Leagues ·
Football Roundup: France Draws with Italy, Man City Appeals Premier League Ruling, and Pickford Backs Kane
France and Italy shared the points in Paris, Manchester City formally appealed their Premier League financial breach ruling, and Jordan Pickford endorsed Harry Kane for the 2026 Ballon d'Or.
France and Italy played out a 1-1 draw in UEFA Nations League Group A1 action at the Stade de France on Friday, October 2. Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise opened the scoring for Les Bleus in the 55th minute before Alessandro Bastoni equalized for Italy in the 68th minute. France defender Dayot Upamecano was sent off in the 85th minute after receiving a second yellow card. Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma made several crucial late saves, including a stoppage-time stop on Eduardo Camavinga to preserve the draw for the Azzurri.
Off the pitch, Manchester City confirmed they lodged a formal appeal against the findings of an independent commission regarding Premier League financial rule breaches. In a statement released on October 2, the club declared that at 7pm on Thursday, October 1, 2026, it lodged its comprehensive appeal against the opinion of the commission. City added that the opinion contains clear material errors of law, principle, and fact, describing it as unsafe. On Friday, English football's governing body responded by noting that the independent commission's decision has significant implications for the integrity of the game.
Elsewhere in international news, England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford publicly backed Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane for the 2026 Ballon d'Or during a press conference on Friday, October 2. Speaking ahead of England's Nations League clash with Croatia, the Everton shot-stopper stated that Kane is right in the mix for the award, praising his standards, goalscoring record, and overall character. Pickford added that hard work pays off and expressed his desire to see Kane lift the prestigious trophy.
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Nations League · France vs Italy · Manchester City · Harry Kane · Ballon d'Or
Competition: UEFA Nations League