Prefecture and largest city of Grand Est, eastern France
A round-up of recent matches sees Millwall edge Newcastle, Palace and City win, while Chelsea’s draw with Villa and Liverpool, Tottenham results shape early season dynamics. Key debuts and managerial changes feature as teams adjust to competitive fixtures.
Ipswich Town has announced Gary O’Neil as its new manager on a three-year deal, replacing Kieran McKenna as the club prepares for Premier League football. O’Neil arrives from Strasbourg after guiding them to a Conference League semi-final; he is supported by Tim Jenkins, Neil Critchley and Ed Ames. The club’s chairman emphasises a clear vision and ambition.
Two men implicated in the October 2025 Louvre burglary have told investigative judges that the mastermind behind the heist was unhappy with the haul and believed more could be taken. They say they were recruited just days before the break-in and that the plan involved smashing display cases to steal royal jewelry worth about €88 million. The men, Abdoulaye N and Ghelamallah A, say they were paid up to €20,000 and faced dire financial pressures.
United have already signed two midfielders this window and face injuries and departures that heighten the need for further reinforcements. Several targets are in play, with attention turning to a potential homegrown option as pre-season shows rising balance in midfield.
Dortmund has signed Kos Karetsas from Genk on a five-year deal for 32 million euros, plus potential bonuses, as part of a broader strategy to avoid a repeat near-miss in the league. The club is also building a strong women's side with major signings like Manuela Zinsberger and Alexandra Popp to advance ambitions in German football.
France has enacted a law banning unsolicited marketing calls without prior consent, with penalties for non-compliance. The measure aims to curb consumer harassment and protect vulnerable groups, entering into force on Aug. 11, 2026. Several sources report similar restrictions and potential regional impacts, including Morocco’s call-centre sector and EU peers.
PSG has boosted its squad with Ferran Torres and others as heat forces the Ligue 1 opener to move to Rennes. Strasbourg records a significant sale to Milan, with Moreira signing a five-year deal as part of a broader financial shake-up.
Chelsea have moved to sign Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez from Aston Villa on a two-year contract, with a medical expected in London. The move follows mixed performances from Robert Sánchez and comes after Villa allowed Martínez to depart amid a squad reshuffle that includes Zion Suzuki’s arrival.
Arsenal has moved to the top of the table early this season as Martin Ødegaard has taken on a more advanced role, delivering goals and assists in a 2-2 draw with Chelsea after a late leveller. Tzolis provided a sharp assist earlier, and Havertz struck a clever reply to keep the result level.
Crystal Palace wins at Fulham as Ben Chilwell nets the decisive goal on his return, sealing a dramatic 2-1 win after Fulham had led twice. Palace extend a winless start for Fulham under new manager Álvaro Arbeloa.
EU officials say Canada is pursuing a deeper partnership with the bloc, focusing on security, defence, Arctic cooperation, and strategic research. Canada’s prime minister will address the European Parliament and EU lawmakers in Strasbourg, signalling a shift toward like-minded, pro-trade democracies. Talks remain preliminary, with clear steps to be outlined by the Canadian leader.