Ali Rampling
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Deputy News Editor @TheAthleticFC | Ex Women’s Football Editor, 90min
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Articles by Ali Rampling
Tom Brady departs Birmingham City with club top of Championship
Tom Brady, the seven-time Super Bowl champion, has left his role at Birmingham City. Brady, 49, had been a minority investor in the club since the summer of 2023, but the club confirmed his exit in a statement on Monday. The former New England Patriots quarterback’s departure comes with Birmingham top of the Championship, English football’s second tier, as the club aims to return to the Premier League for the first time since 2011.
Arsenal’s Max Dowman named in England Under-21 squad for first time
Arsenal forward Max Dowman has been named in the England Under-21 squad for the first time. Dowman, 16, has been called up by head coach Lee Carsley for the November friendlies against Portugal and France, having previously represented England up to under-19 level.
Kozo Tashima, head of Japanese FA, to challenge Gianni Infantino for FIFA presidency
Kozo Tashima, president of the Japan Football Association (JFA), has announced his intention to challenge Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency. Tashima, 58, is the second person to confirm that they plan to run in March’s election, with former Tottenham Hotspur defender Ramon Vega announcing his candidacy in October.
Cristiano Ronaldo retires live updates: Portugal legend calls time on international career
Cristiano Ronaldo announces Portugal retirement — Latest Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his international retirement, bringing an end to his 23-year Portugal career. The 41-year-old bows out for his country having set men's international records for caps and goals, earning 234 caps and scoring 146 times. In a video released to his social media accounts, Ronaldo said: “To the Portuguese people. The day has come for me to hand back to number seven shirt of our national team.
Murder investigation launched after death of non-League footballer
Police have launched a murder investigation following the death of a non-League footballer in a suspected assault. Ezekiel Williams, a 26-year-old midfielder who represented Hendon FC, died in hospital on Monday after an incident in Milton Keynes on Sunday morning. Thames Valley Police said two men, aged 21 and 28, had been arrested on suspicion of murder, and another man, aged 30, had been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. All three remain in custody.
Como equal Champions League record win with 9-1 victory against Lens
Como equalled the record for the biggest margin of victory in Champions League history with a 9-1 win over Lens on Wednesday. The result matched Liverpool’s 8-0 victory over Besiktas in the 2007-08 group stages and Real Madrid’s 8-0 win against Malmo at the same stage of the competition in 2015-16.
Lamine Yamal, Raphinha score twice in emphatic Barcelona win against Alaves
Barcelona returned to the top of La Liga with a 6-1 win against Alaves on Saturday. Lamine Yamal and Raphinha both scored twice as Barca got back to winning ways following last week’s loss against back-to-back European champions Paris Saint-Germain and defeat to Real Madrid in El Clasico. Fermin Lopez and Anthony Gordon were also on the scoresheet as Barca moved back ahead of Atletico Madrid at the La Liga summit. Atletico had briefly led the top flight on Saturday after winning 2-0 at Levante.
Charlotte FC winger Allan Saint-Maximin was sent off for grabbing his crotch in the direction of an opponent during his side’s MLS win over Orlando City on Saturday. Saint-Maximin, 29, was dismissed in the 89th minute of the fixture at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte following a video assistant referee (VAR) intervention. The former Newcastle United winger appeared to make the lewd gesture while he exchanged words with Orlando’s Wilder Cartagena, with Charlotte leading 3-0.
Michael Carrick expects to be in charge of Manchester United vs. Roma: ‘We’ve got to move forward’
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick says he expects to be in charge for next week’s Champions League tie against Roma despite Saturday’s loss to Chelsea leaving his side without a win in their last nine matches. United were beaten 2-0 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, playing the final 30 minutes of the Premier League fixture with 10 players following Lisandro Martinez’s sending off. Carrick’s position as head coach has come under scrutiny in recent weeks.
Storm Boelo: National League game abandoned after 14 minutes due to waterlogged pitch
The National League fixture between Barrow AFC and Forest Green Rovers was abandoned after 14 minutes on Saturday due to a waterlogged pitch. Footage from the game showed the ball stopping because of the sodden turf and large amounts of water spraying up from the pitch as players planted their feet.
Former Arsenal sporting director Edu working as Northampton Town advisor
Edu, the former Arsenal and Nottingham Forest senior executive, is working as an advisor for League Two side Northampton Town. Sports Alpha Capital (SAC), a consortium led by former Milan and Brazil striker Alexandre Pato, bought a 70 per cent stake in Northampton in September. SAC founding partner and Northampton co-chairman Joao Xavier confirmed at the club’s open forum that Pato’s compatriot Edu would be advising Northampton on sporting matters on an ad-hoc basis.
Peres Jepchirchir, world marathon champion, provisionally suspended after positive doping test
World marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for banned substance erythropoietin (EPO). The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), the body responsible for addressing doping violations in track and field, confirmed in a statement on Friday that Jepchirchir had returned an adverse analytical finding for EPO.
Marathon champion Ruti Aga banned for six years after forging prescription from fake clinic
Former Tokyo Marathon champion Ruti Aga has been banned for six years after anti-doping investigators found she submitted a forged prescription from a fictional clinic to explain a failed drugs test. Aga, 32, attributed her positive test for methylprednisolone, a steroid hormone prohibited in-competition that can reduce pain and aid recovery, to treatment for a knee injury.
Bournemouth owner Bill Foley says he is “convinced” the club is the best place for midfielder Alex Scott but admits the attraction of potential suitors such as Chelsea or Manchester City could turn his head. Scott, 23, has a contract with Bournemouth through to 2028 and while Bournemouth have been keen to tie him down to an extension, The Athletic reported this month he has no plans to sign a new deal.
Barcelona accuse PSG of ‘inciting violence’ with ‘disturbing’ tifo
Barcelona have accused Paris Saint-Germain of “inciting violence” with a tifo displayed by the French club’s fans before Tuesday’s Champions League tie between the teams. A tifo was unveiled behind one of the goals at the Parc des Princes before kick-off of the league phase fixture. It depicted a masked figure destroying the Barcelona crest with a bloodied chainsaw and was accompanied by the message, “Massacre a la Parisienne” (Massacre, Parisian style).
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, has joined the ownership group of Spanish soccer club Atletico Madrid. Atletico confirmed the news in a press release Thursday, stating that the partnership with the Oklahoma City Thunder guard “is grounded in shared values: ambition, excellence and the belief that every result must be earned”.
Erling Haaland has called on Manchester City fans to “stick together” after the club was found guilty of almost all charges relating to breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules. The Premier League confirmed on September 29 an independent regulatory commission had found City guilty of “sham payments” and artificially inflating their revenue and reducing their costs by more than £900million ($1.19bn) between 2009 and 2018.
South Korea considers scaling back athlete military service exemption, sports minister says
The policy of athletes in South Korea avoiding military service if they medal at the Olympics or Asian Games is set to be reviewed and likely reduced, the country’s sports minister says. In South Korea, all able-bodied men must serve 18 to 21 months in the military before the age of 28, although the government grants exemption to gold medalists at the Asian Games and all Olympic medalists.
Cardiff’s Krystian Bielik given two-match ban after Portsmouth fan altercation
Cardiff City’s Krystian Bielik has been given a two-match ban for misconduct following a confrontation with a young Portsmouth fan during September’s Championship fixture. The English Football Association (FA) confirmed in a statement on Tuesday that Bielik, 28, had admitted to the charge of “acting in an improper manner”. An independent regulatory committee imposed a two-match ban and £10,000 ($13,280) fine.
FIFA, Gianni Infantino facing further ethics questions after Norway complaint about ‘abuse of position’
The Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) says it has submitted a three-part ethics complaint to FIFA regarding “political neutrality in international football”. The complaint centres on the awarding of the FIFA Peace Prize to U.S. President Donald Trump, the Folarin Balogun case and the scrapped plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors, questioning whether FIFA President Gianni Infantino “abused” his position.
Pau Cubarsi, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Yan Diomande and Estevao on 2026 Golden Boy shortlist
Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsi, Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly and Real Madrid’s Yan Diomande are among the 25 nominees for the 2026 Golden Boy Award. Spain defender Cubarsi — who has also been nominated for the Ballon d’Or after being named Young Player of the Tournament at the 2026 World Cup — is one of three Barcelona players shortlisted for the award, alongside Marc Bernal and Xavi Espart.
Why Croatia and England’s behind-closed-doors game could be up to 75 per cent full
The Nations League fixture between Croatia and England on Saturday is due to played behind closed doors, meaning no fans are allowed to attend the game — however, the stadium could be nearly 75 per cent full. Croatia were banned from playing in front of fans for one game by UEFA, European football’s governing body, following racist and discriminatory supporter behaviour during last year’s Nations League quarter-finals.
Arsenal concede bizarre penalty in women’s Champions League Paris FC draw Original
Arsenal let a two-goal lead slip against Paris FC in the women’s Champions League after conceding a bizarre penalty in the final stages of the league phase fixture. Defender Leah Williamson was penalised for handball after picking up the ball in the penalty area at an Arsenal goal kick, after appearing to believe the ball was not yet in play. Paris FC’s Maeline Mendy converted the subsequent spot kick to level the scores, with the game finishing 2-2.
Arsenal concede bizarre penalty in women’s Champions League Paris FC draw
Arsenal let a two-goal lead slip against Paris FC in the women's Champions League after conceding a bizarre penalty in the final stages of the league phase fixture. Defender Leah Williamson was penalised for handball after picking up the ball in the penalty area at an Arsenal goal kick, after appearing to believe the ball was not yet in play. Paris FC's Maeline Mendy converted the subsequent spot kick to level the scores, with the game finishing 2-2.
Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Portugal camp after ‘crisis’ meeting
Cristiano Ronaldo has announced that he has decided to leave Portugal’s national team camp following a “crisis” meeting. Ronaldo, 41, did not play a minute of Sunday’s win over Norway and did not train with his team-mates on Monday or Tuesday. The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has not reported any injury or physical issue with the player.
Thomas Muller, 37, signs Vancouver Whitecaps contract extension
Thomas Muller has signed a contract extension with Vancouver Whitecaps through the 2027 MLS season. The 37-year-old’s previous deal had been due to expire at the end of the 2026 campaign. The Whitecaps confirmed in a press release on Tuesday that the club had signed Muller to a designated player contract extension through the 2027 MLS sprint season — next year’s shortened campaign as the league prepares to flip its calendar to a summer-spring format.
Mallorca goalkeeper Ivan Cuellar hospitalised after canteen structure collapses
Mallorca goalkeeper Ivan ‘Pichu’ Cuellar has been hospitalised after some decor in the club’s training ground’s canteen collapsed. The Spanish second tier side confirmed in a statement on Monday that Cuellar, 42, had sustained a serious head injury following the incident at the club’s Antonio Asensio training ground. Mallorca said a “large structure”, which was part of the decoration in the dining room, had collapsed.
Tyson Fury claims Anthony Joshua fight in jeopardy, Joshua camp expects bout to go ahead
Tyson Fury claims December’s heavyweight fight against Anthony Joshua is in jeopardy, while Joshua’s camp expect the bout to go ahead as planned. Netflix officially announced on Thursday that the two British heavyweights will fight each other on December 11 at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, concluding months of back-and-forth over the date and location of the highly-anticipated showdown.
Republic of Ireland confirm Israel game to go ahead after team vote
The Republic of Ireland have confirmed Sunday’s Nations League fixture against Israel will go ahead following a team vote on the matter. David Courell, the Football Association of Ireland’s (FAI) chief executive, explained a lengthy meeting between the squad and management had taken place on Saturday morning after an unnamed player “expressed discomfort” regarding the game and asked to withdraw.
Mohamed Salah rested for Egypt’s AFCON qualifier due to artificial pitch
Egypt have rested forward Mohamed Salah for Tuesday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Sudan because the game is being played on an artificial pitch. The Egypt Football Association (EFA) said in a statement on Saturday that an agreement had been reached between Salah, 34, and the coaching staff to miss the fixture at Juba Stadium in order to “protect” him.
Yuki Kurihara, 11, wins Asian Games gold for Japan
Eleven-year-old Yuki Kurihara won gold at the Asian Games on Saturday, beating competitors nearly three times his age to top the podium. The Japanese esports competitor won the Puyo Puyo Champions final with a 10-2 victory over South Korea’s Kang Dongshin, 24. Puyo Puyo is a puzzle game created in Japan. With similarities to Tetris, it involves players attempting to quickly clear their screen of colourful blobs by lining them up as they fall.
Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua fight confirmed for Cardiff in December
The heavyweight fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua has been announced for Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on December 11. The Athletic reported on Sunday that both fighters’ teams were working towards the bout being staged at Wales’ 73,931-capacity national stadium with a likely date of December 11, and this was confirmed by boxing powerbroker Turki Al-Sheikh on Thursday.
Dele Alli made Barnet training offer after using League Two club’s facilities
Barnet manager Dean Brennan says “the doors are open” for Dele Alli to train with his side after the former England international used the League Two club’s facilities. Dele, 30, has been without a club since an agreement was reached to terminate his Como contract in September 2025 and this week posted footage on social media of him working individually at Barnet’s training ground, the Hive.
Cardiff’s Krystian Bielik and Portsmouth fan reach out-of-court resolution in assault investigation
An out-of-court resolution has been reached between Cardiff City’s Krystian Bielik and a Portsmouth fan following a police investigation into an alleged common assault during September’s Championship fixture. Hampshire Police confirmed its investigation had concluded and an apology had been provided by Bielik, 28, as part of the agreement. In a separate investigation, Bielik has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association (FA) in relation to the incident.
Gymnast Oksana Chusovitina, 51, targets ninth Olympics after qualifying for Asian Games final
Uzbekistan gymnast Oksana Chusovitina, 51, is targeting a ninth Olympics after qualifying for the vault final at the 2026 Asian Games. Chusovitina finished fourth in qualifying with a score of 13.266 to secure her place in Thursday’s final — 32 years on from her first appearance at the Games. Speaking after her event, Chusovitina says she also intends to attempt qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, having first appeared in the competition in Barcelona 34 years ago.
Inter Miami’s Nu Stadium to host 2027 Women’s Champions Cup Original
Inter Miami’s Nu Stadium will stage the 2027 Women’s Champions Cup. Miami had been announced as the hosts for the final phase of the competition, contested by the reigning continental champions from each confederation (UEFA, CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, OFC and AFC) in a calendar year, by the FIFA Council in April. World football’s governing body and Inter Miami confirmed on Saturday that the MLS side’s newly-opened stadium would hold the semi-finals, bronze medal match and final in January 2027.
Luke Littler threatens to boycott Dutch darts tournaments over booing
World champion Luke Littler has threatened to boycott future tournaments in the Netherlands after receiving a hostile reception from fans at the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam. Littler, 19, was booed and whistled by the crowd as he progressed to the quarter-finals with a dramatic 10-9 victory over compatriot Nathan Aspinall.
Former England international Andros Townsend avoids injury after being run over by pitch roller
Former England international Andros Townsend avoided serious injury after being run over by a pitch roller before a Thai Pro League fixture. Townsend, 35, was warming up when he stretched to control a ball and was knocked over by the roller at the Pattani Province Stadium on Saturday. In footage that was widely shared on social media, The slow-moving vehicle rolled over his legs as his team-mates reacted with shock and concern.
UEFA defends draw policy after Republic of Ireland says request to avoid Israel rejected
UEFA has defended its draw policy after the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) chief executive David Courell said a request to avoid future meetings with Israel had been rejected by the governing body. Courell told reporters on Friday, in quotes carried by the BBC, that the FAI had requested to UEFA that the Republic of Ireland and Israel be separated in future competition draws, with the two side due to meet in the 2026-27 Nations League campaign.
Cristiano Ronaldo named in Jorge Jesus’ first Portugal squad
Cristiano Ronaldo has been named in Jorge Jesus’ first Portugal squad for the upcoming international break. Ronaldo, 41, said in August he will “probably” retire from football at the end of the 2026-27 campaign and confirmed before the tournament that the 2026 World Cup would be his last, but he will begin Portugal’s defence of their Nations League title. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s long-term rival Lionel Messi confirmed his international retirement last month.
Camp Nou to host Champions League final for first time in 30 years, Allianz Arena to stage in 2028
Camp Nou to host Champions League final for first time in 30 years, Allianz Arena to stage in 2028
Camp Nou to host Champions League final for first time in 30 years, Allianz Arena to stage in 2028 Original
Barcelona’s Camp Nou will host the men’s Champions League final for the first time in 30 years after being confirmed as the venue for the 2029 showpiece event.
World No. 1 Rumesh Tharanga’s javelins damaged on aeroplane
Rumesh Tharanga, the world’s No.1 ranked javelin thrower, had his javelins damaged on an aeroplane while they were being transported back from a World Athletics competition. Tharanga, 23, took gold at the World Ultimate Championship in Budapest, Hungary on Sunday before flying back to Sri Lanka the following day. He posted a photo on his Instagram stories on Tuesday of a collection of snapped javelins, accompanied by the caption “Bad luck”.
Premier League returns to traditional Boxing Day fixtures for 2026-27 as festive schedule announced
The Premier League has returned to its traditional Boxing Day slate of fixtures for the 2026-27 campaign. Last season, Manchester United’s home match against Newcastle United was the only English top-flight game played on Boxing Day. The break from the traditional festive schedule was due to calendar complexities owing to the league’s obligation to stage 33 rounds of games at weekends was fulfilled.
Lamine Yamal addresses Champions League ambitions, Barcelona captaincy, Ballon d’Or hopes Original
Lamine Yamal addressed his Ballon d’Or hopes, entering Barcelona’s captaincy group at the age of just 19 and Champions League ambitions ahead of his side getting their league phase campaign underway. Yamal was speaking to the media at a press conference for the first time since the World Cup final to preview Barcelona’s Champions League opener against Feyenoord on Wednesday.
Fiorentina’s Fabio Grosso first head coach sacking in Europe’s top leagues of 2026-27
Fabio Grosso became the first head coach in Europe’s top five leagues to be sacked this season after he was dismissed by Fiorentina. Grosso, 48, was sacked just three games into the 2026-27 Serie A season — and just four games into his Fiorentina tenure — with his side bottom of the table with zero points. The former Italy international was appointed in June on a two-year contract through to 2028, and oversaw league defeats to Roma (4-0), newly-promoted Frosinone (3-0) and Torino (2-1).
Belgium cites Folarin Balogun case in withholding support for Gianni Infantino’s FIFA re-election Original
The Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has cited the Folarin Balogun case as one of the key reasons why it will not be supporting Gianni Infantino’s bid to be re-elected FIFA president. The RBFA released a statement on Monday explaining it would not be supporting Infantino’s re-election for a third term as president due to the failed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project and the suspension of U.S men’s national team striker Balogun’s red card ban at the 2026 World Cup.
Ajax’s Aaron Bouwman hospitalised with bruised lung after challenge that sparked mass brawl
Ajax defender Aaron Bouwman was hospitalised with multiple injuries, including a bruised lung, after a high challenge from PSV winger Ruben van Bommel during Saturday’s Eredivisie fixture. Ajax said in a statement that Bouwman, 19, would be sidelined for the remainder of September after suffering a bruised lung and bruising to his sternum, among “several injuries”. He remained in hospital on Sunday for observation but was expected to return home that evening.
John Mousinho apologises after claims Cardiff’s Krystian Bielik ‘slapped’ in Portsmouth fan altercation Original
Cardiff City head coach Brian Barry-Murphy is confident the Football Association will investigate after claiming Krystian Bielik was “slapped in the face” during an altercation with a Portsmouth supporter. Portsmouth head coach John Mousinho has apologised to Cardiff and says he was informed by referee Ben Speedle that Bielik, 28, was “struck” by a fan.
South Africa beat New Zealand 29-24 in third Test to take series lead before Baltimore finale Original
South Africa fought back to beat New Zealand 29-24 in a breathless third Test in Johannesburg on Saturday. The victory for the hosts at FNB Stadium gives them a 2-1 lead in the series, branded ‘Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry’, before the landmark fourth Test in Baltimore next Saturday. New Zealand won the first Test 16-33 in Johannesburg, before South Africa levelled the series with a 33-26 win last weekend in Cape Town.
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