Professional football club in the English Premier League
Chants referencing Diogo Jota during a Saudi Pro League match involving Al-Hilal and Al-Taawoun have drawn sanctions from SAFF and SPL. Ruben Neves reacted to the chants by pointing to his eye and skyward, while Cristiano Ronaldo has called for lifetime stadium bans for offenders. Al-Taawoun faces fines and two home games behind closed doors.
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.
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.
Rangers have struggled at the start of the Derek McInnes era, with mixed results in domestic and European fixtures. The team is chasing improvement after a difficult run that has left them trailing Celtic in the league and facing a pivotal return leg in Europe.
Everton has confirmed a four-year deal for Johnson, with McNeil moving to Crystal Palace in a swap that mirrors a rocky June, when paperwork delays delayed a February near-miss. The move signals Palace’s continued rebuild under pressure to qualify for European competition; Johnson seeks top-flight form again after an underwhelming Palace spell.
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.
Millwall beat Norwich 3-0 with Arconte scoring on his home debut; Portsmouth defeat Lincoln 3-1; Birmingham draw with Bristol City 2-2; other results include Millwall’s 2-0 win over Bristol City and several other Championship results.
Larne is eliminated after conceding a late penalty in extra-time to Invermen following a 2-0 lead, with Montel Gibson sent off and controversy around a handball in the dying stages.
West Bromwich Albion forward Aune Heggebo has been banned for two matches after a controversial goal against Norwich City, the first known case of deception of a match official under FA Rule E3.1. The decision, announced after extensive debate, has sparked questions about consistency and future conduct in the league.
English clubs Bournemouth, Sunderland and Crystal Palace are set for European action this season after the Europa League draw placed them in pots with Juventus, Milan and Olympiacos among others. The field features Celtic, Real Sociedad and Marseille as the tournament grows more competitive. The draw determines fixtures for the group phase, with teams facing two from each of four pots and hosting half the matches.
Arsenal has started the season with three straight wins, signaling a strong title challenge as City face pressure to respond. Hull City is making a surprise early statement under Jakirovic, taking seven points from three games and challenging expectations in the Premier League.
Crystal Palace beat Fulham 3-2 at Craven Cottage as Ben Chilwell’s stoppage-time volley seals the win after Tyrick Mitchell equalised twice. Fulham had led twice but injuries and a late goal cost Arbeloa’s side; Palace take momentum into the next fixtures.
Fans at a Saudi Pro League game between Al-Taawoun and Al-Hilal chanted Jota’s name at Ruben Neves, a close friend of the late Diogo Jota. Neves responded by pointing to his eye and sky; Ronaldo has urged lifetime bans for offending fans. Both clubs and Saudi football authorities say they will take action to prevent such abuse.
Canada and Britain are pursuing closer European ties as Prime Minister Burnham hosts Canadian PM Carney for talks and a Carabao Cup match in Liverpool. The meeting centers on Europe, defence financing, and NATO cooperation, with a side note on the teams’ Everton fandom.
The Carabao Cup ties see Manchester City and Norwich facing each other after City, the holders, may rest stars. Fleetwood and Liverpool advance to round four, with further ties shaping the fourth-round draw. Everton and Newcastle, Fulham and Palace, and Bournemouth and Villa also progress, setting up a busy slate of matches.
Canada seeks a closer alliance with the EU as Ursula von der Leyen pitches associate membership for Canada, while Donald Trump threatens tariffs if he views the move as hostile. The plan follows Canada’s ongoing trade tensions with the United States and signals a shift toward strategic partnership with Brussels.
BBC and Guardian reports converge on the long-awaited Dockers Derby as Millwall hosts West Ham at The Den for the first time in nearly 15 years. The match underscores London football’s fierce rivalry, the emotional pull for fans, and the policing measures expected around a high-stakes clash.