Is Pochettino delivering hope - or panic - to US?

Mauricio Pochettino's start to life as head coach of the United States men's national team has not been as convincing as he and the fans would have liked, but a promising run in this summer's Gold Cup might have begun to turn things around. A win against Mexico in Sunday's final would deliver a trophy and start the process of instilling some much-needed belief. It's a victory that Pochettino and his players need if they are to demonstrate that things are moving in the right direction before a World Cup on home soil next summer. By now, the US should have some clarity in their preparations for the 2026 tournament, but there remains an unfinished, rocky feel to the foundations they have been laying since Pochettino took over in September 2024. Questions were being asked of the former Tottenham Hotspur and Paris St-Germain boss following consecutive defeats by Panama and Canada in the Nations League finals, and Turkey and Switzerland in Gold Cup warm-up games. Though they were only friendlies, those last two losses had USMNT (United States Men's National Team) fans worried. These games, more so than those against regional opponents, are seen as the type of test they will face in the World Cup - and they failed both. With the big tournament less than a year away and only one more competitive game to play, it can be easy to slip into a last-minute panic. There has been a lack of consistency in both personnel and results. The squad appears unresolved, with the group of players called up differing for each camp, something that has mostly been beyond Pochettino's control. Fifty-five players have made appearances for the USA under the Argentine since he was appointed 10 months ago, making it difficult to build momentum and togetherness. Mixed results across those 15 matches have reflected this inconsistency and during this time, they are yet to claim victory against a team in the top 30 of Fifa's rankings....

Garcia form & Mbappe stunner give Alonso selection headache

Kylian Mbappe opened his Club World Cup account in style with a stunning overhead kick in Real Madrid's thrilling 3-2 win over Borussia Dortmund - but the French star has his work cut out to displace one of the game's brightest young prospects from Los Blancos' starting line-up. Having missed the group stage with gastroenteritis, Mbappe came off the bench against Dortmund for his second appearance of the competition. He marked the occasion with an acrobatic stoppage-time finish from Arda Guler's delivery to restore Madrid's two-goal lead after Maximilian Beier had given the German side late hope. But Mbappe's team-mate Gonzalo Garcia, who had scored or assisted in every game prior to Saturday's quarter-final, continued his scintillating form with only 10 minutes on the clock when he met another Guler cross with a sweetly struck first-time volley. The 21-year-old is now level on four competition goals with Benfica's Angel di Maria and Al-Hilal's Marcos Leonardo, whose sides have been eliminated from the tournament. "I love the finish - he opens up his foot to put it in the far post, as opposed to putting it back to the near post," former England international Andros Townsend told DAZN. "It really is an expert finish. "The fact that at the last minute he has opened up his foot up, gave the goalkeeper no chance." Garcia's purple patch has given manager Xabi Alonso a welcome selection headache as Madrid turn their attention towards Wednesday's semi-final showdown with reigning European champions Paris St-Germain, who beat Bayern 2-0 in Atlanta earlier on Saturday....

'Jota was with me' - Trent's tribute after Real Madrid win

Trent Alexander-Arnold says former Liverpool team-mate Diogo Jota "was there with me" after helping Real Madrid reach the Club World Cup semi-finals. Alexander-Arnold and Jota spent five years together at Liverpool before the England full-back left for Madrid in June. Jota, aged 28, died in a car crash on Thursday along with his 25-year-old brother Andre Silva. Their joint funeral was held on Saturday in Portugal. Alexander-Arnold has been featuring for Real Madrid at the Club World Cup in the United States and assisted Fran Garcia's goal in their 3-2 win against Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-final in New Jersey. He said the news of Jota's death had been "extremely difficult" to take in. "I had to try to perform for the team and help them win the game, no matter how difficult it was," Alexander-Arnold told DAZN after the game. "As hard as it was to do it, I had to push myself to focus on what my job and role was. I tried to do it as best as I could, but it was difficult and I am not going to lie about that. "[Jota] was one of my close friends - and I am sure that's what he would have wanted me to do. I'm sure we would have had a laugh and joke about the assist as well. He was there with me, I am sure." Alexander-Arnold said the Portuguese forward was "someone who lit up the room when he was in it". "I shared the dressing room with him for five years - amazing memories on and off the pitch," he added. "It goes without saying he will never be forgotten by anyone. He will live long in all our memories for the amazing man and the player he was." Alexander-Arnold said it had been "very emotional and heartwarming to see the footballing world come together to show their love and support for [Jota], his brother and their family". "I've been around him, his brother, his family, his amazing wife, his amazing parents and his amazing children. It's truly, truly heartbreaking to wake up to news like that," added the England international. "It's something you never expect." Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe was among the players who paid tribute to Jota on Saturday, with the France forward indicating number 20 after scoring an acrobatic late goal, in recognition of Jota's Liverpool shirt number. Frenchman Ousmane Dembele also paid a tribute to the Portuguese by copying his Fifa gaming celebration after sealing a 2-0 win for Paris St-Germain against Bayern Munich, which set up a last-four meeting with Real Madrid....

A win worth £9.6m - how much have Chelsea now made at Club World Cup?

Manchester City and Chelsea are already quids in from playing in the Fifa Club World Cup - and they could yet end up earning loads more. Some of their summer signings' transfer fees have even already been paid off. With near-empty stadiums, extreme weather conditions and poor pitches dominating the news agenda during the group stages of the competition, it is easy to overlook just how much money clubs are earning as the tournament goes on. Some teams pocketed tens of millions just for qualifying. BBC Sport looks at how much you can earn at the Club World Cup - and how much the English teams have made already. How does the prize money work? If Manchester City win the tournament they would land about £92m in total - but Chelsea would earn slightly less. The potential prize money was initially reported as £97m but the exchange rate between US dollars and British pounds has changed since then. Teams get a participation fee for playing, which for European teams varies depending on "sporting and commercial criteria". City's fee is the maximum of £27.9m. Chelsea are on the upper end of the scale but do not get quite as much, BBC Sport has been told. Both teams qualified for the tournament by winning the Champions League in the past four seasons. Teams from North America, Africa, Asia and Oceania get just under £7m, with South American clubs landing about £11m. The prize money rises depending how far you go (regardless of which continent you are from). In the group stages, wins are worth almost £1.5m, with about £750,000 for a draw Reaching the last 16 earns clubs £5.5m The quarter-finals are worth £9.6m A semi-final spot lands teams another £15.3m Reaching the final and losing is £21.9m Winning the competition is worth £29.2m The total prize pot Fifa has offered is $1bn (£730m), which is believed to be a record amount....

Messi mania turns Miami into America's soccer city - as big decisions loom

It is a Hollywood scriptwriter's dream - and a glorious reality for the tournament organisers. Lionel Messi will be pitted against his former club and the reigning European champions in the last 16 of the Club World Cup. Inter Miami against Paris St-Germain in Atlanta on Sunday is expected to attract one of the biggest crowds of the tournament so far, with the Messi factor a large reason. There was huge controversy about how Inter Miami and Messi entered the expanded new-look tournament. Fifa granted, in a one-off rule, a host-nation slot to a US club for this expanded 32-team edition. And instead of MLS Cup play-off winners LA Galaxy, they chose Inter Miami, who are the 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield winners by virtue of having the best regular-season record. But, despite the pre-tournament scepticism, Inter's unbeaten run in the group matches puts them into the knockout stages on merit. Up next are Luis Enrique's PSG, currently regarded as the best football team on the planet, who will go head to head with most people's choice as the greatest player of all time. Messi's impact on Miami has been seismic, but what comes next for the 39-year-old eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, and will he be back on the big stage with Argentina to defend the World Cup next summer?...

European U21 champions again - but who could make World Cup?

The triumphant England Under-21s were hidden by the tickertape as they lifted the Euro 2025 trophy. Now they must ensure they do not disappear again. As the blue and white confetti rained down from the Slovakian sky the Young Lions were wrapped up in their celebrations. They deserved to be. Jonathan Rowe's extra-time goal sealed successive European titles after Germany had fought back from 2-0 down in Bratislava. For many it was their last chance with the Under-21s, but, with a World Cup next summer, they have the opportunity to force their way into Thomas Tuchel's plans. Here, we assess who might progress to the full squad in time for next year's World Cup, and what the progress of those who went before them might tell us. Who are the standouts to make the World Cup? So, with a World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico less than 12 months away, who can make the step up? Of the Euro 2023 winners, James Trafford, Levi Colwill, Cole Palmer, Morgan Gibbs-White, Noni Madueke and Curtis Jones were named in Tuchel's squad for the games against Andorra and Senegal last month. Will we see such a progression from the class of 25? Newcastle full-back Tino Livramento is the obvious one to follow them after a good tournament and a fine season for the Magpies. He has played on the right for England this summer but could fill the problematic left-back role for Tuchel. Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly started in the 3-1 defeat by Senegal and Livramento - given his senior debut against the Republic of Ireland by Carsley last season - will be a standout option next summer should his form continue. He returned to the Under-21s this summer after discussions with Tuchel and Carsley, with the pair eager for the 22-year-old to use his experience to help lead the group. Harvey Elliott had the big moments in Slovakia to be named player of the tournament - the opening goal in the final, two match-winning strikes in the semi-final, scoring against Spain and England's opening goal of the tournament against the Czech Republic. Those big moments amplify his talent and only strengthen his and Liverpool's hand. The attacker could leave Anfield this summer in search of regular football, after only two Premier League starts in Liverpool's title success, which should push him closer to senior recognition. Anfield team-mate Jarell Quansah will be expecting more top-level minutes at Bayer Leverkusen, once his impending move from Liverpool is confirmed, after struggling for game time for the champions this season, and, at 33, Dan Burn's England career will not go on forever. Manchester City's James McAtee captained the U21s and excelled. But, like Elliott and Quansah, his future is uncertain with reports he could leave Etihad Stadium this summer. This highlights one of the conundrums facing the Premier League's academy products. Selling them on has become highly lucrative for clubs' balance sheets, as they go down as pure profit in the accounts because little or no transfer fee was paid for them in the first place. Will this affect their development, or will moves allow them to thrive like Palmer when he left Manchester City for Chelsea? Who else could be in the reckoning? Centre-back Charlie Cresswell impressed in Slovakia. The Toulouse defender was man of the match in the quarter-final win over Spain in Trnava. It follows a debut season in France during which the former Leeds centre-back was linked with Serie A side Como. Cresswell, son of former Preston and Sheffield United striker Richard, played 33 times as Toulouse finished 10th in Ligue 1 following last summer's move from Elland Road, having made only six starts for his boyhood club. Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson, who has also played for Scotland Under-21s, was a machine in Slovakia having impressed at the City Ground. The dynamic and combative 22-year-old is now too old for the Young Lions and a repeat of his first season at Forest will make him hard to ignore. Much is also expected of Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri, although, at 18, he is the youngest in the group. The attacker started against Slovenia and Germany in the group stage - off the back of 37 appearances for the Gunners last season - but has time to develop. There are plenty of others to consider as well, with several missing from Carsley's squad. Liam Delap was named in the initial group for Slovakia but joined Chelsea and travelled to the Club World Cup. A strong season at Stamford Bridge - following his 12 goals for relegated Ipswich last season - will give Tuchel a strong option. Jamie Gittens, also at the Club World Cup with Borussia Dortmund, is close to a move to Chelsea and the former Manchester City youngster will be able to display his talents in the Premier League. Adam Wharton - missing the tournament as he recovered from concussion - went to Euro 2024 but never played, and the Crystal Palace midfielder will surely return to the senior squad next season. Jobe Bellingham's move to Dortmund from Sunderland will provide him a platform....

'Not football' - Maresca questions Club World Cup hosts after 'joke' delay Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says the decision to suspend the Club World Cup last-16 tie with Benfica for two hours because of extreme weather was "a joke" and said the US is "probably not the right place to do the competition". "This is not football" was how the Italian described the situation after the 4-1 extra-time victory in a match that lasted four hours and 39 minutes in Charlotte and finished at 01:39 BST on Sunday. It was the sixth game of the tournament that has been suspended because of seasonal summer thunderstorms. Players, staff and supporters were immediately pulled indoors because of extreme weather, in this case because thunderstorms were detected within an eight-mile radius of the venue, in line with US safety regulations. The weather has been one of the Club World Cup talking points a year out from the US co-hosting the 2026 World Cup, with extreme heat also affecting games. "I think it's a joke, to be honest," said Maresca. "It's not football. It's completely something new; I struggle to understand. "I can understand if it's security reasons but if you suspend seven or eight games then it's probably not the right place to do the competition. "It's not normal to suspend the game. In a World Cup, how many games are suspended? Zero probably. In Europe how many games get suspended? Zero. "We've been here two weeks and they've already suspended six or seven games. There is some problems for me personally." What happened in the match? Here is how the game unfolded at the Bank of America Stadium: 09:00 BST: Kick-off 22:53: In the 85th minute the match is suspended with Chelsea leading 1-0 through Reece James' 64th-minute goal 00:47: Match restarts 00:54: VAR check for a Benfica penalty in the 92nd minute 00:57: Angel di Maria scores the penalty to equalise in the 95th minute 01:01: Full-time 01:39: End of extra time - Chelsea win after scoring three goals in extra time through Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, while Benfica youngster Gianluca Prestianni is sent off How Chelsea coped with the stoppage Chelsea players Marc Cucurella, Levi Colwill and Tosin Adarabioyo were furious when pulled off the pitch - as was Maresca - having been on course to win with only five minutes of normal time remaining. After re-entering the operations and dressing room area, players took turns to cycle on exercise bikes to keep their muscles warm and did kick-ups to stay fresh. Maresca explained the mood and why it impacted performance, saying: "So two hours inside - people speak with the family outside [to check] if they were good with the security. People eating, laughing, talking on their mobiles. It was two hours. That's why I said it's not football. "For 85 minutes we were in control of the game. We didn't concede anything; we created chances enough to win the game. And then after the break the game changed completely." James added: "It was quite disruptive when you're in the flow of the game. Lots of substitutions - trying to get warm and stay warm. It was difficult and the climate was very hot and humid." A senior Chelsea official admitted to confusion and relief around the senior staff after the match. Defender Trevoh Chalobah saw the funny side, posting on social media: "Game started Saturday and ended Sunday." Is US in the summer suitable? This was the second longest stoppage of the tournament, with Benfica having had another two-hour stoppage delaying the start of their match against Auckland City. There have been six similar stoppages in five different cities, including Mamelodi Sundowns against Ulsan HD, which also happened in Orlando, because of heavy rain and storms. And there were long pauses in the second half of Palmeiras v Al-Ahly in New Jersey (40 minutes), Salzburg v Pachuca in Cincinnati (90 minutes) and Boca Juniors v Auckland City in Nashville (50 minutes). Chelsea are also one of many teams to fall victim to extreme heat. Maresca said it was "impossible" to conduct a normal training session at their previous base in Philadelphia. Some of the best stadiums in the US and Canada have roofs, like Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, but many do not. Atlanta is the only ground selected with such a covered roof in the Club World Cup but further stadiums in Vancouver, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and Toronto are covered for next summer's World Cup. However, that tournament has been expanded to 48 teams, meaning these events will likely happen next summer. Possible solutions could include moving the World Cup to winter months, as Qatar did in 2022, but severe cold is also an issue in parts of the US and Canada. Head of Fifa's technical study group Arsene Wenger addressed stoppages from its base in Miami. He said: "It's not ideal, I agree, because you want the flow of the game from the first to the last minute but, as well, when you organise a competition you have [to put] security first." Fifa also issued a statement at the time of the incident which read: "Due to adverse weather conditions in Charlotte, including the risk of lightning in the vicinity of Bank of America Stadium, the Fifa Club World Cup match between SL Benfica and Chelsea FC has been suspended. Fifa will follow the established safety protocols, and the match will resume as soon as it's safe to do so."...

'The abuse never stops' - Lionesses to avoid social media

England striker Alessia Russo says she prefers to stay off social media during major tournaments because of how "damaging" abuse can be. The 26-year-old was speaking about the issue alongside her Lionesses team-mates as they prepare for their European Championship defence in Switzerland next month. Their comments come after British tennis player Katie Boulter spoke to BBC Sport about abuse and death threats she has received online. Manchester United midfielder Grace Clinton, 22, says she will try to stay away from social media to avoid a "toxic environment", while Chelsea forward Lauren James said "the abuse never really stops". "I think every player might have a different story about that side of the game but it's definitely one that can be really damaging," said Arsenal forward Russo, 26. "I have faced it in the past and I think most players here have. When I was younger I probably got sucked into it more. "I read it more than I should have and listened to it more than I should have. The only opinions that matter are [those of] my team-mates, my coaches and my family. "In my first Euros I was on social media and I would have a look, have a scroll, and I got caught in a trap sometimes. "Going into the World Cup, I completely came off everything and I had people to run my Instagram. I just focused on the tournament. "It's personal preference and whatever works for the team. Staying away from it and staying focused as a team is what works for me."...

The 'two-metre Messi-Musiala' starring at U21 Euros

England Under-21s will come up against a tough challenge in their European Championship defence when they face Germany - and the tournament's top scorer Nick Woltemade - on Wednesday (20:00 BST). The 23-year-old Stuttgart forward, who is 6ft 6in (1.98m) and recently became a senior international, has scored four goals in two games in Slovakia. And he is being linked to many Premier League clubs after his breakthrough season in the Bundesliga. England will reach the quarter-finals if they avoid defeat by Germany, or if Slovenia do not beat the Czech Republic. "It wouldn't be optimal scouting if a club didn't have that [his scoring run] on their radar right now," Woltemade recently told Bild of Chelsea links., external "I'm not thinking about my future right now. I'm now with the under-21 national team, I'm having a lot of fun and I just scored three goals." Woltemade was even called a "two metre Messi-Musiala" by club captain Atakan Karazor in an interview in February., external He said: "He can control the ball, but at the same time he can also dribble like a 1.6 metre dribbler. He's a player who is two metres tall but he has technique like Messi." A summer to remember for Woltemade Woltemade has enjoyed a few landmark moments in the past month. On 24 May, he scored in the German Cup final as Stuttgart beat Arminia Bielefeld to win his first trophy. Then he started both Nations League games for Germany - against Portugal and France - for his first two senior caps. And now, days later, he is playing at the European Under-21 Championship as one of the tournament's oldest players. He netted a hat-trick in the 3-0 win over Slovenia before scoring again, and assisting two, in the 4-2 win over the the Czech Republic. He will hope to continue that scoring run against Lee Carsley's England in Nitra. The Germans are already through to the knockout stages but England need a point to join them. Woltemade started his career with Werder Bremen, coming through their youth teams, but had only scored two goals in 51 games. He spent the 2022-23 season on loan in the third tier with Elversberg. But the striker rejected the offer of a new Bremen contract last summer before a free-transfer move to Stuttgart. His time there started slowly - and he was not named in their Champions League squad - but he has become a prolific goalscorer. He has bagged 17 goals in 33 games (22 starts) for the Bundesliga side - including in each of his past four matches. Woltemade was named newcomer of the season by the VDV, the German professional footballers' union, despite having already played 41 Bundesliga games for Bremen. That form has seen him most strongly linked to Chelsea - but also to Arsenal, Liverpool, Everton, Brighton and West Ham - and some of the continent's top clubs too. Who else is scoring in the Euro U21s? Woltemade's current nearest rival for the tournament's golden boot is Newcastle's William Osula. The 21-year-old has netted three times in two games for Denmark, including a double in a 2-1 win over the Netherlands. Ukraine's Maksym Braharu - of Dynamo Kyiv - and Portugal's Geovany Quenda are the only two other players to net twice. Sporting winger Quenda, 18, will join Chelsea in a year's time in a £40m move....

Rangers and Hibs discover European opponents

Rangers have been drawn against Panathinaikos in the second qualifying round of the Champions League. The Scottish Premiership runners-up will be at home for the first leg on 22/23 July, with the return in Greece the following week. The winners of the first-round tie between Linfield - champions of Northern Ireland and their Republic of Ireland counterparts Shelbourne will face Qarabag of Azerbaijan. Should Welsh champions The New Saints win their tie against Shkendija of North Maceonia, they will face either FCSB of Romania or Inter Club d'Escaldes of Andorra. Meanwhile, Hibernian will face Danish side Midtjylland in the Europa League second qualifying round. Panathinaikos' visit will mark Russell Martin's first competitive game as Rangers head coach and the former Southampton boss has been handed the toughest of their possible draws despite the Ibrox side having been seeded. All three potential opponents were, like Rangers, runners-up in their domestic leagues, but while the Greek side are 111th in the European club rankings, 86 places behind Rangers, Swiss side Servette are 139th (one behind Heart of Midlothian) and Norwegians Brann 189th. The side managed by former Egypt and Benfica head coach Rui Vitoria finished 16 points behind Olympiakos in the Greek Super League last season, having overtaken AEK Athens after the league split. Panathinaikos have never lost to Scottish opponents over 90 minutes in four meetings with Rangers, two with Motherwell and one with Aberdeen, winning four of their seven games. However, it was Rangers who progressed when they last met the Ibrox side. Having beaten Aberdeen 3-0 at home in the 2007-08 Uefa Cup group stage, the Greeks exited on away goals after a 0-0 stalemate in Glasgow was followed by a 1-1 draw in Athens in the round of 32. They had beaten Rangers 3-1 at Ibrox, and drew 1-1 at home, in the Champions League group stage in 2003, while they eased aside Motherwell 5-0 on aggregate in their latest meeting with a Scottish side in 2012 - in the Champions League third qualifying round. Panathinaikos have not reached the Champions League proper since 2010-11 and last season started in Europa League qualifying, beating Botev Plovdiv but losing to Ajax before qualifying for the Conference League by defeating Lens. They lost 4-1 at home to eventual winners Chelsea and beat The New Saints 2-0 in Wales in the new league stage, finishing 13th, before beating Vikingur Reykjavik in the knockout phase and then losing to Fiorentina in the last 16. Rangers lost their opening Champions League qualifier to Dynamo Kyiv last season under Philippe Clement but reached the Europa League quarter-finals, by which time interim head coach Barry Ferguson was in charge. Teams winning their second qualifying round ties face two more rounds to make the league stage....

Fans warned of short-notice changes as PL fixtures released Liverpool lift Premier League trophy

Fans have been warned by the Premier League that fixtures could be moved at "relatively short notice" next season because of the number of teams playing in Europe. A record nine top-flight clubs have qualified for Uefa competitions in the 2025-26 campaign. The Premier League said there is an "increased likelihood" that games will be rescheduled if English teams reach the latter stages, and it suggested fans take this into consideration when planning their attendance at games. Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle and Tottenham will be playing in the Champions League next season. Aston Villa and Crystal Palace have qualified for the Europa League, while Nottingham Forest will be playing in the Conference League. "While the Premier League celebrates this success, it will come with an impact on the scheduling of league matches," a statement from the Premier League said. "There is an increased likelihood of Premier League fixtures moving at relatively short notice, after our fixture announcements, should our clubs progress to the knockout rounds of these competitions." The warning comes after the Premier League announced the fixture list for the 2025-26 season on Wednesday. Champions Liverpool will host Bournemouth in the Friday night curtain-raiser, while Manchester United will play Arsenal in the opening weekend's standout fixture at Old Trafford. Liverpool, who won the league in Arne Slot's first season in charge, will begin their title defence at Anfield on Friday, 15 August. Newly promoted Sunderland, back in the top flight for the first time since 2016-17, start their campaign at home against West Ham the following day. Championship winners Leeds welcome Everton to Elland Road for the Monday night game, while Burnley - promoted back to the top flight at the first time of asking - travel to Europa League holders Tottenham, who will be led by Thomas Frank in a league match for the first time. Everton fans will have to wait until the second round of fixtures for their first league game at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, when they will face Brighton. Pep Guardiola's Manchester City will hope to bounce back from a rare trophyless season with a strong start against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux. The season, which consists of 380 games over 33 weekends and five midweek rounds, will conclude on Sunday, 24 May. The Premier League has said the start date of 15 August - 82 days on from the end of the 2024-25 season - "allows for the maximum player rest time available". During the festive period, clubs will not be asked to play twice in less than 48 hours. While there are currently no games listed for 26 December, some may be moved to Boxing Day - depending on the live broadcast selection. It will be the first season with the new Premier League TV deal in place, with every game outside of the Saturday 3pm blackout to be broadcast live by either Sky Sports or TNT Sports....

'International football gives belief you belong in Premier League'

Reaching the Premier League is a dream for any player. I know how Trai Hume and Daniel Ballard feel after they won promotion with Sunderland, it's an incredible feeling and achieving it with Leeds was one of the highlights of my career. It's a big step up from the Championship, not only on the pitch but with everything that comes with it. There's more spotlight and every game you play is a big event that is shown all over the world. It's literally a different ball game. On the pitch, you can see the difference between the top two divisions by how the promoted teams have struggled to bridge the gap after going up, but Trai and Daniel are more than capable of adapting and they've shown it at international level. That's always what gave me the belief I could perform well in the Premier League. I wasn't playing all the time with my club, but with Northern Ireland I was playing against some of the best players in the world and I always felt I held my own. Taking on some of the best players from Germany or the Netherlands, it only added to the belief that I belonged at that level, and I'm sure Trai and Daniel will feel the same. You could say the same for Conor Bradley at Liverpool and Justin Devenny at Crystal Palace too, as they were both playing international football before playing week in, week out for their clubs. It's great for belief, and having more players at the top level can only benefit the national team as a whole. I can relate a lot to Trai's journey to the Premier League. Like me, he started off in the Irish League and had a lot of senior games under his belt before he moved across to England. I had played between 150 and 200 games of senior football for Coagh United and Crusaders, and I can't speak enough about how much that prepares you to step up to professional football in England. I still had a lot of developing to do when I moved to Brentford, but it set me up so well. You can be in an academy in England from the age of eight, and in a pre-academy even younger. I look at some players who haven't played a senior game by the age of 20 or 21 because they are stuck in youth football, and when they get their chance they struggle to adapt because it's hard to bridge that gap. I look back at my career now and I wouldn't have done it any other way, and I can see that Trai is reaping the rewards of that too....

First black Premier League referee Rennie dies aged 65

Uriah Rennie, the Premier League's first black referee, has died aged 65. Rennie officiated more than 300 games between 1997 and 2008, including 175 Premier League matches. Sheffield & Hallamshire County Football Association, external described their former chair as a "trailblazing referee" who "broke down barriers, shaped our football community and inspired generations to come." Rennie recently revealed he was learning to walk again after a rare condition left him paralysed from the waist down. Born in Jamaica, he moved to Sheffield as a child and grew up in the Wybourn area of the city. He started refereeing in local football in 1979 before making history in 1997 when he oversaw a top-flight match between Derby County and Wimbledon. "Incredibly sad news about the passing of Uriah Rennie. A Black pioneering referee and leader in the game," said Leon Mann, co-founder of the Football Black List. "We owe so much to those who push open the doors. Uriah should never, ever be forgotten. "Thoughts and prayers with Uriah's family and close friends." Former Nottingham Forest, Liverpool and Aston Villa striker Stan Collymore said he was "incredibly sad" to hear of Rennie's death, adding he was a "pioneer" and a "trailblazer". Ex-Crystal Palace forward Mark Bright posted on X: "A trailblazer, a good referee and thoroughly decent person when ever I bumped into him off the pitch." Rennie had been a magistrate in Sheffield since 1996 and campaigned on issues including improving equality and inclusion in sport, mental health and tackling deprivation. He had a master's degree in business administration and law and, in November 2023, was awarded an honorary doctorate by Sheffield Hallam University for his distinguished contributions to sport and his work with South Yorkshire communities. In May, Rennie was installed as the new chancellor of the university....

Why golden-era Belgium came to dread 'bogey team' Wales

World Cup qualifier: Belgium v Wales Venue: King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels Date: Monday, 9 June Kick off: 19:45 BST Coverage: Live on BBC One, S4C, iPlayer, BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru, the BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary. Kevin de Bruyne once said he was "bored" with facing Wales, such was the regularity of their games against Belgium. The Manchester City midfielder made the comment in 2022 as Belgium were preparing to take on Wales for the ninth time in 10 years. Tongue in cheek as the quip perhaps seemed, De Bruyne might have added that these meetings also carry a sense of dread for Belgians. Despite Belgium's lofty world ranking and galaxy of stellar talents, at one stage during their decade-long rivalry Wales enjoyed a four-match unbeaten run against their illustrious opponents, including two wins that rank among the greatest in their history. In 2015, Gareth Bale's goal secured a seismic European Championship qualifying victory in Cardiff which propelled Wales towards their first major tournament for more than half a century. Then a year later, at Euro 2016 itself, Belgium – among the pre-tournament favourites – were blown away in Lille as Wales stormed to an historic and euphoric 3-1 quarter-final win which took them to stratospheric new heights. "For me it was one of the greatest games in Welsh football," says Joe Ledley, who played in both victories. "I don't know what it is, they're just one of those teams. Wales are a bogey team for Belgium." On Monday night, a decade on from that stirring triumph in Cardiff – a night that changed the course of Welsh football – the two sides renew their rivalry with a World Cup qualifier in Brussels. 'A special night that made a nation believe' Welsh football had known hope before. Now there was expectation. Wales had not played at a major tournament since the 1958 World Cup but, with world-class players such as Bale and Aaron Ramsey in their prime, there was growing belief that the wait could soon be over. And after years of hype and hypotheticals about this golden generation, Wales started their qualifying campaign for Euro 2016 in a manner that suggested, this time, this was real. Unbeaten in their opening five matches, in June 2015 Wales hosted a Belgian side ranked second in the world – and featuring the likes of Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku and De Bruyne – having already held them to a goalless draw in Brussels. "We were going into that game not expected to win, but we worked so hard," says Ledley. "You want to play against the best players in the world and, for me, Belgium was that team. "Fitness levels were all over the place. A few of our players in the Championship and League One were finished three weeks before. You could see the ones who'd been away on a lads' holiday!" If preparations were not ideal, Wales hid it well with a ferociously energetic and disciplined display. Manager Chris Coleman had sprung a surprise with his team selection as he started fringe Swansea City defender Jazz Richards at right-wing-back. Chris Gunter, who usually played there, shifted to the right of a back three for the first time in his international career. It proved to be an inspired move as together they stifled the threat of that year's Premier League player of the season, Hazard, on Belgium's left. "The whole defensive unit and team, all our roles and responsibilities were really clear. We had trust in whoever was playing in each position," Gunter recalls. "The aim before any campaign was to qualify and we always said we needed to start one well and get some momentum, so we had done that. Then it was 'right, if we're serious about this, we have to take points off the best team in the group'. "It had all the ingredients of a really special football night in Wales. It was a Friday night, there was rain, but it was warm and the atmosphere was incredible." Wales delivered a performance to match the occasion, as Bale fired past Thibaut Courtois in the first half to send a heaving Cardiff City Stadium into raptures. Belgium pressed for an equaliser but, inspired by the home crowd's spellbinding, impromptu rendition of the Welsh national anthem, Wales clung on for a heroic victory. "The belief after that result, you could feel it, not just with us players, but with the fans as well, and you could sense we were on the verge of qualifying," says Ledley. "Fans play a massive part. I think at Cardiff City Stadium that night they carried us over that finish line." More than possible, this result made qualification probable. Even with their team three points clear at the top of the qualifying group, some Wales fans still needed some convincing. After all, it had been 57 years since Wales had been to a major tournament and that barren period was littered with agonising tales of near misses. But this time was different. "There was a real belief inside the changing room and the squad, and maybe for the fans it was more hope and desperation for us to do it," says Gunter. "I think definitely after that win, everybody really believed." Victory in Cyprus the following September put Wales in touching distance, only for a goalless draw at home to Israel to delay the celebrations. Once you have waited 57 years, though, a month does not seem so long. Wales finally sealed qualification in Bosnia-Herzegovina when they suffered their only defeat of the campaign, but had their place in France confirmed by Cyprus' win in Israel. As the rain poured down in Zenica, Wales had their moment of catharsis, released from the shackles of their history, dreaming of the golden summer to come....

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