A former Football League assistant referee has been sentenced to 13 and a half years in prison after he pleaded guilty to 16 sexual offences against three 15-year-old girls.

🚨 EXCL: Tim Lewis leaves Arsenal in shock boardroom revamp. 62yo integral to #AFC rise but new-look hierarchy sees Richard Garlick become CEO, Josh Kroenke increasingly prominent, Ben Winston join & 3 more appointments including 2 from KSE 🚨 @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...

Daniel Levy has stepped down as the chairman of Tottenham Hotspur after nearly 25 years in charge. More from @jaydmharris.bsky.social ⤵️ 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...

'Everyone finds him interesting because of what he's done, he's a football icon. 'And to be around someone like that and to have had that experience, not many people can say that' The story of Gazza's 39 days at Kettering Town, told by those who were there www.nytimes.com/athletic/630...

🔈 Emotional team talks 🦷 A recreation of dentist chair celebration 🍕 Takeaway pizzas at training 🚿 Gazza in the showers fully clothed 👋 A bitter exit Twenty years since Paul Gascoigne's only managerial job, a big read on his remarkable 39 days at Kettering Town www.nytimes.com/athletic/630...

Bryan Mbeumo is (finally) now a #MUFC player I wrote this with @jaydmharris.bsky.social last season on the forward’s footballing journey, his steady rise at Brentford + hard work to improve his finishing, his love of chess and teaching himself how to play the piano www.nytimes.com/athletic/604...

“It’s Arsenal. They won’t just ignore it.” Thomas Partey, the allegations and what the club knew For @theathleticfc.bsky.social ⬇️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/648...

Diogo Jota won the Premier League and Nations League earlier this summer. Then on June 22 he married the mother of his three children. In the early hours of Thursday, the Liverpool forward died in a car accident. The Athletic reports from Zamora on what happened, and what has happened since.

Diogo Jota was a superb striker and a serial winner for Liverpool, Wolves and Portugal. But he was far more than that. He was a husband, a father and a cherished friend to the colleagues he leaves behind. This is his story.

Premier League footballer Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, a professional player for Portuguese side Penafiel, have died after being involved in a car accident in Spain.

After a fantastic spell at Brentford, Thomas Frank is the new #THFC head coach I wrote this last season on what makes him special - his attention to detail, willingness to take risks + his personal touch Piece with @oliverkay.bsky.social + @jaydmharris.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/598...

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas was once a brilliant prospect for Arsenal and became an accomplished centre-forward for other clubs in England and Scotland. Now he is in prison as an international drug smuggler. @dtathletic.bsky.social & Stuart James tell the story of his downfall.

Luis Enrique's daughter Xana died in 2019 at the age of nine from a rare form of bone cancer. On Saturday, when his PSG side take on Inter in this year's Champions League final, she will be with him once again, this time in spirit. @jacklang.bsky.social 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/638...

The sad tale of Brandon Williams - who was handed a suspended prison sentence on Friday - and a sorry case that highlights football’s issue with laughing gas My piece with @gregok.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/630...

Crystal Palace’s fanbase are the antidote to the sanitisation of English football fandom — and on a glorious, historic day for their club in winning the FA Cup final, they put on a show. They produced something unfiltered. Something real.

Carlo Ancelotti has been appointed as head coach of the Brazil national team and will start work on May 26. The 65-year-old Italian will leave Real Madrid after their final game of the La Liga season against Real Sociedad. More from @david-ornstein.bsky.social ⬇️ 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/633...

The crazy is deep in this club. It can’t be straitjacketed or sedated. In the end, it gets out — and on nights like Tuesday, after everything, the fans are mad for it. Next stop, Munich. Inter’s old limitations are beginning to look like new frontiers. 📝 @jameshorncastle.bsky.social

▪️#SaintsFC searching for one point to avoid equalling #DCFC record ▪️KDB farewell at #MCFC ▪️Crunch games in fight for a #UCL spot, incl #NFFC v #CFC on final day With the title and relegation places wrapped up, a look at what's left to play for in the Premier League www.nytimes.com/athletic/632...

Fantastic scenes at Anfield yesterday, where there were plenty of renditions of 'A Liverbird upon my chest' I told the story here of the song's origins and how it became the soundtrack to this triumphant #LFC title-winning season www.nytimes.com/athletic/618...

👀 Director of football's 'moles' claim 🗣️ Players accused of 'mental failings' ❌ Cancelled days off and 'mutiny' talk ⚽️ Record campaign for goals at both ends Welcome to Roberto De Zerbi’s Marseille. ✍️ @tomwfootball.bsky.social 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/631...

🎵 Unlikely squad anthem: Sultans of Swing by Dire Straits ☕️ Coffee bar masterstroke 🗣️ Slot's outburst at half time against Southampton in March This is how Arne Slot's Liverpool won the title. ✍️ @jamespearcelfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/623...

Nabil Bentaleb suffered a cardiac arrest on the evening of Tuesday June 18, 2024. The Algeria international had been playing an 8-a-side game of football with friends. He was in a coma for two days. After 243 days, he was a footballer again. This is how he did it.

Another two goals for Bryan Mbeumo today. What a season he’s having 🐝 Wrote this earlier this season on how he became one of the Premier League’s standout players His performances have put him firmly on the radar of Europe’s top clubs this summer www.nytimes.com/athletic/604...

It took almost a year for Mohamed Salah to sign a new Liverpool contract - this is the inside story: 🔺 Why Salah’s camp had concerns last autumn 🔺 What ruled out PSG & Saudi 🔺 Why ‘process’ took so long 🔺 Richard Hughes’ role & importance of Arne Slot 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/626...

🗣️ "I'm enjoying my life here, enjoying my football. I had the best years in my career." Mohamed Salah has signed a new two-year Liverpool contract.

📺 Poyet finding out he'd gone at #BHAFC while working on the BBC 👃 How they can often 'smell' it coming 🏖️ Taking a holiday before period of self-reflection 🐛 What draws them back in After Juric's #SaintsFC exit, a big read on what's it like to be sacked as a manager www.nytimes.com/athletic/626...

Craig Johnston won five leagues and a European Cup at Liverpool — but that’s his least remarkable achievement. He designed the world’s most famous football boot, created a game show, wrote a hit single and went bankrupt. @tburrows16.bsky.social 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/623...

🏆 5 league titles + European Cup with #LFC 🎙️ Co-wrote Anfield rap 🏥 Retired at 27 to look after his sick sister 👟 Invented Adidas predator 📺 Created TV game show + minibar security system 💷 Went bankrupt My interview with Craig Johnston, a footballer like no other www.nytimes.com/athletic/623...

Former footballer Joey Barton has been found guilty of assaulting his wife. The court was told how Barton pushed his wife, Georgia, 38, to the ground before kicking her in the head at their home in Kew, south west London. ✍️ @tburrows16.bsky.social

My write up from court today after ex-footballer Joey Barton was found guilty of assaulting his wife in their family home Barton was handed a suspended prison term The court heard how Georgia was left with a ‘golf ball’ size lump on her forehead www.nytimes.com/athletic/622...

Manchester United created a stir with their vision for the club's new 100,000-capacity stadium. We take a look at designs and artists' impressions from other stadium projects, what got put forward and what, if anything, was ultimately delivered. 🔗 bit.ly/4hRpURH

Last week #MUFC unveiled their grand plans for a new stadium and now hope to follow #THFC and #EFC in seeing their designs come to life Yet some projects never become a reality A big read exploring stadium proposals over the years vs what was ultimately delivered www.nytimes.com/athletic/621...

'I never had a dream to become a professional footballer, but somehow it happened and I played in World Cups and I went to Italy and England. I played all the time for passion. I’m not a fan of football, I like to play football' My interview with Hidetoshi Nakata www.nytimes.com/athletic/617...

Arne Slot leaving for #LFC was always going to prove difficult for Feyenoord Brian Priske, his successor, lasted just 8 months, and has since been replaced by club hero Robin van Persie They play Inter tonight, hoping to pull off a shock to salvage their season www.nytimes.com/athletic/619...

Mino Raiola was one of football's original 'super agents'. Yet, following his death in 2022, his agency underwent a major overhaul I was granted behind-the-scenes access to hear about the changes and to learn how they try to spot Europe's best young talent www.nytimes.com/athletic/616...

'A Liver bird upon my chest...' As #LFC edge closer to the title, an historic song that was first written by fan Phil Aspinall more than 40 years ago [after watching a war movie] has become the soundtrack of their season Enjoyed writing this on the story behind it www.nytimes.com/athletic/618...

Lyon head coach Paulo Fonseca has been given a nine-month suspension after a confrontation with referee Benoit Millot. More from @tburrows16.bsky.social

Frank Lampard has taken Coventry City from the fringes of the Championship relegation zone to fifth place. @oliverkay.bsky.social spoke to Lampard about why players are more important than philosophy, learning from the likes of Pep Guardiola and why great players can become great managers.

What does it mean for a Premier League club to promote their brand? And what are they trying to achieve? After the 'we're Tottenham Hotspur, not Tottenham' tale, I spoke to experts to understand the thinking behind this - and those behind other clubs' strategies www.nytimes.com/athletic/616...

🤦‍♂️ I remember watching Bryan Mbeumo during Brentford's first year in PL & being frustrated by his finishing 🔥 This season he's scored 15 goals from xG of 8.5 🔝This is how he became one of best wingers in PL with @tburrows16.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/604...

✈️ Hairy flight to sign him ♟️ Plays chess on his phone before matches 🎹 Has a piano at club’s training club 👨‍🍳 Pays for his own personal chef 🥅 Clinical finishing this season 🐝 Close relationship with Yoane Wissa A piece on Bryan Mbeumo with @jaydmharris.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/604...

France’s referees union today announced they are taking legal action after 'unacceptable' comments made by OM president Pablo Longoria, which they said fuelled hateful messages to refs Longoria spoke about 'true corruption' after OM's loss to Auxerre on Saturday www.nytimes.com/athletic/615...

French football. It’s never dull, is it? As the French TV deal lurches from one crisis to the next, footage emerges of Nasser Al-Khelaifi calling John Textor a ‘cowboy’ at a crunch meeting in July Piece on the latest drama here ⬇️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/614...

Today marks three years since the death of #OUFC legend Joey Beauchamp Sharing this piece again that Stu James and I wrote for @theathleticfc.bsky.social on the footballing genius who didn't want to be a hero www.nytimes.com/athletic/331...

■ Being "surprised" Erik ten Hag stayed ■ Dressing room "conflict" and finding peace ■ His view on Rashford's loan exit ■ How Real 'protect' players more Raphael Varane speaks exclusively to @charpur.bsky.social about his experiences at Manchester United, Real Madrid and Como.

With the #MUFC squad hit by injury, Ruben Amorim has packed his bench with players from the academy Here's the lowdown on Chido Obi, Harry Amass, Sekou Kone, Jack Moorhouse, Elyh Harrison, Jack Fletcher and Tyler Fredricson - all in today's first team squad vs #THFC www.nytimes.com/athletic/613...

The Premier League’s PSR rules will remain in force for next season despite plans to introduce a new set of financial regulations. Manchester United, Newcastle United and Aston Villa have all criticised PSR as a reason they are not able to spend heavily. More from @dansheldon.bsky.social ⤵️

For Sam Kerr, an ordeal that started more than two years ago is finally over Yesterday’s verdict means Kerr can put a protracted legal saga behind her, as she prepares to mark her return to football My piece after watching her 7 days in a courtroom www.nytimes.com/athletic/612...

Sam Kerr has been found not guilty following a seven-day trial at Kingston Crown Court. 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/612...

Sam Kerr found NOT guilty of racially aggravated harassment to a police officer after a seven day trial at Kingston Crown Court Story here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/612...