City threaten Prem clubs

GM football fans. Route One here, and we’re covering City’s letter to Premier League clubs, Valencia fans detained in Singapore and much more. Enjoy Route One? Share us with a friend on WhatsApp with this link.

TONIGHT’S WOMEN’S UCL STATS

Man City vs Barcelona (20:00 UK). Barcelona have dominated European football, winning three of the last four Champions League trophies. Both sides are unbeaten in their last five games in all competitions. Bayern Munich vs Arsenal (17:45 UK). Bayern were unbeaten in 22 league matches to win back-to-back league titles last season, but they are winless in their last four games in all competitions.

Plus…

• Women’s Champions League results (More)

• Andreas Iniesta officially confirms retirement at 40 (More)

• Cristiano Ronaldo’s former Chesire mansion up for sale (More) / w video

• Pep’s right-hand man to leave City at the end of the season (More)

• Messi, Bellingham and Yamal to become Adidas’ three main athletes (More)

• Wayne Rooney charged with misconduct over Plymouth red card (More)

• Ipswich Town’s Axel Tuanzebe injuries himself while washing the dishes (More)

CITY THREATEN MORE ACTION

Man City sends letter to clubs to say they’ve been ‘misled’ by Premier League’s APT statement

Manchester City have sent a letter to the 19 other top flight clubs to accuse the Premier League of “misleading” them over Monday’s ruling on Associated Party Transactions (APT) rules. Both City and the Premier League claimed partial victories following the tribunal’s findings on Monday.

City’s general counsel, Simon Cliff, wrote the letter rubbishing the Premier League’s claim of victory over the verdict. The letter states that APT rules are “unlawful” and therefore “void and not capable of enforcement”. Despite this, the Premier League has called an emergency meeting for next Thursday with all 20 clubs to discuss potential changes to its rules. Cliff’s letter threatens further legal action if clubs now push through swift amendments to the rules on APTs.

The Premier League argue that the tribunal endorsed the objectives of the APT rules; the framework and the decision-making process behind them. As such, the Premier League are understood to reject City’s claim that their verdict was misleading. More details on the APT ruling in yesterday’s newsletter here.

POLL

HEAD START

🇺🇾 Suarez calls out Bielsa. Luis Suarez has said that Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa has divided the national team to the point where some players are considering quitting the squad. He believes the culture has soured and that “players are going to reach a limit and explode”. Federico Valverde has defended his teammate’s comments, adding that: “What Suarez said is all true. He didn’t lie or exaggerate”.

🚩 Chelsea and Nottingham Forest charged by FA. Both clubs have been charged by the FA for failing to control their players after a mass confrontation during Sunday’s game. Both clubs have until Thursday to respond to the charge. However, no action will be taken against Nicolas Jackson after appearing to slap Forest’s Morato.

💰 Aguero sues Barca. Sergio Aguero is suing his former club Barcelona for €3mn, which he claims the club still owes him as per his contract. He joined the club in 2021. His time at the Catalan club was cut short when he was forced to retire due to a heart issue.

VALENCIA FANS DETAINED

Valencia fans held in Singapore for criticising club’s owner Peter Lim

Two Valencia fans have been detained in Singapore for criticising the club’s owner Peter Lim. Daniel Cuesta and his wife were spending their honeymoon in the country and were blocked at Singapore’s international airport by two people dressed in plain clothes. The day before, Cuesta had posted images on social media with a banner reading ‘Lim go home’.

The couple were blocked from flying to Bali and had their passports removed. Spanish outlet, El Confidencial, is confident that only a minimum financial penalty of $1,000 for vandalism will be imposed and the couple will be released. The Spanish Embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are advising the couple.

Libertad VCF, a group representing Valencia fans opposed to Lim’s ownership, issued a statement demanding “political and diplomatic” intervention. Valencia released a statement neither supporting nor condemning the action. Lim took over in 2014 and fans blame him for the club’s steep decline. They are currently 18th in La Liga winning only one of their first nine games.

AROUND THE FOOTBALL WORLD

🇫🇷 Ligue 1: Kolo Muani does not feel supported by PSG or manager Luis Enrique and could look to exit the club after a year (More) / in Spanish

🇩🇪 Bundesliga: Florian Wirtz is reportedly set to leave Bayer Leverkusen in 2025 with Bayern Munich as his preferred destination before moving abroad (More) / in German

🇳🇱 Eredivisie: Jordan Henderson could leave Ajax and return to Sunderland, where his professional career began (More)

🇪🇬 Egyptian Premier League: SC Zamalek are still considering signing free agent Sergio Ramos despite the defender’s lofty salary expectations (More)

🇧🇪 Belgian Pro League: Tottenham coach Ryan Mason in talks to become Anderlecht’s head coach (More)

ROUTER’S VOICE

Yesterday, we asked you: Are legal disputes in the Premier League a sign of a deeper problem?

🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🚩 Absolutely, changes need to be made... (92%)

⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ 🥱 Nope, these disputes will blow over... (8%)

Editor’s note: This is one of our most decisive votes to date!

Your punditry takes:

• 🚩 M.B: “Too many people/egos involved with too much money think they can do what they want, without giving a hoot about regulations or fairness to the supporters. No one wins out of these disputes no matter how the verdicts are dressed up. "It's all about the Benjamin's!" as Big Meeks would say!”

• 🚩 G.H: “The Premier League not being controlled by the FA has made it the uncontrollable beast, at some point, it has got to stop.”

• 🥱 S.P: “These disputes have been brewing for some time. Once the 115 case is over, I think they’ll all realise it was all an utter waste of time and money.”

EXTRA TIME

When a team goes nine games without scoring, it’s only right to remind your players where the goal is.

Opta’s Championship predictions updated.

Pochettino’s speech ahead of his first USMNT training session.

How realistic are Man Utd's Champions League hopes?

Iniesta had a knack for scoring important goals… 

… and don’t forget this one in the Champions League.

Only Adama Traore can outpace Kyle Walker by so much.

Guti’s assist to Zidane was one of the greatest ever.

Wayne Rooney talks Ten Hag, Plymouth and England.

GAME FACE ON

We have two questions for you today. Given the legend Andreas Iniesta has officially announced his retirement, it’s only right that these questions are Iniesta-themed.

Question: Who played the pass which set up Iniesta's World Cup final-winning goal?

Question: While growing up, Iniesta had a poster of which Barcelona player on his wall?

Scroll below for the answer.

ON TODAY

Women’s Champions League

• Bayern Munich vs Arsenal (17:45)

• Man City vs Barcelona (20:00)

• Valerenga vs Juventus (17:45)

• Hammarby vs St Polten (20:00)

*All times in UK. EST -5. PST -8. CET +1. CST +8. JST +9.

Answer

Cesc Fabregas played the ball for Iniesta to score against the Netherlands in the 116th minute.

Pep Guardiola. Manchester City’s coach later admitted that he watched Iniesta play at 14 and said he “reads the game better than me”.