Football/Soccer 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 13, 2026, 6:52 AM ET
Champions League & European Action
Manchester City held tactical talks bbc.com with Barcelona over Erling Haaland's future, while Chelsea winger Pedro Neto bbc.com faces Uefa disciplinary action after pushing a PSG ball boy during their Champions League tie. In Sweden, pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis added another centimetre skysports.com to his world record with a 6.31m clearance, showcasing the same competitive spirit that drives European football's elite. Aston Villa's Unai Emery reached 100 wins bbc.com faster than any previous manager after defeating Lille in the Europa League last, while Nottingham Forest suffered a 1-0 home defeat skysports.com to FC Midtjylland in treacherous conditions at the City Ground.
Premier League & Domestic Football
Arsenal's Bukayo Saka struggled through 60 minutes skysports.com against Bayer Leverkusen before being substituted, continuing his mysterious loss of form that has seen him start only four of Manchester City's past 12 games. Meanwhile, Tottenham extended their ticket renewal deadline bbc.com amid relegation fears, with interim manager Igor Tudor's tactical approach drawing criticism bbc.com for potentially contributing to their poor run. Burnley manager Scott Parker admitted relegation could define bbc.com their season as "a failure," while Wales' Harry Wilson confirmed his fitness bbc.com for the upcoming World Cup play-offs, providing a major boost to their campaign.
Women's Football & International
Manchester United prepare to face Chelsea bbc.com in Sunday's Women's League Cup final, seeking to overcome their nemesis after recent final defeats. In the NWSL, champions Gotham FC signed Chelsea's Guro Reiten espn.com just two days before their 2026 season opener, while Melvine Malard emerges as key to United's pursuit skysports.com of success with her charismatic playing style. Emma Raducanu will miss Billie Jean King Cup duty skysports.com for Great Britain again, while England's Tyler Adams credited "seamless" rehab espn.com for his return to Bournemouth's lineup after a knee injury.
Transfer Market & Managerial Moves
Paris Saint-Germain's Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé met with Manchester City espn.com as transfer speculation intensifies, while Tottenham considered Sean Dyche skysports.com as a potential replacement for Igor Tudor. Former Atlético Madrid forward David Villa joined the club's board espn.com after Apollo Sports Capital completed its majority acquisition, and Rwanda reappointed Stephen Constantine bbc.com as head coach on a two-year contract. Sweden's Graham Potter extended his contract to 2030 bbc.com as the country targets World Cup qualification through play-offs.
Golf & Other Sports
Rory McIlroy made a sluggish start skysports.com to his Players Championship title defense at TPC Sawgrass, where Sepp Straka and Sahith Theegala shared the early lead skysports.com alongside four others. Collin Morikawa shocked the field with withdrawal skysports.com after just one hole due to a back injury, while Scottie Scheffler explained his driver U-turn skysports.com after frustration with inconsistent opening rounds. In darts, Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen prepared for European Trophy skysports.com, though Luke Littler skipped Germany again skysports.com despite his UK Open victory.