The four main European football leagues – the English Premier League, Spain’s La Liga, Italy’s Serie A and Germany’s Bundesliga – called on Friday for a reform of FIFA.

The sport’s governing body has been mired in crisis since the revelation of a plan, since shelved, to create a commercial company FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which would be open to private investors.

“Fundamental governance reform is essential to restore clear constitutional boundaries within FIFA, including confidence that individual disciplinary matters remain demonstrably insulated from political interference,” the four leagues wrote in a statement sent to AFP.

“We are speaking up together, as founding members of European Leagues and the World Leagues Association, because we understand how FIFA’s relentless expansionism affects everyone.”

The statement comes just days after FIFA president Gianni Infantino – who has come under fire since the FFE plan to bring private investment into the men’s and women’s World Cups – proposed “a consultation” of the national federations in order to reform the body’s governance.

Read moreFrench Football Federation pulls support from FIFA head Infantino’s re-election bid

“The FIFA president has now acknowledged the need for reform, but it is not enough for surface-level, process changes to be explored in the aftermath of FFE,” stated the four main European leagues, who went on to describe the project as “one of the biggest abuses of power in FIFA’s history”.

The four leagues, however, steered away from putting all the blame on Infantino’s shoulders.

“FIFA’s governance problem goes far beyond the role of one individual,” they said.

They propose the creation of a permanent body representing national associations, leagues, clubs and players, from across men’s and women’s football.

“This new body must be fully informed about new initiatives and have a meaningful role in FIFA’s decision-making process,” they added.

“Any major FIFA proposal must begin with a clearly defined rationale, supporting evidence and an independent assessment, published in advance of any decision, covering players, clubs, leagues and supporters, and evaluating the impact on all stakeholders and the development of football.”

They also called for the protection of FIFA’s role “as regulator and guardian of the game” from its commercial activities.

The four leagues put a call out for candidates for the FIFA presidency who will endorse their principles “within the first 100 days of the next presidential mandate”.

For now, Infantino is the sole candidate for the FIFA presidential election scheduled for March 18, 2027, with the submission of candidacies open until November 18.

UEFA, alongside North American body CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), issued a no-holds-barred joint letter against Infantino in August.

“Leadership in football is not a possession. It is not about holding – or demanding – power to be held,” they wrote.

However, Infantino is not without friends – 2034 World Cup hosts Saudi Arabia came out in support last month, with African football’s governing body CAF and South America’s CONMEBOL also supportive.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

The UK health and fitness sector could reach 17 million members by 2032 if its current growth trajectory continues, but operators will need to work harder to reach women, lower socioeconomic groups and older adults if the industry is to fulfil its potential.

Speaking at the HFA European Congress at London Stadium on 24 September UK Active CEO Cameron Saunders, highlighted the rapid growth of the UK fitness market and the opportunities still ahead.

The UK now has 12.2 million health and fitness club members – almost one in five people – with 679 million visits made to facilities during 2025 and £5.7 billion generated in membership income.

Between 2023 and 2025, the market added around 1.4 million members and 110 million annual visits, while membership income increased by £947 million.

Visits are now rising faster than membership, suggesting existing members are using facilities more frequently.

The UK’s mix of public and private provision was identified as one of its strengths. Private operators are driving growth through both new openings and increasing membership at existing sites, while public operators have generated growth largely from existing facilities, increasing both membership and visit frequency.

If current rates of growth were maintained, UK Active projects membership could rise to around 17 million by 2032 – equivalent to approximately one in four people – and 22 million by 2039, or around one in three.

However, Saunders warned against assuming growth will automatically continue at its current pace.

The biggest volume of members currently comes from 25- to 34-year-olds, with around 60 per cent reporting gym membership, while Gen Z participation appears to be plateauing at a high base.

Older adults are emerging as a particularly important opportunity. Membership among over-55s has increased by 44 per cent, according to data presented at the Congress, although participation remains considerably below that of younger age groups.

Saunders said this demographic could have some of the most significant health gains from becoming more active, while also potentially reducing pressure on the NHS through prevention.

The analysis also highlighted inequalities in the industry’s recent growth.

Participation among ABC1 socioeconomic groups has risen strongly, while growth among C2DE groups has been much more modest. The barriers are also different: ABC1 consumers are more likely to identify cost as an issue, while confidence and psychological barriers are more significant among C2DE groups.

Male participation has also been growing faster than female participation, widening the gender gap.

The session formed part of the opening programme of the 2026 HFA European Congress, which is bringing together health and fitness leaders from more than 35 countries at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

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Manchester City have been found guilty by an independent commission over the club’s 115 breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules, according to The Athletic.

City insist the process “remains ongoing” surrounding the charges relating to providing accurate financial information and failing to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) over a nine-year period, between 2009 and 2018.

City were referred to an independent commission in February 2023 following a four-year investigation by the Premier League – one City were also accused of failing to co-operate in.

City had denied any wrongdoing throughout the process and announced their “surprise” when they were referred to an independent commission.

A City spokesperson told The Athletic: “The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality. As such Manchester City FC’s position remains consistent with the club’s statement of February 2023.

“The club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis the Premier League board and executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair minded regulator, free from partisan influence.”

Now, the club will have the chance to appeal against the decision of one of the most significant court cases in the history of sport.

Regardless of the judgement, both sides – the Premier League and Manchester City – knew they would have the chance to appeal within 14 days of the ruling.

Such an appeal would trigger a fresh three-person commission to look into the case, the members of which will be selected by Murray Rosen KC, the chair of the Premier League’s judicial panel.

This would lead to a further delay of the imposition of any sanctions or points deductions until the appeal process is complete.

However, the decision of the three-person commission would be final. City would not be able to turn to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas), unlike a previous case.

In February 2020, City were found guilty of breaking Uefa’s financial fair-play (FFP) rules and were given a €30m (£26.3m) fine as well as a two-year European ban.

But after the case was taken to Cas, the ban was lifted five months later and the fine was reduced to €10m (£8.8m).

Cas said City showed “blatant disregard of Uefa’s investigative process” but cleared them of “disguising equity funds as sponsorship contribution”. City said this ruling was “validation of the club’s position and the body of evidence that it was able to present”.

The club also aided by the fact Uefa statute only allows prosecutions within a five-year period, which meant most of the alleged breaches “were either not established or time-barred”. The Premier League did not have this problem of a cut-off, allowing them to bring charges against the club going back to 2009.

City have been England’s most successful team since the club’s fortunes were transformed by Sheikh Mansour’s takeover in 2008. The club won the Premier League three times between 2009 and 2018, a period in which the club also won one FA Cup and three League Cups.

Under manager Pep Guardiola, City won the Premier League in 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, including an unprecedented run of four in a row. In 2023, the club also won the Champions League for the first time, completing a historic “treble” of major prizes.

There probably isn’t a stranger game to open Connacht’s season. Two of last season’s URC play-off teams meet at Dexcom Stadium, but the sides actually taking the field are very different to the full-strength versions of Connacht and the Stormers.

Connacht finished eighth in the 2025/26 URC before losing away to Glasgow in the quarter-finals, while the Stormers finished third and reached the semi-finals.

International commitments have ripped through both squads, particularly the visitors, and the impact can be seen clearly in the betting market.

1. The Missing Internationals

Both teams are significantly below full strength, although the Stormers have been particularly badly hit by Springbok duty.

2. Connacht By The Numbers

There was plenty to like about Connacht’s underlying numbers during the 2025/26 season. They wanted the ball, played at a high tempo and generated plenty of attacking opportunities.

Connacht averaged 53.6% possession, the highest figure of the four Irish provinces, while their average ball-in-play time of 38 minutes 41 seconds was also the highest.

They averaged 178.9 passes, 134.3 carries and 111.5 rucks per game, with an average ruck speed of just 3.5 seconds.

Their defensive workload was enormous too. Connacht averaged 197.2 tackles per game while maintaining an excellent 89.7% tackle success rate.

The scrum operated at 93.4%, although an 85.6% lineout success rate leaves obvious room for improvement.

3. Why Galway Matters

Connacht enter Round 1 having won their last five home matches in all competitions, while the Stormers have won just once on their last five visits to Ireland.

The overall URC head-to-head favours the Stormers by four victories to two, but the most recent meeting went Connacht’s way.

4. Mack Hansen Is Back

There is also a Connacht debut for loosehead Francois van Wyk, while Academy back-rower Max Flynn is in line to make his senior debut from the bench.

With Ciarán Frawley unavailable, Josh Ioane starts at out-half alongside Ben Murphy, while Cathal Forde’s return gives Connacht another powerful option in midfield.

5. Connacht Starting XV

6. DHL Stormers Starting XV

7. Three Areas That Could Decide It

8. Match Officials

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Teofimo Lopez has considered the physical and psychological hurdles that Jaron Ennis would need to overcome against Terence Crawford.

While he claims to be happily retired, there appears to be a popular demand for Crawford to return to the ring and face two-division unified champion Ennis.

This is in spite of ‘Bud’ calling time on his career in December, having become a three-division undisputed king by dethroning Canelo Alvarez with a unanimous decision victory.

But while this legacy-defining moment arrived at 168lbs, most would argue that the five-division world champion was more effective at 147lbs, where he defeated Errol Spence Jr with a ninth-round finish in 2023.

Ennis, meanwhile, moved up from welterweight and dethroned Xander Zayas for the WBO and WBA world super-welterweight titles in June.

As a result of his seventh-round stoppage, many now consider him the top dog at 154lbs, where he aims to become the undisputed king by defeating fellow champions Josh Kelly and Sebastian Fundora.

Equally, though, the 29-year-old would gladly enter a showdown with Crawford who, even at 38, is regarded by Lopez as the superior fighter.

Speaking with Ring Champs, ‘The Takeover’ highlighted Crawford’s mental strength as a reason for backing the modern great if he ever locks horns with Ennis.

“Crawford [would win]. For Boots to fall into a trap like that [Crawford teasing his comeback] … he’s not prepared [to get] in the ring [and] go all the way, physically.”

While mentioning Crawford’s appetite for a game of chess, too, Lopez is perhaps suggesting that Ennis would fall short in the tactical department of their possible contest.

Richard and Will Freedman had initially thought Magnatear would be a doubtful starter in the 2026 Shannon Stakes. However, a reconsideration has led to the consistent gelding being entered for the race.

The original strategy was to give Magnatear one more run in the Alan Brown Stakes (1400m) prior to his main objective, the $3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick on Melbourne Cup day.

Will Freedman conveyed that the decision was made to give the seven-year-old an additional start this weekend, ensuring he reaches peak fitness for the major November feature.

“We’d hate to be half a run short coming into the Big Dance, so we thought we’d give him an extra run now rather than try to squeeze one in after the Alan Brown if we felt he was slightly underdone,” Will Freedman explained. “It will be this one, then the Alan Brown, and then the Big Dance.”

Magnatear has been a standout performer for the Freedmans since joining their stable just under two years prior.

Having earned a spot in The Big Dance by winning the Muswellbrook Cup (1500m) in March, he returned with what many consider a career-best effort when runner-up to Skyhook in the Theo Marks Stakes (1300m).

The gelding has recorded seven wins and 15 placings from 32 career starts, amassing over $750,000 in prize money, and Will Freedman highlighted his importance to the stable’s success.

“He’s a fine wine. He just gets better,” he commented. “I was having a conversation with a friend of mine and he said, ‘he’s so good for your business’, and I said, ‘no he’s actually terrible for my business because if he wasn’t around there might have been times I could have gone on to a different career and lived a comfortable life!’ He just keeps coming back and he’s so honest. If you had a barn full of horses like him you’d be very happy.”

A field of ten runners is set to contest the Shannon Stakes, with the victor receiving exemption from ballot and penalty for the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick the following week.

Magnatear has drawn the inside alley and has a solid record when racing second-up, having only missed a top-three finish on one occasion in five starts.

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Connections of Freshman are set to receive an immediate assessment of the three-year-old’s capabilities when he makes his debut in the Listed Heritage Stakes at Rosehill.

Trainer Bryce Heys, usually measured in his horse placements, has been drawn to the small field of eight, combined with the natural talent and progression his charge has exhibited at home.

While acknowledging the considerable task Freshman faces in competing in a Listed race on debut, Heys anticipates the colt will hold his own.

“The reason we’ve always liked him is the way he works,” Heys said. “When you teach him something, he’s always wanted to come to the party. It’s obviously a big ask on Saturday, but he’s in great order and he’s a lovely horse.”

The colt, by Wild Ruler, was bred in New Zealand and purchased for $380,000 from the 2025 Karaka sale. He underwent two trials in preparation for Saturday’s Heritage Stakes (1100m), winning his most recent hit-out, although he did tug for rein early. Heys attributed this to a lack of pace in the heat, rather than any indication of bad manners.

“They went very slow in that last trial. It wasn’t a true reflection,” Heys commented. “He will come back off the bridle. He has always been a touch immature, but he’s always had a sharp level of ability and just physically gotten stronger each time he’s been in work.”

Heys also has the lightly-raced Banjora entered in the TAB Handicap (1100m), but a decision on whether the gelding resumes from an awkward draw will be made on race morning.

Having won his first three starts, the five-year-old then placed in the Gosford heat of the Provincial-Midway Championships (1200m) before finishing fourth to Lord Of Biscay in the Wildcard (1400m). Lord Of Biscay subsequently claimed the Final.

“I’m not in a hurry to get him started. He’s obviously drawn a bit tricky,” Heys stated. “It’s just the fact he’s first-up and starting first-up quite higher in grade than he has previously, so I’m mindful of that, despite his ability. We’ve got him in there as if we’re going to run, but I haven’t committed to that yet.”

Heys described Banjora as a robust gelding who would benefit from racing, and added that he has had an uninterrupted build-up. “We love the horse, but I don’t have a grand plan for him,” he said. “I just feel he needs a little bit of racing. He may get himself somewhere this time around, but I just want him to have a good ‘prep’ where he sets himself up for a really nice autumn.”

Aaron Bullock is booked to partner both of Heys’ runners.

The Heritage Stakes is a key race for the three-year-olds, and punters are checking the racing odds at various bookmakers.