Athletic Bilbao – Atlético Madrid : un choc très attendu à San Mamés

L’Athletic Bilbao accueille l’Atlético de Madrid ce samedi à San Mamés pour une affiche qui s’annonce particulièrement disputée. saltysenoritaaz.com

Portés par leur public, les Basques tenteront de mettre leur intensité habituelle au service d’un résultat positif face à une équipe madrilène toujours difficile à manœuvrer.

De son côté, l’Atlético Madrid se déplace avec l’ambition de réaliser une prestation solide et de repartir avec des points précieux. Les hommes de Diego Simeone devront notamment résister à la pression du public basque et se montrer efficaces dans les moments importants.

Entre deux formations réputées pour leur caractère, leur engagement et leur organisation, la rencontre promet d’être intense. Chaque équipe cherchera à prendre le contrôle du match et à faire la différence dans les moments clés.

Le coup d’envoi est prévu ce samedi à 16h15 à San Mamés.

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World Football Summit has announced the winners of the WFS Awards 2026, the tenth edition of the programme that recognises the professionals and organisations, in the spotlight and behind the scenes, whose work elevates the game, expands the business, and deepens its impact on society.

Michele Kang, Founder of Kynisca and Chairwoman & President of Olympique Lyonnais, has become the first woman in history to win the WFS Award for Best Executive presented by Excel Search & Advisory.

Michele Kang is an American businesswoman and investor who entered football in 2020, when she joined the ownership group of the Washington Spirit in the National Women’s Soccer League, and later became the club’s controlling owner in 2022. The following year, she reached an agreement with OL Groupe to bring the club’s women’s team — now OL Lyonnes — into a separate entity under her majority ownership. She subsequently acquired London City Lionesses and, in 2024, launched Kynisca, the first multi-club platform dedicated exclusively to women’s football.

In June 2025, she also became President of Olympique Lyonnais and Chairperson and CEO of Eagle Football Group, S.A., the club’s parent company; in June 2026 she acquired a controlling stake of close to 88% in Eagle Football Group, S.A.

The jury, made up of senior executives from some of the world’s leading clubs and federations, highlighted Kang’s transformative impact across both the men’s and women’s game in Europe and North America. Beyond pioneering an innovative multi-club ownership model for women’s football, the panel praised her ability to step into complex organisations and shift their trajectory—delivering immediate sporting results while taking a long-term approach to building sustainable organisations.

Kang joins a list of previous Best Executive winners that includes Nasser Al-Khelaïfi (Paris Saint-Germain, 2025), Fernando Carro (Bayer 04 Leverkusen, 2024), Ferran Soriano (City Football Group, 2023) and Aleksander Čeferin (UEFA, 2021), among others.

“I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition, especially knowing the extraordinary leaders who have come before me. The game is evolving quickly, on and off the pitch, and I believe its future will be shaped by leaders willing to challenge assumptions, invest with ambition and build for the long term,” said Kang. “To receive this recognition for my work across football, and to be the first woman to receive the award, is especially meaningful. I hope it also reflects the growing role women are playing in leading and shaping football at every level.”

Kang will take the stage at WFS Madrid 2026 as a guest speaker, for an exclusive fireside chat moderated by Chad Biagini, President of Excel Search & Advisory and host of the Excellent Leadership Podcast, on 15 September, the opening day of the event.

CPKC Stadium, Another Milestone for Women’s Football

Iker Ruiz takes home the WFS Award for Best Content Creator, presented by TikTok, one of three new categories introduced this year. He is the creator of Elefutbol, a TikTok channel with 11 million followers built on narrative, emotionally-driven football storytelling — tributes, personal journeys and human-interest pieces — rather than highlights or news coverage.

In Best Fan-Centric Initiative, presented by Goodform by YouFirst, the award goes to Como Gaming Club, Como 1907‘s platform connecting fans through gaming, esports and digital culture giving the club a new way to reach younger, digitally-native fans beyond the stadium.

CPKC Stadium, home of the Kansas City Current, takes the WFS Award for Best Stadium Experience, presented by Stadium DB — the first stadium in the world built exclusively for women’s football, and a milestone the award recognises in its own right.

All WFS Awards 2026 Winners:

• Best Content Creator, presented by TikTok: Iker Ruiz
• Best Digital Transformation Initiative, presented by N3XT Sports: Revolutionising the Saudi Sports and Football Ecosystem (Saudi Ministry of Sports)
• Best Executive, presented by Excel Search & Advisory: Michele Kang (Kynisca Sports International and Olympique Lyonnais)
• Best Fan-Centric Initiative, presented by Goodform by YouFirst: Como Gaming Club (Como 1907)
• Best Gender Equality Initiative, presented by Women in Football: Girls United
• Best Growth Strategy, presented by Deloitte: PLAYBACK
• Best Stadium Experience, presented by Stadium DB: CPKC Stadium
• Eli Wolff Football Without Limits, presented by Integrated Dreams: South Sudan Blind Football
• Football for Good, presented by Common Goal: Moving the Goalposts
• Most Innovative Supplier, presented by SportsTechX: Trajektory
• Woman in Leadership, presented by Women in Soccer: Claire Bloomfield (Ayresome International)

“Every winner of every category makes us proud: all of them have delivered outstanding work and shown a genuine commitment to this industry, an industry that needs every one of them. Seeing Michele Kang honoured in our tenth anniversary year feels genuinely special. Her path embodies one of the things that inspired us to launch WFS back in 2016, and what still inspires us every day: elevating female leadership in sports management, and proving just how far women’s football can go,” said Marian Otamendi, CEO of World Football Summit.

The WFS Awards trophies will be presented on 15 September at Teatro Eslava, Madrid, on the opening night of WFS Madrid 2026 during a gala hosted by Georgina Léger. It is at the ceremony that the winner of the WFS Award for a Career Honouring the Essence of the Game, presented by Senn Ferrero will be revealed for the first time.

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New Zealand captain Ardie Savea says the threat of bad weather will not affect plans for the third Test against world champions South Africa in Johannesburg on Saturday.

The South African Weather Service told AFP there is a “60% chance of rain and thunderstorms” at Soccer City, also known as FNB Stadium, during the match.

“That (bad weather) will not affect how we play. We need to be a little bit better in all areas than last week to challenge the Springboks,” he told reporters on Friday.

“We know how we want to play and South Africa know how they want to play. The game will come down to fine margins.

“I think we did not win those last week and the Springboks took advantage. We have got to be really clinical, accurate, and disciplined.”

New Zealand lost the second Test 33-26 in Cape Town last Saturday after winning the first 33-16 in Johannesburg the previous weekend.

After the third Test the teams travel to American city Baltimore for the series finale on September 12 between top-ranked South Africa and second-ranked New Zealand.

Outstanding No 8 Savea says it is crucial that the All Blacks do not repeat the mistakes made early in Cape Town.

Springboks centre Jesse Kriel scored a try inside two minutes and, after New Zealand levelled, they fell behind again on 19 minutes and trailed for the rest of the match.

“We dare not give a helping hand to the Springboks because they are world champions for a reason.

“If we do that, we will be in big trouble. We have got to start well and put ourselves in great positions to stay in the game.

“This is a huge match – one of the biggest challenges of my career,” said the 32-year-old forward boasting 111 Test caps.

“We are all square at 1-1 in the series so whoever wins on Saturday moves ahead with one match to go. That is the position we want to be in.”

Savea said he “loved” being in South Africa and having his wife and children with him made the tour “extra special”.

“My family have had an awesome time. South Africans have been amazing. To do my work with the All Blacks and then see my wife and children – that is a massive blessing.”

Kaizer Chiefs forward Etiosa Ighodaro is determined to put a frustrating injury-hit campaign behind him and make his mark this season.

Ighodaro joined the club last season from rivals Mamelodi Sundowns, but was limited to seven appearances across all competitions due to his injury setbacks.

The 25-year-old has been ever-present in this squad this campaign and has only missed two matches in all competitions.

After limited game time last term, Ighodaro says a productive pre-season has helped rebuild his confidence as he looks to deliver his best for the club and its supporters.

“Last season was quite frustrating for me because of injuries,” Ighodaro told his club’s official website.

“But that is behind me now and I am looking forward to a great season. Hopefully, you’ll see the best of me. I am pushing myself hard to make the Club and the supporters proud.

“I really benefitted from pre-season because I didn’t play a lot last season so I needed the minutes in the practice games to build my confidence.”

The post Ighodaro Targets Strong Comeback Season at Chiefs appeared first on SportsClub.

Nigel Owens says the outrage aimed at Rassie Erasmus is unfair and the Springbok boss has broken no rules with his off-field tactics in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.

Writing for WalesOnline, the former referee sympathises with Erasmus and All Blacks rival Dave Rennie over their frustration at new World Rugby protocols requiring both head coaches to attend pre-match meetings with officials.

ICYMI: ‘Rassie the Lex Luthor of rugby’

Owens argues coaches previously used those private sessions to flag tactical concerns without tipping off their opponents, saying that changes have pushed grievances into the media that create narratives before matches as well as complicate matters for referees.

On Erasmus naming a team days out from last week’s second Test of the series before making late changes, the Welshman says the two-time World Cup winner stayed within the limits given this series falls outside normal 48-hour selection requirement.

ALSO: ‘Rennie knew how to get under Rassie’s skin’

“Mind games are nothing new when it comes to coaches, particularly when someone as colourful a character as Erasmus is involved,” he writes.

“I have seen plenty of people accusing Erasmus of going against the spirit of the game for his actions ahead of the second Test, making several tactical alterations to his starting team ahead of kick-off, having announced it days earlier.

“I can understand why such accusations have been made, but I don’t agree with them myself. Ultimately, he didn’t break any rules.”

FULL COLUMN

Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images

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