Football/Soccer 24-Hour Briefing
×Premier League & Top Flight Action
Crystal Palace bbc.com staged a stunning comeback to beat Tottenham 3-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with all goals coming in the first half. The victory leaves Spurs in a relegation battle as their season teeters towards disaster. Tottenham skysports.com now face intense pressure, with manager Igor Tudor under scrutiny and Jamie O'Hara calling for his immediate sacking, believing the club will be relegated based on recent evidence.
Manchester United espn.com have defended a 5% increase in ticket prices around Old Trafford next season, insisting the move will help in their quest to "return to the top of domestic and European football." Meanwhile, West Ham bbc.com manager Nuno Espirito Santo wants officials to explain what is and is not a foul at set-pieces, warning current levels of grappling and blocking are "almost crazy."
International Football & World Cup Qualifiers
England bbc.com manager Sarina Wiegman says it is "very important" her team are patient if goals do not come quickly in their 2027 Women's World Cup qualifier against Iceland on Saturday. The Lionesses have named eight uncapped players and will play their intra-squad series in Pretoria. Scotland bbc.com vice-captain Erin Cuthbert speaks about her responsibility as the national team prepares for their Women's World Cup qualifier against Luxembourg.
Morocco espn.com coach Walid Regragui has quit the team just months before it competes at the World Cup, he confirmed at a late-night news conference on Thursday. The Moroccan Football Federation accepted his resignation following a difficult period for the national team.
European Football & Ligue 1
Paris Saint-Germain espn.com have included Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé in their squad for the Ligue 1 game at home to AS Monaco on Friday. Vitinha espn.com says it would be "foolish" for him to consider leaving PSG amid reported interest from Real Madrid. The Portuguese midfielder remains committed to the Ligue 1 giants.
Cristiano Ronaldo espn.com will travel to Madrid to undergo treatment on his right hamstring injury, Al Nassr coach Jorge Jesus confirmed on Friday. The injury is described as more serious than initially expected, raising concerns about the Portuguese star's availability for upcoming matches.
Lower League & Cup Competitions
Arsenal bbc.com and Manchester City remain in contention for four trophies as the race for the Quadruple continues. With both clubs still competing on multiple fronts, BBC Sport examines who else has come close to achieving this historic feat. The FA Cup fifth round begins with Wolves hosting Liverpool at Molineux Stadium, where Liverpool bbc.com defender Andy Robertson admits his team must play better than they did in Tuesday's Premier League defeat by the same opposition.
Millwall skysports.com fan Alfie Doughty is now a key part of a Lions squad pushing for a first-ever promotion to the Premier League, turning his childhood dream into reality. The South London club continues its impressive Championship campaign.
Women's Football & International Scene
Denise O'Sullivan bbc.com is ruled out of the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifier against the Netherlands in Utrecht on Saturday. The experienced midfielder's absence is a blow to Vera Pauw's side as they look to secure their place in the tournament.
The Confederation of African Football espn.com confirmed on Thursday that the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations will not take place in Morocco as planned on March 17, sparking criticism over the decision to postpone the tournament.
Managerial & Off-field Developments
Jesse Lingard bbc.com joins Corinthians, but what can the former England and Manchester United midfielder expect in Brazil? The 31-year-old moves to South America seeking regular playing time and a new challenge in his career.
Spurs bbc.com are interested in appointing Dougie Freedman as the club's new sporting director as they look to rebuild their football operations. The former Crystal Palace manager could bring valuable experience to the north London club.
Other Football News
The Saudi Pro League espn.com is pressing ahead with its schedule, including Thursday's match and Friday's Jeddah derby, despite regional security concerns fueled by the Middle East war. The league continues to attract high-profile players and maintain its domestic competition.
Espanyol skysports.com are using psychologists on the bench to gain an edge, with the club's head of methodology Gerard Bofill offering insights during matches. This innovative approach highlights the growing importance of mental preparation in modern football.
Player Updates & Records
Wayne Rooney bbc.co.uk discusses playing for Everton, England, Arsenal and honest regrets in a revealing interview about his career. The former England captain reflects on key moments and decisions throughout his playing days.
Venus Williams skysports.com suffered another blow in her return to the BNP Paribas Open, falling in the first round 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 6-1 to Diane Parry of France. The 43-year-old American continues her comeback on the WTA Tour after injury setbacks.
Disciplinary & Governance
A Brazilian sports court espn.com suspended a defender of top-flight club Red Bull Bragantino for 12 matches because of sexist remarks he made about a female referee after a Sao Paulo state championship match. The suspension highlights ongoing efforts to combat discrimination in football.
UEFA espn.com have fined Real Madrid and ordered a suspended partial closure of the Bernabéu after a supporter inside the ground was filmed appearing to make a Nazi salute during a recent match. The governing body's swift action demonstrates zero tolerance for such behavior.