Prem vs City stalemate

GM football fans. Route One here, and we’re covering City vs the Premier League in ATP ruling, Manchester United’s executive meeting and much more. First time reading? Sign up here. Enjoy Route One? Share us with a friend on WhatsApp with this link.

TONIGHT’S WOMEN’S UCL STATS

Chelsea vs Real Madrid (20:00 UK). The Blues are unbeaten in their previous four meeting against Real Madrid, having won two and drawn two. Lyon vs Galatasaray (17:45 UK). Lyon are expected to win given they’re unbeaten in their last 11 group stage matches, with a record of seven wins and four draws. Celtic vs Twente (20:00 UK). Celtic make their debut in the Women’s UCL after defeating Ukrainian team Vorskla Poltava 3 – 0 on aggregate in the final qualifying round.

Plus…

• Opta’s latest Premier League points prediction (More)

• Gary Lineker in conversations over new contract with BBC (More)

• 16-year-old, who scored 10 goals in one game, signs from Arsenal to Man United (More)

• Andres Iniesta teases retirement in tearful video (More)

• Jhon Duran rewarded contract with Aston Villa until 2030 (More)

• Kane fit for England but Konsa, Mainoo and Gibbs-White ruled out (More)

PREMIER LEAGUE CIVIL WAR

Man City and Premier League both declare victory in landmark APT case, but both without resounding win

Manchester City and the Premier League both declare victory after the landmark legal battle over associated-party transactions (APT) rules. APT rules are in place to stop clubs from inflating the value of sponsorships with companies linked to the clubs’ owners. This is separate from the 115 alleged charges against City – and unlikely to impact that case.

City, who brought the case forward as they felt “discriminated” by the rules, were quick to claim victory with a statement. But the Tribunal only made two findings in their favour. First, interest-free loans from shareholders will now be included within the scope of the APT rules after City claimed it was unfair to exclude them. Clubs like Arsenal who have borrowed £200mn in interest-free loans are now at risk of beaching Profitability and Sustainability Rules. Second, the League is being forced to undo some amendments it made to APT rules in February.

The Premier League said the ruling was not a triumph for City. In their eyes, there are only “a small number of discrete elements” that will be changed to the ATP rules. Ultimately, the Tribunal deemed the rules as necessary and the League will continue applying them. In truth, neither side can declare a resounding victory.

Chelsea, Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Everton acted as witnesses in favour of City. Whereas, Liverpool, Wolves, Arsenal, Bournemouth and West Ham submitted evidence supporting the Premier League.

POLL

HEAD START

😬 Reading hit with fresh transfer embargo. The League One side has been handed a fresh transfer embargo by the English Football League due to filing their accounts late. The club is hopeful the embargo will lift once the overdue accounts are finalised. But, on a positive note, Reading has entered into a new period of exclusivity with an unnamed buyer. This comes after a deal fell through with former Wycombe Wanderers owner Rob Couhig. They sit 16th in League One.

❌ Fifa suspends Como player. Como’s Marco Curto has been given a 10-match ban by Fifa for racially abusing Wolves forward Hwang Hee-chan in a pre-season friendly. Head coach Gary O’Neil said he spoke to Hwang and offered him the opportunity to abandon the match. But the South Korean forward chose to continue and complete the game. Wolves complained to FA on July 15. Como deny accusations and accused Wolves of “blowing the incident out of proportion”.

🟨 Chelsea on track to break yellow card record. The Blues have picked up 27 yellow cards in their opening seven games. If they continue at this rate, Enzo Maresca’s men will finish the league season with just over 146 bookings. Chelsea currently holds the record with 105 yellow cards last season, four more than previous record-holders Leeds United.

ERIK TEN HAG’S FUTURE

Manchester United executive team will meet today to discuss Erik ten Hag’s future

Manchester United say they will remain “measured” when considering next steps over how to move forward with Erik ten Hag. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford have a long-scheduled catch-up in London, which will also be attended by chief executive Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox.

There is no indication internally at the club that Ten Hag is to be sacked, but if the decision is taken, assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy is favoured to take over as caretaker manager. The Dutchman managed PSV Eindhoven for all but one match of the 2022-23 season, winning the KNVB Cup.

The timing of today’s meeting is not due to United’s poor form. Instead, it’s due to the availability of all required attendees given the international break. But United have won only three of 11 games in all competitions this season, and only Southampton have scored fewer Premier League goals. Jonny Evans admitted that uncertainty surrounding the manager’s future is impacting player morale at the club.

AROUND THE FOOTBALL WORLD

🇫🇷 France national team: Kylian Mbappe faces criticism in his home country for skipping Nations League games while being available for Real Madrid (More)

🇳🇱 Netherlands: Former Netherlands and Barcelona midfielder Johan Neeskens has died at the age of 73 (More)

🇪🇸 La Liga: Robert Lewandowski is one goal away from surpassing Gerd Muller’s goals (265) in Europe’s top five leagues – only Cristiano Ronaldo (495) and Lionel Messi (496) have more (More)

🇮🇹 Serie A: Juventus and Paul Pogba discuss terminating his contract after the Frenchman’s four-year ban for doping was reduced to 18 months (More)

THE WEEK AHEAD

Women’s Champions League

The Women’s Champions League group stage gets underway. Tonight sees a lively fixture as Chelsea host Real Madrid. But Wednesday has the stand-out fixtures as Manchester City face holders Barcelona and Bayern Munich travel to Arsenal. Full list of Women’s UCL fixtures here.

Nations League

And, yes, it’s another international break. The Nations League kicks off on Thursday, with England facing Greece for the first competitive match since that David Beckham freekick in 2001. Italy and Belgium will also face off at the same time. Full list of Nations League fixtures here.

USMNT

It’s a big week for Mauricio Pochettino as he takes charge of the USA for the first time. They face Panama in an international friendly, then they’ll face Mexico the following Tuesday.

ROUTER’S VOICE

Yesterday, we asked you: Do you think the Premier League's lobbying will affect the introduction of a football regulator?

🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 💼 Yes, it could delay or weaken the regulator... (62.5%)

🟨 🟨 🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ 🛡️ No, the regulator will go ahead as planned... (37.5%)

Your punditry takes:

• 💼 M.C: “Potential sanctions from FIFA or UEFA will affect the introduction far more significantly.”

• 💼 J.B: “Everything they do takes seriously long periods of time regardless of any impediments placed in their way. The legal ramifications are big and should be given every opportunity to get a proper hearing.”

• 🛡️ N.S: “Lobbying is as old as politics but in this current climate, where the press have been scrutinising donations, the government will want to demonstrate that the freebies have had no impact on their decision.”

EXTRA TIME

The five best Premier League stats from Matchday 7.

The costliest squads in the world.

Adidas to release F50 2010 remake boots.

Alan Shearer asks Gary Lineker about his BBC contract extension.

Erik ten Hag and Ruud van Nistelrooy sideline debate goes viral.

The rise of set-piece experts.

Troy Deeney’s reasoning for including Mikkel Damsgaard in the Team of the Week is priceless.

Konate takes his fashion to a new level for France call-up.

Top 10 highest-paid teenagers in world football.

GAME FACE ON

Question: Who Am I…

• I currently play in the Serie A but have had spells in the Premier League and La Liga.

• I was part of Barcelona’s domestic treble on both occasions.

• In 2009-10 I became the first player in history to score in every official club competition in a single season in a single calendar year.

Scroll below for the answer.

ON TODAY

Women’s Champions League

• Lyon vs Galatasaray (17:45)

• Roma vs Wolfburg (17:45)

• Celtic vs Twente (20:00)

• Chelsea vs Real Madrid (20:00)

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

Answer

Pedro. The Spanish winger, 37, currently plays for Lazio.