Russian business oligarch and former Chelsea owner
Paris Saint-Germain has moved its Ligue 1 opener against Rennes to Roazhon Park after the Parc des Princes pitch has deteriorated and been declared unsafe. The club has said it will replace the turf before its next home game on Sept. 4 and has thanked Rennes for hosting. The rearranged fixture follows a scorching summer that damaged the grass.
British, French and German ambassadors have met Russian officials to press for direct talks between Moscow and Kyiv after the E3 leaders backed Zelenskyy’s proposal for a face-to-face summit. Moscow has rejected meeting before a deal is agreed and continues to strike and be struck by Ukrainian long-range and drone attacks that have disrupted Russian supply lines and fuel deliveries to Crimea.
Zelensky has publicly urged direct talks with Putin to end the war, proposing a Swiss-style leaders’ meeting and cease-fire, while Putin has said there is no point in meeting and emphasised long-term agreements.
Ukraine has confirmed that Roman Abramovich traveled to Kyiv to convey messages to the Kremlin about peace prospects. Zelensky says Abramovich offered to relay Kyiv’s position to Putin and sought a face-to-face meeting. Putin has indicated no point in such talks, suggesting any settlement would require long-term guarantees.
Ken Bates, the controversial former Chelsea owner and chairman, has died at 94. He bought Chelsea for £1 in 1982, steered the club back to the top flight and helped shape its stadium and ownership model before selling to Roman Abramovich in 2003.
Fenway Sports Group has received an approach from a consortium led by Amit Bhatia that has offered to buy a strategic minority stake in Liverpool. Reports have said Jeff Bezos has held talks about joining the group and the bid would value the club at roughly a34.5bn-a36bn; talks are at an early stage.
A wave of new football kit designs is hitting top Scottish and European clubs as the 2026-27 season approaches. BBC Business collects notable releases from AC Milan to Celtic and Wales, with reactions ranging from praise for heritage-inspired designs to criticism of bold, modern looks.
Mourinho has confirmed his return to Real Madrid for a second spell, a move that reshapes the club’s coaching dynamics and expectations after a trophy-laden first era. The Netflix documentary adds fresh context, recounting a pivotal moment when a Chelsea reunion fell through after Real Madrid’s 2010-13 dominance.
A three-part Netflix series on Jose Mourinho examines a career marked by spectacular highs and ferocious rivalries. While the director highlights personal vulnerability, reviewers say the documentary covers only part of Mourinho’s story, leaving tactical details and early life largely unexplored.
Shakhtar Donetsk has secured four home fixtures in the Champions League main phase, but cannot play in Ukraine for security reasons due to the ongoing Russian invasion. The club will host matches at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge, subject to UEFA approvals, with the draw to decide opponents next week in Monaco. Shakhtar’s true home remains Ukraine, and the arrangement follows sanctions affecting ownership and prior conflict in Donetsk.