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Rules & refereeing

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Spain national team players celebrate a goal during a UEFA Nations League match.

National teamsRules & refereeing22 September 2026

Nations League 2028-29: new format, three leagues and how the teams will be split

UEFA has informed its member federations about the format that will be used in the 2028-29 Nations League. The final standings from the 2026-27 edition, which begins this week with Spain's camp, will determine the makeup of the new Leagues A, B and C. The quarter-finals and relegation play-offs scheduled for March 2027 will decide where each national team lands.

Natilla·5 min read

Gianni Infantino speaking during an official event as president of FIFA.

Rules & refereeing22 September 2026

Gianni Infantino calls for external review of FIFA governance

The FIFA president has written to all 211 member associations and Council members proposing an independent audit of the governing body's structure after the collapse of his plan to sell a 20% stake in FIFA tournaments. Infantino says he remains fully committed to leading FIFA and will stand for re-election.

Matt

·5 min read

Javier Tebas, president of LaLiga, speaking seriously at a press conference.

LaLigaReal Madrid22 September 2026

Tebas hits back at Real Madrid TV and Madrid press: "They live in another galaxy"

LaLiga president Javier Tebas has posted a strong message on X and LinkedIn against Real Madrid TV and media close to the club following the refereeing controversy in the Madrid derby. He denies any refereeing conspiracy and accuses Real Madrid of building a narrative to hide sporting shortcomings.

InfoBlaugrana

·5 min read

LaLiga president Javier Tebas speaking publicly about the refereeing controversy from the latest Madrid derby.

LaLigaReal Madrid22 September 2026

Tebas hits back at Real Madrid after derby: 'They didn't lose because of those plays'

Javier Tebas responded to Real Madrid's refereeing complaints after the Metropolitano derby. The LaLiga president said the team did not lose because of the Romero and Kang-in Lee incidents and criticized Real Madrid TV's campaign against referees. Tebas defended the officials and called for ethics in protests.

varela·4 min read

Gianni Infantino speaking at an official FIFA event with a microphone and serious expression.

Rules & refereeing22 September 2026

Infantino opens door to external FIFA reform amid governance crisis

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has proposed an independent review of how world football's governing body operates and says he is open to reform. The move follows fierce backlash over a plan to sell stakes in World Cup commercial rights to private investors. Infantino is seeking to ease tensions before the FIFA Council meeting on 15 October.

Matt

·5 min read

Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, speaking publicly at an official event for the organization.

Rules & refereeing21 September 2026

Infantino accepts independent governance review after World Cup sale fallout

Gianni Infantino has agreed to commission an independent external review of FIFA's governance after mounting pressure from council members and the English FA. The FIFA president announced the move in a letter to all 211 member associations. The proposal will be voted on at the FIFA Council meeting in Zurich on 15 October.

varela·6 min read

Florentino Pérez speaking at a press conference in the Real Madrid press room, with microphones and the club crest in the background.

Real MadridRules & refereeing21 September 2026

Florentino Pérez will not be punished for his attack on referees

The RFEF Disciplinary Committee will not sanction Florentino Pérez for the statements he made against referees on 12 May 2026, during the press conference in which he called elections. The instructor in charge of the case opened after the referees' union complaint concluded that there are not enough grounds to punish the Real Madrid president.

Natilla·4 min read

Granit Xhaka, captain of the Switzerland national football team, wearing the red Swiss jersey during an international match.

National teamsRules & refereeing21 September 2026

Granit Xhaka Out of Switzerland Squad After Admitting He Faked Covid Vaccination Certificate

The Switzerland captain will miss the upcoming Nations League matches after acknowledging he used fake vaccination documents during the Covid-19 pandemic. The 33-year-old midfielder apologised and said he would cooperate with the authorities. The Swiss Football Association made the decision together with the player.

varela·4 min read

Granit Xhaka wearing the Switzerland national team shirt during an international match

National teamsRules & refereeing21 September 2026

Granit Xhaka under investigation in Switzerland over allegedly forged Covid-19 certificate

Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka is facing an investigation by prosecutors in Lucerne over claims he obtained a forged Covid-19 vaccination certificate in 2022. The Sunderland midfielder, who was playing for Arsenal at the time, has apologised and admitted he made a mistake. He has stepped away from the Swiss national team camp ahead of their upcoming Nations League matches.

Javi

·6 min read

Malaga players react after a disallowed goal at the Coliseum during the match against Getafe

LaLigaRules & refereeing20 September 2026

SAOT breaks down in Getafe-Malaga and forces offside lines to be drawn manually

The Getafe-Malaga match at the Coliseum produced a controversial decision right before halftime. A goal from Dotor was ruled out for offside, but the review was delayed by a failure in the semi-automated system. The CTA confirmed that the validation process was correct and that the visiting side's goal was rightly cancelled.

Natilla·5 min read