Mark Wakefield

Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard said he offered Jeremy Clarkson ownership of his south-west London pub, The Brown Dog, at no upfront cost, on the condition that Coulthard would receive a share if the business became profitable. Clarkson declined because the pub was too far from his home and the hospitality business is difficult. Clarkson already owns The Farmer's Dog in Oxfordshire, featured in Clarkson's Farm.

Express Sport’s live transfer blog reports Tottenham’s interest in Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, with Spurs reportedly offering about £55 million against a £65 million valuation. Arsenal’s pursuit of Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes remains disputed despite claims of an agreement and a Monday medical. Manchester United are linked with Ajax winger Mika Godts and Newcastle left-back Lewis Hall, while Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool are also pursuing major deals. Other updates include Chelsea signings, potential moves for Vinicius Junior, Pedro Neto and Bradley Barcola, and several confirmed or near-completed transfers.

Manchester United have reportedly agreed to loan goalkeeper Altay Bayindir to Celta Vigo, with a medical expected on Sunday or Monday and an announcement potentially following next week. Bayindir joined United as backup to Andre Onana but has struggled for regular playing time, particularly after the club signed Senne Lammens. Although he was included in United's pre-season squad against Atletico Madrid, reports indicate that his temporary move to the La Liga club is close to completion.

Donald Trump said he had not discussed FIFA’s proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise with president Gianni Infantino. The plan would sell private investors stakes in the men’s and women’s World Cups and the Club World Cup, reportedly with Thrive Eternal as the investor group. UEFA, the FA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation have opposed the scheme, with UEFA members threatening to boycott FIFA competitions. FIFA senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro also resigned, calling the proposal harmful to FIFA’s member associations and football’s long-term future.

Liverpool’s 18-year-old defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe impressed after replacing the injured Joe Gomez during the club’s 4-2 pre-season win over Sunderland. However, he does not currently have enough UK work-permit points to play for Liverpool in the Premier League, so the club is expected to loan him out to gain regular first-team experience and improve his eligibility. Liverpool acquired Ndukwe from Austria Vienna in a deal reportedly worth about £2.5 million, with the transfer formally completed this summer.

Kimi Antonelli was given a three-place grid penalty and a penalty point after stewards ruled that he failed to slow sufficiently for yellow flags during Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying, where Max Verstappen had spun. He will start seventh, while Lewis Hamilton received a separate three-place penalty for impeding Oscar Piastri and will start fifth. Antonelli’s penalty point is his fourth in 12 months; the stewards reduced the recommended five-place grid drop because he did slow somewhat and had limited time to react.

British Paralympic cyclist Daphne Schrager received a two-year ban after testing positive for a trace amount of Ligandrol in an April 2025 out-of-competition test. She denied knowingly taking the substance and argued that environmental contamination at a gym or shared residence caused the result. A National Anti-Doping Panel tribunal accepted that she had not deliberately used Ligandrol and found expert evidence consistent with inadvertent contamination, but ruled that she had not established the source sufficiently to avoid an anti-doping violation. The ban runs from June 2, 2025, to June 1, 2027, leaving open a potential return for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics.

Spain’s goalless World Cup draw with Cape Verde was initially flagged by the Council of Europe’s Group of Copenhagen after unusual betting patterns and the apparent mismatch between the teams’ rankings. A review of betting data, intelligence and social media activity found no evidence of manipulation: Spain had 27 attempts, while Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha produced an outstanding performance. FIFA’s Integrity Task Force and the Group of Copenhagen both ultimately classified the match as normal. Several other tournament incidents, including a red-card decision, a delayed VAR review and bets on Folarin Balogun’s suspension being overturned, were also examined without producing evidence of match-fixing.

Chelsea consider signing John Stones on a free transfer as they continue reshaping the squad under Xabi Alonso. The move would break their recent policy of prioritising younger players, following the record £117 million signing of Morgan Rogers ahead of Arsenal. Stones, also linked with Arsenal after William Saliba’s injury, is out of contract after ten years at Manchester City and weighing his next move.

Marc Guehi criticised FIFA for high ticket prices after England’s 6-4 win over France in the World Cup third-place match in Miami, where attendance fell short of stadium capacity. Thousands of tickets remained unsold before the game, driving prices above £650. Guehi thanked fans who travelled despite the cost and said they deserved an entertaining match. Spain later defeated Argentina 1-0 in the tournament final.

Borja Iglesias says he will reluctantly follow protocol and shake Donald Trump’s hand if Spain win the World Cup, despite his criticism of the former US president’s stance on fundamental values. He stresses avoiding unnecessary controversy and acknowledges limited power to effect change. Iglesias has a history of activism on social issues, while Joan Capdevila has publicly appealed for help after being denied entry to the United States for the final.

Croatia’s football federation is demanding answers from FIFA after a disallowed goal in their World Cup defeat to Portugal, citing microchip data from the Adidas ball that detected contact before the equalizer. Technical director Stipe Pletikosa said a formal letter was sent seeking the VAR communication, but no response has been received. He also criticized extended breaks and officiating issues, referencing concerns from Croatia’s earlier match against England. Croatia argue these factors undermined the integrity of the competition.

Norway’s opening goal against England in the World Cup quarter-final was allowed to stand after VAR confirmed no foul occurred on Harry Kane in the buildup. Analyst Christina Unkel explained that the Norway player cleanly won the ball, while commentators Lee Dixon and Gary Neville agreed the challenge did not warrant a free-kick. England equalised through Jude Bellingham before halftime, with Kane later denied by an offside decision.

Manchester United are pursuing West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville as a key attacking target, having already reached agreements to sign Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Ederson from Atalanta. Preliminary talks with West Ham have begun, with the club potentially valuing Summerville at around £50 million. United may escalate their pursuit after finalising other incoming transfers, while competition is expected from Liverpool and Tottenham. Funds for the deal could partly come from a possible Marcus Rashford sale, as West Ham continue reshaping their squad following relegation.

Egypt’s Mostafa Ziko and manager Hossam Hassan accused match officials of unfairness and bias after a 3-2 defeat to Argentina at the World Cup. Ziko claimed the match was rigged in Argentina’s favour, citing a disallowed goal and the absence of a penalty review. Hassan echoed the criticism, arguing that key decisions and external pressure influenced the outcome and undermined fairness in the competition.

ITV pundits reacted with laughter after Gary Neville joked about Donald Trump while discussing Lionel Messi’s missed penalty during Argentina’s World Cup match against Egypt. The panel, including Ian Wright and Roy Keane, analyzed Messi’s struggles from the spot before turning to broader reflections on the difficulty of challenging star players over penalty duties. Egypt initially led through goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Ziko, but Argentina mounted a comeback with strikes from Cristian Romero, Messi and Enzo Fernández to reach the quarter-finals.

Arsenal have reportedly reached an agreement to sign former Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier on a free transfer, pending a medical, positioning him behind David Raya and Kepa Arrizabalaga in the squad. His arrival is expected to trigger a loan move for young goalkeeper Tommy Setford. Arsenal continue to explore additional transfers, including interest in Morgan Rogers, Bradley Barcola and Eli Junior Kroupi, while Leandro Trossard is linked with a potential £17.1 million move to Besiktas as he enters the final year of his contract.

Manchester United has introduced three new core values—badge, bravery and spirit—under the influence of co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos as the club prepares for the upcoming season. The principles emphasize respect for the club’s heritage, innovation and resilience. Manager Michael Carrick enters his first full season after securing third place last year, while United readies for Champions League competition and an extensive pre-season tour across Europe. Transfer activity continues, with Atalanta’s Ederson set to join the squad before the campaign begins with an August 22 opener against Hull City.

Ruben Amorim described his new role as AC Milan head coach as a greater challenge than his previous tenure at Manchester United, highlighting pride and ambition as he begins his three‑year term. After being dismissed by United earlier in the year following mixed results, he joins Milan with a familiar coaching team and aims to return the club to Champions League qualification while competing with top Serie A rivals.

Folarin Balogun scored and performed LeBron James’ signature “Silencer” celebration before receiving a red card during the United States’ 2-0 World Cup win over Bosnia & Herzegovina. His first goal was ruled out for offside, but a second stood and drew praise from James on social media. A VAR review later upgraded a foul on Tarik Muharemovic to a red card, ruling Balogun out of the USA’s last‑16 match against Belgium.

Belgium overturned a 2-0 deficit against Senegal at the 2026 World Cup after a touchline confrontation between Leandro Trossard and Youri Tielemans appeared to spark a late resurgence. Romelu Lukaku began the comeback with an 86th‑minute finish before Trossard and Tielemans combined for an equaliser, sending the match to extra time. Tielemans later scored a VAR-awarded penalty to secure a 3-2 victory and set up a last‑16 meeting with the United States.

Belgium advanced to the World Cup last 16 with a 3-2 comeback win over Senegal after overturning a 2-0 deficit and converting a late extra‑time penalty awarded via VAR, prompting anger and delays as Senegal’s players contested the decision. Tielemans scored the decisive spot‑kick after Senegal’s protests, sending Belgium through to face either the United States or Bosnia & Herzegovina in the next round.

Tim Henman says he plans to watch England’s World Cup match against DR Congo even if he is working on Wimbledon commentary duties. England advanced to the round of 32 after wins over Croatia and Panama and a draw with Ghana, and a victory in Atlanta would set up a meeting with Mexico. Broadcasters BBC and ITV are highlighted as tournament carriers, and Henman jokes about keeping an extra screen in the commentary box to follow the match.

A severe heatwave driven by a heat dome is expected to hit several World Cup host cities in the United States, with temperatures projected to exceed 43 degrees Celsius. England’s team, based in Kansas City ahead of their knockout match against DR Congo, faces heightened risk from the extreme conditions. Weather agencies issued multiple heat warnings across affected regions, and FIFA adjusted fan event times in response. England manager Thomas Tuchel has prepared players extensively through monitoring technology and controlled heat training to mitigate exertional heat illness risks. Spectators and workers are also warned of potential danger, particularly in outdoor fan zones and open-air stadium environments.

Moises Caicedo has been appointed Ecuador’s new World Cup captain after Enner Valencia stepped down during the tournament. Ecuador advanced to the round of 32 with a decisive win over Germany after initially struggling in the group stage. Caicedo previously captained Ecuador in a friendly and has also served as captain for Chelsea. A win over Mexico could lead to a potential matchup with England in the next round.

Manchester City confirmed Enzo Maresca as their new manager on a three‑year deal, replacing Pep Guardiola. Maresca apologised for his abrupt December 2025 resignation from Chelsea, which the club criticised in a detailed statement outlining their disappointment and the compensation agreements reached with both Manchester City and Maresca. City are preparing for an active transfer window, nearing a £116 million deal for Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and exploring a move for Chelsea’s Malo Gusto.

Isa Guha opened the BBC’s Wimbledon coverage by paying tribute to longtime weather presenter Carol Kirkwood, who stepped away after 28 years and will not appear during the tournament. A rotating team of BBC weather presenters, beginning with Matt Taylor, will take over her usual role. Kirkwood’s departure comes as Wimbledon begins amid anticipation surrounding returns and appearances by major players including Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner.