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.
Heart of Midlothian and Rangers have learned their possible European opponents for the upcoming qualifying rounds. Hearts could meet Fenerbahce or Gornik Zabrze after a tie with Sturm Graz, while Rangers face Jagiellonia Bialystok in the Europa League and await further draws.
Swansea City are on the verge of completing a transfer for Motherwell winger Elijah Just, a 26‑year‑old New Zealand international who impressed at the World Cup. The move would see Swansea break Motherwell’s record fee and reunite Just with fellow Kiwi Marko Stamenic at the Welsh club.
Arsene Wenger, FIFA’s head of global football development, said the three‑minute hydration breaks introduced at the 2026 World Cup have not been popular and will be reviewed after the tournament. He noted that while the breaks did not appear to affect match results, they have drawn criticism from fans and some coaches, and FIFA will analyse their impact.