Bournemouth drop Jiménez amid investigation into alleged messages to 15-year-old
Bournemouth have confirmed Álex Jiménez, has been omitted from their squad for Saturday’s game at Fulham after they opened an investigation relating to social media posts.
It follows alleged exchanges on social media between Jiménez and an individual who appears to state that they are a 15-year-old girl.
Jiménez has made 32 appearances for Bournemouth this season and started their past five Premier League matches.
In a statement released on Friday, the club said: “AFC Bournemouth are aware of posts circulating on social media involving right-back, Álex Jiménez. The club understand the seriousness of the matter and it is currently being investigated. As a result, Álex will not be included in the squad for tomorrow’s Premier League game against Fulham and the club will be making no further comment at this time.”
Key events
That is all from me for today. Dave Tindall is here to guide you through some more news.
Edwards claims Wolves’ poor form is ‘not his fault’
Rob Edwards has said that Wolves’ poor season is “not his fault” after he was booed by supporters against Sunderland. Jeers rung around the stadium before and after the full-time whistle as many supporters appeared to lose faith that Edwards could spearhead immediate promotion from the Championship.
Edwards was appointed in November when Wolves had won just two points and were already destined for Premier League relegation. Their relegation was confirmed with five games to go in the season but the manager has said that there was little he could do to fix the situation.
double quotation mark I’m in the situation I am in right now, but this is not my fault. It’s been going on a long time. We came into this situation, so I feel energised by what we’re going to do and the difference we’re going to make going forward. We’re going to have to ride out this difficult period and stay strong.We’ve come into a team that haven’t won for ages on two points in the Premier League. We’ve not been able to play the way we want, we’ve been playing survival football and trying to keep confidence levels and trying to get our minimum level of hard work, It’s been challenging and completely different to any time I’ve experienced before. Not many people would come into this situation either.
Fifpro hails ‘landmark’ ruling as European body admits football calendar challenge
The football players’ union Fifpro hailed a “landmark” legal win after a European rights body agreed to investigate whether France failed to uphold labour standards for professional footballers.
The unanimous decision by the European Committee of Social Rights on 16 March marks the first time a players’ union has successfully advanced a collective complaint under the European Social Charter, paving the way for an investigation into whether France has failed to ensure proper working conditions for professional players, including minors.
Fifpro described the heart of the dispute as the French state’s failure to protect professional footballers from the health and safety risks posed by a congested and expanding international match calendar, which it argues is driven by Fifa’s unilateral decisions on competition formats.
The French government had sought to have the case dismissed, arguing that any alleged labour violations were the responsibility of private sports bodies, such as Fifa or the French Football Federation (FFF), rather than the state.
The committee rejected that objection, affirming that national governments remain legally responsible for ensuring fundamental workers’ rights are upheld within their jurisdictions, regardless of whether a private entity manages the industry.
Fifpro Europe, which is supporting the French National Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP) in the case, described the decision as a “signal case” for the industry. It added that the complaint highlights how global governing bodies “frequently bypass national labour standards regarding rest periods and collective bargaining”.
Fifpro Europe confirmed it would provide full support to the UNFP during the upcoming proceedings and called on other European states to hold football authorities accountable for “systemic failures” that it said prioritise commercial interests over player safety.
“France is not alone: many other states are in a comparable situation, with minimum standards for working time, rest periods, occupational health and collective bargaining structurally undermined by decisions taken at global level,” it said in a statement.
Mbappe and Tchouameni join Real Madrid training ahead of clásico
Kylian Mbappé trained today after recovering from a hamstring injury ahead of the el clásico against Barcelona, with Aurélien Tchouameni also involved after his bust-up with teammate Federico Valverde.
Mbappé had been sidelined for two weeks but Real said the French striker completed part of the group session two days before their trip to Barcelona. Tchouameni also took part in the training the day after his altercation with Valverde resulted in the latter reportedly needing stitches.
The team confirmed that disciplinary proceedings have been opened against both players after the training ground clash, one of a spate of such incidents. Tensions are high at Real with the prospect of a second consecutive season without a major trophy.
Everton: David Moyes has confirmed Idrissa Gueye will miss Everton’s trip to Crystal Palace this weekend. The Blues take on the Eagles at Selhurst Park on Sunday, looking to maintain their push to secure European football for next season.
Gueye missed Everton’s dramatic 3-3 draw with Manchester City at Hill Dickinson Stadium and Moyes confirmed the 36-year-old midfielder remains unavailable. Jack Grealish and Jarrad Branthwaite – with foot and hamstring injuries respectively – are also unavailable.
double quotation mark [Gueye] is fine. He’s not training yet but it’s not a serious injury, so we hope he’ll be back soon.There are no talks [about Grealish’s future], at the moment, because we’re really waiting to see how his foot is. It’s improving greatly – he’s out of the boot he was wearing now and he’s doing a lot more training. There is no further news on Jack, at the moment, but everyone knows Jack – he’s loved wherever he goes, and he’s certainly loved here.
Moyes was also asked about Tim Iroegbunam and Merlin Rohl’s selection:
double quotation mark I think both of them have given me something to think about for most of the season but, for long parts of the season, we’ve been relatively settled in some ways. Gueye and Jimmy Garner have played very well in the middle of the pitch, so we’ve known [Iroegbunam and Rohl’s] capabilities.Tim has probably had a bit more than Merlin but I think Merlin is also getting used to the speed of the Premier League as well. They both played really well [against Manchester City].
Old Firm: The Celtic manager Martin O’Neill senses the fear of losing their title is fuelling his players as he prepares to face Rangers with a fit Daizen Maeda.
The in-form Maeda has overcome a foot injury ahead of Sunday’s derby as Celtic bid to keep on the trail of leaders Hearts. The champions could go into the Parkhead clash six points behind the title favourites, who face Motherwell at Fir Park on Saturday. Celtic also travel to Lanarkshire before hosting Hearts on the final day where they will be aiming to clinch a fifth successive title – if they still have a chance.
The Hoops have enjoyed sustained dominance in Scottish football since O’Neill first arrived in 2000 and have won 13 out of the last 14 championships and the 74-year-old believes the danger of losing their title is now driving players on.
double quotation mark “I’m sure of it, It’s not a position that the football club has found itself in in recent years. Generally speaking, they’ve gone clear and there’s been no opposition. There’s been plenty of opposition this year, not just from Rangers but obviously from Hearts.So it is a big, big change, not something that a number of these players have been used to. You have to get used to it. You’ve been chasing, you have to keep chasing.
Maeda completed last Sunday’s 2-1 win at Easter Road but hobbled off with a bare left foot after the game. The Japan international has netted four goals in three matches after a 17-game run without scoring for his club.
double quotation mark Daizen hurt himself towards the end of the game. He’s fine, which is really, really good. He has trained and he has got no reaction. And so he’s going to be fine. He’s had a super couple of weeks.
Two Maldon & Tiptree co-owners charged with human trafficking and rape
Non-league football: Two co-owners of the non-league football club Maldon & Tiptree have been charged with human trafficking for sexual exploitation as well as rape after an investigation by Essex police.
Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, 57, was charged with multiple offences on Friday alongside Scott Drewitt-Barlow, 32. Both men, of Southwood Chase, Danbury, Essex, will appear at Chelmsford magistrates court later.
The Crown Prosecution Service said the men had been charged with arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation, as well as sexual offences including rape.
Barrie Drewitt-Barlow became Britain’s first gay surrogate parent in 1999. The CPS said he had been charged with three counts of sexual assault on a male, four counts of rape of a man 16 or over and two counts of arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation.
Scott Drewitt-Barlow has been charged with one count of sexual assault on a male, one count of rape of a man 16 or over, and two counts of arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation.
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Arteta defends Arsenal’s Champions League celebrations
Ed Aarons
Mikel Arteta has dismissed criticism that Arsenal overdid the celebrations after reaching their first Champions League final for 20 years.
An emotional Arteta led his players on a lap of honour after they saw off Atlético Madrid on Tuesday night to set up a meeting with Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest later this month. The Arsenal manager was spotted dancing to an Arsenal song that went viral on TikTok and mentions every first-team player as well as some of his more famous catchphrases.
That exuberance has been criticised by some supporters of other clubs, although Arteta claimed he was unaware of the term “celebration police”.
“First of all, I didn’t know about it but I don’t know,” he said when asked if he cared. “I think you have to respect every opinion and place them where they belong.”
Arteta also insisted his players are fully focused on their crucial trip to West Ham on Sunday rather than gaining revenge on PSG, who beat them in last year’s Champions League semi-finals. “I was in a really high emotional state after the game, obviously, because we know what it means to everybody, to the club. You could tell what it means to everybody, to our supporters, players, the staff,” he said. “But you have to believe me, straight after that, my concentration, my focus, my energy was West Ham. What do we have to do on the mental side, physically, tactically, technically, to prepare in the best possible way to go there and win the game. That’s it.”
Crystal Palace: The club may be celebrating reaching a first European final in their history but Oliver Glasner says they are still not safe in the Premier League. The Eagles sealed a 5-2 aggregate win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday to book a Conference League final date with Rayo Vallecano at the end of the month.
Before then they have four matches to play, starting with Everton on Sunday, still needing three points to be mathematically safe from the drop.
double quotation mark First of all we want to win against Everton because then we are safe. We see all the teams at the bottom are winning. Tottenham now two wins in a row, West Ham, Nottingham Forest was on a very good run.So all these teams are now closer and we are not 100% safe. That means get one more win.
Nevertheless, Glasner gave his players Friday off to let their European achievement sink in.
double quotation mark If you’re full of adrenaline, it just makes no sense calling them in in the morning, So they should recover and then we will meet on Saturday preparing for Everton.
Thanks Dom and hello again all. Let’s turn to Crystal Palace where Oliver Glasner has been speaking to the media.
I’m handing the reins back to Yara for a short while. Plenty more Premier League pressers to come!
It’s not football but I do very much enjoy Tanya Aldred’s county cricket live blog. The best way to follow the second best sport on the planet.
Alphonso Davies has injured his hamstring with just over month to go before his native Canada co-hosts the World Cup.
Bayern Munich released a statement on the injury, saying Davies is expected to be out “for several weeks”. Canada start their World Cup campaign on 12 June against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Toronto. Davies hurt his left hamstring during Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain that knocked the Bavarians out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage.
Davies, 25, is a key player for his country, having scored 15 goals in 58 appearances.
So this summer Liverpool are going to need a centre-back (or possibly two), a full-back of some description (Robertson needs replacing but the right-back situation is dicey) plus a Salah replacement on the right flank … that certainly looks like another huge window of recruitment for the FSG boys. Not quite £400m-odd but in excess of £200m.
Missing out on Marc Guéhi really was a bitter blow for them, plus the fact Isak started poorly and then got injured while Salah dropped off so dramatically.
Slot expects another transition period at Liverpool
Arne Slot was asked whether next season could be another transition campaign at Liverpool, given the likes of Mo Salah and Andy Robertson are leaving the club – and others may potentially follow them.
The club chose to spend big and bring in an influx of new players last summer, spending upwards of £400m on the likes of Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike.
And more change may be coming, with Slot likely to be under pressure to return Liverpool to the top after a poor season this time around.
He said: “I’m only looking forward, as I looked forward to working with these players two years ago. It will be another little transition, probably not as drastic as it was last summer but we have to change some personnel with the two players leaving.
“But my main aim at the moment is getting over the line for the upcoming three games, and then going on holiday.
“Always new players change things, that’s what we’ve seen. You always play to the strengths of the players and how we can look next season depends who we can bring in.”
Slot has revealed Alexander Isak trained yesterday so could be involved for Liverpool against Chelsea tomorrow, and a similar thing can be said for goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. Alisson Becker remains out.
On Salah, he said: “Mo also hasn’t trained with us yet but is also getting very, very close to train with us.”
Arne Slot on the question of how, and how much, Liverpool have underperformed this season:
“I think it always weighs heavy on the players if you lose more games than you want. It’s never a nice feeling to lose, especially at this club. [There’s been] underperformance very clearly in the Premier League, but I think we deserved better results than we’ve been having.
“In the Champions League we finished third in the group phase, beat Galatasaray and lost to PSG over two games. No team over two games has been able to beat them.
“We’ve been vulnerable to counterattacks but I don’t think that’s the only thing we’ve been vulnerable to. It’s a mix of everything and it’s clear where we have to improve. It’s something we will address in the summer, in the market and afterwards on the training ground.
“The focus for this team after everything we’ve been through is now qualifying for the Champions League.”
Arne Slot is about to speak at his Liverpool press conference. We’ll bring you the top lines from that shortly …
Here’s another Ben Fisher piece – he’s been busy lately. An interview with Brentford’s Michael Kayode on having a long throw, and being pigeon-holed as a long throw specialist.
“It is simple. Obviously it is a weapon, but across 90 minutes, in that period the ball is out for maybe not even five minutes for throw-ins.” Does he practise throw-ins? “No, no, not at all.”
Tom Garry
Tottenham Hotspur’s women’s team managing director Andy Rogers will leave the club this summer after 24 years working in various different roles at the north London club.
Rogers, who is said to be leaving to spend more time with his family, has been overseeing the women’s team since February 2023 and he told the club’s media channels: “I am so proud of the incredible staffing group that we’ve constructed. I sincerely believe we have created the foundations for them to continue to learn, develop and carry the ambition of the club as high as I know it can reach.”
Tottenham chief executive Vinai Venkatesham added: “Andy has made a significant contribution to the growth and development of our women’s team over the past three-and-a-half years.
“We have been building on these foundations with a renewed, more ambitious vision for Spurs Women set at the start of this season, and this work will continue to accelerate as we look forward.”
With one match remaining, Spurs are guaranteed to finish fifth in the WSL this season.
Bournemouth drop Jiménez amid investigation into alleged messages to 15-year-old
Bournemouth have confirmed Álex Jiménez, has been omitted from their squad for Saturday’s game at Fulham after they opened an investigation relating to social media posts.
It follows alleged exchanges on social media between Jiménez and an individual who appears to state that they are a 15-year-old girl.
Jiménez has made 32 appearances for Bournemouth this season and started their past five Premier League matches.
In a statement released on Friday, the club said: “AFC Bournemouth are aware of posts circulating on social media involving right-back, Álex Jiménez. The club understand the seriousness of the matter and it is currently being investigated. As a result, Álex will not be included in the squad for tomorrow’s Premier League game against Fulham and the club will be making no further comment at this time.”
A bit more from Pep on Jérémy Doku’s impressive season. The Belgian winger has racked up his best City numbers this campaign, seven goals and eight assists.
“I’m so glad. I’m so glad they’re making the step and feel that the winger had to score and make an impact not just an extra one against one. The goals, the assists, also contributing defensively… yeah. Jeremy has been amazing this season. Amazing.”
Guardiola: All we can do is put pressure on Arsenal
Here’s what Pep Guardiola said about playing at the Etihad on Saturday, a day before title rivals Arsenal travel to West Ham, including a message to Manchester City supporters to get behind his players during the Brentford game.
“A long time since the last game was at 3pm [on a Saturday]. I love to be at home. Hopefully they can come, all we can do is put pressure on Arsenal in our games. Three games left at the Etihad, let’s go for it.”
City can reduce the gap to the Gunners to just two points with a win, but any dropped points could prove fatal to their Premier League title hopes.
A short succinct answer from Pep Guardiola when asked to sum up Brentford this season: “So good.”
And on Keith Andrews: “Not easy to replace Thomas [Frank], so incredible season, it’s clear what they do and difficult to challenge them.”
Andoni Iraola admitted European qualification for sixth-placed Bournemouth will be difficult but knows his team are in a “good place” as they look to create history.
The Cherries’ 3-0 win over Crystal Palace last Sunday has opened up a four-point gap over faltering Chelsea and moved them above Brentford and Brighton.
However, Iraola has consistently remained cautious about Bournemouth’s top-seven hopes and the prospect of European qualification for the first time in the club’s history, but eighth place could now earn a spot in Europe after Aston Villa reached the Europa League final.
Ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Fulham, which is followed by tricky matches against Manchester City and Nottingham Forest, Iraola said: “We are like six or seven teams fighting for two or three positions.
“We need points and we need wins and we don’t have easy games. The only thing that makes me optimistic is I see my team in a really good place.
“There is a possibility [for Europe] and still we have to get good results. If we don’t get good results, if we don’t get wins, we will not have Europe. It is for me quite clear.”
Bournemouth are set to be boosted by the return of Justin Kluivert for their trip to Fulham, who are 11th and only four points behind Iraola’s team.
The Football Association have confirmed Thomas Tuchel will name his England squad for the World Cup on Friday, 22 May. Selection debates at the ready!
Pep Guardiola is next up in terms of Premier League manager press conferences.
What level of sarcastic will the Manchester City boss reach today? He’s speaking just after 12.30pm.
After a signing a new three-year deal to remain Brighton head coach, Fabian Hürzeler has outlined his aims for the short and long-term future. The Seagulls still have an opportunity to finish sixth in the Premier League this season, which will be good enough for some kind European football next term.
Hürzeler said: “We have three games to go and we want to finish strong so regarding my mindset, nothing changes. I’m here to improve the players. I’m here to achieve something with the players together with the staff. I’m happy for what the players did so far and now it is about getting a reward for all the work they have done. I see a bright future for this club and I feel proud to be a part of it.
“I’m very happy, I feel the trust, I feel good connection. We always have a very transparent and honest exchange which is crucial for our relationship. Now it is really about focusing on the final part of the season.”
Eli Junior Kroupi for the France World Cup squad? The Bournemouth teenager is racking up numbers this season that put him on a par with Erling Haaland and Lamine Yamal, so Ben Fisher spoke to a former Lorient teammate of the forward.
Röhl shrugs off Rangers exit rumours before Old Firm game
Danny Röhl says he will be staying at Rangers despite rumours linking him with an exit.
The Scottish Premiership title is slipping away from Rangers. With three fixtures remaining, they are seven points behind Hearts and four behind Celtic ahead of the Old Firm derby on Sunday, with Bundesliga side Wolfsburg reportedly eyeing a swoop for Röhl.
Asked if he felt sure he would still be Rangers manager next season, the former Sheffield Wednesday boss said: “From my side of course, 100 per cent.
“There’s a lot of rumours. I think I looked back last year with how many clubs I was linked, I could get maybe 20 jobs there in the newspaper.
“But my full focus is on Rangers. I think even in the last couple of days our conversations with the board, with the club, goes just in one direction, how we can win titles with the club in the future.
“I’m convinced I chose the club with the reason to bring back success, to win titles.
“A good process is not enough. We want to have titles and for this we have to change things. We set standards, but we have to increase the standards and if we do this, then we have a chance.”
“I feel that I’m in the right place with the right people with a lot of motivation, positive energy to bring this club not just to a one-hit wonder, back to a consistent club who can win titles in a row.”
Playoffs: What do we reckon then, are Southampton favourites for the Championship playoffs? They appear to have the momentum, which is hugely important. An all north-west final for the League One edition, Bolton versus Stockport, maybe? Bradford may have something to say about that. Another Mancunian team in Salford will be desperate to win the League Two playoffs, but they are perilously hard to predict with the likes of Grimsby and Chesterfield in great form.
As Challinor says … expected the unexpected. It’s the playoffs after all.
A bit of a shameless plug for my own article here: an interview with Stockport County boss Dave Challinor who boasts a frankly ridiculous record of finishing in at least a playoff spot in all 15 full seasons with the clubs he’s managed.
“The playoffs can bring all sorts of weird and wonderful stuff. When you’ve not been involved in them before that can be a shock. Everything is on the line here. There are so many things that go on, I think you have to expect the unexpected.”
Stockport face Stevenage in the League One playoff semi-finals, with the first leg on Saturday.
With Unai Emery eyeing an incredible fifth Europa League triumph (he won three with Sevilla, one with Villarreal) an email has dropped from Krishnamoorthy:
double quotation mark The Europa League can save a lot of carbon footprint if they scrap the whole tournament and award the trophy to the team managed by Unai Emery!And in the weekend games, Brentford may settle the title race even before Arsenal gets to the field on Sunday.
I agree Aston Villa are massive favourites to beat Freiburg in the Europa League final, although Brentford snatching points off Manchester City on Saturday seems less likely.
Max Rushden’s latest column is worth a few minutes of your time. On walking over club crests and the many dubious reasons football and footballers can cry controversy.
Is there anybody out there who actually thinks it’s disrespectful to walk over a massive badge that’s been placed on the floor?
While we’re on the subject of Manchester United, it’s worth delving into Michael Carrick’s comments about Sunderland from yesterday’s press conference, recalling United’s 1-0 win at Sunderland in May 2012 – which is more widely remembered as the day Sergio Aguero dramatically won the league for Manchester City from under United noses.
Sunderland fans were seen celebrating and doing the ‘Poznan’ celebration that City famously adopted once the news of Aguero’s goal versus QPR filtered through.
“I can remember that. I have not forgotten it. I just remember the noise,” said Carrick, who was a United player that day.
There was sarcasm in the way they were singing. It wasn’t over but we thought we had done the job. Then the Sunderland fans got smart about it and started having a pop, which exploded into laughter because we had lost the league.
“Sir Alex [Ferguson] was down. He was annoyed at the added time and the sarcasm. You knew he wouldn’t forget. He could turn that into propaganda for next time. ‘Remember this day. Remember Sunderland enjoyed the moment’.”
Topper has emailed in re the current Manchester United status quo:
double quotation mark Could you just check. There seems to be no drama at Old Trafford currently and I’m a bit concerned. Just a weekend paying football with nothing riding on the result #boringunited
Don’t forget third place and that juicy prize money, Topper! If United beat Sunderland and Liverpool/Aston Villa dropped points, they’ll be confirmed as the third best team in the league this season.
Thank you Yara. Let’s start with some co-efficient housekeeping …
La Liga has clinched a bonus fifth spot in the Champions League next season, thanks to Rayo Vallecano’s win against Strasbourg in the Conference League semi-finals last night. Vallecano have set up a showdown with Crystal Palace, of course, but their progress is also good news for Real Betis, who are on course to finish fifth in the Spanish top tier.
England is the other country whose league get an extra Champions League spot, largely due to the fact three Premier League sides (Arsenal, Aston Villa and Palace) have made the European finals.
That is all from me for now. Dominic Booth is here to steer you through the afternoon.
Premier League title race: Arsenal have the advantage in the Premier League title race but will they hold off Manchester City’s challenge? And which are the main games that will decide it all? WhoScored have laid it all out.
Newcastle: More from Howe on the race to qualify for Europe. Newcastle currently sit in 13th with 45 points.
double quotation mark We are looking at it this way which is to try and win our last three games. The lads are focused and have trained well. It’s been strong, I said it was strong last week and I had a similar feel this week. While there is an opportunity, we will try and grab it.
And on Woltemade’s lack of starting minutes:
double quotation mark Nick is fine. That is a natural reaction; if you look at any player who doesn’t come on the pitch, there will be a sense of disappointment. Everyone wants to play. Nick has been really good and has been training well, team training has been good for him.The media will no doubt will blow everything up but he is training well and is really committed. We really value him and want him to do well. I have the difficult job of picking a team every week and there are disappointed players.
Newcastle: Eddie Howe has once again been asked about Anthony Gordon’s future at the club. The 25-year-old, who has struggled this season, has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich. Here is what his manager had to say:
double quotation mark It is difficult for me to comment on individual players and timescales. It is an area that is not my forte. All I am looking to do is trying to finish this season with this squad in a strong way. There is no point looking too far into the future.The summer transfer window is difficult to predict on any level. We have three big games to play. I will do what is right for the team and best for the football club [when selecting the team]. [Gordon is still committed], he wouldn’t be in the squad if that wasn’t the case. I judge that on my relationship with the player and how I see them train.
Howe also gave updates on Lewis Miley and Tino Livramento’s fitness:
double quotation mark It was an innocuous moment in training on Tuesday. No one was around [Miley] and he slipped. He went down and thought it was a twist and nothing too serious. But he was unable to continue and pretty early we became aware it was more serious than we thought. It is the fragile nature of a professional football and he faces a few months out but we hope he will be back for pre-season. It is a real blow for us and also for Lewy.It has been a huge frustration for him, he has had some unfortunate moments but this was a slip. We have tried to look after him, we are aware of his age. It is part of the job that you get these moments. Athletically, he is outstanding, and his body is strong but he is still growing. Our plan would be that he is in and around training in pre-season. The surgery went really well and everything is looking in a good place.
Tino is doing well. He is improving; he is back running and on the grass but I don’t think he will be back this season.
We could push him for the Fulham game but that would be silly on his behalf. Let’s let him recover and get a good summer behind him.
Premier League: The press conferences from the Premier League managers are coming thick and fast. Before we get to those, here is what can be decided this weekend.
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European qualification: With Manchester United joining Arsenal and Manchester City in securing Champions League football next season after beating Liverpool last weekend, there are just two guaranteed spots left in Europe’s top-tier club competition. Liverpool and Aston Villa currently sit fourth and fifth respectively, with the Arne Slot’s side hosting Chelsea on Saturday and Villa travelling to Burnley on Sunday. Both sides will confirm Champions League qualification if they win and sixth-placed Bournemouth drop points away to Fulham on Saturday. A draw will also be enough for Liverpool and Villa if Bournemouth lose. However, sixth place could yet earn Champions League qualification. That will be the case if Villa finish fifth in the Premier League and go on to win the Europa League.
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Relegation: Leeds and Forest both moved a step closer to securing their Premier League status thanks to 3-1 wins last week, beating Burnley at home and Chelsea away respectively. Victory for Leeds at Tottenham on Monday will guarantee their top-flight status for next season regardless of results elsewhere – though they will be safe before a ball has been kicked in north London if West Ham lose at home to Arsenal on Sunday. If West Ham draw with Arsenal, Leeds will be safe with a draw against Spurs. Forest will also be safe if they win at home against Newcastle on Sunday and West Ham fail to do so later in the day against Arsenal. A draw will be enough for Forest if Arsenal go on to beat West Ham.
El Clásico: Clear skies and sunny days for Barcelona on the other hand. With the sting of Champions League disappointment fading but not forgotten, Barcelona are aiming to clinch back-to-back La Liga titles on Sunday when they host bitter rivals Real Madrid.
Leading by 11 points, Hansi Flick’s side only need a draw in el clásico to be crowned champions again, although a victory against a team in crisis would keep them on course to make history – and celebrate in style.
If Barcelona win their last four league games this season, starting with the battle against Alvaro Arbeloa’s fracturing Madrid, they will match the all-time league record of 100 points. That was first achieved by José Mourinho’s Real Madrid in 2011-12 and followed the season after by Tito Vilanova’s Barcelona. Barcelona’s 29 wins so far this season are the most of any side at this point, and if they win their last four games they will break the record of 32 victories in a season, shared by the Mourinho and Vilanova sides.
Should Barcelona beat Madrid and also Real Betis the following weekend, they will become the first team to win all their home matches in a 38-game La Liga season.
However, they are without Lamine Yamal, who is out for the next few weeks with a hamstring injury. The Brazilian winger Raphinha returned to the bench last weekend after injury but did not appear in the win at Osasuna which moved Barcelona to the brink of the title.
Only once before in clásico history has the title actually been decided by the result of the game, as could happen again this Sunday. Real Madrid won the first of their record 36 leagues by drawing 2-2 against Barcelona in the 1931-32 season to clinch the title.
El Clásico: Real Madrid’s Fede Valverde was taken to hospital to have stitches after a second confrontation with teammate Aurélien Tchouaméni in two days, as the club’s collapse into chaos continues.
Players held an emergency meeting and Real have opened disciplinary proceedings after a physical fight, with blood being spilled and Valverde being taken for treatment.
It is the latest episode in a catalogue of problems at the club; they will almost certainly end a second successive season without a trophy, Álvaro Arbeloa will not continue as coach, and the dressing room divide widens by the day. Real travel to Barcelona for the clásico on Sunday.
Valverde and Tchouaméni almost came to blows during an argument in training on Wednesday which continued into the dressing room, with teammates intervening to separate the pair as they pushed each other. Then, 24 hours later, the sports newspaper Marca revealed that on Thursday Tchouaméni and Valverde fought, resulting in Valverde falling and hitting his head, opening up a gash.
Valverde was taken to the medical department at Valdebebas and from there to the nearby Hospital Blua Sanitas Valdebebas, where he was given stitches. Cameras caught the 27-year-old’s car going back and forth from the training ground, although the Uruguay midfielder was not visible inside.
More from Sid Lowe below including Valverde’s statement and Real Madrid’s medical assessment on his injury.
Championship playoffs: Middlesbrough believe they caught a Southampton analyst hiding in the bushes and allegedly recording their training session on Thursday morning, in a remarkable repeat of the 2019 Marcelo Bielsa “spygate” affair.
Boro have reported the incident to the English Football League as spying on opposition training is in breach of their regulations. The EFL is investigating the alleged misconduct and have requested Southampton’s observations regarding the matter.
The individual, thought to be part of Tonda Eckert’s backroom team, was spotted by a member of Middlesbrough staff at the beginning of their session at Rockliffe Park, 48 hours before their Championship playoff semi-final first leg.
Boro are aware of the details of the Southampton employee allegedly involved. It is thought the individual in question logged video and photographs on his phone, potentially focusing on Boro’s set pieces, but refused to identify himself after being confronted.
Read Ben Fisher’s
Championship playoffs: Four decades on from the birth of playoffs, Millwall, Hull City, Middlesbrough or Southampton are fighting to join Coventry and Ipswich in the top flight. Matt Furniss at Opta has crunched the numbers to see who is most likely to go up.
Football League: Forty years ago, the playoffs did not exist and fascinating archives reveal how a format that even one winning manager wanted abolished came to be.
double quotation mark Despite the complaints – and an initially indifferent reaction from the media – the end-of-season drama quickly took hold. In 1986-87, promoted Charlton had battled to stay in the First Division and were forced to fight for their lives again after finishing fourth-bottom.Charlton beat Ipswich 2-1 on aggregate in the semi-final, then faced Leeds in a final that could not be separated over two legs, each winning 1-0 at home. The competition was proving popular, with crowds of about 30,000 packing Elland Road for both Leeds home games. A replay at Birmingham’s St Andrew’s followed – a playoff to decide the playoffs, if you will.
The score was level after 90 minutes and Charlton looked doomed when John Sheridan scored in extra time. But Shirtliff struck twice in four delirious minutes. It remains the only playoff final to go to a replay, after that idea was dropped.
On the journey home, the Charlton coach hurtled down the M6 until the players, starving, demanded to stop. They pulled into a service station and tucked into cheap fast food. “I’m thinking: ‘We’ve just managed to stay in the First Division and we’re all eating chips and god knows what in a services,’” Shirtliff, now 65, says, chuckling. “Every time I think about it, I think: ‘What would they be doing now?’ They’d probably be in five-star restaurants or in a hotel with their own chef cooking for them.”
Europa Conference League: Crystal Palace followed Arsenal and Aston Villa to become the third English team to make a men’s European final this season. Here is Ed Aarons’ verdict from Selhurst Park.
double quotation mark There were ecstatic celebrations as Palace’s players completed a lap of honour in front of their adoring supporters who are still having to pinch themselves over the events of the past 12 months. Glasner may be set to leave after what will be the 60th game of a marathon season but whatever happens after this, he will always have a special place in the club’s history. One of the loudest cheers of the night came when the stadium announcer confirmed that Nottingham Forest – who controversially replaced Palace in the Europa League – had been thrashed 4-0 by Aston Villa in their semi-final.The captain Dean Henderson, admitted that the sense of injustice has been driving the FA Cup winners. “It’s pretty incredible really to even get into a European competition with Crystal Palace, let alone reach the final,” he said. “We’ve got to deliver something special. We’ve got to get back what we deserve.”
Europa League: John McGinn has warned that the job is not done yet and that Villa are not ‘nearly men’ in Istanbul.
double quotation mark We didn’t want to leave these games with any regrets, and I think we’ve done ourselves massive justice. We’ve had low moments. It’s a demanding club to play for but what we’ve done in the last few years is exceptional. The margins are so slim. If we lost, we’re the nearly men.When we go to Istanbul, we need to make sure we’re not the nearly men. I’m normally quite calm before games, but today I was nervous. Tonight was up with one of the best performances I’ve seen from a Villa team for a long time.
I wasn’t nervous in terms of the team turning up. We’ve turned up in big games, maybe just not in big semi-finals. The injuries Forest have had may have helped decide it, but we needed to capitalise – and we did. The club’s been through some massive lows, but such a massive group deserves success. Hopefully we’ll bring it.
Europa League: In the end, it was a rout, Aston Villa sailing into their first European final since 1982. There were fist pumps from Prince William high in the Trinity Road Stand after Emiliano Buendía’s penalty approaching the hour put Villa in command of the tie and then pure delirium as John McGinn buried two near-identical first-time finishes inside three minutes to kill the game.
In between serenading Unai Emery, who is hunting a record fifth Europa League title, and drinking in the celebrations, Villa supporters could think about booking flights to Istanbul, where Villa will face Freiburg in search of their first trophy since lifting the League Cup in 1996.
Villa had the “benefit of Buendía’s ice-cold mind,” wrote Will Unwin, who was at Villa Park to watch as the Argentinian kept his head as tempers raged around him.
double quotation mark Aston Villa settled sooner and an integral element of that was Buendía, a classy No 10 unfazed by swimming in a cauldron. He knows if he plays his own game, then good things will follow. Forest may have hoped to intimidate him but he was always eager to take the ball to feet, even with Elliot Anderson and others snapping at his heels.Buendía encouraged the vociferous Villa fans to make more noise by throwing his arms up in the air during the first half, knowing the part they could play. It worked as the decibels grew, but creating the opener was a more successful method of testing the 129-year-old foundations. Receiving the ball on the edge of the box, Buendía weighed up his options and took the most difficult route, dazzling through two defenders before calmly slipping a pass to give Watkins the easiest of finishes.
Read the full analysis below.
Preamble
The 2025-26 season may be ticking towards its end but there is still a whole lot to be decided. Championship playoffs begin with Hull v Millwall tonight before Middlesbrough take on Southampton in tomorrow’s lunchtime kick-off. The latter may be extra spicy given Boro made a formal complaint to the EFL alleging a man they believe to be a Southampton member of staff was spying on their training session yesterday.
In the Premier League, Manchester City hope to bounce back from their draw at Everton against Brentford. Arsenal will be keen for their title rivals to slip up before they face West Ham, who are facing the drop, on Sunday. There is also Women’s FA Cup action with Liverpool taking on Brighton before Chelsea host the newly crowned WSL champions, Manchester City. Plus some big rivalries ignite with the Old Firm derby at Celtic Park and el clásico returns at Camp Nou but Barcelona will be the least of Madrid fans’ worries, with a teammate rift causing spilled blood in the dressing room. More on that later.
There was plenty to chew on last night too. Vibrant and victorious Villa demolished Nottingham Forest’s hopes of charging into the Europa League final and edging closer to ending a 30-year major trophy drought. They will face Freiburg in the final in Istanbul on 20 May.
In the Conference League, Oliver Glasner’s chances of bowing out at Crystal Palace with a second trophy in two years were substantially enhanced with a 5-2 aggregate semi-final win. The Europa League place denied them last year is now in sight, with Rayo Vallecano as their opponents in the final in Leipzig on 27 May.
So much reaction to get to, so much buildup to be across. To get you in the mood, here are our 10 Premier League things to look out for.
As always, if you have any thoughts, questions, predictions, complaints or anything else you want to share, then send them my way expect your club to fare this weekend? And has the season gone as expected? I want to know.
