Real Madrid’s Raul Asencio will stand trial in the Canary Islands child sex abuse scandal after a judge confirmed proceedings and set bail at €15,000. One alleged victim has withdrawn but another is maintaining the charges, ensuring the case, which also involves other former Madrid youth academy players, remains active.
Atalanta coach Ivan Juric admitted that Paris Saint-Germain are operating at a far higher level than his side after their 4-0 defeat in the opening match of the Champions League. However, the Croatian defended his decision to adopt an aggressive approach, insisting that pushing higher up the pitch was the only way Atalanta stood a chance against the reigning champions.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s one-time Manchester United team-mate Giuseppe Rossi has great admiration for the Portuguese superstar, but admits that he prefers to talk about Lionel Messi. American-born Rossi - who spent time in England, Spain and the United States during his playing days - has offered a slightly different take on the long-running GOAT debate.
Hundreds of soccer clubs worldwide will share in a $355 million fund from FIFA’s multi-billion 2026 World Cup revenues, compensating them for releasing players to national teams during the tournament. FIFA has long paid clubs for World Cup participants but announced this week that the plan now extends to players in qualifiers as well.
Sporting CP are not feeling the absence of Viktor Gyokeres after the Swedish international signed for Arsenal over the summer. The Portuguese giants have signed Luis Suarez to succeed Gyokeres, with the Colombian striker earning high praise from team-mate Pedro Goncalves. In six games for the club since his arrival, Suarez has been directly involved in as many goals.
Elon Musk’s favourite cryptocurrency has completed a takeover of Serie C side Triestina as House of Doge becomes the majority shareholder. Jubilation has been tempered, however, as a new 13-point sanction on top of an earlier seven-point deduction leaves the club facing a 20-point deficit. The "revolutionary" project promises global Dogecoin integration and local investment.
Paul Mullin has been told that a reunion with Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney at Wrexham should not be written off, with there still a chance that he will be offered a shot at redemption. A cult hero from the Red Dragons’ historic run of three successive promotions is currently out on loan at Wigan Athletic, but he remains under contract in North Wales.
Serge Gnabry’s revival at Bayern Munich is gathering pace under Vincent Kompany with the German shining in a new role after last season’s struggles. His standout display against Chelsea highlighted his regained sharpness and influence, earning praise from Joshua Kimmich. With his contract running out and chairman Jan-Christian Dreesen also hailing his strong start, attention is now turning to his future.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Champions League return could not have been scripted better, with Lucas Bergvall delivering a standout debut under the lights and earning plaudits from legends of the game. Ange Postecoglou’s groundwork from last season is now paying dividends, with the teenager stepping up on Europe’s biggest stage under new boss Thomas Frank.
