Football/Soccer 3h Briefing
×Major League Soccer
MLS espn.com handed down lifetime suspensions to Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah after an investigation found they violated the league's gambling policy by betting on their own games. The decision marks one of the harshest penalties in league history for gambling-related violations.
Champions League Previews
Arne Slot espn.com said Liverpool are ready for the intimidating atmosphere at Galatasaray, having experienced the Turkish club's passionate fans earlier this season. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich espn.com announced that Harry Kane trained following his calf injury and will travel with the squad to Italy for Tuesday's match against Atalanta.
Newcastle United bbc.com head coach Hansi Flick expressed confidence ahead of their clash with Barcelona, stating his team can handle the pressure of facing one of Europe's elite clubs. Across London, Tottenham skysports.com confirmed Richarlison will start with Cristian Romero and Ryan Sessegnon returning to the lineup for their trip to Atletico Madrid.
FA Cup Draw
The FA Cup quarterfinals delivered a blockbuster matchup as Manchester City espn.com will host Liverpool in what promises to be one of the standout fixtures of the round. The draw has set up several intriguing ties as the competition moves into its latter stages.
Player Updates
Alisson bbc.com will miss Liverpool's first leg against Galatasaray due to injury, though manager Arne Slot downplayed the severity of the situation. The Brazilian goalkeeper could potentially return for the weekend fixture against Tottenham.
Eddie Howe bbc.com challenged his Newcastle United squad to create their own memorable European moments, drawing inspiration from the famous 1997 victory over Barcelona. The head coach emphasized the importance of seizing opportunities in high-profile matches.
International Soccer
Donald Trump espn.com made an unusual intervention in international soccer by urging Australia to grant asylum to the Iranian women's national team, offering that the United States would accept them if Australia declined. The request highlights ongoing political tensions surrounding women's sports in Iran.
USMNT Concerns
Sergiño Dest espn.com insists his season isn't over despite suffering a hamstring injury that could impact the United States' World Cup preparations. The right-back's absence would create significant depth issues for the national team's defensive options.
Former Players
Paul Scholes bbc.com clarified his recent Instagram post about Michael Carrick, stating it was "in no way intended to be offensive" toward his former Manchester United teammate. The clarification comes amid ongoing discussions about United's managerial situation.