Atlanta City FC and the NWSL
28 September 2026

Atlanta’s incoming NWSL expansion club has officially unveiled the name Atlanta City FC and a red-and-Georgia-peach identity ahead of its 2028 debut. The crest features a phoenix inside a dogwood-inspired circular design.

Atlanta will enter alongside a new Columbus franchise as the NWSL expands to 18 teams in 2028. The club is owned by Arthur Blank’s AMB Sports and Entertainment and developed its identity after several months of research and fan consultation.

Max Willemse, Hulsel and Nieuw Woensel
27 September 2026

A Dutch fifth-tier match between Hulsel and Nieuw Woensel was abandoned after a spectator allegedly threatened 19-year-old referee Max Willemse with a gun. Willemse stopped the match shortly after half-time and later reported the incident to police.

Hulsel officials immediately removed the spectator and subsequently apologised to Willemse, while confirming the individual would be banned from the ground. The referee said he considered the threat serious but intends to continue officiating future matches.

Ethan Mbappe and Lille
28 September 2026

UEFA has suspended Lille midfielder Ethan Mbappe for three Champions League matches following his straight red card against Real Betis. The disciplinary ruling relates to an incident in which Mbappe was dismissed for striking defender Natan.

The ban rules Mbappe out against Arsenal, Galatasaray and Bodo/Glimt. The 19-year-old will become eligible for European competition again when Lille host Bayern Munich on 25 November, leaving three league-phase fixtures after his return.

Osama Hawsawi and Al-Ahli
27 September 2026

Osama Hawsawi has resigned from his sporting director role at Al-Ahli after a disagreement over head coach Marino Pusic’s future. The report says Hawsawi wanted a coaching change while the club’s executive committee backed Pusic to continue.

The executive committee rejected Hawsawi’s push to replace Pusic, insisting the contracted coach should receive more time. Hawsawi then chose to leave, turning concerns over inconsistent results into a wider administrative dispute over the first team’s direction.

Gavin Bazunu and Republic of Ireland
26 September 2026

Gavin Bazunu has withdrawn from Republic of Ireland’s Nations League fixtures against Israel after deciding he could not participate on personal principle. The remaining squad voted by a significant majority to fulfil the two scheduled matches.

Ireland intend to wear black armbands, withdraw from parts of the pre-match ceremony and make charitable contributions from match fees. Bazunu confirmed his decision publicly after the squad’s lengthy discussions, while the rest of the players returned to training.

Julian Ward and Liverpool
26 September 2026

Liverpool have formally appointed Julian Ward as their new sporting director, replacing Richard Hughes after his September departure. Ward returns to the senior football-operations position for a second spell, having previously held it during the 2022-23 season.

Ward has been back within Fenway Sports Group since 2024 as technical director, overseeing player-development pathways and the academy. He now takes leadership of Liverpool’s football operations and will support head coach Andoni Iraola in the role.

Feyenoord and UEFA
26 September 2026

UEFA has fined Feyenoord a combined €74,375 for multiple supporter incidents surrounding their Champions League match at Barcelona, including racist behaviour, thrown objects, an improper message and damage inside the Camp Nou away section.

Feyenoord also received a suspended 25% reduction in their away-ticket allocation for one European match, with a two-year probation period attached. The club identified one supporter involved in racist behaviour and imposed a stadium ban.

Manchester City and Premier League clubs
26 September 2026

Four Premier League clubs have lodged protective claims reserving their right to seek compensation if Manchester City’s reported financial-rule guilty findings stand, according to football law expert Paul Gilroy KC in the BBC Sport report.

The step advances the issue beyond clubs merely seeking legal advice, which was reported in the previous batch. No compensation has been awarded, and City’s sanctions and expected appeal remain unresolved while the Premier League process continues.

Republic of Ireland and the Football Association of Ireland
26 September 2026

Republic of Ireland players voted by a significant majority to fulfil their Nations League fixtures against Israel after hours of internal discussions had cast doubt on whether Sunday’s match in Debrecen would proceed as scheduled.

The FAI confirmed the decision after delaying the team’s news conference and training session while players met at their hotel. The association said different views were expressed, but the majority supported playing both scheduled fixtures against Israel.

Rayan Aït-Nouri and Algeria
26 September 2026

Algeria have released Rayan Aït-Nouri from their current national-team training camp following a heated altercation with the coaching staff during Friday’s 3-1 victory over Zambia. The Manchester City defender will now return to his club.

Aït-Nouri had been preparing to enter as a substitute before the plan changed, then refused instructions to resume warming up after Algeria’s second goal. Head coach Ibrahim Hamdani subsequently decided to remove him from camp.