GM football fans. It’s Friday, Oct. 17 - Real Madrid are planning a controversial ownership change, the first use of VAR reviews are being used in the U20 World Cup, and everything else you need to know. Forwarded this email? Sign up here.
KEY FIXTURES
Premier League MD8: Crystal Palace vs. Bournemouth, Saturday 18, 15:00 BST / 10:00 ET. Palace are still unbeaten in their last nine league home games, and fourth-placed Bournemouth have only enjoyed two wins in their previous nine in the league away from home. Across all competitions, Bournemouth have won four of their last six games. Fulham vs. Arsenal, Saturday 18, 17:30 BST / 12:30 ET. Arsenal, who are on a seven-game unbeaten streak in all competitions, have failed to win at Fulham in each of the previous two seasons. However, Fulham have just one win in their last 14 meetings with the Gunners. Liverpool vs. Manchester United, Sunday 19, 16:30 BST / 11:30 ET. Coming off the back of two defeats, Liverpool haven’t lost three consecutive top-flight games since February 2022. Arne Slot will take confidence in the fact that Liverpool have lost just one of their last 14 league meeting with United, while the latter hasn’t won any of their last eight away league matches. See all Premier League Matchday 8 fixtures here.
Results…
TOP TALKING POINTS
First VAR Requests
Managers have been using a card to request VAR checks for the first time in football history at the U20 World Cup. On Sunday, Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi successfully overturned a penalty against Spain after using the card to challenge a diving incident. He used it again in the semi-final against France, but that appeal was rejected–watch him use the card here.
The initiative is part of Fifa trialling the new cards, for the potential for them to be used more widely. Once a manager wishes to challenge the referee over a decision, they twirl their finger and can show a card to force the official to take a second look at the pitchside monitor. Managers can make up to two appeals per game. Read more on how the cards work here.
The U20 World Cup final between Morocco and Argentina, hosted in Chile, will take place on Sunday (Oct 19) at 20:00 local time (23:00 GMT / 19:00 ET).
Madrid’s Historic Move
Real Madrid is advancing plans to radically (paywall) change its ownership structure for the first time. The change would allow external investors to purchase shares in the club, shifting away from a member-led club.
Since its founding in 1902, Real Madrid has been fully owned by its socios (club members), a model shared by Barcelona, Athletic Club, and Osasuna. Despite posting record revenues of $1bn in 2023-24, club president Florentino Perez argues that the member-owned model is a handicap when competing in the transfer market against rival clubs backed by billionaires and sovereign wealth funds.
Perez is expected to present new details and further plans at the upcoming 2025 General Assembly, likely before the end of November. One idea being considered is to split the club into two entities—a football arm owned by members and a business division open to investors. Any structural change would still require approval through a member’s vote.
MLS Decision Day
The 2025 MLS regular season concludes with Decision Day on Saturday, October 18, as teams battle for play-off positions ahead of the MLS Cup Play-offs. See all the upcoming Decision Day fixtures here.
Two post-season play-off spots remain, with four Western Conference teams—FC Dallas, Real Salt Lake, the Colorado Rapids, and San Jose Earthquakes—battling for the spots, while Vancouver Whitecaps and San Diego FC fight for the West’s No. 1 Seed. Dive deeper into the permutations for each side to clinch a berth here.
Meanwhile, all nine Eastern Conference play-off teams are confirmed, but Charlotte FC, New York City FC, and Nashville SC are still fighting for home-field advantage—see the scenarios here.
Elsewhere, the race for the 2025 MLS Golden Boot is also coming down to the final matchday of the season. Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi leads the race with 26 goals, while Denis Bouanga, who missed two matches due to representing Gabon in the World Cup qualifying, sits two goals behind on 24. Nashville SC’s Sam Surridge is on 23.
POLL
Do you think VAR review requests from managers is a good idea?
ON THE BALL
Europe
> Match of the Day viewing figures have dropped 10% since Gary Lineker’s exit, though viewing figures were falling even before he was axed (More)
> Borussia Dortmund, undefeated in the Bundesliga this season, will travel to league leaders Bayern Munich on Saturday (Oct 18) at 17:30 BST (More)
> The Spanish Footballers' Association remains in opposition to the La Liga game between Villarreal and Barcelona being played in Miami in December (More)
Americas
> Brazilian side Botafogo are in dispute over an unpaid $21m transfer fee to MLS side Atlanta United (More)
> NWSL Matchday 25 of 26 kicks off on Friday (Oct 17) with Bay vs. North Carolina Courage, with the away side just outside the post-season play-off spots (Full Fixtures); see the NWSL standings (More)
> Orange County SC reach the post-season USL Championship play-off after beating San Antonio FC 1-0 with a 90+2’ winner from Ousmane Sylla (More); see upcoming USL Championship fixtures (More)
Rest of the World
> The Australian A-League gets underway this weekend with Adelaide United vs. Sydney FC kicking off on Friday (Oct 17) (Full Fixtures); see a preview of Matchday 1 (More)
> Patrick Kluivert has left his role as Indonesia head coach just days after the country’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup ended (More)
ROUTERS’ VOICE
Yesterday’s Poll: Is six substitutes too many?
🟨 🟨 🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ 🔄 Too many (38%)
🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🙅♂️ Nope (59%)
🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ✍️ Other (3%)
Your punditry takes:
🔄 N: “Five is too many. Three is the magic number. Reduce the games, stop changing the rules.”
🙅♂️ S.B: “Since neither Uefa nor Fifa seem likely to leave potential money on the table, clubs and leagues are likely to have to find solutions that don't centre on reducing games or shrinking the calendar. This seems reasonable, though I'd hate to see it devolve into an American-style model with unlimited subs or subs who can re-enter, etc.”
🙅♂️ P.A: “The longer seasons and increased number of games players are asked to play make it important that means be found for them to get enough rest. In general, the lure of profits prevents serious action from being taken, but this would at least help.”
✍️ T.P: “Unlimited subs. I would like to see the coaches really manage a game when they have unlimited subs. And they can come on and go off as needed throughout the game. Or maybe if you are subbed off in the second half, you can't come back on.”
EXTRA TIME
Zaha responds to Mateta calling him out.
Opta’s latest Championship projections.
Salah appears on the Cameroon electoral list.
Is Harry Kane in the form of his life?
… and Kane rates English and American food.
Live updating a scoreboard using Microsoft PowerPoint.
Why WSL clubs are signing up Japan's best talent.
Fluminense unveil new red third kit.
GAME FACE ON
Who Am I? Manager edition…
I have managed in Italy and England, as well as the Italian national team.
I won the Premier League in my first season in charge.
During my playing career, I won five Serie A titles, one Coppa Italia, one Champions League, and one UEFA Cup.
Scroll below for the answer.
ON TODAY
EFL Championship
Middlesbrough vs. Ipswich (20:00)
La Liga
Oviedo vs. Espanyol (20:00)
Bundesliga
Union Berlin vs. M’gladbach (19:30)
Ligue 1
PSG vs. Strasbourg (19:45)
*All times in UK. ET -5. CDT -6. PDT -8. MDT -7. CET +1.
Answer
Antonio Conte.
Daily Wordle: Guess the football-related word, from player names to classic phrases, in six tries or fewer. Play it here.
Football is like chess, but without dices.
