Rayo Vallecano and the Madrid regional government
Wednesday

Rayo Vallecano have been barred indefinitely from hosting matches at Estadio de Vallecas after an audit identified Legionnaires’ disease, fire and electrical risks. The La Liga club has not yet confirmed an alternative venue for home fixtures.

Authorities said Rayo failed to complete maintenance work or prove the stadium’s water quality, while rubbish and debris had accumulated inside. Urgent repairs could take two to six months, disrupting the club’s season-ticket holders and opening home match.

Victor Gabriel, Gabriel Pec, Internacional and Cruzeiro
Tuesday

Brazil’s Superior Court of Sports Justice suspended Internacional defender Victor Gabriel until Cruzeiro forward Gabriel Pec returns to training. Pec suffered a fractured left tibia requiring surgery after Gabriel’s challenge during a Brazilian Serie A match.

The recovery-linked punishment is capped at 180 days and can be appealed. The court used a provision allowing longer sanctions when serious violent play leaves an opponent unable to compete, judging the usual one-to-six-match suspension insufficient.

UEFA, IFAB and Europe’s 55 national associations
Tuesday

European refereeing chiefs have agreed that VAR should intervene only when an on-field decision is blatantly incorrect or a clear incident has been missed. UEFA said lengthy, microscopic reviews show the technology has moved beyond its original purpose.

The guidance follows controversy over VAR decisions at the World Cup and IFAB’s clarification of mistaken identity. Officials want referees restored to the centre of decisions, with shorter reviews and less re-refereeing of subjective incidents across European competitions.

Roberto Mancini, Italy and the Italian Football Federation
Tuesday

Roberto Mancini has reportedly agreed to return as Italy head coach after negotiations with Andrea Pirlo and Pep Guardiola collapsed. The 61-year-old previously led the Azzurri for five years and delivered the Euro 2020 title.

Mancini became available after leaving Al-Sadd and now offers the federation an experienced emergency solution. His expected appointment follows Pirlo’s betting-company controversy and the resignations of technical director Paolo Maldini and adviser Leonardo during a chaotic search.

Zinedine Zidane, France and the French Football Federation
Tuesday

Zinedine Zidane has officially been appointed France head coach, replacing Didier Deschamps after his 14-year reign. The former Real Madrid manager has signed a four-year contract and returns to coaching for the first time since leaving Madrid in 2021.

Zidane said he rejected club offers while waiting for the France job and promised to build an attacking, winning team. He inherits a squad that reached the World Cup semi-finals but now begins a major transition under a national icon.

Mohammed Fuseini, Union Saint-Gilloise and Belgian police
Sunday

Ghana forward Mohammed Fuseini was dragged from his car by masked attackers during an armed robbery in Brussels. The gang stole his Rolex and searched the vehicle for valuables, while Union Saint-Gilloise described the circulated footage as extremely shocking.

Fuseini was examined in hospital and has already returned to training. Belgian prosecutors said one suspect was arrested after stolen property was recovered, while investigators continue searching for other members of the organised gang behind several robberies.

La Liga referees, Spain’s refereeing committee and IFAB
Tuesday

Spain’s refereeing committee has decided not to apply the World Cup’s so-called Vinicius law, which allowed a direct red card when players covered their mouths during disputes. Officials judged the gesture too ambiguous to justify automatic dismissals.

La Liga will instead follow UEFA guidance and introduce other anti-time-wasting measures, including countdowns for throw-ins and substitutions. Spanish officials have also asked IFAB for authority to punish teams whose goalkeepers exaggerate injuries to create tactical stoppages.

Austin Police, Austin FC Academy, MLS and SafeSport
Monday

Police are investigating allegations of youth-on-youth misconduct involving players at Austin FC’s developmental academy. The club said the affected players were suspended and expelled, while activities for the relevant academy age group were also halted.

Austin FC said it learned of the allegations in December 2025 and immediately reported them to police, MLS and the U.S. Center for SafeSport. Authorities provided no details because juveniles are involved and the investigation remains active.

Paolo Maldini, Leonardo and the Italian Football Federation
Monday

Paolo Maldini and Leonardo have reportedly resigned from their Italian Football Federation roles only 16 days after joining. Their departures followed the collapse of Andrea Pirlo’s proposed appointment as national-team coach amid controversy over his betting-company relationship.

Maldini had been appointed technical director to rebuild Italy after another World Cup qualification failure, with Leonardo serving as adviser. Losing both men deepens the federation’s leadership crisis after Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola had already rejected the coaching job.

Al Ahly, Vodafone Egypt and Al Qalaa Al Hamraa
Monday

Al Ahly have announced what they describe as the largest investment agreement in the club’s history through a strategic partnership with Vodafone. The package includes stadium naming rights and a four-year main shirt sponsorship for the first team.

The naming-rights contract was signed with Al Qalaa Al Hamraa, the company financing and developing Al Ahly’s planned stadium. Club president Mahmoud El Khatib said the partnership strengthens project funding and supports the Egyptian giant’s wider commercial expansion.