Bulgarian footballer honoured with minute’s silence … despite not being dead | European club football

A Bulgarian footballer who was honoured with a minute’s silence by his former club, despite not being dead, has shared his side of the story and admitted “being buried alive is quite stressful, really”. The life of Petko Ganchev was commemorated by the top-division side Arda Kardzhali last Sunday, after they were wrongly informed of … Read more

Slegers pitches for better conditions as Wright labels Madrid surface ‘disgrace’ | Women’s Champions League

The Arsenal manager, Renée Slegers, said that improving pitch conditions is “the next step for women’s football” after the state of the playing surface at the Estadio Alfredo di Stéfano drew strong criticism during Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat against Real Madrid in the first leg of their Women’s Champions League quarter-final. A combination of heavy rain … Read more

Newcastle Falcons’ future in limbo as losses prompt recruitment freeze | Newcastle

The survival of Newcastle Falcons as a professional team will require more than just a one-off £4m bailout from the remaining nine Premiership clubs, according to Steve Diamond, their director of rugby. He has confirmed Newcastle may have to negotiate a potential short-term loan to participate in next season’s Premiership, raising fresh doubts about the … Read more

Arsenal left stuck in mud as Real Madrid take control of WCL quarter-final | Women’s Champions League

Real Madrid stunned Arsenal at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano to put themselves in control of their quarter-final tie. Goals in either half from Linda Caicedo and Athenea del Castillo earned them a hard-working victory in the first leg against Renée Slegers’ team. This was the first competitive encounter between these sides and of the … Read more

‘I couldn’t feel pain’: Mateta wanted to play on after ear injury against Milwall | Crystal Palace

The Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta has said he initially wanted to play on after suffering a gruesome ear injury in his side’s FA Cup win over Millwall. The Lions goalkeeper Liam Roberts was sent off for a horrific challenge that left the Frenchman needing 25 stitches after being rushed to hospital during Palace’s 3-1 … Read more

Thibaut Courtois returns from Belgium exile and clears air with teammates | Belgium

The Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said he had thrashed out the circumstances of his lengthy exile from the national side with teammates on his return and hoped the controversy over his almost two-year absence was settled. The 32-year-old has not played for Belgium since June 2023 when he walked out before a European Championship qualifier … Read more