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Ipswich Town chairman and chief executive, Mark Ashton, has issued a public apology for the distress and hurt caused by Nigel Farage's visit to Portman Road earlier this week. The visit, which included Farage holding up an Ipswich No 10 shirt with his name on it, was widely criticized by fans on social media.The club has stated that it remains 'apolitical' and that the visit was not endorsed by the club. However, fans described the visit as 'shameful' and 'embarrassing', leading to a significant backlash on social media.In a statement, Ashton said: 'I unreservedly apologise for any hurt, pain or distress that's been caused'. He acknowledged that mistakes were made and that the club would reconsider its approach to engaging with local politicians and political parties.The controversy has come at a critical time for Ipswich Town, who are currently third in the Championship table and fighting for a return to the Premier League. The unwanted distraction has added pressure to the team's promotion bid, with eight games remaining in the season.Ashton emphasized the importance of moving forward together, stating: 'We are better when we move together as one and there is lots to fight for on and off the pitch'. The club will now review its policy on engaging with politicians and political parties to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to resume, bringing with it a mix of lucrative opportunities and controversy. England's Jos Buttler is among those looking to make an impact, having struggled with form at the recent T20 World Cup. Buttler, who plays for Gujarat Titans, is England's most successful export to the IPL, with seven hundreds in 121 games for three different teams.Buttler's teammate Kevin Pietersen has shared his own experiences of playing in the IPL, revealing that the league saved his career by allowing him to build lasting relationships. Pietersen, who played 36 IPL matches, expressed his joy at the riches enjoyed by modern players, saying, "If you got paid $50m tomorrow to go and play cricket in Saudi Arabia, I'd be so happy for you."The IPL has also been marred by controversy, including political tensions between India and Pakistan. The tournament's impact extends beyond the field, with 12 England players set to participate. However, the event is also overshadowed by the tragic crowd crush at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru last June, which resulted in 11 deaths.In related news, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has been sold for £1.33 billion to a consortium featuring private equity group Blackstone. The team will begin the season against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday, with Buttler and his teammates aiming to make a strong impression.

Everton Football Club is set to offer David Moyes a new contract this summer, recognizing his achievements in turning the team around from relegation threats to potential European qualification contenders. Moyes, who took over in January of last year, has led the team to eighth place in the Premier League, just three points shy of the Champions League qualification spots. Initially viewed as a short-term solution by Everton's owners, the Friedkin Group, Moyes has proven his worth, prompting the club to consider extending his two-and-a-half-year deal. The Friedkin Group, who completed their £400m takeover of Everton the previous month, are now convinced that Moyes is the right manager to lead the club forward. Moyes' potential new contract could also come with increased influence over player recruitment, similar to his first stint at Everton from 2002 to 2013. The 62-year-old manager has downplayed discussions about a new deal, stating, 'I'm not too worried about that, I'm fine.' Everton's improvement under Moyes is notable, especially considering his preference for working with more experienced players, such as Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who joined last summer. This strategy contrasts with younger players like Tyler Dibling, who has made limited appearances. A potential complication for Everton's European aspirations is the ownership situation, as the Friedkin Group also owns AS Roma, currently sixth in Serie A. UEFA regulations prevent clubs under the same ownership from competing in the same European competition. However, the Friedkin Group is confident in their compliance and has an alternative solution in place to ensure both clubs can participate if they qualify for the same competition.

Liverpool FC's Egyptian star Mohamed Salah has announced that he will be leaving the Premier League club at the end of the season. The 33-year-old forward confirmed the news in a video message on social media, marking the 'first part' of his farewell.Salah will depart on a free transfer despite having 12 months remaining on his contract. The reasons behind his departure are not explicitly stated, but earlier in the season, he mentioned having a nonexistent relationship with Liverpool manager Arne Slot.The fan favorite accused the club of making him a scapegoat for their poor start to the Premier League season. Speculation about his next destination has been ongoing, with links to several clubs around the world.Salah's agent, Ramy Abbas Issa, stated that no decision has been made about his future. The Saudi Pro League, particularly Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal, have been mentioned as potential destinations. A move to the MLS in the United States is also a possibility.Liverpool has respected Salah's wish to announce his departure early, celebrating his achievements and memorable moments with the club. Salah is one of the most decorated players in Premier League history, with 255 goals in 435 appearances and numerous awards, including three PFA Player of the Year titles and four Premier League Golden Boot awards.

US investors are making significant inroads into Indian cricket, with two separate deals worth a combined $3.41 billion being announced on the same day for teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL).The deals involve the acquisition of the Rajasthan Royals for $1.63 billion by a consortium backed by US businessmen Kal Somani and Rob Walton, the former Walmart chairman. Additionally, the reigning champion Royal Challengers Bengaluru was bought for $1.78 billion by another consortium that includes US billionaire David Blitzer’s Bolt Ventures and US asset manager Blackstone.These transactions underscore the increasing allure of India’s national pastime among international investors seeking to tap into the most popular sport in the world’s most populous country. The valuations for the two teams represent a substantial jump from their original 2008 sales, when liquor baron Vijay Mallya bought RCB for $111.6 million, and Rajasthan sold for $67 million.The IPL, which features the sport’s shortest format called Twenty20, has developed into cricket’s hottest property. In 2022, the broadcast rights for the 2023-27 cycle were bought for $6.4 billion by Disney Star and Reliance Viacom18.“It’s mind-boggling numbers,” Indian cricketing great Sourav Ganguly told local reporters. “But great news for Indian cricket and the way forward. I think it’s already as big as the NBA.”Sport teams overall have become a major target of global investments, as businesses try to tap into new markets abroad and spending from their fan bases. Deloitte analysts wrote in an outlook published last month that the industry is “entering an age of expansion” — and that private equity deals across sports leagues have jumped in recent years.

Marcelo Bielsa, the charismatic and intense manager of Uruguay, returns to England for a friendly match against the host team on Friday. This visit comes four years after he left Leeds United, where he had a hugely successful stint, earning promotion to the Premier League and restoring the fanbase's faith in football. Bielsa's managerial style, known for its radicalism and emphasis on playing the right way, has been both admired and criticized. His teams are known for their high-intensity performances, but also for the physical and mental toll it takes on players. His departure from Leeds United was marked by a boom-bust pattern, where his teams initially perform well but eventually suffer from fatigue and decreased results. During his time at Leeds United, Bielsa was praised for his commitment to social responsibility, having players pick up litter to instill a sense of community and responsibility. His approach to football extends beyond the pitch, emphasizing the role of the sport in society. Uruguay's recent performances have been inconsistent, with a 5-1 friendly defeat to the USA in November 2023 being a significant low point. Luis Suárez, a key player, publicly criticized Bielsa, accusing him of isolating players and creating a culture of fear. Suárez's retirement from international football and subsequent comments have added to the uncertainty surrounding Bielsa's tenure. The upcoming friendly against England provides an opportunity for Bielsa to address these concerns and work towards restoring confidence in his team. Getting key players back in form, such as Darwin Núñez, who has not scored an international goal in 11 games, will be crucial. Bielsa's third World Cup may be his last chance to make a significant impact on the global tournament, and he will be looking to make a strong impression.

Liverpool FC has officially announced that Mohamed Salah will depart the club at the end of the season. The news was shared in a statement released on Tuesday, with the club citing Salah's desire to be transparent with the supporters about his future.In a video message on his social media accounts, Salah expressed his gratitude to the club, city, and fans, highlighting the significant impact Liverpool has had on his life. He described Liverpool as more than just a football club, but a passion, history, and spirit.During his time at Liverpool, Salah has achieved immense success, helping the team secure two Premier League titles, the Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup, two League Cups, and an FA Community Shield. He has scored 255 goals in 435 appearances, making him the club's all-time third-highest goalscorer and winning the Premier League Golden Boot on four occasions.Salah joined Liverpool from AS Roma in 2017 and has since established himself as one of the best players in the club's history. His departure marks the end of an era for the Egyptian star, who has been an integral part of the team's success over the past few years.

Everton is considering a legal challenge against the Premier League for their handling of Chelsea's undisclosed payments sanction. The club feels aggrieved as they were docked eight points during the 2023-24 season for profit and sustainability regulations breaches, whereas Chelsea did not face sporting sanctions.Chelsea were fined £10.75m and given a suspended transfer ban by the Premier League last week after reporting £47.5m of hidden payments to agents and players made over a seven-year period. This punishment has been regarded as lenient by other top-flight clubs.Everton and Nottingham Forest are unhappy with the Chelsea sanction and are taking legal advice. They claim the Premier League has been inconsistent in applying its own rulebook. Everton could still receive a further punishment as a result of their PSR breaches.The Premier League is believed to have explained Chelsea's punishment on the grounds that they felt they would have been unable to secure a conviction without their co-operation, so negotiated from the outset. Chelsea's current ownership of Clearlake Capital and Todd Boehly reported the offences, which they discovered during the negotiations to buy the club from Roman Abramovich four years ago.

Double world darts champion Luke Littler recently visited the England squad at their St George's Park training base, where he hosted a special darts tournament for the players as they prepare for upcoming pre-World Cup friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.The 19-year-old darts star shared dinner with the footballers before organizing the "Three Lions darts championship" at their Burton base on Tuesday night. In a surprising turn of events, Newcastle goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale claimed the title of camp champion, leaving Littler thoroughly impressed despite Phil Foden hitting a notable 180 in the final."It was a dream as a football fan to come here to see the facilities, meet all the players and sit down and have dinner and have a laugh with them," said Littler, who is set to travel to Berlin for the latest round of Premier League darts action. "We played a bit of darts – as they were warming up, Thomas Tuchel told me to teach these boys a lesson! There's some good potential there in Phil Foden and Aaron Ramsdale. James Trafford had a little bit as well. The others not so much!"During his visit, Littler was presented with a signed shirt from the England squad, with Jude Bellingham adding a personal touch by giving him a signed jersey featuring the encouraging message "keep smashing it" on the back. The darts champion wished the England squad luck for their upcoming international campaign, expressing hope that they could "bring it home" this summer.