Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: August 13, 2026, 11:40 PM ET

Premier League & La Liga News

Celta Vigo's La Liga opener has been postponed due to a fungus outbreak on their home pitch, leading to an inspection by the league. This unfortunate situation means their scheduled match against Osasuna will not go ahead as planned. The new Premier League season is on the horizon, and while the Community Shield often precedes it, its results may not be reliable indicators of the upcoming campaign. With the season fast approaching, attention is turning to the 20 people who will define the Premier League season.

Transfer Market Buzz

The transfer window remains active, with several key developments. Chelsea has reportedly set a Friday deadline for any club willing to meet their £120million valuation of midfielder Enzo Fernández. Meanwhile, Arsenal is exploring options for their squad, with Galatasaray having submitted a €45million ($51.8m) bid for forward Gabriel Martinelli. Arsenal is also reportedly open to offers for Ethan Nwaneri and has held talks with Galatasaray regarding various players. Chelsea is also being linked with a move for Arsenal's Martín Zubimendi as a potential replacement should Fernández depart. In other transfer news, Manchester City has secured the services of Jérémy Doku with a new five-year contract, while PSV Eindhoven winger Couhaib Driouech is reportedly nearing a move to Rangers. Enes Unal has completed a move from Bournemouth to rejoin Spanish club Getafe.

Club and Player Updates

LAFC has announced the signing of forward Armindo Sieb from Bayern Munich on a permanent transfer through the 2028-29 MLS season. Aston Villa's central defender Ezri Konsa is reportedly a primary target for Arsenal as they seek to strengthen their defensive options. Celtic has secured the signing of German midfielder Mika Baur from Paderborn on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee. Leicester City's owners are reportedly looking to sell the club for over £200m. Youri Tielemans has issued an apology to Aston Villa fans following remarks he made suggesting a move to Manchester United represented a step up. Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has emphasized the club's need for further signings before the summer transfer window closes.

International Football and Refereeing

Six Arab football federations have publicly declared their "full support" and "confidence" in Gianni Infantino amidst ongoing controversies. However, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has officially withdrawn its support for Infantino, while the Irish Football Association (IFA) has confirmed its backing for UEFA's position. Somali referee Omar Artan, who was controversially denied entry to the U.S. for the World Cup, has made history by officiating the UEFA Super Cup, marking a significant personal achievement. The FAI withdraws support for under-fire Fifa president Gianni Infantino, while the Irish Football Association (IFA) confirms it backs Uefa's stance.

Preseason and Friendlies

Fulham's preseason friendly against Málaga CF ended in a chaotic fashion, with the English club walking off the pitch and their coach receiving a red card. The match concluded with Málaga scoring a penalty into an empty net after Fulham's departure.

Championship and European Football

West Ham United is preparing for their first league campaign outside the top flight since 2011-12, with questions surrounding their boardroom situation as the Championship season approaches. The Premier League kits will look different this season due to a ban on gambling sponsors on the front of shirts. European leagues are gearing up for their new seasons, with BBC Sport highlighting the major stories and narratives to watch.

Tennis and Other Sports

In tennis, Jack Draper was defeated in the first round of the Cincinnati Open by Martin Landaluce, losing 6-3, 7-5 after failing to convert six set-point opportunities. Spanish teenager Rafael Jodar's bid for ATP Tour history was halted in the Canadian Open semi-finals by Brandon Nakashima. In boxing, Craig Richards is set to face Radivoje Kalajdzic in a 10-round light heavyweight bout on the Johnny Fisher bill. Commonwealth Games gold medallist Damar Thomas is focused on forging his own legacy in boxing, aiming to distinguish himself from comparisons to former stars.

Horse Racing and Rugby League

Hollie Doyle previews upcoming races, offering tips for Saturday's contests at Newbury and assessing the major races at Ripon, both of which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. Super League has received an investment offer from the Australia Rugby League Commission (ARLC), the governing body for the National Rugby League (NRL).

Cricket

Bangladesh's bowlers dominated Australia on day one of the first Test, with Hasan Mahmud taking a career-best 6-55 as the hosts were dismissed for. Sky Sports Cricket's Nasser Hussain and Stuart Broad have presented their player awards for the men's Hundred campaign, with Lydia Greenway analyzing the women's competition. Michael Atherton believes England must become Joe Root's team, suggesting this represents a unique opportunity for the team.