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Articles by Thomas Burrows
Manchester City’s 41 sponsors: Who are they, what are the deals and what have they said?
It was on September 29 that the Premier League delivered its damning statement after an independent commission found Manchester City guilty on almost all of the charges relating to breaches of its financial rules over a nine-year period between 2009 and 2018. The independent commission found City had arranged “sham” contracts with some of their commercial partners, artificially inflating revenue and reducing costs by more than £900million.
Pierre Sage suffered on his old stomping ground. His Crystal Palace remain fragile
In the end, Pierre Sage endured an unhappy homecoming. Nine games into his tenure as Crystal Palace manager and the club’s supporters, of whom 3,000 watched on from the top tier of Lyon’s 59,186-seater Groupama Stadium on Thursday night, are strapping in for a ride under the Frenchman. Those matches have produced 33 goals, with this the third to have finished 3-2 — but not in Palace’s favour. There is no shortage of entertainment on offer. The problem is too much of it is coming at Palace’s expense.
How did Arteta subs change game for Arsenal? Did Eze or Gyokeres take their chance?
For an hour, it looked like Arsenal would never score. From then on, it looked like their victory over Lille could be by any number. Jurrien Timber started it with a dinked finish, Eberechi Eze then doubled it with a deflected strike, and Bukayo Saka added a third in a seven-minute spell. Mikel Arteta had made changes to his Premier League team, bringing in Eze on the left, Viktor Gyokeres up front and Mikel Merino in midfield.
What do match-going Premier League fans think should happen to Manchester City?
“Fans of all clubs want it to be epically harsh,” says Arsenal fan Tim Worrall, walking up Ronalds Road near Emirates Stadium after watching his side’s 2-1 win against Leeds United on Saturday. “There’s remarkable unity between fans across different clubs. It needs to be severe, so no one ever considers doing it again.
Does Carrick or De Zerbi have more to worry about? What did we learn about Arsenal?
After all the rancour and recriminations, the arguments and counter-arguments, it was the day the Premier League returned to business and we were reminded why it is still, despite everything, a sport where the best action takes place on a rectangular piece of grass rather than a courtroom.
Jordan Pickford almost caused crash, pursued by police in April incident, court told
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford caused two other vehicles to “slam on their brakes to avoid a collision” after ignoring the give way lines at a junction while speeding in his Lamborghini, a court has been told. Pickford was then pursued by a police car, which turned on its lights and sirens to try and flag him down, Cheshire Police confirmed to The Athletic.
How the Erling Haaland factor has transformed the Norwegian football brand
For once, he was kept surprisingly quiet by a resolute Welsh defence. Erling Haaland’s first chance of the night came in the 57th minute; a header that sailed over the crossbar and was followed by an ironic chant of “You’re just a s**t Kieffer Moore” from the Wales fans — a reference to their own 6ft 5in (195cm) centre-forward.
Tyson Fury taunts Anthony Joshua: ‘I’m built like a blancmange…but he’s going to go down like a sack of s***.’
It was billed as the biggest fight in British boxing history. And on Wednesday evening at the British Airways Arc in West London, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua met for the first time, ahead of a fight that has been 10 years in the making. The fight, which will be shown live on Netflix, had been announced to great fanfare last Thursday. It will take place on December 11 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. After years of false dawns, it appeared as though the fight was destined never to happen.
La Liga chief calls Folarin Balogun red card case ‘most serious incident in the history of football’
La Liga president Javier Tebas described the overturning of Folarin Balogun’s World Cup red card, which followed U.S. president Donald Trump making a call to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, as “the most serious incident in the history of football.” Tebas made his remarks at a summit in central London on Tuesday, organised by global players’ union FIFPro, that explored the impact of the ever-congested football calendar.
Manchester City chairman says club’s ‘confidence’ in proving innocence unchanged
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak says the club’s “confidence” in proving their innocence is unchanged, despite being found guilty of almost all the Premier League’s charges relating to breaches of financial regulations. The Athletic revealed on Friday that Manchester City had been found guilty of nearly all the 115 breaches of the Premier League’s rules that they were charged with. The charges related to financial breaches between 2009 and 2018.
Man City vs the Premier League: The lawyers who have been fighting sport’s ‘trial of the century’
It has been called the sporting ‘trial of the century’ and has pitted some of the finest legal minds against one another. But who are the figures who have been fighting out the dispute in the unremarkable surroundings of London’s International Dispute Resolution Centre? The Athletic has spoken to several leading figures in the legal world — some of whom wished to remain anonymous to protect their positions — to find out.
PSG’s Achraf Hakimi will stand trial for rape after latest appeal dismissed by French court
Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi will stand trial for rape after his appeal to the highest court in France was dismissed on Wednesday. Hakimi, who is one of 30 players nominated for the Ballon D’Or ahead of next month’s ceremony in London, has now tried every possible avenue to have the case thrown out. A trial will be held in the criminal court in France’s Hauts-de-Seine department, to the west of Paris. It could take place next year. Hakimi has continually denied wrongdoing.
Why Declan Rice avoided a red card at Brighton – and Phil Foden did not against Man Utd
It was at the end of a dismal afternoon for Arsenal that Declan Rice’s frustrations got the better of him. After the England midfielder released the ball, Yalcouye put his shoulder into his back. Rice then ran towards the Brighton player and aimed a kick towards him with his right foot, tripping him over. Eventually, Rice was shown a yellow card by referee Darren England, but that did not stop the debate over whether Rice had been fortunate to avoid being sent off.
West Ham’s Taty Castellanos accused of spitting at Millwall’s Filip Marschall
West Ham United striker Valentin ‘Taty’ Castellanos has been accused of spitting at Millwall goalkeeper Filip Marschall in the second half of Saturday’s derby at The Den. The alleged incident happened when Marschall, who was making his league debut for Millwall, had the ball in his hands, with the Argentinian striker stood in front of him. Marschall then appeared to delay kicking the ball out his hands, as he was relaying the allegation to referee Paul Tierney.
English club Oxford United apologizes for discontinued ‘United 93’ clothing range
English club Oxford United has apologized and discontinued its “United 93” clothing collection, which was released close to the 25th anniversary of 9/11. United Airlines Flight 93 was among the planes hijacked by terrorists during the September 11, 2001 terror attacks in the United States. Oxford launched its “campus collection,” a range of American-themed clothing, on Friday morning.
Millwall vs West Ham: Rivalry, riots and getting ‘hit with a brick’ during a corner
“I didn’t know much about the rivalry before joining West Ham. The people who let me know about the history were the supporters. “Then when I played at the Old Den (Millwall’s former ground), I realised what it was all about. I remember I once got hit with a house brick. I was waiting for a corner to come over, I was on the post defending it and it hit me.
Metropolitan Police confirm around 400 officers to be deployed at Millwall vs West Ham clash on Saturday
Around 400 Metropolitan Police officers — around four times the usual number — will be deployed for Saturday’s fixture between Millwall and West Ham United. The game is the first meeting between the fierce rivals since February 2012, a match won by West Ham at their former Upton Park ground. Following West Ham’s relegation from the Premier League last season, and after Millwall lost in the Championship play-off semi-finals, the rivalry will resume 14 years later.
Dembele, Kvaratskhelia and Ruiz on beating Arsenal, the Ballon d’Or and chasing a third Champions League Original
Ousmane Dembele is the current Ballon D’Or holder. Fabian Ruiz is unbeaten in 50 games for the World Cup winners Spain. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was the Champions League’s MVP last season and the best player not to feature at the World Cup this summer. In a room overlooking Paris Saint-Germain’s pristine training pitches, these three superstars are chatting to The Athletic in three different languages about, among other things, how driven they are to win a third consecutive Champions League title.
Police investigating robbery of ‘high-value items’ at Fanatics Collectibles London store
Police are investigating a break-in at the Fanatics Collectibles central London store in the early hours of Monday morning. The store, which opened on Regent Street last year, is currently closed following the break-in. The Athletic visited this morning and saw shards of shattered glass on the shop floor, beneath the NFL, latest releases and baseball cabinets, which had been emptied.
Folarin Balogun and the extraordinary chain of events that led to his transfer collapsing
When Folarin Balogun landed in a private jet at Liverpool John Lennon Airport on Tuesday lunchtime, it appeared his move to Everton was a formality. All that was left was to iron out the final details and for Balogun to complete his medical. Everton would then have the striker they had craved all summer. With Balogun seemingly on the way, Everton were happy to sanction the departure of Beto to Fiorentina in a permanent deal worth €18m.
Bradley Barcola: The patience and perseverance behind his inexorable rise to the top
“He’s humble, he’s always happy, but quiet. If you compare him to Rayan Cherki, who also came through the academy at Lyon, it’s the opposite. “Even when he was 17, Cherki was the loudest in the dressing room, everyone knew he was there. But Bradley, he was quiet. “Bradley was always giving his best and you could see that he wanted to become better and better.
What could Sky’s buyout of ITV mean for football-watching in the UK? Original
Given the announcement dropped on the day of England’s 3-2 World Cup round-of-16 victory over Mexico, and in the early hours of the morning to boot, you may have been forgiven for missing it. The news was that Sky had agreed to buy UK broadcaster ITV’s media and entertainment arm, including its free-to-air channels and streaming service, in a deal worth up to £1.6billion (US$2.1 billion).
Did title win lift Arsenal pressure? Is Havertz now first-choice striker? Arsenal vs Coventry takeaways
Champions Arsenal began their Premier League title defence with a comfortable 3-0 win over Coventry. While Coventry started the opening match of the 2026-27 season well, Arsenal took advantage after winning the ball back high up the pitch in the 15th minute. Riccardo Califiori played the ball inside to Kai Havertz, who placed the ball in the back of the net. Bukayo Saka then doubled their lead in the 23rd minute, stroking the ball home at the back post after a Cristos Tzolis cross.
Four-part Gary Lineker documentary to launch globally on Amazon Prime in 2027
Gary Lineker is the latest high-profile name to get the documentary treatment — with a series charting his life launching on Amazon Prime next year, The Athletic can reveal. The four-part docuseries, which does not yet have a working title, will tell the story of his life. It will show his early life, growing up the son of a greengrocer in Leicester and his time as a professional footballer — he is fourth in England’s all-time record goalscoring list and won the Golden Boot at the 1986 World Cup.
Brandon Williams interview: ‘I was immature and stupid. I look back now and think what an idiot I was’ Original
“I’ve learned from my mistakes. I take full ownership of everything that’s happened to me. That’s why I always say to myself, ‘I got myself in this mess, I am going to get myself out of it.’” Sat in the foyer of his Manchester apartment block, Brandon Williams is reflecting on his life in football to date, from the highs of playing 51 times for Manchester United to the dark, lonely moments when he struggled to get out of bed and fell out of love with the game.
PSV coach Peter Bosz ‘happy’ for Ricardo Pepi to stay after failed Fulham transfer bids Original
As PSV prepares to kick off its latest Eredivisie title defense this weekend, U.S. international forward Ricardo Pepi surprisingly remains with the club. Pepi was twice on the verge of a transfer to Fulham — first in January then this summer on a pre-agreed deal that fell through at the final stage — but is still at the club as this summer has been quiet around him.
Mamadou Sangare is Brentford’s record signing and a star in the making – ‘The sky’s the limit for him’ Original
“I had just been appointed as the new national team coach of Mali and in my first squad, in September 2024, Mamadou was part of it. “I remember Yves Bissouma asked questions of the new guys and said, ‘Which position do you prefer?’ Mamadou replied, ‘Your position’. So it showed a lot of confidence and belief.” Tom Saintfiet, who stepped down as Mali head coach in April after two years in the role, is sharing his memories of managing Mamadou Sangare with The Athletic.
Explained: Chelsea’s £10m fine and how the club avoided a points deduction Original
Chelsea have been fined £10million and given a suspended two-window transfer ban, following a Football Association investigation. That came after the FA charged Chelsea on September 11 last year with 74 breaches relating to 44 transactions involving 32 players between July 2009 and August 2022.
UEFA’s World Cup boycott explained – and what happens next? Original
Is this the end of the World Cup as we know it? Our writers explain what is going on and analyse what might happen next. What exactly has happened and what was the initial proposal? On Tuesday, it was revealed that FIFA wanted to set up a new private entity — called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) — to manage the commercial operations of its showpiece events, including the World Cup. As part of the plans, FIFA announced it was looking to sell a 21 per cent minority stake in FFE to outside investors.
USMNT’s Gio Reyna in talks over move to Strasbourg from Borussia Monchengladbach Original
U.S. men’s national team midfielder Gio Reyna is in talks about a potential move to Strasbourg from Borussia Monchengladbach, sources briefed on the situation tell The Athletic. The 23-year-old has been with Gladbach for just one season, making 19 Bundesliga appearances and scoring one goal. Reyna, the son of U.S. men’s national team legend Claudio Reyna, may be joining his fourth club in as many seasons should the proposed move to France advance. Strasbourg finished eighth in Ligue 1 last season.
Brentford close to agreeing club-record deal for Lens’ Mamadou Sangare
Brentford are close to agreeing a deal to sign Lens midfielder Mamadou Sangare. A deal has not yet been finalised but Brentford are closing in on a move for the Mali international, with the transfer fee expected to exceed the package of £37million ($49.2m; €43.2m at current rates) plus £5m in add-ons they paid Bournemouth for Dango Ouattara last year. Crystal Palace had been interested in Sangare, though felt as though they match the financial package that Brentford were offering.
Coventry close to club-record £22.5m Carl Rushworth signing from Brighton
Coventry City are closing in on a deal to sign goalkeeper Carl Rushworth for a club-record fee from Brighton & Hove Albion. Rushworth, who spent last season on loan at Coventry, is expected to join for an initial fee of £22.5million ($29.9m). As first reported by The Telegraph, that figure could rise to £30m once add-ons and instalments are taken into account. Brighton have also negotiated a sell-on clause and buy-back option as part of the agreement.
Did your Premier League team have a good World Cup? Original
The World Cup is over, and all that’s left are memories and the aftermath. Part of that aftermath is to consider which Premier League clubs will be happy with how the World Cup went. Plenty of players based in England’s top division had a significant impact on the tournament, from difference-makers for nations who got to its business end, to those who powered some of the underdogs.
How does annual leave work in football, and what are players entitled to? Original
With the World Cup now over, football’s top international players can finally enjoy some much-needed downtime before the new season starts next month. Yet for the sport’s biggest stars, a chance to unwind properly between one campaign ending and the next one kicking off is becoming increasingly difficult to find. A packed calendar has put greater demands on the players.
The battle between the UK’s World Cup broadcasters: Have ITV narrowed the ratings gap to the BBC?
Spain and Argentina contest the 104th and final game of the 2026 World Cup on Sunday. It is the only game of the tournament being shown in the United Kingdom on both the BBC and ITV, with the two broadcasters going head to head. The BBC is expected to come out on top in the ratings battle, but after many observers felt ITV had edged this summer tournament’s coverage, this could be the year it narrows the gap.
Michael Olise, the World Cup star without a boot deal or brand sponsor Original
He has been one of the stars of this World Cup, with five assists in seven matches, and has been described by Thierry Henry as France’s “most important player”. Yet, as coach Didier Deschamps’ side prepare for the third-place play-off against England tomorrow (Saturday) after their disappointing semi-final defeat by Spain, Michael Olise remains one of football’s more enigmatic figures.
What next for Balogun, Vozinha and the World Cup’s other cult heroes and breakout stars? Original
It has been a World Cup that has produced a number of unlikely cult heroes and breakout stars. For some, including Cape Verde’s 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, a starring role in front of a global audience has catapulted them from relative obscurity to worldwide fame, attracting millions of new followers on social media. But after making their mark at football’s showpiece event this summer, those players will now return to their club teams, where life is often less glamorous.
Watching Michael Olise with the man who gave his football career another chance Original
“Look at the ball by Olise and the weight of the pass: it’s inch-perfect.” Brendan Flanagan, Reading’s head of academy recruitment, is waxing lyrical about Michael Olise’s through ball that set Kylian Mbappe clear in the first half, and resulted in a France penalty. “Michael just sees things differently; he always seems to be in space, and his passing ability is exquisite,” Flanagan added. Olise is a player well-known to Flanagan.
Chelsea’s Jesse Derry set to join Sporting CP on season-long loan Original
Chelsea are finalising a deal for winger Jesse Derry to join Sporting CP on a season-long loan. The 19-year-old has signed a new six-year deal to keep him at the club to 2032, after making his Premier League debut against Nottingham Forest in May. A move to Rui Borges’ side would see him participate in Champions League football after the Portuguese side finished second last season, behind champions Porto.
Folarin Balogun and the rise of a U.S. World Cup star told by his team-mates and coaches
“The goal he scored in the first game, against Paraguay, when he cut in on his right and bent it in, that’s something Flo has been perfecting for a long time. He’s been doing that since a very young age.” Kevin Betsy is regaling The Athletic with his memories of USMNT striker Folarin Balogun, having worked with him when head coach of Arsenal’s under-23 team and during their time together in the England youth setup.
Refugees are playing a key role for the Socceroos, a team who are a ‘reflection of modern Australia’ Original
“The Socceroos aren’t just a team. We are a reflection of modern Australia.” “It was a moment to describe what Australia is, and Australia is a very multicultural country, and that’s what makes it the best country in the world, in my opinion,” winger Awer Mabil told reporters when asked about it at a later press conference, in quotes reported by The Guardian. “The Socceroos now is a representation of that.
Cody Gakpo, grief and an image that will endure long beyond this World Cup Original
It was one of the most emotional moments of the World Cup so far. After breaking clear on the counter-attack in their round of 32 game with Morocco, Netherlands winger Crysencio Summerville slipped the ball to Cody Gakpo. Racing into the penalty area, Gakpo met the pass and shot beyond Yassine Bounou in the Morocco goal. The Liverpool forward immediately sank to his knees, covering his head with his hands and stayed there for around 10 seconds.
The rise of Folarin Balogun, by team-mates and coaches who have worked with him Original
“The goal he scored in the first game, against Paraguay, when he cut in on his right and bent it in, that’s something Flo has been perfecting for a long time. He’s been doing that since a very young age.” Kevin Betsy is regaling The Athletic with his memories of USMNT striker Folarin Balogun, having worked with him when head coach of Arsenal’s under-23 team and during their time together in the England youth setup.
Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi to stand trial for rape: What’s been said? Does it affect World Cup participation? Original
The 27-year-old, who played for Morocco in their victory over Scotland on Friday, had tried to have the rape charge dismissed, but his challenge was rejected by the Court of Appeal of Versailles. In a statement, shared with The Athletic, the court found on Friday — more than three years after the initial charge — that there is “sufficient evidence” to proceed to a full trial. Hakimi, who won a second Champions League title with Paris Saint-Germain last month, denies any wrongdoing.
Former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey set to be named Oxford United head coach Original
Oxford United are set to name Aaron Ramsey as their new head coach. The Athletic was told by sources with knowledge of the situation, speaking on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships, that Ramsey had meetings with senior figures at Oxford on Monday night, with an announcement expected later today (Tuesday). It will be the 35-year-old’s first permanent role as a head coach, after he retired from playing in April.
Mbappe closes on Messi record as France win longest World Cup match after 131-minute weather delay Original
Kylian Mbappé scored twice as France beat Iraq in the longest-ever World Cup game after a 131-minute weather delay due to thunderstorms at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. France led 1-0 when the half-time whistle went at 5.49pm local time (10.49pm BST), and supporters were told to take shelter inside the stadium concourse. Play did not resume until 8pm with storms bringing heavy rain, strong winds and the threat of lightning.
Jeremy Doku spoke last week of his desire to be present for the birth of his first child. “If you ask me what I want, my answer is that nobody wants to miss the birth of their first child. But I also know that football involves many other considerations,” the Belgium winger, who is currently at the World Cup in North America, told Reuters. “I know the federation supports its players and understands their situations.
Coventry City close to agreeing new three-year deal for Frank Lampard Original
Coventry City are close to agreeing a new three-year deal for head coach Frank Lampard. Lampard, whose current terms are due to expire in 2027, led Coventry back to the Premier League after a 25-year absence by winning the Championship title last season. The proposed contract would keep him at the club until 2029. Coventry’s 2024-25 promotion campaign was the former midfielder’s first full season in charge, following his appointment in November 2024 when the side were 17th in the table.
Rafael van der Vaart says ‘no racist or discriminatory intent’ behind Japan ‘joke’ Original
Former Netherlands player Rafael van der Vaart has insisted there “was no racist or discriminatory intent” behind his remarks, after he said Japan’s players “look alike” live on air. Van der Vaart, the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder is now a pundit, and was working for NOS TV in the Netherlands during his country’s first match of the World Cup.
How broadcasters are using hydration breaks – and might they be here to stay? Original
It has become one of the major talking points at this summer’s World Cup — attracting criticism from the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Mauricio Pochettino. For the tournament, FIFA has introduced a three-minute hydration break in each half, effectively turning the game into four quarters. Hydration breaks occur at every game of the competition, irrespective of the conditions.
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