Larne were beaten 4-0 at home by Red Star Belgrade in the first leg of the Champions League second qualifying round. Manager Gary Haveron praised his side’s effort but acknowledged the quality gap, saying the competition was a step too far for the club.
Middlesbrough have reached an agreement with Tottenham Hotspur for 21‑year‑old striker Will Lankshear. The initial fee is around £10 million with add‑ons that could bring the total to a club‑record £20 million, though personal terms are yet to be finalised.
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson says the club feel privileged to return to the US for a pre‑season tour, where they will play three Premier League opponents. The schedule includes games against Leeds United in Tampa, Liverpool in New York and Sunderland in Philadelphia, with the squad looking to build on previous successful tours.
Rangers and Celtic face disciplinary hearings after a violent incident at Ibrox during their Scottish Cup quarter‑final, where supporters clashed and police made 37 arrests. The Scottish Football Association has issued identical complaints to both clubs and will consider stronger sanctions at a hearing on 13 August.
Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez said he is reflecting on whether it is time to step aside from international football after the team’s 1-0 loss to Spain in the World Cup final. The 33‑year‑old, a World Cup winner in 2022 and two‑time Yashin Trophy holder, expressed his disappointment and uncertainty about his future with the national side.
Tottenham Hotspur Women have completed a club‑record signing by bringing in 22‑year‑old French defender Alice Sombath from Lyon. The fee was undisclosed, but the move follows a busy transfer window for the club. Sombath, a versatile centre‑back/right‑back who featured for France at Euro 2025, joins a Spurs side looking to build for the future.
Police seized more than 220,000 counterfeit football shirts, valued at over £18 million, across the UK ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Tests showed the fake kits are far more flammable than genuine ones, prompting safety warnings from fire services and the Intellectual Property Office.
Colombian striker Jhon Duran has moved to Portuguese giants Benfica on a season‑long loan from Saudi club Al‑Nassr, with a £5.19 million fee and an option to buy for £25.5 million at the end of the 2026‑27 season. The 22‑year‑old, who has already played for six clubs across five countries, aims to establish himself at his seventh club.
Kieran McGeeney has been ratified to continue as Armagh senior football manager for the 2027 season, extending his tenure to a 13th year, making him the longest‑serving inter‑county manager. The decision follows recent Ulster and All‑Ireland campaigns, including a 2024 All‑Ireland title and a 2026 Ulster championship win.
Scottish clubs Heart of Midlothian, Rangers, Motherwell and Hibernian have been drawn into European qualifying rounds and now know their potential opponents. Hearts face a Champions League path, Rangers a Europa League tie, while Motherwell and Hibernian are set for the Conference League.