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Lionel Messi has officially taken ownership of UE Cornella, a Barcelona‑based club competing in Spain’s fifth division, after finalising the purchase earlier this week.The Argentine legend, who spent two decades at FC Barcelona amassing multiple La Liga titles, Champions League trophies and Ballon d’Or awards before departing in 2021, is now venturing into club ownership.In a statement the club described Messi’s arrival as “the beginning of a new chapter in the club’s history,” emphasizing a long‑term vision and a strategic plan that blends ambition, sustainability and a deep connection to its working‑class neighbourhood roots.Founded in 1951, UE Cornella has previously nurtured talent such as Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya and former Barcelona defender Jordi Alba, the latter of whom currently shares the pitch with Messi at Inter Miami.Now 38‑year‑old Messi is also focused on representing Argentina at the 2026 World Cup in North America, where the Albiceleste will defend their title.The club announced the deal on Thursday but did not disclose the financial terms of the transaction.

Pellegrino Matarazzo, the coach of Real Sociedad, has had an extraordinary journey from New Jersey to Seville. Born to Neapolitan émigrés, Matarazzo's love for football was ignited at a young age. He earned a degree in applied mathematics from Columbia University but chose to pursue a career in football instead of investment banking.Matarazzo's journey took him from playing in Germany's third and fourth tiers to coaching in the Bundesliga. He successfully led Stuttgart back to the Bundesliga and Hoffenheim back to Europe. His impressive track record made him an attractive candidate for Real Sociedad, a team he joined in December.Under Matarazzo's leadership, Real Sociedad has experienced a remarkable turnaround. The team had just 17 points in 17 games and was on the brink of relegation. However, Matarazzo's impact was immediate, and they are now within reach of a Champions League place and feature in a cup final, having defeated Athletic en route.Matarazzo attributes his success to his ability to adapt to different cultures and his willingness to connect with the people and history of the region. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the club's values and identity, which has earned him the appreciation of the fans.As Real Sociedad prepares to face Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey final, Matarazzo expresses his excitement and gratitude for the opportunity. He acknowledges the significance of the moment, not just for the team but also for the city and the fans, who have been waiting 39 years for a cup final.

Eddie Howe finds himself under unprecedented pressure as April brings a familiar sting: Newcastle United sit 14th in the Premier League with only six games left to convince the board that his tenure should continue. The club’s hierarchy, led by sporting director Ross Wilson and chief executive David Hopkinson, faces a stark financial reality. To stay within European and Premier League spending rules, Newcastle will likely need to sell at least one, possibly two, of Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento before the September transfer window. If the team fails to qualify for Europe, all three may demand exits. Last summer’s transfer activity has drawn criticism. The £125 million received from Alexander Isak’s sale to Liverpool was funneled into a £220 million spending spree on Nick Woltemade, Yoane Wissa, Anthony Elanga and Jacob Ramsey. Yet all four starters began the season on the bench, and Newcastle have lost 25 points from winning positions this campaign, including a 2‑1 defeat to Crystal Palace. Adding to the woes, Woltemade – a £69 million acquisition – appears ill‑suited to Howe’s preferred 4‑3‑5 formation. Despite scoring ten goals, his size and pace make him more of a deep‑lying No 10 than a traditional centre‑forward, forcing him to operate in midfield. Howe’s tactical rigidity is also under scrutiny. His high‑pressing, counter‑attacking 4‑3‑3 system, which delivered Champions League spots and a Carabao Cup triumph in previous seasons, now seems predictable. Opponents have adapted, and Newcastle have kept only three clean sheets in their last 25 league matches, often burning out after the 75‑minute mark. Critics point to a lack of fresh ideas within the coaching staff. Howe’s long‑standing backroom team, headed by assistant Jason Tindall, has remained largely unchanged since their Bournemouth days, potentially fostering a “group‑think” mentality. Former defender‑turned‑analyst John Anderson argues that “a fresh pair of eyes” could rejuvenate the squad, citing Sir Alex Ferguson’s practice of periodically bringing in new coaches. The club’s Saudi owners, already displeased by recent defeats to promoted Sunderland, may be reconsidering the level of autonomy granted to Howe and his nephew Andy Howe in player recruitment. The upcoming match against Bournemouth holds added significance, as Howe has never beaten his former club in a league encounter. Ultimately, Howe’s future hinges on two factors: his willingness to cede some control over recruitment and his ability to embrace new coaching perspectives. Even a short‑term revival in the next six games could restore boardroom confidence, but a failure may end his five‑year spell at St James’ Park.

Piteå IF, a team in Sweden's top women's football division, Damallsvenskan, is struggling to stay competitive due to its remote location in northern Sweden. The club is entering its 17th season as a top-division side, but faces significant challenges, including high travel costs to away games.The club's managing director, Emelie Lövgren, notes that 13 of the 14 teams in the league are based in the south of Sweden, making travel a major expense. A trip to the southernmost city, Malmö, is 908 miles one-way, while even a trip to Uppsala costs around £8,000 (95,000KR) per season.Lövgren emphasizes that the club is prioritizing cost-cutting over performance, which she describes as the 'saddest part.' The club has sold several key players, including goalkeeper Lauren Brzykcy to Bristol City, to balance its finances. Wages are increasing by 15-20% annually, making it difficult for Piteå IF to keep up.The club's sporting director, James Burgin, notes that it's a 'complete catch-22' to attract and retain players in the squad. The club is exploring solutions, including external investment and raising awareness about the struggles faced by northern teams.Lövgren concludes that change needs to come centrally to support northern teams and ensure the long-term viability of women's football in the region.

The recent WNBA draft saw Azzi Fudd selected as the No 1 overall pick by the Dallas Wings, marking a significant achievement for the talented young player. Fudd, who played under Geno Auriemma at UConn, distinguished herself as one of the best shooters in college basketball and was named an All-American by the Associated Press. However, rather than focusing on her impressive athletic career, the draft night discourse was dominated by her relationship with teammate Paige Bueckers, who was also a top pick in the WNBA draft last year. The pair confirmed they were dating in 2025, but have kept their relationship largely private. This fixation on the personal lives of WNBA players raises questions about the media's priorities and the cultural context of women's sports. Experts argue that the surge of interest in the love lives of WNBA players is fueled by social media, which makes it easy to form parasocial relationships with athletes. Dr. Alicia Smith-Tran, an associate professor of sociology, notes that women athletes continue to be seen as lesser than their male counterparts, and the focus on their romantic lives is a manifestation of this marginalization. The conversation around romance in the WNBA also contributes to the fetishization of queer couples and relationships. Frankie de la Cretaz, author of the Out of Your League newsletter, warns that queer relationships are often dehumanized and become fodder for people to project their own desires onto. In the case of Fudd and Bueckers, their relationship has become a side point, overshadowing their achievements as athletes. As the WNBA enters its 30th season, it's essential to recognize the cultural significance of women's sports and the importance of respecting athletes' personal boundaries. The focus should be on their skills, contributions, and achievements in the workplace, rather than their personal lives. By doing so, we can work towards a more nuanced understanding of women's sports and the athletes who play them.

Ollie Watkins opened the scoring in the 16th minute, marking his 100th goal for Aston Villa and giving Unai Emery’s side a decisive edge in the Europa League quarter‑final second leg against Bologna.The England striker, still hoping for a late recall to Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad, added to a first‑leg 3‑1 advantage that had already put Villa in a strong position. Goals from Emiliano Buendía and Morgan Rogers – the latter converting after a missed penalty – extended the lead, while Ezri Konsa capped the aggregate triumph with a late volley after a corner from Tammy Abraham.Villa’s 6‑1 aggregate victory sets up an all‑English semi‑final against Nottingham Forest, while the club also prepares for a crucial Premier League clash with Sunderland as they chase a top‑five finish.Emery, who is chasing his fifth Europa League title, fielded an unchanged XI – a first in his tenure – and maintained an unbeaten European record when John McGinn and Youri Tielemans start. The 4‑4‑2 formation saw Rogers drop deep to link play, delivering a low cross that Watkins turned into his simplest strike of the season.Watkins’ goal was his fifth in seven games and a club‑record 10th in European competition, underscoring his resurgence after being omitted from the England squad. He hinted that a strong showing could bolster his case as a potential deputy for Harry Kane.Villa’s dominance at home in Europe is evident – they have won 15 of their last 17 major continental matches. Financially, the club reported a modest £9.5 million loss for the year ending June 2025, making a swift return to the Champions League both a sporting and economic priority.Emery’s ambition remains clear: while the Europa League trophy is within reach, the ultimate goal is to lift the Champions League and secure the club’s future. As he wrote in his programme notes, “All of you fully deserve to have your team showing up when the best teams are still competing.”

The sports world is reeling from the news that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) is pulling back its financial support for LIV Golf, a rebel tour that has been a key vehicle for the kingdom's ambitious attempts to become a leading global sports destination.Conservatively estimated to have cost Saudi Arabia over $10bn in the past five years, the slowdown in lavish spending on sport was expected, but the withdrawal of PIF's support has sent shockwaves throughout the industry. This move was first communicated to LIV executives on Monday, leaving many employees fearing for their jobs.The uncertainty is not limited to golf, with other sports administrators worried that similar cuts could be coming their way. LIV Golf's future is now in doubt, with the tour's chief executive, Scott O'Neil, failing to address the possibility of PIF's withdrawal in an email to staff on Wednesday evening.Sports executives outside golf have expressed concerns about the future, stating, 'We all went running to Saudi for a quick payday and are now wondering what the future holds.' The PIF's investment strategy now focuses on domestic benefits and building real businesses, with LIV Golf being seen as vulnerable due to its lack of profitability.The PIF's financial strategy for 2026-2030 emphasizes 'value realisation through performance, innovation, and private sector engagement.' While sport is not listed as one of PIF's six investment pillars, it will be included under the tourism, travel, and entertainment portfolio.The move towards privatization is evident, with PIF selling a 70% stake in Al-Hilal, one of its Saudi Pro League clubs, to a private company owned by Prince Al Waleed bin Talal Al Saud. Other sports, such as Esports, boxing, and mixed martial arts, are expected to continue receiving investment due to their popularity and potential for growth.The implications of PIF's shift in strategy extend beyond golf, with Newcastle United and other sports organizations potentially affected. As Saudi Arabia continues to invest heavily in certain sports, the future of others, like LIV Golf, remains uncertain.

Hull FC's fans and players came together in a heartfelt display of unity and support for coach John Cartwright following the team's loss to St Helens. The emotional show of solidarity came as Cartwright's future with the club hangs in the balance after a tumultuous 10 days.The match saw St Helens secure a 24-14 victory at the MKM Stadium, but the focus was on Cartwright as the game ebbed into its closing moments. The big screen inside the stadium panned to the coach, prompting a stadium-wide round of applause from the fans, despite Hull FC heading for a fifth league defeat in eight games.At full time, hundreds, if not thousands, of fans stayed to applaud Cartwright once again as he conducted his media duties. This display of unity from Hull FC's fans towards their coach mirrored the spirited performance from Cartwright's players on the field.The reason for such emotion was clear: this had all the hallmarks of Cartwright's last stand in charge of Hull after a tumultuous 10 days. The Black and Whites confirmed last week that Cartwright would leave at the end of the season, with the club already understood to have agreed a deal to bring in Steve McNamara next year.Cartwright responded on Monday by expressing his feelings of being 'betrayed and disrespected' by the club's lack of communication over that decision. With time to consider whether an early parting of the ways is the best course of action, Cartwright may have actually coached Hull for the final time.“I honestly don’t know,” Cartwright said when asked what happens next. “I’ll let the dust settle on that. I’ve got a couple of meetings early next week and then we’ll find out. They’re very passionate fans and they’ll have their opinion on something and they’ll make it known. It means a lot to me to see it.”Despite the loss, Hull were superb in the first half, leading 12-6 by the break thanks to tries for Logan Moy and Amir Bourouh. However, St Helens, led by coach Paul Rowley, showed their resilience and navigated an emotionally charged evening to go top of the table.The final act of this night belonged to Cartwright, who, after his media duties, walked down the tunnel with his players in one last show of unity. His players have displayed how they feel; now it is down to Hull’s hierarchy to show their hand.

Chris Walton, a renowned biologist and lecturer at Cranfield University, has passed away at the age of 69 due to brain cancer. He was widely respected for his pragmatic approach to getting things done and was often referred to as an honorary engineer by his colleagues.Walton's research focused on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in various matrices, including breath, sweat, blood, urine, and faeces. He discovered links between specific VOCs and different human diseases, developing new methods to measure them. His work on environmental sensors, particularly low-cost air-quality monitors, was also notable.Born in Batley, West Yorkshire, Walton was the first in his family to attend university, graduating from Leicester University with a degree in biology in 1978. He later earned an MSc in biological computation at York University and a PhD from Coventry University.Walton's career spanned various institutions, including Imperial College London and EDS, an IT service provider. He joined Cranfield University in 1998 and became a lecturer in analytical technology. He was known for his sympathetic ear for students and his wise advice to younger colleagues.Walton is survived by his partner, Lorraine Morgan, and his daughter, Elizabeth.