GM football fans. It’s Tuesday, July. 08 - Mexico extends their Gold Cup record, the Premier League comes under pressure to cover policing costs, and everything else you need to know. Forwarded this email? Sign up here.
KEY FIXTURE
Club World Cup, Semi-Final: Fluminense vs. Chelsea, 20:00 BST / 15:00 ET. Fluminense are in fine form, having gone unbeaten in their last 11 matches in all competitions. The only time Fluminense have played English opposition in the Club World Cup was their 4-0 defeat to Manchester City in the 2023 final. Meanwhile, Chelsea have had mixed fortunes against Brazilian opponents. This will be their third match against Brazilian teams in this year’s Club World Cup, after a 3-1 loss to Flamengo in the group stage and a 2-1 win over Palmeiras in the quarter-finals.
TV Channels: DAZN (UK) | DAZN / TNT USA (US) | DAZN (Canada)
Results…
TOP TALKING POINTS
Police Pressure Prem
Football clubs should pay towards the £70m annual cost of policing matches in the UK, the head of the Metropolitan Police has said. The Premier League, which makes up most of the costs, argue that top-flight clubs already boost public finances, with the league generating £8bn in 2021-22, including £4.2bn in tax.
When Sir Mark Rowley, head of the UK’s largest police force, called for a policy shift in March, several sports bodies wrote to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, warning that covering policing bills could jeopardise major events. They cited higher ticket prices for fans as the main concern.
The cost of policing football matches in the UK has steadily risen. In 2017, the cost of policing top-flight matches in London was £6.7m, but this figure rose to £18.5m in 2023. Under the current rules, clubs are only obliged to cover costs inside their stadiums or immediate footprints.
Mexico Extend Gold Cup Record
Mexico have won a record-extending 10th Gold Cup title, successfully defending the trophy they won in 2023, with a 2-1 win over the United States. Read the match report here and watch the highlights here.
West Ham’s Edson Alvarez scored the winning goal, which was initially ruled out for offside, but VAR determined he was level with the last defender. United States manager Mauricio Pochettino was incensed that a penalty for a handball (watch here/US readers only) was not awarded at the other end 10 minutes before, and insinuated that the officials were swayed by the pro-Mexico audience. The sellout crowd of 70,925 at NRG Stadium was estimated to be about 70% in favour of Mexico.
Mexico had 16 shots (8 on target) to the United States’ 6 (3 on target). El Tri also had 60% possession and earned 12 corners, while holding their opponents to none.
Sudanese Football Returns
Sudan’s football league has returned to the country for the first time since civil war broke out in 2023. The Sudan FA has organised a month-long tournament for eight teams to determine which clubs will compete in continental competition for the 2025-26 season. Due to the ongoing conflict, all matches are being held in Atbara, 320km north of the capital Khartoum.
The country’s biggest clubs Al Hilal and Al Merrikh, who have won all but four league titles since 1965, played the league season in Mauritania last year. Al Hilal were crowned champions despite questions over whether a foreign-based club could officially claim the title.
Sudan’s national team is on a strong run in World Cup qualifying, tied with Senegal for second place in their group, behind DR Congo. In March, Sudan held 2021 AFCON winners Senegal to a draw, despite not having played a competitive match since November 2023.
POLL
Should football clubs cover policing costs, even if it means higher ticket prices for fans?
ON THE BALL
Europe
> Alexia Putellas is the first player at a women’s Euros to score two goals and make two assists in a single game as Spain beat Belgium 6-1; Spain are through, while Belgium and Portugal have been knocked out with a game spare (More)
> Tottenham Hotspurs’ bid for Mohammed Kudus included add-ons that only trigger if they win the Champions League or Premier League; West Ham have asked Spurs to come back with a “more realistic” offer and want £60m guaranteed (More)
> Former Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic has announced his retirement from professional football aged 37 (More/video)
> Rangers fought back to draw 2-2 at home to Club Brugge in Russell Martin's first pre-season friendly in charge (More)
Americas
> Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei collapsed after taking a knee to the head during a match against the Columbus Crew; he has returned home after being taken to the hospital (More) | Inter Miami have started talks with Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodrigo de Paul (More)
> Brazilian side Botafogo are in talks to appoint Davide Ancelotti as their head coach; he is currently under contract with the Brazilian FA as he joined his father’s national team coaching staff (More)
Rest of the World
> Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal have agreed to buy AC Milan defender Theo Hernandez for a fee of €25m (More)
ROUTERS’ VOICE
Yesterday’s Poll: Is it acceptable for clubs to play players who are being investigated for serious allegations?
🟨 🟨 🟨 🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ 👍 Yes (41%)
🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🙅♂️ Nope (57%)
🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ✍️ Other (2%)
Your punditry takes:
👍 L.G: “Investigation doesn’t mean someone is guilty. Depending on the charges, once arrested, players could even still be allowed to play as they would still not have been found to be guilty. For serious crimes, one would think a player wouldn’t be out on bail, therefore negating the ability to continue to play.”
👍 M.C.A: “Allegations, rumour, slander...? Until someone is found guilty in a court of law, they should have the same rights as other players. I can see competitors arranging allegations to weaken another team.”
🙅♂️ E.C: “Being an Arsenal fan. I am shocked that Partey continued to play for the team while under investigation, and even more in shock that there was any consideration of extending his contract. I understand one is innocent until proven guilty, but multiple allegations by multiple individuals strongly suggest something is not as it seems. Why Arsenal would “ignore” this issue is beyond comprehension.”
🙅♂️ M.M: “It’s absolutely ridiculous that a club would play someone accused of such a heinous crime. A football club represents a community, and Arsenal owe it to their fans to uphold a level of decency throughout this process. Shameful.”
EXTRA TIME
Every transfer deal in Europe’s top leagues. (live tracker)
How clubs prepare for pre-season training.
Ranking football’s longest-ever contracts.
The best Sunday League goal you’ll see this week.
What will Thomas Frank’s Spurs actually look like? (video)
Arda Guler’s assist from the referee’s view.
Is Pochettino delivering hope or panic for USMNT?
GAME FACE ON
Question: Six countries have hosted and won the World Cup. How many can you name?
Scroll below for the answer.
ON TODAY
Club World Cup, Semi-Final
Fluminense vs. Chelsea (20:00)
UEFA Women’s Euro
Germany vs. Denmark (17:00)
Poland vs. Sweden (20:00)
*All times in UK. ET -5. CDT -6. PDT -8. MDT -7. CET +1.
Answer
Uruguay (1930), Italy (1934), England (1966), West Germany (1974), Argentina (1978), France (1998).
Daily Wordle: Guess the football-related word, from player names to classic phrases, in six tries or fewer. Play it here.
I’m not going to cry. I want to tell the truth. If that happened in the opposite box, for sure it’s a penalty.
