Transfer market shake-up

GM football fans. Route One here, and we’re covering Fifa’s transfer market trial, the next England manager and much more. Enjoy Route One? Share us with a friend on WhatsApp with this link.

TONIGHT’S EUROPA LEAGUE STATS

Ferencvaros vs Tottenham (17:45 UK). Tottenham are in great form with four wins in four in all competitions by an aggregate of 11 – 2. Porto vs Manchester United (20:00 UK). Porto have made a good start to their domestic campaign, winning six of their opening seven matches by an aggregate of 16 – 1. That said, United have won six of their eight meetings with Porto. Rangers vs Lyon (20:00 UK). Lyon have won three of their previous four European away fixtures against Scottish clubs. But Rangers are on a four-match winning run in all competitions, scoring seven goals without reply. Full list of Europa League fixtures here.

Plus…

• Champions League results (More)

• Jhon Duran scores again for Aston Villa to beat Bayern Munich 1 — 0 (More) | Salah scores a screamer for Liverpool to beat Bologna 2 — 0 (More) | Real Madrid lose 1 — 0 to Lille, ending their 36-game unbeaten run (More)

• Long-serving Champions League ref suspended for allegedly making a death threat to a player (More)

• Fifa is adding an NFL-style halftime show to the World Cup final (More)

• Rangers legend Ally McCoist receives OBE (More)

• Newcastle will introduce away ticket transfer (More)

FIFA LOSING CONTROL

Huge trial against FIFA’s control of the transfer market starts tomorrow

A ruling from the Court of Justice for the European Union (CJEU) tomorrow could weaken Fifa’s control over club football. Former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Lassana Diarra’s decade-long case against Fifa could force the governing body to scrap regulations around player transfers. If successful, it would seriously impact the business plans of hundreds of clubs across the globe.

The case relates to Diarra’s transfer to Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow in 2013. When the Frenchman’s form dropped, the club asked him to accept a lower salary but Diarra refused. After terminating his contract – on grounds that he didn’t show up for training – Fifa ruled in favour of the club and banned Diarra from signing for a new team until he paid the Russian side €10.5mn.

Diarra’s legal team are fighting Fifa’s rule which makes the player and any club hoping to sign them jointly liable for compensation owed to the player's former club. In their view, this regulation frightens new potential employers. Diarra’s lawyer – who successfully led the Bosman ruling in 1995 – argue this happened when the midfielder tried to move to Belgian side Charleroi in 2015. Experts predict this could take away Fifa’s authority over the transfer market — with some suggesting a move to collective bargaining is likely. In truth, it’s difficult to say what the impact will be at this stage, but expect it to be huge.

POLL

HEAD START

🎟️ Warning about tickets from resale websites. Fifa has issued a warning to fans ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Fans should purchase tickets from “official ticketing websites” as individual tickets will not be available until late 2025, despite the current advertisement from resale ticket websites. Only hospitality packages will begin being offered to fans by the end of this year.

📱Nunes was arrested for ‘stealing’ phone. Manchester City midfielder Matheus Nunes was reportedly arrested on 8 September in Madrid for stealing the mobile phone of a person who took a photo of him in the bathroom. The Portuguese international was sent to the Arganzuela police station and questioned for an alleged theft. He was released on bail pending trial.

❌ Dortmund banner could lead to sanctions. Borussia Dortmund are likely to face sanctions after displaying a banner reading ‘UEFA Mafia’ before Tuesday’s Champions League tie with Celtic. A second banner read “You don’t care about the sport – all you care about is money”. UEFA has previously sanctioned clubs for the use of the word “mafia” as this is considered a “provocative and offensive message”. All very ironic.

ENGLAND MANAGER UPDATE

FA makes no contact with big names for England role, leaving Carsley in poll position

The FA has made no contact with Jurgen Klopp, Graham Potter, Eddie Howe or Thomas Tuchel in its search for a new England manager. It could be an indication that interim head coach Lee Carsley will be appointed full-time. Carsley impressed in his first two internationals in charge, as England beat Republic of Ireland and Finland, both 2 – 0.

FA chief executive Mark Bullingham and technical director John McDermott have been leading the process of assessing possible candidates. But question marks will be asked how comprehensive that process is, considering some of the biggest names in Europe haven’t been contacted. 

Today, Carsley will name his squad for the Nations League games with Greece and Finland. It has been reported that Cole Palmer will be central to Carsley’s plans despite the 22-year-old not starting a single game under Gareth Southgate at the Euros. Carsley will also have Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham, who were unavailable for the first two Nations League games, to pick from this time.

AROUND THE FOOTBALL WORLD

🇺🇲 USMNT: Mauricio Pochettino announces his first USMNT squad for forthcoming friendlies against Panama and Mexico (More)

🇦🇷 Argentina: Diego Maradona will have a mausoleum in a central district of Buenos Aires (More)

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Welsh national team: Joe Allen comes out of international retirement and returns to the Wales squad for this month’s Nations League (More)

🇪🇸 La Liga: Atletico Madrid confirm that Robin Le Normand suffered a ‘traumatic brain injury’ against Real Madrid (More); Wojciech Szczesny ends retirement to sign for Barcelona (More)

ROUTER’S VOICE

Yesterday, we asked you: Are you enjoying the league stage of the Champions League?

🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 📺 Absolutely, it's great viewing... (54%)

🟨 🟨 🟨 🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ 📅 Nope, it's too many games... (46%)

Your punditry takes:

• 📺 T.F: “I was initially sceptical but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t enjoying the amount of football I’m watching.”

• 📅 L.D: “The whole format has been compromised for money. Years ago there was a vote to not have a European league, but that is precisely what we have now.”

• 📅 J.G.C: “There are too many games and players are too tired to perform at their best.”

EXTRA TIME

The best chance creators in Europe ranked.

Adidas x Argentina 50-year anniversary kit info leaked…

… and fashion-forward Venezia FC release new kits in collaboration with Nocta.

Which footballers have tattoos of other footballers?

Kate Abdo with another iconic CBS panel intro.

Conor McGregor as Arsenal’s new number nine.

Red carded 36 seconds after coming off the bench.

Jobe Bellingham continues good form with rocket.

Dortmund’s fines list is leaked online.

Are Man United fans Ten Hag in or Ten Hag out?

GAME FACE ON

Question: Manchester City has equalled the record for the longest unbeaten run in European Cup/Champions League history. Which other English club is currently holding it?

Editor’s note: City have technically gone unbeaten in 25 Champions League matches. Their exit to Real Madrid in last campaign’s quarter- final came via two draws before eventually being eliminated in a penalty shootout — which Opta doesn’t count as a loss. Don’t shoot the messenger, I guess!

Scroll below for the answer.

ON TODAY

Europa League league stage

• Ferencvaros vs Tottenham (17:45)

• Lazio vs Nice (17:45)

• Porto vs Manchester United (20:00)

• Rangers vs Lyon (20:00)

• Full list of Europa League fixtures here.

Conference League league stage

• Chelsea vs Gent (20:00)

• Full list of Conference League fixtures here.

*All times in UK. EST -5. PST -8. CET +1. CST +8. JST +9.

Answer

Manchester United (25 games between September 2007 and May 2009).