The 5⃣ stories of the day: Baresi dies, Espí to Madrid and UEFA-FIFA clash.. | OneFootball

This Friday, July 31 begins packed with news. That’s why we’re bringing you the five stories you can’t miss to start the day...

Franco Baresi dies at the age of 66

📸 Marco Luzzani - 2024 Getty Images

The Milan legend passed away this Friday. He had been battling an illness for some time and, unfortunately, has left us. Calcio and the football world are in mourning.

The RFEF opens proceedings against Barça over Julián Álvarez

📸 Denis Doyle - 2026 Getty Images

The RFEF informed Barcelona this Thursday that it was opening proceedings against them over the harassment directed at Julián Álvarez. Atlético de Madrid reported it, and the Blaugrana could be sanctioned.

Carlos Espí, Real Madrid’s lightning signing

📸 CRISTINA QUICLER - AFP or licensors

Los Blancos informed Carlos Espí and Levante within a matter of hours that they were activating his release clause, and they did. They are paying €25 million for the striker. It was officially announced on Thursday night.

Fulham pay a fortune for Gonzalo García and César Palacios

📸 Denis Doyle - 2026 Getty Images

Fulham, the team currently managed by Álvaro Arbeloa, are set to pay more than €50 million for 70% of the rights to Gonzalo García and César Palacios.

UEFA will boycott the World Cup if FIFA sells the commercial rights

📸 Stu Forster - 2024 Getty Images

UEFA announced that it will boycott the FIFA World Cup if they sell 20–30% of the commercial rights to private funds. CONCACAF as well.

In response, FIFA issued a statement: "The FFE initiative has been proposed solely to ensure that all FIFA Member Associations (MAs) have the opportunity to participate actively in the commercial development of football in their respective countries, and that this does not come at the expense of the spirit or governance of FIFA or football itself (...) No one is selling football. This is not something FIFA would ever consider."

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

📸 ODD ANDERSEN - AFP or licensors