London club; relegated to the EFL Championship for 2026–27, plays at London Stadium
West Ham has addressed an antisemitic chant directed at new signing Manor Solomon, calling on supporters to represent the club “in the right way.” The club notes Solomon’s debut goal in a 2-2 draw at Burnley and vows safety, respect, and inclusion for all fans. The response comes as the issue draws attention from several outlets.
Celtic has taken a commanding 3-0 lead over LASK in the Champions League playoff first leg, with Nygren and Duran scoring and Duran adding a second. O’Neill warns the tie is not over, as Celtic must be prepared to score again in Austria to secure a return to the Champions League.
Chelsea has set a Friday deadline for offers at £120m for Enzo Fernandez, with Manchester City’s interest tied to Rodri’s potential exit. City have already signed Elliot Anderson, and Rodri’s future and Fernandez’s deal appear interconnected as both clubs reassess midfield options ahead of the new season.
Arsenal’s title bid faces a setback as they fail to clinch the Champions League final. The Dutch side is overshadowed by injuries and timing ahead of the World Cup, forcing strategic shifts. The Netherlands announce Timber’s withdrawal from the squad and Geertruida’s call-up ahead of the warm-up in New York. The World Cup opener remains on schedule.
Sweden has clawed back into form after a dismal World Cup qualifying, with Isak and Gyökeres headlining a new, more fluid attack under Graham Potter. Sweden’s manager is guiding a fast, flexible system that contrasts with a poor recent qualification campaign, and the team is showing signs of progress ahead of the finals.
London’s Pride parade has drawn more than 35,000 marchers from 600 groups, with temperatures reaching 28C. Activists urge ongoing protection of LGBTQ+ rights as authorities warn of a zero-tolerance stance on hate crime. The event marks a push for greater trans healthcare access and safe spaces, while London unveils plans for WorldPride 2032.
Rangers focus on strengthening ahead of the new season as multiple targets are linked. John Souttar and Danilo remain in transfer talks, while clubs in Scotland, England and abroad monitor a range of players from the Ibrox squad.
Slaven Bilic has returned to lead Croatia, taking over a team that exited the World Cup in the Round of 32 after a 2-1 loss to Portugal. Dalic has stepped down after nearly a decade in charge, and Bilic is set to guide Croatia toward Euro 2028.
Arsenal has agreed a permanent transfer of Leandro Trossard to Besiktas, paving the way for the Belgium winger to depart after three-and-a-half years. He has played 174 times for Arsenal, scoring 36 goals, including a late winner at West Ham that helped keep the title bid alive. His final appearance for Arsenal was the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, where he assisted Havertz before the shootout.
West Ham captain Bowen has reaffirmed his commitment to the club amid a summer of transfer activity. The side is rebuilding under new majority shareholder Daniel Kretínský and manager Rita Guarino, aiming to return to the Premier League after relegation. Bowen travelled to Prague for discussions and has been convinced by the club’s direction and ambition.
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.
A wave of data from the Home Office and football bodies shows rising incidents at matches, with officials arguing current policing funding—with taxpayers shouldering about £70m annually—cannot continue. The debate centers on safety, policing costs, and the future role of clubs in funding security outside stadiums.
Woking FC has parted ways with manager Jermain Defoe by mutual consent, ending a four-month spell after the club’s season preparations. Directors say concerns across staff and players prompted the decision, with no direct concerns raised by Defoe.
Liverpool is pressing ahead with a US pre-season tour while a consortium led by Amit Bhatia explores a minority stake, valuing the club at over £4.5 billion. The club emphasizes stability and growth off the pitch as it seeks to build revenue and trophies under new management.
King Kazu Miura has scored for Fukushima United in a 7-0 Emperor’s Cup win, extending his record as the oldest goalscorer and signaling a continued late-career push as he remains under contract into 2027.
Tottenham Hotspur have reinforced under Roberto De Zerbi with a club-record outlay this summer and are pursuing additional attackers to support a push back into Europe. New signings Tonali, Fernandes and Van Hecke have been completed, while Lucas Bergvall’s future remains under discussion. Chelsea’s Morgan Rogers and England teammates are among the targets. The club is confident of finishing higher than last season’s 17th place.
Spaniard Olid has been appointed to replace Marc Skinner as Manchester United Women’s head coach, four weeks before the 2026-27 WSL season. She arrives from Hearts, where she led the SWPL club to a first league title and domestic final. United have moved to a youth-focused recruitment strategy amid a quiet transfer window.
UK music charts have seen Sam Fender and Olivia Dean’s Rein Me In extend its lead as the longest-running No. 1 in UK history, spending 19 non-consecutive weeks at the top. Reports from The Guardian, Reuters, Independent and BBC Business confirm the track’s record and discuss cultural implications amid streaming-driven fragmentation.
The Brazil international has secured a 2-1 win for Tottenham over Chelsea in a pre-season friendly in Sydney, scoring the 92nd-minute winner after Tottenham were reduced to 10 men. De Zerbi has suggested Richarlison’s future remains uncertain, with Spurs’ transfer activity intensifying this summer.
Victims’ minister says the prime minister has agreed to meet Epstein’s victims and is reviewing a public inquiry into the UK activities of the late financier and related cases. Harrods survivor and Al Fayed inquiries are also under consideration. Authorities say reviews are ongoing and no formal inquiry is announced yet.
London has submitted its bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships. A deal with West Ham United and London Stadium LLP ensures the London Stadium will be used, while UK government and Mayor of London support the bid. The host city will be announced in September 2026.
Martin O’Neill has undergone a small procedure and is recovering at home. Shaun Maloney is coordinating training as Celtic prepare for their next match; a final call on the manager’s involvement will be made in the coming days.
The Carabao Cup second round has been drawn, with Chelsea and Tottenham entering the competition alongside other Premier League clubs not in Europe. The draw is sectional (north and south) and ties will be played the week of 24 August. The nine top-flight teams in Europe this season join in the third round.
West Ham has signed Israel international Solomon for about £5m with add-ons as they rebuild after relegation. He is set to improve the attack while the club targets immediate promotion back to the Premier League. Public reaction includes online backlash over his Israel advocacy, but fans hope his footballing impact will be decisive.
Scotland has named Sebastien Pocognoli as its new head coach, succeeding Steve Clarke. Pocognoli, a 39-year-old former Belgium international, has led Union Saint-Gilloise to a Belgian title and most recently managed Monaco. His appointment signals a shift to a front-foot, high-press style and aims to build on Clarke’s foundations.
Lanterns has premiered on HBO/HBO Max with Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre delivering a grounded, police‑procedural Green Lantern story set in Nebraska. The series blends a murder mystery with alien intrigue, balancing earthbound drama with cosmic powers as Hal Jordan and his trainee John Stewart investigate a mass shooting that hints at a larger invasion.
Lincoln City’s return to the Championship ends in stoppage-time heartbreak as Lankshear strikes a late winner for his new club after Adam Reach had given Lincoln the lead. Bolton, QPR, Charlton and Swansea collect early points in the weekend’s opening fixtures; Derby and Preston share the spoils in a 2-1 encounter, while Millwall, Bristol City, Norwich and others suffer mixed starts.