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• FIFA imposes recruitment ban on Macarthur FC until compensation is paid to Dwight Yorke

  Macarthur FC has been handed a significant blow after FIFA imposed a recruitment ban on the club, barring them from signing new players until the middle of 2026 unless they pay compensation owed to former coach Dwight Yorke. The ban, which applies to both domestic and international player signings, stems from the club’s failure to comply with a ruling that requires them to compensate Yorke for wrongful dismissal.

  According to a recent report in Australia's Sunday Morning Herald, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) recently upheld a decision made by FIFA's Players' Status Chamber (PSC) that Macarthur FC must pay Yorke AU$212,500, a sum that has now risen to AU$290,000 with interest. Yorke was sacked from his position as head coach after a post-match dressing room outburst in January 2023. The court found that the club breached his contract and terminated him without just cause.

  Macarthur, who recently claimed the 2024 Australia Cup with a 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory, will be unable to sign new talent during the A-League’s upcoming January 2024 transfer window, as well as future windows, if they fail to resolve the outstanding payment. The ban will be in place until the payment is made in full, along with any accrued interest.

  In a letter addressed to Macarthur FC, FIFA's head of disciplinary, Américo Espallargas, emphasized the seriousness of the club’s failure to meet its financial obligations to Yorke. The letter also stated that if the full amount is not paid by the end of the current penalty, further disciplinary measures could be enforced at Yorke’s request.

  Macarthur FC had previously appealed the original PSC ruling, arguing that Yorke had damaged the club’s reputation following his explosive remarks during the January 2023 incident, but the appeal was rejected. Yorke had also lodged a counterclaim to seek additional compensation for the remainder of his contract, which would have exceeded AU$800,000 if successful, but this was dismissed due to a CAS rule change in 2010 making counterclaims inadmissible.

  With the ban now in place, Macarthur FC's ability to compete at the highest level could be severely impacted as they miss out on crucial transfer windows until the matter is resolved. For now, the club remains in a precarious position, awaiting the resolution of a dispute that has reverberated across Australian football.

• Tuchel appointment gives England best chance of World Cup glory, says FA chief

  Thomas Tuchel's appointment as England head coach gives the Three Lions the best possible chance of lifting the World Cup in 2026.

  That is the view of FA chief executive Mark Bullingham, who believes the former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss ranks among the world's best coaches.

  On Wednesday, Tuchel was confirmed as Gareth Southgate's permanent successor, with the German set to take charge on January 1 after interim boss Lee Carsley oversees England's remaining Nations League fixtures against Greece and the Republic of Ireland.

  Pep Guardiola and Mauricio Pochettino had also been linked to the post in recent months, and Bullingham says the FA always intended to appoint a proven winner. 

  "We are thrilled to have hired Thomas Tuchel, one of the best coaches in the world and Anthony Barry who is one of the best English coaches to support him," he said in a press release. 

  "Our recruitment process has been very thorough. Before the Euros we had a contingency plan and outlined exactly the qualities we would be looking for in a coach. 

  "Since Gareth resigned, we have worked through the candidate pool, meeting a number of coaches and evaluating them against that criteria. Thomas was very impressive and stood out with his vast expertise and his drive. 

  "Anthony is a top English talent and also has international experience with the Republic of Ireland, Belgium and Portugal. 

  "Fundamentally we wanted to hire a coaching team to give us the best possible chance of winning a major tournament, and we believe they will do just that. 

  "Thomas and the team have a single-minded focus on giving us the best possible chance to win the World Cup in 2026."

  Carsley has won three of his four games at the helm, but oversaw a humiliating 2-1 defeat to Greece at Wembley last week and will now return to his role as Under-21s head coach.

  Bullingham believes the former Republic of Ireland international has a big future, however, adding: "I would like to thank Lee for stepping up and doing everything we asked of him – he is a very talented coach and a major part of our England pathway. 

  "He will now focus on retaining the Under-21 Euro title in the summer. These are exciting times for England fans at senior and Under-21 level, and we look forward to welcoming Thomas and Anthony when they begin work in January."

• Brazil 4-0 Peru: Raphinha brace helps Selecao to confidence-boosting win

  Brazil have won back-to-back competitive matches for the first time in over a year, having followed their 2-1 win in Chile last week with a 4-1 victory over Peru on Tuesday.

  The hosts did have an initial scare though, with Edison Flores breaking clear to slot the ball past Ederson after 12 minutes, though the flag was immediately raised for offside.

  Raphinha then hammered against the crossbar in the 24th minute, before putting his team a goal ahead from the penalty spot in the 38th minute - six minutes after the kick was initially awarded for handball against Carlos Zambrano, following a lengthy VAR review.

  The Barcelona man then killed the game as a contest by scoring a second penalty nine minutes into the second half, also conceded by Zambrano.

  Brazil continued to dominate before a spectacular 71st-minute volley from Andreas Pereira made their lead more comfortable. Luiz Henrique then added another three minutes later with a neat curling effort from the edge of the box.

  Data Debrief: Brazil on the way back

  Brazil have won back-to-back competitive matches for the first time since September 2023.

  While they trail CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying leaders Argentina by six points, they have opened five-point gap to eighth-placed Venezuela in the first elimination spot.

  But with another eight matches to come, including fixtures against Venezuela and Uruguay in November's international break, they will need to maintain their improved form.