PEP GUARDIOLA REDUCED TO TEARS IN HEATED ROW WITH KYLE WALKER AT MAN CITY

Kyle Walker may have captained Manchester City under Pep Guardiola for a period, but that didn't prevent the full-back and the legendary manager from clashing on occasion

Pep Guardiola clashed with Kyle Walker(Image: Visionhaus, Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Pep Guardiola was left fighting tears following an explosive spat with Kyle Walker at Manchester City.

The highly-successful manager and at the time club captain were embroiled in a major clash in the Anfield dressing room, which led to Walker's departure from the club. Following a 2-0 loss to Liverpool in December 2024, Walker launched a scathing war of words on his gaffer, accusing him of constant criticism. It came just days after the Spaniard had penned fresh terms at the Etihad Stadium.

A new documentary shows Walker venting: "You keep saying my name, every meeting. Every f***ing meeting it's my name." When Guardiola suggested Walker's name came up a lot because he's a captain, the England international replied: "You didn't want me to be a captain," adding: "I've reacted to someone else, I've lost the ball, you somehow bring my name into it."

Manchester City couldn't live with Liverpool in December 2024 and it led to a huge row(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

The clash between the pair is featured in a new four-part Prime Video documentary 'A Beautiful Obsession', which offers behind-the-scenes material from Guardiola's final two seasons as City boss.

In response to Walker's tirade, the Catalan manager battled to maintain his composure while delivering a heartfelt address to his squad.

He said: "If I am a problem, you have to tell me. I won't stay here for the money or just for the fact of staying.

"I extended the contract because I want to be with you, I want to fight in that position. I don't want you to feel like I'm leaving and running away from you.

"I don't want to have the feeling that the pieces fall down. And I feel, 'No, I want to help you.' But if you feel, captains first and then the other ones, that there is a problem? Tell me.

"It's not going to change the love I have for all of you. Not one second. But I want to fight. That's all. I'm sorry."

Walker featured in just seven further matches for the club, three as skipper, before moving to AC Milan on loan for the latter half of 2024/25.

Guardiola said in January 2025: "Two days ago Kyle asked to explore the options to play abroad at the end of his career. And for that reason I prefer to play other players whose mind is here."

The Treble champion departed permanently in summer 2025 following more than 300 City outings, signing for Burnley. Guardiola eventually remained at City until the conclusion of the 2025/26 season, departing one year prior to his contract's expiration.

The manager's exit was formally confirmed ahead of the campaign's final fixture, days after a stalemate with Bournemouth sealed the Manchester outfit's surrender in the title battle.

He departed having secured six Premier League crowns, three FA Cups, five League Cups and one Champions League trophy. Guardiola suggested he would find it difficult to return to management after stepping away.

- Tom Victor and Aaron Morris

COO WHO CRITISIZED GIANNI INFANTINO PLAN OUT AT FIFA

 

July 19, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S.; U.S. President Donald Trump (left) and FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the trophy presentation following the FIFA World Cup Final at New York New Jersey Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Kevin Lamour has departed his role as chief operating officer of FIFA weeks after he sharply criticized president Gianni Infantino's plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.

FIFA confirmed Lamour's exit in a statement to multiple media outlets, saying, "FIFA can confirm that the working relationship between FIFA and Kevin Lamour as FIFA's Chief Operating Officer has ended on 17 August 2026.

"FIFA thanks Kevin for his two years of service and wishes him the best of luck for the future. No further comment will be made on the matter."

Further details were scarce; the Guardian described Lamour's departure as a sacking, and the United Kingdom's Press Association called it a dismissal. Multiple reports said FIFA staff were notified of Lamour's departure from the organization via an email from secretary general Mattias Grafstrom.

Lamour was among the highest-ranking figures in world football to speak out against Infantino's widely unpopular plan to involve private equity in the World Cup. He called it "the project of one person" in a July interview with the Associated Press, saying he and other staff felt deceived.

"Not only must this project not go ahead ... but the time has now come for football political leaders to ask themselves the right questions and make the right decisions," Lamour said at the time, before going on to imply that he knew his job may be at risk.

"If that means I lose my job, then so be it," Lamour said. "I will understand and respect that decision. At least I'll sleep well tonight."

A French and Swiss citizen, Lamour came to FIFA in November 2024 after serving as the deputy general secretary of UEFA, European football's continental governing body.

Shortly after the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup, Infantino announced his intention to consolidate the World Cup's commercial rights -- encompassing broadcast, sponsorship, ticketing and licensing -- under a new commercial venture and to sell stakes in that venture to private equity. He pitched the potential to raise billions of dollars that could be reinvested in the game.

That didn't soften what many saw as an attempt to hand minority ownership in the world's biggest tournament to private investors with their own aims.

UEFA, CONCACAF and the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) unanimously opposed the plan, with UEFA going as far as to promise a boycott of World Cups and other FIFA tournaments should it go through.

Carlos Cordeiro, a former president of U.S. Soccer (2018-20), resigned as Infantino's senior adviser the day FIFA ultimately backed down from the FFE idea.

"If Member Associations believe additional investment is needed to develop the game, FIFA already has the financial capacity to provide that support from its existing resources," Cordeiro said then. "Against that backdrop, selling a permanent stake in football's most valuable asset to raise $4.2 billion makes little sense. It is mortgaging football's future without any compelling justification."

Infantino now faces an uncertain future in FIFA's top office. Scotland's football association was the latest to declare it would not support Infantino in the next presidential election.

--Field Level Media

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CHELSEA OWNERS WANT TO SELL IN LATEST TURBULENT TWIST AT STAMFORD BRIDGE

 

Cole Palmer is embraced by Chelsea chairman Too Boehly with Donald Trump watching on. Photo: Getty Images

The Telegraph in the UK is reporting that Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Mark Walter are looking at selling their stakes in the Premier League club.

Their proposed sale to majority owner Clearlake Capital would value the London club at $9.5 billion and give the private equity company complete control at the club.

Currently, the pair, along with Hansjorg Wyss, own 12.8% each of the club.

Boehly is the chairman, but Clearlake, with Behdad Eghbali and Jose Feliciano in charge, call the shots at Stamford Bridge.

Boehly is arguably the most visible of Chelsea owners, and was the face of the bid that bought the club off Roman Abramovich four years ago in a $5 million deal, but his chairmanship is due to end at the end of the season.

According to the BBC, a rift within the ownership group, first rumoured in 2024, has led to the parties working out how to buy each other out. The future of Stamford Bridge and agreement on whether to move, or what that would look like, has been suggested as one of the sources of tension.

Should they successfully sell their stakes, the pair would each stand to pocket some $1.2 billion each.

It would be a dizzying period for Walter, co-owner and chief executive of global finance firm Guggenheim Partners, who sold the Los Angeles Lakers last week for a record $17.6 billion.

Xabi Alonso has been appointed to lead Chelsea on the park this term as they look to rebuild after a 10th placed finish last term, the latest twist in a turbulent four years under the American ownership. While Chelsea won the Club World Cup in 2025, they have chopped and changed managers without mounting a serious Premier League title chase.

The Athletic reports there is an ongoing United States Department of Justice investigation into Walters’ business dealings, while this Chelsea sale is not something that will be triggered imminently.

Meanwhile, off field discussions haven’t stopped Chelsea being active in the transfer market but the latest report suggests speedster Pedro Neto could be off to Al Hilal.

Sky Sports reports that Chelsea have put a $191 million price tag on the Portuguese winger if the Saudi Arabia club are serious in securing him.

- Football360.com.au

WHAT HAPPENED THE LAST TIME F1 SAID GOODBYE TO ZANDVOORT IN 1985?

Photo: Race Pictures

Formula 1 is preparing to bid farewell to Zandvoort, with the final Dutch Grand Prix set to take place this weekend. But what happened the last time the Dutch circuit hosted what was supposed to be its final F1 race? Back in 1985, Zandvoort staged a memorable Grand Prix before disappearing from the calendar for 36 years.

Few may remember that more than 40 years ago in the Netherlands, Niki Lauda claimed what would prove to be the 25th and final victory of his Formula 1 career, before retiring from the sport for good at the age of 36 at the end of the season.

The 1985 Dutch Grand Prix took place on 25 August as the 11th round of the season, just one week after reigning world champion Niki Lauda had announced that he would retire from Formula 1 for good at the end of the year.

Nelson Piquet started from pole position for Brabham-BMW after setting a 1:11.074, while Lauda faced a much tougher task from 10th on the grid in his McLaren. The Austrian gradually worked his way through the field, with his race strategy eventually helping him move ahead of teammate Alain Prost and into the lead.

Photo: Race Pictures

What followed was a tense battle between the two McLaren drivers in the closing stages. Prost had the stronger pace and underlined it by setting the fastest lap of the race on Lap 57, but could not find a way past his teammate. Lauda held on all the way to the chequered flag, beating Prost by just two tenths of a second in one of the closest finishes in Formula 1 history.

Five races later, Lauda brought his Formula 1 career to an end at the Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide. Zandvoort, meanwhile, was also saying goodbye to the championship, although for very different reasons. Financial difficulties and ageing facilities ultimately made it impossible for the Dutch Grand Prix to retain its place on the calendar, despite Bernie Ecclestone reportedly attempting to help keep the event alive.

F1 summer break almost over: Full schedule for Dutch GP's final farewell

With the summer break now drawing to a close, Formula 1 is preparing to return to action at Zandvoort for the final Dutch Grand Prix. The weekend will feature the Sprint format, meaning drivers and teams will have limited time to prepare before the first competitive session. Friday's action will begin with the only free practice session at 12:30 local time (11:30 UK time), before Sprint Qualifying gets underway later in the afternoon at 16:30 (15:30 UK).

The Sprint will then kick off Saturday's programme at 12:00 local time (11:00 UK time), with qualifying for the Grand Prix following at 16:00 (15:00 UK). Attention will then turn to Sunday's main event, as Zandvoort hosts its final Formula 1 race. The Dutch Grand Prix is scheduled to begin at 15:00 local time, corresponding to 14:00 in the UK.

- Tobia Elia

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HAYDEN PANETTIERE 'S HEARTBREAKING WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO ADMISSION IN LAST INTERVIEW

The American actress, who has died at the age of 36, shared a daughter with the former heavyweight boxing champion

Klitschko and Panettiere got engaged and welcomed a daughter before later splitting up

Hayden Panettiere made a heartbreaking admission about the daughter she shared with former fiance Wladimir Klitschko in her final interview, which was published just weeks before her death.

The American actress, who began her career as a child star before landing roles in shows like Heroes and Nashville, has died at the age of 36. In a statement, her heartbroken father Skip paid tribute to her as an "incredible light and a force of nature" and said her death was an "unimaginable loss".

Panettiere was previously engaged to former world heavyweight boxing champion Klitschko, having met him at a book launch in 2009. After they began dating, they split up in 2011, before rekindling their relationship two years later.

In October 2013, they got engaged, with the actress giving birth to their daughter, Kaya, the following December. However, it was confirmed in 2018 that the couple had split again, but remained on amicable terms.

That same year, Panettiere made the "heartbreaking" decision to relinquish full custody of Kaya to Ukrainian boxing great Klitschko, due to her struggles with long-term post-partum depression and addiction.

In what proved to be her final interview with parenting outlet Momé, published just last month, the late actress addressed the situation again, saying she knew she needed to hand full custody to Klitschko in order to put her daughter first.

"It wasn’t a decision I made lightly, nor was it a decision I even wanted to make," said Panettiere. " I was going through a really challenging time in my life.

"I knew I needed to be able to put her first so that I could get the help I needed and be the mum she needed me to be.

"I love my daughter, and I’m so proud of the young woman she is becoming," she added. "I talk to her all the time, and I feel so connected to her. She’s like a mini-me."

It comes after she detailed being separated from Kaya in her memoir, titled This Is Me: A Reckoning and released earlier this year.

"Not being under the same roof with her every day has been the most gut-wrenching experience of my life, and it’s hard to describe the layers of emotion – including sadness, resentment, and anger – I’ve felt because of it," Panettiere wrote.

"I grieve that I’m not the mother I thought I’d be and definitely not the mother I want to be (trust me, no one should ever have to raise a child on FaceTime), and although I miss Kaya so much my heart aches, I know how blessed I am to be her mom.

"She is the greatest gift of my life, with all the best parts of her father and me."

Tragically, Panettiere's death comes three years after her younger brother Jansen also passed away at the age of just 28.

Jansen, who was also an actor, died in February 2023 due to aortic valve complications, related to enlarged heart syndrome.

- John Jones

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STAR DJ HEADLINES FINAL SOLD OUT DUTCH GP PARTY TO GIVE ZANDVOORTTHE FAREWELL IT DESERVES

Photo: Race Pictures

The final Dutch Grand Prix will also be celebrated with a big party at Zandvoort. The event will be headlined by the famous DJ Martin Garrix.

After the upcoming season, Formula 1 will say goodbye to Zandvoort and the Netherlands for the foreseeable future. To cap off the final event, Martin Garrix will headline the closing concert. The goal is to give the race the special farewell it deserves.

For Zandvoort's farewell, Saturday and Sunday had already sold out by April, with only the final tickets for Super Friday remaining, the organisers previously revealed.

Home favourite Max Verstappen previously addressed Zandvoort no longer being on the F1 calendar starting 2027. "Okay, we won’t have a Formula 1 Grand Prix there, but there are a lot of other series that still race there, and if you want to have a track day, the track is not going to disappear. So, for me, I’ll still have my fun driving around there, just not in Formula 1, but that’s okay.

"I mean, I just want to enjoy it with the fans. It’s incredibly impressive what they have done to bring it back, and I think, at the time when they hosted the first one, it was a great example for a lot of other Grands Prix as well of how to host and entertain. So, yeah, it’s a shame, but on the other hand, the track’s still there and I’m sure I will do more laps around there. So, it is what it is."

Photo: Race Pictures

Sprint weekend in Zandvoort with potential rain

The first Grand Prix after the summer break will also be a Sprint weekend. After just a single free practice session, Sprint Qualifying will take place on Friday afternoon. On Saturday, the Sprint and Qualifying will be held before the Grand Prix on Sunday.

In addition, there is a chance of rain at Zandvoort this weekend, with temperatures expected to be lower than usual for the summer. On Friday and Saturday, there is a 40-45% chance of rain. On Sunday, fans might see the sun come out in the Netherlands. However, temperatures are expected to reach only 20 degrees Celsius, with a 21% chance of rain on the final day of the weekend.

- Kada Sarkozi

SCOTTISH FA WITHDRAWS SUPPORT FOR FIFA PRESIDENT GIANNI INFANTINO

Getty Images 

The Scottish Football Association has lost confidence in Gianni Infantino and will not be voting for his re-election as president of Fifa, chief executive Ian Maxwell has told BBC Sport.

Infantino is under increasing pressure over his attempt, later abandoned, to create a new company to manage the commercial and ticketing rights of all Fifa competitions, including the World Cups, with 21% to be sold off to a private investment company.

Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) was aborted after widespread criticism from several confederations, led by Uefa, which has threatened a boycott of all Fifa competitions.

"The position of the SFA has been clear since the 55 Uefa associations met," said Maxwell, speaking as he announced Belgian Sebastian Pocognoli as the new Scotland head coach.

"We have aligned ourselves with the Uefa position and 55 nations are stronger than one voice.

"Their statement since then has talked about a lack of confidence in the Fifa leadership and the Scottish FA agree completely with that decision.

"The SFA will not be voting for Gianni Infantino come the re-election in early 2027."

Maxwell rejected the suggestion that the SFA had previously failed to publicly state it no longer supported Infantino because its president, Mike Mulraney, heads up the Fifa finance committee.

The Football Associations of England, Wales and the Republic of Ireland have already declared they have withdrawn support for Infantino, who is scheduled to stand for a fourth term as president in March.

'A profound lack of judgement'

Last week, Fifa and Infantino were accused of breaking trust "through deception", in an open letter issued by Uefa, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation.

The letter, signed by the presidents and general secretaries of the three regional governing bodies, said recent controversy over the FFE proposal was fundamentally about "the integrity of the game, and the integrity of those elected to lead it".

While the statement did not name Infantino, sources have told BBC Sport that it should be seen as an opportunity for him to resign and leave his position with dignity.

Fifa has committed to presenting a report on FFE to the next meeting of the Fifa council, which is expected to take place in October.

The three confederations said this failed to "recognise that proper governance in the face of such a profound lack of judgement would require that such a review be conducted by a fully independent third party".

It also underlined a legal warning made by Uefa that Fifa should not delete or destroy any documents related to the abandoned plans.

BBC Sport understands that there have been preliminary discussions between the three confederations over breakaway competitions, should Infantino remain in situ. However, substantive talks are yet to begin, according to others.

At present there is no candidate who has put their name forward to stand against Infantino, before a 18 November deadline.

Very difficult to predict who has the upper hand

The football world appears to have been split down the middle by the issue, with the confederations of Africa, South American and Oceania having backed Infantino.

But even within confederations, there is disagreement and it makes it very difficult to predict whether Infantino or his opponents have the upper hand in this battle.

In Oceania, which has 11 member associations, New Zealand has said it will not follow the confederation and vote for him.

Mexico, Grenada and St Kitts and Nevis have broken away from the other 32 Concacaf nations to support the Fifa president.

Of the 46 Asian confederations members, so far eight countries have split to champion Infantino's cause - the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Lebanon, Kuwait, Mongolia, the Philippines and Bhutan.

The Fifa Council, on which there are 36 confederation and national association heads plus Infantino, seems similarly split.

It raises questions about whether Infantino has the political power to govern Fifa, even if he wins an election of the 211 member associations.

The first test of Uefa's threat is just over three weeks away, when the Fifa Under-20 Women's World Cup is set to kick off. It is being hosted by Poland and features five other European nations, including England.

- Dale Johnson and Chris McLaughlin

JAMAL MUSIALA SPARKS MAJOR SCARE AFTER COLLAPSING ON PITCH JUST MINUTES AFTER SCORING IN BAYERN'S WIN OVER LEIPZIG

Jamal Musiala collapsed minutes after scoring for Bayern against Leipzig, prompting a medical scare before walking off after treatment at the Allianz Arena.

Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala sparked worrying scenes after suddenly collapsing on the pitch during his side's 3-1 pre-season victory over RB Leipzig in the Telekom Cup at the Allianz Arena.

Musiala, making his first appearance of Bayern's pre-season, had only been introduced in the 69th minute alongside Ismael Saibari and Alphonso Davies. Twelve minutes later, the Germany international marked his return by scoring Bayern's third goal, converting Saibari's cut-back in the 81st minute to put the result beyond Leipzig.

However, celebrations soon gave way to concern. Only a few minutes after scoring, Musiala appeared disoriented while standing on the pitch and began losing his balance. Saibari spotted his teammate struggling and rushed towards him, helping Musiala down before he could fall heavily.

Joshua Kimmich and other Bayern players immediately called for medical assistance as Musiala remained on the turf. An emergency doctor and members of the medical staff hurried onto the pitch, while a stretcher was also brought out as the Allianz Arena fell silent.

Bayern provide reassuring Musiala update after collapse

There was eventually relief when the emergency doctor signalled with a thumbs-up. Musiala was able to get back to his feet and leave the pitch without being carried off, although he appeared dazed as he made his way towards the tunnel.

Bayern sporting director Max Eberl later offered an encouraging update on the 23-year-old's condition.

"The most important thing is that he's OK," Eberl said, while declining to provide further medical details. Bayern had not announced an official diagnosis in the immediate aftermath of the incident.

The match was played in demanding conditions, with Bayern's official website recording temperatures of around 33 degrees Celsius in Munich. Reports in Germany subsequently suggested Musiala had experienced dizziness and circulatory problems, potentially linked to the extreme heat, although the club has not formally confirmed that as the cause.

The incident was particularly alarming given Musiala's recent injury history. He suffered a fractured fibula and a broken and dislocated ankle during Bayern's Club World Cup quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain in July 2025, an injury that kept him out for more than six months. Bayern confirmed last month that he had also undergone a small, planned follow-up operation related to that injury.

Musiala had only recently resumed full team training, and the Leipzig match represented another important step in his preparations for the new campaign.

Before the medical scare, Bayern had taken the lead through Luis Diaz in the 13th minute before Brajan Gruda equalised for Leipzig shortly after half-time. Nathaniel Brown restored Bayern's advantage in the 57th minute before Musiala's 81st-minute strike completed the 3-1 victory.

The result, however, was overshadowed by the sight of Musiala collapsing just minutes after scoring, with Bayern now expected to closely monitor his condition ahead of the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup against Borussia Dortmund on August 22.

- Probuddha Bhattacharjee

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