English football now has a new law that puts fans first. A new bill called the Football Governance Act has passed and gives power to a new body that will watch over the men’s game in the top five leagues. This independent regulator will ensure clubs are run correctly, protect fans’ rights, and keep football safe for years to come.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer called it a proud moment for English football. He said the law will make the game stronger and fairer. The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) also said this is a big win for fans.
The idea for the regulator came from a fan-led review. It was first pushed by the former Conservative government in March 2024, but didn’t become law before the election. Labour brought it back after winning and passed it. The regulator is expected to launch later this year.
What the regulator will do
The new football regulator will bring key changes to how clubs are run. It will set new rules to stop poor owners and protect clubs from money troubles. Here’s what it will do:
Make clubs show strong financial plans
Block owners who don’t meet tough new rules
Give fans a real say in club changes
Ban clubs from joining closed leagues like the failed 2021 European Super League
Protect club identity like team colours, badges, and stadiums
Help make sure money is shared fairly between leagues
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said this law will stop clubs from being ruined by bad owners. She mentioned clubs like Wigan, which faced financial problems in the past. She said this move will put fans back where they belong, in the room when big decisions are made.
EFL chair Rick Parry called the law a ‘watershed moment’. He said it will help clubs move up or down the leagues without risking collapse.
The future for fans and clubs
Some people, like West Ham vice chair Karren Brady and others in the Premier League, do not fully support the law. They think it may hurt how clubs compete and spend money. Still, many fans welcome the change. Groups like Kick It Out say the new rules will protect clubs and include all fans in key decisions.
Fans from Reading, a club that suffered from bad owners, say this law is long overdue. Jobs were lost, and the club nearly fell apart. They believe the new regulator will help stop that from happening again.
Kevin Miles from the FSA said fans helped push this bill through and will work with the new regulator to keep clubs safe.
A huge step for English football
This new law is a big deal. It gives power back to the fans, protects club history, and makes sure owners can’t just do whatever they want. Football fans now have more voice, more safety, and more power in the game they love.
Rishabh Pant showed true grit by batting through a foot injury on day two of India’s fourth Test against England. After being hit on the boot by Chris Woakes and unable to walk the day before, the 27-year-old resumed on 37 and scored 54 before Jofra Archer bowled him.
Fans gave him a warm cheer as he walked in and another loud applause when he left, limping. He even hit a six off Archer, showing glimpses of his usual aggressive style despite clearly being in pain.
Due to the injury, Pant will not keep wicket for the rest of the match. Instead, substitute fielder Dhruv Jurel, who had replaced him at Lord’s, will take over behind the stumps.
India hasn’t shared many details about the injury, and it’s still unclear if Pant will play in the rest of the series. He may still bat again if needed.
Pant has been one of the best performers in the series. His latest half-century took his total runs to 479 — the most by any wicketkeeper in a single Test series in England, breaking a record held by Alec Stewart.
As a new generation of football stars begins to shine, several well-known players have decided to hang up their shoes and retire. Whether they were known for their leadership, technical skills, or iconic moments on the field, these names will always be remembered in football history. Look at some of the most notable footballers who retired in 2025.
Marcelo
Brazilian football star Marcelo retired in February 2025 at the age of 36. He is known for his time with Real Madrid, where he played for 15 seasons. He made 546 appearances and helped his team win 25 trophies, a feat that the club appreciated. Despite being a popular Madrid star, he is also well-known for his time in the Brazilian national team, where they won a Confederations Cup in 2013.
He left Real Madrid in 2022 and played for Greece’s Olympiacos for a short time, but then he returned to Brazil as a member of Fluminense. In 2023, he earned a Copa Libertadores award before leaving the team by mutual consent in November.
Pepe Reina
Just when people thought he wouldn’t retire anytime soon, the Spanish goalkeeper finally hung up the gloves in May 2025 at the age of 42. The legendary goalie has played for many top clubs such as Liverpool, Napoli, Bayern Munich, and Villareal.
He is best known for his time with Liverpool, where he helped secure multiple trophies and received the Premier League Golden Glove award for three consecutive years. In his earlier years, he also played for Spain during the Euro 2008 and 2012, as well as the 2010 World Cup.
He received a warm farewell after his final match with Como in Italy. He plans to become a coach and work with Villarreal’s youth team.
Adam Lallana
Adam Lallana, the former Liverpool and England attacking midfielder, retired from professional football at the age of 37. He began and ended his career at Southampton, and played also for Brighton and Liverpool.
He is also known for his time with Liverpool, where he won the UEFA Champions League, the Premier League, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup. During his days, he also helped Southampton (his original team) to reach the top of their game.
When he finally decided to retire, Lallana announced it via an emotional message online, expressing his pride and appreciation for his career. Right after his announcement, he became a first-team coach at Southampton under manager Will Still and is now a part of the coaching staff.
Simon Kjær
Former Denmark national team captain, Simon Kjær, retired in 2025 after playing for AC Milan. He was a strong and reliable centre-back with a long career in top leagues across Europe, including Italy, Germany, and Spain.
He became widely respected for his leadership on the field and especially for his bravery and quick thinking during the Euro 2020 incident, when he helped teammate Christian Eriksen, who was suffering from cardiac arrest. Kjær will be remembered not just for his football, but also for his character.
Toby Alderweireld
Belgian defender Toby Alderweireld called time on his football career in 2025 after almost 20 years in the field. He played for some of the biggest clubs in the industry, including Ajax, Atlético Madrid, and Tottenham Hotspur, where he was known for his defensive skills and impressive field techniques. At Spurs, he formed a strong partnership with Jan Vertonghen, and together, they became a key part of the team’s back line.
In 2022, he returned to his hometown club Royal Antwerp and made history by scoring a last-minute goal that won them their first Belgian Pro League title in 66 years. After one more season, he decided to hang up his boots. With over 120 appearances for Belgium, Alderweireld leaves behind a career full of big moments and solid performances.
Felipe Melo
Brazilian Felipe Melo, known for his gritty and fearless midfield play, officially retired on January 24, 2025, at the age of 41, after a long career spanning Brazil and Europe. He played for top clubs including Juventus, Inter Milan, and Galatasaray, where he earned the nickname ‘Pitbull’ for his aggressive style, winning several league titles in Turkey.
He returned to Brazil later in his career, playing for Palmeiras and then Fluminense, where he won the Copa Libertadores in 2023. Melo wasn’t shy about retirement plans because he had already mentioned wanting one final run at the new Club World Cup before his contract ended in December 2024. He leaves a legacy of tough tackling, leadership, and a trophy‑filled career that included 22 caps for Brazil and multiple domestic and international honours.
Jonny Evans
Jonny Evans hung up his boots in June 2025, wrapping up a 19‑year playing career that saw him make 241 appearances for Manchester United, win three Premier League titles, the Champions League, two League Cups, and the FA Cup win at Leicester City in 2021.
Right after the announcement, Evans moved into a new role at Manchester United, becoming the Head of Loans and Pathways. With this new career, he’ll work with the academy and director of football to guide young players into first-team football. He expressed gratitude to fans, teammates, and club staff, looking forward to shaping the next generation of talent in a proud transition from player to mentor.
Appreciating the legacy of these football icons
They may have retired from the field, but their history and legacy will forever be etched in the football world. From impressive feats such as Golden Glove awards to being remembered as a saviour of their teammate suffering from a life-threatening situation, Marcelo, Pepe Reina, Adam Lallana, Simon Kjær, Toby Alderweireld, Felipe Melo, and Jonny Evans will always be football legends at heart.
This year, Italy has qualified for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Next summer, they’ll be playing against top teams like India and Sri Lanka, but don’t expect them just to wave ‘ciao’. Be ready to see a fierce and well‑prepared side. Italy’s captain, Joe Burns, says the qualification feels surreal. It’s a story of guts, hard work, and careful planning.
Planning and preparation: The road to success
You might wonder how Italy pulled off this upset. It wasn’t luck, it was careful planning. Burns told ICC Digital that they trained extensively: a week in Rome, followed by a week in the UK. On day one back in Rome, he told the team: ‘I don’t care if we’re playing Luxembourg in the first Sub-Regional game or India in a World Cup Final. I just want us to be the most prepared team in world cricket’.
With this, they looked at every detail: the pitch, the format, the opponents. By the time they took the field, they had run through every possible scenario. Nothing surprised them. They just did what they had practised.
Dominating in Voorburg
At the European Regional Final in Voorburg, Italy, they will not play as underdogs but as game leaders. They hit all the right notes: strong batting, clever bowling, and sharp fielding.
In one big match, they beat Scotland decisively, winning by 12 runs after putting up a solid score of 167. Burns says they even studied how the pitch would behave and tailored their plans to suit that. Their strategy at work was on autopilot, as they knew exactly how they had prepared.
Adapting on the day
Burns explains they needed to play smart in a match that allowed only narrow losses. Against the Dutch, Italy fell behind early, but you would have seen how they shifted gear. They recovered, set a decent score of 133, and then relied on their spinners.
Burns trusted Crishan Kalugamage and Ben Manenti to lock things down. You watched them bowl with patience and precision, slowing the game and forcing mistakes. The team called this ‘damage control’, and it worked.
A leader with heritage
Burns had a successful Test career with Australia and qualifies to play for Italy thanks to his family ties. In early 2024, before Sub‑Regional qualifying began, he set a clear goal: he wanted Italy’s success to inspire players with Italian roots around the world. His shirt number, 85, honours his late brother Dominic.
He believes that fans can now see a team that came together because of shared stories. In Rome, they spent time talking about culture, family sacrifices, and heritage. Some players and their ancestors moved to or from Italy, which strengthened the squad’s bond.
Burns says this goal goes beyond the 11 players on the field. They want a legacy, more funding, more facilities, and new generations who choose cricket in Italy.
Grassroots and growth
Cricket is growing fast in Italy. With the sport now linked to the Olympics, the Italian National Olympic Committee is helping. You will soon see better training grounds, maybe even turf wickets, for local clubs.
There are over 100 clubs in Italy now. Some players come from those clubs and now represent the national side. But Italy’s coach, Kevin O’Brien, admits they’ve also used player‑eligibility rules. You’ll see names like Emilio Gay, Thomas Draca, Grant Stewart, and brothers Ben and Harry Manenti boosting the squad.
Wayne Madsen will rejoin soon, too. These players brought skills and experience, but you should focus on the coaching group, who bring decades of Associate‑level wisdom. They have former players from Canada, Scotland, Ireland, and Australia involved.
The coaching team
Former Canada international John Davidson is the head coach. Former Scotland all‑rounder Dougie Brown and Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien assist.
O’Brien joined in 2022 after retiring as a player. He watched the team grow, so he saw more than just cricket skills improving. He saw attitude, fitness, cricket smarts, and hunger improve, too. He compares their journey to Ireland’s win over Pakistan in the 2007 World Cup. At that time, he was playing. He sees the same spark in Italy now.
Learning from associates
Burns stresses how hard Associate‑level teams have to work. You don’t just play matches, you play for funding, for survival. That pressure builds tough characters. The coaches had walked this path themselves. So they’re not just coaches, they’re guides who know the road.
Eyes on the 2026 World Cup
Now that Italy has qualified, you should expect a new challenge. Burns says he’d love to face India, Australia, and England, the best. He wants Italy to go in at the deep end. That’s what this team wants: no easy matches, no safe plays.
For fans, the hope is this: Italy’s success will bring Italians together worldwide. Some live in Italy, others have Italian roots and live far away. Burns wants all of them to feel proud and connected.
What you should know going forward
Italy’s path to the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup is a major step for their cricket journey. For the first time, they earned a spot in the men’s tournament, showing how far a team can go with the right mix of planning, training, and pride. Built on strong roots and a shared goal, the squad brought together players from many backgrounds. Now, they face bigger tests ahead, but their story is already one that could spark a new wave of hope, much like Ireland did in 2007.
The journey is just beginning
Italy’s cricket story is more than a surprise win. It’s a blueprint for growth: smart tactics, hard work, unity, and heritage. If you follow them into the 2026 World Cup, expect to see a team that’s not just participating, they’re competing.
Italy wants more than wins; they want to change how people in Italy and Italians around the world see cricket. You may find yourself cheering them on, not just as underdogs, but as a team that earns respect through discipline, culture, and pride. Stay tuned, Italy is ready to show you what it can do on the world stage.
Marcus Rashford has joined Barcelona on a season-long loan from Manchester United. The 27-year-old forward called the move a fresh start and said Barcelona feels like home.
Barcelona will pay his wages this season, and the deal includes a €30 million option to make the move permanent next summer. Rashford agreed to a pay cut to seal the transfer.
He pointed to manager Hansi Flick as a big reason behind his decision. Rashford liked how the coach led a young squad to success and came into preseason with the same energy.
He also shared that he tried to join Barcelona in January but ended up at Aston Villa instead. There, he scored twice in 10 matches and said the experience helped him feel sharper and more confident.
Barcelona believe Rashford’s pace, finishing, and ability to play across the front line will strengthen their attack. His contract was signed and announced on Wednesday.
British CS2 pro player William ‘Mezii’ Merriman has made esports history by becoming the first player to get a custom hashtag on X (formerly Twitter). The Team Vitality player now has two branded hashtags: #kingmezii and #mEZii, both showing a yellow-and-black ‘M’ with a crown, reflecting his rising status.
Mezii revealed them on July 23, 2025, with X’s official UK account and many big names joining the online celebration. He also teased a major update coming on July 25.
This year has been huge for Mezii. In June, he became the first UK player to win a CS Major when Team Vitality took the top prize at the BLAST.tv Austin Major. Since February, the team has not lost a single event, winning titles at Intel Extreme Masters (IEM), BLAST Open Spring, BLAST Rivals, and ESL Pro League Season 21.
Mezii is now seen as one of the UK’s top esports stars. Based on data from Esports Earnings, he has earned $935,135 (£690,868) in career winnings, second only to Jaden ‘Wolfiez’ Ashman, who made $1.3m (£960,469) in Fortnite.
Jack Leach took 6 for 63 as Somerset beat Durham by five wickets in just two days at the Cooper Associates County Ground. The left-arm spinner struck fast, with support from Archie Vaughan, who picked up 4 for 85, as Durham were bowled out for 190 in their second innings.
Durham had begun the day at 5 for 2, still 100 runs behind, but Emilio Gay and Ben Raine showed resistance. Leach and Vaughan then tore through the line-up. Leach claimed his second six-wicket haul in a row, while Vaughan maintained pressure with key strikes.
Set just 86 to win, Somerset chased the target in 19.2 overs, but not without a few scares. Callum Parkinson took 4 for 39, and wickets fell fast, leaving Somerset at 58 for 5. But Tom Banton stayed calm, hitting an unbeaten 33 to seal the win.
The match ended swiftly with plenty of overs left in the day, as Somerset closed out a sharp and complete team performance. Leach’s spell turned the game and kept Somerset strong in the Division One race.
Topias ‘Topson’ Taavitsainen has returned to Dota 2 after months of break. The two-time The International (TI) champion went inactive in September 2024, with plans to retire after he placed third at TI 2024 with Tundra Esports. Months later, he’s also reported to have served his mandatory military service.
Since then, fans have been eagerly awaiting his return. He made his comeback on Monday, July 21, through a casual Twitch stream. He posted this announcement on his X (formerly Twitter) account. However, fans were already seeing signs of his return two months back when his ranked matches appeared on Dota 2 tracking sites like Dotabuff.
Topson’s return has sparked fresh excitement in the Dota 2 community. Many hoped this was a lead-up to a full return to the pro scene.
Will Topson return to Dota 2 pro?
Despite the buzz, Topson has made it clear that his comeback is limited to casual play and streaming. Back in September, after the TI 2024, Tundra Esports announced his retirement from pro play.
In his comeback stream, fans were quick to ask him about his plans, to which he easily addressed by saying he has no plans to return. ‘Nope, not joining any team. Career is over,’ he said.
‘Swing hard’ — That is Mitchell Owen’s plan when he’s batting. It doesn’t matter who it’s for or where he’s playing; what matters is that he stays true to this guiding principle. The world saw what that entailed in his international debut against the West Indies on 20 July 2025 at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica.
What went down in Sabina Park? Australia vs West Indies
What happened in Sabina Park was a thrilling comeback for Australia in their T20I series opener against West Indies. Australia won by 3 wickets with 7 balls to spare, chasing down 190 after West Indies posted 189/8. It was a close match, one that they almost lost if it weren’t for Mitchell Owen’s half-century.
It was the ninth over and Owens was given the middle-order role, batting against a 4-78 difference that innings. Under pressure but not out of hope, the 23-year-old batter reached his 50th run after 27 balls. It resulted in Australia’s victory in the first match of the T20I series against West Indies, putting them ahead by 1-0.
Sport-wide significance: Why is this a big deal?
Owen was not the only member in the Australian team to reach a half-century, nor was he alone in turning the tide for the team. Cameron Green also reached 51 runs from 26 balls in the game. In their last innings, Owen and Green put together an 80-run stand and gave their team the momentum they needed to make a comeback.
What makes Owen’s feat so special, not to undermine Green’s contribution, is that this is the first international participation for the 23-year-old Tasmanian batter. Australian cricket fans celebrate the fact that they have one more aggressive batter in their national team. Owen is also the first Australian ever to score a fifty on a T20I debut.
Cricket fans should expect Owen to be a pressure player
Mitchell Owen’s debut was an impressive display of batting strength and an unexpected reversal of what was originally a losing match. That’s what makes him stand out in the sea of talent, even against other half-century scorers that day like his teammate, Green, or Shai Hope and Roston Chase from the West Indies.
The surprising chase for 190 runs happened while Owen was burdened with tremendous pressure. His 80-run stand with Green was built on taking calculated risks and attacking with full intent to beat the odds. That’s the batter Australia needs, and cricket fans can look forward to seeing him grow in future intense T20 cricket.
Owen’s debut was a glimpse of raw talent, and his ability to perform strongly enough to shift momentum in tight situations shows his value as a power-hitter. With the right guidance and more international exposure, he could become a staple in Australia’s international teams. For fans watching this new era of cricket to unfold, he’s one of the top names to remember.
Hamza Igamane is getting a lot of interest from teams across Europe. Dutch club Feyenoord is said to be getting ready to make their biggest-ever offer to sign the Rangers striker. The 22-year-old from Morocco has become one of the most exciting young players in Scottish football after a strong season in Glasgow.
Igamane joined Rangers from AS Rabat in July 2024. He had a quiet start, but things changed after a great game in the Europa League against OGC Nice. After that, he quickly became an important player under the team’s new coach. He scored 16 goals across competitions, including three goals in one match against Hibernian in January.
Feyenoord, now led by new head coach Robin van Persie, is leading the chase. Record Sport says the Dutch club is ready to spend up to £15 million to sign Igamane. This would beat their current record signing of £10 million for Sem Steijn. Club president Toon van Bodegom is backing coach Van Persie this summer, and Igamane is said to be one of the top names on their list.
More teams are showing interest, with French clubs Rennes and Lille also watching closely. However, Lille is said to have pulled out because the price is too high. Feyenoord’s move looks strong, and the deal could go through soon if talks go well.
