Friday, 1 May 2026
A RECENTLY RELEGATED PREMIER LEAGUE CLUB IS SUDDENLY LEFT WITHOUT A MANAGER
Relegation already hurt… but now comes the final blow: Burnley, the recently relegated Premier League club is left without a manager with games still to play. An unexpected decision, internal turmoil, and a chaotic end to the season.
Burnley lose their manager at the worst possible moment
Relegation was not the final chapter in the crisis at Burnley Football Club. With four Premier League matches still to play, the club confirmed the immediate departure of Scott Parker, a decision that raises more questions than answers.
According to official club statements, the exit was by “mutual consent,” but the context suggests a relationship that had already broken down after a disastrous season. The team managed just four wins all campaign, numbers that ultimately sealed their fate.
The timing is what makes this decision so striking: it is highly unusual for a manager to leave with the season still ongoing, even after relegation is confirmed. Burnley chose to act decisively… even if the damage had already been done.
From promotion hero to relegation casualty
The story of Scott Parker at Burnley is a dramatic contrast. Just a year ago, the English manager was celebrated as the architect of the club’s return to the Premier League after a remarkable Championship campaign that included a 30+ match unbeaten run.
That success raised expectations, but reality proved far harsher. Since November, the team fell into a downward spiral, managing just one win over a long stretch. They also endured six months without a home victory, a clear reflection of their collapse.
In his farewell message, Parker struck a composed tone:
“It has been a privilege to manage this club… but now is the right time for both sides to move in different directions,” he said, highlighting the promotion as his proudest achievement.
A season ending without direction
With Parker gone, Burnley are left without leadership just as the campaign reaches its final stretch. The club moved quickly to appoint Mike Jackson as interim manager, who will oversee the remaining fixtures against Leeds United, Aston Villa, Arsenal, and Wolves.
The board confirmed that the search for a permanent manager for the 2026–27 season has already begun, although no formal talks have taken place with candidates yet, reinforcing the sense of uncertainty.
What’s next: a necessary rebuild in the Championship
Burnley now enters a crucial rebuilding phase. With relegation confirmed and no permanent manager in place, the club must start from scratch in an attempt to return to the top flight.
The challenge is significant: this marks their third relegation in five seasons, highlighting deep structural instability.
Names like Steven Gerrard have already been linked with the role, suggesting the club may target a high-profile figure to lead the rebuild.
- Rodrigo Bernal
Thursday, 30 April 2026
FRANK WARREN: TYSON FURY ASKING FOR WARM-UP FIGHT BEFORE FACING ANTHONY JOSAHUA
Fury ended a 14-month hiatus from boxing earlier this month when he beat Arslanbek Makhmudov on points.
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| Fury ended a 14-month hiatus from boxing earlier this month when he beat Arslanbek Makhmudov on points. |
Tyson Fury has instructed his team to arrange another warm-up fight before a ‘Battle of Britain’ with long-standing rival Anthony Joshua.
Fury ended a 14-month hiatus this month when he got the better of Arslanbek Makhmudov on points at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and subsequently traded verbal insults with a ringside Joshua.
It ramped up excitement ahead of an eagerly anticipated domestic bout which has been years in the making and this week Joshua signed a contract to finally fight Fury, but another potential spanner in the works has emerged.
Joshua was already set for a tune-up bout on July 25 with Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga which Queensberry promoter Frank Warren suggested could “kill” any contest with Fury later in 2026 if an upset occurred.
However, Warren has confirmed Fury also intends to step back in the ring before he faces Joshua in a move which casts further doubt on the bout and increases the risk of an injury for either British heavyweight.
“I think he will probably want to be doing something in between, let’s see,” Warren said.
“AJ has got his fight. Tyson, I’m quite sure, will have a fight in between. That’s what he’s asking for and we’ll see where we go from there.”
- George Sessions
LIV GOLF SEEKS 'LONG-TERM FINANCIAL PARTNERS' AS SAUDI ARABIA'S PIF CONFIRMS EXIT
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| [US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 5, 2026; Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA; Bryson DeChambeau in action during the second round of play at LIV Golf Riyadh at the Riyadh Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Reuters via Imagn Images |
LIV Golf plans to continue without the financial backing of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, touting "100% year over year" financial growth in 2026.
The Public Investment Fund (PIF) formally announced it would end financial support of LIV Golf at the end of the 2026 season.
"PIF has made the decision to fund LIV Golf only for the remainder of the 2026 season," a PIF statement read Thursday. "The substantial investment required by LIV Golf over a longer term is no longer consistent with the current phase of PIF's investment strategy. This decision has been made in light of PIF's investment priorities and current macro dynamics."
Under a reshaped model, LIV established a new, independent board and envisions further commercial agreements to stabilize the intended PGA Tour competitor.
"LIV Golf is transitioning from a foundational launch phase to a diversified, multi-partner investment model, with a formal process underway to attract long-term financial partners," the circuit said in a statement Thursday, hours after learning the financial underpinning from the PIF was ended.
Signs of a fracture in the PIF-LIV emerged earlier this year and simmered to the surface last week, when ESPN obtained an email LIV CEO Scott O'Neil sent to staff claiming the 2026 season will continue "exactly as planned, uninterrupted and at full throttle." He made no mention of LIV's future beyond 2026, however.
LIV said the new board will be headed by Eugene Davis, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PIRINATE Consulting Group LLC and Jon Zinman, the founder and managing member of JZ Advisors LLC. They are tasked primarily with "institutionalizing the league, formalizing its ownership structure, and evaluating the range of strategic opportunities," LIV Golf said Thursday.
Founded in 2021, LIV Golf made its debut in June 2022 and used lavish, guaranteed contracts to lure dozens of stars like Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau away from the PGA. PIF has provided LIV with more than $5 billion, but the league has reportedly lost millions of dollars per year. Earlier this month, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, PIF's governor and LIV's main financial backer, shared a plan for the kingdom to cut back on international investments and focus on more domestic projects.
DeChambeau, Cameron Smith and Rahm reportedly turned down the opportunity to return to the PGA Tour earlier this year. According to MSN.com, some LIV players have reached out to the DP World Tour.
--Field Level Media
MARATHON RECORD-BREAKER SEBASTIAN SAWE GIFTED A CAR BY KENYAN PRESIDENT AS HE RETURNS HOME TO HERO'S WELCOME
Sabastian Sawe has returned to Kenya following his historic run at the London Marathon
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| President William Ruto with record breaking marathoner Sebastian Sawe in State House, Nairobi on April 30, 2026. |
Sabastian Sawe, the first athlete to officially break the two-hour barrier in a marathon, has been welcomed home to Kenya with a hero’s reception, including a water cannon salute for his arriving aircraft.
The record-breaker was subsequently awarded $61,000 (£45,000) and a new car by the president.
Mr Sawe’s return on Wednesday saw him greeted by his parents and Sports Minister Salim Mvurya, who lauded the runner’s achievement at the London Marathon as "a win for Kenya."
On Thursday, President William Ruto hosted a formal ceremony, describing Mr Sawe’s victory as "a defining moment in the history of human endurance."
During the event, Mr Sawe presented President Ruto with an autographed Adidas Adizero shoe, worn during Sunday’s race, along with a signed photograph commemorating his world record moment.
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| Sawe was given a hero's welcome (Getty) |
Mr Sawe made history on Sunday by completing the marathon in an astonishing 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds, shaving 65 seconds off the previous men’s world record.
Upon his arrival at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, he expressed his pride at having "made a great achievement in life" and vowed to "try and lower the record further."
The athlete was adorned with a traditional wreath of twigs, symbolising victory, as traditional dancers celebrated his return. He was then escorted into a luxury government vehicle, part of the "heroic welcome" orchestrated by the sports minister.
His parents shared their long-held belief in their son’s destiny for greatness. His mother, Emily Sawe, recalled his childhood speed: "He would run too fast. So, I would say to myself, this boy will shine for me one day."
His father, Simion Kiplagat Sawe, recounted the tension of watching Sunday’s race due to a poor television signal.
"The moment my son pulled in front, I walked out and didn’t see him finish the race. I watched the replay afterwards. I was so happy, extremely happy. We screamed so much that now it is hard to swallow anything," he said.
Sawe’s introduction to professional running came through his uncle, Abraham Chepkirwok, an 800-metre Olympian for Uganda at the 2008 Beijing Games.
Having won the Valencia Marathon in 2024 with a time of 2:02:05, Sawe entered Sunday’s London race as the defending champion.
His father affirmed his son’s unwavering determination, stating: "Even now, he still says that record was not enough; he wants to lower it further."
- Evelyne Musambi
MANCHESTER UNITED LEGEND ASHLEY YOUNG ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM FOOTBALL, WHO IS HIS WIFE, DO THEY HAVE KIDS?
Footballer Ashley Young has played for the likes of United, Watford, Aston Villa, Inter Milan and Everton.
Manchester United legend Ashley Young has announced he is retiring from football at the age of 40, the footballer joined Ipswich Town in the summer of 2025 and previously played for the likes of Watford, Aston Villa, Inter Milan and Everton.
Ashley Young said: “I am incredibly proud and fortunate to have achieved everything I have during my career.”
He also said: “It’s not too often you sit and think about this while you are still in the game, but I have lived my dream during the last 23 years. It’s now time for some reflection on what I’ve been able to achieve and the next few weeks and months will be when I decide what I am going to do next.
“But that is all to come. My full focus is on Saturday and helping this club achieve our goal, which is promotion back to the Premier League.”
Kieran McKenna, the manager of Ipswich Town said: : "Ashley's career in the game speaks for itself and it has been an honour to have worked with him, firstly at Manchester United and then here at Ipswich this season.
"The professionalism, competitiveness and quality he displays every day has had a massive impact on the group this season and I know he wants nothing more than to end his career by helping us achieve our goal."
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| Manchester United legend Ashley Young announces retirement from football, who is his wife, do they have kids? Ashley Young of Ipswich Town warms up before the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Ipswich Town and Blackpool on January 10, 2026 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images) | Getty Images |
Ashley Young took to Instagram and wrote: “From Sefton Road to Vicarage Road to Villa Park to Wembley to Old Trafford to San Siro back to Villa Park to Goodison Park and finally to Portman Road. It’s been some journey that I only dreamt of as a boy! But with this dream there has to be an ending and Saturday might be the Last Game Of My Professional Career🤘🏾💛💜🤍❤️💙 23 years and OUT!
“To be continued….”
“I couldn’t tell you the stats about how many games I’ll play, but what my focus is on is getting this club back into the Premier League, that’s all I’ve got to focus on now.”
Who is Ashley Young’s wife, do they have kids?
Ashley Young is married to his childhood sweetheart Nicky Pike, they have two children, Tyler and Ellearna. In 2024, footballer Tyler Young signed for Peterborough United. He then joined Ipswich Town and in October 2025 joined Isthmian League Premier Division side Chatham Town on loan.
- Marina Licht
RIYAN PARAG SMOKING CONTROVERSY: MATCH REFEREE COULD BE PUNISHED FOR NOT CHECKING ON BANNED SUBSTANCE REACHING DRESSING ROOM: BCCI SOURCES
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 30 (ANI): The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) could punish the match referee for bringing disrepute to the game by letting a banned substance reach the dressing room unchecked, as Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Riyan Parag was caught smoking on a e-cigarette in the dressing room during his side's Indian Premier League (IPL) match, as per BCCI sources.
As per the BCCI sources, there is no provision in the BCCI rule book to penalise Riyan for smoking during the Punjab Kings (PBKS) clash at Mullanpur. However, the match referee could be on the receiving end of the punishment as the banned substance was brought inside the dressing room without any checking.
While RR is having a fine IPL campaign as a collective, having won six and lost three matches and being a strong contender for playoffs with 12 points, holding a fourth-place finish currently, Riyan is himself having a poor run with the bat, having made just 117 runs in nine matches at a poor average of 14.62, a strike rate of 124.46 and a best score of 29.
So far, the RR's fire-packed campaign has been dominated by the opening pair of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (400 runs in nine matches at a strike rate of over 238, with a century and two fifties) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (306 runs in nine matches at a strike rate of over 158, with three fifties), the pace duo of Jofra Archer (14 wickets at an average of 19.50) and Nandre Burger (nine wickets at an average of 32.77).
Donovan Ferreira (182 runs in six innings at an average of 36.40 and a strike rate of over 158, with two fifties) has also delivered some strong finishes for RR.
The Royals will take on the Delhi Capitals (DC) at a home clash on Friday. (ANI)
- Vipul Kashyap
MUCH-MISSED ELEMENT OF F1 GRID REVIVED FOR MIAMI GP WITH STUNNING RACING BULLS LIVERY
Racing Bulls will race in yellow at the Miami Grand Prix, returning a much-missed colour to the F1 grid for the first time since 2020.
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| © Red Bull Contentpool Racing Bulls |
Racing Red Bullls have unveiled a vibrant yellow special livery for this weekend's Miami Grand Prix, marking the return of a much-missed colour to the Formula 1 grid for the first time since 2020.
The striking design, inspired by the Red Bull Summer Edition Sudachi Lime energy drink, will adorn the VCARB03 at the Miami International Autodrome, restoring yellow to F1's colour palette after a six-year absence.
Renault was the last team to field a yellow car before rebranding as Alpine in 2021, but that was predominantly black in later years.
recent memory, Jordan raced bright yellow cars during the late 1990s until the name left F1 at the end of 2005.
Before Red Bull owned the team that is now Racing Bulls, Minardi also ran a bright yellow car in 2000 due to its sponsorship with mobile network giant Telefonica.
This marks Racing Bulls' second one-off livery of the 2026 season, having already run a special white and pink design at the Japanese Grand Prix in March.
Due to the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix postponements, the Faenza-based squad has now deployed special liveries for half of the four rounds contested so far this year.
The reveal took place at Kiki On The River, a waterfront venue along the Miami River, where Red Bull wakeboard athlete Guenther Oka launched off a ramp and backflipped over the car whilst pulling away the cover mid-air. Drivers Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad witnessed the unveiling whilst arriving on Ski-Doos.
Peter Bayer, CEO of Racing Bulls, said: "Miami has become a special place for Visa Cash App Racing Bulls to express who we are as a team. For the past two years, we've used this race to showcase something bold and unique, and this latest livery is no exception.
"The Red Bull Summer Edition livery brings a vibrant energy which reflects who we are as a team, creative and willing to push boundaries. We're very excited to give wiiings to the new seasonal flavour and bring the distinctive design to track this weekend."
The livery features bold yellow colouring complemented by citrus patterns on the team kit, capturing the textures found inside the sudachi lime fruit. The VCARB03 will hit the track in the custom livery when practice begins on Friday.
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN VS BAYERN MUNICH [5-4] - CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL FIRST LEG 2025/2026 - TACTICAL ANALYSIS
Paris Saint-Germain hosted Bayern Munich for the first leg of the 2025/2026 UEFA Champions League semi-final at Parc des Princes.
Widely gaining popularity as one of the most entertaining games in football history, this fixture had it all, with the hosts edging past their competitors with a 5-4 win.
PSG and Bayern have two of the most ruthless attacking trios in Europe this season, as evidenced by the quality, speed, and effectiveness of their attacking moves on the night.
Both sides, on several occasions, opened up their opponents with ease, which made for a nerve-wracking game overall.
Through this tactical analysis, we aim to discuss Paris Saint-Germain’s and Bayern Munich’s approach to the game, areas both sides struggled in, and find out where Bayern can hurt PSG in the second leg.
Paris Saint-Germain Vs Bayern Munich Lineups & Formations
Let's look at how Luis Enrique and Vincent Kompany fielded their squads.
PSG Lineup Vs Bayern Munich
PSG played in a 4-3-3 formation.
Matvey Safonov started between the sticks.
The back four were Achraf Hakimi (right-back), skipper Marquinhos (right centre-back), Willian Pacho (left centre-back), and Nuno Mendes (left-back).
The latter was replaced by Lucas Hernández (84’).
João Neves, Vitinha, and Warren Zaïre-Emery were the midfield three.
The latter was substituted by Fabián Ruiz at the 64th minute.
Désiré Doué (right) and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (left) were the two wingers, with Ousmane Dembélé as the striker.
Bradley Barcola came on for Doué (70’) and Senny Mayulu for Kvaratskhelia (84’).
Bayern Munich Lineup Vs PSG
Bayern played in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Skipper Manuel Neuer started in goal.
Josip Stanišić (right-back), Dayot Upamecano (right centre-back), Jonathan Tah (left centre-back), and Alphonso Davies (left-back) were the back four.
Konrad Laimer replaced the latter at 46 minutes.
Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlović played as the double pivot.
The latter made way for Nicolas Jackson (90’ +3).
Michael Olise (right) and Luis Díaz (left) were the two wingers, with Jamal Musiala as the attacking midfielder.
Musiala came off for Leon Goretzka (79’).
Harry Kane played as the lone striker.
Paris Saint-Germain & Bayern Munich Style Of Play
PSG and Bayern share similar identities in their approach to the game.
Both sides are brilliant examples of total football, showcasing frequent positional rotations both in and out of possession.
An example: Vitinha, a centre-midfielder, operates in the wide channel.
He attracts multiple opponents before moving the ball to the half-space.
Meanwhile, the winger moves into the half-space.
For Bayern, Kane frequently dropped deep into midfield to offer an additional option for progression.
Whenever the centre-backs followed him, other teammates exploited the space higher up the pitch.
This was the case with Bayern’s defenders as well.
During a build-up situation for PSG, both Bayern centre-backs (Upamecano and Tah) follow an opponent each deep into the mid-third, while Stanisić also follows an opponent in the half-space.
With defenders from both sides jumping in this manner, there were multiple instances when they delayed the opposition’s progression or even won the ball.
However, there were also scenarios where the opponent bypassed the pressure and went straight to a counterattack.
- Vedant Kharakwal
IRANIAN OFFICIALS TO MISS FIFA CONGRESS OVER ALLEGED MISTREATMENT IN CANADA
Iran’s Mehdi Taj-led delegation turns back at Toronto airport due to ‘unacceptable behaviour of immigration officials’.
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| President of the Iranian Football Federation Mehdi Taj was leading the Iranian football delegation that travelled to Canada for the FIFA Congress [File: Atta Kenare/AFP] |
An Iranian football federation delegation says it turned back at Toronto’s main airport this week, citing their treatment by Canadian immigration, and is set to miss a pre-World Cup FIFA gathering in Vancouver.
Iran’s Tasnim News Agency reported on Wednesday that the delegation members, including federation President Mehdi Taj, Secretary-General Hedayat Mombeni and his deputy, Hamed Momeni, turned back upon arrival at Toronto’s Pearson airport despite holding valid visas, citing what was described as the “unacceptable behaviour of immigration officials”.
The Iranian delegation was en route to Vancouver for Thursday’s FIFA Congress, which is meant to bring together representatives of all 211 member associations before the World Cup being cohosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico.
“While Mehdi Taj, president, Hedayat Mombeni, secretary-general, and Hamed Momeni, deputy secretary-general of the federation, had travelled to Toronto with official visas to attend the FIFA Congress, they returned to Turkey on the first available flight due to the unacceptable behaviour of immigration officials at the airport and the insult to one of the most honourable organs of the Iranian nation’s armed forces,” the Iran football federation said in a statement.
In 2024, Canada listed Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation, and statements from the Canadian government indicated that Taj was denied entry due to his alleged ties with the IRGC.
“While we cannot comment on individual cases due to privacy laws, the government has been clear and consistent: IRGC officials are inadmissible to Canada and have no place in our country,” the Canadian government said in a statement.
"We have taken strong action to hold the IRGC to account and will continue to do so, while protecting the safety of Canadians and upholding the integrity of our immigration system.”
However, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said it was her “understanding” that Iranian football officials were denied entry into the country but added that the denial was “unintentional”.
“It’s not my personal lead, but my understanding is that there is a revocation of the permission. It was unintentional, but I’ll leave it to the minister to indicate,” Anand said, apparently referring to Immigration Minister Lena Diab.
Canada’s Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said he could not speak about specific cases due to privacy legislation, but IRGC members were not welcome in Canada.
The incident that occurred on Tuesday underscores the practical and political obstacles surrounding Iran’s participation in the World Cup, the most politically sensitive item on FIFA’s agenda since the US and Israel launched a war on Iran in February.
Iran’s qualification has not removed hurdles tied to travel, visas and security in a tournament staged in three countries.
While FIFA has insisted fixtures will proceed as scheduled, the delegation’s withdrawal deepens doubts over whether Iranian players, officials and supporters will be able to move freely across borders during the tournament.
FIFA has since contacted the Iranian delegation to express regret over the incident and indicated that President Gianni Infantino would arrange a meeting with them at the organisation’s headquarters, the Tasnim report added.
The FIFA Congress is usually a routine gathering, but carries greater weight this year with the World Cup less than two months away and several questions, including cost and Iran’s participation, still hanging over the first 48-team edition of the tournament.
The Iranian officials were also unable to attend Tuesday’s Asian Football Confederation congress, which was held in Vancouver.
- Reuters and The Associated Press
SIMEONE SLAPS AND SHOVES ARSENAL STAR IN TUNNEL BUST-UP AS ARTETA 'INCREDIBLY FUMING'
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| Diego Simeone gesticulates on the touchline for Atletico Madrid. |
Diego Simeone slapped and shoved Ben White in a tunnel bust-up as Arsenal drew 1-1 with Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.
Viktor Gyokeres gave Arsenal the lead from the spot after he was bundled over in the box by Dávid Hancko, before Julian Alvarez also converted a penalty to level the tie following a Ben White handball.
Arsenal will head into the second leg at the Emirates as strong favourites to prevail and reach the Champions League final, but can expect a nervy, tense affair in the return leg after the game at the Wanda Metropolitan threatened to boil over following an incident at half-time.
Tensions rose as White walked over Atletico’s badge and was taken to task by Giuliano Simeone for what was seen as a sign of disprespect.
Diego Simeone then pulled his son away before speaking to White, slapping him on the back multiple times and shoving the Arsenal defender.
White wasn’t happy with Atletico manager’s reaction and pushed back before a number of players and staff stepped in to separate the pair.
There was late controversy in the game when referee Danny Makkelie overturned his decision to award Arsenal another penalty for a Hancko foul on Eberechi Eze after being asked to consult his pitch-side monitor.
And Mikel Arteta revealed after the game why he was “absolutely fuming” with the incident.
“We were disappointed for the Atlético penalty,” Arteta said. “In the Premier League, it’s not a penalty but here I have to accept that with the rules and how consistent they’ve been, I accept that this is a handball.
“What I’m incredibly fuming with is how the hell the penalty on Ebs gets overturned in the manner that it happened when there is no clear and obvious error. This changes the course of the game. And at this level, I’m sorry but this cannot happen.
“A very clear explanation of the decision is what happens for a period of time [when] a referee has to watch it 13 times. What’s more clear than that? It’s impossible and we are all fuming about it. We need to apply the rules … [the way] they applied the rules on Ben White’s penalty.
“When you have fought so hard for nine months to be in this position … I mean, that’s another goal that changed completely the course of the tie. And it cannot happen. We put so much on it. So, so, so much on it. This cannot happen.
“There is clear contact. If you make that decision, you cannot overturn that decision. When you have to look at it 13 times … at this level it’s completely unacceptable.”
- Will Ford
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