GM football fans. It’s Monday, July. 07 - The Club World Cup semi-finals are locked in, Uefa has fined 12 clubs for breaching its financial rules, and everything else you need to know. Forwarded this email? Sign up here.
KEY FIXTURES
Women’s Euro 2025: Spain vs. Belgium, 17:00 / 12:00. Spain will be overwhelming favourites to take three points as they have won nine of their previous 10 matches, including their 5-0 win over Portugal in the opener. Belgium have lost six of their last nine matches, with two of those losses against Spain. Portugal vs. Italy, 20:00 / 15:00. Portugal have failed to score in each of their last four games in all competitions, and will be aware that a loss against Italy could eliminate them from the tournament. Italy opened the campaign with a narrow win against Belgium, and have record a clean sheet for the third time in the last four matches. See Women’s Euro 2025 group standings here.
Results…
Gold Cup Final: United States vs. Mexico; match to conclude shortly after publication (Live Score Updates)
TOP TALKING POINTS
Club World Cup Semis
The Club World Cup semi-finals have been confirmed, with the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey set to host both fixtures. Fluminense will face Chelsea on Tuesday, July 8, while Paris Saint-Germain will play Real Madrid on Wednesday, July 9. Buy tickets here.
European champions PSG are once again favourites to win the competition following their nine-man quarter-final victory over Bayern Munich. The Parisians are given a 39.3% chance of winning the competition and a 59% chance of advancing to the final over Real Madrid, according to Opta’s prediction model. Chelsea, last week’s favourites, now have a 33% chance of winning the competition and an 81% chance of reaching the final over Fluminense.
The remaining four clubs have earned an additional $21m for reaching the semi-finals. That takes Real Madrid’s Club World Cup earnings to a record $85.8m, PSG’s to $76.9m, Chelsea’s to $74.6m, and Fluminense’s to $60.8m. The two finalists are guaranteed an extra $30m, with the winner receiving $40m.
UEFA Fines Multiple Clubs
Chelsea and Aston Villa are among 12 clubs that have been fined by Uefa for breaching financial rules. The breaches relate to Uefa’s squad cost rule, which restricts clubs to spending a maximum of 80% of their revenue on player wages, transfers, and agent fees.
Chelsea have been fined £26.7m and could face an additional £51.2m fine if they do not comply with the rules in the next four years. The West London side have already made around £200m worth of signings on six players this summer. Aston Villa have been fined £9.5m, with a further £12.9m conditional on future compliance over three years. Elsewhere, Barcelona received a £13m fine, while recently relegated Lyon were fined £10.7m.
UEFA has warned that clubs may be blocked from registering new players for European competitions next season unless they show a positive net transfer balance by the close of the summer transfer window.
Ex-Arsenal Midfielder Charged
Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been charged with five accounts of rape and one count of sexual assault. The investigation, involving three women, has spanned over three years. Partey denies the charges and “welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name”, his lawyer said.
Rumours of Partey’s involvement in a criminal case have circulated since his initial arrest in 2022. Campaign group Arsenal Supporters Against Sexual Violence (ASASV) has regularly protested at matches, though not naming the player. The Ghana international has only been named now due to UK law, which protects the privacy of arrested suspects until they are charged by the police.
Partey’s contract with Arsenal expired on June 30, nearly a week before he was charged. Arsenal had been aware of the investigation throughout, and have since faced criticism for playing Partey and reportedly attempting to extend his contract despite the allegations.
Correction in Friday’s edition: When covering Diogo Jota’s tragic death, we stated that Liverpool have retired the No. 20 shirt after several reputable outlets reported it as such. However, as it stands, Liverpool have not yet confirmed the number’s retirement and have instead ‘immortalised’ it.
POLL
Is it acceptable for clubs to play players who are being investigated for serious allegations?
ON THE BALL
Europe
> England lost their opening Women’s Euro 2025 match against France 2-1 (Match Report); See Euro 2025 group standings (More)
> Arsenal confirm the signing of Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad for a total of around £55m (More); read more on what he offers Arsenal (More) | Kyle Walker signs for Burnley in a deal worth £5m (More)
> Fenerbahce have denied Allan Saint-Maximin’s claims that the club tried to dope him last season (More); the Turkish side have loaned Jhon Duran from Al Nassr (More)
> Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala will be out for a “long period” after suffering a broken leg and dislocated ankle during their Club World Cup quarter-final loss to PSG (More); Manuel Neuer has criticised PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma for the challenge (More)
> Championship side Hull City have been hit with a three-window transfer ban by the EFL for failing to maintain transfer payments (More)
Americas
> The NWSL is expected to pause for one month from June 1-28 in 2026 due to the men’s World Cup; the regular season will also extend from 26 to 30 matches to accommodate expansion clubs (More)
> Inter Miami bounce back from their CWC exit with a 4-1 win over Montreal in the MLS Western Conference; Lionel Messi scored two goals, including a signature dribble (See Goal) | San Diego remain a point above Vancouver in the Eastern Conference despite their 4-3 loss to Houston Dynamo (See Standings)
> Louisville City remain top of the USL Championship Eastern Conference following a 1-0 win over Colarado Springs (More) | New Mexico United are just one point ahead of San Antonio at the top of the Western Conference after losing 1-0 to Pittsburgh Riverhounds (More) | See USL Championship standings (More)
Rest of the World
> Australia women’s national team lost to 56th-ranked Panama 1-0 in an international friendly, the first loss of the Joe Montemurro era (More)
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ROUTERS’ VOICE
Friday’s Poll: Should more football leagues launch their own streaming platforms instead of selling rights to broadcasters?
🟨 🟨 🟨 🟨 🟨 ⬜️ 📺 Yes (47%)
🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🙅♂️ Nope (51%)
🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ✍️ Other (2%)
Your punditry takes:
📺 J.M: “Currently, it costs something like £40-50 per month (probably more) to have the services necessary to watch the Premier League matches in the UK, and that gives you 4-5 matches a week at most out of the 10 that happen. If I could pay £20-25 per month instead to watch more of them (or even just the same number!), that would be an incredible deal. I would sign up day one, and I am sure that millions more would do the same.”
🙅♂️ J.C: “The fragmentation of televised sport is the problem. A Prem-only subscription means we need a different subscription for the Champions League, and another for the FA Cup, and another for other leagues and sports. It’s out of control, and this would just add to it.”
🙅♂️ C.M: “I already have so many streaming services. If these leagues make their own, I won’t be able to pay for them. I like that the Premier League and Serie A are a part of other streaming services, so I feel I get my money's worth.”
✍️ B.W: “In Canada, we had the rights for EPL on our normal cable package and that was great. However, for the past 6 years, we have had to use DAZN/FUBO to be able to see the EPL. I don't mind as much, as I get to see all the games, but I am not a huge fan of paying to only see one sport. If I want to watch any other competition, I am forced to pay for another service. I love to watch football, but it is getting too expensive.”
EXTRA TIME
The match that’s taken 65 years to organise is going ahead.
Wales continue their odd team photo tradition.
… and the story behind their team photo formations.
Everyone’s talking about Messi’s goal.
How one of the oldest football clubs collapsed.
Mbappe’s goal celebration dedicated to Diogo Jota.
Juventus’ third kit has a zebra crest and vineyards.
GAME FACE ON
Question: Emre Can, Ivan Perisic, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Xherdan Shaqiri all played for which club?
Scroll below for the answer.
ON TODAY
UEFA Women’s Euro 2025
Spain vs. Belgium (17:00)
Portugal vs. Italy (20:00)
*All times in UK. ET -5. CDT -6. PDT -8. MDT -7. CET +1.
Answer
Bayern Munich.
Daily Wordle: Guess the football-related word, from player names to classic phrases, in six tries or fewer. Play it here.
I’ve had several role models throughout my career, but if I had to choose one, it’s Cristiano. Always.
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