AFA-RBC AGREEMENT SIGNATORIES FACE TA. FRAUD IN ARGENTINA, COLLECTION AGENT PROBED BY FBI FOR MONEY LAUNDERING

Image. Canva.

Two signatories to the agreement between Reporter Broadcasting Company Private Limited (RBC) and the Argentine Football Association (AFA) to bring Messi and team to Kerala -- Claudio Tapia and Victor Blanca -- have faced multiple cases of alleged tax fraud, money laundering and financial mismanagement in Argentina, even forcing a court in Buenos Aires to issue a travel ban on them.

In the agreement signed on December 20, 2024, with Anto Augustine of RBC, Tapia and Blanco represented AFA as President and General Secretary, respectively. The agreement also shows Tourprodenter as the collection agent of the AFA. It was agreed that all funds shall be deposited into the company's account at Bank of America. Accordingly, Tourprodenter received $14.5 million in two instalments.

Claudio Tapia, who signed as the second party in the agreement for the Messi-led Argentina team to Kerala, was summoned for questioning in March 2026 by the court in Buenos Aires. Quoting court documents, the Associated Press reported that he is accused of failing to pay social contributions amounting to 19 billion pesos ($12.8 million) in 2024 and 2025.

The investigation stemmed from a complaint filed by the country's customs collection and control agency. The court had then issued a travel ban on AFA treasurer Pablo Toviggino and other office- bearers Cristian Malaspina, Gustavo Lorenzo and Victor Blanco. Along with Tapia, Blanco has signed the agreement with the RBC.

Tourprodenter, AFA's collection agent, is also embroiled in another investigation. BA Times reported on a judicial investigation into AFA's handling of funds through the firm and a possible link to a luxury mansion in Pilar. Reports also surfaced about a federal investigation in the US into offshore funds and financial deals of AFA.

While local dailies had reported that Tapia was summoned for questioning, AFA came up with an explanation that none of the officials had been asked to appear for interrogation. However, the AFA release stated that the subpoena issued by the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida was addressed to a third party, who was required to appear before a Grand Jury and potentially provide documentation and communications related to various individuals, including officials of this Association.

Argentine Daily La Nacion reported in July that the US Department of Justice is looking into the business deals of the US-based company owned by Tapia with Tourprodenter and how the firm channelled funds.

The report submitted by the Special Secretary, Department of Sports and Youth Welfare, to the Chief Minister flags reports about the deals of Tourprodenter. Miami Herald, which actively pursued the case, has reported that the FBI is investigating whether Tourprodenter illegally routed more than $300 million in sponsorship receipts through the US banking system and remittance companies to top AFA executives and associates in Argentina for their personal use.

Documents show that Tapia sent an invitation to RBC in August 2025 for a meeting on September 1 and to attend a match between Argentina and Venezuela on September 4, 2025.

- Aswin J Kumar

BEN SHELTON BEST-EVER PERFORMANCE | MONTREAL MASTERS 2026

 

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE V EUROPA LEAGUE: PSG FACE ASTON VILLA IN SUPER CUP

The UEFA Super Cup marks the beginning of competitive football for the 2026/27 season

It's champions v champions in the UEFA Super Cup
AFP

Dubai: Paris Saint-Germain will aim to retain their UEFA Super Cup title as they face Aston Villa on Wednesday 12 August at Stadion Salzburg in the traditional opening clash of the European season.

After beating Tottenham on penalties in the 2025 UEFA Super Cup, the French champions secured their place in this year’s final by winning the Champions League for a second consecutive season, beating Arsenal in the final.

Now, having gone back-to-back in Europe’s premier club competition, they find themselves facing another north London side in the Super Cup final.

PSG won the 2025 Champions League while Villa won the Europa League
AFP

Aston Villa on the other hand, are looking for a second trophy in quick succession after their 3-0 win over Freiburg in the Europa League final ended a 30-year trophy drought.

How to watch

For fans in the UAE, the 2026 UEFA Super Cup between PSG and Aston Villa will be available live on beIN Sports, which holds the exclusive rights to UEFA’s club competitions across the MENA region through 2027.

Fans can watch via the beIN Sports TV channels or stream the match through the beIN SPORTS CONNECT service, with the exact channel listed on beIN’s TV guide.

PSG team news

Fabian Ruiz, Achraf Hakimi, Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola, Desire Doue, Warren Zaire-Emery and Lucas Hernandez were handed extended time off after the World Cup, meaning they missed both of PSG’s pre-season friendlies.

The group has now returned to first-team training this week and travelled with the squad to Austria, giving Luis Enrique a full complement of players to choose from.

PSG's World Cup winner Fabian Ruiz will be available for selection
AFP-CARL RECINE

It remains to be seen whether Enrique will hand the returning players immediate starts against Aston Villa or opt to introduce them from the bench.

Captain Marquinhos is expected to feature from the outset alongside Portugal trio Vitinha, Joao Neves and Nuno Mendes, all of whom played 30 minutes in the recent friendly against Manchester United. Fellow World Cup stars Willian Pacho and Ibrahim Mbaye are also likely to start after featuring in both of PSG’s pre-season matches.

Lucas Digne could make his second PSG debut against his former side after the French club activated the £8.5million release clause in his Villa contract.

Aston Villa team news

World Cup medal winners Emi Martinez, Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins were all given extended time off and did not feature during Villa’s pre-season campaign.

Should the trio not be ready to start against PSG, Marco Bizot will remain in goal, with Victor Lindelof partnering Pau Torres in defence and Tammy Abraham leading the attack.

Villa will definitely be without Amadou Onana, who suffered an ACL injury to his right knee while representing Belgium at the World Cup. John McGinn is also a doubt after landing awkwardly on his left knee during the pre-season win over BG Pathum United.

Amadou Onana will be out for several months after suffering an ACL injury in the World Cup
AFP-DAVID RAMOS

Record signing Johan Manzambi remains sidelined as he continues his recovery from a knee injury sustained with Switzerland at the World Cup. However, new arrivals Alejandro Garnacho and Joao Gomes are both expected to make their competitive Villa debuts against PSG.

Ian Maatsen, meanwhile, is set to take over as Villa’s first-choice left-back following Digne’s departure, having struggled for regular starts last season.

- Robert Ilsley

VICTOR WEMBANYAMA LOSES TO A SIX YEAR-OLD CHESS PRODIGY

 

WHAT A PRODIGY 🤯♟️

At just 6 years old, Adam Calixte did the impossible… he beat Victor Wembanyama in a game of chess! 😳

The future NBA MVP had no answers against this young genius. A true reminder that talent has no age limit 👏🔥

Remember the name: Adam Calixte. 🧠✨

, The Sport Dealer 

CHELSEA COMOLETES SIGNING OF SPANISH DEFENDER

Chelsea have continued their summer of spending by completing the signing of full-back Pep Chavarria from Spanish side Rayo Vallecano. 

The Blues confirmed on Wednesday that they had finalised a move for the 28-year-old, who impressed in La Liga last term.

Chavarria has signed a long-term contract at Stamford Bridge that will run until the end of the 2030/31 campaign, in-keeping with Chelsea’s policy of tying players down to long-term deals that the club has adopted in recent seasons.

Since Chelsea were taken over by their current American owners back in 2022, the west London side have also adopted a policy of primarily signing talented young players.

This summer, however, the London outfit have also been adding experience to new manager Xabi Alonso’s squad, and Chavarria’s arrival will also add to that; the Blues have already signed 35-year-old Danny Welbeck and 36-year-old Jordan Henderson this summer.

Morgan Rogers is one of several players to have joined Chelsea so far this summer (Photo: PA Images/Alamy)

Chavarria first announced himself at the top level in Spain during a spell with Zaragoza between 2020 and 2022, before joining Vallecano ahead of the 2o22/23 campaign.

During his time with Vallecano, the left-back made a total of 125 appearances in all competitions, scoring twice and providing eight assists.

Chelsea have spent heavily so far this summer, with the likes of Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix, Geovany Quenda and Marcos Palestra all having arrived at Stamford Bridge.

Welbeck and Henderson have also joined Alonso’s squad, while Trevoh Chalobah and Alejandro Garnacho are among those to have departed SW6.

Chavarria is set to compete with Jorrel Hato for a starting spot in Alonso’s side, with the ex-Real Madrid boss expected to deploy a back three when the season starts.

The Blues play Spanish side Real Sociedad in their final pre-season friendly of the summer on Saturday, but it isn’t clear whether or not Chavarria will feature in the game.

- Shoot

MONTREAL 2026 | DAY 10 | QUARTER-FINALS

 

FOOTBALL MEME 🤣 | ANDY CAPP

 

FORMULA E ANNOUNCES GLOBAL STREAMING DEAL WITH DISNEY+ AND ESPN

 

LONDON, Aug 11 - The all-electric Formula E series announced on Tuesday a multi-year global streaming deal across 144 countries with Disney+ and ESPN from the start of the 2026-27 season in December.

Formula E Chief Executive Jeff Dodds hailed a "landmark moment" for the Liberty Global-owned championship.

The deal will complement Formula E's existing portfolio of free-to-air and linear broadcast partners, preserving broad accessibility.

Disney+ subscribers worldwide will get live coverage of every session at race weekends as well as behind-the-scenes programming and race replays on demand.

"Disney's unrivalled global reach and storytelling will introduce Formula E to millions of new fans," Dodds said in a statement. No financial details were given.

Formula E is entering a new GEN4 era next season with a more powerful car capable of accelerating from 0-60 mph in around 1.8 seconds, faster than a Formula One car. The series features 21 rounds across 13 events.

The current season ends in London this weekend with the drivers' title still open.

Apple has replaced Walt Disney's ESPN as Formula One's official U.S. broadcaster in a five-year deal from this season. 

- REUTERS

LEBRON JAMES, 76ERS VISITS KNICKS AS PART OF NBA OPENING SLATE

May 11, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the second half in game four of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The New York Knicks will tip off the 2026-27 in style, raising their championship banner on Oct. 20 ahead of their home game against LeBron James and the new-look Philadelphia 76ers.

The star-studded affair that also includes Philadelphia's Jaylen Brown and New York's Jalen Brunson at Madison Square Garden is the middle game of three contests on the opening day of the season. The Boston Celtics will visit the Detroit Pistons at 3 p.m. ET, while Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs will host the Oklahoma City at 9:30 p.m. ET in a rematch of the Western Conference finals.

The NBA also unveiled its Christmas Day schedule with five games on tap, highlighted by James facing his former team, the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Spurs and Knicks open the day's slate at noon ET, followed by the Miami Heat at Boston, the 76ers at the Lakers, the Thunder at the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Denver Nuggets tangling with the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco.

--Field Level Media

MERCEDES CHIEF SEND CLEAR WARNING TO GEORGE RUSSELL AND KIMI ANTONELLI AHEAD OF F1 RETURN

Mercedes deputy technical director Simone Resta has issued a warning to George Russell and Kimi Antonelli about their chances of winning the F1 world championship.

At the halfway point of a thrilling F1 campaign, Mercedes have established a lead at the top of the constructors' championship, largely thanks to Antonelli's incredible form.

The 19-year-old has won six of the 11 Grands Prix, including nine podiums, with the teenager recording a third-place finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix last time out.

Despite leading throughout the opening months of the season, Mercedes' dominant streak did come to an end before the summer shutdown, with five different drivers tasting victory in the races leading up to the August break.

Lewis Hamilton is enjoying a strong resurgence with Ferrari, and he's currently 50 points behind Antonelli in the race for the drivers' championship as he aims to win his eighth world title.

Ferrari have also closed the gap to 72 points behind Mercedes in the constructors' table, setting up a potentially thrilling second half of the season.

The seven-time world champion is the most likely to threaten Antonelli's dominance, and Mercedes deputy technical director Simone Resta has warned their drivers that they will face more "intense battles" once the action resumes in Zandvoort on August 23.

"History tells us that the championship always changes after the summer shutdown," Resta told Mercedes' Nu Silver Arrows Radio Show.

"The pressure increases on the teams that are leading, but equally it increases on the teams trying to catch up. The environment becomes more intense, and every result carries more weight. That's when you really see the strength and resilience of an organisation.

"It's where teams demonstrate whether they can handle the pressure and continue performing when the stakes become higher. I'm very interested to see that phase of the season unfold because it's often where championships are ultimately won or lost."

Mercedes have let a healthy advantage at the top slip in recent weeks, with reliability woes and a convergence in race pace allowing the chasing pack to close in.

But Resta is doing his best to keep the team grounded, as there is a long way to go before they can think about winning their ninth constructors' championship.

Kimi Antonelli backed to become like George Russell

Antonelli's mesmeric performances across the F1 campaign have featured an aggressive style, and this fearlessness has played a huge part in his dominance.

Teammate Russell, on the other hand - currently 59 points behind the Italian - has been calmer rather than aggressive with his displays.

According to former F1 driver Thierry Boutsen, Antonelli's approach is no different from how Russell drove at the start of his career.

"I think if you take George from his first F1 season, he would have been as aggressive as Kimi," Boutsen said.

"But he’s learned a lot, he’s calmed down also, he’s got more maturity. He races a totally different way. I believe that Kimi will be the same in three, four years. He will drive very differently to today."

Antonelli has been tipped to adapt his style as he gets older, but right now, his assertiveness and bravery on the track has held the key to a stunning campaign so far.

Featured Image Credit: Getty Images

- Thomas Griffin

HONORING DON NELSON'S LIFE AND HALL OF FAME LEGACY

 

IMPOSSIBLE NBA SHOTS THAT BROKE THE INTERNET

 

LATVIA VS SERBIA | ROUND OF 16 | U-16 FIBA EUROBASKET

 

LAUDENBACH URGES ORGANIZERS TO TAKE ACTION TO SAFEGUARD GT3

Porsche Motorsport boss voices concerns of GT3 platform spiraling out of control on costs, philosophy…

Photo: JEP/SRO

Porsche Motorsport boss Thomas Laudenbach has voiced similar concerns over the future of the GT3 platform to that of Stephane Ratel, stating he “fully agrees” with the SRO Motorsports Group founder and CEO, who was one of the architects of the formula, and that organizers must “take action” not to prevent the category turning into prototype-based GT cars.

The concerns not only come amid rising costs in GT3 but also several upcoming models, including the GR GT3 and new Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo, that have been first developed on the race track and then re-engineered to be low-volume production cars to meet current GT3 regulations.

The similar philosophy had been used in the GT1 era, as well as more recently with selected brands in GTE, most notably with the Ford GT, which was never essentially given to customer teams, aside from a one-off run at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2019.

"I was on the phone with Stephane for a long time and I fully share his view,” Laudenbach told selected reporters, including Sportscar365, at the recent IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship event at Road America. “I think we have to be careful.

“We’ve probably opened the door too much because it should still be GT racing, it should be affordable.

“If you look at what we do, I think we have a very clear philosophy with GT3. I think if you look at our pricing, it’s still good.

“I don’t want to see prototypes; I don’t want to see it the other way around.

“We have street-legal cars and we derive race cars from them. That’s the nature of GT3.

"I see am tendency which I’m not that happy about that. Therefore yes, I share his view, at least most of it, and I share his concerns.”

When asked what he thinks could be done, Laudenbach pointed to Ratel’s suggestions, made to selected media during the recent CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa.

In addition, he personally believes that each OEM needs to produce more than just a minimum of 20 cars over the race car’s first 24 months of homologation, a rule that the FIA put into place after the Cadillac V-Series.R, which ran exclusively in Pirelli World Challenge as a factory team.

Ratel suggested that there needed to be some kind of arbiter or referee to decide what constitutes “a GT sports car” suitable for GT3.

Additionally, he termed “four pillars” underpinning the success of GT3 are not being universally respected.

Those foundation stones are the use of true production cars as the basis of GT3 racing machinery, the participation of exclusive brands, cost-effectiveness and the strong customer support provided by the manufacturers.

“He made some good proposals,” said Laudenbach on Ratel’s proposals. “It’s not easy because the door is already open and you need to define measures and criteria and it’s difficult if you’ve already let others in.

“But I think we have to take action and we don’t want to have GT prototypes racing because even so, we have a great variety of manufacturers.

“I’m long enough in the business to know that it can collapse like this, so we’ve got to be careful.

"I think some of his proposals that he brought in are not too bad. Maybe I’d even say more customer cars [requirement]. I think he said at least 30, maybe more?

“There are other manufacturers who mainly do it as, ‘Yeah it’s customer sport and we sell a few but it’s mainly factory supported cars.’

“This, to me, is not the nature of the sport.

“You look [in IMSA] and we don’t have factory cars. We have AO [Racing] and Manthey [in GTD Pro]. Manthey is a customer because they want to promote their business in the U.S., which I think is great.

“This is how we do it. We do not want factory sport in GT.

"It’s a tricky one for the series. It’s a tricky one for the GT3 class. I look at what AO is delivering in [IMSA], it’s great racing.

“We don’t need a factory. Factories compete in GTP.”

- John Dagys

ANTHONY JOSHUA VS TYSON FURY ULTIMATUM ISSUED - "THERE WILL BE NO FIGHT"

Joshua and Fury are contracted to meet in the UK later this year but Netflix, and the fight's Saudi backers, want to host it at Madison Square Garden on November 20

Tyson Fury is due to fight Anthony Joshua(Image: Tyson Fury/Instagram)

Eddie Hearn insists he will pull the plug on Anthony Joshua's fight with Tyson Fury if New York is announced as the venue without a change of contract.

Joshua and Fury are contracted to meet in the UK later this year but Netflix, and the fight's Saudi backers, want to host it at Madison Square Garden on November 20. But Hearn insists he and Joshua want the fight to be held at Wembley and is refusing to back down in the row.

"Everybody wants to do the fight in New York, apart from Anthony Joshua and me," he told The Punch Podcast. "We're under a huge amount of pressure, and we're being told by Turki Alshikh and those guys - Netflix particularly - 'Look, we really want to do the fight in the US.' It's almost not a 'please Eddie,' but like, 'We're partners. We're paying a lot of money. Come on, you have to understand that we need to put the fight where we feel is commercially the best place.'

"I don't agree with their arguments, but I'm not the one paying the money. However, we wouldn't have signed the contract if the fight was in America, so we have to have a discussion around that. Then you've got Nick Khan phoning me up from TKO and Zuffa, saying, "Come on, can we be involved?" And I'm like, "What? Why? Why would I let you be involved?" "Well, we think we can make the fight bigger," and blah, blah, blah.

"Okay, if you tell me some reasons why I should let you be involved... Are you going to let me be involved in the next Conor McGregor fight in the UFC? No, of course not. So what? But I'm also not stubborn enough to just say no; I'll listen. The other day, though, they wrote to us and said, 'Just to let you know, we'd like to announce the fight for New York.' I said, 'No. You can't.'

"By the way, there might even be a situation where they go ahead and announce it anyway, and you'll probably see me come out quite quickly and say, 'No fight.' Because I promise you, if they announce that fight without an agreement in place to change the venue, there will be no fight, and we ain't bluffing.

"We feel really strongly that this fight should be in the UK. I've also said many times that I want it to work for everybody. Turki is spending a lot of money on this fight, if you really feel that commercially you're going to be so much better off doing it in America."

- Martin Domin

FRANK WARREN PROVIDES UPDATE ON DUBOIS VS WARDLEY 2

Image credit: Queensberry

Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley are expected to share the ring for a second time before this year is out.

Wardley was elevated to WBO champion before the contest and started well, knocking Dubois down twice early before the former IBF ruler could find his feet.

However, as the rounds went on, ‘DDD’ began landing big shots and by the 11th round had bloodied Wardley’s nose. The Ipswich man looked out on his feet and was returning fewer and fewer shots, which is why the referee stopped the contest.

The win saw Dubois, who is now 28, rebound from his second loss to Oleksandr Usyk in July 2025 and hand Wardley the first defeat of his career, with the pair now set to do battle again after Wardley activated his rematch clause.

Speaking to Playbook Boxing, Warren expressed his excitement at the rematch.

“Great fight. Great fight the first time. The second one is going to be competitive.”

He then explained what he makes of Wardley, who is now 31, returning to the ring so soon after such a brutal fight.

“We’ll find out in October. He’s hurt Daniel twice and put him down twice and Daniel got himself back into it, great discipline, and boxed extremely well and showed what he is about. I think Fabio, in his head, must feel the fact that he hurt him, he’s capable of stopping him. He’s done it bar one to everyone he’s fought.”

Wardley and his team have suggested he is capable of making the necessary changes to get revenge in the fight, which is likely to take place in October.

Wardley’s only previous rematch saw him get a first-round KO win after drawing with Frazer Clarke in their first contest in 2025.

- Kristan Caryl

CRIME BOSS WHO LIVED LIFE OF LUXURY TREATED DRUG LORDS TO ANTHONY JOSHUA TICKETS

As the net closed in on him, Khalid Ege fled the country and spent six years on the run before being caught trying to cross a border with "false papers"

Khalid Ege from Cardiff was sentenced to 12 years in prison for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs(Image: Tarian)

The head of an organised crime group was arrested after six years on the run as he travelled through South American using false documents, a court has heard. Khalid Ege had fled Wales after the net began to close on his cocaine dealing empire.

His criminal business had seen him splashing out on VIP treatment at a posh London bar and tickets to see an Anthony Joshua boxing match at the O2 Area in order to impress his contacts in the underworld.

The 50-year-old was eventually arrested as he crossed the border between Colombia and Paraguay and was brought back to Wales to face justice. He has now been locked up for 12 years.

Kevin Jones, prosecuting, told Merthyr Crown Court that Edge was the last person to be sentenced as a result of a complex police investigation into the large-scale trafficking of Class A drugs into southern Wales. He said the supply network had seen multiple and distinct organised crime groups or OCGs based around the UK working together to form a "drug consortium" which was responsible for the large-scale, commercial supply of cocaine.

He was sentenced at Merthyr Crown Court(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne)

The prosecutor said Khalid was the head of the south Wales OCG and sourced multiple kilos of high-purity cocaine from his "upstream suppliers" in Liverpool and the Midlands for onward distribution throughout the valleys. He said as an indication of the scale of the operation, when Khalid's courier was intercepted by police as he was returning to Cardiff he was was found to be transporting five kilos of cocaine worth up to half-a-million pounds on the streets. He said that return journey was one of eight which the courier had made at the behest of his boss.

The court heard that members of the Liverpool OCG were linked to a drugs laboratory in the Birkenhead area and sourced equipment and cutting agents from suppliers in China. Those materials were used to process and adulterate illicit drugs before onward distribution around the UK, including to south Wales.

The court heard that the police operation into the drugs network - codename Operation Vermont - included extensive covert surveillance of suspects and tracking of vehicles. The operation revealed multiple face-to-face meetings between various leading members of the crime gangs as well as phone contact, financial links, and DNA and fingerprint evidence linking the conspirators with packages of drugs.

The prosecutor said covert officers were present in London when Khalid hosted an "extravagant" meeting with the heads of the Liverpool crime gang in October 2019 . He said the Cardiff dealer treated the Merseysiders' to hospitality in a VIP area at a Mayfair bar before the group attended the Anthony Joshua boxing match London's O2 Arena, tickets for which cost £1,400 each. The barrister said the purpose of the event was for Khalid to demonstrate that "he was able to swim in the same waters" as his powerful criminal contacts.

Merthyr Crown Court(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne)

The court heard that following the arrest of a number of his co-conspirators, Ege fled the UK in December 2019 in an attempt to evade justice. The defendant remained a fugitive until December 2025 when he was detained crossing the border from Colombia into Paraguay using a false passport and identity documents. Crucially, he was also found to be carrying his real - albeit expired - British passport which revealed his true identity.

The court heard Ege was sent back to Colombia and was then transferred to Spain in the custody of National Crime Agency from where he was extradited back to the UK.

Khalid Ege, of no fixed abide, had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs when he appeared in the dock for sentencing.

Jonathan Rees KC, for Ege, invited the court to find a distinction could be drawn between the "astronomical" amounts of drugs the Liverpool gang had been involved in, and the amounts being handled by his client who - he said - was a "local distributor". He said if the Liverpool gang members had been "Premier League", the defendant was "Championship at best, if not League One".

Judge Jeremy Jenkins told the defendant he had been involved sourcing cocaine on an "industrial scale" for onward distribution around south Wales, including to another organised crime group based in Merthyr.

The judge said as police began to arrest the co-conspirators the defendant had fled from the jurisdiction and said it wasn't until December last year that he was caught in South America using "false papers". He said "fortunately for the authorities", Ege had also been carrying his real British passport.

With a one-third discount for his guilty pleas, Ege was sentenced to 12 years in prison. He will serve half the sentence in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community.

Judge Jenkins praised the dedication shown by police in what had been a "monumental case".

Speaking after the sentencing detective inspector Andrew Gibbins of Tarian - the southern Wales serious and organised crime squad - said: "Operation Vermont has been one of the largest and most complex investigations into the supply of illicit drugs ever undertaken by Tarian.

"The investigation resulted in the arrest and conviction of a significant number of individuals operating across Wales, England and Scotland, and involved extensive collaboration with policing and law enforcement partners both within the UK and overseas. This included two extraditions from Spain and international enquiries spanning China and South America.

"Today's sentence marks the conclusion of a lengthy investigation and demonstrates our determination to pursue those involved in organised criminality, no matter how far they travel or how long they seek to evade justice.

"Tarian remains committed to identifying, disrupting and bringing to justice those responsible for causing harm to our communities. Whether you are directing an organised crime group, supplying drugs, producing them, transporting them, or carrying out any other role within a criminal network, we will pursue every available line of enquiry to hold you accountable for your actions.

"The significant sentences handed down throughout Operation Vermont reflect the scale of the criminality involved and our unwavering commitment to protecting communities across southern Wales."

A total of 32 co-conspirators have previously been sentenced as part of Operation Vermont, with their sentencings taking place between November 2022 and April 2023. In total they have received combined custodial sentences totalling more than 256 years.

- Ashley Pemberton and Jason Evans

WHAT VINICIUS JR TOLD ARSENAL BEFORE RENEWING WITH REAL MADRID

 

Vinicius Junior’s decision to extend his Real Madrid contract was communicated to Arsenal last Wednesday by both the player and his representatives, according to The Athletic.

Mikel Arteta wanted the Brazilian at the Emirates Stadium club, and the Gunners fancied their chances of bringing him to North London.

While there was never a formal agreement in place between Arsenal and Vinicius, personal terms between both parties would not have been an issue.

The 26-year-old was persuaded that the Premier League champions were serious about signing him due to the figures discussed during the meetings

The Gunners were willing to make a huge effort and break their salary structure to secure his services.

While they believed that their offer would make it difficult for Madrid to compete financially, things changed.

Los Blancos offered him an improved offer, which was enough to convince the Brazilian to stay and commit his future to the 15-time Champions League winners.

The La Liga club announced last Thursday that Vinicius had finally signed a contract renewal.

The player and his representatives expressed their gratitude to Arsenal for the treatment they had received.

They explained they were only turning the Gunners down because of Vinicius’ affection for Madrid and their significant financial effort to retain him.

Arteta is now moving on to other targets, but the fact that the North Londoners came close to signing one of the best and biggest players on the planet speaks volumes.

They will look to make similar moves in subsequent transfer windows, and establishing themselves as regular contenders for the Champions League remains the big goal.

- Alani Adefunmiloye

EX-NFL STAR MARCELLUS WILEY | PROSECUTORS DROP DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASE

 

Getty

Former NFL star Marcellus Wiley is no longer facing a criminal charge over an alleged domestic violence incident involving his estranged wife, Annemarie Wiley ... TMZ has learned.

According to court docs, obtained by TMZ, prosecutors in Orange County, Florida, told the court they would not be pursuing the case.

The filing states prosecutors declined to file charges because "testimonial evidence received is not corroborated by any physical or other evidence and is therefore insufficient to obtain a conviction."

In other words, it sounds like prosecutors didn't feel there was enough evidence for an easy conviction.

As TMZ first reported, Annemarie called cops after she claims things got physical inside a Florida hotel room. She told cops Marcellus poked her in the cheek and threatened to kill her.

Marcellus adamantly denied the claims.

Annemarie filed for divorce and a restraining order days later … claiming Marcellus was violent throughout their marriage. He has denied her claims.

- TMZ

UEFA SUPER CUP PREVIEW: PSG TAKE ON ASTON VILLA IN WEDNESDAY SHOWPIECE

 

August 11 – Paris Saint-Germain will face Aston Villa in Wednesday’s UEFA Super Cup in Salzburg, as the annual European curtain-raiser returns, and the first opportunity of silverware along with it. 

The yearly summer meeting between the Champions League and Europa League winners brings together a PSG side chasing another trophy after back-to-back European titles and a Villa team attempting to land one of the biggest prizes of Unai Emery’s reign against the best side in world football. 

PSG retained the Champions League in May after edging Arsenal 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in Budapest, reinforcing their position at the head of the European game. 

Villa arrive after a similarly impressive continental campaign, crowned by a 3-0 Europa League final victory over Freiburg. 

The timing of the Super Cup may offer Villa an advantage. 

A key portion of PSG’s title-winning squad, namely Ballon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembélé, Fabián Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi, have only recently returned from the World Cup and consequential holiday period, leaving Luis Enrique with a selection headache over how heavily to lean on players short of preparation. 

PSG’s underlying approach is unlikely to change – with Vitinha expected to retain his role as the organiser at the base of midfield, João Neves providing the energy around him and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia giving the French champions a constant threat from the left after an entire summer of rest and recovery. 

Villa have had rebuilding to do this summer. 

Morgan Rogers departed for Chelsea in a €137 million transfer, Youri Tielemans joined Manchester United and Amadou Onana will be sidelined until the new year with a long-term ACL injury. 

New signing Alejandro Garnacho will be charged with filling the attacking gap, while midfield additions Johan Manzambi and João Gomes give Emery like-for-like – if unproven – replacements. 

There is also an immediate reunion for Lucas Digne, who moved from Villa to PSG this summer and could now face his former club in his first European showpiece of the season. 

Should the scores be level after 90 minutes, there will be no extra time, with the trophy decided immediately by penalties. 

Referee Omar Artan will become the first non-European official to take charge of the UEFA Super Cup – an appointment that comes in the wake of a difficult summer for the Somalian. His World Cup ended before it had started when he was refused entry to the United States despite being selected as part of FIFA’s refereeing team. 

Artan, named African football’s referee of the year, has since been handed one of UEFA’s highest-profile early-season appointments. 

“When we got this call it was, for me and my family, really a very, very happy moment. There’s a big Somali community in Europe and in Austria and they are over the moon with me officiating a match like this. I believe that if I can succeed, anyone can. Don’t ever stop dreaming,” he told UEFA. 

Reflecting on his World Cup disappointment, Artan added: “It was a very tough period. A lot of people have sympathy for me, because when someone has been working a lot of years and is supposed to do something, and then can’t do it, it’s very challenging.”

His appointment gives an already important fixture another layer. Tune in for the tie at 20:00 BST on Wednesday. 

- Harry Ewing,

WEST INDIES SUFFER FRESH BLOW AS DIRECT QUALIFICATION TO ODI WORLD CUP 2027 SLIPS AWAY

• West Indies have missed automatic qualification to ODI World Cup 2027.

• The Caribbean side will now have to battle through the Qualifiers to reach the mega event.

West Indies have been dealt another major setback in their bid to reach the 2027 ODI World Cup, with the two-time champions now certain to enter the qualification tournament rather than secure a direct place through the ICC rankings. Afghanistan’s victory over Ireland in Belfast confirmed their position among the teams set to qualify automatically, leaving the Caribbean side outside the required top-eight bracket.

Under the qualification system, the eight highest-ranked teams in the ICC ODI rankings on September 30, 2026, excluding co-hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe, will earn automatic entry into the 14-team World Cup. Afghanistan’s rise into that group has effectively ended West Indies’ hopes of breaking into the direct qualification places.

The West Indies are currently ranked 10th and have two ODIs against India remaining before the cut-off. However, even winning both matches will not be enough to lift them into the automatic qualification positions. That means the Caribbean side will once again have to take the longer route to the World Cup.

A painful reminder of what happened in 2023

For West Indies, another qualification campaign represents an uncomfortable return to a situation they would have desperately wanted to avoid. The Caribbean giants were forced to enter the qualification process for the 2023 ODI World Cup as well. Their campaign in Zimbabwe ended in disappointment after they finished fifth in the Super Six stage and failed to qualify for the tournament.

It was a historic low for one of cricket’s most successful teams. West Indies had appeared at every men’s ODI World Cup from the inaugural edition in 1975 until 2019, but their failure to qualify for the 2023 tournament brought that remarkable streak to an end. The consequences continued beyond the World Cup. Their ranking position also meant they missed the 2025 Champions Trophy, having last featured in the competition in 2013. With another World Cup qualification battle now confirmed, there will inevitably be concern about history repeating itself.

New qualification system offers another route

The 2027 qualification tournament will feature 10 teams and provide West Indies with another opportunity to reach the global showpiece. The field is set to include West Indies and Ireland as the two lowest-ranked non-host Full Members, along with the top four teams from Cricket World Cup League 2 and the four sides emerging from the Qualifier Playoff.

The playoff itself brings together teams from different levels of the qualification pyramid, including the bottom four League 2 sides and four teams from the Challenge League. The revised system also gives teams more than one opportunity to progress. The winner of the 10-team Qualifier will earn a direct place in the second round of the 2027 World Cup. Teams finishing second, third and fourth will enter a three-team Super Series, with the winner also advancing.

The ICC approved the revamped World Cup structure in July, with the 14-team tournament designed to provide more competitive matches while keeping the overall event shorter. While the new pathway keeps West Indies’ World Cup dream alive, it also highlights the seriousness of their current position. A team once synonymous with dominance on the global stage now faces another high-pressure qualification campaign.

For Shai Hope and his teammates, the immediate task is clear: finish the remaining fixtures strongly, regroup and make sure the next qualification journey does not end in another historic disappointment.

- Akshat Gaur

JP MORGAN BANKER WHO LED INFANTINO’S FIFA SELL-OFF HAS EPSTEIN TIES EXPOSED

Emails sent to paedophile financier include birthday greetings four years after his conviction of procuring a minor for prostitution

Mary Erdoes led the efforts to find investors for Gianni Infantino’s Fifa sell-off plan Credit: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg

The JP Morgan Chase banker who was one of the secret figures behind the Fifa sell-off plan is also under pressure for her links to the late paedophile and financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Mary Erdoes, 58, the head of the asset and wealth management division, led the bank’s efforts to find investors prepared to take part of the 20 per cent stake in Fifa which its president Gianni Infantino sought to sell.

Erdoes has also come under scrutiny for her previous longstanding connection to Epstein, who died in 2019. Documents released by the US authorities indicate that Erdoes only ended JP Morgan’s relationship with Epstein in 2013, five years after he was convicted in Florida of procuring a minor for prostitution.

Emails exchanged between the pair, first reported by The Banker financial news site, suggest that they were in contact regarding banking. Erdoes emailed Epstein birthday greetings from her JP Morgan account in 2012. The pair were in indirect contact via staff about the banking arrangements for another associate of Epstein, Kathryn Ruemmler, the former Goldman Sachs executive.

Kathryn Ruemmler (centre) former chief legal officer of Goldman Sachs, has also been linked to Jeffrey Epstein Credit: Al Drago/Reuters

Erdoes is, according to the New York Times, understood to be one of the few individuals who knew about Infantino’s plans as they were formulated. Those involved selling a 20 per cent stake in Fifa at a value of $4.2bn (£3.1bn) to investors led by Joshua Kushner – the brother of US president Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner – and others. Infantino did not reveal the plan to his closest staff until days before the World Cup final.

Joshua Kushner’s investment vehicle, Thrive Eternal, and Fifa planned to use JP Morgan to find fellow investors for the putative sale, which was subsequently abandoned by Infantino. The Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) project caused uproar in world football and has left Infantino fighting for his future as Fifa president. The European governing body, Uefa, as well as counterparts in Asia and North and Central America have threatened to break away.

Erdoes, the bank’s second-highest earner last year on $32m (£24m), has not commented on her links to Infantino. The connection between the pair is not clear, although Infantino has been on stage with Erdoes when he spoke at a staff meeting at the bank.

Erdoes, the bank’s second-highest earner last year on $32m (£24m), has not commented on her links to Infantino. The connection between the pair is not clear, although Infantino has been on stage with Erdoes when he spoke at a staff meeting at the bank.

Previously JP Morgan apologised for its role in financing the 2021 European Super League. It is yet to make any comment on its role in FFE, or the relationship between Erdoes, the bank and Infantino.

Erdoes (right) and Infantino appeared together after he attended JP Morgan’s town hall Credit: Mary Erdoes on LinkedIn

In terms of Erdoes’s dealings with Epstein, JP Morgan told The Banker: “We regret any association we had with the man [Epstein], but did not help him commit his heinous crimes.

“The firm filed multiple Suspicious Activity Reports beginning in 2002 but heard nothing back from the government.

“Mary Erdoes made the decision to close his accounts in 2013, six years before his arrest. Mary has always held herself and her colleagues to the highest standards of integrity and trust, is consistently recognised as one of the top executives in financial services and continues to be a critically important leader of our firm.”



JP Morgan banker who led Infantino’s Fifa sell-off has Epstein ties exposed

Emails sent to paedophile financier include birthday greetings four years after his conviction of procuring a minor for prostitution



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Mary Erdoes led the efforts to find investors for Gianni Infantino’s Fifa sell-off plan Credit: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg

Sam Wallace

Chief Football Writer

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Published 10 August 2026 7:10pm BST

The JP Morgan Chase banker who was one of the secret figures behind the Fifa sell-off plan is also under pressure for her links to the late paedophile and financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Mary Erdoes, 58, the head of the asset and wealth management division, led the bank’s efforts to find investors prepared to take part of the 20 per cent stake in Fifa which its president Gianni Infantino sought to sell.

Erdoes has also come under scrutiny for her previous longstanding connection to Epstein, who died in 2019. Documents released by the US authorities indicate that Erdoes only ended JP Morgan’s relationship with Epstein in 2013, five years after he was convicted in Florida of procuring a minor for prostitution.

Emails exchanged between the pair, first reported by The Banker financial news site, suggest that they were in contact regarding banking. Erdoes emailed Epstein birthday greetings from her JP Morgan account in 2012. The pair were in indirect contact via staff about the banking arrangements for another associate of Epstein, Kathryn Ruemmler, the former Goldman Sachs executive.

Kathryn Ruemmler (centre) former chief legal officer of Goldman Sachs, has also been linked to Jeffrey Epstein Credit: Al Drago/Reuters

Erdoes is, according to the New York Times, understood to be one of the few individuals who knew about Infantino’s plans as they were formulated. Those involved selling a 20 per cent stake in Fifa at a value of $4.2bn (£3.1bn) to investors led by Joshua Kushner – the brother of US president Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner – and others. Infantino did not reveal the plan to his closest staff until days before the World Cup final.

Joshua Kushner’s investment vehicle, Thrive Eternal, and Fifa planned to use JP Morgan to find fellow investors for the putative sale, which was subsequently abandoned by Infantino. The Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) project caused uproar in world football and has left Infantino fighting for his future as Fifa president. The European governing body, Uefa, as well as counterparts in Asia and North and Central America have threatened to break away.

Erdoes, the bank’s second-highest earner last year on $32m (£24m), has not commented on her links to Infantino. The connection between the pair is not clear, although Infantino has been on stage with Erdoes when he spoke at a staff meeting at the bank.

Previously JP Morgan apologised for its role in financing the 2021 European Super League. It is yet to make any comment on its role in FFE, or the relationship between Erdoes, the bank and Infantino.

Erdoes (right) and Infantino appeared together after he attended JP Morgan’s town hall Credit: Mary Erdoes on LinkedIn

In terms of Erdoes’s dealings with Epstein, JP Morgan told The Banker: “We regret any association we had with the man [Epstein], but did not help him commit his heinous crimes.

“The firm filed multiple Suspicious Activity Reports beginning in 2002 but heard nothing back from the government.

“Mary Erdoes made the decision to close his accounts in 2013, six years before his arrest. Mary has always held herself and her colleagues to the highest standards of integrity and trust, is consistently recognised as one of the top executives in financial services and continues to be a critically important leader of our firm.”

Meanwhile, Fifa will face a further embarrassing episode on Wednesday when Omar Artan – the Somali referee refused entry to the United States for the World Cup – will take charge of Uefa’s curtain-raising Super Cup.

Artan has spoken about the “very tough period” he faced when denied entry to the US at Miami International Airport in June, before what should have been the highlight of his career.

Tensions were already high between Fifa and Uefa before the start of the World Cup, in which Infantino attracted further scrutiny for his role in the decision to suspend the two-match ban given to United States striker Folarin Balogun. In what was a thinly veiled move to humiliate the global governing body, Artan was named the match referee for Wednesday’s Super Cup in Salzburg between Aston Villa and Paris St-Germain.

Omar Artan was denied entry into the US before the World Cup, as Somalia is on the country’s travel ban list Credit: Hassan Ali Elmi/Getty Images

Artan said on Monday: “It was a very tough period. A lot of people have sympathy for me, because when someone has been working a lot of years and is supposed to do something, and then can’t do it, it’s very challenging.

“I really appreciate the support I received throughout the world, though; I’m so grateful.”

Artan, 34, was subjected to an 11-hour immigration interview before he was denied entry to the US. Somalia is one of the 12 countries on the United States travel-ban list. Infantino later admitted publicly that he was powerless to overrule the ruling from Donald Trump’s administration.

The Fifa president told critics at a press conference before the World Cup to “chill and relax” about the controversy, and added: “We work on everything, we try to resolve everything, [but] immediately screaming and shouting, that’s the opposite of finding a solution.”

Aleksander Ceferin, the Uefa president, reacted by appointing Artan for the Super Cup, where he will become the first African official to take charge of the European season opener.

Artan added: “When we got this call it was, for me and my family, really a very, very happy moment. There’s a big Somali community in Europe and in Austria, and they are over the moon with me officiating a match like this.”

- Sam Wallace

4 REASONS FOR JEFF BEZOS TO BE BULLISH ON LIVERPOOL

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 06: Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 06, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Soobum Im - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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According to a report early Monday from Sky Sports, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is part of a consortium that is nearing a purchase of one-third of Liverpool Football Club. The transaction will value the famous English Premier League outfit at about $6 billion, per that report.

With a current net worth estimated at $283.8 billion, Bezos is the world’s third-wealthiest man. And while Amazon Prime Video has become an increasingly prominent player in the world of live sports TV rights, the investment would be Bezos’ first directly into a major professional sports team.

Bezos wouldn’t be anywhere close to a majority investor in the club, given that there are several members of the consortium that would take one-third control of the 20-time English league champions.

Even so, it’s intriguing that Bezos might begin his dalliance in sports ownership in the Premier League, rather than an American league such as the NFL, where he was once linked to a potential purchase of the Washington Commanders.

Why might one of the world’s most influential businessmen think the Premier League is the right place to invest right now? Read on for four possible reasons.

Bang for the Buck?

While $6 billion is a substantial figure, it’s less than half of the going rate for the Dallas Cowboys, currently the world’s highest valued sports franchise at $13 billion.

Yet Liverpool has exponentially more followers worldwide, a figure estimated in the hundreds of millions thanks to the Premier League’s unrivaled global distribution.

Of course, the overwhelming majority of Cowboys and other NFL fans live in United States, the world’s wealthiest economy, and it’s the NFL’s domination of that economy that leads to the high valuation of the Cowboys and other franchises. But there’s still a case that global soccer entities like Liverpool bring more for their investment buck.

Unique Growth Potential

The immediate aftermath of the 2026 World Cup in the United States could prove uniquely favorable when it comes to global soccer brands growing their profile among American audiences.

For better or worse, the assumption among sports media types has been that fans newly infatuated with the sport will seek to continue their interest by watching the Premier League, rather than MLS or other domestic U.S. leagues. And there could be a lot of those folks if the TV numbers are any indication.

The final between Spain and Argentina on July 19 drew an audience of more than 60 million viewers in the United States, according to data provided by rights holders Fox and Telemundo. That made it the most-watched non-NFL sporting event in the U.S. since the Nancy Kerrigan-Tanya Harding scandal captivated audiences at the 1994 Winter Olympic Games.

Premier League audiences on NBC have already proved sizable, rivaling national NBA or MLB regular season broadcasts on network TV.

More Revenue Control

Unlike NFL franchises, which operate with widespread revenue sharing between the 32 teams, Liverpool FC and other huge soccer brands have more control over their own revenue generation.

Money from the Premier League’s TV contracts are distributed partially by merit, meaning higher achieving clubs and those appearing in more televised games take in a larger share. And unlike the NFL, soccer clubs keep all of the revenue they generate from commercial partnerships, matchday revenue and merchandise sales.

If this is truly a watershed moment for major European soccer in the U.S., the revenue potential of that moment may be even larger than an equivalent opportunity within U.S. pro sports leagues.

Better Competitive Prospects

After a famously long drought, Liverpool have won two of the last seven English Premier League titles. And with Pep Guardiola departing as Manchester City manager following last season, it feels like there is an opportunity for another club to overtake City as the dominant force in English football.

Liverpool certainly won’t be the only team trying to do that. But they are among the clubs most suited to be successful, given the combination of their recent upward trends and history of success.

On the flip side, global soccer isn’t constrained by the same North American competitive models that create the parity of the NFL. Only seven clubs have won the Premier League since it split from the old English Football League in the early 1990s. So if Liverpool can emerge as the new dominant force, their place atop the English football pecking order could become relatively stable.

- Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes

A WIN FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS! | TOUR DE FRANCE FEMMES 🇫🇷 | STAGE 9

 

YOUNG AFRICANS (YANGA) FIXTURES

 

MONTREAL 2026 | DAY 8

 

SCOTLAND, NETHERLANDS CRITICISE ICC'S WORLD CUP FORMAT

Cricket Scotland and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB) have criticised the International Cricket Council (ICC) for changing the format of the 2027 Men's ODI World Cup less than 18 months before the tournament.

The ICC introduced a new Super Series phase under which the teams ranked 12th, 13th and 14th in the qualification process will contest a tri-series, with only one progressing to the second round, where 12 teams will be split into two groups.

The two Associate Member boards described the lack of communication as "disappointing and disrespectful".

"These changes represent a setback to Associate Member cricket and risk undermining the progress made in recent years to grow the global game," they said in a joint statement on Monday.

"At a time when cricket is seeking to expand its reach, attract new audiences and strengthen its position on the international sporting landscape, reducing meaningful opportunities for emerging nations sends entirely the wrong message."

Associate Members are nations that belong to the ICC but do not hold Full Member status, which is reserved for the game's leading countries.

The 2027 World Cup will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

- Reuters

JOSÉ MOURINHO REVEALS HE SIGNED CONTRACT TO SUCCEEDED ALEX FERGUSON AT MAN UTD

 

The Portuguese has said in a new Netflix documentary about his life he had agreed to move to Old Trafford in 2013.

José Mourinho has revealed he signed a contract to succeed Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager in 2013 only to tearfully renege on the deal and return to Chelsea.

The football world was rocked when the Scottish great announced he was retiring having overseen a 13th Premier League title triumph win during a spell of unrivalled dominance at Old Trafford.

United have failed to return to the top of the English game since Ferguson stepped down, with successor David Moyes sacked after only 10 months in charge.

David Moyes did not last long as Alex Ferguson’s successor at Manchester United (Martin Rickett/PA)

Mourinho was later brought in, spending two and a half years in charge from 2016, but revealed in a new Netflix documentary about his life that he had agreed to come earlier.

“I go to Chelsea in 2013 but in that period there is something nobody knows,” the Portuguese said in ‘Mourinho’.

“I think I can say because I don’t hurt anyone with the truth, and I think the objective of this work that we are doing is to tell the truth.

“When I left Real Madrid, I signed with Manchester United to go to Manchester United after .”

Mourinho continued: “I was, of course, very flattered, because Manchester United has an incredible appeal.

“When I say Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world, I have to say that Manchester United is very, very close.

Jose Mourinho celebrates Real Madrid scoring against Ferguson’s United (Martin Rickett/PA)

“But one thing is love for football, and another thing is love for a certain club.

“I think this is more powerful than love for football and, fundamentally, after Real Madrid, I needed to feel that I’m loved.”

Ferguson was one of the footballing figures interviewed for the new documentary and admits he was under the illusion Mourinho was accepting the offer, only for the situation to change in a matter of hours.

“Early evening he phoned me and he was crying,” the United great said. “And he says, ‘Alex, I can’t take it – I’ve given my word to Chelsea, and I’m not going to break my word’.

“The reason he gave to me I could understand, but I was disappointed.”

Mourinho had a strong bond with Chelsea after leading them to two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups during an unforgettable first spell.

The Portuguese parked differences with owner Roman Abramovich to return to Stamford Bridge after leaving Real Madrid, winning another league crown and League Cup before being sacked in December 2015.

Mourinho took in two spells as Chelsea boss (John Walton/PA

“For me to lose the chance to be the coach to succeed Alex Ferguson was dramatic, but I don’t regret because it was a decision that I made with my heart,” Mourinho, now back in charge of Real Madrid, said.

“And I think it is nature that says something that when you do something for love, you are never doing anything wrong. I think it’s nature. I did it for love.

“I went back with the feeling of, yes, I go home, but with big responsibility because what I did before is history, and you don’t want to destroy your legacy.”

- Simon Peach

VFB STUTTGART SIGN DŽENAN PEJČINOVIĆ FROM WOLFSBURG

Dženan Pejčinović scored 12 goals in 34 appearances for Wolfsburg in 2025/26. - © DFL/Getty Images/Boris Streubel

VfB Stuttgart have completed the signing of Dženan Pejčinović from Wolfsburg on a contract until 2031.

Former Bayern Munich youngster Pejčinović scored 12 goals in 34 appearances for the Wolves last season but was unable to prevent the club from being relegated to Bundesliga 2.

The 21-year-old striker is Stuttgart’s sixth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Marius Funk, Leo Sauer, David Preu, Grischa Prömel and Tim van der Leij.

"I can hardly wait to get started at VfB, I’m really looking forward to it," said Pejčinović. "I already know some of my new teammates from the DFB youth teams and had very good talks with the management, so I didn’t have to think twice when I heard about VfB’s interest. Now I want to settle in as quickly as possible and contribute to a successful season for VfB.”

“Dzenan has everything it takes to be a valuable option in attack immediately, and as a young player, he still has a lot of potential for development,” added Fabian Wohlgemuth, Stuttgart’s board member for sport. "Last but not least, it's a great sign that a player who is highly sought after on the market has decided to join us. This also confirms VfB Stuttgart's continuous upward trend in recent years."

Born in Munich to Montenegrin parents, Pejčinović started his career with Bayern before moving to Augsburg in 2017.

He signed for Wolfsburg in 2022 after five years with Die Fuggerstädter’s academy, making his debut for the club in a 2-1 defeat at Hertha Berlin on the final day of the 2022/23 season.

Pejčinović spent the 2024/25 season on loan at Fortuna Düsseldorf before returning to Wolfsburg for the following campaign. He scored eight goals in 18 league outings between December and May, and was also on target in the second leg of the Wolves’ play-off defeat to Paderborn.

The young frontman represented Montenegro at Under-15 level before pledging his allegiance to Germany. Currently part of their Under-21 squad, he scored 39 goals in as many youth international appearances between October 2020 and September 2024. In total, he has bagged 41 goals and provided 10 assists for German youth teams.

- BUNDESLIGA