Football/Soccer 8-Hour Briefing
×Champions League Updates
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has not travelled to Istanbul for the Champions League last-16 first leg against Galatasaray after sustaining a problem in training. The Brazilian keeper is ruled out of the first leg but could return to face Tottenham at the weekend. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane trained following a calf injury and is traveling with the squad to Italy ahead of Tuesday's Champions League game at Atalanta.
International Football
United States President Donald Trump has urged Australia to grant asylum to the Iranian women's football team -- and said the U.S. would do so if Australia did not. In other international news, Sergiño Dest insists his season isn't over after suffering a hamstring injury, but if it is, that's a headache the U.S. doesn't need for the World Cup.
Club Football Developments
Wayne Rooney has urged Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to ignore "very unfair" criticism of the Premier League leaders' playing style. Eddie Howe challenges his Newcastle United players to seize the moment and follow in the footsteps of the side who defeated Barcelona in 1997. In Brazil, Cruzeiro's 1-0 win over Atlético-MG in Sunday's Mineiro Championship final was overshadowed by a mass brawl that erupted seconds before the final whistle and resulted in 23 red cards issued.
Managerial Changes
Northampton Town sack manager Kevin Nolan after a run of one win in 16 games with the club in the League One relegation places. Meanwhile, Real Madrid have Mauricio Pochettino on the shortlist of candidates to replace Álvaro Arbeloa ahead next season, different sources told ESPN. In women's football, Michael McArdle, the Scottish FA's head of elite women's football and former interim head coach of Scotland, is appointed Northern Ireland manager.
Other Football News
Millwall are fined £45,000 by the FA for abusive chanting with a reference to disability during their Carabao Cup tie with Crystal Palace. Chelsea forward João Pedro has hailed his "special" first season at the club after firing himself into contention to lead the line for Brazil at this summer's World Cup. Adidas is going back to the '90s by releasing a replica of the iconic denim-look jersey worn by the USMNT when the World Cup came to the U.S. in 1994.