Ali Rampling

Gareth Southgate says he intends to have one year away from coaching after leaving his role as England manager in July. The 54-year-old spent eight years in charge of the national side, as well as three years leading England’s under-21s, before stepping down after this summer’s European Championship final defeat by Spain. Southgate said he would take his time to decide his next career move but explained a role at another national team was unlikely as “England was from the heart”. “Sometimes when you are in a big role you don’t realise the weight until it’s...

Nottingham Forest have been fined £750,000 by the Football Association (FA) for April's social media post that questioned the integrity of official Stuart Attwell after their defeat to Everton

Lionel Messi says he still feels “like a kid” playing for Argentina after scoring a hat-trick in his country’s 6-0 victory over Bolivia on Tuesday. The 37-year-old played a role in five of Argentina’s six goals during the World Cup qualifying win at Estadio Mas Monumental in Buenos Aires, providing two assists in addition to his hat-trick. It took Messi’s tally of senior Argentina goals to 112 — a figure bettered only by Cristiano Ronaldo’s 133 for Portugal in men’s international football. “It’s really nice to come here, to feel the affection...

A letter signed by over 100 professional women’s footballers has called on FIFA to drop its partnership with Saudi Arabian oil company Aramco. The partnership is criticised due to Saudi Arabia’s record on women’s and LGBTQ+ rights and climate action, with the letter accusing the deal of “undermining” the women’s game. The open letter is addressed to FIFA president Gianni Infantino and has been signed by 106 players from 24 countries including former USWNT captain Becky Sauerbrunn, Canada captain Jessie Fleming and Netherlands forward Vivianne Miedema. Saudi...

Pep Guardiola says Jack Grealish is set to be sidelined for at least a week while Manchester City will be without Jeremy Doku for “a little bit longer”. Both players were absent from City’s squad for Wednesday’s Champions League fixture against Sparta Prague with the club explaining the pair are not fully fit. Guardiola explained they both sustained injuries during Sunday’s Premier League victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, a game that Doku started and played 66 minutes, while Grealish featured for 17 minutes from the bench. “Injury, both,” Guardiola...

Manchester City forward Vivianne Miedema has undergone surgery on her left knee. The nature of the problem that required surgery or a timeframe for her return has not been confirmed, but City say she will now undergo “a period of rehabilitation” at the club’s training ground. Miedema has not featured for City since the 2-0 victory over Barcelona in the Champions League on October 9, missing her side’s last three matches in all competitions. Speaking ahead of the victory over Aston Villa before October’s international break, City head coach Gareth Taylor said:...

England have been drawn alongside 2023 World Cup winners Spain in the league stage of the Women’s Nations League. In addition to a repeat of of the 2023 World Cup final, which Spain won 1-0, Sarina Wiegman’s side will play Belgium and Portugal in Group A3. England beat and lost to Belgium in the league stage of the previous edition of the Nations League, while Portugal reached the group stages of the 2023 World Cup, where they drew with the United States. Elsewhere, 2024 Olympic bronze medalists Germany have been drawn alongside the 2017 European champions the Netherlands in Group...

Dutch police have made 62 arrests and confirmed five people have been injured after Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters were attacked in Amsterdam following their Europa League tie with Ajax on Thursday. Riot police had to intervene after Maccabi supporters were “attacked, abused and pelted with fireworks” in several locations across the capital, according to Dutch authorities. Netherlands Prime Minister Dick Schoof condemned the “antisemitic attacks”. A Maccabi statement confirmed the club were in contact with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to...

Barcelona have announced a new multi-year partnership with kit supplier Nike. The deal continues an association between the Spanish club and American sports brand that dates back to 1998. The new agreement comes into force this season. Nike’s previous deal with Barcelona had been due to expire in 2028, having announced a 10-year contract in 2016 which came into force in 2018. However The Athletic reported in March the club were considering alternative options, including manufacturing their own kit, with the club’s financial problems leading them to explore other potential brands...

Pep Guardiola says he is relishing the challenge of turning Manchester City’s fortunes around after suffering a fourth consecutive defeat for the first time in his managerial career. Man City were beaten 2-1 by Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, which followed losses to Sporting Lisbon, Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur over the past 10 days. Guardiola highlighted the impact injuries were having on his side’s run of form, explaining they had been unable to maintain their intensity for the full 90 minutes across the respective defeats with a stretched squad. “Normally...