Clearlake Capital, Todd Boehly, Mark Walter and Chelsea
16 September 2026

Todd Boehly and Mark Walter sold their Chelsea stakes, giving Clearlake Capital full control of the Premier League club. Clearlake previously held 61.5 percent, while Boehly and Walter each owned 12.83 percent. Hansjorg Wyss remains within the ownership group.

The Financial Times reported Boehly and Walter will receive £950 million for their combined holdings in a transaction valuing Chelsea at £5 billion including debt. Boehly will also relinquish the chairmanship, while the club says daily operations and strategy remain unchanged.

Saudi Pro League, players and content creators
17 September 2026

The Saudi Pro League launched a Share and Earn distribution model allowing players and approved creators to promote match streams and receive a share of the revenue they generate. Selected publishers may also host official live and on-demand league content directly.

Shared links will direct viewers to a league-owned streaming platform, with approved embedded streams available in 16 territories including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada and South Korea. The league says the model expands distribution while giving partners a financial stake.

Giovanni Malago, FIGC and CONI
17 September 2026

CONI is continuing to examine Giovanni Malago’s election as FIGC president over an alleged failure to register before the vote, possible ineligibility and a potential statute breach. Malago acknowledged the dispute publicly while defending his position and election.

The review concerns procedural questions surrounding Malago’s registration and eligibility rather than an announced removal from office. Malago said he remains confident despite criticism, while the supplied report states CONI is still examining whether federation rules were breached.

Luis de la Fuente and Spain
16 September 2026

Spain have agreed a contract extension with head coach Luis de la Fuente through 2032. His previous deal ran until 2028, and the new agreement keeps the World Cup-winning coach in charge through Spain’s defence of the title on home soil in 2030.

De la Fuente took over from Luis Enrique in December 2022 and has since won the Nations League, Euro 2024 and the 2026 World Cup. RFEF president Rafael Louzan said the federation was finalising improved terms after Spain’s recent success.

Hibernian and David Gray
16 September 2026

Hibernian sacked head coach David Gray six games into the Scottish Premiership season, ending his 12-year association with the club. Hibs sit ninth on six points after six consecutive home league defeats, including Tuesday’s 1-0 loss to bottom side Kilmarnock.

Assistants Liam Craig and Craig Samson have also left, with John Potter taking charge for Saturday’s match against Aberdeen. Gray had led Hibs to third and fifth-place finishes in his two full seasons, securing European qualification in both campaigns.

Savannah DeMelo and Racing Louisville
14 September 2026

Racing Louisville midfielder Savannah DeMelo is suing University of Louisville Health and two physicians, alleging they failed to diagnose a heart condition before she suffered cardiac arrest during an NWSL match in September 2025. She has not played since.

DeMelo said an undiagnosed cardiac arrhythmia caused her collapse, revealing the diagnosis publicly for the first time on the incident’s one-year anniversary. Her lawsuit alleges the condition was missed before the Seattle match, which was stopped when she collapsed.

Al-Taawoun, Ruben Neves and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation
15 September 2026

Saudi Arabia’s Disciplinary and Ethics Committee fined Al-Taawoun 100,000 riyals and ordered two consecutive home matches behind closed doors over offensive chants aimed at Al-Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves and referencing the death of his friend Diogo Jota.

Al-Hilal had filed an official complaint after the incident, while Al-Taawoun publicly rejected the conduct and described it as individual behaviour. The disciplinary committee said the punishment is final and cannot be appealed, closing the federation’s formal process into the chants.

Lionel Messi and Eldense
15 September 2026

Lionel Messi has signed an agreement to purchase all shares in Spanish second-division club Eldense, according to the supplied report. The transaction would make the Inter Miami forward the club’s sole owner, subject to approval from Spain’s Sports Council.

The purchase agreement is already under review, leaving regulatory approval as the remaining hurdle. Eldense have around 3,500 season-ticket holders and were recently promoted to the second tier, while Javi Calleja is identified as the leading coaching candidate.

Raheem Sterling
15 September 2026

Raheem Sterling pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, possessing nitrous oxide and failing to provide a breath specimen after a May crash in Hampshire. Prosecutors said the free agent had been inhaling the class C drug while driving during morning rush hour.

Police found six nitrous oxide canisters in Sterling’s vehicle after motorists reported his driving before the crash. A judge adjourned sentencing until November 25 and said all sentencing options remain open, meaning a custodial sentence has not been ruled out.

Alex Morgan, Marta and other women’s footballers
15 September 2026

Alex Morgan, Marta, Crystal Dunn and more than a dozen leading current and former players signed an open letter asking FIFA to place the U20 Women’s World Cup inside the international match calendar, allowing clubs to release eligible players without scheduling conflicts.

Several professional teenagers are absent from the 2026 tournament because clubs are not required to release them outside a FIFA window. The players argue calendar alignment would strengthen national squads, improve tournament quality and give clubs greater certainty when planning seasons.