Giuseppe Sculli, Simone Pepe and Rome prosecutors
Friday

Former Serie A players Giuseppe Sculli and Simone Pepe are reportedly under investigation by Rome prosecutors over allegations linked to unauthorised sports-agent work. The accusations include forgery, unlawful practice and attempted extortion.

Prosecutors allege the pair acted without proper licences, handled negotiations for young players and filed contracts with forged signatures. The case also involves agent Luigi Iachini Bellisarii and lawyer Alessandro Buccieri, according to the report.

Belgium, Mark van Bommel and Rudi Garcia
Friday

Belgium have appointed Mark van Bommel as their new head coach, replacing Rudi Garcia after the World Cup cycle. The former Netherlands midfielder will take charge on 15 August and lead Belgium into Euro 2028.

Van Bommel brings club experience from PSV, Wolfsburg and Royal Antwerp, where he won a league and cup double. Belgium are seeking a reset after another major-tournament quarter-final exit and a golden generation transition.

Italy, Andrea Pirlo and the FIGC
Friday

Reports in Italy say the national federation has settled on Andrea Pirlo as its new head coach after Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola turned down the role. The deal is said to run for four years.

Pirlo would be tasked with leading Italy through Nations League matches and into Euro 2028 qualification after another World Cup failure. His appointment would bring a 2006 World Cup winner into the job during a difficult rebuild.

Per Mertesacker, Germany and the DFB
Friday

Per Mertesacker is set to become the German Football Federation’s new sporting director after leaving Arsenal at the end of last season. DFB president Bernd Neuendorf said talks had been ongoing for around 18 months.

Mertesacker spent eight years as Arsenal academy manager after retiring in 2018 and won the 2014 World Cup with Germany. His arrival adds another major leadership change alongside Jurgen Klopp’s national-team appointment.

IOC, Gianni Infantino, FairSquare and Folarin Balogun
Friday

The International Olympic Committee said it will not investigate Gianni Infantino over a political-neutrality complaint linked to Folarin Balogun’s suspended World Cup ban. Human rights group FairSquare had argued the FIFA president breached Olympic rules.

The IOC said the complaint concerned FIFA governance, government relations and football disciplinary decisions, placing it outside its ethics commission’s scope. The decision leaves FIFA’s own ethics route as the main pressure point for any further case.

Cristian Volpato, Football Australia and New South Wales Police
Thursday night in Sydney

Australia midfielder Cristian Volpato allegedly tested positive for cocaine after being stopped by police for speeding twice on the same night. His international driver’s licence was suspended for six months in New South Wales.

Police said a secondary oral-fluid sample will be analysed while inquiries continue. Football Australia and the players’ union said they are monitoring the matter and supporting Volpato after his World Cup breakout with the Socceroos.

England’s amputee football team and the EAFA
Ahead of November’s World Cup

England’s men’s amputee football team could miss the upcoming World Cup in Mexico because of a funding shortage. The team has launched a £50,000 GoFundMe campaign and has raised just over £32,000 so far.

The FA cut funding for the amputee programme in 2006, leaving the charity-run team reliant on donations and volunteers. Former coach Scott Rogers called the situation criminal, given England are reigning Nations League champions.

Jurgen Klopp, Germany and the DFB
Friday

Jurgen Klopp has officially been named Germany head coach after Julian Nagelsmann’s post-World Cup resignation. The former Liverpool manager signed a contract running through the 2030 World Cup and was presented at a news conference.

Klopp said the national team can unite Germans like almost nothing else and called the job special. He also brings former Liverpool assistants Pep Lijnders and Peter Krawietz into a rebuild after Germany’s latest tournament collapse.

Pep Guardiola, Italy and the FIGC
Friday

Pep Guardiola has turned down the chance to become Italy head coach. The Italian federation had held talks with the former Manchester City manager and was willing to let him shape the role to tempt him.

Guardiola decided to continue his planned break from football to rest, travel and spend time with family. His rejection leaves Andrea Pirlo as the frontrunner to guide Italy through Nations League and Euro 2028 qualification.

Aberdeen, Scottish football authorities and supporters
Thursday

Aberdeen have been granted a permanent alcohol licence for the Richard Donald Stand lower concourse, becoming the first Scottish Premiership club to receive one after previous matchday trials.

Alcohol will be sold only for lower-risk matches and must be consumed away from sight of the pitch. The licence marks a major step in Scotland’s cautious move away from the long-standing stadium alcohol ban.