Matthew Abbott

Michael Carrick declined to confirm Manchester United’s interest in Carlos Baleba after the club reportedly submitted a bid of about £65 million to Brighton & Hove Albion. United are seeking a third midfielder after signing Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, but Baleba’s ankle injury is expected to keep him out for several weeks. Carrick also discussed the challenge posed by newly promoted Hull City and said Manchester United are aiming to strengthen the squad, build on last season’s form and believe they can compete for major achievements.

Chelsea minority investors Todd Boehly and Mark Walter are reportedly negotiating to sell their stakes to Clearlake Capital after recurring disagreements over the club’s strategy. Boehly and Walter each hold 12.8% of Chelsea, while Clearlake controls more than 60% but shares control equally with Boehly under the BlueCo ownership structure. The investors are reportedly valuing Chelsea at more than £5 billion, potentially allowing Boehly and Walter to more than double their original purchase outlay. The negotiations remain uncertain, and Chelsea has declined to comment. Walter’s recent sale of the Los Angeles Lakers and investigations into his investment businesses have fueled speculation that he may be seeking liquidity.

Tottenham Hotspur have announced captain Cristian Romero’s transfer to Atlético Madrid for £34 million on a five-year contract. The move follows Arsenal’s reported attempt to sign the Argentina international, which Tottenham rejected. Romero released an emotional farewell message thanking the club and supporters after five seasons, while Tottenham’s brief statement notably omitted an explicit thank-you for his contribution.

Keely Hodgkinson lost her European 800-metre title to Audrey Werro at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium after Werro produced a strong finish. Hodgkinson briefly removed her silver medal during a BBC interview as a joke, then acknowledged that any medal was a significant achievement and praised Werro's performance. She thanked the Birmingham crowd for its support, said she had not made a major tactical mistake, and vowed to return to training for their next meeting.

Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open because of a right knee injury after consulting doctors and his team. The Wimbledon champion has not played since retaining his title against Alexander Zverev and has now missed two consecutive ATP 1000 events. Sinner said he is disappointed but will focus on preparing for the US Open. Defending Cincinnati champion Carlos Alcaraz has also withdrawn with a wrist injury and may seek a wildcard for the Winston-Salem Open.

Vinicius Junior is set to miss another week of Real Madrid pre-season training after his extended rest following Brazil's World Cup campaign. Arsenal are reportedly prepared to make a club-record financial offer for the winger, who is entering the final year of his contract and could sign a pre-contract with a foreign club from January. The transfer largely depends on whether Vinicius and Real Madrid can agree a renewal, with both parties reportedly preferring a new deal despite previous negotiations breaking down over salary concessions. His demands are estimated at about £500,000 per week, while reports suggest Real Madrid want to resolve his future quickly.

Formula 1 and the FIA have agreed to hold the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix at Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit from 2 to 4 October, restoring an additional race to the calendar after the original Bahrain event was cancelled because of the Iran war. The event, positioned between the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grands Prix, still requires World Motor Sport Council approval and final agreements. Sepang will host Formula 1 for the first time since 2017, while the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix remains unscheduled.

Lando Norris argues that Formula One has prioritized commercial growth over the quality of racing, particularly through its hybrid-engine regulations, which helped attract Audi and other teams such as Cadillac. He says longtime fans may dislike the sport's post-Drive to Survive culture, where driver personalities can overshadow the races, and criticizes drivers' limited influence over decisions. Formula One rejects the criticism, saying drivers are consulted more than ever and that commercial success benefits everyone involved.

Former NFL offensive lineman Jordan Devey has died by suicide at age 38, his wife Linsey confirmed in an emotional anniversary tribute. Devey played for six NFL teams over seven seasons and was part of the New England Patriots' Super Bowl XLIX-winning team. A fundraiser for Linsey and their four children had raised $90,000 at the time of publication to help with emotional and medical expenses. Devey was also remembered for coaching youth and Eagle High School athletes and for his service in his church.

Tyson Fury says 2026 will be the final year of his boxing career and that he intends to remain active. He is scheduled to fight Mariusz Wach in Thailand, while Anthony Joshua is due to face Kristian Prenga, with a Fury-Joshua bout expected later in the year. Details of the prospective fight, including its venue, remain unconfirmed, although Netflix is expected to broadcast it and Wembley Stadium is Turki Al-Sheikh's preferred location. Fury's planned activity would be unusually intensive given that he has not fought more than twice in a calendar year since 2018.

Novak Djokovic compared competing with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner to facing a younger version of himself, acknowledging that their dominance poses both a challenge and motivation. He reflected on his recent losses to both players in Grand Slams and noted the difficulty of recovery as he gets older. Djokovic also discussed the importance of rivalries and finding new sources of inspiration following his Wimbledon defeat to Sinner.

Bryson DeChambeau received strong crowd support during the third round of The Open despite a two-stroke penalty for improving his lie, a ruling he disputed. The penalty dropped him down the leaderboard and briefly led him to consider withdrawing. When he returned to play, spectators gave him repeated ovations and he engaged jokingly with fans while navigating another rough lie. The incident sparked debate among players and fans, with some suggesting the ruling was overly harsh.

Thunderstorms and air-quality concerns in New Jersey forced Spain to cancel their final World Cup training session and led Argentina to delay theirs. Spain shifted to an indoor workout, while Argentina eventually trained after a rescheduled start. Both coaches addressed disruptions, with Lionel Scaloni criticising FIFA’s mandated timings and Luis de la Fuente noting his squad’s readiness, including Lamine Yamal’s availability.

Jude Bellingham expressed frustration with Jordan Pickford after Enzo Fernandez scored Argentina’s equaliser in England’s World Cup semi-final, with pundit Gary Neville also criticising the goalkeeper’s performance. Roy Keane instead praised Fernandez’s strike and later highlighted Lautaro Martinez’s decisive goal, while acknowledging Lionel Messi’s quality. Post‑match, Bellingham described England’s defeat as gutting and apologised to fans for the outcome.

Wayne Rooney and Joe Hart criticised Leandro Paredes for attempting to have Harry Kane penalised after the England captain covered his mouth while speaking to referee Ismail Elfath during the World Cup semi‑final. BBC footage clarified that the rule on covering the mouth applies only during confrontations between players, not during a conversation with a referee. Rooney described Argentina’s behaviour as part of a strategy to unsettle England, while Hart praised England’s response and resilience against Argentina’s tactics.

Wayne Rooney and fellow BBC pundits sharply criticised Thomas Tuchel’s tactical decisions after England surrendered a lead and lost to Argentina in the World Cup semi-final. Rooney argued that defensive substitutions invited pressure and drained player confidence, while Joe Hart and Micah Richards echoed that the switch to a five-man defence showed a lack of belief in the team’s ability to maintain momentum. Tuchel’s changes were widely blamed for allowing Argentina to dominate possession, overturn the deficit and eliminate England from the tournament.

Alan Shearer was briefly reprimanded by stadium staff before England’s World Cup semi‑final against Argentina after shaking hands with defender Dan Burn, an action not permitted on the pitch. The mix‑up occurred when Shearer mistook Burn’s wave to his family as a greeting, prompting the interaction. BBC presenter Kelly Somers recounted the incident on air, noting the staff did not recognize Shearer. Despite the telling‑off, he remained upbeat in his match commentary, expressing confidence in England’s chances and assessing Argentina as strong but less formidable than in previous tournaments.

Fans and media commentators are urging ESPN to replace John McEnroe as its lead Wimbledon announcer, praising Andy Roddick’s addition to the broadcast team and citing him and Chris Eubanks as stronger voices. McEnroe remains divisive across both ESPN and BBC coverage, receiving both criticism and support, with some viewers also taking issue with his on-air appearance during the final.

Tim Henman publicly thanked long‑time BBC commentator Andrew Castle as Castle concluded his final Wimbledon broadcast after 23 years. Castle reflected on his career, shared memories with colleagues including John Lloyd, and expressed mixed emotions about stepping down. The broadcast highlighted notable players and moments from Castle’s tenure as he signed off with appreciation for the sport and his colleagues.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the organization will consider expanding the World Cup to 64 teams after the current tournament featuring 48 teams, calling the format a success and beneficial for global football development. He argued that broader participation raises competitiveness and provides opportunities for smaller nations. Football fans remain divided, with some criticizing further expansion as excessive and others supporting it for maintaining quality and simplifying the format.

FIFA has confirmed that English referees Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor are barred from officiating Argentina's World Cup matches due to lingering sensitivities from the 1982 Falklands War. The policy also prevents them from overseeing games that could directly affect Argentina’s progression. While FIFA's referee assignments typically focus on performance and neutrality, geopolitical factors are considered when necessary. Similar restrictions applied during the 2022 World Cup, and the same conditions are expected this year as England and Argentina share the same side of the tournament bracket.

Spain progressed past Belgium after a late winner while England prepared for their World Cup quarter‑final against Norway with a triple fitness boost for Declan Rice, Marc Guehi and Reece James. Thunderstorm risks in Miami raised uncertainty over kickoff timing, and Thomas Tuchel noted the lack of FIFA explanation for Jarell Quansah’s suspension. Norway’s coach suggested England face greater pressure, while Harry Kane dismissed comparisons with Erling Haaland, downplayed Golden Boot competition, and recounted a past golf outing with Donald Trump.

Jelena Djokovic praised Felix Auger-Aliassime after his five-hour Wimbledon quarter-final loss to Novak Djokovic, sharing that the Djokovic children admire him and calling his performance admirable. Her message responded to Auger-Aliassime’s emotional reflection on the defeat and received strong engagement on social media. The article recounts their past meetings on the ATP Tour and highlights Auger-Aliassime’s comments about the difficulty of the match and his determination to keep improving.

Elise Mertens appeared to signal her coach to stop speaking by placing her finger to her lips during her Wimbledon quarter-final against Linda Noskova. BBC commentator Annabel Croft observed and described the gesture as a clear shush directed toward her box shortly before Mertens lost the match.

Felix Auger-Aliassime and Steve Johnson criticised Wimbledon’s medical-timeout rule after Alejandro Davidovich Fokina took a timeout during Auger-Aliassime’s service game, helping shift momentum in their match. Both argued that players should only receive treatment before their own service games to avoid unfair disruption. Auger-Aliassime called the current rule a disgrace and urged tennis authorities to change it.

Jurgen Klopp criticized Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino over Trump’s reported request to overturn Folarin Balogun’s World Cup suspension. FIFA suspended the automatic ban under Article 27, allowing Balogun to play for the United States against Belgium. Klopp denounced the intervention as inappropriate, calling the red card valid and warning that political figures should not influence football decisions. Trump welcomed the reversal as correcting an injustice.

Play on No. 1 Court at Wimbledon was twice halted after spectators fainted during high temperatures, prompting medical interventions and short delays. Commentators highlighted the extreme heat as Flavio Cobolli assisted an ill fan by offering water. A separate medical incident also paused the Centre Court match between Alexandra Eala and Jasmine Paolini as stewards helped remove another unwell spectator for treatment.

FIFA’s suspension of Folarin Balogun’s automatic ban following his World Cup red card prompted sharp criticism from former FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who questioned whether reported intervention by U.S. president Donald Trump influenced the ruling. Blatter argued decisions should rely on rules and evidence rather than political pressure. The disciplinary committee placed Balogun under a one‑year probationary period, while Trump publicly thanked FIFA for reversing what he called an injustice.

Sir Chris Hoy and Lady Sarra Hoy appeared in the Royal Box at Wimbledon as they continue to navigate significant health challenges, with Sir Chris battling stage‑four prostate cancer and Lady Sarra managing multiple sclerosis. Their presence drew warm support from spectators. Sir Chris reported feeling well and focused on preparing for the Tour de 4 charity cycling event, emphasizing his commitment to living fully and demonstrating resilience for others facing similar diagnoses.

England players Marcus Rashford and Morgan Rogers downplayed concerns over a potential six-hour change to their World Cup round‑of‑16 kick-off time against Mexico, emphasising readiness despite disruption. The adjustment is reportedly due to heavy rain and thunderstorms expected at the original start time in Mexico City. Keir Starmer had recently confirmed extended pub opening hours in the UK for the late-night match. Thomas Tuchel warned that England cannot adapt to the high altitude, which he said gives Mexico a major advantage. England players stated they would stay focused and prepared regardless of the schedule change.

Jamie Carragher argues that despite Harry Kane’s prolific season for Bayern Munich and England, his chances of winning the 2026 Ballon d'Or are likely to be harmed by England’s poor World Cup prospects, as the award traditionally favors standout players from the winning nation. He suggests Lionel Messi would be favored if Argentina triumphs, while Kylian Mbappe or Michael Olise could claim it should France win. Carragher maintains Kane has been the most deserving performer over the past year, though history shows World Cup winners rarely secure the award, with Messi’s 2022 win being a recent exception.

Manchester City have signed Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for a club‑record £116 million, surpassing their previous record fee for Jack Grealish. The transfer is among the costliest in football history and marks the highest sale in Forest’s history. Anderson, currently with England at the World Cup, completed his medical in Kansas and will finalise the move upon returning. The 23‑year‑old midfielder has risen rapidly since joining Forest from Newcastle, becoming a key player for both club and country and featuring prominently in England’s recent matches under Thomas Tuchel.

Katie Swan advanced to the Wimbledon second round with a straight-sets win over Irina-Camelia Begu, marking her first victory at the tournament in eight years and securing a minimum £126,000 payout. Her progress follows a long recovery from serious back problems that nearly ended her career until a new nerve-focused treatment proved effective. The win comes amid a difficult opening round for British players, with numerous early exits and several withdrawals across the men’s and women’s draws.