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Every Rules & refereeing story we publish, newest first.
Real Madrid finished with five yellow cards and one red in their visit to Villarreal, a figure the Madrid camp explains as harsh refereeing after committing just eight fouls. The referee's report tells a different story: most of the bookings given to players came not from fouls but from dissent and time-wasting.
varela·4 min read
Cristiano Ronaldo has been provisionally suspended by the Portuguese Football Federation after leaving the national team camp on September 30. The disciplinary case against the Portugal captain carries a possible ban of one to three months, although his public apology could reduce the maximum punishment.
Matt
·6 min read
French newspaper Le Monde has put a figure on the alleged deal between FIFA and Donald Trump's company: $3.19 million for a 450-square-meter space on the 17th floor of Trump Tower. The office, leased in June 2025, remains largely vacant with no FIFA staff assigned. The contract ties FIFA to the tower until late 2032, more than six years after the 2026 World Cup.
InfoBlaugrana·5 min read
Lille announced they are considering legal action after Tiago Santos ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament against Le Havre. The French club described Amir Richardson's challenge as 'uncontrolled and dangerous' and believes it should have been a red card. The Portuguese defender will be sidelined for several months.
Natilla·5 min read
Manchester City's sanction for inflating sponsorship income has opened a huge debate about the financial damage suffered by the rest of the Premier League. Between 2009 and 2018, up to 35 clubs could have been affected through lost European places, relegation and lower prize money from final league position. The estimated figures top £840 million.
varela·7 min read
Gianni Infantino is back at the center of controversy. A Times investigation claims the FIFA president received millions of euros in undeclared payments to support a luxury lifestyle in Miami. The extra money is said to have come from the entity organizing the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Javi·5 min read
Asia's top footballers are uneasy about travelling to Saudi Arabia for the Asian Cup in January. Recent missile strikes by the Houthis on Riyadh's international airport killed more than a dozen people and wounded hundreds. Five of the tournament's eight venues are in the Saudi capital, which will stage 31 matches, including the final.
InfoBlaugrana·6 min read
The match suspended in Vallecas after objects were thrown onto the pitch will be completed in early November. The remaining 77 minutes are set to be played behind closed doors on Wednesday, November 4, with November 25 as the alternative after the international break. The delay gives Athletic more time to recover Sancet and Nico Williams.
Matt·4 min read
The Independent Football Regulator publishes its long-awaited State of the Game report on Tuesday. The 250-page document recommends stricter cost controls for clubs and reveals that 94 of the top 100 men's teams in England are running at a loss. The final version will follow in the spring after an eight-week public consultation.
varela·5 min readThe red card shown to Vinicius against Villarreal has heightened Real Madrid's anger with referees. The club now openly suspects an orchestrated campaign and is pointing the finger directly at LaLiga president Javier Tebas. The battle involving the club, the Referees Committee and the league chief looks set to intensify.
Matt·5 min read