Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: May 12, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

Premier League Relegation & VAR Chaos

The battle to avoid the drop took another dramatic turn as Tottenham were held 1-1 by Leeds United, leaving Spurs only two points above the relegation zone with two fixtures remaining. This result prolonged Spurs' season agony, frustrating manager Roberto De Zerbi, who subsequently claimed referee Jarred Gillett was "not calm" during the match, suggesting officials are feeling intense pressure following recent VAR controversies, such as the contentious call at West Ham. The fallout from set-piece drama, including the contentious decision involving a possible foul against Arsenal, continues to dominate discussion, with pundit Jamie Carragher asserting that only anti-Arsenal sentiment fueled criticism of the VAR ruling that disallowed the Hammers' equalizer. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky delivered a crucial save of the season contender to secure the vital point for Spurs, marking a significant redemption after many doubted he would play again following prior incidents.

Championship Play-Off Drama

The English Football League play-offs provided intense drama as Hull City advanced to the final by defeating Millwall 2-0 on aggregate following a clinical second-leg display at The Den. Hull manager Sergej Jakirovic reflected that leading the Tigers to Wembley is "maybe the best thing that happened in football in my life", a sentiment echoed by winger Mohamed Belloumi, who made up for his lack of preparedness to secure the semi-final win. Elsewhere in the promotion picture, Southampton's key player Leo Scienza is aiming to replicate the "pure ecstasy" he experienced reaching the play-off final in Germany, hoping to guide the Saints to Wembley, as fans await the outcome of the semi-final clash against Middlesbrough. Looking back, BBC Sport revisited 15 memorable moments across 40 years of EFL play-off history.

Scottish Football & Managerial Movements

Scottish Premiership side St Mirren face a crucial period, with questions raised over whether they can escape the play-off mire as they prepare for the Premiership play-off semi-final. On loan Manchester United youngster Jacob Devaney is reportedly having an impressive second half of the season with the Paisley club, while manager nominations for the SFWA Manager of the Year award include Jens Berthel Askou and Martin O'Neill. In other news, Aberdeen defender Jack Milne was cleared after an SFA inquiry found an allegation of racist abuse towards Livingston striker Jeremy Bokila to be "not proven". Further north, Partick Thistle manager Mark Wilson stated there will be "no nostalgia" when his side faces former captain and manager Neil Lennon in their play-off semi-final against Dunfermline Athletic.

Transfer Gossip & Contract News

Rangers are reportedly preparing to pursue a summer swoop for AEK Athens left-back James Penrice, while speculation suggests Martin Boyle’s former teammate anticipates a move to Aberdeen. In London, West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen is attracting interest from three different Premier League clubs, and Juventus is reportedly considering a loan move for Nicolas Jackson. On the departure front, Arsenal forward Beth Mead confirmed she will leave the club at the end of the season when her contract expires, stating the decision "breaks her heart". Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford faces an uncertain future despite his brilliant free-kick for Barcelona in El Clasico.

Managerial Hunts & National Team Updates

Chelsea has commenced contact with prospective head coaches, with candidates including Andoni Iraola, Xabi Alonso, and Marco Silva being considered for the permanent role. In Madrid, Jose Mourinho is increasingly viewed as the likely next head coach for Real Madrid. On the international stage, former manager Dick Advocaat may make a surprise return to the Curacao national team following the resignation of his successor Fred Rutten just one month before their World Cup debut. Furthermore, veteran striker Edin Dzeko is poised to join the exclusive group of players aged over 40 to feature in a World Cup. Newcastle United defender Rory Finneran received his first call-up to the Republic of Ireland senior squad for their friendly against Grenada.

Player Welfare & Historical Context

The tragic loss of former WSL manager Matt Beard prompted his family to speak out about the immense emotional burden carried by football managers, calling for systemic changes to support staff. Separately, a story resurfaced detailing how Alex Batty, who vanished at age 11, is now ready to tell his six-year story after being found. In administrative news, Huddersfield Town boss Liam Manning departed by mutual consent, two months after taking compassionate leave from the League One club.

Other Sports Updates

While European football focuses on managerial changes, other sports are also active: Oklahoma City Thunder swept the Lakers 4-0 in a playoff thriller that could mark LeBron James' final professional basketball game. In golf, Jordan Spieth downplayed expectations regarding the career Grand Slam pressure ahead of the PGA Championship, stating his situation differs from Rory McIlroy's. Meanwhile, in tennis, Iga Swiatek cruised past Naomi Osaka 6-2 6-1 to reach the Italian Open quarter-finals.