Serbian football club, a storied force at home and in Europe
Ukrainian club were in fourth tier in 2021 but, despite war with Russia, will contest European qualifiers for first time
Celtic faces LASK in a two-legged Europa League play-off-style path for a place in the Champions League groups. First legs are scheduled for Aug. 18-19 with the return a week later. LASK won the Austrian Bundesliga last season and has a track record against Scottish sides; Celtic aims to advance after last season’s exit at this stage.
Arsenal’s young prospects are set to feature more in the 2026-27 season, with Dowman and Salmon highlighted as early breakthroughs, while Villa, Bournemouth and Brentford push their own youth paths and market interest grows around Abdul Abdulmalik and Milambo.
Northern Ireland clubs face a potential loss of a European slot as Larne exits and Rangers miss out; the play-off system and finances come under scrutiny, with implications for coefficients and domestic competition this season.
UEFA has fined Red Star Belgrade 90,000 euros and banned ticket sales for their next away match after supporters chanted in tribute to Ratko Mladić, who died last week in The Hague while serving a life sentence for genocide. The incident followed a 5-1 defeat by Viktoria Plzeň on Aug. 27.
Serbia has announced snap parliamentary elections for late October, with President Vucic seeking to consolidate power amid sustained anti-government protests sparked by the 2024 Novi Sad canopy collapse. Protests have demanded accountability and an end to corruption, while the government faces EU scrutiny over democratic freedoms. The election date will be set within the next 45-60 days, and a student-backed list aims to challenge the ruling party.
Serbia has held a large funeral for Ratko Mladić, a convicted war criminal, with several government ministers and senior figures attending. EU leaders have condemned the official-style tribute and EU enlargement chief Marta Kos has cancelled a planned visit; Bosnia has downgraded diplomatic ties in response.