Football/Soccer 24-Hour Briefing
×Scottish Premiership & Old Firm
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill bbc.com has branded VAR "debilitating" for officials, criticizing the Scottish FA's appeals process as "worthless." Former Rangers captain and manager Barry Ferguson bbc.com believes the Scottish Premiership title race will "go to the wire" and is "confident" of an Old Firm victory over Celtic this weekend. Meanwhile, Hearts manager Derek Mc Innes skysports.com revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson is rooting for his side to win the Scottish Premiership title.
Manchester United Financial Update
Manchester United CEO Omar Berrada espn.com has said extensive cost-cutting measures are starting to pay off as the club released their latest financial results. The club's finances are now in "much better shape," according to analysts. However, former coach Benni Mc Carthy bbc.com revealed that the Africa Cup of Nations proved to be "a big stumbling block" when Manchester United discussed signing Victor Osimhen.
Champions League Drama
Bodo/Glimt's shock win over Inter Milan espn.com has been labeled one of the biggest upsets in Champions League history, knocking out the Italian giants 5-2 on aggregate. Alexander Sørloth's hat trick espn.com fired Atlético Madrid to a 4-1 second-leg playoff win against Club Brugge, securing their place in the last. Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappé espn.com has been ruled out of Real Madrid's game with Benfica due to a knee injury.
Transfer Rumors & Player News
Philippe Coutinho espn.com is considering a move to MLS or retirement at age, according to sources. Weston Mc Kennie espn.com is on the verge of signing a new contract with Juventus. Johnny Cardoso espn.com said he had a "perfect" night after scoring his first UCL goal for Atlético Madrid. Lionel Messi espn.com has spoken of his regret over not applying himself in his studies when young, particularly when learning English.
Other European Football
Newcastle's Jacob Murphy bbc.com says the club will relish whoever they face in the Champions League last 16 after progressing via the play-offs. Italian clubs are on the brink of a historic Champions League embarrassment, with the prospect of none making the last. Chelsea and West Ham bbc.com were fined for a "mass confrontation" between players in their January match.
League Updates
Nottingham Forest duo Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson bbc.com are being targeted by Manchester United and Manchester City. Wrexham espn.com continued their push for a fourth successive promotion with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Portsmouth. Dundee United and Aberdeen skysports.com played out a goalless draw in the Scottish Premiership.
International & Women's Football
The Republic of Ireland's home Nations League fixture against Israel on October 4th will be played at Dublin's Aviva Stadium. The Lionesses will host Ukraine in their Women's World Cup qualifier at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in June. Mexico coach Javier Aguirre espn.com said his federation promised everyone will be safe at a friendly against Iceland amid recent security concerns.
Off-the-Pitch Developments
FIFA espn.com are monitoring the situation in Mexico but have "full confidence" the country can host World Cup games amid recent unrest. Shakhtar Donetsk chief executive Sergei Palkin espn.com has called on FIFA president Gianni Infantino to visit Ukraine and witness the destruction caused by war. MLS has hired a search firm espn.com to lead the recruitment drive for a potential successor to league commissioner Don Garber.
Managerial Changes
West Brom skysports.com have sacked Eric Ramsay just 44 days after appointing him as head coach. Multi-club ownership group co-founder Victoire Cogevina Reynal has left Mercury13 five months after taking over Bristol City Women.
Player Welfare & Safety
US government officials were warned that there could be "catastrophic" security consequences if World Cup host cities do not receive frozen funding. Local officials representing World Cup host cities warned Congress that security concerns, coordination problems, and inadequate federal funding are risking catastrophe with little more than three months until the tournament.