Fifa’s chief of global football development Arsene Wenger says scrapping the plan to have private investment in Fifa competitions was “absolutely necessary and beyond question”.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino planned to create a commercial subsidiary to run its main events, including its World Cups, with external investors able to buy stakes.

Infantino had offered Fifa’s 211 member associations $40m (£30m) each if they backed the proposal.

But after days of controversy – including Uefa’s 55 nations threatening to boycott all Fifa tournaments – Infantino was forced to withdraw the plan.

There was further criticism from Prince Ali of Jordan, who accused Fifa of creating a situation which “amounts to blackmail” over unpaid prize money and support for Infantino’s re-election.

Fifa secretary general Mattias Grafstrom, meanwhile, called the last week “a sad and reproachable series of events” in an internal email to staff.

Wenger has been in a role which encompasses data analysis of the game, Fifa’s online training and youth competitions, since 2019.

The former Arsenal boss previously supported Infantino’s proposal to play the men’s World Cup every two years.

A week after Infantino’s investment plan was first released, the Frenchman issued a statement through Fifa in which he demanded “transparency and integrity” from world football’s governing body.

“The recent events at Fifa deserve some clarity from my side,” Wenger’s statement read.

“I was not involved in this strategic plan and first became aware of the project through media reports.

“The decision to withdraw the project was absolutely necessary and beyond question, because I firmly believe in an independent Fifa that serves our game with commitment, transparency, and integrity.”

Wenger is one of 18 Fifa officials named in a document preservation letter Uefa sent to Fifa threatening legal action.

Carlos Cordeiro – Infantino’s senior adviser on global strategy and governance – is the only Fifa official to resign over the scandal, saying the proposal was “a bad deal for football” and would “mortgage football’s future”.

Police said the shop was ‘well-known’ for selling alcohol and vapes to children

A shop that sold vodka and a vape to a 14-year-old has had its licence revoked. Cambridgeshire Police requested a licence review for Westgate News at 44 Westgate, Peterborough.

Officers were concerned about the sale of alcohol, vapes, and nicotine products to children, serious and repeated breaches of licence conditions, and that staff “knowingly” sold products to children.

Evidence provided by police in the licensing review said that on January 26, 2026, a 14-year-old girl was sold vodka, a vape, and a soft drink at the shop. Other incidents include a vape being sold to a 12-year-old child and alcoholic BuzzBall cocktails being sold to children.

In licensing documents, the police said: “The volume, consistency, and longevity of intelligence – combined with evidential incidents and enforcement action – demonstrate that this premise is systematically undermining the licensing objectives, particularly in respect of children. The latest intelligence confirms that these issues remain ongoing, necessitating decisive action by the Licensing Authority.”

The shop was “well-known in school to sell vapes to children”. Police believe this demonstrated that the shop developed a “reputation amongst school-age children”.

In a licensing review meeting held by Peterborough City Council on Friday (July 31), the shop had its licence revoked. The licensing review was brought under the objectives of prevention of crime and protection of children and harm.

During the meeting, the sub-committee reviewed CCTV footage that showed the sales of alcohol and vapes to underage children.

The decision notice said: “In order to promote the licensing objectives in question, the sub-committee believes it is necessary to revoke the premises licence.”

Tributes have poured in after the death of John Douglas, the guitarist and singer of the Trashcan Sinatras.

The news of his death emerged four days after the Scottish indie rock group released their new album, Ever the Optimist.

It was their first full-length release in a decade by the five-strong outfit.

John, who was born in the small town of Irvine in north Ayrshire, joined the band in 1986, and went on to play on their seven albums.

The bandmates, Francis Reader, Paul Livingston, Stephen Douglas, and Davy Hughes, wrote on social media today: ‘We are devastated to inform all of you that we have lost our dear friend and brother John after a brief illness.

‘He died peacefully in the early hours of Monday the 3rd August 2026, surrounded by loved ones, his beautiful voice and songs filling the room.

Stephen Douglas is John’s brother, and the pair, along with Livingston, joined Reader and Hughes after the band was launched in 1986.

Hundreds of fans paid tribute to the musician.

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One said: ‘Such sad news – Was an absolute honour to host John at The Tin in Coventry.’

Another one wrote: ‘A real gem of a man. I met one of my heroes, he became a friend, the kind that rarely comes along. A gem. I’ll miss you John, we all will.’

One person described John as the ‘heart of TCS.’

Trashcan Sinatras climbed to global fame with their hit single Obscurity Knocks, featured on their debut album Cake.

It also included hits like Only Tongue Can Tell and Circling the Circumference.

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The success of the Cake album saw it spend three months on Billboard 200 list, followed by touring in the UK and North America.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

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There will be adjustments to public transport pick-up and drop-off points as a result

Further road closures have been announced due to “high footfall” in Belfast city centre during the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.

It’s expected around 800,000 people will descend on the city for the eight-day festival, with figures from Belfast One showing over 300,000 people attended the first two days.

As a result, organisers of the Fleadh have taken the decision to close the roads directly in front of and to the sides of Belfast City Hall from 5am on Wednesday, August 5, to support people to move around safely.

The newly announced road closures include Wellington Place, Donegall Square North, Donegall Square East and Donegall Square West. There will be adjustments to some Translink pick-up and drop-off points as a result of the closures.

A statement on Trafficwatch NI, a traffic website operated by the Department for Infrastructure, said: “These roads will now be closed to all traffic from tomorrow until the event finishes on Sunday evening, as part of the phased road closures put in place by Belfast City Council.

“There will be adjustments to some Translink pick-up and drop-off points as a result, along with service diversions in place for the rest of the week.

“Users are encouraged to keep updated via the Translink website and the Journey Planner app, plan ahead, expect services to be busy and leave extra time for their journey.

“With thousands of additional passenger journeys already made this week, Translink have added enhanced capacity and frequency across the public transport network, and will continue to monitor demand as the event continues.

“The road at the lower end of Chichester Street, along with Donegall Square South, will remain open, and pedestrians are urged to take care, use road crossings and follow the directions of event stewards.

“Public hire taxis – who currently use the ranks at Donegall Square North and Donegall Square East – can make use of Upper Arthur Street and back onto Chichester Street for the next near rank.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Manchester United are set to name former Hearts boss Eva Olid as their women’s manager.

BBC Sport understands the Spaniard, 40, will meet the United squad on Wednesday as the club finalise her appointment after Marc Skinner left the role by mutual consent on Monday – a month before the start of the Women’s Super League (WSL) season.

Olid left Hearts this summer, having guided the Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL) club to their first league title last campaign.

She joined Hearts in 2021 and signed an extension until the summer of 2026 with the option of a further year, but the club announced in April that Olid was to leave at the end of the season by mutual agreement.

Olid also guided the Edinburgh side to their first domestic final, but lost to Rangers in the 2024 Scottish Cup.

Hearts finished fourth in back-to-back seasons under Olid before dropping to fifth in 2024-25. But they finished two points clear of Rangers to win their first silverware last term.

By CHARLOTTE DEAN, ASSOCIATE SHOWBIZ EDITOR

Published: 19:56 BST, 4 August 2026 | Updated: 20:19 BST, 4 August 2026

Kelly Brook looked incredible as she spent the day on a boat with her husband  Jeremy Parisi and his cousin Stella during their trip to Italy.

The TV personality, 46, and her model husband, 41, are visiting the country around their fourth wedding anniversary after tying the knot in Civitavecchia, near Rome.

Over the weekend they thanked Stella for taking photos of them at their wedding venue, sharing a shoot ‘nobody asked for’ to their Instagram pages.

And the family have now snapped more pictures, documenting their relaxing day at sea with a series of stunning black and white photos.

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Kelly showed off her curvy figure in a leopard print bikini, wearing her hair tied up in a messy bun with a pair of sunglasses.

The group posed for smiley snaps together, while Kelly also posed on her own at the wheel of the boat and kneeling at the front. 

Kelly Brook looked incredible as she spent the day on a boat with her husband Jeremy Parisi and his cousin Stella during their trip to Italy

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The TV personality, 46, and her model husband, 41, are visiting the country around their fourth wedding anniversary after tying the knot in Civitavecchia, near Rome

Over the weekend they thanked Stella for taking photos of them at their wedding venue, sharing a shoot ‘nobody asked for’ to their Instagram pages (pictured Kelly and Stella)

Over the weekend, Kelly and Jeremy revisited their wedding venue on their fourth anniversary as she shared loved-up photos on Instagram.

The couple have been together 11 years and tied the knot in 2022 in a storm-hit Italian ceremony. 

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However, four years on the couple were blessed with sunshine as they revisited their picturesque wedding venue in the port town of Civitavecchia, near Rome. 

Kelly looked stunning in a white long sleeved maxi dress as she posed for photos with Jeremy, who was dressed in a khaki shirt and black trousers. 

The loved-up couple looked happier than ever as they beamed for photos in the sunshine before walking down the cobbled streets. 

She wrote: ‘The photoshoot nobody asked for! 4 Years Married so we went back to the place we said I do! Thanks to our cousin Stella for taking these pictures of us’. 

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The group posed for smiley snaps together, while Kelly also posed on her own at the wheel of the boat and kneeling at the front

Kelly took the wheel in one sultry snap shared to her page

She beamed while posing at the front of the vessel

For their wedding day in 2022, Kelly and Jeremy didn’t let an unseasonal downpour spoil their big day. 

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The actress, who wore a traditional ivory white gown with sheer lace detail, arrived at the ancient venue under an umbrella while Jeremy donned a black three-piece suit.

Kelly fell for Jeremy after reaching out to him directly on Instagram, and the pair bonded over their shared passion for martial arts and fitness.

In the early days of their romance, Jeremy spoke very little English, relying primarily on French and Italian to communicate.

The couple have kept most of their relationship out of the spotlight, as Jeremy prefers to remain private and isn’t in the public eye in the way Kelly has been since her teens.

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They revisited their wedding venue on their fourth anniversary as she shared loved-up photos on Instagram on Friday

Cardiff-born Peter Gill died on Monday at the age of 86

Actor Luke Evans has paid tribute to renowned stage director and playwright Peter Gill following his death, saying: “He changed my whole professional life.”

Cardiff-born Gill, who has worked with stars including Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Michael Gambon, died “peacefully” at assisted living residence Denville Hall on Monday aged 86, his agency has confirmed.

The Olivier-nominated playwright earned widespread recognition as a trailblazer in his profession, celebrated for his authentic staging techniques and his development of contemporary working-class productions including The York Realist, Small Change and The Sleeper’s Den. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter

In a statement issued to the Press Association by his agent Mel Kenyon, Gill was praised for possessing a “rare emotional delicacy” in his craft, which was characterised as “beautifully observed and finely tuned”.

Kenyon continued: “Whenever we talked, I walked away a wiser person. He taught me so much just by being him. He was a singular man, a kind, generous and curious man. I will miss him greatly.”

Welsh actor Evans also honoured Gill through a post on Instagram on Tuesday, August 4, crediting the theatre director with transforming the direction of his career after selecting him for a 2008 revival of Small Change.

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Evans, who subsequently starred in The Hobbit trilogy, the Fast And Furious franchise and Disney’s live-action Beauty And The Beast film, attributed his flourishing acting career to Gill’s influence. Alongside a monochrome photograph of the actor, he posted: “This man gave me a role in a play when I was 27 that changed my whole professional life.

“Peter Gill has passed away at 86 leaving behind a legacy of work that I was very lucky enough to be a small part of. Without that play Small Change that he wrote and directed me in, I don’t think I would have ever had a film career, or any career to be honest. RIP dear Peter and thank you.”

Gill launched his highly accomplished theatrical career as a performer before progressing to senior positions at prestigious establishments including the Royal Court.

He also served as associate director at the National Theatre, where he established the National Theatre Studio, providing playwrights and directors with a creative environment to nurture their concepts.

Cardiff-born Gill is celebrated for his profound impact on British theatre, frequently drawing upon his experiences of south Wales in his productions – which examined themes of class, family, identity and belonging.

Throughout his extensive career spanning several decades, he collaborated with renowned performers including Michael Pennington, Vanessa Redgrave and Julian Glover across numerous theatrical works.

He also directed productions by Anton Chekhov, David Mamet and Harold Pinter, who are considered amongst the finest playwrights in history. In 1980, he received an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in recognition of his contributions to theatre.

Olivier Award-winning theatre director Michael Grandage also paid tribute to Gill, stating: “I believe Peter’s contribution to the British theatre will come to be regarded as quietly seismic. Through the observation of the domestic, he always gave us something universal.

“He was, for much of my life, an important mentor and while it is sad to think he is no longer with us, I feel confident that future generations will discover some of the finest plays written in the last 70 years with unquestionably some of the most beautiful prose in the English language.”

Tamara Harvey, co-artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, commented: “He was a true artist and tirelessly devoted to the theatre. His unerring ability to capture the complexity of human existence will live on in his writing but he will, nevertheless, be deeply missed.”

A 10-year-old boy rescued by a teen lifeguard from hammering waves off the California coast doesn’t remember anything after a giant wave swept him off his feet in ankle-deep water.

Video of the rescue showed 16-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams clinging to Nathaniel Rai as wave after wave crashed over them. The pair disappeared from view and reemerged after several seconds as the wave receded.

“I think I have a bruise from him holding me so tight,” Nathaniel told The Associated Press from his father’s home in Dallas.

Nathaniel was on vacation with his mother July 25 at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz about 60 miles (about 100 kilometers) down the coast from San Francisco.

Williams said he saw Nathaniel lose his footing in the shallow water.

The water was too rough to get a rescue tube around the boy, who lost consciousness and went limp. The pair rode out a few more massive waves before a second lifeguard was able to help get them both back to shore, Williams said in a statement after the rescue.

Nathaniel said the next thing he remembered was lifeguards grabbing him. “I told him I was thankful he saved my life,” the boy said.

The video of the rescue was seen around the world, even catching the attention of President Donald Trump.

Nathaniel has watched the video. Like his father, he is amazed at how strong the waves were and the bravery shown by everyone who helped in the rescue.

“He was two seconds away from dying,” said Nathaniel’s father, Sumit Rai. “Another couple seconds, if Ryder had not gotten to him, he would have been thrown another 15, 20 feet out to sea, at which point you can’t see him, let alone retrieve him or rescue him.”

The father and son had a chance to talk to the lifeguard and his father.

“It turns out we have a lot of common interests and it’s kind of a small world in that sense,” Sumit Rai said.

Nathaniel said he had a little trouble breathing for a few days and his back was sore, but other than the bruise, he is doing well.

Police were called to the scene on Yewdale Avenue, Breightmet, at around 3.15am on Tuesday, August 4, and remained there for hours afterwards.

A woman who lives nearby claimed she had often heard arguments coming from the property.

She said: “They’d just be in there arguing 24/7 and if they weren’t fighting, they’d be doing something else!

“They’d keep to themselves, you’d hear the screaming or else other really loud noises.

The investigation centres around a house on Yewdale Avenue in Breightmet (Image: Phil Taylor)

“It’s dead quiet mostly round here but when it kicks off it really kicks off.

“It’s just horrible that this has happened, they really need to do more to make sure people are safe.”

A man living locally said he heard disturbances in the early hours of that morning and looked to see what was happening.

Officers on the scene (Image: Phil Taylor)

He said: “I saw there was someone on the floor, the officers were bringing him down and he really didn’t want to go down on the floor.

“He just kept saying ‘is she breathing, is she breathing?’”

On his experiences with the pair associated with the house, he said: “For the most part they’d be quiet and then they’d be shouting and then they’d make up.

A house was taped off (Image: Phil Taylor)

“I saw him about two times in three years, so he kept himself to himself.”

He said he had only seen the woman twice within the same time frame.

Two friends who spoke to The Bolton News on Yewdale Avenue said they first became aware of the police presence that morning.

Detectives made door to door enquiries (Image: Phil Taylor)

One of the women said: “We first became aware of it at about 9am this morning.

“At first I thought it might have been a burglary but then I saw the forensics and it all looked more sinister.”

What we know so far – Woman found dead and man arrested on suspicion of murder

UPDATES – Murder arrest after woman found dead as neighbours ‘shell-shocked’

Her friend said: “There’s quite a lot of anti-social behaviour in this area, it’s just horrible that something like this has happened to a lady who’s only in her 30s.”

Officers were on the scene for several hours (Image: Phil Taylor)

Greater Manchester Police confirmed on Tuesday morning that they had been called to the scene at around 3.15am where a woman was found with “significant injuries”.

A spokesperson said: “Despite the best efforts of emergency services, she was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

“One man, aged 36, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody for questioning.

“A scene will remain in place, and we will have an increased police presence in the area as enquiries continue.”

The father of murdered beautician Elle Edwards has criticised Labour’s soft justice scheme as a ‘kick in the teeth’ after the thug who helped her killer is set to be freed from prison early.

Elle Edwards, 26, was gunned down by Connor Chapman, 25, who fired a Skorpion sub-machine gun into a group of people outside the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey Village in Wirral, Merseyside, on Christmas Eve 2022. 

Thomas Waring was jailed for nine years in July 2023 after he was found guilty of possessing a prohibited weapon and assisting an offender by helping Chapman burn out the stolen Mercedes used in the shooting.

Elle’s father Tim Edwards said he has pleaded with Andy Burnham to reconsider making changes to the scheme after he learned Waring could be released in October this year.

Waring has only served less than half of his sentence, meaning he will have served just three years and three months. 

He said: ‘It’s a massive kick in the teeth.

‘I did write to Andy Burnham last week and I asked him to just look at the criteria that people are going to be under or fit to get the early release and there was no response. 

‘Obviously the reason why was because they were never going to change it.

Tim Edwards (pictured with Elle) said the decision to release the thug who helped his daughter’s killer is a ‘kick in the teeth’

Elle (pictured) was killed after Chapman opened fire outside the Lighthouse pub shortly before midnight in the culmination of a gang feud

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‘I put that more on the Ministry of Justice because they just won’t change, they don’t want to change, they’re all about number crunching.’

Sir Keir Starmer’s Government announced in July 2024 that thousands of prisoners would be released early to combat prison overcrowding.

Mr Burnham went on to give the green light for thousands of killers, thugs and paedophiles to be freed from jail.

But the new Prime Minister paused the controversial plans last month following a public outcry over the proposed release of two of PC Andrew Harper’s killers.

Following an urgent review, rapists and the most serious sex offenders will now be excluded from early release. 

The decision to release some prisoners early has already attracted fury from the family of PC Harper, who was dragged behind a car for more than a mile by three teenage thugs trying to steal a quad bike.

Justice Secretary Alex Norris has refused to back down on the scheme.

He told the BBC that the government wanted to ‘go further’ but stated drawing the scheme wider would cause a ‘prison capacity crisis’.

The grieving father said he spoke to a victim liaison officer from the Probation Service on Monday who told him there would be no change with the early release in Waring’s case.

Mr Edwards added: ‘It just shows that the families, the victims, don’t get a say in any of this. It just shows they don’t care. It’s devastating to take.’

Liverpool Crown Court heard Chapman, who was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 48 years, went to Waring’s house following the shooting and asked him to look after the weapon used in the killing.

Mr Edwards said: ‘The gun has never been found. That gun is still out there. So what’s to stop him coming out and picking that gun up again, there’s nothing to stop him doing that, is there?’

Thomas Waring, 22, (pictured) could walk free from prison after serving less than half of his sentence

Connor Chapman, 24, (pictured) was jailed for a minimum of 48 years for Elle’s murder 

Undated handout file photo of a generic photo of a Skorpion sub-machine gun, similar to that used in the shooting which killed Elle Edwards

Mr Burnham, who is now on holiday, acknowledged the ‘anger, anxiety and distress’ caused to victims by the early-release plans. He said the exclusion of rapists and the worst paedophiles were ‘significant changes’ but acknowledged ‘there will still be concerns about other offenders having their sentences shortened’.

The Prime Minister said he had ‘wanted to go further’ but added: ‘It’s not possible without the prison system reaching capacity and collapsing, which would put public safety at much greater risk.’

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: ‘Andy Burnham wants a round of applause for agreeing not to release rapists and child sex offenders. He’s not getting one.

‘This is only a partial climbdown. Killers, violent offenders, men who have terrorised their partners and more will all still walk out of prison in October thanks to Labour’s early release scheme.

‘Yet again victims are learning their fate from press releases. The victims of these horrific crimes have suffered weeks of uncertainty and fear. They deserve so much better.’

Martin Jones, HM Chief Inspector of Probation, told BBC Radio 4’s PM programme that there ‘is a real risk that things will go wrong’ if more clarity isn’t provided over the government’s early release scheme.

He said: ‘The probation service needs time to plan for those releases. And I can’t overstate how important it is that the probation service has taken the steps necessary to ensure that we know where people will be living after they leave prison, what conditions are in place, what protections need to be in place in relation to, for example, drug treatment [and] mental health treatment.

‘So that’s the work that at the moment is on pause, but it’s absolutely so important the probation service has that clarity so that it can ensure that the necessary plans are in place.

‘And unless we get that [clarity], I think there is a real risk that things will go wrong.’