Football essentials, 22 October: Luis Díaz sidelined, Manchester United in crisis, a Women’s Club World Cup for 2028

Thursday belonged to the walking wounded: Luis Díaz at Bayern, Bukayo Saka at Arsenal, a manager losing credit at Manchester. The FIFA Council, for its part, set dates: a Women’s Club World Cup in January 2028, and an Intercontinental Cup final in Qatar in December.

Bayern lose Luis Díaz, with no return date

Off after 22 minutes of the 2-2 against Arsenal, the Colombian winger has torn a hamstring. The club speaks of an open-ended lay-off; the German press expects about a month. The same match had already cost Arsenal Bukayo Saka, gone by the tenth minute. Our reading of the injury.

Manchester United: the captain against the game plan

Beaten 4-1 in Como, United conceded Nico Paz’s opener after 118 seconds, and the game went from there. Bruno Fernandes blamed one instruction: no man-to-man pressing, let the other side play. “That’s a decision from the staff,” he said. Michael Carrick called the display unacceptable and apologised to the supporters; Sky Sports keeps him on the bench against Bournemouth on Sunday, while the club lines up possible successors. Our report of the match.

Tebas referred to Spain’s sports tribunal

Spain’s sports council has taken Javier Tebas before the Tribunal Administrativo del Deporte on its own motion: the question is whether comparing Real Madrid’s communication to Goebbels’ propaganda amounts to a serious offence under the Spanish sports law. Tebas stands by his words, aimed at methods rather than people, and blames the council for staying silent on Madrid’s claims about Spanish refereeing. Real Madrid had called for his resignation as early as 16 October. Our piece on the row.

Nantes: the sale collapses, the file does not

Waldemar Kita ended the takeover talks with Phenix Capital on Thursday: no sufficient financial guarantees, and an incomplete file in front of the DNCG. The fund replied within the day that it still means to “finalise” the buy-out. On the sporting side, manager Grégory Poirier welcomed the news. Our report on the end of the talks.

Lyon fined for homophobic chants, a stand on probation

Homophobic chants aimed at Saint-Étienne during the 3-2 against Crystal Palace on 15 October, in the Europa League, have cost Lyon a €20,000 fine and the partial closure of the north stand for their next home European game, suspended for two years. Our reading of the sanction.

Women’s club football gets its World Cup

The FIFA Council has awarded the first Women’s Club World Cup to the United States, from 5 to 30 January 2028, pointing to the maturity of American infrastructure and the national appetite for the women’s game. One more date fell into place: the Intercontinental Cup final in Qatar on 16 December, where PSG, who beat Flamengo last season, will face the winner of the tournament of continental champions. According to So Foot.