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Images of Manchester United’s 2026-27 pre-match shirt have surfaced online, offering supporters an early glimpse of the training garment the squad will wear before competitive fixtures next season. The leak, shared by the social-media outlet @esvaphane on X, shows a predominantly black jersey accented with red detailing across the chest, shoulders and rear panel. Central placement is given to both the Adidas manufacturer’s logo and the official Manchester United crest. Matching socks have also appeared in the photographs, displaying a black base with red and white trim, the letters “MUFC” and the Adidas badge. The full kit, including the new home shorts, is visible in the accompanying imagery. Premier League dates for the 2026-27 campaign were released on Friday, confirming an August kick-off; the opening-weekend fixtures, to be announced in June, will be the first competitive matches in which players wear the fresh pre-match attire. The jersey will remain in rotation throughout the season, including the final-day schedule that sees all ten top-flight fixtures played simultaneously in May. Adidas, United’s long-term kit partner, continues its central design role. The forthcoming home shirt, leaked earlier, retains a traditional red palette with a collar and carries Snapdragon as principal sponsor. With Michael Carrick steering the team to third place ahead of this weekend’s league programme, the club are well placed to secure Champions League qualification. Should that position hold, the newly revealed training strip will be worn ahead of matches across four competitions: the Premier League, Carabao Cup, FA Cup and Champions League. United’s last participation in Europe’s elite tournament came in 2023-24, when they exited in the group stage. Recruitment plans are expected to intensify over the summer, and club officials will hope the updated kit range contributes to a refreshed mindset as the squad prepares for domestic and continental challenges at Old Trafford and beyond.

Anfield is bracing for a summer that will feel more like the closing of a book than the turning of a page. When Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah walk through the Shankly Gates for the last time, they will take with them the final living threads of the side that delivered Liverpool’s first league title in 30 years and reached three Champions League finals in four seasons. Their exits, quietly agreed and now looming, land more heavily on the collective memory of the club than Trent Alexander-Arnold’s headline-grabbing move to Real Madrid ever could. Alexander-Arnold’s departure was framed as the restless ambition of a 26-year-old seeking a new mountain to climb. Robertson and Salah, by contrast, are leaving at the natural conclusion of their cycles—two warriors whose bodies and numbers have begun to whisper what their hearts still refuse to admit. The Scot’s once-relentless overlaps no longer snap into life with the same frequency; the Egyptian’s goals, while still bankable, arrive in less explosive clusters. In footballing terms, they are tapering off into legend rather than accelerating into fresh glory. The symbolism is impossible to ignore. Since Georginio Wijnaldum and Xherdan Shaqiri exited in 2021, the squad has been on a slow-motion disassembly, but last season’s cruise to the Premier League crown provided a mirage of continuity. Robertson and Salah stayed, believing the good times could be extended. History will ask whether they should have exited on that high, lucrative offers in hand, instead of risking the indignity of diminished returns. Only four players who logged meaningful minutes in the 2019-20 title run will remain once the summer clear-out is complete. Alisson Becker, still brilliant yet increasingly confined to the treatment table, is already looking over his shoulder at the heir apparent waiting in the wings. Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk each have a solitary year left on their deals; one is haunted by persistent injuries, the other by questions over whether he can still dominate Europe’s sharpest forwards. Curtis Jones, a teenager during the parade through Liverpool city centre, has grown into a squad player whose 41 appearances this season include 20 from the bench, many of them in domestic cups. The broader context sharpens the sting. Liverpool’s romp to last season’s championship was masterfully managed yet also benefited from a rare power vacuum: Manchester City were recalibrating, Arsenal were still one creative spark short. This season, City have relocated their stride under Pep Guardiola’s latest evolution, while Arsenal sit top of the table on merit, flaws and all. The gap between aspiration and reality at Anfield has never looked wider in the post-Klopp era. Nostalgia offers solace because the future refuses to stand still. As Robertson and Salah prepare to leave, supporters are left clutching memories and scanning the horizon for proof that this season is merely an aberration rather than the opening chapter of a longer decline. The infrastructure, the academy, the global fanbase—all suggest Liverpool should rebound faster than most. Yet the uncomfortable truth is that the alchemy Klopp conjured has dissipated. The era is over, and its last on-field standard-bearers are about to depart. In the end, Alexander-Arnold’s exit was a jolt of modern football economics. Robertson and Salah’s feels like the end of a shared identity, a reminder that every golden age carries an expiration date—often printed in invisible ink until the page is finally turned.

Basseterre, Nevis — In a brief but meaningful ceremony held Thursday at the SL Horsfords Nevis Ltd. headquarters, the company reaffirmed its commitment to community sport by presenting a sponsorship cheque to the Brown Hill Cricket Club. Carlisle “Binghi” Pemberton, Hardware Manager at SL Horsfords, handed over the contribution and spoke of his personal connection to the initiative. A native of Brown Hill, Pemberton said he was proud to support the team and described the moment as especially significant for him on both a professional and personal level. Accepting the funds were Leeward Islands representative Kezron Archibald and club official Vijay Harinarine. Both men thanked SL Horsfords for the timely backing and vowed that the club would channel the resources into positive, meaningful development for its players and programmes. The sponsorship underlines SL Horsfords’ ongoing role in fostering local sport and provides Brown Hill Cricket Club with a timely boost as the new season approaches.

London – Mikel Arteta has moved to dampen mounting speculation about a new contract at Arsenal, but the Spaniard underlined his unwavering commitment to the club as the squad prepares for Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium. Speaking ahead of the fixture, the Gunners boss declined to expand on reports linking him with an extension, preferring to keep the focus on the team’s immediate objectives. While the 42-year-old refused to be drawn on personal terms or timelines, he stressed that his “full commitment” to the North London side remains unchanged. Arsenal enter the weekend looking to build on a positive run of form and consolidate their place in the upper reaches of the table, with Cherries set to provide the next test. Arteta’s current deal is believed to run until the end of the season, but the manager’s priority, for now, appears to be results on the pitch rather than paperwork off it.

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez will sit out Sunday’s Premier League clash with Manchester City after the club upheld its two-match internal suspension, head coach Liam Rosenior confirmed on Friday. The Argentine international was sanctioned last week for comments made during the international break in which he praised Madrid, fuelling fresh speculation over a future move to Real Madrid. Fernandez missed the 7-0 FA Cup rout of Port Vale and will now be absent for the visit of the champions to Stamford Bridge. Speaking ahead of the fixture, Rosenior revealed he has held “three or four” conversations with the 24-year-old, who has since apologised to both manager and club. “He’s apologised to me, he’s apologised to the club, and we’ll deal with that after a massive game on Sunday,” the Blues boss said. “I’m not questioning Enzo’s character or who he is as a person. We’ve made a sanction, we made a decision – I made a decision.” Agent Javier Pastore had earlier claimed the air had been “cleared” with Chelsea and expressed hope the ban would be halved, but Rosenior stressed the original punishment stands. “He won’t play on Sunday, but hopefully after that he’ll be a massive part of the group moving forward,” he added, while acknowledging “a few hurdles” remain before Fernandez can return. Rosenior rejected suggestions he was undermining his own ambitions by ruling out one of his most influential midfielders, insisting discipline must take precedence. Chelsea enter the weekend sixth in the table, one point behind Liverpool in the race for the final Champions League berth. Fernandez is expected to be available for the home meeting with Manchester United on 18 April. Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah and Levi Colwill also remain sidelined for the City match.

Barcelona, Friday – Hansi Flick cut short any attempt to drag him into a war of words with Real Madrid manager Álvaro Arbeloa, insisting he will “not waste energy” on the capital-club boss after Arbeloa questioned recent refereeing decisions that have gone Barça’s way. The flashpoint stems from Barcelona’s formal complaint to UEFA over what the club labelled a “major error” in their Champions League round-of-16 exit to Atlético Madrid, specifically an uncalled handball by Marc Pubill. Arbeloa responded by highlighting the reversal of Gerard Martín’s red card last weekend and argued that Barcelona benefit “week after week” from officiating calls. Asked directly about the Madrid coach’s remarks in his pre-match press conference, Flick offered a curt dismissal. I don’t care about these things, the Barcelona head coach said. It’s this business, there’s a lot of noise between us, but that’s what I tell the team: we have to focus on ourselves and not on what Real Madrid does. We are in a good position and we have to win every game and only think about ourselves. Nothing, I’m not wasting my energy on it. It’s their opinion and I’m focused on my team. The German tactician, who is starting a new personal project alongside his wife, left no doubt that his priority remains guiding a side that sits in contention on multiple fronts rather than engaging in off-pitch sparring. With the title race entering its decisive stretch, Flick’s message to his squad is clear: ignore the static, control the controllables, and keep collecting points. SEO keywords:

Barcelona’s Champions League quarter-final first-leg defeat to Atlético Madrid at Camp Nou has once again thrust VAR into the eye of a storm, with head coach Hansi Flick leading a chorus of disbelief after a pivotal handball incident went unpunished. The flashpoint arrived when defender Marc Pubill appeared to block a goal-bound effort with his arm, an offence Flick insisted merited a penalty, a second yellow card and therefore a red. The German coach, usually measured in public, vented to Movistar moments after the final whistle: “I don’t know why VAR hasn’t been used. The referee … I think he’s brilliant. We all make mistakes, but what’s the point of VAR? I just can’t understand it. It should have been a penalty, a second yellow and a red card as he already had a booking. This is exactly what shouldn’t happen.” With no intervention forthcoming from the video officials, Pubill remained on the pitch and Barcelona were denied what they viewed as a game-defining opportunity. The club have since escalated the matter, lodging a formal complaint with UEFA that cites a “grave lack of intervention by VAR” and labels the episode a “major error.” The controversy arrives at a moment when European football’s relationship with technology feels increasingly fraught. Flick’s rhetorical question—what is the point of VAR if match-altering incidents escape review?—echoes a growing sentiment among coaches, players and supporters who fear the system is either inconsistently applied or, worse, simply redundant. UEFA now faces pressure to address Barcelona’s grievance while confronting broader questions about the protocol that governs when referees should consult the pitch-side monitor. For the Catalans, the timing is painful: trailing after the home leg, their path to the semi-finals has steepened, and any perceived injustice feels magnified. As the fallout spreads, the debate returns to the sport’s most uncomfortable conversation: is VAR salvageable through clearer guidelines and faster decisions, or has the experiment run its course? The answer will shape not only the remainder of this season’s Champions League, but the future of how football polices itself.

Wembley, 1-1 against Uruguay, deep into stoppage time: a penalty conceded by the man who had just nudged England in front, a goal-line clearance from a defender who had spent the autumn in the treatment room, and a manager left with more questions than answers. Thomas T, the FA’s German head coach, now has one more friendly—Japan next week—before he names his final 23 for the United States. The clock is ticking, and several places in the XI that will kick off against Croatia on 17 June remain in flux. The centre of the defence is the most volatile zone. Marc G, the former Crystal Palace captain, has been anointed as the left-centre starter; the only thing that could change that is a “catastrophic injury,” according to sources close to the camp. His partner, however, is anyone’s guess. Ezri K of Aston Villa has nudged ahead of Chelsea’s Trevor C, while John S and Harry M, the stalwarts of the last seven years, must prove they can still handle the tempo after injury-hit seasons. Newcastle’s Dan B, the tallest of the quintet, is the outsider but remains in the frame. The left-back slot is equally fluid. Myles L-S, the Arsenal teenager, has logged more minutes under T than any other specialist, yet a lack of club football has kept him out of the current camp. Newcastle’s Lewis H and Tottenham’s Djed S both auditioned against Uruguay without seizing the shirt, but H’s consistent form for a Champions League-chasing side keeps him marginally ahead. Further forward, the competition behind Harry K is the fiercest. Jude B, the poster boy of Euro 4, has managed only a handful of games for Real Madrid this season, and T has privately admitted concern over his sharpness. Morgan R, Villa’s 10-goal, seven-assist midfielder, has the momentum, while Cole P, fresh from a Club World Cup-winning brace at MetLife Stadium, has drifted after a winter of niggling injuries. T could yet start Rogers in the No 10 role, a direct swap for the man who once seemed untouchable. The Japan friendly will not decide the squad, but it will decide who enters the summer with a swagger and who carries a question mark. With the bookmakers already listing England as 11/2 second-favourites, the stakes could scarcely be higher.

By Zac Wassink | April 2026 Arlington, Texas — The opening night of the 2026 NFL Draft is still hours away, but the rumor mill is already in overdrive. Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones confirmed this week that he is open to moving up from the 12th overall selection, and Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry has signaled an equally strong desire to move down from No. 6. Those dueling agendas have set the stage for a potential blockbuster swap between two franchises heading in opposite directions. ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller fanned the flames Thursday, telling viewers he has heard “from multiple league sources” that Cleveland and Dallas have held exploratory talks about a trade that would send the sixth pick — and possibly the Browns’ second-rounder at No. 39 — to the Cowboys in exchange for the 12th and 20th selections. “It should be noted that some league-wide sources believe the Browns would trade out from No. 6 to a team like Dallas, which is trying to move up for a pass-rusher,” Miller said. The Cowboys’ urgency is easy to understand. After shipping star edge-rusher Micah Parsons to Green Bay last August for two future first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark, and later surrendering a 2027 first, a 2026 second and defensive tackle Mazi Smith to pry Quinnen Williams from the Jets, Dallas finds itself light on premium draft capital and even lighter on proven quarterback disruptors. Jones has not hidden his admiration for the top-tier rush talent in this class. The Athletic’s Jon Machota reported earlier in the week that Dallas has done “extensive work” on Texas Tech’s David Bailey and could try to leap all the way to No. 3 to secure him. If the cost proves prohibitive, staying within the top 10 and targeting Ohio State safety Caleb Downs or Miami edge-rusher Rueben Bain Jr. at the Browns’ slot could be the fallback plan, according to Browns insider Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland. For Berry, the motivation is volume. Cleveland enters the draft with only five picks and multiple roster holes after a 2025 season that saw the team jettison several veterans in a cap-driven reset. Sliding back six spots while adding an extra top-20 selection would replenish the cupboard without taking the Browns out of range for one of the draft’s top offensive tackles or receivers. Still, Grossi cautioned that the rumored framework — Dallas sending Nos. 12 and 20 to Cleveland for Nos. 6 and 39 — might not satisfy Berry’s asking price. “I would want more,” Grossi said. “The Cowboys own their No. 1 pick and Green Bay’s No. 1 pick in 2027. The higher of those picks is committed to the Jets from Dallas’ trade for Quinnen Williams last year. I doubt Dallas would agree to a trade involving their remaining first-round pick in 2027.” Whether the two sides bridge that gap will determine if Jones finally lands his blue-chip defender or if Berry cashes in for a deeper haul. With the clock ticking toward the first pick on April 23, the rest of the league is watching — and waiting — to see if America’s Team and the Dawg Pound can strike a deal that reshapes the top half of the draft board.

The Premier League resumes on Friday, April 10, and Fantasy Premier League managers have until 18:30 GMT that evening to finalise their squads for double Gameweek 32, the first action after the season’s final international break. With rotation risks easing and several high-profile names either returning or ruled out, the stage is set for shrewd transfers and captaincy calls that could define the run-in. Injury Desk: Gunners’ cavalry returns, Saka still sidelined Arsenal provided the break’s biggest talking point when a full XI of players withdrew from national-team duty. The majority have since proved their fitness in FA Cup and Champions League minutes, yet Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Jurrien Timber and Piero Hincapie remain unavailable. Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye picked up a foot problem while away but is expected to be passed fit for the visit of Brentford. Ban Watch: Fernández sits out Chelsea’s crunch clash Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández will watch Sunday’s meeting with Manchester City from the stands after being sanctioned for comments made in an interview during the break. His absence leaves a creative void for Liam Rosenior’s side, while Pep Guardiola’s team—unbeaten against Chelsea since the 2021 Champions League final—will look to Erling Haaland (£14.4m) to capitalise. The Norwegian comes into the match off an FA Cup hat-trick against Liverpool and is the standout captaincy option. Differential Watch: Semenyo surging Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo (£8.2m) also tormented Liverpool with a goal and an assist and now faces another inconsistent back-line, making the winger a strong differential at modest mid-range cost. Old Trafford angle: Leeds test offers promise Manchester United’s meeting with Leeds gives Bruno Fernandes (£10.3m) another chance to extend his hot streak—the Portuguese was crowned March Player of the Month and has averaged more touches in the final third than any midfielder over that period. Fellow Red Devils Casemiro (£5.7m) and loan-linked Benjamin Sesko (£7.4m) offer budget-friendly routes into the fixture, while Wolves’ Matheus Cunha (£8.0m) continues to provide goals and creativity at a still-reasonable price. Stadium of Light showdown: Sunderland’s value bin Sunderland sit 11th and host a Tottenham side languishing in 17th, making the Black Cats fertile ground for bargain hunting. Defenders Nordi Mukiele (£4.5m) and Omar Alderete (£4.1m) have kept three clean sheets in the last five, while midfielders Chemsdine Talbi (£4.9m) and Granit Xhaka (£5.1m) offer set-piece threat. Up top, Brian Brobbey (£5.3m) has four goals in his last six league starts and costs little more than many bench fodder forwards. Set-and-forget staples Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon (£7.4m) has averaged 6.8 points per home match this season and faces a Sheffield United side that has conceded a league-high 65 goals. Brentford’s Michael Kayode (£4.6m) has locked down the right-back slot at a bargain price, while teammate Igor Thiago (£7.3m) has scored in three of his last four, providing a cut-price route into the Bees’ attack. Press-conference protocol With European fatigue and late fitness tests inevitable, monitoring manager briefings on Thursday and Friday is critical. A single update can flip a transfer target into a trap, so keep at least one free transfer spare beyond deadline night. Navigate the double, capitalise on the form players, and Gameweek 32 can set the platform for a strong season finish. SEO keywords:

Munich — When Harry Kane wheeled away in celebration after another decisive Champions League strike, the Allianz Arena scoreboard told only half the story. The digits beside his name now read 49 goals in 41 competitive matches this season, a return that has catapulted the England captain past every elite marksman in Europe’s top-five leagues and, increasingly, into pole position for the 2025/26 Ballon d’Or. The 31-year-old’s latest intervention came under the competition’s most unforgiving lights, a moment that systematically dismantled lingering suggestions that the striker fades on grand occasions. Instead, Kane delivered the kind of ruthless finish that has become his trademark, extending a sequence that has left defenders across the continent grasping at shadows. To place the numbers in context, Bayern Munich’s No. 9 has already surpassed Robert Lewandowski’s celebrated 48-goal campaign of 2020/21, achieved in one fewer appearance, and still has a minimum of eight fixtures remaining. Lewandowski’s vintage haul was compiled alongside nine assists; Kane sits on five assists, underscoring a broader contribution that teammates insist is redefining the modern centre-forward template. No player among Europe’s traditional powerhouses has managed more than 39 league goals this term, granting Kane a double-digit buffer that positions him to secure the European Golden Boot with room to spare. The forward’s blend of poacher’s instinct, creative vision and aerial dominance has prompted staff inside the Säbener Strasse complex to label him “the most complete footballer on the planet,” a verdict echoed publicly by Luis Díaz, who lauded Kane as “the world’s best player” following Liverpool’s recent meeting with the Bavarians. Bayern’s collective fortunes have risen in tandem. The 2-1 quarter-final first-leg victory over Real Madrid, sealed by Kane’s late strike, has placed the 2019/20 champions within touching distance of a semi-final berth and, potentially, a first European crown since 2020. While Michael Oliver’s contentious whistle in the dying embers of that encounter dominated post-match discourse, the broader narrative inside the dressing room centres on a front three that is producing historic returns and a sense that the club’s hex against Los Blancos may finally be broken. Club officials, wary of tempting fate, have refused to discuss silverware publicly, yet privately concede that a Champions League triumph would make Kane’s Ballon d’Or candidacy “impossible to ignore.” With domestic business all but settled and continental progress gathering momentum, the striker’s next appearance could move him past the half-century milestone and edge Bayern closer to ending Real Madrid’s reign on the European stage. For now, the only certainty is that every remaining match offers Kane another canvas on which to embellish a season already being described as “unprecedented” inside football’s inner sanctum. Should the trophies follow the numbers, the Ballon d’Or electorate may find itself with the most straightforward decision in years.

Syracuse.com has released its 2025-26 All-Central New York large school girls basketball team, spotlighting the region’s top performers from a season that saw heightened competition across Section III’s biggest programs. The full roster of honorees is now live on the site, with the prestigious Player of the Year designation scheduled to be announced June 23. The annual recognition highlights athletes who excelled in skill, consistency, and impact for their respective squads, offering fans an early look at the talent that shaped the latest campaign. Stay tuned to Syracuse.com for the upcoming Player of the Year reveal and expanded season coverage.

Porto’s Europa League quarter-final first leg against Nottingham Forest was supposed to be a showcase of rising talent for the Portuguese giants, but 20-year-old defender Martim Fernandes instead provided a masterclass in self-inflicted heartbreak. In the 40th-minute, with the scoreline reading 1-0 to the hosts, Fernandes collected possession near the halfway line and, under little pressure, attempted a back-pass to his goalkeeper, Diogo Costa. The ball sailed 45 yards, over Costa’s outst,retched arm and into the net, levelling the tie at 1-1 and handing Forest a precious away goal. The agony was compounded within minutes when Fernandes pulled up with an apparent muscle injury, forcing an early exit and leaving his teammates to negotiate the remainder of the match a man down. Porto held firm for the draw, but the focus after the final whistle remained on the teenager’s moment of madness. BBC Sport has now placed Fernandes’ effort alongside some of the most memorably calamitous own goals in the modern game. Arsenal’s 1991 stalwart Lee Dixon set the bar high when he lofted a 25-yard back-pass over David Se­a­man and into the Highbury net during a league encounter with Coventry. A decade later, Manchester City’s Jamie Pollock produced a piece of individual skill at the wrong end, delicately flicking a QPR cross over his own keeper to doom his side to a 2-2 draw that ultimately contributed to their releg from the second tier. French left-back Franck Queudrue entered the rogue gallery in 2001, smashing a volleyed clearance from 30 yards out that looped over his Lens custodian and into the top corner. Bury’s Chris­ Brass earned a place in folklore in 2006 when a clearance attempt ricocheted off his own face and past Kasper Schmeichel, while Sport Recife’s Alisson Cassiano managed to score against his own side without opponents Novor­iz­ontino even touching the ball, finishing off an 18-pass move by rolling the ball into an unguarded net. Whether Fernandes’ 45-yard miscue will outrank these blunders is a question for the ages, but the young defender has already secured an unwanted place among the competition’s most replayed errors. The return leg at the City Ground now carries the extra tension of a Porto side needing to overcome their own, self-imposed deficit.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has insisted he retains the unequivocal backing of the club’s ownership and senior executives despite a bruising sequence of three straight defeats that has ignited debate over his long-term future at Anfield. Speaking on the eve of Liverpool’s Premier League meeting with Fulham, Slot moved to quell speculation that a sharp downturn in results had undermined his position. A 4-0 FA Cup quarter-final loss to Manchester City was followed by a 2-1 league reverse at Brighton and, most recently, a 2-0 Champions League quarter-final first-leg defeat away to Paris Saint-Germain. The slide has left the reigning English champions fifth in the table and in real danger of missing out on next season’s Champions League. “I’m repeating myself a lot, but I’ve said many times I feel a lot of support, not only from the owners and from Richard [Hughes, sporting director] and Michael [Edwards, chief executive],” Slot said. “I’ve said many times the club knows which period of time we are in, and in the meantime I feel complete support.” Off the pitch, Slot also addressed supporter unrest linked to the club’s decision to raise ticket prices for the next three years in line with inflation. Protests are planned ahead of the Fulham fixture, yet the Dutchman urged fans to maintain the bond forged during last season’s title-winning campaign. “That is what makes it feel special… we’ve always felt that support, and I’ve always felt that support in good and in bad times,” he said. “I hope even though there are protests that the fans can be as helpful as they have always been for us this season and last year.” Away from immediate results, Slot paid an emotional tribute to Andy Robertson after the Scotland captain announced he will leave Liverpool this summer. Robertson, 30, departs after nine years in which he collected two Premier League titles, the Champions League, the FA Cup and two League Cups. “He has had many great seasons here as a player, but I think people got to know him as a great person as well,” Slot said. “He’s won everything over here, served this club for so many years, really loves this club.” Despite the recent setbacks, underlying data offers a measure of encouragement: Liverpool rank fourth in the division for expected points (xPTS) and remain in contention for a top-four finish. With six league matches remaining, Slot stressed that unity—inside the dressing room and across the club—will be critical if the Reds are to salvage European qualification. Liverpool return to action on Saturday against Fulham, aware that anything short of victory could intensify the scrutiny on a manager who, by his own account, still enjoys the complete confidence of those above him.

Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have reignited their pursuit of Aston Villa’s in-form attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers, setting the stage for a summer bidding war that could reach nine figures. Rogers, 23, has been one of the standout performers of the campaign, registering 11 goals and seven assists across all competitions. His exploits have propelled Villa into contention for UEFA Champions League qualification and carried them to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League, earning him a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup. According to The Times, the Premier League trio have all renewed their interest ahead of the summer window, while The Telegraph notes that Paris Saint-Germain have also entered the race. The Times places the baseline valuation above £80 million, with The Telegraph suggesting that performance-related add-ons could push the final fee close to £100 million. Any deal will trigger a lucrative windfall for Middlesbrough, who inserted a 20 per cent sell-on clause when they sold Rogers to Villa for £15 million in February 2024. Villa, aware of the mounting attention, secured Rogers on a fresh contract through 2031 last year, a deal that contains no release clause and gives the club full leverage in negotiations. With Champions League football and a potential trophy still within reach this season, Villa are under no immediate pressure to sell, ensuring that interested parties will have to table record offers to prise the England international away from the Midlands.

Barcelona’s teenage midfield revelation Marc Bernal is ahead of schedule in his recovery from an ankle sprain and has emerged as a surprise candidate for the Champions League quarter-final second-leg showdown with Atlético Madrid, according to a report in SPORT. Bernal damaged ligaments in his right ankle during last week’s Liga visit to the Metropolitano, an incident that initially carried a 10-day prognosis and appeared to end his involvement in the season-defining weeks ahead. Yet intensive physiotherapy and individual conditioning work overseen by the club’s medical department have accelerated the healing process, and the 17-year-old is now described as “progressing well” ahead of next week’s European return leg. While the midfielder has not yet taken part in full-squad sessions, the combination of mobility drills and tailored fitness routines has fuelled growing optimism inside the Ciutat Esportiva. Staff are encouraged by his response to treatment and will continue to monitor swelling and stability before deciding whether to clear him for group training. Head coach Hansi Flick is contending with a depleted engine room. Pedri is still nursing the knock that kept him out of the derby build-up, and Frenkie de Jong, although back on the pitch, is not expected to manage a complete match. In that context, even having Bernal among the substitutes would provide valuable cover and tactical flexibility against Diego Simeone’s side. Club sources stress that no risks will be taken; the priority remains the player’s long-term health. Nevertheless, with places in the semi-finals on the line, every available body counts. A final determination on Bernal’s inclusion will be made after the weekend, but the mood around the training ground suggests a late cameo—or at least a spot on the bench—is increasingly plausible. Keywords:

Celtic’s pursuit of their long-standing target has intensified after Tottenham Hotspur and Atlético Madrid formally entered the chase for the Scotland international. The Glasgow giants have tracked the player for months, but the fresh interest from two of Europe’s heavyweights now threatens to derail their plans ahead of the summer window. The development coincides with an emotional exit at Parkhead, where a club legend has departed after nine trophy-laden years. The veteran’s farewell at the weekend brought supporters to their feet, capping a spell that delivered domestic dominance and memorable European nights. Dressing-room sources described the goodbye as heartfelt, with teammates acknowledging the departing star as a defining voice in the squad’s recent success. Celtic had hoped the pull of Champions League football and the chance to lead the rebuild under their current project would be enough to secure the signature of their primary target. Yet Spurs can offer Premier League exposure and Atlético can table regular La Liga and Champions League football, leaving the Scottish champions facing a battle to convince the player his future remains in Glasgow. Negotiations are expected to accelerate once the international break concludes, with all three clubs preparing formal offers. Celtic officials remain confident their blueprint for the squad, coupled with the player’s familiarity with the club’s culture, can still prove decisive in what is rapidly becoming the saga of the off-season.

Kolkata: Lucknow Super Giants’ marquee off-season purchase, Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, will play no part in IPL 2026 after Sri Lanka Cricket withheld the mandatory No-Objection Certificate, effectively ending the 29-year-old’s campaign before it began. The franchise, which splurged INR 2 crore for his services at the December mini-auction, confirmed on Thursday night that a replacement would be unveiled within the next 24 to 48 hours. “We are preparing for the fact that he isn’t going to be able to join us,” LSG head coach Tom Moody said during the side’s fixture against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens. “We are looking at replacements, that should be announced in 24-48 hours.” Hasaranga, who has not played competitive cricket since tearing his left hamstring in Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup opener in February, failed to complete the fitness tests supervised by SLC — a prerequisite for receiving the NOC that would have allowed him to link up with the Lucknow squad. He had previously turned out for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025 and for Royal Challengers Bengaluru between 2021 and 2023. With the spin cupboard suddenly bare, LSG have zeroed in on South Africa’s left-arm orthodox bowler George Linde as the likely successor. Linde, 32, is yet to make his IPL debut despite extensive experience on the global T20 circuit: SA20, The Hundred, Major League Cricket and the Pakistan Super League have all featured in his travel itinerary over the past 12 months. In 250 T20 matches he has claimed 218 wickets at an economy rate of 7.42, though his most recent international outing against New Zealand yielded only one wicket in four innings. The off-field distraction did little to derail Lucknow on the park. In the same match that Moody addressed Hasaranga’s absence, LSG snatched a last-ball, three-wicket triumph while chasing 182. Half-centuries from Ayush Badoni (54) and debutant Mukul Choudhary (54*) provided the bedrock before Choudhary’s savage finishing blows sealed the deal. The eighth-wicket pair of Choudhary and Avesh Khan cobbled together an unbeaten 54-run stand — the highest for the eighth wicket or lower in a successful IPL chase — with Choudhary contributing 52 of those runs. Earlier, KKR’s 181 for 4 had been built on crisp contributions from Ajinkya Rahane (41), Angkrish Raghuvanshi (45) and late pyrotechnics from Rovman Powell and Cameron Green. Yet it was Lucknow who held their nerve in the final over to register one of the most dramatic victories of the season.

Atletico Madrid have opened talks over a shock summer swoop for Barcelona midfielder Marc Bernal, according to reports in Spain. Diario AS claims that Mateu Alemany, the club’s sporting director, has already met with one of Bernal’s representatives to sound out a €30 million switch to the Metropolitano. The 19-year-old, whose current deal runs until 2029, carries a €50 million release clause, but Atletico believe a lower fee could be negotiated if Barcelona are forced to generate cash at the end of the season. Bernal has re-established himself as a first-team regular after an anterior-cruciate-ligament setback, racking up 28 appearances across all competitions this campaign. While Barcelona are understood to be preparing an improved extension to fend off interest, sources close to the player admit that “with a good offer, anything could happen” given the club’s looming need to balance the books. The Spain youth international was tentatively linked with a loan move to Girona in January in search of more minutes, yet opted to remain at Camp Nou, publicly declaring his affection for the Blaugrana and describing the club as “the best in the world.” Despite that loyalty, Atletico boss Diego Simeone is eager to inject fresh talent into his midfield and sees Bernal’s energy and technical range as an ideal fit for his high-octane system. Barcelona’s hierarchy have already informed Bernal’s camp of their desire to retain him, yet negotiations remain fluid. With the summer window still months away, the tug-of-war between the two LaLiga heavyweights for one of Spanish football’s rising stars is only just beginning.

The race for European football next season is poised on a knife-edge, with Liverpool, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace holding the potential to swell the Premier League’s continental contingent to unprecedented levels. While the league has already locked in a fifth Champions League berth by topping UEFA’s European Performance Standings, the final tally of English clubs in Europe could still rise to as many as 11, depending on a complex web of cup results and league positions. With more than half of the 20 top-flight clubs still mathematically in contention for a place abroad, the battle for slots has spilled from the traditional top-six scrap deep into mid-table. Just seven points separate fifth from 13th, and only four points lie between Brentford in seventh and Bournemouth in 13th, ensuring that every match-day between now and May could reshape the continental map. The most straightforward route to extra places runs through European silverware. Should Liverpool overturn their Champions League quarter-final deficit, or Villa lift the Europa League, and either club finish outside the Premier League’s top five, England would gain an additional Champions League spot. Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, could gate-crash the competition by winning the Europa League; a 1-1 draw at Porto in the first leg of their quarter-final has left them well-placed to reach the last four. The ripple effects extend to the Europa League and Europa Conference League. Sixth place and the FA Cup winners are earmarked for the Europa League, but if Manchester City or Chelsea claim the cup and already sit inside the top six, the place reverts to the next-best league finisher not yet qualified. Opta currently rate Chelsea as 26.75 per cent favourites to finish sixth, yet Liverpool and Villa could still influence the distribution should they win their European competitions. Crystal Palace, quarter-finalists in the Europa Conference League, can also twist the plot. Victory in that tournament, coupled with a final league position outside the top six, would propel them into the Europa League. City’s League Cup triumph has already reserved a Conference League berth, yet with Pep Guardiola’s side certain to qualify for the Champions League via the league, that slot will filter down the table, potentially rewarding a side finishing eighth, ninth or even tenth. Such a scenario would deliver a welcome financial windfall to a club whose season might otherwise have meandered, mirroring the momentum Palace have generated through their continental run. While the prospect of 11 English teams in Europe remains remote—Liverpool’s impending Champions League exit has already dented the arithmetic—the sheer number of variables guarantees drama. From Everton, Fulham and Brighton to Sunderland and Newcastle, the pack chasing the last continental berths is crowded, and the permutations will shift with every goal scored in domestic and European competition between now and the final whistle of the campaign.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has declared that he feels the backing of the club’s hierarchy remains robust, speaking on the eve of a planned fan demonstration at Anfield. With supporters ready to voice concerns over off-field matters, Slot stressed that he has not sensed any wavering in the solidarity shown toward him or the squad. The Dutch coach, who took the reins at Anfield this summer, addressed the media shortly before the scheduled protest, acknowledging supporters’ right to make their feelings known. While the precise grievances driving the demonstration have not been detailed publicly, the timing places the spotlight firmly on the club’s leadership and its relationship with the fan base. Slot’s assertion of unwavering support appears designed to reassure players and staff that the dressing-room environment remains stable amid the rising tension. Training-ground sources have indicated that preparations for the weekend fixture continue unaffected, with the squad focused on translating early-season promise into consistent results. As fans finalize banners and chants for the planned display, the club’s internal stance will be scrutinized. Slot’s comments suggest he has received reassurances from senior executives that his project will be backed in the transfer market and beyond, despite any dissenting voices outside the dressing room. The coming days could prove pivotal: a positive result on the pitch would ease pressure on both the coach and the ownership, while any slip-up risks amplifying calls for structural change. For now, Liverpool’s head coach is projecting calm, insisting that the only pressure he feels is the familiar drive to deliver performances that unite supporters in praise rather than protest.

Stephen Parry has set his sights on transforming the fortunes of Essex Women after the side managed only six victories from 28 One-Day Cup and T20 Blast fixtures in 2025. Appointed on a three-year deal, the former Lancashire and England left-arm spinner succeeds Andy Tennant and begins the new campaign alongside a reshuffled backroom staff that now includes batting coach Nick Browne and long-serving seam bowling coach Cath Dalton. Essex open their One-Day Cup schedule on Saturday with a trip to the Utilita Bowl to face Hampshire, fielding a largely unchanged squad led by captain Grace Scrivens. Parry, who won seven white-ball caps for England and appeared at the 2014 T20 World Cup in Bangladesh, believes the squad’s youthful core can become a source of strength once match awareness improves. I’ve always liked the young, vibrant energy the team’s got, Parry told BBC Essex. When you’re young, you’re more likely to have inconsistent performances, and the decision-making under pressure is something I’ve identified for us to get stronger at. We’re still going to get things wrong, but owning that, and believing and taking accountability for your performance is something the group seems really strong about, and I am as well. The 37-year-old arrives after a spell with Lancashire Women, where he served as part of the coaching set-up before opting to step into a head coach role. His opening month in Chelmsford has centred on relationship-building and embedding a philosophy centred on collective responsibility. There’s definitely more to achieve from this group of players, he said. My first month, I was finding my feet, but like with anything you need to build relationships and they understand my philosophy now. I’m trying to get everybody better, not just the players, but the coaches and the whole environment and culture. Parry stressed that off-field backing has been crucial, praising director of cricket Chris Silverwood and chief executive Dan Feist for holding honest but exciting conversations about expanding the women’s programme. The club’s leadership has pledged resources designed to grow the women’s game across the county. Results can change the mood, Parry acknowledged, but as long as we keep the environment strong we’ll be in a good place. The coach’s immediate priority is to inject energy into every facet of preparation, tailoring support to individual needs in the hope of delivering what he terms a lot more positive season.

Newcastle, 12th in the Premier League with seven fixtures remaining, has endured a turbulent campaign that has placed head coach Eddie Howe under intensifying scrutiny, but the 46-year-old delivered an unequivocal message on Friday: his commitment to the club is “100 per cent” and has “never wavered”. Speaking ahead of Sunday’s trip to Crystal Palace, Howe addressed speculation over his future after chief executive David Hopkinson told reporters during the international break that a managerial change was “not being considered at the moment” – phrasing that, while intended to avoid the dreaded vote-of-confidence trap, nevertheless fuelled uncertainty. “I’m absolutely 100 per cent committed to the job,” Howe said. “Nothing’s changed from my side. I’ve spent the break analysing how we can come back stronger.” Privately, senior figures at St James’ Park, speaking anonymously to protect relationships, are preparing on the basis that Howe will lead the team into next season. Yet there is an acceptance that results over the closing seven matches could still influence the broader direction of the football operation. Howe, who guided Newcastle to a top-four finish two seasons ago, has repeatedly stressed the importance of retaining the trust of both supporters and dressing room. A 2-1 derby loss to Sunderland in their most recent outing prompted jeers during the traditional lap of appreciation, underlining the fragile mood around the club. “I don’t need assurances from anybody,” he insisted. “I’ve got a really good relationship with Ross [Wilson, sporting director] and David. We’re aligned on taking the club forward in the smartest way possible.” Pressed on what he requires to remain in post, Howe replied: “Support, good working relationships, a feeling of being able to express myself so you see the best version of me. If that’s not working on both sides, the most important thing is Newcastle United.” The Magpies’ long-term ambition – outlined by Hopkinson – is to be “in the debate about being the top club in the world” by 2030. Bridging the gap between that vision and present reality appears complex. After sanctioning the late-summer sale of striker Alexander Isak, the club now faces renewed interest in key assets including Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Tino Livramento. Howe, however, maintains he is comfortable operating within financial parameters: “I’ve got no issue working with the conditions the club set. Expectations have to align with reality so players can perform without undue pressure.” On the injury front, teenage midfielder Lewis Miley is expected to return from a dead leg for the Selhurst Park encounter, while defender Sven Botman, who fractured a cheekbone against Sunderland, is available and could play in a protective mask. Fabian Schar, out since January with a leg complaint, has suffered an infection requiring hospital treatment and will be sidelined for approximately another month. Bruno Guimaraes will miss the Palace match and the subsequent meeting with Bournemouth after contracting mumps. Howe, whose side sit eight points clear of the relegation zone, refused to look past the season’s final seven games. “In this day and age it’s very difficult to look too far ahead,” he said. “My focus is purely on performing at our very best level in these matches.” Whether that will be enough to secure stability for a club oscillating between European dreams and mid-table frustration remains to be seen, but for now the manager’s message is clear: he is going nowhere.

Bayern Munich have moved to quash speculation linking them with a summer move for Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah, with sporting director Max Eberl informing CF Bayern Insider that the 33-year-old Egypt international “isn’t a topic” inside the club and that no offer has been prepared for a free-transfer swoop. The denial follows surprise remarks from Egypt national-team director Ibrahim Hassan, who claimed “offers from Paris St-Germain, Bayern Munich and clubs in the Italian league” had been tabled for Salah, whose Anfield contract is winding down a year early. Christian Falk of CF Bayern Insider, however, has been told categorically by senior sources that the story is “simply not true.” While Salah’s impending departure from Merseyside is expected to spark a scramble among Europe’s heavyweights, Bayern’s immediate recruitment focus lies elsewhere. The Bavarians have earmarked roughly €80 million to reinforce the left wing and right-back slots, with the larger slice of that budget allocated to the flank—an area where in-form Crystal Palace export Michael Olise already operates. Club analysts believe Salah’s current output does not justify disrupting that balance, particularly when his salary expectations would stretch the wage structure. Instead, Bayern and Liverpool could find themselves on a collision course over a different target. Both clubs have scouted Hoffenheim’s 19-year-old speedster Bazoumana Touré as a potential long-term solution on the wing. Negotiations for the teenager have yet to begin, but with Salah’s succession already being mapped out at Anfield, a tug-of-war for Touré’s signature may materialise. Respect for Salah’s achievements at Liverpool—where he has rewritten record books—is said to be universal inside the Bayern offices, yet officials insist the timing, age profile and financial outlay make a move impractical. As Eberl reiterated, the Egyptian superstar is not part of Bayern’s short-term planning, and the club will press ahead with its stated priority of refreshing the full-back and wide positions within its €80 million ceiling.

Arsenal have moved to the front of the queue for São Paulo’s 18-year-old winger Lucca Marques, according to a report in German outlet BILD, as the Gunners line up a long-term successor to one of their brightest academy graduates. With the Premier League title race reaching boiling point, Mikel Arteta’s recruitment staff are already mapping out summer reinforcements. Lucca, the youngest player ever to appear for São Paulo and a scorer in this season’s Copa Libertadores, has emerged as a prime target ahead of Borussia Dortmund, who view the Brazilian as the next raw gem to follow Ousmane Dembélé, Jude Bellingham and Jadon Sancho through their famed development pathway. Arsenal’s interest comes amid growing uncertainty over the future of 17-year-old attacking midfielder Ethan Nwaneri. BBC Sport’s Sami Mokbel revealed that Nwaneri, along with fellow Hale End product Myles Lewis-Skelly, has been made available for transfer as the club seek “pure profit” sales to offset heavy spending last summer. Senior winger Gabriel Martinelli, who has managed only one league goal this term, is also open to offers. Lucca is contracted to São Paulo until 2028, meaning any deal would likely command a sizeable fee. BILD notes that “other European clubs” are monitoring the teenager, but Arsenal currently hold the advantage in the race for his signature. Arsenal return to domestic action this weekend with a home fixture against Bournemouth, yet the club’s long-term planning is already focused on refreshing an attacking unit that could lose both established and emerging talent in the coming window.

Madrid—Real Madrid moved swiftly on Friday to quash speculation that the club is preparing to create a sporting-director role, issuing an unequivocal statement that branded the suggestion “completely false.” The denial followed a Thursday-night report on Cadena SER’s El Larguero programme, which claimed the Spanish giants were exploring a structural overhaul that would see an external candidate installed to oversee football operations. According to the broadcast, a consultancy firm had already begun compiling a shortlist, a move that would potentially dilute the influence of long-serving general manager José Ángel Sánchez. Within hours, the 14-time European champions released a terse communiqué: “Real Madrid C. F. informs that the information … claiming that our club is considering adding a sporting director to its structure is completely false. Real Madrid greatly values the work carried out by the club’s sporting management, which has allowed us to experience one of the most successful periods in our history, including the achievement of numerous titles, among them 6 European Cups in ten years.” The club’s current decision-making model places president Florentino Pérez at the apex, advised by general manager Sánchez, head scout Juni Calafat and former first-team coach Santiago Solari, who retains an advisory brief on transfers. Any insertion of a new sporting director would represent the most significant administrative shake-up since Sánchez was promoted to his present post. Cadena SER’s story had hinted that Pérez was open to reform after back-to-back domestic campaigns that failed to yield La Liga glory, and that Calafat himself had been under internal review after a series of market moves that did not meet expectations. While the club did not address those specifics, Friday’s statement effectively closes the door—at least publicly—on immediate structural change. With a summer of anticipated squad surgery on the horizon and the managerial position also potentially in flux, Real Madrid have drawn a clear line in the sand: the hierarchy that delivered six Champions League trophies in a decade remains intact, and no sporting director will be walking through the doors of Valdebebas any time soon.

Marcus Tavernier has praised the transformation taking place at Vitality Stadium, insisting that Andoni Iraola’s methods are pushing AFC Bournemouth toward “new levels” ahead of Sunday’s daunting Premier League clash with league leaders Arsenal. The winger, who has been a key component of the Cherries’ attacking setup this season, says the squad is embracing the Spaniard’s high-tempo philosophy and believes the club’s upward curve is only just beginning. Speaking ahead of the trip to the Emirates, Tavernier underlined the confidence flowing through the dressing room as Iraola continues to imprint an aggressive, possession-based style that has already yielded eye-catching performances against established top-flight opposition. “We’re seeing ourselves improve every week,” Tavernier explained. “The manager wants us to be brave on the ball, to press with intensity, and you can feel the excitement building among the lads. If we keep trusting the process, we can reach new levels.” Bournemouth head to north London sitting comfortably in mid-table, a position that reflects their growing cohesion and tactical maturity under the 41-year-old coach. While the Gunners arrive as the division’s pacesetters, the Cherries’ recent form suggests they will not be overawed by the occasion, buoyed instead by a belief that their evolving game model can trouble any side in the division. Tavernier, 24, has featured prominently in that progression, operating in a variety of forward roles designed to exploit space between the lines. He credits Iraola’s attention to detail and relentless drive for improvement as catalysts for both personal and collective growth. “Every day in training there’s a focus, a clarity about what we want to achieve,” he noted. “The gaffer sets high standards, and when you’ve got a group willing to meet them, it becomes exciting for everyone involved.” Sunday’s fixture represents more than a routine league encounter; it is a litmus test for a squad eager to measure its development against the country’s most in-form outfit. Yet, irrespective of the result, Tavernier insists the long-term vision remains paramount. “We know Arsenal are flying, but we back ourselves,” he said. “The bigger picture is where this club can go under the manager. We’re on a journey, and every match is a chance to show how far we’ve come.” With the season entering a pivotal phase, Bournemouth’s players appear united in their belief that Iraola’s blueprint can propel them into uncharted territory, turning early-season promise into tangible success.

Madrid – When Real Madrid president Florentino Perez sat down to lunch with Bayern Munich counterparts Jan-Christian Dreesen and Herbert Hainer at the Michelin-starred Restaurante Zalacain this week, the air was thick with expectation. Europe’s two most decorated clubs were still digesting Bayern’s 2-1 Champions League quarter-final first-leg victory at the Bernabeu, a match in which Michael Olise had tormented the Madrid defence and supplied the cross for Harry Kane’s decisive goal. Yet, according to those present, the French winger’s name never crossed Perez’s lips. Christian Falk of CF Bayern Insider, who broke the story, said: “I wondered whether Perez would test the waters on Olise, perhaps ask if there was any price Bayern would entertain. Not one word on the subject.” The omission was all the more striking given Madrid’s well-documented interest in the 24-year-old former Crystal Palace attacker, who has no release clause in the contract he signed last summer. Bayern’s stance has been unambiguous all season: Olise is not for sale at any price. The club’s hierarchy left Madrid with that message intact, while privately preparing for what sporting director Max Eberl has previously called “the long game” that elite transfers have become. With no buy-out clause to expedite negotiations, any prospective bidder must table an offer Bayern deem irresistible or risk a drawn-out stand-off. Olise’s performance on Spanish soil only sharpened Madrid’s appetite. Only Manuel Neuer finished the evening with a higher FotMob rating among Bayern players, the winger completing four key passes and winning six of nine duels. Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe, by contrast, were kept relatively quiet. Perez’s silence may yet prove strategic. Madrid have three months before the window opens to craft a package persuasive enough to shift Bayern’s immovable position. For now, Munich heads back to Germany buoyed by a first-leg lead and the knowledge that their prize asset remains, at least rhetorically, off the market. Keywords:

London – Arsenal are ready to sanction the sales of teenage prospects Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri in a deal that could swell the club’s coffers by at least £100 million, according to information confirmed by the BBC. Both 19-year-olds committed to long-term contracts last summer, yet find themselves on a growing list of players Arsenal would consider moving on to fund incoming reinforcements. Lewis-Skelly, a left back who broke into the first-team picture during last season’s campaign, has slipped behind Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapié in the pecking order, denting his hopes of forcing his way into England’s World Cup squad. Nwaneri, a creative midfielder once tipped as a potential successor to captain Martin Ødegaard, left for Marseille on loan in January but has logged only 291 minutes of Ligue 1 football across eight appearances. Because the pair were developed in the Hale End academy, any transfer fee would register as “pure profit” on Arsenal’s books, making a sale especially attractive from a financial-fair-play perspective. Borussia Dortmund and several Premier League clubs have already registered interest, and the Gunners have indicated they will not entertain offers below the nine-figure mark for the duo. The north-London side are also open to proposals for senior forwards Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli, as well as defender Ben White, as manager Mikel Arteta weighs a significant summer refresh regardless of how the season finishes. While fan sentiment may lean toward giving the youngsters a second chance, the club’s hierarchy appear focused on balancing the books ahead of a pivotal transfer window. SEO keywords:

As the league stage of the Indian Premier League (IPL) unfolds, Ravi Bishnoi has sprinted to the top of the 2024 bowling charts with seven wickets to his name. Yet the tournament’s all-time wicket-takers remain a broader, more storied conversation. In recognition of that legacy, a new interactive quiz invites fans to recall the competition’s most prolific bowlers across 16 seasons. The format is straightforward: participants are shown each bowler’s nationality and the span of seasons in which they appeared, then asked to fill in the name. No caps, no initials—just the surname that has haunted batsmen since 2008. The exercise is designed to test recall as much as reverence, forcing even seasoned followers to sift through memories of yorkers, slower balls and match-turning spells. The quiz is housed on the Franchise Cricket page, where scorecards and updated tables track every twist of the current campaign. Once the top 20 have been revealed—or stumpers have been accepted—readers can jump to dedicated Football Quizzes and Sports Quizzes sections for more brain-teasers, opting in for push notifications to receive the latest challenges straight to their devices.

Chennai, July 11 — When the final wicket fell at Madras’s MA Chidambaram Stadium in February 1952, the stands erupted in a 15-minute ovation that still echoed in CD Gopinath’s memory more than seven decades later. “The crowd applauded us for 15 minutes at a stretch after the Test match was over. I still remember that moment,” he recalled to this newspaper in a recent interview. That day, India beat England by an innings and eight runs to register the country’s maiden Test victory, and Gopinath, batting with characteristic flair, contributed a breezy 35 to a cause also shaped by Vinoo Mankad’s dozen wickets and centuries from Polly Umrigar (130) and Pankaj Roy (111). Gopinath, the last surviving architect of that landmark win, passed away in his sleep here on Thursday. He was 96. A stylish right-hander who played eight Tests between 1951 and 1960, Gopinath’s international career was brief yet eventful. “Gopi was a lovely batsman to watch, a very natural player, and a shrewd captain. He also kept wickets from time to time. But what always stood out was his geniality,” said V Ramnarayan, former Hyderabad off-spinner and co-author of Gopinath’s autobiography, Beyond Cricket — A Life In Many Worlds. Controversy dogged him on the 1952 tour of England, where, by his own account, captain Vijay Hazare slighted him. “He felt he was being targeted because he was a South Indian and chose not to go for the next West Indies series,” Ramnarayan noted. Domestically, Gopinath’s influence was profound. He was pivotal in Madras’s first Ranji Trophy triumph in 1954-55, striking 133 in the final against a star-studded Holkar side that included Mushtaq Ali and assuming the captaincy in the crunch stages. A year later, after escorting the touring New Zealanders on a hunting expedition that stretched into match-day morning, he arrived at the ground and smashed 175 for South Zone. His final Test came at Eden Gardens in 1960, and two years later, aged 32, he stepped away from first-class cricket to focus on a senior role with British firm Gordon Woodroffe. “He had a life beyond cricket,” Ramnarayan said. A keen tennis player, Gopinath and his wife Comala dominated mixed-doubles tournaments of the era, while his sharp mind found outlet in bridge and animated discussions on contemporary Indian cricket. “For us, it was sheer passion. We used to get only Rs 250 per Test as ‘smoke money’ and always travelled by train. We didn’t stay in hotels. Even foreign players used to share accommodation as ‘house guest’. But I have no regrets,” Gopinath said, the smile never leaving his face. With his passing, the final link to Indian cricket’s first golden day is severed, leaving only the roar of that Madras crowd to linger in the nation’s sporting folklore.

Manchester United’s search for a long-term solution at left-back has received unexpected encouragement after it emerged that Premier League leaders Arsenal are willing to listen to offers for teenage defender Myles Lewis-Skelly. According to BBC journalist Sami Mokbel, the Gunners could sanction the sale of the 19-year-old this summer as they look to raise around £100 million through the departures of academy graduates, with attacking midfielder Ethan Nwaneri also available. Lewis-Skelly, who burst onto the scene during the 2024/25 campaign before seeing his progress stall this season, has found first-team opportunities scarce following the arrivals of Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie, both of whom have been deployed at left-back by manager Mikel Arteta. With Gabriel and William Saliba established as the first-choice central pairing, the London-born defender has slipped down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium. United, currently third in the table and on course for a return to European competition, have identified left-back as a priority position. Luke Shaw’s ongoing fitness issues and the impending free-agent exit of Tyrell Malacia have left the club short of natural options, while summer signing Patrick Dorgu has looked more effective in advanced areas. Intermediaries have already offered Lewis-Skelly to Old Trafford officials, and INEOS are now weighing up whether to make an official approach. Although the teenager would command a significant fee—unlike recent bargain arrivals Chido Obi and Ayden Heaven—his 37 Premier League appearances to date suggest a readiness for senior football. Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright labelled Lewis-Skelly “unbelievable” after a standout display against Real Madrid, and United believe the lack of competition at left-back could allow him to establish himself quickly in Erik ten Hag’s rotation. Arsenal’s willingness to negotiate means the final decision rests with United technical director Jason Wilcox and recruitment chief Christopher Vivell, who must decide whether the England youth international represents value in a market where home-grown talent carries a premium. With the Gunners aiming to recoup a combined £100 million from the sales of Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri, any deal is likely to require a sizeable outlay, yet the opportunity to secure a highly rated, Premier League-proven full-back may prove too tempting for the Red Devils to ignore.

Madrid – With one eye firmly fixed on next week’s Champions League quarter-final return leg at Bayern Munich, Real Madrid head coach Arbeloa is expected to rotate his squad when Los Blancos welcome high-flying Girona to the Bernabéu on La Liga matchday 30. Although Madrid trail leaders Barcelona by seven points and the title race appears all but decided, the fixture offers vital minutes to key names searching for sharpness. Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga and Ferland Mendy are all slated to start as they build momentum ahead of Wednesday’s European showdown. Between the posts, Andriy Lunin is set to continue, protected by a back four of Dani Carvajal, Éder Militao, young centre-back Huijsen and Fran García. Camavinga will anchor midfield alongside Aurélien Tchouameni, allowing Bellingham to operate in an advanced role. Federico Valverde should patrol the right flank, with Vinicius Junior and marquee summer signing Kylian Mbappé leading the line. Girona, chasing a European berth of their own, will rely on a mix of experience and flair. Veteran goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga is tipped to start behind a defensive unit of Arnau, Reis, Frances and Moreno. Axel Witsel brings steel to midfield, supported by Beltran and Martin, while the creative trio of Tsygankov, Ounahi and Ruiz look to stretch Madrid on the break. Broadcast details Spanish viewers can catch the contest live on DAZN La Liga, while audiences in the United States can tune in via ESPN Deportes. Real Madrid predicted XI: Lunin; Carvajal, Militao, Huijsen, Fran García; Camavinga, Tchouameni; Valverde, Bellingham, Vinicius; Mbappé. Girona predicted XI: Gazzaniga; Arnau, Reis, Frances, Moreno; Witsel, Beltran, Martin; Tsygankov, Ounahi, Ruiz.

Madrid — Spanish football is about to look a lot like 1994. Over the coming days, nearly 40 men’s professional clubs across La Liga and Segunda División will step onto the pitch in retro-inspired uniforms that mine their own archives for design cues. The shirts—first revealed on the runway at Madrid Fashion Week—turn the clock back three decades, reviving color blocks, collars and sponsor-free chests that once defined the sport’s visual identity. With the statement “The World Cup’s best shirts are already 30 years old” reverberating through fashion and football circles alike, Spain’s top two tiers are effectively staging a living museum of kit culture, proving that the most celebrated World Cup styles remain those debuted a generation ago.

Veteran racing writer Mark Langdon fears English football is sleep-walking towards a generational cliff, warning that the Premier League’s drift toward cautious, set-piece dominated fare is already losing the battle for young attention spans. Writing in his regular column, Langdon recalls how the Grand National once gripped every layer of society because “we just didn’t have the same distractions 35 years ago.” The Amstrad CPC 464 and basic sports titles like Paperboy were enough to keep a primary-school punter happy between races, he says, leaving space for the whole family to gather round the television for the Aintree spectacular. Fast-forward to 2024 and the dynamic has flipped. “These days you need to make sure the quality is high just to stand a chance,” Langdon argues, “and that should be a warning for football, a sport that collectively assumes it is untouchable.” He points to this week’s Champions League offerings from Arsenal and Liverpool as evidence, describing their mid-week performances as “some dull stuff” and contrasting the functional English style with the “fluid football of Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain.” The columnist believes the TikTok generation “won’t tolerate it for too much longer.” Yet the entertainment deficit is only half the problem. Langdon reserves his sharpest ire for the growing trend of goalkeepers feigning injury to gift coaches an unofficial time-out, an epidemic he witnessed first-hand during Crewe’s comfortable win over Salford on Monday. With reserve keepers barely bothering to warm up, he says, the ruse is insultingly obvious. A simple fix is already on the WSL drawing board for next season: force the offending team to sacrifice an outfield player to the sideline for 60 seconds after the restart. “Problem solved,” Langdon writes, urging the men’s game to adopt the measure immediately. Unless the Premier League tackles both its stylistic stagnation and the gamesmanship pandemic, Langdon concludes, the competition risks following horse racing into the category of sports the next generation simply tune out.

Paul Merson believes Chelsea can halt their recent slide and take a point off champions Manchester City when the sides meet at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, a result the former Arsenal midfielder says would “essentially mean Arsenal win the league.” Speaking to Sportskeeda, Merson underlined the stakes for interim boss Liam Rosenior, whose side have lost back-to-back Premier League fixtures to Newcastle and Everton and sit sixth, one point adrift of Liverpool in the race for the final Champions League berth. “The next two games will define Liam Rosenior’s future at Chelsea,” Merson said. “I hope he plays Andrey Santos and Moises Caicedo in midfield, Pedro Neto and Estevao as the wingers and Cole Palmer in the No. 10 role through the middle. I’ve already said this many times: Palmer should always play as the No. 10.” Chelsea enter the contest buoyed by a record-equalling 7-0 FA Cup rout of Port Vale but acutely aware that City represent a far sterner examination. The Blues have not beaten the Sky Blues since the 2021 Champions League final, though they did surprise Pep Guardiola’s men with a 1-1 draw at the Etihad in the first match following Enzo Maresca’s departure earlier this season. Enzo Fernandez will watch from the stands as he completes a suspension, while club captain Reece James continues to nurse a hamstring problem that could keep him out until later this month. With Fernandez unavailable, Caicedo is expected to wear the armband and anchor a midfield Merson insists must blend youth and energy. “I expect Chelsea to give City strong competition in this game,” Merson added. “I’m going for a draw here.” A share of the spoils would extend Chelsea’s unbeaten league run against City to two matches and, in Merson’s view, tilt the title momentum firmly toward Arsenal with only a handful of fixtures remaining.

Cameron Green’s eagerly awaited return to the bowling crease on Thursday proved insufficient to lift Kolkata Knight Riders from their deepening slump, as the franchise’s winless streak in the Indian Premier League rolled on. The Australia all-rounder, whose availability with the ball had been touted as a potential turning point, could not inspire the breakthrough victory the Eden Gardens faithful had hoped for, leaving the Knight Riders still searching for their first triumph of the campaign.

Football supporters across Hull and East Yorkshire are being offered a rare opportunity to stand within touching distance of English football’s most storied prize this weekend as the FA Cup trophy makes a whistle-stop tour of the region. On Saturday the cup will be on display at Marston’s Hallgate Tavern in Cottingham from 12:00 to 15:00 BST, before moving to The Apollo on Holderness Road, Hull, where it will be available for viewing between 16:00 and 19:00. The initiative is backed by TNT Sports and forms part of a wider community programme that has already taken the silverware to Port Vale FC and will continue to Coventry next weekend. Hull City, whose most recent FA Cup run ended with a 4-0 fourth-round defeat to Chelsea, famously reached the 2014 final at Wembley. There they pushed Arsenal to extra time before succumbing 3-2 after the Gunners overturned a two-goal deficit. Ioannis Grammenos, general manager at the Hallgate Tavern, said the visit represents a special moment for local fans. “Being able to bring such an iconic trophy right into the heart of the village is something we’re really excited about,” he explained. “Whether you’re a lifelong football supporter, or a younger fan seeing the FA Cup up close for the first time, it’s a brilliant chance to experience a piece of football history.” Admission details have not been released, but organisers encourage early arrival to avoid disappointment.

In the latest edition of our fan-mail column, three correspondences have struck a chord with supporters of all generations: a touching quest to honour a lost Sunderland player, a plea for firmer refereeing inside the penalty area, and a vivid recollection of the club’s 1973 FA Cup semi-final that still echoes down the decades. First up, Gareth writes on behalf of childhood friend John Gilbert, whose father Tim Gilbert featured for Sunderland between 1976 and 1980 after graduating through the club’s youth system. Tim’s untimely death in the mid-1990s left a void that the family—lifelong locals and devoted SAFC followers—feel to this day. With John’s 40th birthday and the imminent arrival of his first child on the horizon, Gareth hopes to present him with a framed display of the 1978 home and away shirts, augmented by memorabilia from Tim’s playing days. Programmes from the era, known as Roker Review, regularly profiled squad members, and Gareth has scoured auction sites to track down any editions that might feature the defender. Editor Martin, while admitting Tim’s career predated his own match-going days, recalls the widespread shock at news of the player’s passing and has tasked programme collector Andrew with combing through his archive for photographs or write-ups. Readers who saw Tim Gilbert in action are invited to submit recollections, either for publication or for private forwarding to the Gilbert family. The correspondence then shifts to a long-standing gripe: the grappling that routinely occurs at corners and free-kicks. One frustrated supporter asks why officials persistently ignore opponents who wrap their arms around attackers just as the ball is about to be delivered, demanding an amendment that would see such holding punished with either a penalty or a card. Editor Martin concurs, noting that while referees signalled a zero-tolerance crackdown early in the campaign, the approach has since lapsed into an “anything-goes” mindset inside the 18-yard box. The letter concludes with a tongue-in-cheek nod to Luke O’Nien, a current Sunderland player who, Martin suggests, occasionally benefits from the officials’ laissez-faire attitude. Finally, Kevin transports readers back to the 1973 FA Cup semi-final, a fixture overshadowed in popular memory by the Wembley triumph over Leeds United. Speaking on the On This Week podcast, club historian Kelvin sparked Kevin’s own recollections of standing as a 13-year-old on a narrow ledge at the Kop end, right arm hooked over a wall for balance. He remembers the thunderous roar that greeted Bob Stokoe’s side, so loud that defenders Dick Malone and Ron “Monty” Monteith visibly hesitated during their warm-up jog. Tears welled in Kevin’s eyes at the sheer force of the noise. He also recounts the moment striker Vic Halom offered a quick smile and wave to the crowd just before sweeping home the opening goal, unleashing scenes of unbridled pandemonium. After the final whistle, Kevin was struck by the pockets of celebrating Sunderland fans in the Arsenal sections and, on the journey home, by Leeds supporters lining the streets in scarves and banners—an unexpected show of sportsmanship. Though he attended the final, Kevin insists the semi-final remains the more emotionally charged afternoon of that historic cup run. The column ends with Martin thanking contributors for keeping the club’s living history alive, reminding supporters that every memory—whether of a lost player, a refereeing gripe, or a cup run half a century old—forms part of the fabric that binds Sunderland AFC together.

The Wisconsin Badgers men’s hockey team is 60 minutes away from history. After a tense national semifinal victory, the Badgers advanced to the championship game and now sit one win shy of their first national title in two decades. The program’s last crown came in 2006, and the current squad has shouldered the weight of that drought while navigating the rigors of the NCAA tournament. Saturday night’s narrow triumph—played before a raucous, partisan crowd—sent Wisconsin to the sport’s biggest stage and set up a winner-take-all showdown for Monday. Every save, every blocked shot, and every opportunistic rush has carried the Badgers to this moment. A single victory would end the 20-year wait and etch this roster into Wisconsin lore.

NEW YORK — One week before the postseason tips off, the Boston Celtics remain a blueprint still being inked, and Thursday night’s 112-106 loss to the Knicks at Madison Square Garden felt more like a laboratory session than a final exam. With Jaylen Brown resting a sore Achilles and Jayson Tatum returning to the scene of last spring’s traumatic Achilles rupture, coach Joe Mazzulla used the national-stage matchup to accelerate the integration of newcomer Nikola Vucevic, and the early returns suggest the Celtics may have unlocked a new gear when the games matter most. Vucevic logged 23 minutes 45 seconds, his heaviest workload since returning from a fractured right ring finger, and shook off a 1-for-7 first-half start to bury a pair of corner threes and finish plus-9 in the second half. The 34-year-old center, acquired to give Boston a different offensive dimension, helped fuel a 19-4 third-quarter run that briefly swung momentum, setting solid screens, grabbing offensive rebounds and manipulating New York’s coverage out of the pick-and-pop. “Like we saw, he was much more comfortable tonight,” Mazzulla said. “He set great screens, manipulated some matchups for us, got a couple of offensive rebounds. I thought he was physical on both ends and will continue to get better.” The timing is critical. Boston enters the final weekend one victory from locking up the Eastern Conference’s No. 2 seed, yet the rotation behind starting big man Neemias Queta remains fluid. Vucevic’s ability to stretch the floor—he entered Thursday 13-for-45 from deep since the trade—opens spacing for Tatum, White and a soon-to-return Brown. When the 6-foot-10 veteran buried his first triple late in the third quarter, the Celtics bench erupted. “I know I can shoot; I’ve been shooting for a long time,” Vucevic said. “When you miss time with a hand injury, it takes a little to get the comfort back. I just needed that one to go in.” Tatum, playing nearly 40 minutes in his first game back at MSG since crumpling to the floor in Game 4 last May, struggled to a 7-for-22 night with six turnovers but walked off under his own power, a mental milestone in itself. With Brown sidelined, Boston needed Tatum to carry the offense and staggered his minutes alongside Vucevic to test two-man actions that could become playoff staples. The pair showed flashes: Vucevic’s second-half triples came off Tatum kick-outs, and the big man’s presence drew Mitchell Robinson away from the rim, clearing driving lanes. The downside was evident—Josh Hart’s 15-point fourth quarter buried the Celtics—but the process mattered more than the result. Mazzulla closed with Vucevic alongside the core quartet, a look that could reappear in a potential second-round rematch with New York. The alternative is leaning on third-stringer Luka Garza, whose minutes have dipped since Vucevic’s return. For Vucevic, Thursday offered a first taste of Celtics-Knicks hysteria and a reminder of what meaningful basketball feels like. He has logged only 16 postseason games in 15 seasons, three beyond the first round. In Boston, the stakes are championship or bust. “It’s a great opportunity to be on a team like this,” he said. “My ability to play inside and outside gives us a different look. I really want to deliver.” If the experiment clicks—if Vucevic’s pick-and-pop threes fall and his rebounding stabilizes second-unit minutes—the Celtics will enter the playoffs with a dimension they lacked a year ago. Thursday’s loss may sting, but the larger picture is coming into focus: a fully integrated Vucevic makes Boston more versatile, more unpredictable and, yes, scary good when the bright lights turn on.

London — The Premier League title race has resumed after a four-week hiatus, and the numbers still lean heavily toward Arsenal, even as Manchester City landed the last psychological blow in their League Cup final triumph at Wembley. When domestic football paused, Mikel Arteta’s side sat nine points clear of the champions, who retained a game in hand. That cushion has since stretched to 11 points after Arsenal’s dramatic 2-0 win over Everton and City’s 1-1 draw at West Ham, yet the margins inside each camp feel anything but comfortable. Teenager Max Dowman, 16, became the story of the weekend, crafting Viktor Gyokeres’ 89th-minute opener before racing half the length of the pitch to roll into an empty net and seal victory against Sean Dyche’s stubborn Toffees. The result preserved Arsenal’s perfect post-restart record and, according to Opta’s Supercomputer, lifted their title probability from 93.5 per cent to 97.3 per cent. City, meanwhile, dominated possession and attempts at the London Stadium — 24 shots to West Ham’s one — but could not find a winner after Antoine Semenyo’s first-half opener was cancelled out by a Michail Antonio header. Pep Guardiola’s decision to start Semenyo ahead of Rayan Cherki in the creative role drew scrutiny, yet the broader trend since Madrid eliminated City from the Champions League is upward: six goals scored, none conceded against Arsenal and Liverpool, and a rekindled balance with Cherki back in the hole behind Jeremy Doku and Semenyo. Abdukodir Khusanov’s recovery pace has allowed a higher defensive line, Marc Guehi’s left-sided thrust releases Nico O’Reilly between the lines, and the 21-year-old midfielder has already fired 10 shots from inside the box across his last six appearances. Whether that momentum can be transported into league combat remains the pivotal question. Arteta’s task is to ensure cup scars — the 2-0 loss to City, the 2-1 FA Cup defeat at Southampton — do not fester. A 1-0 Champions League win at Sporting CP offered evidence that Arsenal can still control tense away fixtures, but the manager knows the next examination is Bournemouth on Sunday, followed by a trip to the Etihad where Arsenal have not prevailed since 2015. Fixtures, at least, appear to favour the leaders. Opta’s Power Ratings rate Arsenal’s next five opponents weaker on average than City’s, who must travel to Chelsea this weekend before hosting Arsenal, then visiting Burnley and Everton and welcoming Brentford. Yet Bournemouth’s high press under Andoni Iraola has already troubled Arsenal once this term, and Wolves’ comeback from 2-0 down in February is a fresh reminder that no side can be taken for granted once spring tension grips the table. Guardiola’s Wembley blueprint will linger in Arteta’s thoughts. City defended in a compact 4-2-4, ceded possession to Arsenal’s centre-backs, squeezed passing lanes into Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi, and lurked with four advanced runners should a turnover arise. Stand-in keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga’s 18-second hesitation before a long ball that Kai Havertz failed to secure became a case study in the risks of trying to play through the block. Arteta must now devise a route through that shape, while City must hope the Supercomputer’s 97.3 per cent certainty falls victim to the human variables the model cannot quantify: nerves, injuries, a deflected shot, a teenager’s moment of inspiration. With nine league games remaining, the arithmetic says Arsenal. The history of the competition says the story is not yet written.

Tel Aviv — Hapoel Tel Aviv’s 95-80 dismissal of defending champion Fenerbahce on Tuesday night lifted the Reds to 22-13 and fourth place in the Euroleague standings, leaving them on the cusp of a postseason berth and within striking distance of home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Coach Dimitrios Itoudis’s roster punished the Turkish giants from the opening tip, using a balanced offensive barrage to build a 51-38 halftime cushion. Elijah Bryant, Dan Oturu, Antonio Blakeney and Vasilije Micic combined for fluid ball movement and aggressive close-outs, holding high-scoring guard Talen Horton-Tucker scoreless over the first 20 minutes. Fenerbahce’s Wade Baldwin kept the contest respectable with 17 first-half points, but Hapoel’s defensive adjustments limited him to five after the break. Oturu finished with 23 points to earn game-MVP honors, Bryant added 21 and Micic chipped in 19. Baldwin ended with 22 in the loss. Itoudis praised his squad’s focus against the reigning title-holders. “We were the better team from start to finish,” he said. “We stuck to the plan and the players executed brilliantly.” Oturu echoed the sentiment, stressing the importance of striking first in a pivotal double-week. “We knew we had to punch first and match their energy,” he noted. “I think we did that well.” While the Reds surge, cross-town rival Maccabi Tel Aviv faces an uphill fight to extend its Euroleague season. Oded Katash’s side dropped a 101-98 decision at Baskonia, slipping to 18-17 and 12th place in the table. The defeat leaves Maccabi one game behind Dubai (19-17) and 1½ games adrift of Monaco (19-16), which currently occupies the final play-in position. Maccabi appeared in control at intermission, leading 53-44 behind hot perimeter shooting from Lonnie Walker and Jimmy Clark plus interior production from Roman Sorkin. The script flipped in the third quarter when Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot and Trent Forrest spearheaded a 40-19 Baskonia burst that proved decisive. Clark paced Maccabi with 26 points, Walker added 23 and Sorkin contributed 22. Luwawu-Cabarrot finished with 21 and Forrest had 19 for the hosts. Katash lamented his team’s body language during the collapse. “We were not together,” he admitted. “Very tough, a bad loss for us.” Forward Will Rayman insisted the door to the play-in tournament remains ajar. “We have the tiebreaker over teams close to us,” he said. “If we win the remaining games, we have a chance.” Maccabi’s next opportunity arrives Thursday night in Paris, where every possession will carry postseason implications. For Hapoel, the equation is simpler: keep winning, secure a top-four seed, and dream of a deep spring run.

MONROE, La. — What began as a showcase of North Louisiana’s top pickleball talent turned into an unforgettable moment of generosity Saturday when the Tarver Braddock Foundation stunned Riverfield student-athlete Carter Huff with a life-changing gift. The Tarver Braddock Pickleball Tournament drew competitors from across the region, but the day’s spotlight stayed fixed on the mission behind the event. Founded by Tarver Braddock’s parents after his death in January 2024, the foundation has quietly distributed more than $430,000 in scholarships, sponsorships, and surprise gifts over the past two years, relying on a network of friends and volunteers to keep each reveal under wraps. Riverfield football coach Alan Wise, a community partner of the foundation, helped identify Huff as this spring’s recipient. Huff’s father, Jason, died in December following complications from liver and kidney failure, leaving the 17-year-old navigating grief while planning for a future in the trades. Friends say the father-son bond was forged on Friday nights under the lights, making the loss feel even heavier. Organizers lured Huff to a Monroe location under the guise of a routine meeting. Instead, foundation representatives presented him with the keys to a pickup truck—an unexpected gesture timed to coincide with what would have been Tarver Braddock’s birthday. Leaders say the vehicle is meant to ease transportation burdens as Huff pursues certification in plumbing and to remind him that his community stands beside him. “We turn loss into love by showing up when people need it most,” a foundation spokesperson said moments after the reveal. “Carter’s strength inspired everyone here today.” As players returned to the courts, cheers echoed not for a winning shot but for a young man whose future just became a little brighter.

Los Angeles — Javier Hernández, Mexico’s all-time leading scorer, will trade his boots for a broadcast headset this summer after finalizing a deal with FOX Sports to serve as an analyst for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Hernández, 37, scored a national-record 52 goals in 109 appearances for El Tri and featured in three World Cups between 2010 and 2018, tallying four tournament goals—tied for the most by any Mexican player in history. “When the opportunity came to join a great company like FOX Sports and cover the FIFA World Cup this summer, it was a no-brainer,” Hernández said in a network release. “I’m a rookie, so I expect to have fun as an analyst and learn, but really I just want to share my perspective on how I see the beautiful game and sport that I’ve been playing my entire life with fans watching at home.” Hernández burst onto the global stage at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, scoring against France in the group stage and Argentina in the Round of 16 less than a year after making his senior national-team debut. His World Cup résumé also includes appearances in Brazil 2014 and Russia 2018, bookending a club career that spanned Europe’s top leagues and Major League Soccer. Following a headline transfer from Chivas de Guadalajara to Manchester United in 2010, Hernández netted 37 goals in 103 competitive matches for the English giants and lifted two Premier League trophies. After subsequent stops in Spain, Germany and England, he returned to North America in 2020, signing with the LA Galaxy and becoming one of MLS’s most recognizable figures. Hernández’s move to the commentary booth continues FOX Sports’ talent acquisition blitz ahead of the first 48-team World Cup. In March, global superstar Zlatan Ibrahimović announced he will contribute analysis, while France legend and 1998 World Cup winner Thierry Henry—who debuted with FOX during December’s tournament draw—returns to the team. Award-winning presenter Rebecca Lowe will also anchor coverage when the month-long competition kicks off June 11 across 16 North American cities. FOX Sports will air all 104 matches live on FOX and FS1, with simultaneous streaming available on FOX One and the FOX Sports App. A record 40 fixtures—more than one-third of the schedule—will occupy primetime windows on the two linear channels, marking the network’s largest World Cup production to date. The final is set for July 19, capping a tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Barcelona’s Champions League quarter-final hopes were left hanging by a thread after a self-inflicted 2-0 home defeat to Atlético Madrid, a result that prompted former Blaugrana midfielder Emmanuel Petit to claim the club “still hasn’t learned from its mistakes.” Goals from Julián Álvarez and Alexander Sørloth inside an electric Montjuïc gave Diego Simeone’s side a commanding lead ahead of next week’s return leg in the Spanish capital, while Barça were reduced to ten men when teenage centre-back Pau Cubarsi received his marching orders. Petit, speaking to RMC Sport, did not hide his frustration. “I love watching Barça. But once again, they shot themselves in the foot,” he said. “They still don’t have the right defensive profiles to be able to play so high up.” The Frenchman’s critique centred on the Catalans’ insistence on holding a high defensive line, a tactic he believes has repeatedly been exposed in past knock-out ties and resurfaced to costly effect on Wednesday night. Barça had opportunities to find the net but lacked composure in the final third, and their task grew steeper when Álvarez curled in a set-piece after Cubarsi’s dismissal. Pushing for a lifeline with a man less, the hosts were caught on the break as Sørloth sealed the 2-0 scoreline ahead of the journey to Madrid. The defeat leaves Hansi Flick’s men requiring a remarkable turnaround at the Metropolitano if they are to avoid an early exit and keep their European dream alive.

Sacramento — California is poised to transform incarceration through sport. Assembly Bill 2204, now under review, would establish a dedicated Second Chance Sports Fund and direct the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to craft a statewide policy expanding organized athletics behind bars. If enacted, the measure would move beyond the ad-hoc programs currently scattered across individual institutions, creating uniform standards for competition, coaching, and equipment procurement. Supporters say the statewide framework could turn facilities like San Quentin—already known for its pioneering baseball and basketball squads—into models for a system-wide initiative. The bill’s language is concise: AB 2204 would require CDCR to develop and implement a comprehensive plan that opens athletic opportunities to a broader incarcerated population, funded in part by the newly created Second Chance Sports Fund. No additional details on eligibility, sports offered, or budget allocations were included in the proposal. Advocates argue that structured leagues reduce violence, improve mental health, and build discipline that carries over to parole. Critics question cost and security, though no fiscal analysis has been released. With the state legislature set to vote before the summer recess, lawmakers must weigh whether expanding organized sports can deliver on its promise of safer prisons and smoother re-entry. For the thousands of men and women inside San Quentin and beyond, the outcome could redefine what rehabilitation looks like in California.

FC Cincinnati have opened talks with Brazilian forward Neymar about a potential switch to Major League Soccer, according to reports Thursday from The Athletic and ESPN. The Ohio club, off to a slow start this season, are exploring the marquee signing as a possible catalyst for a turnaround. While no agreement has been confirmed, the discussions signal ambitious intent from the MLS side as they look to bolster their attacking options. Neymar, one of the sport’s most recognizable figures, would represent a landmark acquisition for Cincinnati if the parties can finalize terms.

CHEHALIS — W.F. West’s lineup card reads like a mirror image most nights, and even head coach Jesse Elam admits he still does a double-take. On a roster that regularly features seven left-handed hitters in a nine-man order, the Bearcats spent another evening making opposing pitchers adjust, rolling past Rochester to extend their winning streak to eight games. Elam said the left-handed surplus is impossible to ignore once the lineup is posted. “It’s one of those things you look at and just shake your head,” he noted, pointing out that six lefties were in the order during the latest victory. The imbalance has become a defining trait for a team that keeps finding ways to win, regardless of who’s on the mound for the opposition. The win over Rochester keeps W.F. West perfect during the stretch and solidifies momentum heading into the heart of the schedule. With a lineup stacked from the left side and confidence rising by the game, the Bearcats appear poised to keep the streak alive.

EUGENE, Ore. – Oregon’s offseason has turned into a full-scale reconstruction. More than half of last season’s roster has either exhausted eligibility or entered the transfer portal, leaving head coach Dana Altman with a depth chart that currently resembles a blank whiteboard and a to-do list that starts—and almost ends—with the word “guards.” The Ducks’ backcourt was gutted when Takai Simpkins and Drew Carter graduated and Jackson Shelstad and Wei Lin opted for the portal. Oregon’s 2026 recruiting class signed zero guards, so any immediate help must come through the portal. Altman’s staff is expected to pursue multiple ball-handlers, prioritizing anyone who can absorb minutes and stabilize a position that is now the program’s most glaring void. The departures of Shelstad and forward Kwame Evans Jr. also free up a sizable pool of NIL and revenue-sharing capital, giving Oregon flexibility to be aggressive. How that money is deployed—spread across several rotational pieces or concentrated on one high-impact lead guard—will shape the Ducks’ ceiling in their first Big Ten campaign. Frontcourt concerns run a close second. Starting center Nate Bittle, a fifth-year mainstay, has concluded his Eugene career, and reserve Ege Demir entered the portal on April 8. The result: zero centers on the current roster. Four-star signee Kendre Harrison is ticketed to split time between basketball and football, leaving his basketball availability murky. Altman is expected to target at least two centers, blending youth and experience to avoid relying solely on the two-sport freshman. Experience is the underlying theme as Oregon scans the portal. With the reigning national champion Michigan Wolverines anchoring a stacked Big Ten, the Ducks cannot afford another season of learning on the fly. Programs that surged in 2024-25 typically leaned on veteran lineups; Altman knows a similar approach is mandatory if Oregon wants to escape the .500 neighborhood. The coming weeks will reveal whether the Ducks can convert cap space and sales pitches into immediate, proven contributors. For now, the roster sheet is empty, the needs are unmistakable, and the clock toward Big Ten play is already ticking.