Evangelos Marinakis, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace
Monday

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has filed a High Court defamation claim against Crystal Palace over a supporter banner depicting him holding a gun to Morgan Gibbs-White’s head. The banner also referenced allegations that Marinakis has consistently denied.

Crystal Palace’s operating company is named as one of two defendants in the claim. The Football Association had previously charged Palace over supporter conduct during the same match, while strict rules already prohibit defamatory, political and offensive stadium messaging.

UEFA, Roberto Rosetti and major European leagues
Monday

UEFA referees chief Roberto Rosetti launched the Clear Line portal to explain when VAR should intervene and admitted some reviews had become disconnected from football. Refereeing leaders also agreed to reduce microscopic interventions and restore greater authority to on-field officials.

A new review protocol will show referees a freeze-frame, then half-speed and full-speed replays, while checks exceeding 90 seconds are considered damaging to credibility. UEFA also wants greater consistency across domestic leagues and the Champions League, particularly for handball.

Burhan Can Terzi, Galatasaray and Turkish authorities
Monday

Turkish journalist Burhan Can Terzi was detained over claims that Galatasaray had agreed a deal for Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala. Galatasaray denied the reports twice and accused the journalist of publicly spreading misleading information about its transfer business.

Terzi gave a statement at Istanbul police headquarters before being referred to court and subsequently released. The case was opened by prosecutors under laws covering misleading public information, turning a disputed football transfer report into a criminal investigation.

Omar Artan, UEFA and FIFA
Monday

Somali referee Omar Artan has been appointed to officiate the UEFA Super Cup between Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain after being denied entry to the United States for the World Cup because Somalia is covered by a travel ban.

UEFA’s appointment makes Artan the first non-European referee selected for the Super Cup and follows his forced return from Miami in June. The decision gives him a major international assignment after immigration rules prevented his planned World Cup participation.

Liverpool, Fenway Sports Group and a consortium involving Jeff Bezos
Monday

A consortium involving Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is reportedly advancing talks to acquire roughly one-third of Liverpool. Fenway Sports Group has formally acknowledged interest from the investor group, which is led and represented by businessman Amit Bhatia.

The proposed minority investment would bring major outside capital into Liverpool without a full ownership change. The batch says negotiations are progressing quickly and could include other wealthy investors, potentially giving FSG additional financial capacity while retaining control.

UEFA, Concacaf, the Asian Football Confederation and FIFA president Gianni Infantino
Monday

UEFA, Concacaf and the AFC jointly accused FIFA of deception and a fundamental breach of trust over the abandoned private-investment plan. Their open letter intensified pressure on Gianni Infantino and questioned whether his leadership still serves football’s collective interests.

The three confederations want an independent review rather than FIFA’s internal process and have held preliminary discussions about alternative competitions if a boycott occurs. Sources cited in the batch say the message is intended to give Infantino an opportunity to resign.

BBC Cymru Wales and the Football Association of Wales
Monday

BBC Cymru Wales has agreed a three-year deal with the Football Association of Wales to broadcast the Cymru Premier through 2029. The agreement guarantees at least 20 live league matches each season on BBC iPlayer alongside expanded online coverage.

Barry Town United against Cardiff Met will open the new coverage on 15 August, followed by Ammanford against Connah’s Quay Nomads. The agreement gives the Welsh domestic league a sustained free-to-view platform rather than relying only on individual broadcasts.

Jose Mourinho, Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United
Monday

Jose Mourinho revealed that he had agreed to replace Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager in 2013 before reversing his decision and returning to Chelsea. The disclosure appears in a new documentary examining Mourinho’s career and confirms a long-running football rumour.

United had held meetings with Mourinho and reached terms before he withdrew, citing his commitment to Chelsea and family considerations. Manchester United then turned to David Moyes, a decision still viewed internally as a major turning point after Ferguson’s retirement.

Javier Tebas, Gianni Infantino and FIFA
Sunday

La Liga president Javier Tebas has publicly called for Gianni Infantino’s era as FIFA president to end, accusing his leadership of damaging domestic leagues and the wider football ecosystem. Tebas also argued that FIFA requires broader structural reform.

The intervention adds another influential voice to mounting opposition after Norway called for Infantino’s resignation and UEFA maintained its boycott threat. Tebas said replacing one individual would be insufficient unless FIFA also changes its governance culture and decision-making system.

Mohamed Salah and the New Cairo Court
Sunday

Mohamed Salah has been ordered to appear personally before a New Cairo court on 6 September in a civil dispute over unpaid legal fees. A lawyer claims he performed legal, administrative and advisory work for the Egypt captain without receiving payment.

The court wants Salah to take a decisive oath denying that the claimed work was performed or that money remains owed. Failure to appear or refusing the oath without legal justification could carry consequences when the court determines the dispute.