Marcus Rashford’s future of Manchester United is still a huge uncertainty despite the fact he looked set to depart Old Trafford this summer

Former Manchester United assistant manager Rene Meulensteen has warned the club may get stung if they sell Marcus Rashford to a Premier League rival. Rashford, 28, remains a United player after Barcelona chose not to exercise their option to buy him permanently.

He has been linked with Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Arsenal, all of whom are direct Premier League rivals to United. Spurs were recently described as the ‘most likely’ destination for the England international, following links to a £30million move to north London.It’s understood Rashford could still be re-integrated into Michael Carrick’s side this summer. In Meulensteen’s view, this may be preferable, as he believes the United academy graduate could make his former side pay if he is sold to another Premier League side.

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Speaking to Andy’s Bet Club, Meulensteen, when asked if the situation could be similar to United’s decision to sell Scott McTominay, who has gone on to star for Napoli, replied: “Would selling Marcus Rashford be a repeat of selling Scott McTominay?

“I don’t think people see Scott McTominay the same way. He moved because the club wanted to sell, and he has done brilliantly since. People might wonder if United sold him too early.

“But selling Marcus Rashford to a direct competitor like Arsenal or Chelsea could really hurt you. He is still a player who can make a difference. Ideally, if United sell him, they should sell him abroad.”

Meulensteen also encouraged Carrick to have a dialogue with Rashford to see where his head is at and how he could be of use to the Reds. He added: “Michael Carrick is the type of person who recognises Marcus’s qualities.

“They need an open conversation so Marcus understands what is required. Michael Carrick won’t want to bring someone back if it creates another problem. If the clarity is there, he would be happy to bring him back into the fold.

“However, with the other players available, there wouldn’t be a guaranteed start every week. The fact that it is taking so long to find clarity suggests there is still something brewing in the background. If all parties were happy for him to come back, they would likely have made that clear very quickly.”

In terms of attacking options, United’s main threats are Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Amad Diallo, with Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount often operating in the space behind the striker.

Patrick Dorgu was also repackaged as a left-winger under Carrick, where he scored many key goals before injury sapped his momentum last season. United still have more pre-season friendlies to play.

They face Atletico Madrid in Stockholm tomorrow, Paris Saint-Germain in Gothenburg on August 8, Leeds United in Dublin on the 12th and AC Milan in Wroclaw, Poland on the 15th, before their Premier League campaign begins against Hull City on August 22nd.

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FIFA President Gianni Infantino was under increasing pressure on Friday as global opposition grew to his controversial private investment plans and one of his senior advisors resigned in protest.

The football world was rocked earlier this week when it was reported that FIFA, the sport’s global governing body, was planning to sell a stake in a new commercial subsidiary to private equity investors close to US President Donald Trump, prompting widespread outrage.

European football’s governing body, UEFA, quickly condemned the plans with its 55 member associations voting unanimously to boycott future FIFA competitions — including the next men’s World Cup in 2030 but potentially starting with the under-20 Women’s World Cup on September 5 — were the plans to be implemented.

The Europeans soon received backing from CONCACAF, the regional body representing 41 North American and Caribbean football federations, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) with its 47 members, technically robbing Infantino of majority support among FIFA’s 211 member associations (MAs).

FIFA advisor Cordeiro steps down

On Friday, the pressure on FIFA grew even more when Carlos Cordeiro, former head of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and more recently a senior advisor to both Infantino and President Trump during this year’s men’s World Cup, resigned in protest at the plans, which he described as a “bad deal for football.”

In statement, Cordeiro, 69-year-old former partner at Goldman Sachs, questioned why FIFA needed to seek private equity investment at all given its unprecedented World Cup profits, and criticized a lack of transparancy, oversight and due process surrounding the plans.

“FIFA already has access to extraordinary financial resources,” he said. “The organization sits on billions of dollars in reserves and no debt. The FIFA president himself has highlighted the $15 billion in revenue generated [during FIFA’s last four-year World Cup cycle] between 2022 and 2026.

“If member associations believe additional investment is needed to develop the game, FIFA already has the financial capacity to provide that support from its existing resources. Against that backdrop, selling a permanent stake in football’s most valuable asset to raise $4.2 billion makes little sense. It is mortgaging football’s future without any compelling justification.”

FIFA: ‘Nobody is selling football’

Despite the opposition voiced by UEFA, CONCACAF, AFC and individual national associations including the German Football Federation (DFB), FIFA had earlier doubled down on its plans to establish “FIFA Forward Enterprise” (FFE).

The subsidiary, valued by FIFA at around $20 billion (€17.5 billion), would be responsible for FIFA’s commercial rights like broadcast, sponsorship, ticketing and licensing contracts for its competitions, including the World Cup, but would sell a non-controling minority stake worth $4.2 billion to private equity investors.

The proposed investor consortium is expected to be led by “Thrive Eternal,” a fund run by “Thrive Capital,” in turn founded by Joshua Kushner, the brother of US ​President Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

“Nobody is selling football. ‌This is not something FIFA would ever entertain,” FIFA said in statement earlier on Friday, slamming “incorrect media reports” without issuing clarification and what precisely was wrongly reported, and insisting that it would proceed with its “consultation process” — with member associations obliged to make a decision by September 19.

“FIFA [member associations are] now being asked to believe that outside investors are needed to unlock greater value. I do not accept that proposition,” said Cordeiro.

“Most troubling of all is the absence of answers to fundamental questions: Why this deal? Why now? What oversight exists? Who benefits? Was there a competitive process? What governance will be in place? What will investors ultimately gain, and at what cost to football?”

UEFA lead FIFA criticism, threaten World Cup boycott

European football’s governing body UEFA, which has been at loggerheads with FIFA and Infantino for years and criticized the global body throughout the recent World Cup over expensive ticket prices and the Folarin Balogun red card affair, had come out publicly in opposition to the plan within an hour of it first being reported by the Financial Times and Times on Tuesday.

“No UEFA national teams will participate in any FIFA competition for so long as these proposals remain alive, unless this proposal has been abandoned in its entirety and binding assurances have been given that FIFA will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership,” UEFA said in a statement after a unanimous vote by its 55 member associations at a hastily convened emergency meeting on Thursday.

“The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product … No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, political criticism came from new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, a keen football supporter and one of the first European leaders to criticize the FIFA plans earlier in the week,

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“My view is strengthening [that] this was an outrageous suggestion,” said Burnham on Friday. “The idea that it could even be brought forward, in my view, shows that the FIFA general secretary [Infantino] is the wrong man to lead the organization.”

CONCACAF and AFC join opposition

Shortly after, North America’s soccer body CONCACAF also unanimously rejected the FIFA plan, though it stopped short of threatening a boycott by its 41 members.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) also issued a scathing letter to its 47 member associations and warned the FIFA proposal would never succeed without the support of all six regional blocs.

“While the immediate debate centres on FFE, the AFC considers this issue extends far beyond a single proposal. Rather, it has exposed fundamental weaknesses in FIFA’s consultation and decision-making processes that must now be addressed,” read an AFC statement. 

“This is not the first occasion where major stakeholders have been confronted with significant initiatives after the direction of travel appears to have already been determined. Such an approach undermines confidence in FIFA’s governance framework and diminishes the authority of its statutory bodies.”

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African body CAF said it would convene an executive committee meeting next week to look into the proposal, saying in a statement:

“CAF is committed to continue consulting and working together with its Member Associations, FIFA, other Football Confederations and stakeholders in support of increasing financial and other resources for the development and growth of football in Africa and worldwide,” it said.

South America’s CONMEBOL has yet to comment, but its president, Alejandro Dominguez, recently spoke out in favor of a further expansion of the men’s World Cup to 64 teams in 2030 — which would effectively result in all but one South American nations qualifying automatically.

Amid the outrage over the investment plans, the Press Association reported on Friday that FIFA was indeed pursuing precisely such an expansion, with a decision expected by August 14.

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Germany: What has the DFB said?

Germany’s mass-circulation Bild paper reported that key UEFA officials including German Football Federation (DFB) President Bernd Neuendorf had already discussed the FIFA plans via a video call on Wednesday.

“We must not lose the fans’ support, but we are well on the way to squandering that,” Neuendorf told public broadcaster ZDF, adding:

“I consider this to be extremely problematic and unacceptable. If UEFA rejects this request [for approval of the plan], then it is dead, because I believe that you won’t be able to find any investor who would be willing to go ahead with this project if UEFA is out.”

It’s not the first time that the DFB has crossed swords with FIFA. At the Qatar World Cup in 2022, Germany’s men’s team covered their mouths before a game in protest at not being allowed to wear a “One Love” rainbow armband to support LGBT+ rights.

German football also has recent experience of similar private equity investment proposals. 

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In 2024, the Bundesliga was forced to abandon plans to sell a share of its TV rights to foreign investors due to fan protests that included tennis balls and remote control cars with smoke bombs being thrown onto pitch during matches.

Such actions are commonplace in German football, where the so-called 50+1 ownership model bars single investors owning a majority stake in a club and ensures fans retain more power than elsewhere in the world.

Read more on Germany’s response to the FIFA plans here.

Edited by: Darko Janjevic

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A half-sister to the distinguished Cox Plate champion Anamoe has notched a timely win at Sandown, with the breeding season drawing nearer.

Blue Willow, a mare by Blue Point from Anamato, herself a daughter of Redoute’s Choice, emerged victorious in the IVE> Handicap (1600m) on Wednesday.

Although the race was not a ‘Black Type’ event, it nonetheless represents a city win for Blue Willow, a significant factor for her pedigree, according to Jack Turnbull, National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing.

The favourite at $2.40, with apprentice Jabez Johnstone aboard, Blue Willow triumphed by 1-¾ lengths over Baywatch ($9). Tempranillo ($5.50) secured third place, trailing by an additional 6-½ lengths.

“That’s her Grand Final,” Turnbull declared. “That’s a great result for Godolphin and everyone involved.”

He further commented, “She’s a talented mare but it hasn’t worked out for her in the last couple of starts with barriers and race patterns. It was a good ride by Jabez. He took his time, got on the back of something and had a bit of fake cover and kept her balanced and it was good to see her finish off.”

Anamoe, who amassed 14 wins from 25 starts, including the 2022 Cox Plate and nine Group 1 races, is now commencing his stud career.

Mirroring his half-sister’s achievement, Anamoe’s first metropolitan win was also at Sandown, where he won the Merson Cooper Stakes on his second start.

Turnbull indicated that the stable would follow the guidance of the Godolphin team, which includes Australian Managing Director Andy Makiv and Racing and Bloodstock Manager Jason Walsh.

“The breeding season is coming up, and she does have a lot of quality and value there,” Turnbull stated. “It’s great to get the win there and we can work the rest out later.”

Johnstone, having ridden the Godolphin-owned Custom to victory at Caulfield the prior Saturday, expressed his satisfaction in securing another win for the Royal Blue colours.

“I mentioned last Saturday that it’s an absolute privilege to be riding in these colours and winning in them,” Johnstone said. “She handled the conditions very well and to win the way she did without being under the stick, was a pretty dominant effort.”

Blue Willow was the second of four winners for the Maher and Johnstone combination, who also saluted with Stay Silent in the Sportsbet Jockey Watch Handicap, Foire De Trone in the Sportsbet Race Replays Handicap, and Here’s Matilda in the Tile Importer Handicap.

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Bobbi Flood has committed to a busy two months, culminating in a slot on the undercard of Katie Taylor’s farewell fight at Croke Park, Dublin, on September 5.

Before that, the 21-year-old must take care of business on August 1, featuring on the undercard of Pierce O’Leary vs Mark Chamberlain at Dublin’s 3Arena.

At the same time, though, it is impossible to ignore what lies beyond his third professional outing, especially with Flood telling Boxing News that he remembers celebrating Taylor’s success in 2012.

“It’s going to be really special. After winning gold at the London Olympics, Katie came back to Bray [Ireland] and did an open-top bus tour.

“I remember going down to see her back then, so to now be fighting on her undercard, at Croke Park, is just mental.”

Around a year after witnessing one of Ireland’s most decorated athletes, Flood was struck with grief following the passing of his mum.

Even now, the Queensberry prospect uses boxing as a coping mechanism, pushing aside his emotions – even if just momentarily – while he pounds the bag and smashes the pads.

“Boxing’s always been my gateway away from the emotional stuff. With me missing my ma, boxing’s always kept me busy.

“And when I lost my granddad two years ago, I ended up winning a national title. Boxing’s just my way of coping.”

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The national title Flood speaks of is just one of his many amateur accolades, while the ultimate goal was always to claim Olympic gold.

Due to a slight change to the light-middleweight limit, however, the Dubliner decided to turn pro a little sooner than expected.

“The goal was always to become an Olympic champion but, with the weights changing, it wasn’t meant to be. So now I want to become a world champion in the pro game.

“With them changing the weight class from 71 to 70kg, that 1kg was too hard to get off when you’re holding the weight for so long. And 80kg was just too big of a jump.”

While initially gutted to abandon his Olympic dream, it was perhaps a blessing in disguise that Flood turned pro as early as he did.

He has, after all, managed to develop a tight bond with head coach Stephen ‘Swifty’ Smith, building a strong foundation from which to fine-tune his skills in Liverpool.

“I couldn’t be happier training with ‘Swifty’. He treats all of his boxers like his own kids, which is crazy because he must have about 20 kids running around.

“Away from the gym, I just keep myself busy with this little fella [picks up a dog]. He keeps me busy enough, cleaning up his p**s and s**te.”

One of the benefits to training in Liverpool is Flood’s access to top-class sparring, allowing him to share rounds with the likes of Caoimhin Agyarko and fellow amateur standout John Joe Carrigan.

Chelsea have been fined £10m and given a suspended two-window transfer ban by an independent appeal board after admitting breaches of Football Association agent rules, the FA has announced.

The Blues were charged last September with 74 alleged breaches of the FA’s rules around agent regulations, concerning its use of unauthorised agents or unregistered intermediaries when signing new players and then submitted false and misleading documentation to the FA. They primarily related to the seasons between 2010/11 to 2015/16, which came under the ownership of the Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.

The FA appeal board’s written reasons reveals Chelsea “plainly disregarded” the rules and made undisclosed payments to agents or third-parties when signing players such as the Brazilian forward Willian and striker Samuel Eto’o during that time.

In 2022, after Abramovich was forced into selling Chelsea to BlueCo following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the club’s new owners became aware of historic instances of potential rule-breaking during its due diligence process and self-reported the breaches. The club admitted to all 74 breaches but an independent regulatory commission imposed a six-point deduction, suspended until 2027, as well as a £10m fine.

Chelsea have successfully appealed against the six-point penalty, which was instead replaced by the suspended two-window transfer ban. The club said on Friday that it welcomed the FA’s verdict, although the FA will continue to investigate “individual misconduct arising out of this case”.

Chelsea were separately fined £10.75m and handed a suspended transfer ban in March after reaching a settlement with the Premier League over the same historical breaches, relating to secret payments to players and unlicensed agents during transfers dealings 2011 and 2018.

In 2023, Chelsea also reached a £8.6m settlement with Uefa for “submitting incomplete financial information” between 2012 and 2019. It means the club have been fined a total £29.35m in three different investigations since reporting the breaches to the FA, the Premier League and Uefa. Chelsea also confirmed that the FA’s punishment “brings all regulatory proceedings against the club to a close”.

A club statement said: “Chelsea Football Club is pleased to confirm that a final decision has been reached by The FA’s judicial bodies in relation to historical regulatory matters that were self-reported by the club.

“In 2022, the club self-reported potential historical rule breaches to all applicable regulators. Following that report, it has worked openly and transparently with all regulators, including voluntarily and proactively disclosing many thousands of documents.

“As previously announced, settlement agreements have been entered into with Uefa and the Premier League concerning the same self-reported regulatory matters and topics that have been addressed before.

“The club is pleased to confirm that, now The FA process has concluded, this brings all regulatory proceedings against the club to a close. We are grateful to Uefa, the Premier League and The FA for their engagement with the club throughout these processes.”

In its written reasons, the FA’s independent regulatory commission found that, despite admitting to the breaches, Chelsea did not gain an “actual sporting advantage” and determined that “a sporting sanction of a points deduction, albeit suspended, was an excessive sanction”.

Under Abramovich’s 19-year ownership, between 2003 and 2022, Chelsea won 21 major trophies, including two Champions Leagues, five Premier Leagues, five FA Cups, two League Cups and two Europa Leagues.

Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ RJ Abarrientos during a game vs Meralco Bolts in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Barangay Ginebra returned to the win column in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup after defeating a depleted Meralco squad, 84-75, at Mall of Asia Arena on Friday night.

The Gin Kings took advantage of a shorthanded Bolts side missing Bong Quinto, CJ Cansino, Jason Brickman and Raymond Almazan to improve to 2-2 in Group B after their previous loss to Rain or Shine.

“We just trusted our offensive game plan. We trusted each other and we all got momentum so that’s what’s most important for us,” Ginebra guard RJ Abarrientos said.

“Not having Scottie (Thompson) and JB (Justin Brownlee) is such a big loss for us but we’re still whole. We just need to play our roles because nobody can fill both of their shoes. We just need to step up.”

Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ Riley Grigsby during a game vs Meralco Bolts in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

The Gin Kings took control early against the Bolts, opening an 18-10 lead after the first quarter and never looked back.

Abarrientos topscored for Ginebra with 27 points, three rebounds, three assists and a steal. Import Riley Grigsby finished just a rebound shy of a double-double with 25 points and nine boards.

Antonio Hester dominated for the Bolts with a double-double of 24 points and 18 rebounds in the defeat. Chris Banchero, meanwhile, topped all Meralco locals with 15 points.

The win temporarily lifted Ginebra to third place, while Meralco dropped into a tie for fourth with Blackwater at 2-3.

Horse racing has always combined tradition with innovation.

While the sport still follows long established rules and celebrates historic races, digital technology has changed how fans watch, follow, and engage with it. From live streaming and mobile betting to advanced performance data, technology has made racing more accessible and more informed for casual viewers and experienced followers alike.

Many of these changes have happened over the past two decades as internet access, smartphones, and data analysis have become part of everyday life. Today, fans can watch races from different countries, compare statistics within seconds, and place bets from almost anywhere that local regulations allow. The horse racing at NetBet Sport is just one example.

Live streaming has expanded access

Watching horse racing once depended on attending the track or following television broadcasts. Live streaming has changed that by making races available on computers, tablets, and smartphones.

Many racecourses, broadcasters, and licensed betting operators now provide live coverage of domestic and international events. This wider access allows fans to follow races from multiple jurisdictions without needing dedicated television channels.

Streaming has made it easier to watch replays. Viewers can review races to examine how horses performed, how races developed, and how different track conditions affected the outcome.

Data plays a bigger role

Digital platforms provide much more information than printed racecards once could. Form guides now include detailed records covering previous performances, distances, track surfaces, jockey statistics, trainer records, and recent results.

Some services present sectional timing, speed figures, and historical comparisons where available. These statistics help racing enthusiasts evaluate races using objective information rather than opinion alone.

Professional racing teams have adopted technology to support training and performance analysis. GPS tracking, fitness monitoring, and video review help trainers assess conditioning and identify areas for improvement while keeping horse welfare in focus.

Mobile betting has changed fan habits

The growth of smartphones has transformed how many people place bets. Licensed betting apps and websites allow users to browse racecards, compare odds, and manage their accounts without visiting betting shops.

Many platforms include live odds updates, race notifications, and integrated streaming where permitted. These services make it easier for users to follow racing throughout the day.

Regulated operators are also expected to provide responsible gambling tools. Deposit limits, spending summaries, time reminders, and self exclusion options are commonly available to help customers manage their betting activity.

Social media keeps racing connected

Social media has become an important communication channel for racecourses, trainers, jockeys, and racing organizations. Fans can receive updates about declarations, race results, weather conditions, and major announcements in real time.

Behind the scenes content has also become more common. Training videos, interviews, and stable updates give followers a closer look at the preparation involved before race day.

For racing organizations, social media provides a direct way to promote events and engage with audiences without relying solely on traditional media coverage.

Technology supports integrity and welfare

HD race footage, electronic timing systems, and improved data collection help racing officials review races accurately and apply regulations consistently.

Horse welfare has benefited from advances in veterinary technology, diagnostic imaging, and health monitoring. These developments allow medical teams to identify certain health issues earlier and make more informed decisions about treatment and recovery.

Many racing authorities have also introduced digital record keeping for veterinary checks, registrations, and compliance processes, helping improve transparency across the industry.

What the future may bring

Traditional race meetings remain at the heart of the sport, but digital services have changed how people experience them. Whether someone is watching a live stream, reviewing performance statistics, or following updates on their phone, technology has become a practical part of modern horse racing while preserving the competition that has attracted audiences for generations.

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Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal is arguably the hottest commodity ahead of this year’s trade deadline. The speculation around Skubal’s future in Detroit started last season when he had one year left on his contract.

The speculation intensified earlier this year before his historic arbitration case, where the two-time Cy Young winner negotiated a record-shattering $32 million salary for the season.

With Skubal reportedly on the table in his final year of contract, the Los Angeles Dodgers have emerged as the strongest suitor. The Dodgers’ interest in Skubal has once again sparked the controversial narrative about the two-time defending World Series winners “ruining” baseball.

The Dodgers’ interest in one of the best players in the league has become a norm over the years. The NL West team has acquired several high-profile names, including two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani on a record-breaking $700 million deal, over the last few years.

Ohtani’s massive deferred contract also raised questions about the Dodgers bending the rules in their favor. However, the Dodgers have been shrewd with their contract deals and have utilised the massive local revenue to build a star-studded team.

The Dodgers’ massive contracts, including a four-year, $240 million deal for Kyle Tucker in January, have the fans asking for a salary cap. While the league proposed a salary cap, the Major League Baseball Players Association has opposed the hard cap.

Will a trade for Skubal make the Dodgers the favorites for athree-peat? Yes. But will it guarantee success? No. Despite their star-studded roster, the Dodgers were pushed to the limits by the Toronto Blue Jays in the World Series last year.

The Dodgers’ model might seem unfair to smaller market teams, but their schemes should only encourage other team owners to spend more money for a competitive roster.

Dodgers emerge as favorites for Tarik Skubal ahead of trade deadline

The Dodgers’ aren’t the only team interested in Tarik Skubal but they are front-runners to land the two-time Cy Young winner because of their deep and talented farm systems.

Despite the narrative that the Dodgers are competing only because of their big signings, their talented prospects allow them to move for a high-profile players who is set to become a free agent after the season.

While the Tigers will lose their best player after failed extension negotiations, they will shed his remaining $9.5 million salary and drop below the $244 million competitive balance tax line.