Football/Soccer 24-Hour Briefing
×European Football
AC Milan espn.com cut Inter Milan's lead at the top of Serie A to seven points after a 1-0 victory in the derby at San Siro. Pep Guardiola gave Erling Haaland espn.com the night off against Newcastle to allow the striker to rediscover his "pace" before the Champions League trip to Real Madrid. A masked fan unplugged a VAR monitor bbc.com in a German second division match as the referee went to the pitchside screen to check a penalty award.
FA Cup Drama
Leeds United skysports.com reached their first FA Cup quarter-final since 2003 after easing past Championship side Norwich with a 3-0 victory at Elland Road. Port Vale bbc.com are bottom of League One but have reached the FA Cup quarter-finals for only the second time in their history after an impressive run. Southampton skysports.com crashed Fulham out of the FA Cup following a 1-0 home victory in a fifth-round tie that was overshadowed by a controversial performance from referee Jarred Gillett.
Scottish Football
Celtic bbc.com are dealing with injury concerns as they navigate a crucial period in their season. The Scottish Cup quarter-final draw bbc.com has set up an intriguing tie between Celtic and St Mirren, which will be a repeat of this season's League Cup final. St Mirren skysports.com defeated Partick Thistle 2-1 to book their place in the Scottish Cup semi-finals. The Old Firm cup tie at Ibrox ended in disgraceful scenes bbc.com as Rangers and Celtic fans invaded the pitch following Celtic's victory over Rangers.
Women's Football
Watford Women bbc.com are set to play their final two home games of the season at Vicarage Road after a 14-0 win put them in pole position to win promotion to WSL. FIFPRO calls on FIFA espn.com to ensure the safety of Iran's women's national team players after concerns grew for their safety following criticism of them for failing to salute during the Iranian anthem.
Transfer News
Andy Robertson espn.com has insisted he was "never not committed" to Liverpool despite January interest from Tottenham Hotspur. Antonee Robinson espn.com favors a move to Liverpool over Manchester United according to Transfer Talk. West Ham skysports.com have reportedly agreed a one-year contract extension with Wilson.
International Football
Iraq coach Graham Arnold espn.com is asking FIFA to reschedule his team's World Cup playoff as the conflict between neighboring Iran and the United States threatens to derail plans to help Iraq qualify for its first World Cup in 40 years. Iran's women's team bbc.com faces growing concerns for their safety after one critic called them 'wartime traitors' for failing to salute during the national anthem.
Controversies
FIFPRO expects FIFA, the AFC, and the Australian government to exert leverage to ensure the safety of Iran's women's national team players. A mass brawl bbc.com between Cruzeiro and Atletico Mineiro resulted in 23 players being sent off, with former Brazil forward Hulk describing the incident as "regrettable." Oxford United bbc.com is mourning the death of a 15-year-old academy player who collapsed during a game against Fulham.