GM football fans. It’s Wednesday, Apr. 30 - Incoming football regulator chair criticised, the origins of football have been questioned, and everything else you need to know. Forwarded this email? Sign up here.

Enjoy reading Route One? Share with a friend using this link.

KEY FIXTURES

UEFA Champions League, Semi-Final, Leg 1, 20:00 / 15:00. Barcelona vs. Inter Milan. Barcelona are unbeaten in their six home games against Inter in the Champions League. Meanwhile, Inter’s form has dipped domestically in recent weeks, going out of the Coppa Italia to Milan and slipping three points behind Napoli in the race for the Scudetto. See the predicted line-ups here.

Results…

• Champions League: Arsenal 0-1 PSG (Report)

TOP TALKING POINTS

Independent Regulator Criticised

Conservative MPs in the UK have raised concerns that the incoming Independent Football Regulator could be viewed as state interference by Uefa and Fifa. The opposition government warns the move could increase the risk of English teams being banned from Uefa competitions.

Conservative MPs are also critical of David Kogan, the preferred candidate to lead the regulator, citing his links to the Labour Party. Kogan reportedly made donations to Labour MPs and resigned as chairman of the website LabourList to take on the role with the regulator.

Labour insists that UEFA confirmed in writing that the proposal does not breach its statutes. However, Conservative culture secretary Stuart Andrew argues that UEFA’s pledge came before the government, in his words, "sought to install a Labour crony at the helm of the football regulator."

Football’s Origin Questioned

A historian claims to have uncovered evidence that football originated in Scotland, not England. Ged O’Brien, who has campaigned on the issue, says that football was played on a Scottish farm around 400 years ago–well before the formation of the Football Association in 1863.

O’Brien cites letters dated 1627 to 1638 describing how a Presbyterian pastor arrived in Kirkcudbrightshire and found locals "playing at foot-ball" on a farm. The pastor demanded that stones be placed across the field to halt the games. O’Brien and a team of archaeologists claim to have located the rocks—see images here.

Sheffield FC, formed in 1857, is widely accepted as the world’s oldest existing club. However, records suggest earlier versions of the game were played in ancient Greece, Rome, Mesoamerica and China–developing into ‘mob-football’, which is unrecognisable from the modern game.

Ancelotti Agrees Brazil Terms

Carlo Ancelotti has reportedly reached an agreement with the Brazil Football Confederation (CBF) to take over the national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso has been tipped to replace him at Real Madrid.

Although Ancelotti is under contract with Madrid until 2026, he is expected to depart at the end of this season, before the Club World Cup, which begins on June 18.

Ancelotti is the most decorated coach in Madrid's history, having won 15 trophies across his two spells at the club—including three Champions Leagues, two LaLiga titles, and two Copa del Reys.

POLL

ON THE BALL

Europe

> Antonio Rudiger is expected to be out of action for up to two months, missing the end of the season and potentially the Club World Cup (More); he has also been given a six-game ban for throwing an object at the referee during Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey loss to Barcelona (More)

> The Scottish FA has banned transgender women competing in women’s football (More) | The English FA has defended paying chief executive Mark Bullingham £1.32m last year, including a £450,000 bonus (More)

> Wolves women’s players have complained after their club did not apply for promotion to the Championship (More) | Chelsea Women coach Sonia Bompastor said it remains unclear when forward Sam Kerr will be ready to return to action (More)

Americas

> Brazil national team will wear red and black, a colour never used for their away kit, at the 2026 World Cup–reportedly made by Jordan (More)

> Boca Juniors sack coach Fernando Gago after losing to rivals River Plate over the weekend (More)

> Peruvian capital Lima will host the Copa Libertadores final on November 29, with the stadium to be chosen at a later date (More)

> Former Brazil coach Dorival Jr, who was sacked by the national team in March, has been appointed as the new manager of Corinthians on a contract until December 2026 (More)

Rest of the World

> Roberto Firmino and Ivan Toney helped Al Ahli into the final of the AFC Champions League Elite with a 3-1 victory against fellow Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal (More)

ROUTERS’ VOICE

Yesterday’s Poll: In knockout competitions, do you think being in good form is more important than having the strongest team on paper?

🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 📈 Absolutely... (84%)

🟨 🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ 🙅‍♂️ Nope... (12%)

🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ✍️ Other... (4%)

Your punditry takes:

• 📈 S: “Teams are often statistically similar in knockout stages. When that is the case, it all comes down to which team is having an ‘on’ day.”

• 📈 G.H: “Good form is the most important thing. However, having a strong team makes it easier to go through slumps and down slides and still be able to recover. In a match, good form matters most. In an entire season, the strongest team on paper will be more likely to see success.”

• ✍️ P.F: “No doubt form is important and sometimes may win matches. However, big $$$ buck players usually make the difference between winning and losing a match, whether on the pitch or entering the match at key moments. There’s a reason why clubs that have the means pay astronomical prices for big-name players; they can change the rhythm of the match with a brilliant play.”

EXTRA TIME

Why Athletic Club have a 'Basque-only' transfer policy.

Alisson Becker pens a letter to his late father.

Thierry’s verdict on Arsenal vs PSG’s first leg.

The stadiums with the best atmospheres in Britain.

Lipreader reveals Trent’s chat with Liverpool’s owner—allegedly.

What Leeds’ new stadium could look like.

How Modric ended up investing in Swansea.

GAME FACE ON

Question: Five footballers have played for both Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain in their senior careers. How many can you name?

Scroll below for the answer.

ON TODAY

Champions League, SF

• Barcelona vs Inter Milan (20:00)

Women’s Super League

• Aston Villa vs Arsenal (18:00)

• Manchester United vs Chelsea (20:15)

*All time in UK. ET -5. CDT -6. PDT -8. MDT -7. CET +1.

Answer

Nicolas Anelka, Mikel Arteta, David Luiz, Lassana Diarra, and Kaba Diawara.

Want more? Try our daily football Wordle – guess the name of a current or former player in six tries. Play it here.