Football/Soccer 3 Days

Last updated: May 7, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

European Club Competitions & Title Races

The path to the Champions League final is set, with Paris Saint-Germain booking a May 30 showdown against Arsenal after eliminating Bayern Munich via a 6-5 aggregate victory, despite only managing a 1-1 draw in the second leg away from home. While Arsenal players celebrated their advancement—a moment some felt was almost *tooexuberant—their focus now shifts to facing PSG, though Arsenal are planning significant player sales despite banking over £120m in UEFA prize money from their run. In the Women's Super League, Manchester City clinched the title after rivals Arsenal slumped to a disappointing 1-1 draw against Brighton, confirming City's first league crown in a decade under their Swedish mastermind coach. Meanwhile, Harry Kane’s late goal for Bayern, though not enough to reach the final, might still benefit German football by potentially earning the Bundesliga an extra Champions League spot.

Managerial & Club Turmoil

Several clubs are facing significant upheaval following recent results. Livingston head coach Marvin Bartley and assistant Neil Hastings announced their resignations after being asked to reapply for their positions following the club's relegation, while Scottish champions Celtic are navigating a turbulent campaign where, despite the possibility of securing a domestic double, change at the club may be inevitable. At the other end of the table, Sheffield Wednesday fans breathed a sigh of relief after learning their club will avoid a 15-point deduction next season, starting on zero points instead of a potential deficit. In managerial appointments, former Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzic has agreed to take over Athletic Club on a two-year deal, and Chester FC has appointed Phil Parkinson, who shares the same name as the Wrexham manager, on a two-year contract.

Premier League & Domestic Drama

Tottenham Hotspur appears to be turning a corner under Roberto De Zerbi, with the manager looking to keep João Palhinha at Spurs while also stating that Solanke could return for the Chelsea trip. In contrast, Chelsea is described as being in a "mess," leading Paul Merson to question who would want the manager's job, especially after a damaging defeat to Nottingham Forest led Jamie Carragher to label the club "a broken club"; the ownership group, Blue Co, now faces a moment of reckoning amid fan backlash. Manchester City’s title defence was nearly undone by a chaotic 13-minute spell during a six-goal thriller at Everton, which some believe could ultimately cost them the Premier League crown, although Phil Foden has reportedly agreed terms on a new four-year contract with the champions. Furthermore, an Everton fan was arrested by Merseyside Police for allegedly racially abusing Antoine Semenyo during the match against Manchester City.

Championship & EFL Play-Off Focus

The Championship play-offs are heating up, with the semi-final between Middlesbrough and Southampton—a fixture once considered unlikely to feature two teams so high up the table—set to kick off, while Millwall, managed by play-off specialist Alex Neil, enters the competition for the first time in 24 years. Hull City hosts Millwall in the first semi-final, with the tie between sixth and third place feeling much closer than the standings suggest. In League Two, matches are live on Sky Sports, as teams compete to reach Wembley, with manager Neil seeking that "moment of magic" for Millwall. Separately, Aston Villa faces a defining moment in their Europa League campaign as they approach the second leg against Nottingham Forest, with John McGinn expressing that European glory would "mean everything" to the club, while Forest remains hopeful that Morgan Gibbs-White will be fit to play.

Contract Sagas & Transfer Rumours

The transfer market remains active with several high-profile players potentially on the move. Manchester City forward Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw is expected to depart when her contract expires, with Chelsea and NWSL teams reportedly interested in securing the attacker. Manchester United is looking to overhaul its midfield, reportedly considering Bournemouth's Tyler Adams and Alex Scott, alongside West Ham's Mateus Fernandes, following reports that the club is prepared to spend £150m on three midfielders this summer; however, one newspaper suggests United has no plans to reintegrate Marcus Rashford should he return to the club. Sunderland's Trai Hume reflected on his "whirlwind" rise after establishing himself for the club and Northern Ireland, while reports suggest Celtic is tracking an Austrian goalkeeper compared to Manuel Neuer.

Controversy and Player Stories

Controversy continues to swirl around the potential transfer of Kylian Mbappé to Real Madrid, where tensions are reportedly rising behind the scenes as the saga reaches a "flashpoint", despite an online petition calling for his exit now exceeding 30 million signatures. In a bizarre element of his personal story, Alex Batty, who vanished at age, is now preparing to tell his story after six years missing, while Neymar issued an apology after he slapped teammate Robinho Jr during training. On a somber note, the inquest into the death of former Women's Super League manager Matt Beard has been delayed due to family concerns regarding alleged "bullying", and former Germany defender Niklas Sule announced he will retire this summer at just 30 years old.

Other Sports & Media Notes

Beyond football, Sky Sports has committed to broadcasting at least 70 regular season WNBA games, plus selected playoff contests and the entire WNBA Finals in October, beginning in 2026, while extending its Formula 1 coverage to remain the UK home of the sport until 2034. In boxing, promoter Frank Warren suggested that Tyson Fury should take a warm-up bout before a potential November showdown with Anthony Joshua, a fight George Groves has called for to be held at Wembley Stadium. Meanwhile, former world darts champion Mark Webster revealed he has been diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer.