From VAR controversies to Wayne Rooney’s emotional revelations and even an Olympic bid announcement on the world stage, the past week has been packed with stories that stretched well beyond the pitch and into politics, heritage, and personal struggles.
PGMO Takes VAR on the Road
The Premier League’s refereeing body, PGMO, has clearly realized how unpopular VAR remains with fans.
In a bid to win back some trust, they’ve started hosting roadshows across England.
Last week, they stopped off in Burnley, where officials walked fans through real-life VAR examples, explained how it works on matchdays, and answered questions from supporters who often feel shut out of the process.
The goal is simple: more transparency, more trust.
Rooney Opens Up in an Emotional Chat with Ferdinand
Wayne Rooney has signed a lucrative deal with the BBC, appearing on Match of the Day and fronting his own podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show.
But it wasn’t on the BBC platform where he made headlines last week—it was on Rio Ferdinand Presents.
In a deeply personal hour-long conversation with his former Manchester United teammate, Rooney opened up about his battles with alcohol, admitting he once drank for two days straight and crediting his wife, Coleen, for saving his life.
At 39, Rooney reflected on how close things had become to spiraling out of control during his career.
Unsurprisingly, the BBC still ran coverage of the story, though they had to acknowledge that the raw interview came via Ferdinand’s podcast.
VAR Controversy at United’s Expense
Manchester United’s struggles continued in west London, where a controversial VAR decision left fans—and pundits—fuming.
Brentford defender Nathan Collins appeared to drag down Bryan Mbeumo when the striker was clean through on goal. VAR confirmed a penalty but bizarrely supported referee Craig Pawson’s decision to only show a yellow card.
The Premier League’s matchday centre later defended the call by saying Mbeumo wasn’t “in control of the ball,” a point that many, including Alan Shearer, found ridiculous—since Collins’ foul was the very reason he wasn’t.
United’s Bruno Fernandes went on to miss the resulting penalty, and Brentford came back to win 3-1, deepening United’s slump.
Wilder Back at Sheffield United
Sheffield United have turned back to a familiar face.
Chris Wilder has returned as manager, tasked with pulling the Blades out of their early-season mess.
His comeback meant he missed out on attending the Ryder Cup at Bethpage, where he had planned to cheer on lifelong Blade Matt Fitzpatrick.
Still, Fitzpatrick did receive a supportive video message—this one from Neil Warnock, another Blades boss and golf enthusiast.
A Storm Around Samuel Ryder’s Legacy
Away from sport, the Ryder Cup’s namesake found himself linked to another storm.
Samuel Ryder, who made his fortune in St Albans from a seed business, once owned a Grade II-listed exhibition hall in the city.
The building, long tied to his legacy, recently switched tenants from Café Rouge to Indian restaurant Moka.
But when Moka applied for a late-night licence, some locals pushed back hard, with a barrister even likening the plans to a “2am nightclub.”
Despite opposition, the licence was granted, leaving those who hoped to see the venue transformed into a winter garden disappointed.
Qatar Steps Onto the Olympic Stage
While Donald Trump’s UN slip-ups drew international headlines, another leader quietly seized his moment.
The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, used his address at the General Assembly to officially spotlight Qatar’s bid for the 2036 Olympic Games.
Referencing the devastating conflict in the region, he framed sport as “a bridge for connecting peoples and a platform for promoting peace.”
It was an unexpected but strategic move, with Olympic insiders suggesting the speech gave Doha’s bid a timely boost—even though competition for the Games will be fierce.
What Comes Next
From refereeing reform to Olympic ambitions, the past week reminded us that sport is never just about scores or results—it’s about people, politics, and legacy.
The question now is how these stories evolve. Will PGMO’s charm offensive win over fans? Can Rooney’s honesty spark wider conversations about player wellbeing? Will United bounce back from their VAR misery? And, perhaps most intriguingly, could Doha really become the host city for the 2036 Olympics?