There was a sheepish look on Lucas Digne\u2019s face and for the referee, Jo\u00e3o Pinheiro, it was a case of reviewing whether the ball was out of play and not if the Aston Villa defender had handled inside the box. Even Digne would not dispute that bit. Digne naively raised both hands after Omari Hutchinson refused to deem Morgan Gibbs-White\u2019s cross a lost cause and Nottingham Forest were presented with a chance to strike the first blow in this Europa League semi-final.
\nJust how damaging might Digne\u2019s moment of madness prove? Chris Wood punished Villa from 12 yards, his penalty flawless. Unai Emery tried to gesture for calm as Forest\u2019s support went berserk and their players moseyed back towards their half but afterwards the Villa manager expressed his anger at Elliot Anderson escaping a red card for a poor first-half tackle on Ollie Watkins.
Continue reading...\n","content":"\nThere was a sheepish look on Lucas Digne\u2019s face and for the referee, Jo\u00e3o Pinheiro, it was a case of reviewing whether the ball was out of play and not if the Aston Villa defender had handled inside the box. Even Digne would not dispute that bit. Digne naively raised both hands after Omari Hutchinson refused to deem Morgan Gibbs-White\u2019s cross a lost cause and Nottingham Forest were presented with a chance to strike the first blow in this Europa League semi-final.
\nJust how damaging might Digne\u2019s moment of madness prove? Chris Wood punished Villa from 12 yards, his penalty flawless. Unai Emery tried to gesture for calm as Forest\u2019s support went berserk and their players moseyed back towards their half but afterwards the Villa manager expressed his anger at Elliot Anderson escaping a red card for a poor first-half tackle on Ollie Watkins.
Continue reading...\n","enclosure":{"link":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/65cac969f637a01a7cdb7c71fa89f48f7e8f4b41/192_0_2517_2014/master/2517.jpg?width=140&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=c7e64c93790c7ec7fb98abde42a74d74"},"categories":["Europa League","Nottingham Forest","Aston Villa","Football","Sport"]},{"title":"Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend","pubDate":"2026-04-30 23:00:31","link":"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/01/premier-league-10-things-to-look-out-for-this-weekend","guid":"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/01/premier-league-10-things-to-look-out-for-this-weekend","author":"Guardian sport","thumbnail":"","description":"\nEddie Howe is under pressure, Rayan needs protection at Bournemouth and John Stones returns to Everton with City
\n\nThe equation is simple. If Leeds beat relegated \u2013 and now managerless - Burnley at Elland Road on Friday they will reach 43 points and be extremely unlikely to meet the same fate as their opponents. Daniel Farke\u2019s losing FA Cup semi-finalists are then scheduled to travel to Tottenham, but victory against Burnley, who they pipped to the Championship title last season, would settle nerves in West Yorkshire. Farke, though, does not necessarily expect a straightforward match. \u201cThere\u2019s definitely no complacency,\u201d he said, speaking before the news of Scott Parker\u2019s departure. \u201cI\u2019ve got so much respect for Scott. I\u2019d say there\u2019s not one time this season Burnley were played off the field. They\u2019re always very competitive, they\u2019ve had many tight games.\u201d As Mike Jackson takes caretaker charge at Turf Moor, Farke hopes another three points will persuade Leeds to extend his own contract. Louise Taylor
\nLeeds v Burnley, Friday 8pm (all times BST)
\nBrentford v West Ham, Saturday 3pm
\nNewcastle v Brighton, Saturday 3pm
\nWolves v Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
\nArsenal v Fulham, Saturday 5.30pm
\nBournemouth v Crystal Palace, Sunday 2pm
\nManchester United v Liverpool, Sunday 3.30pm
Continue reading...\n","content":"\nEddie Howe is under pressure, Rayan needs protection at Bournemouth and John Stones returns to Everton with City
\n\nThe equation is simple. If Leeds beat relegated \u2013 and now managerless - Burnley at Elland Road on Friday they will reach 43 points and be extremely unlikely to meet the same fate as their opponents. Daniel Farke\u2019s losing FA Cup semi-finalists are then scheduled to travel to Tottenham, but victory against Burnley, who they pipped to the Championship title last season, would settle nerves in West Yorkshire. Farke, though, does not necessarily expect a straightforward match. \u201cThere\u2019s definitely no complacency,\u201d he said, speaking before the news of Scott Parker\u2019s departure. \u201cI\u2019ve got so much respect for Scott. I\u2019d say there\u2019s not one time this season Burnley were played off the field. They\u2019re always very competitive, they\u2019ve had many tight games.\u201d As Mike Jackson takes caretaker charge at Turf Moor, Farke hopes another three points will persuade Leeds to extend his own contract. Louise Taylor
\nLeeds v Burnley, Friday 8pm (all times BST)
\nBrentford v West Ham, Saturday 3pm
\nNewcastle v Brighton, Saturday 3pm
\nWolves v Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
\nArsenal v Fulham, Saturday 5.30pm
\nBournemouth v Crystal Palace, Sunday 2pm
\nManchester United v Liverpool, Sunday 3.30pm
Continue reading...\n","enclosure":{"link":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/2fe81126f0f9d7eb5669ab57f1cbe5542a494529/0_0_5000_4000/master/5000.jpg?width=140&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=e4fb2b143831530ddb2dd0be25b2da86"},"categories":["Premier League","Football","Brentford","West Ham United","Bournemouth","Crystal Palace","Wolverhampton Wanderers","Sunderland","Newcastle United","Brighton & Hove Albion","Arsenal","Fulham","Manchester United","Liverpool","Aston Villa","Tottenham Hotspur","Chelsea","Nottingham Forest","Everton","Manchester City","Sport","Leeds United","Burnley"]},{"title":"Crystal Palace in driving seat after Kamada punishes Shakhtar Donetsk","pubDate":"2026-04-30 22:21:39","link":"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/apr/30/shakthar-crystal-palace-conference-league-semi-final-first-leg-match-report","guid":"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/apr/30/shakthar-crystal-palace-conference-league-semi-final-first-leg-match-report","author":"Ed Aarons at Synerise Arena Krakow","thumbnail":"","description":"\nKeep this up and Crystal Palace\u2019s European adventure could end in yet more silverware for Oliver Glasner. Four years ago it was Daichi Kamada who scored the winning goal for Glasner\u2019s Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final against West Ham on their way to lifting the trophy. The Japan midfielder again provided the crucial moment here before setting up the substitute J\u00f8rgen Strand Larsen to ensure Palace will head into next week\u2019s second leg with a two-goal advantage.
\nWith all his experience, Glasner will know that this tie is not over after a vibrant Shakhtar Donetsk side stuffed with attacking Brazilian flair caused them plenty of problems. Isma\u00efla Sarr\u2019s opener after just 21 seconds was the fastest goal in Conference League history and the Senegal forward now has eight in 11 appearances so far in this competition.
Continue reading...\n","content":"\nKeep this up and Crystal Palace\u2019s European adventure could end in yet more silverware for Oliver Glasner. Four years ago it was Daichi Kamada who scored the winning goal for Glasner\u2019s Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final against West Ham on their way to lifting the trophy. The Japan midfielder again provided the crucial moment here before setting up the substitute J\u00f8rgen Strand Larsen to ensure Palace will head into next week\u2019s second leg with a two-goal advantage.
\nWith all his experience, Glasner will know that this tie is not over after a vibrant Shakhtar Donetsk side stuffed with attacking Brazilian flair caused them plenty of problems. Isma\u00efla Sarr\u2019s opener after just 21 seconds was the fastest goal in Conference League history and the Senegal forward now has eight in 11 appearances so far in this competition.
Continue reading...\n","enclosure":{"link":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/25ea59c40014cc275d62789b234c0fb5f09257c6/1365_354_4025_3220/master/4025.jpg?width=140&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=bd583d4569e85e05150c125233bfda71"},"categories":["Conference League","Shakhtar Donetsk","Crystal Palace","Football","Sport"]},{"title":"Gianni Infantino\u2019s attempt at Israel-Palestine handshake backfires","pubDate":"2026-04-30 22:30:42","link":"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/apr/30/israel-fa-delegate-snubbed-by-palestinian-counterpart-at-fifa-congress","guid":"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/apr/30/israel-fa-delegate-snubbed-by-palestinian-counterpart-at-fifa-congress","author":"Matt Hughes Global sports business correspondent","thumbnail":"","description":"\nJibril Rajoub refuses handshake at Fifa congress
Infantino to seek third term as president
The Fifa president, Gianni Infantino, confirmed his intention to stand for re-election for a third full term next year after an attempt to orchestrate a handshake between the Palestinian and Israeli delegates at congress backfired.
\nThe Palestinian Football Federation president, Jibril Rajoub, refused to stand alongside Israel FA vice-president, Basim Sheikh Suliman, in an awkward moment towards the end of the 76th Fifa congress after both men had been called to the stage in Vancouver by Infantino.
Continue reading...\n","content":"\nJibril Rajoub refuses handshake at Fifa congress
Infantino to seek third term as president
The Fifa president, Gianni Infantino, confirmed his intention to stand for re-election for a third full term next year after an attempt to orchestrate a handshake between the Palestinian and Israeli delegates at congress backfired.
\nThe Palestinian Football Federation president, Jibril Rajoub, refused to stand alongside Israel FA vice-president, Basim Sheikh Suliman, in an awkward moment towards the end of the 76th Fifa congress after both men had been called to the stage in Vancouver by Infantino.
Continue reading...\n","enclosure":{"link":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/9f3ad0db0f5f18ae82a46e36213c27a541c938b7/516_427_4677_3741/master/4677.jpg?width=140&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=737884f9ff7c3b33791c76b02f4144ad"},"categories":["Gianni Infantino","Football","Sport","Fifa","Football politics","Israel","Israel-Gaza war","Palestine","US sports"]},{"title":"The $13bn World Cup: how the numbers stack up on Fifa\u2019s 2026 balance sheet","pubDate":"2026-04-30 07:00:16","link":"https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2026/apr/30/the-13bn-world-cup-how-the-numbers-stack-up-on-fifas-2026-balance-sheet","guid":"https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2026/apr/30/the-13bn-world-cup-how-the-numbers-stack-up-on-fifas-2026-balance-sheet","author":"Matt Hughes Global sports business correspondent","thumbnail":"","description":"\nThe earnings from the tournament in the US, Mexico and Canada will make it the most lucrative competition in the history of sport, even if some of the 48 competing countries say they are struggling to make ends meet
\nA World Cup that Fifa\u2019s president, Gianni Infantino, billed at the draw last December as \u201cthe greatest event that humanity has ever seen\u201d will certainly be the most lucrative competition in sporting history.
\nFifa has spent the last few years upgrading its revenue projections, with the most recent financial report stating that the world governing body will make $13bn (\u00a39.6bn) from the four-year cycle culminating in this summer\u2019s tournament, almost $9bn of which will be brought in this year.
Continue reading...\n","content":"\nThe earnings from the tournament in the US, Mexico and Canada will make it the most lucrative competition in the history of sport, even if some of the 48 competing countries say they are struggling to make ends meet
\nA World Cup that Fifa\u2019s president, Gianni Infantino, billed at the draw last December as \u201cthe greatest event that humanity has ever seen\u201d will certainly be the most lucrative competition in sporting history.
\nFifa has spent the last few years upgrading its revenue projections, with the most recent financial report stating that the world governing body will make $13bn (\u00a39.6bn) from the four-year cycle culminating in this summer\u2019s tournament, almost $9bn of which will be brought in this year.
Continue reading...\n","enclosure":{"link":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/ac7238ee6f0c95f1abb021bd5de144ebb41db3e9/0_0_3160_2527/master/3160.jpg?width=140&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=c95be5f0733971ee974575c7d0009ac4"},"categories":["World Cup 2026","World Cup","Fifa","Football","Sport","US news","Football politics"]},{"title":"Manchester United target West Ham\u2019s Diouf and confirm new Mainoo contract","pubDate":"2026-04-30 15:00:17","link":"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/apr/30/manchester-united-west-ham-el-hadji-malick-diouf-target-kobbie-mainoo-new-contract","guid":"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/apr/30/manchester-united-west-ham-el-hadji-malick-diouf-target-kobbie-mainoo-new-contract","author":"Jacob Steinberg and Jamie Jackson","thumbnail":"","description":"\nUnited to prioritise midfield but also looking at left flank
Mainoo gets deal to 2031 after being restored by Carrick
West Ham\u2019s El Hadji Malick Diouf has emerged as a target for Manchester United as they weigh up a summer move for a left-back.
\nUnited are looking at bringing in competition for Luke Shaw and are one of the clubs monitoring Diouf after his promising first campaign in English football. The Senegal international joined West Ham for \u20ac22m (\u00a319m) from Slavia Prague and has recovered from a difficult start to become one of the side\u2019s most important players.
Continue reading...\n","content":"\nUnited to prioritise midfield but also looking at left flank
Mainoo gets deal to 2031 after being restored by Carrick
West Ham\u2019s El Hadji Malick Diouf has emerged as a target for Manchester United as they weigh up a summer move for a left-back.
\nUnited are looking at bringing in competition for Luke Shaw and are one of the clubs monitoring Diouf after his promising first campaign in English football. The Senegal international joined West Ham for \u20ac22m (\u00a319m) from Slavia Prague and has recovered from a difficult start to become one of the side\u2019s most important players.
Continue reading...\n","enclosure":{"link":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/20aef0c1f61287f17040a756fdf179c7b9a90aa5/0_87_3061_2447/master/3061.jpg?width=140&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=bd010a9048700a39b592bad13f7911ea"},"categories":["Manchester United","West Ham United","Transfer window","Football","Sport"]},{"title":"Spurs captain Bethany England bids tearful farewell to fans as she confirms exit","pubDate":"2026-04-30 15:00:20","link":"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/apr/30/spurs-captain-bethany-england-leave-summer-club-opts-against-renewing-contract","guid":"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/apr/30/spurs-captain-bethany-england-leave-summer-club-opts-against-renewing-contract","author":"Tom Garry","thumbnail":"","description":"\nFormer Lionesses forward will depart this summer
England, 31, has seven WSL goals this season
Bethany England, the Tottenham captain, is to leave at the end of this season, the striker has confirmed in a tearful video message published by the club.
\nIt is understood it was the club\u2019s decision not to renew the 31-year-old\u2019s contract as they seek to evolve their squad with younger players. Multiple sources have emphasised Tottenham are expected to be aggressive and highly ambitious in the transfer market.
Continue reading...\n","content":"\nFormer Lionesses forward will depart this summer
England, 31, has seven WSL goals this season
Bethany England, the Tottenham captain, is to leave at the end of this season, the striker has confirmed in a tearful video message published by the club.
\nIt is understood it was the club\u2019s decision not to renew the 31-year-old\u2019s contract as they seek to evolve their squad with younger players. Multiple sources have emphasised Tottenham are expected to be aggressive and highly ambitious in the transfer market.
Continue reading...\n","enclosure":{"link":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/ab3573f482034bce32813e22cd14784cfbc2ed7d/747_86_2305_1844/master/2305.jpg?width=140&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=bdb355ed4a779c61ec61e89e0331540b"},"categories":["Tottenham Hotspur Women","Women's football","Women's Super League","Football","Sport"]},{"title":"Scott Parker leaves Burnley head coach\u2019s job after relegation from Premier League","pubDate":"2026-04-30 09:08:40","link":"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/apr/30/scott-parker-leaves-burnley-manager-job-relegation-premier-league","guid":"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/apr/30/scott-parker-leaves-burnley-manager-job-relegation-premier-league","author":"Andy Hunter","thumbnail":"","description":"\nParker departs by mutual consent after talks with board
Wales manager Craig Bellamy of interest to Burnley
Scott Parker has left his position as Burnley head coach with immediate effect after the club\u2019s relegation from the Premier League.
\nParker had been in discussions over his future with Burnley\u2019s chair, Alan Pace, since the team\u2019s return to the Championship was confirmed by defeat against Manchester City on 22 April. The 45-year-old has departed by mutual consent, with respectful tributes paid on both sides, and his assistant, Mike Jackson, will take interim charge for the final four games of the season.
Continue reading...\n","content":"\nParker departs by mutual consent after talks with board
Wales manager Craig Bellamy of interest to Burnley
Scott Parker has left his position as Burnley head coach with immediate effect after the club\u2019s relegation from the Premier League.
\nParker had been in discussions over his future with Burnley\u2019s chair, Alan Pace, since the team\u2019s return to the Championship was confirmed by defeat against Manchester City on 22 April. The 45-year-old has departed by mutual consent, with respectful tributes paid on both sides, and his assistant, Mike Jackson, will take interim charge for the final four games of the season.
Continue reading...\n","enclosure":{"link":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/15691dfb413cb075bd7102758f64dcde29e5f791/379_421_3085_2467/master/3085.jpg?width=140&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=f2d708d2f873b2904175d6e98db55990"},"categories":["Burnley","Scott Parker","Football","Sport"]},{"title":"Captain. Leader. Far-right sympathiser. Terry joins ranks of football\u2019s radicalised | Jonathan Liew","pubDate":"2026-04-30 07:00:12","link":"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/apr/30/john-terry-joins-ranks-of-footballs-radicalised","guid":"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/apr/30/john-terry-joins-ranks-of-footballs-radicalised","author":"Jonathan Liew","thumbnail":"","description":"\nJohn Terry\u2019s journey into the internet pipeline is by no means an isolated case \u2013 what makes footballers so susceptible?
\nAnd so we ask ourselves: how did it come to this? Did we miss the signs? Were there red flags that went unheeded, cries for help that fell on closed ears, forks in the road not taken? Or ultimately, for all our best efforts, was it always going to end like this? Is it, in fact, possible that John Terry was a far-right sympathiser all along?
\nYes, it\u2019s been a chastening week for those who have been fighting Terry\u2019s corner for more than a decade. Who steadfastly defended him against the racism charges, who accepted his explanation that he was simply repeating what Anton Ferdinand had been saying to him, who turned up at his trial in full kit, who lamented his failure to land the coaching jobs he so coveted, who right to the end just wanted to believe.
Continue reading...\n","content":"\nJohn Terry\u2019s journey into the internet pipeline is by no means an isolated case \u2013 what makes footballers so susceptible?
\nAnd so we ask ourselves: how did it come to this? Did we miss the signs? Were there red flags that went unheeded, cries for help that fell on closed ears, forks in the road not taken? Or ultimately, for all our best efforts, was it always going to end like this? Is it, in fact, possible that John Terry was a far-right sympathiser all along?
\nYes, it\u2019s been a chastening week for those who have been fighting Terry\u2019s corner for more than a decade. Who steadfastly defended him against the racism charges, who accepted his explanation that he was simply repeating what Anton Ferdinand had been saying to him, who turned up at his trial in full kit, who lamented his failure to land the coaching jobs he so coveted, who right to the end just wanted to believe.
Continue reading...\n","enclosure":{"link":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/6b7e10806e64d12884b5462970d6e0ffead7bfdf/430_0_5000_4000/master/5000.jpg?width=140&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=a43e730737eca7208c80ebf0f6b8726d"},"categories":["John Terry","Football","Sport"]},{"title":"Arteta will seek to use perceived injustices as Arsenal fuel after Atl\u00e9tico anger","pubDate":"2026-04-30 12:32:45","link":"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/apr/30/mikel-arteta-perceived-injustices-arsenal-atletico-madrid-champions-league-semi-final","guid":"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/apr/30/mikel-arteta-perceived-injustices-arsenal-atletico-madrid-champions-league-semi-final","author":"David Hytner in Madrid","thumbnail":"","description":"\nManager was fuming after semi-final draw but also needs a gameplan that can deliver more chances in Champions League second leg
\nMikel Arteta has felt the walls closing in on the domestic front in recent weeks. And it was surely a part of the reason why the Arsenal manager went on the offensive about refereeing decisions after his team\u2019s Premier League win over Newcastle on Saturday.
\nArteta insisted that the Newcastle goalkeeper, Nick Pope, ought to have been sent off rather than booked for a foul on Viktor Gy\u00f6keres, which he argued represented the denial of a goalscoring opportunity. And, while he was at it, Arteta went back to the previous league game \u2013 the 2-1 defeat at Manchester City \u2013 and made a similar point: he believed the City defender Abdukodir Khusanov should have been dismissed for a last-man foul on Kai Havertz.
Continue reading...\n","content":"\nManager was fuming after semi-final draw but also needs a gameplan that can deliver more chances in Champions League second leg
\nMikel Arteta has felt the walls closing in on the domestic front in recent weeks. And it was surely a part of the reason why the Arsenal manager went on the offensive about refereeing decisions after his team\u2019s Premier League win over Newcastle on Saturday.
\nArteta insisted that the Newcastle goalkeeper, Nick Pope, ought to have been sent off rather than booked for a foul on Viktor Gy\u00f6keres, which he argued represented the denial of a goalscoring opportunity. And, while he was at it, Arteta went back to the previous league game \u2013 the 2-1 defeat at Manchester City \u2013 and made a similar point: he believed the City defender Abdukodir Khusanov should have been dismissed for a last-man foul on Kai Havertz.
Continue reading...\n","enclosure":{"link":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/0398be7b21a4bb74abadc81cefb3b55a0f178cdf/520_0_3955_3164/master/3955.jpg?width=140&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=4c7477dff53f332b43b8f23452fab1f4"},"categories":["Arsenal","Mikel Arteta","Champions League","Atl\u00e9tico Madrid","Diego Simeone","Football","Sport"]}]}