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Southampton forward Finn Azaz will continue to represent the Republic of Ireland despite reports that he may retire from international football. The 26-year-old told BBC Radio Solent, external that he would carry on playing for the country where he holds citizenship and has made 16 appearances since his debut in 2024. Azaz, who was born in England, represents Ireland through his father but also qualified for Israel through his mother. Azaz was an unused substitute when the Republic of Ireland met Israel in two recent Nations League matches - games that were embroiled in controversy - and reports afterwards suggested he could call time on his international career. The Republic of Ireland players faced calls to withdraw from the games due to the ongoing Israel-Gaza war. A campaign called "Stop The Game", organised by the pressure group Irish Sport for Palestine, staged protests before and during the Republic's game against Austria in Dublin, prior to their second match against Israel. However, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) decided to fulfil the fixtures, which had already been moved to neutral venues, with the Republic of Ireland winning the first match 3-0 before playing out a 1-1 draw. Ireland wore black armbands for the matches and bowed their heads when Israel's national anthem was played before kick-off, while the two teams did not shake hands. Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson said following the second match that the period had been "tough" on Azaz "mentally". "It is probably the most difficult situation for him of all of us," he said. "He deserves a lot of credit for being in the squad and showed desire to be a part of this team." Republic of Ireland denied by Israel in draw Republic of Ireland defeat Israel in Debrecen Azaz has had an impressive start to the campaign and has emerged as one of Southampton's most important players. Since signing from Middlesborough last summer, the Irishman has scored 14 goals with 15 assists having played 60 times. Azaz has called for more from the group as they push for promotion back to the Premier League. "It's been a good start by the team but we're not there yet," he told BBC Radio Solent. "There's still space to get to another level, we've been pretty consistent but it was never going to be the same as the end of last season straight away. "You have to build that mentality, it's now about us wanting to keep improving and not just being content with how we're doing. "We have high aspirations and the mindset has to be to keep getting better." Pre-match, post-match and topical Saints content Subscribe and listen for everything you love about the Saints

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Pascal Struijk’s red card has been so divisive that two independent panels have now disagreed over whether the Brighton defender deserved to be sent off, adding to the confusion of former Premier League referees and Sky Sports pundits. Struijk was dismissed for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity in the second half of Brighton's 2-0 win over Sunderland earlier this month when he was adjudged to have fouled Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor as he tried to latch onto a pass that ran through to goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. Neither referee Thomas Bramall nor his assistant gave a foul but VAR Neil Davies intervened and recommended an on-field review. Bramall watched several replays before changing his decision and showing Struijk a red card. However, Brighton appealed on grounds of wrongful dismissal and an independent regulatory commission, which is convened through the FA to consider disciplinary matters, overturned the red card and subsequent one-match ban. But disagreements over the decision have continued after the Key Match Incidents (KMI) panel voted 3-2 that the VAR intervention was correct. The Key Match Incidents (KMI) panel provides an independent assessment of key decisions in every Premier League match. It is an independent group of five members: three former players or coaches, one representative from the Premier League, and one from Pro Ref, the organisation responsible for refereeing in England. Two KMI panellists supported the on-field call, deeming it unlikely Isidor would get possession of the ball as it ran through to Verbruggen. The KMI panel ruled that Struijk committed a "cynical foul clearly impacting the attacker's ability to gain possession of the ball which should have been penalised by the referee". But two KMI panellists believed the VAR intervention was incorrect because it was subjective whether Isidor would have gained possession. The Premier League said the KMI panel and an independent regulatory commission can reach different conclusions because they are "entirely separate bodies with different purposes and processes". Red cards for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity are rare after a VAR review because they are so subjective. It happened only three times last season when Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai and Crystal Palace's Maxence Lacroix saw red, but Marcos Senesi escaped after referee Jarred Gillett rejected VAR advice that the then-Bournemouth defender should have been sent off. VAR is also operating with a "lighter-touch" approach this season to avoid re-refereeing on-field decisions, so former Premier League referee Mike Dean said it wasn't a clear mistake that needed rectifying. "I don't think it's a sending off, it's very harsh," he said. "There's a slight barge but the ball has gone through to the goalkeeper. Isidor is never going to get the ball, so the on-field decision is correct. "It's not clear and obviously wrong so why should the VAR get involved? It's a free-kick but not a red card. It's the wrong call." Dermot Gallagher, another ex-Premier League referee, felt the incident could be deemed a "possible" goal-scoring opportunity. "It's a foul. If the referee whistles at that point, pulls out a yellow card, and it all goes away," he said. "VAR got involved because they felt that the player would gain control of the ball. With the goalkeeper there, I wonder if it goes from obvious to a possible goalscoring opportunity. If it does, it's a yellow." Dawson said: "I wasn't sure whether Isidor was going to get the ball. "I'd have stayed with the on-field decision. It's not clear and obvious, it's subjective. If a red card was given on-field then no problem." Bothroyd added: "I think the keeper is getting there. At the bare minimum, the goalkeeper is competing. It is not obvious that Isidor is going to get there; I don't think it should be a red card."

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Former Georgia captain and Dundee midfielder Giorgi Nemsadze has died at the age of 54 of a heart attack. Dinamo Tbilisi, with whom he started and ended his playing career, made the announcement "with a heavy heart" on Facebook. Having previously played with Hamburg, Trabzonspor, Grasshoppers, Reggiana and Locomotive Tbilisi, Nemsadze joined Dundee in 2000, spending three years with the club, and earned 69 caps for his country. Giorgia's Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, has led the tributes, stating: "I express my deep sorrow over the death of Giorgi Nemsadze. This is a tremendous loss for Georgian football. 'Galvanised Dundee will shock more teams' "As the former captain of Georgia's national team, an outstanding professional and a leader with a fighting spirit, he successfully represented both the national team and Georgian and foreign clubs. "With his distinctive playing style and perseverance, he left a lasting mark on the history of Georgian sport." Nemsadze joined Dundee during the era of big-name signings, such as Argentina striker Claudio Caniggia, under manager Ivano Bonetti and was inducted into the Scottish Premiership club's hall of fame in 2010. He subsequently spent a year as Dinamo's sporting director before entering coaching with the country's youth players and managing Shevardeni Tbilisi, Dila Gori and Dinamo. Visit our Dundee page for all the latest news, analysis and fan views

UEFA Champions League·4–1

Matthijs de Ligt comes in for Manchester United, making his first appearance since November last year, as Michael Carrick makes four changes. Como make three changes, with Trevoh Chalobah missing out. Como: Butez; Yan Couto, Ramon, Kempf, Valle; Milla, Perrone; Da Cunha, Paz, Baturina; Douvikas. Subs: Ginelli, Sanchez, Caqueret, Dossena, Kaiki Bruno, Ricci, Smolcic, Liberali. Manchester United: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, De Ligt, Mazraoui; Andrey Santos, Tielemans; Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Mount; Mbeumo. Subs: Darlow, Heaton, Zirkzee, Diallo, Baleba, Thompson, Lacey, J Fletcher, T Fletcher, Amass, Kamason, Armer. Referee: Sven Jablonski (Germany).

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Now then, which one of you hipsters decided to put Porto 0-1 PSV on? Oh dear. This was another night of Bigger Cup at its Bigliest self, comebacks everywhere, 40 goals in nine games, six of those in a best-v-best clash as Paris Saint-Germain rallied late against Barcelona. Even in defeat, Lamine Yamal found space to decorate the room with a ludicrous toe-poke equaliser, and there was a wholesome tale in Italy as Scott McTominay scored twice for Napoli in their 4-3 win against Bodø/Glimt. These were his first strikes since returning from heart surgery, taking his tally at the club to 29 goals in 86 appearances. No wonder Erik ten Hag was peeved with his bosses at Manchester United for shipping the midfielder off to Naples. But even after all that, Football Daily feels hollow, as it does for most of Bigger Cup’s group stage. The absence of jeopardy in the 36-team table remains a sore point, as PSG magnificently demonstrated during their back-to-back title-winning campaigns. In 2024-25 they finished 15th, taking seven points from their first six games; in the old days this meant a third-place finish in your group and a humiliating retreat to Big Vase. In 2025-26 Luis Enrique’s side settled for 11th and, once again, embraced their punishment of an extra knockout round. To be fair, this season they look as if they want to put their feet up in February, sitting pretty at the top with three wins from three. Liverpool, too, would have been OK without a special night at home, having won their first two games, but try telling that to the Kop. They got the thrills of coming back from two goals down to beat Villarreal, under-the-pump Florian Wirtz hit the winner, and Rio Ngumoha received plenty of love. The visitors got the full Anfield experience, with Villarreal’s manager, Iñigo Pérez, confessing: “We weren’t able to handle the emotion.” Having said all that, try telling Michael Carrick that the match in Como doesn’t really matter, that it’s perfectly fine if his United side make it two wins in 11 games this season. Cesc Fàbregas’s side are the opposition, which should make you feel really, really old. The boy who infamously flung some pizza in an Old Trafford melee, splattering Sir Alex Ferguson, is enjoying himself on the touchline. All grown up, he could make life seriously messy for another Manchester United manager. Join Simon Burnton from 5.45pm BST for Como 6-4 Manchester United in Bigger Cup, while Scott Murray will be all over Bayern Munich 5-3 Arsenal and Sarah Rendell will be on hand for a clockwatch covering the night’s other goalfests. “Before ‌every game I asked God ‌to let me leave the pitch healthy. But it was in vain. Not much time has passed, yet one thought keeps circling in my head: ‘why me?’ I never held anything back. I think I prepared for this game better than I ever had before. I thought I was ready for everything – but not for this. I know I have to come back stronger for my people, who are ‌always by my side. I won’t let you down – I promise I won’t waste a single moment.” – Khvicha Kvaratskhelia vows to recover stronger after it was confirmed that the winger will have surgery following an ACL injury sustained during the 4-2 victory over Barcelona. Ousmane Dembélé and Marquinhos also suffered thigh tears that will keep them out for a few weeks. double quotation markOne has to admire the courage of Erik ten Hag, speaking out on Man United’s ‘toxic culture’ [yesterday’s Football Daily, full email edition]. I broke out in a cold sweat reading about how they ‘give power to the players’. The stuff of nightmares, really” – Rowan Sweeney. double quotation markRoberto De Zerbi wants Spurs to be a family (yesterday’s Football Daily)? And he thinks playing for or with a family will avoid relegation? Well, I have this uncle. He’s called Weird Uncle Fiver (now there’s a throwback – Football Daily Ed), and he loves to [snip – Football Daily lawyers, and time-travelling pedants]” – Mike Wilner. If you have any, please send letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s prizeless letter o’ the day goes to … Mike Wilner. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, are here . This is an extract from our daily football email … Football Daily. To get the full version, just visit this page and follow the instructions.

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The VAR who incorrectly awarded Erling Haaland's winner in last month's Manchester derby has been reinstated to Premier League duty. Matt Donohue and assistant Blake Antrobus failed to judge that Manchester City midfielder Enzo Fernandez was offside and interfering with play during the incident at Old Trafford on September 13. Donohue is set to return to the Premier League and will serve as assistant VAR when Coventry host Fulham on Saturday. He has not featured in any of the three match rounds since the incident, while Antrobus made his first appearance since the derby as an assistant referee for Newcastle's home fixture against Aston Villa last Saturday. Donohue has officiated in the EFL since the derby, refereeing Championship matches between Derby and Wrexham on October 10 and Southampton vs Bolton last weekend. Pro Ref's chief refereeing officer Howard Webb said Donohue developed "tunnel vision" by focusing on whether Haaland was offside, and added that the team around him should have helped pull him out of it. Sky Sports News reported United received an apology over the incorrect VAR decision. In the 59th minute, Haaland tapped in a cross to give 10-man Man City the lead, but the goal was ruled out on-field after the assistant referee signalled for offside on the striker. The semi-automated offside technology ruled Haaland onside, so the goal stood, but City midfielder Enzo Fernandez was clearly offside when he dived to reach the same cross. Although he didn't touch the ball, Fernandez's movement appeared to affect Man Utd's Lisandro Martinez's defending before Haaland's back-post finish, which, under the laws of the game, should have meant the goal was disallowed. In their post on X explaining why the goal was awarded, the Premier League Match Centre wrote: "VAR checked the referee's call of no goal for offside - and determined that Haaland was in an onside position and recommended that the goal was awarded. "The VAR also deemed that while in an offside position, Fernandez didn't play the ball." However, in a statement released hours after Man City's win, Pro Ref said it had contacted Man Utd to acknowledge an "error of judgment" and that the VAR "should have recommended an on-field review" for Haaland's winner. A Pro Ref spokesperson said: "Following the incident in the 60th minute of Sunday's Premier League fixture between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford, we can provide clarification regarding Erling Haaland's awarded goal. "The on-field decision was offside against Erling Haaland - that was checked by VAR and he was found to be in an onside position. "In the same attack, it was established that Enzo Fernandez did not play the ball and therefore that makes any offside offence subjective, however, on this occasion, the VAR did not recognise the likely impact of his position and should have recommended an on-field review. "Contact has been made with Manchester United this evening to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgement. A review of the incident will take place." On Match Officials Mic'd Up , Webb said he was "really disappointed" by the decision and added: "The on-field decision was not against Fernandez; it was against Haaland. When the VAR starts their check, they see that Haaland is actually onside by three centimetres. "The VAR gets super focused on Haaland. He establishes he is onside but when he runs it through the full APP (attacking possession phase), he doesn't truly evaluate the full impact of Fernandez. "In that moment, he gets tunnel vision but it is down to the rest of his team to pull him out of that tunnel but unfortunately, that did not happen on this occasion. This goal should have been disallowed." Assistant referee: " I'm going to go offside, Haaland." VAR: " Checking the on-field decision of offside against Haaland. He's tight. He's onside, so now we need to check the full attacking possession phase (APP). "Haaland's in an onside position, but I need to check the full APP. Go back to see if [Iliman] Ndiaye is onside when it is flicked. Yes. Go, go, go, so it should be a goal. "No touch there [from Enzo Fernandez], confirm no touch. Clear gap. It's not a touch there, is it? Goal. "Michael, confirming that you need to change your decision to goal. Haaland is in an onside position. Final decision is goal; check complete." "It's a really strange one. They'll recognise they got that wrong." "It seems to me they've become obsessed with Haaland being onside. They haven't gone into as much detail with Fernandez in the middle and understanding of his impact on it." "They got the Phil Foden decision wrong, and they got this decision wrong. How can you not say Enzo Fernandez is challenging for the ball? Of course he is. "I've been in that position as a defender where any slight movement can make the difference for going for the ball or not, so of course it affects him. They've got it so wrong." "Their line is good. Fernandez is offside, and he goes to play the ball, so United are getting punished for good defending."

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Teenager produced man-of-the-match performance against Villarreal and has learned from Salah, says Reds captain The shot sailed wide of Peter Gulacsi’s top corner and into the Kop, affording Villarreal much-needed respite at 4-2, but for Andoni Iraola it was a standout moment in a scintillating Champions League display from Rio Ngumoha. To a coach that called for versatility from all of his wingers this summer, here was a significant step forward among many from the 18-year-old at Anfield. There were questions over how Ngumoha would adapt to playing on the right even before Liverpool increased the likelihood by signing Bradley Barcola for £123m from Paris Saint-Germain. On his fifth start under Iraola on Tuesday, which his side ultimately won 4-3, Liverpool witnessed an answer: quickly, incisively and confidently. The teenager’s willingness to cut inside from the right and shoot from distance with the left foot captured Iraola’s imagination as much as the devastating run that created Alexis Mac Allister’s second goal of the game. “I’m happy with his attitude because he’s eager to improve the things that we think he needs to improve,” said the Liverpool head coach after the comeback win against their Spanish opponents. “He has played a lot on the right lately. He’s feeling so comfortable now that he’s even adding some shots with the left. He hasn’t scored but he’s getting there, and if he can add these small things to his game it will put him in an even better position.” Ngumoha’s 71st-minute attempt was reminiscent of Mohamed Salah in its intent, if not in execution. The Liverpool great’s final season at Anfield may have been the exception to the exceptional in terms of his own contribution but, as an education to a gifted and hungry young winger, it was not wasted. As Virgil van Dijk noted that “a few senior players” have taken Ngumoha under their wing: “I would say Cody [Gakpo] is definitely part of that. Everyone is chipping in but for him to work with Mo last year was obviously massive. Mo was one of the best wingers at the club and experienced everything so why not soak in all the information and show it on the pitch and show your own qualities? I think he has shown it this season but there is still much more to come. He’s pretty electric at times and he showed it again. He was a complete threat constantly and their defender had a tough time.” The Salah comparison was not the only throwback for Liverpool against Villarreal. It was a flawed performance with Van Dijk’s early mistake, Iraola’s initial formation and Liverpool’s lethargy on the ball all punished by Iñigo Pérez’s slick side. “It was a terrible start,” conceded the Liverpool captain. “I think the saying is you fight an uphill battle and as a defender it is pretty difficult to come back from it. I tried but it was a bad day at the office personally but we do it together with 11 players. We turned it around and that’s the main thing.” The rousing recovery, the relentless high press, Iraola’s bold changes and the character required to overturn a 2-0 deficit all carried echoes of the Jürgen Klopp era. Given that was where Liverpool wished to return when replacing Arne Slot with the Basque coach this summer, Iraola’s 11th game in charge showed development is not confined only to Ngumoha. Van Dijk said: “If you look at it from that perspective, it is like that. We train a lot, tactically as well, but because there are so many games you learn playing games and this was a test in that sense because Villarreal were good on the ball. They also rotated a lot so you have to find moments when you can press them and when you can win the ball high. “Is this squad used to that [pressing style] because I don’t think many players have been part of that? What the manager wants us to do is something which resonates with Liverpool and it is down to us to show it in each and every game. It’s not easy, it’s demanding, but if you want to win games and win games in the Liverpool way then we have to do it. The first half was obviously not good at all and the second half was solid and we turned it around and that’s a good sign. Now we have to get ready for Brighton, a super team, which is coming.”

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The cacophony of boos that greet the Premier League and Champions League anthems before kick-off have now become a fixture at the Etihad Stadium. The jeers from Manchester City fans were turned up a notch against Ipswich last Saturday when the side played their first home game since being found guilty of breaching the Premier League's financial rules. "I can't remember a Premier League or Champions League home game where the anthems haven't been booed," City season-ticket holder Dave Wilson told BBC Sport. The pre-match dissatisfaction towards top-flight chiefs can likely be traced back to February 2023, when the 115 charges for breaching the rules were first announced. Later that same year, Everton had 10 points - reduced to six on appeal - deducted after being found to have broken profit and sustainability rules. In their first game back after the sanction, Toffees fans displayed their ire at Goodison Park by loudly booing the league's pre-match anthem as well as holding up red cards with the word 'corrupt' printed underneath the Premier League logo. Though City supporters did not organise a similar display, their anger was clear. "The Premier League anthem has been booed by City fans for many years," said Wilson. "It was probably heightened on Saturday because it was the first home game since the [guilty verdict] announcement. "There hasn't been much love lost between City and the Premier League for a long time. For certain games it will be louder than others, it definitely wasn't co-ordinated for that [Ipswich] game but a symptom of everything coming together." There was audible booing before Tuesday's Champions League fixture against AEK Athens too. No Haaland, no problem - can Foden be Man City's alternative goalscorer? City fans' displeasure towards Uefa goes back even further, there being a litany of disputes with Europe's top brass. In 2012, Porto were handed a fine, external of around £17,000 by Uefa after City made a complaint of racial abuse towards striker Mario Balotelli to the organising body. In that same season, City were given a fine, external of around £24,000 for being one minute late back on to the pitch for the second half of a game against Sporting. In 2014, Uefa fined City £49m and capped their squad size for the Champions League after they failed Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules. Six years later, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) overturned City's two-year ban from European club competitions after clearing them of "disguising equity funds as sponsorship contributions" - Uefa initially ruled City had committed "serious breaches" of FFP regulations between 2012 and 2016. Wilson adds: "City fans generally feel there is a conspiracy against them, like the booing of the Uefa anthem too. There is a feeling of being targeted, rightly or wrongly. "City fans just don't seem to like the competitions we play in!" City and their supporters are currently in limbo as they await the outcome of the appeal and any potential sanctions. The side are currently top of the table having won all seven league games so far and that 100% record will be given a stern examination with a difficult trip to Aston Villa on Saturday (kick-off 12:30 BST). Nick Clarke is interim chair of The Citizens Trust - Manchester City supporters' union, a member-led trust that was set up earlier this year at a time when the "potential biggest issue affecting City fans in the club's history" had transpired. Though it has been a "difficult time", fans are "completely behind the team" and he says his job is to ensure their views are heard amid the external noise. "The booing of the anthem on Saturday was totally organic," says Clarke. "Whereas the bananas at Liverpool was a fan-led initiative co-ordinated by the 1894 atmosphere group and they did great work handing those out before the game. "Even though there are fans who are conflicted about what has happened with the club, there is still a general feeling among the majority [of City fans] that the Premier League is not fit for purpose in regulating itself and how it is ran." Whatever the outcome of the appeal, City fans are likely to continue making their feelings clear before kick-off.

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Barcelona have reported Paris St-Germain to Uefa after a tifo featuring a message which they say "incites violence and hatred in sport" was displayed ahead of Tuesday's Champions League match. Ahead of kick-off at Parc des Princes, PSG fans behind one of the goals unveiled a banner featuring a masked figure in a PSG shirt destroying the Barcelona badge with a chainsaw. Underneath the image, in French, were the words "massacre, Parisian style". Banners featuring explicit messages were also on display during the match, with Barcelona "strongly" condemning the actions of PSG's supporters. Barcelona lost 4-2 in the French capital after previously winning their opening two Champions League matches. In a statement, Barcelona told BBC Sport: "The club strongly condemns the incidents that took place when the tifo was displayed in the stands, including the images of a blood-covered chainsaw attacking the Barca crest. "These images were deeply disturbing and conveyed a message that incites violence and hatred in sport. "We consider this kind of imagery and language unacceptable as it goes against the values of respect, fair play and sportsmanship that should be upheld in football. "We believe that football should be a space for healthy rivalry, mutual respect, and passion for the game, free from messages that promoted hatred or violence." Under article 16 of Uefa's disciplinary regulations, the "use of gestures, words, objects, or any other means to transmit a provocative message that is not fit for a sports event" can result in disciplinary measures, including a fine of 10,000 euros (£8,381) for a first offence. BBC Sport has contacted Uefa and PSG for comment. PSG's Kvaratskhelia to have surgery on ruptured ACL Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast

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New Walsall goalkeeper Jed Ward is producing "Premier League" contributions with both his hands and feet, according to his dazzled manager and team-mates. The 23-year-old has kept eight clean sheets in 13 games in all competitions - making a string of superb saves in the process - since joining the Saddlers from hometown club Bristol Rovers for an undisclosed fee in the summer. And he added another string to his bow with an outrageous assist in Tuesday's 3-0 League Two win over Oldham Athletic - pinging a pin-point 50-yard low through-ball for Tai Sodje to score the Saddlers' opener. "The pass from Jed is different level - I was shouting at him to play Tai in, but I didn't think he'd do it in that way," said impressed Walsall top-scorer Aaron Pressley. "It was Premier League stuff, that." Ward leads League Two in percentage of shots saved - 86% with 43 stops from 50 efforts on target faced, which is almost four saves a game on average. Only Swindon's Connor Ripley (58) has made more saves while Exeter goalkeeper Jack Bycroft (seven) is the only keeper to have kept more League Two clean sheets than Ward's six. He has spent much of the past two seasons on loan at National League clubs Yeovil and Forest Green, but did make 18 League One appearances for Bristol Rovers in 2024-25. In addition to his unexpected assist, Ward made three stops at key moments of Tuesday's game to continue to delight Saddlers boss Lee Grant, himself a former goalkeeper for Sheffield Wednesday, Burnley and Derby during his playing days. "In terms of what he's bringing at the moment, [Jed] is very, very high level," Grant told BBC Radio WM. "There's a big save at 0-0, a big save at 1-0. There's an incredible assist, then there's distribution in the second half which is just so well thought-out and executed. His level of performance has been so high." Grant: 'We got to see both sides of the group' Pressley: 'One of our best performances' Walsall's collective level of performance under new boss Grant - with a largely overhauled squad - has been just as high as their last line of defence. After 11 games, they are the only unbeaten team remaining in the EFL, although a surplus of draws compared to wins - seven to four - means they only sit fourth. Two goals from Pressley, including one from the penalty spot, after Sodje's opener, comfortably saw off Oldham despite Walsall playing the final half hour with 10 men after Elicha Ahui's red card. "We got to see both sides of the group - we got to see a team that was really going after the game in the first half, dominated and controlled large parts," added Grant. "Then we got to see the other side of the group which is becoming a clear trend in terms of the character, the fight and the determination and I think in some ways that feels sweeter." Walsall have led League Two at Christmas in both of the past two seasons, only to fall away and fail to gain promotion on either occasion. Pressley, who joined in the summer of 2025 and was part of last season's slide, has already overtaken his goal tally from last term with eight so far - including seven in the league. Both he and his manager, however, pointed to Walsall's strength in depth - Grant has regularly tinkered with his starting XI, never fielding an unchanged side despite their solid results - as a beacon of hope they can last the course this time. "I've just trusted my whole group," said Grant. "So, for the long run, it's good to have this sort of depth and be able to utilise that." Pressley added: "We made four changes on Tuesday and that's the strength of the squad. The players coming on have been outstanding and the way we can change the team from game to game is such a strength." Arguably, Walsall's biggest test of their unbeaten start will come in their next home game when they host leaders Salford on Monday. "Obviously it's quite a big game next Monday, but we just need to focus on what we can control in a way on the training pitch and prepare properly," Pressley added. "That should put us in a good place for next week." Pre-match, post-match and topical Saddlers content Subscribe and listen for everything you love about Walsall

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He presented several arguments after Portugal walkout Inquiry chose to halve, then halve again his punishment Cristiano Ronaldo successfully fought to reduce his punishment for walking out on a Portugal training camp, after publicly saying his sanction should be imposed “without mitigating circumstances”. Ronaldo said in a lengthy statement on social media after he left the camp in Denmark last month that he should be punished as the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) saw fit and that his role as captain constituted “an aggravating factor”. However, during the disciplinary council’s inquiry the 41-year-old put forward several arguments for cutting his punishment, including his clean disciplinary record in recent seasons and his services to football. Ronaldo received a 30-day suspension and €255 (£215) fine, and the document accompanying the ruling reveals he presented three arguments in mitigation: his disciplinary record this season and in the previous three seasons, his services to football including recognition for sporting merit, and his contribution to establishing the facts of the case. To support these arguments, Ronaldo listed the club titles he has won and his achievements with the national team: the 2016 European Championship and two Nations League titles. His individual awards were also highlighted, including the fact that the Al-Nassr forward has won the Ballon d’Or five times. Beyond his achievements on the pitch, he mentioned the honours he had received from senior state officials. The decision-makers accepted Ronaldo’s arguments concerning his achievements and services to the country, using them to halve his suspension and fine. The punishment was then halved again because Ronaldo had accepted responsibility for his actions. Ronaldo’s suspension will be served in a period during which there are no international matches. It is unclear whether he intends to return to the national team – or whether the coach, Jorge Jesus, will select him again. The account of events provides a clearer picture of the circumstances surrounding Ronaldo’s departure from the training camp. After head coach Jesus held a press conference in which he reiterated that he was in charge of the team and that no player would influence his selection decisions, Ronaldo requested a vehicle from the FPF and set off for Copenhagen airport. During the journey, he called the Portuguese federation’s president, Pedro Proença, and told him he was “not in the right frame of mind” to remain with the team. “The defendant [Ronaldo] did not inform or provide prior justification to the federation or the men’s national team officials regarding his intention to leave the stadium and the training camp,” the ruling states. It says that between 30 September and 4 October, Ronaldo missed more than 30 team activities, including travel, training sessions and meals. The federation says that Ronaldo’s promise on social media, after leaving the training camp, to tell his fans “the whole truth” brought further negative attention to the incident: “Given his prominence as a public figure on a global scale, the defendant could not have been unaware that his conduct, in the circumstances in which it occurred, would be subject to intense media scrutiny, as indeed it was.” Ronaldo was therefore “expected to exercise particular caution in choosing the timing and manner in which he expressed his dissatisfaction with the manager’s decisions and conduct”. Instead, the player “further fuelled speculation and public curiosity by posting on Instagram on the very day he left Copenhagen, announcing that, ‘in due course’, he would tell ‘all Portuguese people the truth about the reasons that led to his departure from the men’s senior national team’,” the inquiry concluded. Portugal are scheduled to play Denmark again in their next game on 14 November in Braga.

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In the Championship, League One and League Two, clubs must have a minimum of eight homegrown players registered in their squad. For a league game in the EFL, clubs must name at least seven homegrown players in their matchday squad. A homegrown player is someone who has been registered with either their current club, or any English or Welsh club, for a period of three seasons or 36 months prior to either their 21st birthday, or the end of the season that the player in question turns 21. These rules are only enforced in league matches and are not enforced by the EFL for the FA Cup, EFL Cup or EFL Trophy. The Premier League operates its own separate system of rules on squad lists and homegrown players. An example of the rule classifying players as homegrown, despite not being English or Welsh, can be seen in Watford's recent 2-0 win over Charlton Athletic. Watford defenders Mattie Pollock and Marc Bola were the only players who are listed as English in the Hornets matchday squad. However, Hector Kyprianou (Cyprus), Jordan Zemura (Zimbabwe), Daniel Bachmann (Austria), Stephy Mavididi (Democratic Republic of Congo) and Amin Nabizada (Afghanistan), who all represent other countries for international games, are classed as homegrown due to where they played their club football as youth players. Once an EFL club has submitted its squad list following the conclusion of the summer transfer window, each club is required to list at least one club-developed player per match on its squad list or team sheet. For any match in which a club fails to do so, they are permitted one fewer player on their bench for the game. In the Championship, that would mean eight substitutes instead of nine, and in League One and League Two, it would result in six substitutes instead of seven. Players aged under 21 do not count towards squad lists across all three EFL leagues, while goalkeepers are not included in the squad lists for League One and League Two. This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team. This question is from James in London.

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The Swede’s team are second in the NWSL and hope to create special memories at their Snapdragon Stadium “I love the ocean,” Jonas Eidevall says, and he references walks along the beach at Del Mar. “People are very relaxed, life is lived at a slower pace here. I’m a very simple person. I like to read a book, go to the gym and spend time with my wife and kids, that’s sort of all I need.” The former Arsenal head coach is reveling in a calmer world as the head coach of San Diego Wave but it is not merely the beaches that are lowering his stress levels; his team are on a five-game winning streak in the NWSL and sit second in the NWSL, one point off top spot, with two matches to go before the playoffs. Winning feels good and the club are targeting silverware, as he tells the Guardian: “It would mean everything. There are no guarantees in the playoffs, but the exciting part is saying: ‘We can also go all the way’ – that’s a possibility for us and we need to believe.” Success did not originally look destined, when the Swede took charge 21 months ago, at a time when San Diego Wave were enduring something of an exodus of senior players; the United States defender Abby Dahlkemper’s sale to Bay FC in August 2024 and Alex Morgan’s retirement a month later were followed by the USA forward Jaedyn Shaw’s departing for North Carolina Courage and her international teammate Naomi Girma joining Chelsea in January 2025. A reconstruction was needed. That is why, on a video call that winter, when Eidevall spoke to his players for the first time after taking charge, he began by quoting a proverb: if you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together. “My ideas are not worth anything if we don’t believe and buy into them altogether,” he says. “We focused everything on just building connections as human beings.” Detailed tactical discussions were initially kept to a minimum. They spent – as he recalls – around four weeks of their six-week pre-season focusing entirely on passing out from the back, to develop their style. Fast forward to the present day and it has paid off, with the Wave defenders Kristen McNabb and Kennedy Wesley being the division’s top two players for passes completed this season. More notable, though, has been the development of young players, such as the 18-year-olds Melanie Barcenas and Kimmi Ascanio. “From 2024, when the club was not performing well on the pitch and it led to a complete rebuild, we had to find an edge, finding players that could fit into the way we wanted to play,” Eidevall says. “Back then [it] was a bit different to many other teams in the league, because the NWSL was seen as being dominated by athleticism and transitional play, which obviously then requires really fast players and maybe didn’t put a premium on technical supremacy.” He adds that the club therefore eyed players who are “really, really good technically. We had some young, talented players already – that has given us a really good advantage because we’ve been able to develop players in a salary cap league. That’s huge, because if you only buy readymade players, you will run out of salary cap space pretty quickly.” It is not just the salary cap that differs in the NWSL, compared to Eidevall’s previous jobs at Arsenal and Rosengård. The broad competitiveness of the American league means that, despite being second in the table, San Diego have lost almost as many games this season as Eidevall’s Arsenal across three English campaigns, and he says: “This was new for me. [In] European leagues the top teams very rarely go two games in a row without winning. Here, even the team that wins the league might go through spells where they don’t pick up points, so the way you handle those moments becomes very important. “Training [here] is also a challenge – sometimes it’s very hard to get 22 players because you have a limited roster size. The moment you start to have injuries … there’s no real second-team academy system like we have in Europe, where you can always have the numbers that you want. Here you might not, here you would like to do something 11 v 11, but you have 18 players and you just have to be creative with how you coach.” Trying to play entertaining football has been a target in a campaign during which they have already set new club records for regular-season wins and goals scored. They have done it with the second-highest average possession share in the division, more shots on target than any other team and while facing by far the fewest shots on target. “That’s the most pleasing part, results through an identity rather than getting results the other way around,” Eidevall says. “The identity we have is to allow the players to be creative.” We are speaking around two years after Eidevall resigned as Arsenal’s head coach on 15 October 2024, following a disappointing start to that season. In his three full campaigns at the helm in north London he had won two League Cups, reached a Champions League semi-final and secured a second-placed top-flight finish in 2022 – but was unable to win the WSL. Reflecting on what he learned from that spell, he says: “We had a lot of fluidity with how our wide players could play in Arsenal, which at times created too few central options. So, how do we get better central connections? How do we get more players central on the pitch? That was a long-term reflection on my time at Arsenal. And that’s also led to some tactical changes that we’ve done here with San Diego.” There is an aspect of his Arsenal tenure that he is determined to take inspiration from at San Diego, with his team having secured a home playoff quarter-final at their 35,000-seater Snapdragon Stadium. The 43-year-old fondly remembers the first sellout crowd for a women’s match at Arsenal’s 60,000-seater Emirates Stadium, for their Champions League semi-final against Wolfsburg in 2023: “We want to sell out Snapdragon Stadium and in order to do so we need to do exactly what we were doing at Arsenal – we need to create special experiences at the stadium,” he says. “That is what’s going to draw people into there. Yes, play exciting football, but we also need to play games that mean a lot to be there. The ripple effect of that, that’s so big.”

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City behaved much like other top clubs but their rule-breaking deserves to be punished. The Bundesliga, where members have a controlling stake, can show the way forward Do we have to reassess Manchester City now? In my columns, I have repeatedly engaged with this club and its key figures. Looking back at what I have written over the years, I believe it remains beyond question that the team have achieved greatness. I always loved watching them: they were a true unit on the pitch, a finely tuned orchestra. I would also write all over again that the conductor, Pep Guardiola, masters his craft like few others. I could recognise his teams even if they were wearing the wrong shirts and the game was broadcast in black and white – by the passes, the distances between the players and the intelligence of their interplay. It is no wonder Guardiola inspires others to become managers; look at Vincent Kompany, Mikel Arteta, Enzo Maresca, and perhaps some time Ilkay Gündogan and Rodri. As a player and a columnist, I never had an issue with Manchester City. Precisely because, for many years, the club avoided buying the most obvious superstars. Guardiola said it himself: the most valuable of the valuable do not go to a club like City, who aren’t even the biggest football brand in their own home town. Many became world stars in Manchester. Kevin De Bruyne had been discarded by Chelsea, Rodri’s true class was overlooked in Madrid for a long time, Gündogan’s career was on the brink after injuries, and most recently Gianluigi Donnarumma was no longer wanted in Paris. In Germany, City signed players from Hamburg, Frankfurt and Wolfsburg. Erling Haaland in 2022 was the first player they targeted who was also pursued by Bayern Munich. City did not operate like Paris Saint-Germain did in the era before Luis Enrique. From the outside, City fundamentally did not do much differently from the other 10 or so top European clubs. But what are achievements on the pitch worth if they are accompanied by rule-breaking? The club has been found guilty of breaching the Premier League’s financial regulations between 2009 and 2018. It allegedly invested almost €1bn more than allowed and declared. The league leaders face potential forced relegation or having titles stripped. City continue to deny wrongdoing and are appealing against the decision. It is right for the Premier League to crack down on unfair competition. I also appreciate that Germany is holding on to the 50+1 rule, which the federal cartel office recently upheld. It ensures that the majority of voting rights must remain with the parent club – the non-profit section of a professional club. The exceptions that have applied to Leverkusen and Wolfsburg are under review. The bedrock of our football culture is 50+1. This rule exists only in Germany, yet it speaks to a spirit that fits perfectly with the European sports model: 50+1 maintains a balance; on the one hand it allows for investment, on the other it guarantees participation. It strengthens the rights of members and fans. Perhaps it is because of this rule that the average attendance in Germany is higher than anywhere else in the world. What is the ultimate purpose of football? It is a business, but its infrastructure is still developed by the general public. That is how I have always understood sport. Even as a professional, it was clear to me that my privileged life was made possible by many people working on a voluntary basis. Through my role as tournament director of the European Championship, these political connections have become even clearer to me. The stadium and football clubs can remain the final places where people gather and society debates its issues only if the elite and the grassroots stay connected, and the public is involved in the process. Football must not be detached from its roots, as was the case with Manchester City. This becomes possible when rules are enforced by an institution. Ideally, not by a commercial entity but by a non-profit one such as Uefa. In business, as in politics, I am observing a shift in mindset. Today, it is deemed necessary to invest in non-profit institutions. More and more companies realise that football allows for a genuine exchange with the population – that it provides the perfect vehicle to set up corporate social responsibility projects. This is what is needed in these politically turbulent times. In our fragmented world, political parties, churches and the media have lost credibility. In sport, however, people still come together. It is a tool to foster social cohesion. Therefore, I consider 50+1 to be a distinct competitive advantage for the Bundesliga. I also welcome the fact that rules mean something in another case. Uefa is standing firm against Gianni Infantino, who recently wanted to privatise the World Cup and its profits. Along with his friend Donald Trump, he was seen by many as breaking the normal rules when Folarin Balogun’s suspension was lifted. The outcry from the global football community was loud, and it is possible that the Fifa president will fall. When behaviour like that in Manchester and at Fifa is punished, it is a good thing. Football must prevent questionable ideas from distancing it even further from its grassroots. Only then can it drive engagement in civil society, and only then can it strengthen Europe. Philipp Lahm’s column was produced in partnership with Oliver Fritsch at the German online magazine Die Zeit.

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Paris Saint-Germain winger Kvicha Kvaratskhelia is set to have surgery after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the French club have confirmed. The 25-year-old, who was named the Champions League's best player last season, was injured in Tuesday's 4-2 home win over Barcelona. The European champions have said Kvaratskhelia will have an operation "in the coming days" but gave no timeline for his recovery. The injury raises serious concerns over whether Kvaratskhelia will play again this season, but he will definitely miss PSG's Champions League trip to Aston Villa on December 8. Kvaratskhelia has been nominated for the 2026 Ballon d'Or after a stellar campaign last season as he helped PSG earn back-to-back Champions League titles as well as Ligue 1 glory. The Georgia captain's injury setback is a major blow for PSG, who are in pursuit of a third straight Champions League crown. Kvaratskhelia has emerged as one of the world's leading forwards since joining the French champions from Napoli for £59m plus add-ons in January 2025. PSG also lost Ousmane Dembele , the reigning Ballon d'Or holder, and captain Marquinhos to injury against Barca. The French club's statement says both players have thigh injuries and "will remain under treatment for the next few weeks". Another key player, Nuno Mendes , is also injured after missing the win over the Spanish champions following an injury in PSG's Ligue 1 win at Strasbourg on Saturday. PSG have been in scintillating form in Europe this season since defending their title in May, beating Manchester City and Barcelona by the same 4-2 scoreline this month. Luis Enrique's side are top of the 36-team league table after three wins from three, while they sit second in Ligue 1, level on points with leaders Lyon. PSG paid a high price for Tuesday's thrilling Champions League win over Barcelona, losing captain Marquinhos, Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to injury. Unfortunately for the latter, his season is over. Not only is that a massive shame for the supremely talented Georgian, but a significant blow to PSG and fans of football more broadly. Kvaratskhelia is the type of player you happily pay to watch, whether you have an affinity to PSG or not. He's played a key role for the double European champions over the past two seasons, including 16 goal involvements last year, and has earned a place on the Ballon d'Or shortlist - the recipient of the prize will be confirmed on Monday. PSG of course have plenty of talent to cover the 25-year-old's absence. Desire Doue is doing marvellous things this season and I also like what Maghnes Akliouche offers. But this is a setback for Luis Enrique. It won't end PSG's chances of a famous European three-peat. But it makes the task much harder.