Football/Soccer 3 Days

Last updated: May 12, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

Premier League Title & VAR Controversy

Arsenal edged closer to their first Premier League title in 22 years following a dramatic late victory over West Ham United, though manager Mikel Arteta’s tactical gambles received mixed reviews, with pundit Danny Murphy crediting Arteta's late changes for securing the crucial three points. The win was followed by significant fallout regarding a disallowed West Ham equalizer, prompting refereeing chief Howard Webb to confirm the decision was correct, despite manager Pep Guardiola stating he has 'never trusted anything' regarding VAR decisions in the title race. Jamie Carragher asserted that only those opposed to Arsenal's success would dispute the VAR call, while West Ham confirmed they will contact the referees' body over the incident, which also involved claims of holding near the corner flag that defined recent play.

Tottenham Hotspur’s relegation fears continued to escalate as they were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Leeds United, with Roberto De Zerbi suggesting the referee appeared 'not calm' due to the preceding VAR controversy at the London Stadium involving West Ham; a victory would have all but secured their Premier League safety, leaving them just two points clear of the drop zone with two fixtures remaining after the draw. James Maddison, returning from a lengthy layoff, stressed his readiness to focus on securing Premier League safety for Spurs, while goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky made what was described as 'one of saves of the season' in a vital point-earning performance for Tottenham. Meanwhile, defender Kevin Danso stated he would not be defined by the racist abuse he received on social media following the match against Leeds.

English Football League & Championship Play-Offs

Southampton booked their place in the Championship play-off final for the second time in three seasons, achieving a dramatic 2-1 extra-time victory over Middlesbrough, a tie overshadowed by the ongoing 'Spygate' saga which Kim Hellberg deemed 'disgraceful' after the defeat. Southampton requested more time to complete their internal review regarding the spying allegations against Boro, while Leo Scienza, a key figure in the Saints’ second-half surge, expressed a desire to replicate the 'pure ecstasy' of a German play-off goal with his current team. In the other semi-final, Hull City produced a clinical 2-0 second-leg win at Millwall, with Mohamed Belloumi’s winning performance making up for his initial lack of preparation in the semi-final; Millwall, though disappointed, conceded their season represented progress according to Steve Morison.

Managerial Movements & Club Updates

Manchester United are reportedly weighing up a move for Real Madrid's Federico Valverde this summer, alongside interest in Ederson and Mateus Fernandes, as the club prepares for a significant squad overhaul this summer, while speculation also links Paris Saint-Germain to Atlético's Julián Álvarez as a primary target. Elsewhere, Chelsea has begun contacting prospective managers, with Xabi Alonso and Andoni Iraola prominent on the shortlist, though Alonso faces a dilemma between the Chelsea offer and a potential 'dream' opening at Liverpool next season. In Scotland, Rangers manager Danny Rohl received assurances from the board following a third-place finish, although the club faces a significant summer rebuild after the season's capitulation.

International Football & World Cup Preparations

With the 2026 World Cup approaching, Qatar's 42-year-old forward Sebastián Soria has a chance to become the oldest outfield player to feature after inclusion in the preliminary squad for the tournament, while Dick Advocaat, aged, returns as Curacao's head coach following his successor's sudden departure just a month before their debut in the finals. Argentina’s 55-man preliminary roster includes Lionel Messi, though Brazil was dealt a blow with the exclusion of injured Chelsea forward Estêvão, despite naming Neymar in their provisional squad sources confirmed. Meanwhile, Giovanni Reyna expressed satisfaction after scoring a goal that broke a year-long scoreless drought as he pushes for inclusion on the United States' final roster ahead of the tournament.

Off-Field Stories & Player News

In Major League Soccer, Lionel Messi remains the undisputed highest earner, maintaining an annual base salary of $25m (£18., which is more than double the next highest earner in the league according to recent figures. In a surprising crossover, Ted Lasso actor Cristo Fernández has officially joined the professional ranks, signing with USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive after completing a two-month trial period with the club. Separately, former England manager Steve McClaren is reportedly considering taking on the technical director role at Rotherham United following the departure of Liam Manning from Huddersfield Town by mutual consent. Long-absent Alex Batty, who vanished at age, is preparing to share his harrowing six-year story of disappearance.