San Jose Earthquakes and Gavin Wilkinson
Friday

San Jose Earthquakes have hired former Portland executive Gavin Wilkinson as a roster-management consultant through the end of the season. He will work under head coach and sporting director Bruce Arena while the club prepares a general manager search.

Wilkinson returns to an MLS front office after previous appointments were overshadowed by controversy surrounding his Portland tenure and the NWSL abuse investigations. San Jose said his temporary role helps cover responsibilities left vacant after Vassili Cremanzidis died.

The Football Association and National League System clubs
Friday

The FA has banned solid brick, concrete and breeze-block pitchside walls from its stadium accreditation rules after former Arsenal academy player Billy Vigar died following a collision with a concrete barrier while playing for Chichester City.

Clubs across men’s National League System Steps 1 to 6 and Women’s National League tiers 3 and 4 must remove the barriers or install suitable protection. The FA and Premier League will provide funding through the Premier League Stadium Fund.

Gianni Infantino and UEFA
Friday

A Telegraph investigation repeated in the uploaded reports alleges Gianni Infantino helped a UEFA employee with whom he allegedly had a relationship gain a promotion and substantial pay rise. UEFA confirmed the employee later received a severance payment.

The report says workplace tensions prompted then UEFA president Michel Platini to intervene, after which the employee left the organisation. UEFA also confirmed its internal rules were subsequently amended, while the allegations add further pressure around Infantino’s leadership.

The Russian Football Union, FIFA and UEFA
Friday

Russia remains a full FIFA member with the right to attend congress and vote in presidential elections despite its national teams being banned from international competition since 2022. The same membership position also continues within UEFA.

The voting right could matter as Gianni Infantino faces pressure before the next FIFA presidential election. Russia has not publicly said whether it supports him, but its continued membership means its federation can participate in any leadership vote.

Al-Nassr and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund
Friday

Al-Nassr’s financial restrictions have reportedly been lifted after the club addressed the crisis that had blocked summer signings. The uploaded report says commercial agreements, debt restructuring and new guarantees allowed the club to resume transfer activity.

The Public Investment Fund brought in specialist advisers and reorganised current and future obligations to satisfy regulatory requirements. Al-Nassr are now preparing the necessary documents to complete signings, with Samu Costa expected to become their first arrival.