FOOTBALL

Rangers To Fight McInnes Four-Match Touchline Ban

Rangers, Derek McInnes and the Scottish FA
Wednesday

Rangers will contest Derek McInnes’ four-match touchline ban for calling a late Celtic penalty decision disgusting. The comments were made last season when McInnes was still managing Hearts.

Rangers argue the remarks targeted the decision, not officials personally, and say similar language has drawn lighter punishment before. McInnes is due to miss Rangers’ opening league matches if the sanction stands.

U.S. World Cup Betting Rivals Ten Super Bowls

U.S. sportsbooks, FIFA and World Cup bettors
After the 2026 World Cup

U.S. sportsbooks reported record betting activity for the 2026 World Cup, with one executive describing it as the equivalent of ten Super Bowls. DraftKings and BetMGM reported huge growth from 2022.

North American time zones, more matches and host-nation interest helped drive betting volume. Caesars said World Cup bet count topped combined men’s and women’s March Madness by 30%, showing soccer’s growing U.S. gambling pull.

Manchester City Set Doku and Khusanov Extensions

Manchester City, Jeremy Doku and Abdukodir Khusanov
Wednesday

Manchester City have agreed new long-term contracts with Jeremy Doku and Abdukodir Khusanov, keeping both players at the club until 2031. The double extension follows Phil Foden’s new deal.

City are securing key players for the post-Pep Guardiola era under Enzo Maresca. Khusanov became important during defensive injuries last season, while Doku has remained a regular attacking option across three campaigns.

Aston Villa Agree Garnacho Loan With Buy Clause

Aston Villa, Chelsea and Alejandro Garnacho
Wednesday

Aston Villa have agreed a loan deal for Chelsea winger Alejandro Garnacho until the end of the 2026-27 season, with an obligation to buy. The 22-year-old has completed a medical in Birmingham.

Chelsea believe the obligation terms are reachable and expect to achieve their £43m valuation. The move follows Chelsea’s £117m Morgan Rogers signing from Villa, while Garnacho pre-agreed a four-year Villa contract if made permanent.

Wrexham Women Win Historic Champions League Debut

Wrexham Women, FC Pyunik and Jenny Sugarman
Wednesday

Wrexham Women won their first ever European match by beating FC Pyunik 4-2 in Women’s Champions League qualifying. Goals from Katie Barker, Lili Jones, Ava Suckley and Natasha Thomas sealed the victory.

Wrexham reached the competition after winning the Adran Premier title for the first time last season. They will now face Riga FC on 25 July for a place in the next qualifying phase.

Wolves Cancel Training After Arokodare Protest

Wolves, Tolu Arokodare and Cesar Peixoto
Monday

Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare forced a training session to be cancelled after refusing to leave the pitch. BBC Sport was told the Nigeria international sat down and demanded the club allow him to join Fiorentina.

Wolves have rejected Fiorentina’s bid while accepting an offer from Trabzonspor. The incident gives new manager Cesar Peixoto an early squad-management issue after Arokodare’s difficult first season following his £24m move from Genk.

Aissa Mandi Retires From Algeria After World Cup

Aissa Mandi and Algeria
Wednesday

Algeria defender Aissa Mandi has announced his retirement from international football after the 2026 World Cup. The 34-year-old said representing Algeria had been an exceptional honour but that the right time had come.

Mandi leaves after more than a decade with the national team and was part of the side that won the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. His exit follows Riyad Mahrez also ending his Algeria career.

Arsenal Confirm Saliba Extended Back-Injury Absence

Arsenal, William Saliba and France
Wednesday

Arsenal confirmed William Saliba will miss an extended period with a back injury suffered during France’s World Cup campaign. The defender avoids surgery but will now begin a managed rehabilitation programme.

Saliba went off during France’s semi-final defeat by Spain and missed the third-place play-off. His absence is a major blow to Arsenal as they prepare to defend the Premier League title in August.

Liverpool Investment Talks Add Jeff Bezos Twist

Liverpool, FSG, Amit Bhatia and Jeff Bezos
Wednesday

Liverpool’s possible minority investment talks took a new turn after reports said Jeff Bezos had been approached about joining Amit Bhatia’s consortium. FSG declined to comment on whether Bezos was involved.

The development follows confirmation that Bhatia’s group is exploring a strategic minority investment in Liverpool. A potential deal has reportedly valued the club at around £4.5bn, raising questions over FSG’s long-term plans.

FAW Charges TNS Chairman Over Offensive Post

Mike Harris, The New Saints and the FAW
Wednesday

The Football Association of Wales charged The New Saints chairman Mike Harris with multiple disciplinary offences over a deleted social media post. The post appeared to show AI-generated video of topless women.

Harris is accused of publishing offensive, insulting and derogatory content that brought Welsh football into disrepute. He has seven business days to respond and was previously punished by the FAW in 2019.