Piero Ausilio and Inter Milan
3 September 2026

Piero Ausilio has left his role as Inter Milan sporting director and visited the club’s training base to say goodbye to players, staff and manager Cristian Chivu. Baccin had already been appointed as the Nerazzurri’s new sporting director.

Ausilio’s departure surprised several senior Inter players, with Federico Dimarco saying he had not expected the executive to leave after their successful years together. The change places Baccin in charge of sporting operations as Inter begin a new phase.

Raul Asencio and Real Madrid
2 September 2026

Real Madrid have opened an internal disciplinary file against Raul Asencio after the defender was convicted of a road-safety offence involving drink-driving. He was fined and had his driving licence withdrawn for eight months following the incident.

The club acted under its internal regulations after the conviction became public. A Spanish television pundit demanded Asencio be removed from the team, but the supplied reporting states only that Madrid have formally opened disciplinary proceedings against him.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Gabon
2 September 2026

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has announced his retirement from international football after a breakdown in relations with Gabonese authorities. The country’s all-time leading scorer said he felt humiliated by criticism following Gabon’s poor Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

Aubameyang said he had played at AFCON while injured and believed officials damaged his image after Gabon lost all three group matches. The 37-year-old has now ended his national-team career following years as the country’s most prominent footballer.

UEFA, Fanatics, Topps and Champions League debutants
2 September 2026

Champions League debutants will wear special one-off sleeve patches during their first appearance in the competition this season. After each match, the patch will be authenticated, incorporated into a unique Topps trading card and signed by the player.

Substitutes qualify only once they actually enter a match, while unused players must wait for their first appearance. UEFA and Fanatics are also set to extend their existing club competitions partnership by six years, taking the agreement through 2033.

Carlos Queiroz and Ghana
2 September 2026

Ghana have officially reappointed Carlos Queiroz as head coach after his previous mandate ended following the 2026 World Cup. The 73-year-old had announced his departure after Ghana exited in the round of 32 but will now continue under a new agreement.

Talks involving the Ghana Football Association, the sports ministry and Queiroz produced a fresh deal. His new spell begins with the upcoming international break as Ghana start qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations against Ivory Coast.

Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool and Amit Bhatia
2 September 2026

Fenway Sports Group has reportedly agreed to sell a 38 percent stake in Liverpool to a consortium led by British-Indian businessman Amit Bhatia. The ownership change comes during a wider period of executive transition behind the scenes at Anfield.

The Athletic reported the agreement while detailing Liverpool’s summer upheaval, which also included Michael Edwards leaving and sporting director Richard Hughes preparing to move on. FSG president Mike Gordon has resumed oversight of the club’s day-to-day football operations.

U.S. Soccer, Emma Hayes and Mauricio Pochettino
1 September 2026

U.S. Soccer is restructuring its sporting department by replacing one overarching sporting-director position with separate directors for women’s and girls’ soccer and men’s and boys’ soccer. The new leaders will oversee development pathways across youth, amateur and professional levels.

Senior national-team coaches Emma Hayes and Mauricio Pochettino will retain direct control of the USWNT and USMNT and report to chief executive JT Batson. Both coaches helped shape the new structure and will collaborate in selecting the two incoming directors.

Premier League clubs
1 September 2026

Premier League clubs have set a new all-time summer transfer spending record at £3.410 billion. The total surpassed last season’s £3.14 billion mark and is more than triple the £1.13 billion English top-flight clubs spent five years earlier.

Iliman Ndiaye’s move to Manchester City pushed spending beyond the previous record before Enzo Fernandez’s £125 million transfer added further to the total. Premier League net spending remained above £1 billion, comfortably the highest figure among Europe’s major leagues.

Al-Hilal and Thmanyah
1 September 2026

Al-Hilal have rejected claims aired on official Saudi competitions broadcaster Thmanyah that questioned the origin of the club’s transfer funding. The board called the allegations false and irresponsible and said they damaged the club’s reputation and corporate integrity.

Al-Hilal stressed that the Public Investment Fund still owns 100 percent of the club and said its transfers follow approved governance frameworks. The club added that it is documenting similar claims and will pursue appropriate legal and regulatory measures where necessary.

EFL, UEFA, Liverpool, Tottenham and Everton
1 September 2026

The EFL has publicly criticised UEFA after Champions League scheduling forced changes to several domestic fixtures, including Liverpool against Tottenham and Everton against Wolves in the Carabao Cup. The league said five matches were affected by the resulting calendar conflict.

Liverpool’s Champions League home game against Atletico Madrid created a policing clash because Everton could not play at home the same evening. UEFA refused to move its fixture, citing travelling supporters, while the EFL accused it of failing to cooperate.