Section

Rules & refereeing

Every Rules & refereeing story we publish, newest first.

Latest news

Courtroom with scales of justice in the background while a referee watches a VAR monitor on a football pitch.

Rules & refereeing5 October 2026

FIFA wins VAR ownership lawsuit: Madrid court dismisses €300 million claim

The commercial section of Madrid's Court of First Instance No. 6 has dismissed the lawsuit filed by Francisco Antonio López Romera against FIFA and the Spanish Football Federation over the use of the VAR. The ruling, dated September 30, concludes that the system described in the claimant's registered work does not match the video assistant referee technology used in football.

Natilla·5 min read

Football shirts from clubs across Europe's five major leagues displaying different front and sleeve sponsors in an official store display.

Rules & refereeing5 October 2026

Big-5 sponsorship reshapes as betting brands shift to the sleeve and front-of-shirt prices climb

Commercial revenue across Europe's top five leagues now exceeds €7 billion, with 2,488 sponsorship deals recorded for the 2026-2027 season. Gambling restrictions have redrawn the most visible spaces on the shirt, turning the sleeve into the new battleground for betting and crypto firms.

varela·7 min read

Dermot Desmond is escorted off the golf course by security at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in St Andrews after the fan protest.

Rules & refereeing5 October 2026

Celtic withdraw recognition from fan group after Dermot Desmond golf protest

Celtic have withdrawn recognition from the Celtic Fans Collective after the group staged a protest against Dermot Desmond at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in St Andrews. The club announced indefinite bans for anyone involved in planning or carrying out the action. The supporters' group hit back by questioning the majority shareholder's priorities and calling him notoriously thin-skinned.

Javi

·5 min read

Sporting Hortaleza team bus escorted by the Guardia Civil after being hit by stones before the Copa del Rey match against Güímar at the Tasagaya stadium.

Copa del ReyRules & refereeing4 October 2026

Güímar vs Hortaleza Copa del Rey tie suspended after violent incidents

The return leg of the Copa del Rey preliminary round between Atlético Unión Güímar and Sporting Hortaleza was suspended on Sunday at the Tasagaya stadium. The tie was still open after the Madrid side won the first leg 1-0. The winner would have secured a place in the first round, with potential matchups against clubs such as Real Betis, Sevilla, Getafe or Rayo Vallecano.

Javi

·4 min read

Rui Pinto, the Portuguese hacker behind Football Leaks, looking serious in a portrait photo.

Manchester CityRules & refereeing4 October 2026

Rui Pinto, the Man City whistleblower, loses witness protection after leaks case

Rui Pinto, the Portuguese hacker who exposed Manchester City's financial breaches through Football Leaks, has learned he will lose his witness protection. The news comes less than 24 hours after the Premier League club was found guilty of nearly all 115 charges against it. His legal team warns that his life is at serious risk and has launched a fundraising campaign.

Javi

·6 min read

Javier Tebas, president of LaLiga, speaking during a public appearance in which he addresses questions about the Negreira case.

LaLigaFC Barcelona4 October 2026

Tebas denies LaLiga failed to send UEFA information on the Negreira case in 2023

Javier Tebas has pushed back against a report claiming UEFA never received any communication from LaLiga about the Negreira case. The league president disputes that version and points to specific dates: a written submission was sent just six days after the story broke, on February 21, 2023. The controversy reignites debate over how Spanish institutions acted once the Barcelona case became public.

InfoBlaugrana

·6 min read

Joan Laporta smiles during an official FC Barcelona event, a symbol of the club's renewed influence in European football.

FC BarcelonaRules & refereeing4 October 2026

Barcelona regains institutional power in Europe and LaLiga: how Laporta did it

FC Barcelona has rebuilt its influence in European and Spanish football's corridors of power after the 2020-2021 crisis. The club is back at the EFC table, has improved its relationship with LaLiga and has regained the trust of financial backers. Hansi Flick's successful spell on the pitch has been key to this shift.

varela·6 min read

Exterior view of the Court of Instruction number 1 in Barcelona, judicial setting of the Negreira case affecting FC Barcelona.

FC BarcelonaRules & refereeing4 October 2026

Negreira case: social damage already done while legal truth remains open for Barcelona

The Negreira case keeps weighing on FC Barcelona with two very different sides. While the judicial investigation continues in Barcelona, the damage to the club's image and its supporters is already undeniable.

Matt

·6 min read

Damaged facade at Estadio de Vallecas following the vandalism reported by Rayo Vallecano

LaLigaRules & refereeing3 October 2026

Vallecas Stadium vandalized hours before Rayo - Cagliari friendly

Rayo Vallecano reported that the VIP box and several interior areas of the Estadio de Vallecas were wrecked overnight on Saturday, just hours before the Vallecas Trophy clash against Cagliari. The club linked the damage to an ongoing campaign against its president and confirmed it will file a formal complaint on Monday.

varela·5 min read

Documents from the Negreira case report that Real Madrid has sent to UEFA for investigation.

Real MadridFC Barcelona3 October 2026

Real Madrid demands urgent UEFA ruling on Negreira case as European body asks for patience

Real Madrid has submitted a 50,000-page report on the Negreira case to UEFA and is pushing for a swift resolution. The European governing body, however, prefers to study the full documentation without setting deadlines. The Spanish club insists it will keep the pressure on until the matter is closed.

Javi

·5 min read