Fans have reacted with fury and bemusement after Arsenal defender Gabriel avoided a red card against Brentford. The Brazil centre-back had been yellow carded earlier in the London derby, and was walking a disciplinary tight-rope when he brought down Dango Ouattara with a rash challenge, but he was not sent off.
Arsenal missed out on the chance to restore their six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table after being held to a 1-1 draw at Brentford on Thursday. Mikel Arteta's side, who were way off their best throughout a frustrating evening in west London, looked to have found a way to win when Noni Madueke headed home superbly just after the hour mark. But Keane Lewis-Potter produced his own exceptional header 19 minutes from time to earn the hosts a point they thoroughly deserved and put a dent in the Gunners' title hopes
Barcelona were thumped 4-0 by Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final on Thursday, as Diego Simeone's side ran riot against a truly dismal Blaugrana side. Hansi Flick's high line was exposed routinely and ruthlessly throughout a night that the Metropolitano faithful could barely believe.
Manchester United took one huge step towards a first-ever Women's Champions League quarter-final on Thursday, with goals from Elisabeth Terland, Melvine Malard and Julia Zigiotti Olme delivering a 3-0 win over Atletico Madrid in Spain. In their first foray in the competition proper, the Red Devils are all-but-in the last eight now, and set to meet Bayern Munich in the next round.
Former West Ham United striker Michail Antonio is in talks with Charlton Athletic over a potential return to football, per a new report from BBC Sport. The forward was forced to leave the Hammers after a car crash left him with multiple leg fractures.
Robbie Keane brushed off speculation linking him with the vacant Tottenham job and cut short a post-match interview after being asked whether he expected an approach from his former club. Spurs' dismissal of Thomas Frank has left officials scrambling for a replacement, with reports suggesting former boss Mauricio Pochettino is a top target, but would not join until after the World Cup.
Raheem Sterling opted to move to Feyenoord despite holding talks with Tottenham Hotspur over a shock move to north London, according to a new report. The ex-England international is seeking a fresh start in the Netherlands, but he had the opportunity to remain in the Premier League.
England have been handed a brutal draw on their return to the top table of Nations League football. The Three Lions will take on Spain, Croatia, and Czechia in what could be seen as a Group of Death for Thomas Tuchel's men, who will first attempt to win the World Cup this summer.
Manchester United have issued a statement insisting they are an "inclusive and welcoming club" after an intense backlash to co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe's comments on immigration. The INEOS founder claimed the United Kingdom had been "colonised by immigrants" in a rant he has since issued an apology for.
Roy Keane has delivered a withering assessment of Benjamin Sesko's fine finish for Manchester United against West Ham. The Slovenia international came off the bench to equalise in the 96th-minute, maintaining a five-game unbeaten run under interim manager Michael Carrick.
Raheem Sterling has joined Feyenoord as a free agent. The former Chelsea and Arsenal star has headed to the Netherlands to link up with Robin van Persie, who is currently managing the Dutch giants.
Nottingham Forest are closing in on their replacement for Sean Dyche, after sacking the former Burnley and Everton boss in the wake of their 0-0 draw with 20th-placed Wolves. The club are currently three points above the relegation zone with 12 games of the season remaining, and are now closing in on the appointment of Vitor Pereira, himself a previous manager of the Molineux club.
Cristiano Ronaldo continues to generate transfer talk in the Saudi Pro League at Al-Nassr, but the Portuguese GOAT has been informed that his next move “won’t be to Manchester United”. CR7 has previously taken in two spells at Old Trafford, but a third is being ruled out as the all-time great mulls over his future options at 41 years of age.
Michael Owen has told GOAL of the key striker decision that Thomas Tuchel must make when piecing together his England squad for the 2026 World Cup. Harry Kane, as captain of his country, is a guaranteed selection if fit. Questions continue to be asked of who should join the Three Lions’ all-time leading scorer in a star-studded party heading to North America.
United States star Catarina Macario reportedly has an offer on the table from three-time Champions League winners Barcelona, amid growing interest in her services from major clubs across Europe. Macario's contract with Chelsea expires at the end of the season and it has also been reported that she has turned down a new deal with the Blues, making her a figure of real interest as the summer transfer window approaches.
Real Madrid have been rocked by a fresh injury scare as Kylian Mbappe missed training for the second day running. The Frenchman is struggling with recurring knee discomfort ahead of Saturday’s clash with Real Sociedad. With a massive Champions League tie against Benfica on the horizon, manager Alvaro Arbeloa faces a nervous wait to see if his talisman will be fit to lead the line in the capital.
Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, who now plays in Spain for Villarreal, has been charged with two new counts of rape. The 32-year-old, who severed ties with the Gunners in the summer of 2025 when reaching the end of his contract and becoming a free agent, faces trial in November after denying allegations of raping two women and sexually assaulting a third.
Arne Slot is nursing another injury headache at Liverpool, with the Reds boss announcing that a knock sustained by Wataru Endo looks to be a “serious one”. It has been stated that the outlook “doesn’t look good” for the versatile Japan international. He was forced out of a Premier League clash with Sunderland and is facing up to a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Virgil van Dijk has issued a passionate plea to defensive partner Ibrahima Konate, urging the "world-class" centre-back to commit his future to Liverpool as his contract ticks down towards expiry. The Reds captain admits the negotiation process is "never easy" but insists the Frenchman is vital to Arne Slot’s vision, amid growing fears he could leave for free this summer.
So there we have it! The Sean Dyche era at Nottingham Forest is officially over - after just 114 days and a measly 18 Premier League games, with a 0-0 draw at home to rock-bottom Wolves proving the final straw. Dyche leaves the City Ground with the team sitting 17th in the table, just three points above the drop zone with 12 matches of the 2025-26 campaign remaining.
The father of Manchester City midfielder Rodri has provided a crucial update on his son's future at the Etihad Stadium, admitting that negotiations are ongoing while refusing to rule out a potential exit. With Real Madrid reportedly circling, the Ballon d'Or winner is facing a decisive summer as he battles to regain full fitness ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Tottenham are reportedly considering an interim appointment following their decision to sack Thomas Frank. A prominent managerial post has opened up again in north London, with Spurs hoping that Mauricio Pochettino - who is currently in charge of the USMNT - can be talked back to the Premier League. No deal can be done there until the summer, meaning that John Heitinga may be handed the reins on a short-term basis.
Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has issued a fresh statement to say he is "sorry if his choice of language has offended some people" following comments made about immigration. The INEOS chief has been criticised by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham after suggesting the UK has been “colonised” by migrants.
Real Madrid have been dealt a potentially crushing blow as reports suggest Jude Bellingham’s hamstring injury is worse than initially diagnosed. The England midfielder, who limped off against Rayo Vallecano, was expected to miss a month, but fresh concerns indicate he could be sidelined for double that time, leaving manager Alvaro Arbeloa short for the Champions League knockouts and crucial La Liga matches.
Endrick has learned his fate following a controversial dismissal during Lyon's narrow victory over Nantes last weekend. The Real Madrid loanee was initially shown a straight red card for lashing out at an opponent, but the LFP Disciplinary Committee has handed the teenager a significant lifeline by downgrading the offence, ensuring he returns to action far sooner than initially feared.
Michael Owen has explained to GOAL how Thomas Tuchel could work Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers into the same starting XI, rather than having to pick between two creative playmakers. The Three Lions are blessed with an abundance of options in the No.10 role, with the race on to nail down that berth ahead of a quest for global glory being opened this summer.
Paris Saint-Germain legend David Ginola has admitted it is largely impossible to compare the club from previous decades to today’s iteration of European champions, though conceded there is one main similarity. PSG finally won their first Champions League title at the end of last season, becoming only the second French side to lift the trophy, with a team featuring stars such as Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha. Ginola was speaking to GOAL at PSG's new 'La Maison' experience in at a townhouse in London. The hope is that a new audience will be able to discover the club's "creative universe" built around sport, culture and Parisian lifestyle.
Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has issued a defiant message to Barcelona, ruling out a summer exit for star forward Julian Alvarez. The Argentine World Cup winner has emerged as a top target for the Catalan giants as they hunt for Robert Lewandowski’s long-term successor, but the capital club have made it clear that their record signing is not for sale under any circumstances.