Serbian football club based in Belgrade, historic European champion
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 is preparing to give 16-year-old Max Dowman more first-team opportunities after a pre-season showing. His goal at 16 years old marks him as the youngest scorer in Premier League history; Arteta is weighing deeper involvement as the season approaches.
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 formalised a snap parliamentary election in late October, as President Vucic faces two years of anti-government protests and international scrutiny after the Novi Sad canopy collapse tragedy. The vote tests Vucic’s grip on power as student-led protests demand accountability and broader reforms.
Serbia has held a large funeral for Ratko Mladić, the convicted Bosnian war criminal, with soldiers, several government ministers and church leaders taking part. The event has prompted condemnations from the EU, led to Bosnia downgrading diplomatic ties, and caused EU officials to pause visits and reassess Serbia’s accession prospects.