“The day the world changed, yeah?” So said honorary Guardianista Nathan Barley as he flaunted his Geek Pie haircut on the streets of east London. The world didn’t change, it just got more like Nathan Barley. But every now and then there is a date of historic significance: such as 15 December 1995, when Jean-Marc Bosman won his case against Uefa and changed football’s transfer market forever. It’s not yet clear whether 4 October 2024 is the day the world changed or simply the day Preston striker Milutin Osmajic was given an eight-match ban after mistaking a Blackburn player for a sausage roll. We’re referring, as you jolly well know, to former Chelsea and Arsenal water carrier Lassana Diarra’s case against Fifa.

On Friday morning, the court of justice for the European Union (CJEU) concluded that certain aspects of the transfer system aren’t fit for purpose. “Some Fifa rules on international transfers of professional footballers are contrary to EU law,” said the court statement. “First, the rules in question are such as to impede the free movement of professional footballers … Those rules impose considerable legal risks, unforeseeable and potentially very high financial risks as well as major sporting risks” and blah blah blah.

The full backstory of Diarra’s case can be found via this helpful link, which we are definitely not using to hide the fact we don’t understand some of the intricacies. In short, Diarra was sacked by Lokomotiv Moscow in 2014 and was denied the opportunity to join Charleroi when Fif … nope, sorry, we’re still not sure. Here’s the link again. And again.

The specifics of Diarra’s case are less relevant than the impact it could have. Many people who know fractionally more than Football Daily, but are vastly superior at the noble art of chin-stroking, are speculating that this will be Bosman 2.0. The doomsday scenario is that players will be free to change job like any employee, although that wouldn’t be all bad: imagine the hilarious cartoon clouds when the first intrepid, restless soul tries to submit a month’s notice to Antonio Conte. It’ll be months, maybe years before it all settles down, and even then Football Daily won’t understand all the intricacies. For now, there’s only one safe assumption: the rich will get richer. Plus ça effing change.

“Don’t judge us in this moment. I judge us at the end of the season. We are in the process. Just wait. We have to develop this team. We will work and continue. We will fight” – yes, Erik ten Hag is refusing to change the record, keeping the faith and believing that Harry Maguire’s last-gasp equaliser in a 3-3 Bigger Vase draw for 10-man Manchester United at Porto could be his very own Mark Robins moment.

This week will mark the seventh game on the trot that Manchester United’s game will be the live on TV in the UK. I didn’t realise my Sky subscription included a season ticket to that ridiculous club” – Phil Aston.

Re: Karim Adeyemi saying his ‘wife made broccoli’ (yesterday’s Quote of the Day). How do you ‘make’ broccoli? Can somebody please post the recipe?” – Jarrod Prosser (and others).

I hope this furore about the non-prizes (Football Daily letters passim) doesn’t end in chaos, with winners returning their non-prizes. I, for one, will be keeping mine. They have pride of place in my otherwise empty trophy cabinet” – Bernard Clark.

Send letters to [email protected]. Today’s prizeless letter o’ the day winner is … Bernard Clark. And prizes are back from Monday for next week, baby. Terms and conditions for our competitions can be viewed here.

Fun and Games in Mexico dept: the Chivas winger Roberto Alvarado has apologised after throwing a firecracker into the room during a press conference. Alvarado claims the incident was a joke aimed at teammates, but assembled hacks failed to see the funny side and walked out in protest. “In almost 15 years of covering the team, this has NEVER happened,” wrote reporter Karina Herrera [well, you’d hope not – Football Daily Ed]. “It was NOT a joke as they claim,” Herrera added on Social Media Abomination X, while other journalists shared footage of debris and claimed the firecracker had hit a camera operator. Chivas’s next game is the Guadalajara derby, on Sunday against Atlas, so we can expect more lively scenes whether or not Alvarado is cleared to play.

All of the coaching staff at Solihull Moors’ women’s team have resigned from their roles, just under two weeks after their players alleged the women’s arm of the club was being neglected.

Pep Guardiola may soon have 115 reasons to walk away, but is staying guarded about his Manchester City future. “I love this club … [but] I’m not going to talk about this subject,” he trilled.

Are Chelsea ready to battle for the Premier League title? Of course not. “If you want to compete for big things you need time,” blathered Enzo Maresca.

It’s all slightly coming up Big Sir Jim Ratcliffe after the Manchester United co-owner’s Ineos Britannia ended a 60-year wait for a British boat to compete for the America’s Cup.

Plymouth Argyle have signed Andre Gray on a short-term deal. “Andre is a striker of real quality,” cooed manager Wayne Rooney. “He just needs to get sharper. Over the international break, he’ll have a blast to get fitter.”

Eddie Howe wants Newcastle to stay at St James’ Park, rather than build an even shinier new venue elsewhere. “To think about moving somewhere else feels a little bit of a betrayal,” sniffed the honorary Geordie.

The Magpies go to Goodison Park on Saturday evening, and Sean Dyche believes his team are bouncing back. “I think winning brings that confidence, where everyone feels a bit better about life,” Dyche cheered.

Aaron Ramsdale says he joined Southampton because he didn’t want to win silverware as an Arsenal substitute. “If I was sitting on the bench, it [winning a trophy] wouldn’t have meant that much to me,” blathered the goalkeeper, while gazing into a crystal ball. “I just wanted to play football.”

Angharad James has been named as Wales’s new permanent captain, replacing Sophie Ingle, who stepped down in April. “It’s an extremely proud moment,” whooped James, who has 122 caps under her belt.

And in Scotland, Brendan Rodgers can celebrate after winning the Premiership manager of the month award! What’s that?Ah.

It could be a rough weekend for some top-flight managers. That, among 10 things to look out for in the Premier League, is here.

The late Herman Ouseley stood up to be counted when football was failing to act on racism, writes Troy Townsend.

Will Unwin on how taking his daughter to her first WSL game reminded him of the joy football can bring.

Leeds keeper Ilhan Meslier is reuniting with former Lorient academy coach, Régis Le Bris, as his side face Sunderland in a big old Championship game.

With Arsenal facing Southampton, Steven Pye recalls the moment in 1988 when Paul Davis made headline news for all the wrong reasons.

In the latest MLS power rankings, Inter Miami continue their ‘Umbrella’-esque run in the top spot.

And why not burn up some of your remaining moments in the office by taking on the sport quiz of the week.

Football Weekly merch? Football Weekly merch!

Canvey Island fans take their leave at full-time of the 2-0 FA Trophy win at home to Harlow Town in December 2000. Big Paper had popped along to catch up with the club on the eve of their FA Cup second-round tie with Southend United, which was switched to Roots Hall. It earned Canvey Island somewhere in the region of £65,000 although they did go down to a 2-1 defeat.