The NBA has found no evidence that LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer funneled money through team sponsors to pay Kawhi Leonard in order to circumvent the salary cap.

Instead, the league is now examining whether the franchise violated rules by introducing the two-time Finals MVP to corporate partners.

Investigators are considering if the Western Conference organisation is guilty of a failure to supervise its employees.

It remains unclear exactly which regulations may have been breached or what potential penalties could be applied.

Expanded investigation into sponsor links

The 11-month inquiry initially centred on the forward’s relationship with Aspiration, a now-defunct green banking firm.

However, the probe eventually broadened to include at least three other companies that held commercial deals with the Los Angeles outfit.

Despite this widened scope, league officials have presented no proof that the billionaire owner illicitly channelled funds to his star player.

Initial findings were delivered to the franchise in late July by the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz.

Ongoing discussions and franchise defence

Both sides have engaged in spirited negotiations in recent days to reach a resolution.

The discussions are being led by NBA general counsel Rick Buchanan and legal representatives for the franchise.

A spokesperson for the Clippers declined to comment directly on the ongoing talks but vigorously defended their corporate practices.

Making introductions between players and team partners is both an ordinary practice by NBA teams and a common request of players and representatives.

The team also stated that they did not dictate the terms of any individual endorsement agreements.

Roots of the salary cap probe

The investigation was triggered following previous reports that the former Microsoft chief executive invested $50m (£38m) into Aspiration in late 2021.

During the same period, the banking firm signed a $300m (£228m) partnership to become a founding partner of the team’s new arena.

Months later, Aspiration agreed a $28m (£21m) endorsement contract with the six-time All-Star.

Allegations later surfaced from a former employee suggesting the sponsorship was specifically designed to bypass financial restrictions.

Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones is reportedly feigning a hip injury to force through a summer transfer to Inter Milan following prolonged negotiations.

The 23-year-old has been absent from the Reds’ recent pre-season fixtures against Leeds, Monaco and Como due to a cited medical complaint.

However, reports in the Italian media suggest this explanation is a ‘white lie’ designed to protect an impending move to the Serie A side.

Negotiations reach critical stage

The Italian giants have pursued the academy graduate throughout the summer and are now preparing an official bid worth £25.65m plus add-ons.

Liverpool previously rejected a £21.7m offer from the Nerazzurri in June, but speculation over the player’s future has only intensified.

Frustrations over the sluggish pace of talks have reportedly led the Merseyside club to lower their original £34m asking price to facilitate an agreement.

Time is becoming a crucial factor, with less than two weeks remaining in the current transfer window and the midfielder entering the final year of his contract.

Managerial stance contradicts Italian reports

Manager Andoni Iraola previously attributed the homegrown talent’s absence to a minor hip issue following a recent 3-2 defeat by Monaco.

“Curtis, he has trained every day but yesterday finished with issues in the hip,” Iraola said.

“It doesn’t look anything big but it didn’t make any sense to risk and those are the ones, more or less, closer to a return.”

Despite the ongoing transfer saga, the head coach had earlier expressed a strong desire to retain the local prospect.

“For me he is a great, great player and I hope he can continue with us and continue performing the way he has been performing,” he added.

Squad rebuild continues

An impending departure would mark another significant exit for Liverpool this summer, further testing the depth of their squad.

The club has reportedly already lost Ibrahima Konate, Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah on free transfers, significantly limiting their bargaining power.

Meanwhile, the prospective move would see the Scouse midfielder link up with English duo John Stones and Djed Spence in Milan.

Inter have paved the way for the signing by loaning Davide Frattesi to Lazio, freeing up vital space in their squad for the incoming arrival.

Santos captain Neymar has become the first player to be temporarily removed from the pitch under a new goalkeeper time-wasting rule during Sunday’s 3-0 victory over Vasco in Brazil’s Serie A.

The experimental regulation, which is also scheduled for a Premier League trial, requires an outfield player to leave the field for one minute if their goalkeeper receives medical attention.

Managers are given a strict 10-second window to nominate the individual who will serve the brief sideline suspension.

If the technical area fails to identify a player in time, the team captain is automatically chosen to step across the touchline.

Historic enforcement in Brazilian top flight

The unprecedented incident occurred when Santos shot-stopper Gabriel Brazao required treatment during the comfortable weekend win.

Because the coaching staff did not make a swift nomination, the match referee instructed the former Barcelona and Paris St-Germain forward to depart.

The 34-year-old subsequently returned to the action 60 seconds later to help see out the routine league triumph.

International retirement confirmed

This domestic milestone comes shortly after the prolific attacker confirmed his retirement from international football following a disappointing World Cup campaign.

A persistent calf injury restricted the Brazilian icon to just two tournament appearances, culminating in a last-16 elimination at the hands of Norway.

I think my time with the national team has already passed. I made history there, and I’m very happy about it.

I experienced a lot there, gave my blood and my life, and always fought and battled for the yellow jersey. But I don’t think I want it anymore.

The veteran forward bows out of international duty with a staggering 80 goals and 58 assists across 130 appearances for his country.

Despite a glittering club career, his only senior honour on the global stage remains the 2013 Confederations Cup.

Liverpool defender Milos Kerkez says he is thriving under the aggressive tactical approach implemented by new manager Andoni Iraola following the departure of Arne Slot.

The Spanish coach was appointed this summer with the mandate of reviving the Merseyside club after a bitterly disappointing second campaign under his Dutch predecessor.

Slot was dismissed following a season in which the team’s trademark intensity dropped alarmingly and their high press became worryingly erratic.

Iraola arrived at Anfield following three impressive years in charge of Bournemouth, bringing a reputation for a high-energy system without the ball.

Reuniting with a familiar system

The managerial change reunites the new head coach with a player he previously managed on the south coast.

The Hungarian international made a £40m move to Anfield last summer but failed to make his desired impact during a difficult debut campaign.

However, the 22-year-old is now confident he will flourish in a system that is fundamentally better suited to his attacking attributes.

We play really aggressive, we need to run a lot more, and it is good.

The full-back noted that competing at the top of the Premier League and Champions League requires this demanding level of physical output.

You can see I have more freedom to fly up and down, I’m really running more, putting more balls into boxes.

The former Bournemouth defender added that the entire squad has fully committed to playing on the front foot.

Building momentum for the new campaign

The Reds recently wrapped up their pre-season preparations with a 2-0 victory over Como, providing a much-needed morale boost following high-scoring defeats by Leeds and Monaco.

Both the Hungarian and teammate Jeremie Frimpong completed 90 minutes in the wide defensive positions during the reassuring victory.

Meanwhile, highly-rated prospect Jeremy Jacquet scored and impressed alongside captain Virgil van Dijk in central defence.

He was brilliant, really – defensively calm on the ball, plays hard, plays aggressive, which is definitely the Liverpool style of play.

New defensive signing Ronald Araujo also featured in the second half, helping goalkeeper Alisson secure a welcome clean sheet.

The Anfield side will officially begin their 2026/27 Premier League campaign with a challenging away fixture against Newcastle United on Sunday.

Premier League clubs have already spent a staggering £2.14bn during the summer transfer window, threatening to shatter previous spending records with over two weeks still remaining before deadline day.

That enormous figure has already surpassed the complete summer outlays recorded in several recent seasons.

According to data provided by FootballTransfers.com, the current expenditure trails only the £2.36bn spent in 2023 and the all-time record of £3.14bn.

Another historic financial milestone remains highly possible as teams finalise their squads.

English top flight dwarfs European rivals

The financial disparity between England and the rest of Europe remains incredibly stark.

Top-flight English sides have committed more money this summer than the other four major European leagues combined.

In contrast to the English dominance, Serie A teams have spent £780m so far.

They are followed distantly by La Liga (£515m), the Bundesliga (£505m), and Ligue 1 (£412m).

Chelsea lead the domestic financial charge

The Blues are setting the pace in the market, having already committed £348m this summer.

Tottenham Hotspur are the next highest spenders on £228m, while Arsenal and Manchester City have both invested £151m.

This immense financial outlay is not solely confined to the traditional elite.

Aston Villa, Brentford, and Brighton are among several clubs to have broken their all-time transfer records during this window.

Keeping the wealth within the division

A defining feature of this current window has been the immense volume of business conducted between domestic rivals.

Almost £785m has been spent on intra-league transfers, representing nearly a third of all overall expenditure.

Eight of the 12 most expensive acquisitions so far have involved players moving directly between two English top-flight clubs.

The traditional Big Six have been the primary drivers of this trend, paying £546.5m to recruit established talent from their domestic counterparts.

Defending champions Arsenal begin their 2026/27 Premier League campaign this weekend as top-flight football returns following the summer World Cup.

The north London club ended a 22-year wait to lift the league trophy in May and now face the monumental challenge of retaining their crown.

Early indications suggest the reigning champions are ready for the task after dismantling last season’s runners-up Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield.

That comprehensive victory served as a stark warning to the rest of the division ahead of matchday one.

New arrivals join the top flight

The upcoming 38-game marathon also welcomes three newly promoted clubs eager to establish themselves among the elite.

Hull City, Coventry City and Ipswich Town have all ascended from the Championship to join the highest tier of English football.

Fans across the country are eagerly anticipating the opening fixtures, although traditional television broadcast restrictions remain in place.

Broadcast rules and schedule

Supporters are reminded that matches kicking off at 15:00 on Saturdays will not be televised live in the UK due to longstanding blackout regulations.

The opening weekend promises a slate of intriguing derbies and storylines as all 20 clubs start with a clean slate.

Alexander Isak will face a hostile reception when he returns to Newcastle United this weekend for Andoni Iraola’s first competitive match as Liverpool manager.

The Swedish international missed both encounters against his former employers last season.

A record £125m transfer last summer sparked fury among the St James’ Park faithful after the striker went on strike to force the move.

He subsequently suffered a broken leg before Christmas, delaying his first appearance back in the North East.

Iraola faces early midfield dilemmas

The new Reds boss must navigate several major selection headaches ahead of the high-profile fixture.

World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister is lacking match fitness following an extended summer break.

Academy prospect Trey Nyoni could therefore be handed a shock start alongside Dominik Szoboszlai.

The talented teenager has impressed during pre-season and may edge out the more experienced Ryan Gravenberch.

New defensive recruits ready for debut

Changes are also expected at the back as the visitors look to implement a highly attacking system.

Summer arrival Ronald Araujo is guaranteed to make his debut alongside captain Virgil van Dijk in central defence.

The Uruguayan loan signing has been preferred to Jeremy Jacquet in anticipation of a fierce physical battle on Tyneside.

Flying full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez are set to complete a revamped backline for the Merseyside club.

Predicted starting lineup

Iraola is expected to field a fresh side featuring several recent additions.

The Scottish Football Association has officially lost confidence in Gianni Infantino and will not support his re-election as Fifa president following controversies over commercial rights.

The decision comes amid mounting pressure on the global governing body’s leadership regarding a recently abandoned commercial venture.

Fifa Forward Enterprise was a proposed company designed to manage commercial and ticketing rights for all major tournaments, including future World Cups.

The highly controversial plan aimed to sell a significant stake to a private investment firm, sparking immediate and widespread backlash across the sport.

Maxwell confirms unified Uefa stance

Chief executive Ian Maxwell confirmed the move while simultaneously announcing Belgian Sebastian Pocognoli as the new Scotland head coach.

He stated that the national body is strictly aligning itself with Uefa’s broader opposition to the current global leadership.

“The SFA will not be voting for Gianni Infantino come the re-election in early 2027,” Maxwell told BBC Sport.

“Their statement since then has talked about a lack of confidence in the Fifa leadership and the Scottish FA agree completely with that decision,” the chief executive added.

He also forcefully rejected suggestions that previous silence was linked to Scottish FA president Mike Mulraney currently heading the global finance committee.

Deception accusations and breakaway threats

The football associations of England, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland have already publicly withdrawn their backing for the incumbent president.

Last week, an open letter from Uefa, Concacaf, and the Asian Football Confederation heavily criticised the aborted commercial proposals.

The regional governing bodies explicitly accused the sport’s highest office of breaking foundational trust through deliberate deception.

They demanded that any subsequent governance review should be conducted by a fully independent third party rather than an internal council.

Future consequences for world football

The European administrative body has even issued stern legal warnings demanding that all documents related to the abandoned plans are permanently preserved.

Preliminary discussions have reportedly taken place between several confederations regarding potential breakaway competitions if the current administration remains in power.

Despite the fierce and growing opposition, no rival candidate has yet stepped forward to challenge for the presidency ahead of the upcoming electoral deadlines.