Raphinha and Barcelona
5 September 2026

Raphinha has been appointed Barcelona’s permanent captain for the 2026-27 season, becoming the first Brazilian to hold the role at the club. Hansi Flick named Pedri vice-captain, while Eric Garcia, Frenkie de Jong and Lamine Yamal complete the leadership group.

Raphinha replaces Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who joined Ajax on loan, and had already captained Barcelona regularly during previous absences. Flick directly selected Raphinha and Pedri, while the squad voted for the remaining three positions in the captaincy hierarchy.

Ruben Dias and Manchester City
5 September 2026

Ruben Dias has been named Manchester City’s primary captain under new manager Enzo Maresca following the departures of Rodri and Bernardo Silva. Maresca also confirmed Erling Haaland, Marc Guehi and Gianluigi Donnarumma as members of the club’s leadership group.

Dias said City’s playing identity remains familiar despite tactical changes under Maresca, particularly their emphasis on possession. The reshaped captaincy group gives the new manager four senior leaders as City transition from Pep Guardiola’s era and integrate major summer signings.

David Moyes, Dan Friedkin and Everton
5 September 2026

Everton manager David Moyes says he has never met or spoken directly with owner Dan Friedkin since returning to the club in January 2025. Moyes said his main contact is chief executive Angus Kinnear, followed by Rishi Majithia.

Moyes made the revelation after Everton’s chaotic transfer window left the club with only 18 senior players. Friedkin has not attended a home match since completing the takeover in December 2024, while supporters have questioned how key decisions are being made.

Matteo Guendouzi, Mason Greenwood, Fenerbahce and Lyon
4 September 2026

UEFA has given Matteo Guendouzi a four-match European ban, with two matches suspended, and fined him €50,000 after the brawl following Fenerbahce’s Champions League play-off win at Lyon. Mason Greenwood received a suspended one-match ban and €30,000 fine.

Lyon goalkeeping coach Antonio Ferreira received a five-match ban, with two suspended, for serious assault, while both clubs were fined €50,000. Fenerbahce said its legal department is reviewing the decisions and plans to pursue arbitration and an appeal.

The Football Association, Thomas Tuchel and England
4 September 2026

The Football Association’s review of England’s 2026 World Cup campaign will include feedback from players as well as Thomas Tuchel and his staff. The review follows England’s semifinal defeat to Argentina and eventual third-place finish after beating France.

At least three senior players had privately questioned Tuchel’s late substitutions and defensive approach against Argentina, according to the supplied reporting. The FA will also examine the impact of repeatedly returning to the team’s permanent Kansas City base during the tournament.

Jordon Ibe
4 September 2026

Former Liverpool winger Jordon Ibe has been sentenced after admitting assault causing actual bodily harm against his former partner. Croydon Magistrates’ Court imposed a 12-month community order, 80 hours of unpaid work, rehabilitation activities and a £764 fine.

The case concerned a December altercation in south London in which Ibe grabbed his former partner’s hair and pulled out a lock, leaving a bald patch. He was arrested in January, charged in February and changed his plea to guilty in July.

Luis Enrique and Paris Saint-Germain
4 September 2026

Paris Saint-Germain have agreed a three-year contract extension with Luis Enrique that keeps the coach at the club through 2030. His previous deal was due to expire after this season following three Ligue 1 titles and back-to-back Champions League victories.

PSG announced the extension alongside new deals for Joao Neves, Willian Pacho, Lucas Beraldo and Senny Mayulu through 2031. Fabian Ruiz also extended through 2028, securing several key figures shortly before PSG’s home league match against Monaco.

Real Madrid and Barcelona
4 September 2026

Real Madrid generated about €210 million this summer from selling academy graduates and retained interests, helping fund €225 million in fixed transfer spending. Barcelona followed a similar approach and banked about €44.5 million from eight La Masia graduates.

Madrid retained buy-back, priority or partial-rights mechanisms in many exits, while sell-on interests produced major additional income. Barcelona also sold several players while keeping future control, using academy trading to create revenue without relying only on established first-team sales.

Alexandre Pato, Sports Alpha Capital and Northampton Town
4 September 2026

A consortium including former Brazil forward Alexandre Pato has received Independent Football Regulator and EFL approval for a proposed shareholding acquisition in Northampton Town. The size of Sports Alpha Capital’s planned stake has not yet been disclosed.

Northampton said the regulatory process examined ownership structure, financial sustainability and investor suitability. The club will now complete remaining documentation before announcing full investment details, with chairman Kelvin Thomas previously saying the proposed investment would make Northampton debt-free.

Rangers, Celtic and the SPFL
4 September 2026

Rangers and Celtic will have no away supporters at Scottish Premiership or Premier Sports Cup derbies this season. The temporary arrangement follows an independent review into unrest and pitch incursions after their Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox last March.

The clubs and SPFL agreed the measure while working with Police Scotland and other stakeholders on safety recommendations. Rangers had proposed giving Celtic 300 tickets for the upcoming cup tie, but Celtic rejected the reduced allocation before the blanket arrangement was announced.