GM football fans. It’s Thursday, August. 21 - The Isak-Newcastle saga continues, the Bundesliga is trying a broadcast strategy with influencers, and everything else you need to know. Forwarded this email? Sign up here.
TOP TALKING POINTS
Isak Saga Continues
Newcastle’s board reportedly believe they have no choice but to stand firm and not allow Alexander Isak to leave the club before the Premier League transfer window closes on September 1. This comes after the Swedish striker released a statement accusing the club of “broken promises”, meaning the “relationship can’t continue.” Newcastle immediately responded, saying that the criteria for a sale has not been met and they remain open to Isak rejoining the squad.
The 25-year-old still has three years left on his contract, worth over £150,000 per week. It’s believed that minority owner Amanda Staveley discussed a new contract with Isak’s camp before leaving the club in July last year, but sporting director Paul Mitchell didn’t believe they had the PSR capacity to offer the striker a more lucrative deal. Isak has not submitted an official transfer request, with some reports speculating that this is because he will lose his 10% loyalty bonus if he is sold.
One report, though not verified, suggests that Liverpool plan to offer a British record of £130m for Isak after they travel to Newcastle for Monday’s Premier League game. Newcastle value the striker at £150m, and have previously rejected Liverpool’s £110m bid.
New Broadcast Strategy
The German Bundesliga has become the first major European football league to award part of its live broadcasting rights in the UK to content creators. Two separate YouTube channels, each with around 1.5 million subscribers, will share rights to show 20 free-to-view Friday night games this season in watch-along style formats.
The move represents a step further away from traditional broadcast models, with leagues experimenting with alternative media. The Rest is Football podcast, hosted by Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, and Micah Richards, became the first UK platform of its kind to secure a La Liga highlights package. However, the Bundesliga deal marks the first time full live broadcasts have been granted to creator-led channels.
European leagues are trying to find new ways to compete with the Premier League, especially as broadcast revenues plateau. Both La Liga and Serie A have already pushed to play domestic matches abroad as part of this wider strategy.
Marseille Dismiss Two Players
Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi has told Adrien Rabio and Jonathan Rowe they will never play for the club again after they were involved in a physical altercation. The French club confirmed that both players have been put on the transfer list and must find a new club by September 1.
Reports suggest that Rabiot, 30, and England under-21 international winger Rowe, 22, had an altercation in the changing room following their side’s loss to Rennes on the opening weekend of the French league season. Rabiot accused Rowe of a lack of commitment, according to sources, and they insulted each other in front of the whole squad before getting physical with each other. Marseille president Pablo Longoria described it as “an extremely violent event, something unheard of.”
Rabiot’s lawyer has strongly rejected the club’s explanation for his dismissal. He accused Marseille of telling a "completely false" story to justify moving the midfielder from the club.
POLL
Should goalkeepers be allowed to keep penalty taker notes on their water bottle (or similar)?
ON THE BALL
Europe
> Champions League play-offs first leg results: Celtic 0-0 Kairat (Report) | Fenerbahce 0-0 Benfica | Bodo/Glimt 5-0 Sturm Graz | Basel 1-1 Copenhagen
> Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze is reportedly set to join Arsenal for £60m in a last-minute swoop from Tottenham (More) | Arsenal’s Kai Havertz is set for a spell on the sidelines with a knee injury (More)
> Leon Bailey has completed a loan move from Aston Villa to Italian club Roma with an option to buy (More); he suffered an injury in his first training session (More)
Americas
> Brazilian goalkeeper Fabio Deivson Lopes Maciel has broken the record held by former England international Peter Shilton for most competitive appearances in world football with 1,391 appearances (More)
> Leagues Cup quarter-final ties will conclude shortly after publication (Live Results)
> FIFA has opened applications for 65,000 volunteers to help deliver the 2026 World Cup across Canada, Mexico, and the United States (More) | The Manchester United vs. Arsenal opening Premier League fixture averaged 2 million viewers on NBC platforms, making it the most-watched opening weekend match on record in the U.S. (More)
> USL Championship side Pittsburgh Riverhounds are planning to expand their stadium to meet U.S. Soccer’s Pro League Standards, requiring a capacity of 15,000 for Division One sanctioning (More)
Rest of the World
> Al Ahli will face Al Nassr in this weekend’s Saudi Super Cup final after the Asian champions beat Al Qadsiah 5-1 in Hong Kong (More)
ROUTERS’ VOICE
Yesterday’s Poll: Do you think handballs must be intentional to concede a penalty?
🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 👋 Yes (65%)
🟨 🟨 🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ 🙅♂️ Nope (32%)
🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ✍️ Other (3%)
Your punditry takes:
👋 E.W: “The law used to say, ‘handles the ball, i.e., carries, strikes, or propels the ball with hand or arm.’ Being struck by the moving ball is very different from what is outlined in that statement. The law today is less clear and more subjective. The intent MUST be purposeful, not accidental, to be a foul.”
👋 T.W: “The hand or arm should be seen to be an intended movement to control the ball or be seeking to gain an advantage from the movement. Unfortunately, the introduction of VAR has had a mainly negative effect on the game instead of being a positive move. I still fail to understand how this technology can be overseen by people who have never kicked a ball in their lives. Why aren’t ex-pro players included in this panel?”
🙅♂️ D.H: “How is a referee or VAR going to determine ‘intent’? Stop the match for a lie detector test? Some players will become very adept at accidentally on purpose extending their arms in the box. No need to open that can of worms. There's enough drama on the pitch already.”
🙅♂️ J.M: “All deliberate handballs should obviously be penalties. Not all accidental handballs should be, but some of them should be. It all depends on context. Going to clear the ball and accidentally blasting it into your own hand? No penalty. Running into the box after a player and a crossed ball hits your forearm as you are running and takes it away from an attacker who is through on goal? Penalty.”
EXTRA TIME
Why the Bundesliga lags behind Premier League and La Liga.
Which Prem players set the bar for distance covered and intensity?
Santos ultras confront Neymar and team at training.
Jota remembered with stunning new Wolves mural.
ESPN updates its MLS power rankings.
A history of football’s most iconic shirts.
… and Barcelona tribute to the sextuple with their new third kit.
GAME FACE ON
Question: Tijjani Reijnders became just the second player to both score and assist on their Premier League debut for Manchester City after who did so in August 2011 vs. Swansea City?
Scroll below for the answer.
ON TODAY
UEFA Europa League Play-offs
See all fixtures here.
UEFA Conference League Play-offs
See all fixtures here.
*All times in UK. ET -5. CDT -6. PDT -8. MDT -7. CET +1.
Answer
Sergio Aguero (2 goals, 1 assist).
Daily Wordle: Guess the football-related word, from player names to classic phrases, in six tries or fewer. Play it here.
I think Arsenal are favourites now.
