Key events
To close out the blog for the day.
double quotation markWorld football’s governing body introduced a social media protection service after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and has offered its moderation element for free to all football associations at the 2026 tournament, which starts next Thursday. The Football Association has not confirmed whether it is taking up the offer.
An increasing number of Premier League clubs are using AI to hide racist, homophobic and misogynist content from players on their social media channels. Tottenham, who condemned the “vile, dehumanising racism” aimed at defender Kevin Danso following his mistake against Brighton last season, are among them.
Share
Some USMNT news on Chris Richards: the Crystal Palace defender, is unavailable for Saturday’s friendly against Germany. Richards has a continuing ankle problem, and may yet miss out.
“He’s still not ready to compete and to play,” Mauricio Pochettino said ahead of a training session. “We have the next few days to assess him … and then make a decision.
“Maybe if it’s the final of the World Cup he can play. But the advice of the medical [team] is that he doesn’t play.”
Share
Southampton have continued their, er, busy summer, with signing Cyle Larin, 31, on a permanent move from Real Mallorca, a two-year deal with an option for one more.
Larin: “From the first day I came into Southampton I was very welcomed, and we just had a great season. I really felt I wanted to continue.”
Share
The UK prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has criticised Fifa’s decision to ban plastic water bottles from World Cup stadia.
This from an interview with LBC.
double quotation markHow do you respond to Fifa’s announcement overnight, the decision they’re going to ban plastic bottles from the World Cup - some people will think that sounds a bit odd?
PM: It’s just wrong. And I can’t help but think that it’s about making money. So you can’t bring plastic bottles in but you can buy a bottle of water when you get in the crowd. And then it’ll be expensive. The tickets themselves cost a fortune, far too expensive in my view. So the ticket sales are too high. And this is the wrong policy.
Will you be writing to Fifa to ask them what they’re going to be doing about it?
PM: Well, I would call on Fifa to just look again at this. Think about it. Think of the fans. They are football fans from all sorts of backgrounds across our country, across the world. They’re already spending a fortune getting there. They’ve got to pay a lot for tickets, too much in my book. Don’t impose further costs on them. So I’d say Fifa, look again.
Share
Daniel Tunnard gets in touch: “Ello, please note it’s Elo, named after Arpad Elo, not ELO, which is the Electric Light Orchestra. (Scrabble geek here).”
Share
The World Cup guides keep rolling in; here’s Saudi Arabia, penned by John Duerden.
double quotation markThere is talent and, now, perhaps a little less pressure. There are also other things to think about. Saudi Arabia are hosting the Asian Cup for the first time in January and seeking a first continental title since 1996 and this is where preparations for hosting the 2034 World Cup really start.
Share
Les Street is heading to North America to watch his third World Cup.
double quotation markMy search for accommodation began the moment Australia were drawn in Group D. Stays in Vancouver and Seattle were already eye-wateringly expensive, upwards of $1,000 a night. Knowing the demand for the USA match, I booked an overpriced backpackers near the stadium even though I have well crossed the age and comfort bar for lodging in hostel dormitories. For Vancouver, I played 4D chess and discovered a stay not found on booking search engines at a university campus for cost price.
Share
Here’s the story on those free World Cup tickets.
Share
Behnam Jafarzadeh reports from Tehran, where the World Cup has a different hue considering real-world events.
double quotation markEconomic pressure, declining purchasing power and the shadow of war (which had not yet happened) contributed to football’s importance for Iranians falling to its lowest level in decades. There is a stark contrast to the atmosphere around the 2014 World Cup, when even a 1–0 loss to Argentina in the second group game led to hopeful street celebrations. During the 2018 World Cup the team’s matches were shown on the big screens at Azadi Stadium and received a great response.
Share
Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal has been named La Liga player of the season.
The 18-year-old helped Barca retain their domestic crown, became the first player to win the league’s Player of the Month award three times in one season and finished as the club’s top scorer in La Liga with 16 goals and 11 assists. Barcelona’s Hansi Flick was named the coach of the year on Thursday.
Share
Bad news for those World Cup ticket holders who thought they had a freebie.
Per Reuters: Fifa has cancelled World Cup tickets for about 60 fans who were able to mistakenly purchase them for free due to a website error, and world soccer’s governing body is now asking for them to be paid in full.
The affected fans were notified on Wednesday about tickets that were “allocated at no charge (0 USD) due to a prior payment issue during the checkout process“.
“The tickets requested by these fans remain reserved, and the affected fans have been invited to complete payment of the correct amount. FIFA regrets the error and any inconvenience caused.”
Share
Here’s David Hytner’s report on Tottenham’s signing of Andy Robertson.
double quotation markSpurs tried and failed to sign Robertson in January but they have got the deal done now and without having to pay a fee, the left-back’s contract at Liverpool having expired after nine hugely-successful seasons with the club. Robertson is the captain of Scotland and is preparing for the World Cup with them.
Share
Thomas Frank 'will not rush into new role'
Thomas Frank, sacked by Tottenham in February, and set to be a pundit at the World Cup, has released a statement to the League Managers’ Association. It nixes talk of him being linked with Fulham, Crystal Palace and various other vacancies.
double quotation markI wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who has reached out over the past few months. Your support and encouragement have been greatly appreciated.
Leaving Tottenham has given me the chance to step back and reflect on my journey so far. Football management is a profession that demands complete commitment every single day, and periods like this are a rare opportunity to assess, learn and gain a fresh perspective. From the outside, it may have looked like a time of many challenges at Tottenham when results were not what we wanted. From within, however, it becomes clear why the club is so special - full of talented people who work tirelessly every day. I have no doubt Tottenham has a bright future.
Football remains a huge part of who I am, and I have chosen to use this time productively. Over the coming months, besides spending time with family and friends, I will continue studying, observing and learning from other leaders both within sport and beyond it.
I am also looking forward to covering the World Cup for Danish television and the BBC, as well as experiencing the Tour de France. Time away from the touchline is allowing me to broaden my perspective and gather insights that I look forward to bringing into my next challenge.
There have been conversations and opportunities since leaving Spurs, but I have decided not to rush into the next role. For me, this summer is not the right time to go back into management.
When the time is right, I will look forward to my return as a manager, ready to embrace the job with great energy and dedication.
Share
Transfer news: Inter have announced their triggering of a buyback clause to re-sign Aleksandar Stankovic from Club Brugge, with the Serbia midfielder penning a five-year contract.
The 20-year-old player is the son of former midfielder Dejan Stanković, who spent almost a decade in Milan.
Share
Some more detail on Brooklyn Earick, whose Eight Sports company claims to have purchased a 24.99 per cent stake in Tottenham’s parent company, via PA Media.
“Earick is said to be a lifelong Tottenham fan, according to sources close to the deal, who has raised more than $25 billion from family offices, sovereign wealth funds, and leading institutions worldwide.
“Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, he worked as an engineer at Nasa Ames Research Center, contributing to small spacecraft and satellite technology.”
Share
Updated at 15.42 CEST
Fancy a World Cup stroll? A scenic walk to the MetLife here.
Share
The World Cup fashion parade has begun.
double quotation markFashion moments range from the outfits players wear to get to training, to the suits worn on planes and their training gear. The French team’s training camp in Clairefontaine became something of a catwalk this week thanks to the style of players such as Jules Koundé and Kylian Mbappé. Meanwhile, brands including Loewe, Gabriela Hearst, Patta and the rapper Drake’s Nocta have worked with teams on suiting and training gear.
Since the last tournament in 2022, fashion’s influence on football has skyrocketed, with brands working with players and clubs, and the personal style of players influencing what young men wear, often thanks to carousels of images on Instagram and the outfits photographed when they arrive at training. This is set to increase further at the World Cup, with players including the Spanish ace Lamine Yamal, the Netherlands’ Virgil van Dijk and Koundé already posting outfits to their Instagram accounts.
Share
Lawrence Shankland, the Scotland striker, has been speaking about his move from Hearts to Rangers.
“Obviously I finished the season pretty strong, so confidence was already high.
“To join my boyhood club, somewhere that I’ve always had a dream to play, and to get that opportunity, especially in the later stages of your career, I’m just happy and excited to get that opportunity. It can give you that wee boost and hopefully it does going into these games.”
“Obviously, I was due to meet up with Scotland on the Tuesday but I had to delay to the Wednesday for my medicals and stuff,” he said. “I felt like it was pretty important for me to get it done before I came here. I think when you come to a World Cup, you want to enjoy that experience. I don’t think I wanted anything hanging over my head with my club football so I was quite keen to get things wrapped up.
“Obviously, it was a big decision for me, leaving Hearts. It’s a great club. I’ve got a lot of good times and good memories there. But the opportunity to go and join Rangers is one that I couldn’t really turn down.:
Scotland play Bolivia in New Jersey on Saturday.
Share
Eight Sports Capital claim to have bought Levy shares
Good afternoon, let’s start with some more Tottenham news.
A press release drops: “Eight Sports Capital Limited today announces the signing of a sale and purchase agreement to acquire a 24.99% interest in ENIC Sports and Developments Holdings Limited, the parent company of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, from the trustee of Daniel Levy’s family trust.
A spokesperson for Eight Sports Capital Limited stated: “We are delighted to have signed this agreement to acquire a significant stake in ENIC. We look forward to working with the Club’s shareholders, management, staff, players and fansto support Tottenham Hotspur’s continued growth and success.
“The parties have agreed that no further public comment will be made regarding the commercial terms of the transaction.”
Eight Sports Capital is a firm owned by Triller which is owned by Wing-Fai Ng and Richard Tsai. Eight Sports Capital CEO is Brooklyn Earick, reported to be a Tottenham fan and behind previous interest in purchasing the club.
The family of Joe Lewis, the former owner, are the majority owners of Spurs, and that holds an 86.58 per cent share in Tottenham. Last week, the family stated they are “all in”.
Share
Updated at 15.41 CEST
Okay, time to brush up on Curaçao’s likely starting XI. John Brewin is now your man in the hotseat. Give him a big hand.
Share
Real Madrid will launch a £130m bid for Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise if Florentino Pérez wins re-election as the club’s president this weekend. Rival candidate Enrique Riquelme had earlier promised to sign Erling Haaland from Manchester City if he got in. You guys.
Share
Here’s a good omen for England. The ELO rankings are considered a better guide to who sits where in football’s pecking order. The FIFA rankings only go back to 1993 and they’ve tinkered with their workings several times. The ELO version was actually adapated from chess but they’re the rankings of choice for the football hipster.
Looking at past World Cup winners, eight of the last 10 champions were ranked in the top four of the ELO rankings pre-tournament. The current list has England in a top-four slot:
Share
Updated at 14.49 CEST
Thoughts on Andy Robertson joining Tottenham on a free from Liverpool? A bit odd? More likely to get first-team football? A chance to experience the bright lights? More opportunities to hang out with Michael Dawson?
Share
Tottenham sign Andy Robertson
Tottenham have unveiled a truly inspirational video welcoming Andy Robertson to the club ahead of his move from Liverpool.
Starring ex-Tottenham defender Michael Dawson, a former teammate of Robertson’s at Hull, he sends this heartwarming message:
“This shirt, the cockerel, that’s us since 1882. Worn by those who came before you, and everyone supporting from the stands.
“This club has been family to me, and we always have room for someone new.
“On the back, where your name is, that’s your chance to add something of your own to our story. As your old teammate and captain, I’m proud that I can welcome you to Spurs. Robbo, this is yours now too.”
The Scotland captain will officially join on 1 July when his Liverpool contract expires.
Sporting Director, Johan Lange, said: “We are delighted to welcome Andy to the club.
“First and foremost, he is an outstanding left-back - one of the best of all time in the Premier League, and someone who will improve our squad.
“In addition, his quality, character and leadership have been evident throughout a career in which he has regularly competed for - and won - major honours.
“Andy’s professionalism and commitment will also be invaluable to the development of our squad, and he shares our ambition and determination to bring success back to the Club.
“We are excited for Andy’s new chapter with us and look forward to having him here after the World Cup.”
Head Coach, Roberto De Zerbi, said: “Andy is someone I’ve admired for a number of years and he will bring outstanding technical qualities, experience, leadership and mentality to our team.
“He is a proven winner at the highest level over a long period and is someone who can be a big player for us, both on and off the pitch.
“I can’t wait to start working with him and seeing the positive impact he will have on everyone around him.”
Share
Updated at 14.32 CEST
Al-Mubarak on Man City's 134 charges
Jamie Jackson
Khaldoon al-Mubarak has vowed to set the record straight once the verdict is returned on Manchester City’s estimated 134 Premier League charges related to alleged financial wrongdoing.
The chair was asked whether there was an update, more than three years after the charges – which City deny – were brought. It remains unclear when there will be an announcement.
“Until we have a ruling, I can’t say much,” Al-Mubarak said. “Once we have a ruling, believe me, we’re going to have a wonderful sit down together and I’ll say everything I’ve wanted to say for the last three years.”
City are the flagship club of City Football Group, the organisation that has 12 teams across of the world. A Sheikh Mansour company owns most of CFG, with almost 17% controlled by the American company Silver Lake and a small stake held by China Media Capital and CITIC Capital.
Mubarak said the group was worth at least $10bn (£7.4bn). “Over the years we’ve had multiple stop points where the value went from $120m to $1bn, then $2bn, $3bn, then we had investors come in and invest in the club at $3bn,” he said. “We went up to $5bn and more money came in, investors buying into this strategy. And Sheikh Mansour took a very important choice, which was that the money stays in because we’re going to keep building. If you’re going to sell all today in the market, you wouldn’t sell it for less than $10bn minimum. That’s value creation.
“There’s no intention to sell. There’s only intention to keep growing this because the view here is this will only grow and this is a beautiful business to own.”
Share
If you were reading earlier about England’s 6-1 win over Panama in the 2022 World Cup, there was a quiz question. Harry Kane got a hat-trick but I also asked which player scored an unlikely brace?
The answer: John Stones. Yes, really.
Share
Thanks Luke. Player-guide session a little compromised due to a parcel delivered to the wrong door, a phone call about US Open golf shifts and a ham omelette that wouldn’t cook itself.
Share
That’s the lot from me: David will be back from his marathon player-guide reading session imminently.
Share
Updated at 13.58 CEST
Craig McLeish has been given the St Mirren job on a permanent basis after he maintained their Scottish Premiership status.
“I want to thank Keith [Lasley, chief executive] and the board for giving me this opportunity and I’m ready to grasp it. I’m delighted that my vision aligned with the club’s and they feel I’m the best person to take us forward,” McLeish said.
“It feels like maybe the end of a cycle with where we were at. We’ve achieved a lot over this last period, and we have to now look at what we do and how we operate as a club.” PA Media
Share
Fresh from Premier League title success, Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard wants to play a significant role for Belgium at the World Cup.
“I really can’t wait to get started,” he said on Friday, a day after belatedly joining up with his teammates after last Saturday’s Champions League final.
“Everyone is starting the World Cup campaign full of enthusiasm, which is very positive. I’ve only been able to take part in one training session so far, so not much has stood out to me yet, but I can see that everyone is focused and ready to begin the World Cup.”
Asked if he is in his best form ever, Trossard added: “That’s always difficult to answer. But I’m certainly in very good form, and I hope to carry that into the World Cup.”
Winning the Premier League is also a positive for Belgium’s hopes, he said.
“It’s very good when players arrive here having won titles, but that doesn’t change your status. Not mine either but I will try to bring that experience into the national team.
“We’ve had a very good season with Arsenal. Of course, it’s disappointing how the Champions League ended. Penalty shootouts are a lottery, and it was stressful to experience it from the sidelines. But we’ve still had a fantastic season and we’re very proud of winning the English title.
“The title celebrations and the parade were fantastic. We were able to celebrate properly with the squad.“
As for his club future Trossard gave nothing away: “At the moment I am still an Arsenal player. We’ll see what happens in the summer,” he said.
Belgium have a friendly against Tunisia in Brussels on Saturday before Monday’s departure to the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the US, where they begin their Group G campaign in Seattle, on June 15, against Egypt. Reuters
Share
Updated at 13.50 CEST
How is Sergiño Dest getting on for the USMNT?
I know it’s a question you’ve been pondering.
Jeff Rueter has all the relevant details here:
Share
Updated at 13.45 CEST
Ewan Murray
The summit of Scottish football provides a wonderful environment for those who value long-term career stops. Neil Doncaster, chief executive of the Scottish Professional Football League, arrived at the then Scottish Premier League in 2009. Ian Maxwell, bizarrely headhunted from relegation-bound Partick Thistle, has been the Scottish Football Association’s chief executive since 2018. Scot Gemmill’s tenure as the nation’s under-21 manager has lasted a decade despite underwhelming results.
Glass half-full or half-empty; either this is a domain that delivers admirable continuity or one in which no one makes sufficient progress to appeal to those in bigger ponds.
Against this backdrop, Steve Clarke’s four-year extension as Scotland manager is really no surprise. “It’s pretty staggering for anyone to say that giving him a new contract is a gamble,” said Maxwell. The Scottish FA’s president, Mike Mulraney, delivered standard bluster when assessing the deal. “I don’t need other people to vindicate my decision,” insisted Mulraney.
Share
Next up on Friday’s football content smorgasbord: a piece from Ewan Murray on Steve Clarke, the Scotland head coach. (They’re in Group C with Haiti, Morocco and Brazil. Their first match is against Haiti on Sunday 14 June, at 2am UK time.)
And here, for good measure, is their team guide by Ewan Murray:
Share
Updated at 13.43 CEST