INVESTIGATION: Fleetwood Town in England's third tier are owned by a convicted fraudster. Owner change is required but, 10 months on, hasn't happened.

There's a banner of him on the halfway line, and he recently recorded a message for fans from prison... theathletic.com/5310045/2024/0…

My interview with Arsenal loanee Albert Sambi Lokonga, a player who has put a difficult time behind him and is now thriving at Luton.

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Chelsea make contract offer to Lyon head coach Sonia Bompastor to replace Emma Hayes who leaves for the #USWNT at end of season.

Nothing finalised yet and negotiations ongoing. Bompastor’s contract with Lyon expires in 2025.

The Athletic | Football

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Nigeria take on hosts Ivory Coast to decide the kings of the continent at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe.

Follow the #AFCON2023 final here ⬇️

In Abidjan, I interviewed the man accused of smuggling Amad Diallo and Hamed Junior Traore out of Ivory Coast and into Italy. He was really angry and denied he was a trafficker. Amidst charges, fines, accusations and silence, I left his home conflicted. theathletic.com/5240403/2024/0…

📈 Upturn in pressing intensity
💎 Ross Barkley the playmaker
👀 Tactical tweaks + surprises
🤝 Long ball meets keep ball

Luton Town blew Brighton away and are playing like a team who will be in the Premier League next season.

Here's why they are good ⬇️
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I had the privilege of interviewing world champion athlete and Scouse icon Katarina KJT.

We talked about her love for Liverpool the city and the club. Plus her Olympic dream, best mate Jodie Comer and why #LFC are inspiring KJT again.

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Hello, hola and welcome to The Athletic’s live blog covering the draw for Copa America 2024.

16 teams are waiting to discover their fates…

Follow the draw ⤵️

Erling Haaland starts for Manchester City at the Etihad, despite an injury scare, but Jack Grealish misses out with illness.

#MCFC | #LFC

Follow #MCILIV in our live blog here ⬇️

Novak Djokovic presenting Aitana Bonmati with her Ballon d’Or (sort of, as they momentarily forgot the trophy) was just another moment when women in football felt like an afterthought.

My column for The Athletic | Football ⬇️
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James Justin's last #LCFC goal was scored 350 days ago, in the same game that he ruptured his Achilles.

He has had to be patient since Maresca took over, but now looks at home in the new system.

My piece from last night's game for The Athletic | Football ⬇️
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🚨 Morocco, Portugal & Spain set to stage 2030 World Cup
🚨 To mark 100yrs of #FIFAWorldCup first 3 games to feature Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay at HOME
🚨 Opening ceremony + rest of event in host nations (all 6 qualify)
🚨 2034 in Asian or Oceana confeds
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117-year-old Southend could be liquidated on Wednesday. Under owner Ron Martin, they are staring into abyss.

They’ve had:

▪️ Just 13 players for some games
▪️ 18 winding up petitions since 2009
▪️ Failed stadium project
▪️ Players playing with injury

📝 Michael Bailey

A defence of Neymar, one of the best players I’ve seen. Longevity/consistency in Europe to match any other Brazilian attacker, unique as a goalscorer in both CL & Libertadores final, Brazil’s all-time record scorer, yet often spoken about like he’s Kerlon.
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■ 'Me playing in Saudi is a positive'
■ 'It's not about money'
■ 'I understand criticism from LGBTQ+ groups'
■ 'You have to respect Saudi religion & culture'
■ 'If one person at #LFC asked me to stay, I would have'

Jordan Henderson speaks to David Ornstein & Adam Crafton

Exc:
🚨 Man United chief executive Richard Arnold told the club’s executive leadership team in first week of August that the club planned to bring back Mason Greenwood. The club then aborted scheduled announcement for August 4. Details The Athletic | Football

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Obvious (& undeniable) thing to level at Jordan Henderson is hypocrisy. But the more damaging cost is how sport’s silence is bought on LGBT issues just as a global social authoritarian streak threatens rights & freedoms of so many.
My piece The Athletic | Football
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Love Island Finalllyyyyy, he’s finally out!

Exclusive: Leeds United’s chairman Andrea Radrizzani offered to use the club’s Elland Road stadium as security for a £26m bank loan which his company, Aser, and a bidding partner, Gestio Capital, intended to use to complete a takeover of Sampdoria.

📝 Adam Crafton and Phil Hay

Premier League clubs have voted for a landmark ban on gambling companies sponsoring the front of shirts.

More from Luke Bosher

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