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West Bromwich Albion has denied any wrongdoing regarding the EFL's financial rules, despite growing fears of a points deduction that could significantly impact their relegation battle in the Championship. The Daily Telegraph reported that the EFL's Club Financial Reporting Unit (CFRU) had filed a compliance report against West Brom, alleging a breach of the loss limits for the 2024-25 season under the profitability and sustainability rules (PSR). If a points penalty were imposed, it would affect West Brom in the current campaign, with the club currently sitting 20th in the Championship, just two points above the relegation zone. West Brom responded by stating, “The club considers that it has fully complied with the rules.” They emphasized their commitment to cooperating with the EFL and resolving the matter, while also thanking fans for their support. Under PSR rules, Championship clubs are required to keep losses under £39m over a three-year assessment period. Certain expenditures, such as investments in infrastructure, youth, and women’s football, are ‘added back’ in the PSR calculation. West Brom, having competed in the Championship last season, was required to submit their annual accounts for 2024-25 by December 31. The EFL has declined to comment on the matter, and decisions on sanctions by the Club Financial Reporting Panel (CFRP) are typically published after discussions between the club and the EFL remain confidential.

Ghanaian winger Dominic Frimpong was tragically killed at the age of 20 in an armed robbery attack on his team's bus. The incident occurred on Sunday as Berekum Chelsea was returning from a Ghana Premier League match against Samartex.The club reported that six masked men, armed with guns and assault rifles, blocked the road. As the bus attempted to reverse away from danger, the robbers opened fire. Staff and players fled the vehicle, but Frimpong was struck in the head. He was taken to hospital but succumbed to his wounds, becoming the only reported casualty. The bus was carrying 30 players and officials.The Ghana Football Association (GFA) expressed profound shock and deep sorrow over Frimpong's passing. In a statement, the GFA described him as a promising young talent whose dedication and passion embodied the spirit of the league. This season, Frimpong had scored two goals in 13 appearances.This incident is not isolated; several teams in Ghana, including FC Savannah, Wa All Stars, Legon Cities, and AshantiGold, have reported similar attacks in recent years. Local police have deployed additional personnel and crime scene experts, vowing to arrest the perpetrators within the shortest possible time.

Manchester City is gaining ground on Arsenal in the Premier League standings after a convincing win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Manchester City's victory brings them closer to Arsenal, who suffered a surprising home loss to Bournemouth.In other matches, Tottenham Hotspur's struggles continued as they slipped into the relegation zone following a defeat to Sunderland. Meanwhile, West Ham United thrashed Wolverhampton Wanderers at home.Forest secured a crucial point against Villa, and Liverpool solidified their fifth-place position. In the Football League, Ipswich Town won the East Anglian derby against Millwall, moving into second place with two games in hand.The weekend also saw significant action in League Two, where the top four teams faced each other. Leaders Bromley lost 2-1 to MK Dons, while Cambridge United jumped ahead of Notts County after a 4-0 victory.In Scotland, the top three teams all secured wins, with Hearts maintaining their lead by a single point. Additionally, Barry Glendenning participated in the London Landmarks Half Marathon, and supporters can contribute to his fundraising efforts here.

FIFA has officially declined the Iranian Football Federation’s (FFIRI) appeal to relocate its 2026 World Cup games from the United States to Mexico, stating that the logistical complexities of moving the matches are prohibitive, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed. The request, lodged last month, was met with a firm response from the sport’s governing body: all scheduled fixtures will proceed in the United States as originally drawn, eliminating any prospect of Mexican venues hosting Iran’s team. Sheinbaum reiterated the stance at a press conference in Mexico City, emphasizing that “FIFA ultimately decided that the matches cannot be moved from their original venues,” and that attempting relocation would create untenable logistical hurdles. FIFA declined to comment to Al Jazeera regarding the confirmation of Iran’s host venues. The backdrop to this dispute is the ongoing US‑Israel war against Iran, which erupted on 28 February, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and 168 people in a girls’ school on the first day of hostilities. Tehran retaliated with missile and drone strikes on Israeli and U.S. military installations across the Middle East. A Pakistan‑mediated ceasefire halted the exchanges on Wednesday, though Israel continues operations in parts of Lebanon. Iran was among the earliest qualifiers from the Asian confederation and is placed in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand. The team’s three group matches are slated for the U.S. West Coast: Los Angeles on 15 June and 21 June, and Seattle on 26 June. While Mexico, a co‑host of the tournament with the United States and Canada, initially expressed willingness to accommodate Iran’s fixtures, President Sheinbaum’s recent remarks align with FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s position. Infantino, who met Iranian players, coaches and officials in Turkey on 31 March, affirmed that “the matches will be played where they are supposed to be, according to the draw.” Infantino also dismissed speculation that Iran might boycott the tournament altogether after FFIRI President Mehdi Taj warned of a potential boycott if security could not be guaranteed in the United States. Earlier, former U.S. President Donald Trump posted on social media that Iran’s participation would be unsafe, prompting Taj to state that Iran would refuse to travel to America under those conditions. Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali later warned that Iran’s World Cup involvement remains uncertain unless FIFA relocates the games, underscoring the political sensitivity surrounding the event. In summary, despite regional conflict, diplomatic tensions, and security concerns voiced by Iranian officials, FIFA’s decision ensures that Iran will compete in the United States as originally scheduled, preserving the tournament’s logistical integrity.

German club Union Berlin broke new ground on Sunday by appointing Marie‑Louise Eta as interim manager, the first female to head a Bundesliga side and the inaugural woman to coach a top‑flight men’s team in a major European league. Eta, 34 years old, previously made history as the Bundesliga’s first female assistant coach. She will steer the team for the remainder of the campaign after the dismissal of Steffen Baumgart, whose tenure ended following a 3‑1 loss to bottom‑placed Heidenheim that underscored a stagnant second half of the season. In a statement, Eta expressed her enthusiasm: “I am delighted the club has entrusted me with this challenging task.” Sporting director Horst Heldt welcomed the decision, noting that Eta will transition to lead Union’s women’s Bundesliga squad in the summer as originally planned. Union’s recent form has been troubling: the side has secured only two victories since Christmas and currently sits seven points above the relegation playoff zone. Heldt described the situation as “absolutely disappointing” and emphasized the urgent need for points to avoid a drop. Eta brings a distinguished playing résumé, having won the 2010 UEFA Women’s Champions League and three Bundesliga titles with Turbine Potsdam. Her coaching résumé includes stepping in for head coach Nenad Bjelica during a three‑game suspension in 2024, showcasing her readiness for senior responsibilities. While women have managed men’s teams in Germany’s lower tiers—such as Sabrina Wittmann at Ingolstadt FC—Eta’s appointment marks the first instance at the top level. France’s former second‑division side Clermont also benefited from a female coach, Corinne Diacre, between 2014 and 2017. The historic move not only reflects Union Berlin’s immediate need for a turnaround but also signals a broader shift toward gender diversity in elite football management.

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has not ruled out the possibility of Neymar Jr earning a spot in his 26-man squad for the FIFA World Cup, giving the forward two months to demonstrate he has the necessary qualities.Ancelotti has consistently stated that Neymar will be in contention if he is fully fit, but the attacker was omitted from Brazil's squad for last month's warm-up matches against France and Croatia.Neymar, Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, has not played for the national team since suffering a serious knee injury in October 2023 and has struggled to maintain a consistent run of matches since returning to Santos last year.Ancelotti has suggested that Neymar remains part of his thinking as Brazil assess their options in the run-up to the World Cup, which takes place from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.“He’s a great talent, and it’s normal that people think he can help us win the next World Cup,” Ancelotti said in an interview with French newspaper L’Equipe.“He’s currently being evaluated by the CBF [Brazilian Football Confederation], by me, and he still has two months to show that he has the qualities to play in the next World Cup.“After his knee injury, Neymar has made a good comeback; he’s scoring goals. He needs to continue in this direction and improve his fitness. He’s on the right track.”Brazil are in Group C alongside Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland in the World Cup and will begin their campaign on June 13 in New Jersey.

Roberto De Zerbi diagnosed a deep‑seated lack of confidence as the core issue behind Tottenham’s recent struggles after his debut in charge ended in a 1‑0 loss to Sunderland. The defeat has dropped Spurs into the relegation zone, sitting 18th and two points shy of safety with only six games left.“We didn’t deserve to lose,” De Zerbi said, referring to the decisive second‑half goal that came from a Nordi Mukiele deflection. “We played well, but not well enough to win.” He added that while the players showed the right attitude, his priority now is to rebuild their mental resilience.The manager also raised concerns over captain Cristian Romero’s knee injury after a mid‑field collision. “I don’t know the extent yet, but we hope it’s not serious. He’s vital for the rest of the season,” De Zerbi remarked.Confidence, according to De Zerbi, is the missing ingredient for Spurs to unleash their quality. “When the squad believes in themselves, the football follows. A single win could change the narrative,” he asserted, emphasizing that his role is more about fostering belief than overhauling tactics.Looking ahead, Tottenham travel to face De Zerbi’s former club Brighton, a match De Zerbi hopes will serve as a catalyst for a confidence surge. He warned that the fear of relegation is palpable among the players and that a positive mindset is essential to reverse their fortunes.Brighton manager Régis Le Bris, meanwhile, was less concerned after his side’s victory, noting a strong finish after a slow start and expressing ambition for a top‑ten finish.

The Women's Super League (WSL) is experiencing a critical loss of momentum as the season approaches its climax, due to an extended international break that has left fans and teams alike facing a lengthy period without matches. This 11-day window for up to three international fixtures has created a significant gap in the schedule, coming at a time when interest in the league should be swelling. The break, which includes nearly four weeks without WSL fixtures, poses a challenge for teams and fans. For instance, Everton drew 5,292 fans to the Merseyside derby before going a month without a game. Similarly, Leicester, bottom of the Women’s Super League, do not play at home between 29 March and 3 May, missing a crucial opportunity to rally fan support. Sarina Wiegman, England’s head coach, has expressed concerns about the congested agenda and the amount of games players participate in, stating her preference for a two-match international break over three. This sentiment is echoed by various teams and players who see the extended break as a disruption to the rhythm of the domestic season. While some, like Charlton head coach Karen Hills, view the break as a necessary reset moment for players, both mentally and physically, the overall impact on the league's momentum and fan engagement is significant. The WSL's growth and the development of a fan culture are hindered by such gaps in the schedule, making it challenging for new fans to integrate match-going into their routine. Looking ahead, similar disruptions are expected in 2027, 2028, and 2029 due to scheduled three-game international windows. This ongoing issue highlights the need for a more cohesive scheduling approach to support the growth and continuity of women’s football.

The evening’s television line‑up offers a mix of heartfelt competition, natural‑history wonder and high‑profile live events, giving viewers plenty of reasons to stay tuned.9 pm – Channel 4 – Your Song: Produced by the team behind The Piano, this new talent show invites ordinary Britons to perform the songs that hold personal meaning. Hosted and judged by Alison Hammond, Paloma Faith and Sam Ryder, the series launches from Liverpool with stories ranging from a teenager’s Bocelli tribute to a lift‑engineer’s pipe‑organ showcase, all racing toward a finale at the Hackney Empire.6 pm – BBC One – Secret Garden: David Attenborough returns to domestic natural history, turning his lens on a modest garden in Bristol. The programme explores the hidden dramas of urban foxes, blue tits and goldfinches, revealing how a tiny plot can host an entire ecosystem.7 pm – BBC Two – Olivier Awards 2026: The Royal Albert Hall hosts the 50th anniversary of Britain’s premier theatre awards, with Nick Mohammed as host. Into the Woods and Paddington: the Musical lead the nominations with eleven each, while Elaine Page receives a Special Award. Rumours swirl about a surprise performance from the awards’ most famous marmalade lover.7.40 pm – Channel 4 – The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer: A comforting Sunday tradition returns, featuring celebrity bakers Ralf Little, Mutya Buena and Mark Wright. Their creations—savory pull‑apart rolls and vegan fruit tarts—aim to raise funds for cancer research.8 pm – BBC One – The Other Bennet Sister: This Pride & Prejudice spin‑off follows Ella Bruccoleri’s Mary as she navigates the attentions of Mr Hayward and Mr Ryder, with a storm‑laden hike adding further tension to the series’ impending conclusion.10.15 pm – ITV1 – Savage River: Australian crime drama starring Katherine Langford returns, following ex‑con Miki Anderson as she attempts a fresh start in her hometown, only to become the prime suspect when a new crime erupts.Film choice – Sky Cinema Premiere – Blue Moon (6.10 am & 7.10 pm): Richard Linklater’s melancholy drama, anchored by Ethan Hawke’s transformative performance, imagines a night in the life of struggling Broadway lyricist Lorenz Hart, whose post‑opening despair leads him to a cocktail of regret.4.15 pm – Channel 4 – Soul: Pixar’s latest metaphysical adventure, co‑directed by Pete Docter and Kemp Powers, follows deceased music teacher Joe (voiced by Jamie Foxx) as he navigates a limbo for unborn souls, meeting the reluctant 22 (Tina Fey) in a story that blends child‑friendly wonder with adult reflections on purpose.Live sport: Premier League action kicks off with Sunderland vs Tottenham at 1 pm on Sky Sports Main Event, followed by Chelsea vs Manchester City at 4.25 pm, offering football fans a double‑header of top‑flight drama.