Infantino's World Cup plan collapses
Plus: Chelsea, Brentford and Bournemouth complete signings as City fall to Inter on penalties.
TL;DR
- FIFA president abandons contested plan to sell World Cup stakes after pressure from European and American governing bodies.
- Chelsea, Brentford and Bournemouth complete major signings as clubs race to finalize squads before the season opener.
- Andoni Iraola's tactical intensity takes shape at Liverpool while Richarlison's future at Tottenham grows uncertain.
- Manchester City lose to Inter Milan on penalties in Hong Kong preseason friendly, Enzo Maresca's first match in charge.
Results and fixtures
Maresca suffers first defeat to Inter on penalties
Manchester City fall to Serie A champions in Hong Kong preseason as new manager begins his reign.
Manchester City suffered Enzo Maresca's first defeat in charge, losing 1-1 to Inter Milan on penalties in a preseason friendly in Hong Kong on August 1. The result offered early insight into how the incoming manager will shape the defending champions' play, with teenager Ryan McAidoo drawing praise for his performance in the defeat (via BBC Sport).
Transfers
Welbeck, Sangare, Silva complete major signings
Three leading European clubs strengthen squads as transfer window reaches climax with ambitious signings.
Chelsea confirmed the signing of 32-year-old Brighton striker Danny Welbeck on August 1, the forward joining on a multi-year deal to bolster their attacking depth for the Premier League title defense (via BBC Sport).
Brentford seal Sangare deal. Brentford announced Mali midfielder Mamadou Sangare's arrival from Ligue 1 side Lens on August 1 for a club record fee, adding Premier League experience and proven scoring touch to west London (via BBC Sport).
Bournemouth add Silva. Portugal defender Antonio Silva joined Bournemouth on August 1 for up to £25.7 million (about €30 million), bringing the Benfica centre-back to strengthen the Cherries' backline ahead of the new campaign (via BBC Sport).
Managers and tactics
Iraola's intensity reshapes Liverpool's preseason
New manager's methods diverge sharply from his predecessor as Liverpool's training reveals tactical direction.
Liverpool's preseason training under Andoni Iraola demonstrates the intensity and discipline the new manager is demanding from his squad, with stars including Robert Lewandowski responding to methods that differ sharply from what his predecessor instilled at Anfield (via BBC Sport).
De Zerbi uncertain on Richarlison. Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi suggested on August 1 that Brazilian winger Richarlison remains conflicted about his future at Spurs, saying the player "sometimes wants to leave" amid swirling speculation over his commitment (via BBC Sport).
Off the pitch
Infantino forced to scrap World Cup privatization plan
FIFA president abandons contested bid to sell stakes after pressure from football's governing bodies across continents.
Gianni Infantino abandoned his plan to sell commercial stakes in the World Cup on August 1 after five dramatic days of mounting pressure, with football's governing bodies in Europe and the Americas publicly demanding a full review of his leadership and the future direction of FIFA (via BBC Sport).
Gold family cedes West Ham stake. Vanessa Gold announced on August 1 that her family is selling its shareholding in West Ham United to a consortium headed by Amanda Staveley, the ex-Newcastle co-owner whose restructuring of the Magpies set a new template for English football ownership (via BBC Sport).