Manchester City propose alternative to transfer levy hike as Premier Leagues New Deal funding debate intensifiesMan City have submitted a revised proposal to limit transfer levy increase to one percentage pointThe club is among a top-flight minority seeking alternatives to a 50% hike in the domestic levyCity are not opposed to the broader principle of a new funding settlement with the EFLManchester City have submitted a revised proposal to modify the transfer levy increase at the heart of the Premier Leagues landmark 1.5 billion New Deal with the English Football League, as per a new report.The proposed New Deal the outline of which has been shared with the EFLs board and the Independent Football Regulator is intended to create a long-term framework to underpin the financial sustainability of the professional game in England over a ten-year period, with Premier League clubs being asked to increase the existing domestic transfer levy from four percent to six percent as the primary mechanism for generating the additional funds required.Manchester City are among the clubs understood to have reservations about the scale of that increase, having submitted a revised proposal earlier this week that would restrict the levy hike to a single percentage point rather than the two-point rise currently on the table a position that would result in a meaningfully lower contribution to the New Deal from the clubs expected to be the largest payers under the current structure.Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak issues new update on Premier Leagues 115 chargesAt least one other Premier League club is said to endorse Citys revised approach, while a further club has reportedly proposed a separate alternative a cap on the total amount of revenue the higher levy would raise before it reverted to the existing four percent suggesting a broader conversation among a small number of top-flight sides about the precise mechanism through which the deal is funded rather than the principle behind it.Report: Big Six discussions underway over New Deal levy as City submit revised termsAccording to Sky News, some members of the so-called big six comprising Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have held discussions in recent days about modifying the proposal to fund the New Deal through a transfer levy increase from four percent to six percent.Citys submission restricts the proposed increase to one percentage point, reflecting a position that would reduce the financial burden on the clubs expected to contribute the most under the current structure, given that the levy is applied to all top-flight transfer deals and therefore falls most heavily on those most active in the market.The New Deal itself is structured as a sliding-scale arrangement, with the first annual payment to the EFL expected to be below 100 million when the 2026-27 season begins, rising to 164 million by the third year of the agreement and remaining at that level through the remainder of the ten-year period.Separately, a new lifeboat fund worth 20 million is proposed as part of the deal to assist EFL clubs that fall into administration a provision designed to address one of the most visible and recurring sources of financial distress in the professional game below the Premier League.Enzo Maresca issues first response to question on Manchester Citys 115 chargesWhat does Citys proposal mean for the New Deals progress?Manchester Citys intervention adds complexity to a process that was already subject to significant debate among top-flight clubs about the appropriate scale of their contribution to a redistribution agreement that has been in discussion for over three years.The clubs decision to submit a formal counter-proposal rather than simply vote against the current terms suggests an engagement with the spirit of the New Deal rather than outright resistance a distinction that Sky News makes clear in its reporting, noting no suggestion that City oppose the funding settlement in principle.The broader context of Citys legal proceedings with the club and the Premier League still awaiting the outcome of their case involving 115 alleged breaches of financial rules brought in 2023 adds a layer of background sensitivity to any public positioning by the club on matters of football governance and finance, though the transfer levy proposal is understood to be a separate matter entirely from that ongoing dispute.Whether the Premier League can bring sufficient clubs into alignment to pass the New Deal resolution before the 2026-27 season begins in earnest now depends in part on whether Citys revised approach, or any of the other alternative proposals circulating among top-flight clubs, can be incorporated into a final structure that commands the 14-vote majority required for the resolution to pass.

Vfl Bochum 0-0 Sheffield United: Blades Lack Cutting Edge in Germany to End Pre-seasonSheffield United and Bochum were locked in a stalemate in front of a decent crowd in Germany on Saturday afternoon.Both sides made the goalkeeper work but some strong defending and decent shot-stopping earned clean sheets for each team.LineupsBochum:Horn, Karademir, Cokaj, Mbom, Taz, Olsen, Steinwender, Miyoshi, Wittek, Hofmann, Crimaldi.Subs: Casali, Holtman, Hanslik, Pannewig, Drakas, Meyer, Koscierski, Isbruch, Schjott, Sawas.Blades:Cooper, McCallum (Norrington-Davies 81), Tanganga, Hamer, Cannon (Campbell 71), OHare, Donovan (Chong 64), Baptiste, Seriki (Doherty 71), Peck (Arblaster 64), Riedewald (Rothwell 64).Unused: Davies, Betts, Shackleton, Zatterstrom, McGuinness, On, Blacker, Sidibe.First HalfThe German hosts came flying out of the blocks and tested Chris Wilders side from the opening whistle. Michael Cooper was quickly called into action to deny Koji Miyoshi, while Hoffmans effort drifted wide of the target. Taz also caused problems with a driving run through the United defence, only to be thwarted by another smart stop from Cooper inside the opening quarter of an hour.After surviving that early spell, the Blades gradually began to settle. Gustavo Hamer was at the heart of their best attacking move of the first half, picking out Callum OHare, whose curling strike was expertly pushed away by goalkeeper Horn.Despite United growing into the contest, the better openings before the interval continued to fall the home sides way. Cooper remained alert to keep out Crimaldi, and when the United goalkeeper was finally beaten, Jamal Baptiste came to his rescue with an excellent goal-saving block to deny Miyoshi.Second HalfThe visitors emerged with far greater intent after the break and immediately began to dictate proceedings. Sam McCallums cross took a heavy deflection and dropped invitingly for Romelle Donovan at the back post, but the winger was unable to react quickly enough to convert.Moments later, Tom Cannon cut inside from the right and unleashed a powerful effort that forced another impressive save from Horn, who was becoming increasingly difficult to beat.Joe Rothwell, introduced from the bench, added fresh energy in midfield and carved out another opportunity when he teed up Hamer, although the Dutch midfielders strike drifted narrowly wide.Hamer then turned creator, lofting a superb ball which sent OHare through on goal, but Horn produced arguably the save of the afternoon to keep the midfielders effort out. The goalkeeper was called into action once more to deny Hamer himself as Sheffield United continued to pile on the pressure during the closing stages.Attention will now turn to next week when Sheffield United play their first competitive fixture of the campaign when they entertain Mansfield Town in the EFL Cup on Sunday afternoon.

Northern Ireland Football League [NIFL] chief executive Gerard Lawlor says he hopes to discuss summer football with clubs before Christmas, with a view to a vote over changing the Irish League calendar as soon as the 2028-29 season.Earlier in the week, Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins said it is "a worry" that Irish Premiership sides will never improve in Europe without a switch to summer football after his side became the third Premiership team to bow out of the qualifiers.The Irish Premiership currently sits 51st in the Uefa coefficient system and could lose their fourth European spot if Larne, the only Northern Irish team left in the qualifiers, are knocked out before the group stages.Lawlor has long been an advocate of summer football, something which has long been a discussion point within football in Northern Ireland."There will be a vote somewhere," Lawlor told Sportsound on BBC Radio Ulster."I'm hoping before Christmas that we could have the clubs all in a situation to sit down and say, here's the information, here are the pros and here's the cons. Away you go."We always tried to keep everybody happy and we've come to realise we try almost to model things into a situation to suit everyone when maybe it only suits one person, or there's one person it doesn't suit and we've moved 12 others to serve. That's something we've come to learn in our model."Higgins 'big believer' in summer calendar switch'A change of season will definitely help'The Irish Premiership campaign currently takes place between August and May with clubs facing teams on the European stage who are primarily mid-season.Of the four Irish Premiership clubs in Europe this summer, Glentoran, Linfield and Coleraine were beaten in their ties, while Larne are the last club standing and will face Georgia's Iberia 1999 in the Europa League qualifiers.The suggested switch would follow the same schedule as the League of Ireland and run from mid-February to early November.Lawlor said that the vote would consist of the 12 teams from the Premiership as well as the 16 clubs from the newly expanded Championship, whose season would also be switched. He added a change of campaign, if successful, could be in place as quickly as the 2028-29 season."I think a change of season will definitely help and I discussed it with [Northern Ireland manager] Michael O'Neill because Michael's like, 'why are we not doing it and just get it done?'," he continued. "I think we're very close to the clubs wanting to do it and we have just finished our second report in an economic element of it. "So our job has been trying to give the clubs as much information as what they can get about the financial model. It has really proven Europe has such a financial impact and brings money into the game that is spread out everywhere."'This is the reality we must adopt to' As things stand, the Irish Premiership winners, runners-up and the Irish Cup victors secure a European qualifying spot, while teams who finish between third and seventh compete in a play-off for the final position.However, if the Irish Premiership was to lose the fourth spot, Lawlor said that the play-off may not take place."We would need to talk to the clubs about that and have a discussion, but it is probably the most sensible and easy outcome," when asked would the play-off be cancelled."We will give the club different models but it is the reality we must adopt to." "When you take that out across the board, it's hundreds of thousands coming into the league and, so, Larne need to beat the Georgian team, it's that simple. That is the be all and end all at this stage for the good of everyone."A change to a summer season has split opinions within the clubs and fanbases over the years.An argument against summer football has been concerns over part-time players, many of which are teachers, taking holidays in the summer, but Lawlor says there would be a break included to facilitate this, like there is in the League of Ireland.Some had raised concerns of many issues including the loss of the Boxing Day fixtures when clubs play their local rivals, but Lawlor said that "it is the most ridiculous argument". "We keep talking about Boxing Day, for me, with all due respect, it is the most ridiculous argument. "Yes, it is a wonderful day, but it only comes around once every two years for each club and I think we could create a weekend, and I talk about a new Boxing Day, we need to create that in the summer. "We have our current fan base, but we want to grow that fan base and it's not taking the current people for granted but they are bought into the product."

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With 35 days remaining until Texas A&M kicks off its 2026 campaign against Missouri State in Bryan-College Station, the Aggies have set the date for the program's annual Maroon Out game.The Cotton Holdings Lone Star Showdown at Kyle Field will feature a sea of maroon on Friday, Nov. 27, as Mike Elko's squad takes on Texas in the 121st meeting between the two schools on the gridiron. Texas A&M's Maroon Out tradition began in 1998 when tens of thousands of Aggies attending a contest against Nebraska were encouraged to wear maroon, painting the stadium in the colors of the university. Following a 28-21 upset win over No. 2 Nebraska, the Cornhuskers' fans acknowledged the impact of the Maroon Out atmosphere."A game that was dubbed a 'maroon-out' for Texas A&M fans proved to be lights out for Nebraska. The fans dressed themselves in maroon T-shirts in an attempt to wash out the red and white that opponents have gotten used to. It worked," The Daily Nebraskan said. After losing to the Longhorns in back-to-back seasons since the rivalry game was renewed, the Aggies will aim to get back in the win column in front of a packed house filled with fans donning maroon. United in Maroon for the Lone Star Showdown.#GigEm | https://t.co/33Zvy2MK6Ipic.twitter.com/6Ac5Y2wVFV Texas A&M Football (@AggieFootball) July 31, 2026Each game on Texas A&M's schedule has its own meaning and impact, but none carries more weight and importance than this year's season finale against Texas. Since being named the head coach of the program, Elko boasts a 0-2 record against the Longhorns, which is something he will look to rectify in 2026, especially with the opportunity to host the in-state rivals at Kyle Field.Kickoff against the Longhorns is slated for 6:30 p.m. CT on Friday, Nov. 26, with the game set to be broadcast on ABC. Contact/Follow us@AggiesWireon X(formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions.Follow Dylan on X:@dylanmflippo.This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M football sets date for annual Maroon Out game

FC Barcelona striker Ferran Torres is close to agreeing to join Paris Saint-Germain according to Footmercato, with MARCA's transfer expert Matteo Moretto explaining that the World Cup winner doesn't feel valued by his current club.Getty ImagesFC Barcelona striker Ferran Torres is close to agreeing to join Paris Saint-Germain according to Footmercato, with MARCAs transfer expert Matteo Moretto explaining that the World Cup winner doesnt feel valued by his current club. Both outlets cited anonymous sources.The former French website says that Ferran has already been convinced to sign for the Parisians managed by his former Spain boss Luis Enrique. Hes told his closest circle that hell switch allegiances during the ongoing summer transfer window. Negotiations between Ferran and PSG are said to be ongoing. Next week could prove key in the Qatar-backed outfit getting a deal for the 26-year-old over the line.Bara, for its part, has already told Ferran that it wishes to renew his contract. That expires on June 30, 2027, and is the only deal he has penned since joining the Catalans from Manchester City as part of his $63.5 million (55 million) transfer in late 2021.If Ferran stays at the Spotify Camp Nou, Bara will then have to pay the Mancunians agreed add-ons of $8-9 million (7-8 million). Because of Financial Fair Play (FFP) issues, they cant offer him a new contract until September.Before that, though, theres the risk that Ferran might become the third Blaugrana star to be lured to PSG by Luis Enrique in recent years after Ousmane Dembele and Dro Fernandez.Ferran doesnt feel valued by FC BarcelonaScoring Spains winning goal in the World Cup final against Argentina, Ferran feels that he isnt valued enough by Hansi Flick according to Moretto.This would make everything very simple if PSG and Bara reach an agreement as per a potential transfer fee. That could be reduced because of Ferran having less than 11 months to run on his current terms, making the ongoing one the last transfer window that President Joan Laporta and Sporting Director Deco can cash in on him.Yet while PSG needs a striker after Goncalo Ramos left for AC Milan, so too do FC Barcelona given Robert Lewandowski let his own terms run down and fled to the Chicago Fire. Amid failed pursuits for Julian Alvarez and Junior Kroupi, Ferran is currently Flicks only frontman alongside rookie Hamza Abdelkarim.This article was originally published on Forbes.com

Following Ben Stokes' retirement from international cricket, England have turned to a familiar face to lead their Test side once again. While there had been widespread speculation that Harry Brook could take over the captaincy, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has instead entrusted the role to Joe Root, who is set to begin his second stint as Test captain.Root, who stepped down from the role in 2022 after a five-year tenure, admitted he is relishing the opportunity to lead England again, believing his previous experience has better prepared him for the challenges ahead."Very much the same, to be honest. I don't think that will ever change. Whenever you get the opportunity to lead your country, it's all of those things. I guess, the unique and nice position that I find myself in this time is I've got a wealth of experience in terms of knowing what it takes, knowing what it looks like, having seen success with it and seeing some hard times as well,'' said Root in a video on the official ECB website. englandcricket (@englandcricket) "I've got a lot to fall back on and look at and help me and the team moving forward into this next little while. So, I don't think many captains get that opportunity and certainly not with the amount of games that I have behind me and the experiences that I've had in between now and that period there. So, I'm very much looking forward to it, very excited by the challenge that lies ahead and all the great cricket that we have coming up," Root added.Joe Root returns with valuable leadership experienceRoot captained England in 65 Test matches, registering 27 victories, the most by any England Test captain. Although he stepped down in 2022 after a difficult phase for the team, he has continued to be one of England's most dependable batters.The 35-year-old will officially begin his second stint as Test captain when England host Pakistan in the first Test of the series, starting August 19, as he looks to lead the side into a new chapter alongside new Test head coach Stephen Fleming.