appearances for Villa, won the 1980-81 league title and earned one England cap, leaving a career spanning more than two decades at senior level.