Sports
FIFA Make VAR Change Before 2026 World Cup Semi-Finals
FIFA have made a VAR change ahead of the 2026 World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina.
The two nations go head-to-head for the first time since November 2005 at the Atalanta Stadium on Wednesday night. Lionel Messi, 39, faces the European country for the first time in his illustrious 22-year professional career.
England are bidding to reach only their second-ever World Cup final, 60 years after winning football’s most prestigious tournament back in 1966.
Argentina, on the other hand, are aiming to reach their seventh World Cup final. The reigning champions are hoping to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the World Cup.
The winners of Wednesday’s semi-final will face Spain, who stunned tournament favourites France with a sublime team performance at the Dallas Stadium on Tuesday. Goals either side of half-time from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro sent La Roja through to their first World Cup final since 2010.
VAR Change For World Cup Semi-Finals
The Mirror are reporting that video assistant referees (VAR) for England’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina will be located inside the Atlanta Stadium, rather than operating from a separate location.
It’s understood that criticism and mounting scrutiny over standards at this summer’s World Cup have forced FIFA into making the change for both semi-finals.
World football’s governing body have taken evasive action following a number of contentious decisions during the quarter-finals.
VAR officials previously worked from a central hub at the International Broadcast Centre in Dallas, regardless of where each World Cup game was being played.
But FIFA’s decision, following fierce scrutiny around refereeing standards, represents a significant change in how the tournament’s review system operates.
The move reduces the risk of any potential technical issues arising regarding communication between the referees and VAR officials.
“There’s a lot of drama that unfolds in these games,” Dan Hunt, Owner of FC Dallas and FIFA World Cup Organising Committee member, said. “And look, when you are asking only four officials to manage what’s going on on the field, it’s very difficult on a field that’s much bigger than an American football field.
“I’m glad that there’s gonna be on-site. I don’t know what that communication’s gonna look like.”
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Ismail Elfath will take charge of the England vs Argentina semi-final. FIFA’s appointment of the Major League Soccer (MLS) official has been met with criticism but Pierluigi Collina, chairman of FIFA’s referees committee, will have full faith in the Morocco-born American ref’s ability to do a good job in what promises to be challenging circumstances.
Sports
Tottenham Make Offer to Sign Victor Osimhen
Tottenham Hotspur have identified Savinho and Cody Gakpo as two signings they still want to make before the September 1 deadline, but talk is increasing that a new striker could still arrive too.
Roberto De Zerbi’s Tottenham rebuild is coming together nicely so far, with bundles of Premier League experience in north London, and Spurs’ transfer record broken twice for Mateus Fernandes and then Sandro Tonali.
As can be the case, it is the attacking additions that are taking the longest to get over the line, with all the club’s six additions so far being either goalkeepers, defenders or midfielders.
De Zerbi has confirmed that he is expecting two or three more signings before the transfer window shuts, with Savinho and Gakpo widely reported as two players the Italian wants at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next term.
Progress is slow however, with Manchester City seemingly wanting to land a replacement for Savinho before they have any intention of finalising an agreement with Tottenham, with the two parties having already held talks over a potential transfer 12 months ago.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are looking to add to their frontline following the exit of Mohamed Salah, rather than losing someone like Gakpo, who was a regular starter last term.
Of course, if the Reds complete some incoming business then things could change, but it remains a complicated deal to do.
Tottenham Make £55m Approach to Sign Victor Osimhen
According to a report from CaughtOffside, Tottenham have made an approach worth £55m to sign Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen.
Tottenham have been linked with a number of different strikers in recent days, including Folarin Balogun and Nicolas Jackson, with a transfer likely to be pursued should either Dominic Solanke or Richarlison leave the club in the next few weeks.
It appears more like that the latter would leave than Solanke, who it has often been claimed De Zerbi is a big fan of, with the Brazilian consistently linked with a move away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
While there has been no official approach or direct contact between Spurs and Galatasaray yet, they are sounding out potential offers for a player that the Turkish giants are said to value at £65m.
Osimhen is a Huge Nicolas Jackson Upgrade
While Jackson would join Tottenham with that Premier League experience that De Zerbi seemingly craves, there is no doubt that Osimhen has proven he is a level above his fellow African striker in recent years.
Since joining Chelsea in 2023, Jackson has scored 41 goals in club football, for the Blues and on loan at Bayern Munich last season.
In the same time-frame, Osimhen has 76, and he has been scoring at a rate of knots for Galatasaray across the two previous campaigns.
It was the Nigerian’s spell at Napoli that was most impressive though, as he was one of the key figures in Napoli’s historic 2023 Scudetto win, shining alongside Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in attack.
Osimhen has that X-Factor and has been labelled as the ‘best striker in the world’ by his international manager. While that is more than up for debate, he is clearly a player who deserves to be playing among the elite, and he looks to have all the attributes needed to be a big hit in the Premier League.
Sports
Newcastle Shake Hands to Sell Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal for £75m Fixed Fee
Newcastle United have agreed to shake hands with Arsenal on a deal to sell Bruno Guimaraes for a record-breaking fee, according to Lee Ryder.
The Magpies have been adamant they did not want to sell their captain this summer after already losing Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali for a combined fee of £170m, as they moved to Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur respectively.
But Arsenal have been pushing to find an agreement for the Brazilian, and after further talks in Spain, a deal is now on the verge of being agreed.
Newcastle Close to Agreement With Arsenal
According to Chronicle Live, Guimaraes flew out to La Manga to link up with his current teammates for pre-season training, but held talks with new manager Matthias Jaissle and club chiefs to discuss his future.
The 28-year-old confirmed his desire to leave St James’ Park and move to the Premier League champions, with a deal until 2031 already agreed, and confirmed that he was not interested in discussing a new contract with the Magpies either.
Newcastle have now agreed to let him leave after talks with Arsenal reached a pivotal stage, and it’s now expected that they will shake hands on a deal worth a fixed-fee of £75m – making him the most expensive ever midfielder in his age bracket.
Chronicle Live understands that the entire £75m fee will be paid up front and with zero add-ons, making the deal much more beneficial to Newcastle as they look to replace their star man, with the new manager faced with a major rebuild.
A medical is expected to take place later this week, and Newcastle will now turn their attentions towards the future.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Arsenal Level Up Title-Winning Midfield
Arsenal won the Premier League as the best team in England last season, and they also reached the Champions League and Carabao Cup final. But by adding the former Lyon star to their midfield, they have managed to level up their squad.
Alongside Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi, plus Martin Odegaard, Eberechi Eze, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, the Gunners have got one of the deepest midfields around, and they have multiple different profiles for a number of scenarios.
Guimaraes will add leadership, ability and top-level experience to a team that is already winning, and Mikel Arteta has got his top target into the Emirates Stadium.
Sports
Remo President Slams ‘Bum’ Neymar After Santos Clash
Neymar has been labelled a “bum” as eyebrow-raising footage of the Brazilian’s behaviour following Santos’ 1-0 win over Remo goes viral on social media.
The 34-year-old, who confirmed his retirement from international duty last week, entered the fray as a second-half substitute in the Copa do Brasil Round of 16 second leg and provided the assist for the only goal of the tie, scored by Rony.
However, the situation turned ugly as the players returned to the dressing rooms after full-time.
Footage has emerged showing Neymar taunting Remo’s furious players, officials and several fans near the mixed zone.
According to Brazilian outlet Metropoles, Neymar shouted: “Eliminated! Eliminated!”
Those on the Remo side of the fence also made ‘obscene gestures’ to Neymar. Watch the footage below:
Neymar Slammed by Remo President Antonio Carlos Teixeira
Remo president Antonio Carlos Teixeira was livid with Neymar’s behaviour, telling reporters: “A great campaign [the one from Remo]. Now, feeling of being harmed, Santos doesn’t need that.
“And this bum Neymar, who is idolised by a bunch of children, who did his antics here, still came to provoke. So, we are guilty of idolising a bunch of bums like this guy.”
Football fans have been left saddened by the footage of Neymar, one of the great entertainers of his era, reduced to such childish antics.
One football fan wrote on Reddit: “It’s definitely one of the most embarrassing career endings I can recall. The fact that it’s not even quick but a slow spiral full of embarrassing little incidents like this, makes it even more embarrassing.”
Another said: “Just retire please…”
While a third fan added: “Don’t lower yourself to this.”
Reason For Neymar’s Behaviour Emerges
However, an explanation for Neymar’s post-match behaviour appears to have emerged.
Metropoles claim Neymar was “very harassed” by the fans inside Remo’s Mangueirao stadium. “It was possible to hear screams and curses directed at the player,” they add.
It seems Neymar, still receiving abuse from some people associated with Remo after the final whistle, snapped.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star worked hard to work himself into contention for Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad before receiving the surprise call-up from Carlo Ancelotti.
However, the forward only played two matches, scoring his one goal of the tournament from the penalty spot in Brazil’s 2-1 defeat to Norway in the last 16.
Neymar was also involved in an altercation with Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland at the time, leading to fans accusing him of not focusing enough on saving Brazil from a humiliating World Cup exit.
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