{"data":[{"id":"feed-1a0ab7901d7da8047a552505","slug":"feed-1a0ab7901d7da8047a552505-bradford-reluctantly-let-preston-talk-to-alexander","title":"Bradford 'reluctantly' let Preston talk to Alexander","excerpt":"Bradford City \"reluctantly\" give Championship strugglers Preston permission to speak to boss Graham Alexander about their managerial vacancy.","content":"Bradford City have \"reluctantly\" given Championship strugglers Preston North End permission to speak to boss Graham Alexander about their managerial vacancy.\n\nPaul Heckingbottom was sacked after two years in charge of North End earlier this month following six defeats in their opening seven league games.\n\nAlexander, 54, had two spells at Deepdale as a player and made 372 league appearances for the club.\n\nHe had a five-game spell in caretaker charge in 2011-12 before ending his playing career with the Lilywhites at the end of that season, aged 40.\n\n\"Bradford City AFC can confirm we have been approached by Preston North End to speak to Graham Alexander regarding the Championship side's managerial vacancy,\" the Bantams said in a statement. , external\n\n\"Reluctantly, Bradford City has granted permission for Graham to speak to Preston North End.\"\n\nBBC Radio Lancashire reports that Preston are down to their final two candidates for the role.\n\nThe Bantams are top of League One with five wins from their first seven games of the season.\n\nAlexander took over at Valley Parade in November 2023 and led them to promotion from League Two in his first full season in charge.\n\nThey finished fourth in League One in 2025-26 before losing to Bolton Wanderers in the play-offs.\n\nThe former Scotland international, who has also had spells in charge of Fleetwood, Scunthorpe, Salford, Motherwell and MK Dons, is contracted to the club until the end of next season.\n\nPreston are second bottom of the Championship with four points from eight matches and host Millwall in their first game after the international break on Saturday, 10 October.","status":"published","imageUrl":"https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/branded_sport/1024/cpsprodpb/7ae7/live/30e233e0-b819-11f1-b19f-05e2dfdadad2.jpg","sourceUrl":"https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/ckzdzm01ymdzo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","sourceLocale":"en","sourceProvider":"BBC Sport Football","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-09-24T14:47:00Z","publishedAt":"2026-09-24T14:47:00Z","createdAt":"2026-09-24T15:11:20.631507Z","updatedAt":"2026-09-24T15:11:20.631507Z","translationCount":0,"manualOverrideCount":0,"mirroredAssetsCount":0,"hasSyncedSnapshot":true,"hasManualOverrides":false},{"id":"feed-bfc13952c3b3e06b670f5552","slug":"feed-bfc13952c3b3e06b670f5552-drinking-at-football-matches-would-fans-welcome-it","title":"Drinking at football matches - would fans welcome it?","excerpt":"Andy Burnham has long championed a repeal of the ban which prevents football supporters from drinking alcohol in the view of the pitch. But do fans even want it?","content":"When UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham embarked on his trip to the United Nations in New York, he might not have been expecting a question about football fans drinking alcohol in grounds.\n\nBurnham firmly believes the law that prevents supporters from having a beer at their seat during a match is outdated.\n\nIt's a position the Everton supporter has long held, and when asked was happy to reaffirm.\n\n\"I do believe there is a case to remove that discrimination,\" said Burnham, who feels football fans are singled out compared to those of other sports and events.\n\nThere is no suggestion this is about to become official government policy, and last year MPs rejected a Conservative amendment to the Football Governance Bill that would have forced ministers to launch a formal consultation on scrapping the rule.\n\nThat was, of course, before Burnham returned to Downing Street.\n\nIt is a complicated and divisive issue, about not just safety. But is it something that match-going supporters actually want?\n\nDrinking alcohol at football grounds in England and Wales has been strictly controlled since the Sporting Events Control of Alcohol Act was introduced in 1985.\n\nIt was brought in to counter escalating hooliganism through the 1970s and into the 1980s.\n\nThe ban impacts clubs in the Premier League down to the National League. While beer can be sold, it must be consumed in areas that do not have a view of the pitch.\n\nYet fans who support teams in the National League North and South and below can drink alcohol around the pitch.\n\nThe ban is more strict in Scotland, with a law in place since 1981 that alcohol is only available in hospitality areas and not for other fans.","status":"published","imageUrl":"https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/branded_sport/1024/cpsprodpb/3d61/live/70189f60-b812-11f1-9172-17f860da9de7.jpg","sourceUrl":"https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cq1kx140gwlzo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","sourceLocale":"en","sourceProvider":"BBC Sport Football","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-09-24T14:09:46Z","publishedAt":"2026-09-24T14:09:46Z","createdAt":"2026-09-24T14:26:14.73819Z","updatedAt":"2026-09-24T15:11:14.190751Z","translationCount":0,"manualOverrideCount":0,"mirroredAssetsCount":0,"hasSyncedSnapshot":true,"hasManualOverrides":false},{"id":"feed-28de46151e69be81150ca2f0","slug":"feed-28de46151e69be81150ca2f0-is-this-really-the-premier-league-s-bermuda-triangle","title":"Is this really the Premier League's 'Bermuda Triangle'?","excerpt":"Do the stats back the social media meme that Bournemouth, Brighton and Brentford form a Premier League 'Bermuda Triangle' where teams lose points?","content":"It's the place where points are lost and never to be seen again, according to a popular social media meme.\n\nDraw a line from Brighton to Bournemouth to Brentford and back down to Brighton again and you will have formed the Premier League's very own \"Bermuda Triangle\".\n\nThose three clubs have developed a reputation for taking points off the traditional Big Six - Arsenal , Chelsea , Liverpool , Manchester City , Manchester United and Tottenham .\n\nRecent results have only fuelled the narrative and helped to push the tongue-in-cheek theory.\n\nOn Friday night, Brentford beat Chelsea 3-0 . Less than 24 hours later, B righton outclassed champions Arsenal , albeit by the same scoreline - though it was a victory that could arguably have been even more emphatic had David Raya not produced a couple of smart saves.\n\nBournemouth , meanwhile, pushed Liverpool all the way before falling to a gritty 1-0 defeat, with Alisson forced into a brilliant recovery stop to deny the Cherries an early opener.\n\nThose are the sort of performances that stick in supporters' minds and help explain why the theory has taken hold.\n\nSince the start of the 2024-25 season, Brighton have been the best-performing non-traditional Big Six side against Arsenal , Chelsea , Liverpool , Man City, Manchester United and Spurs, taking 42 points from 26 games - an average of 1.62 points per match.\n\nThe Cherries are not far behind, collecting 35 points from 26 matches, or 1.35 points per game.\n\nBrentford , however, have taken 22 points from 26 matches, averaging 0.85 points per game. Newcastle (1.46), Nottingham Forest (1.46) and Aston Villa (1.38) have all matched or outperformed the Bees against the traditional Big Six over the same period.\n\nIn other words, the clubs most commonly grouped together by the meme have produced very different levels of success against elite opposition.\n\nBrighton and Bournemouth have consistently taken points off the Premier League's heavyweights. Brentford 's record is less convincing.","status":"published","imageUrl":"https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/branded_sport/1024/cpsprodpb/ecfe/live/925d3e30-b81e-11f1-b19f-05e2dfdadad2.jpg","sourceUrl":"https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c39w40g8n59yo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","sourceLocale":"en","sourceProvider":"BBC Sport Football","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-09-24T13:27:39Z","publishedAt":"2026-09-24T13:27:39Z","createdAt":"2026-09-24T13:41:14.158788Z","updatedAt":"2026-09-24T15:11:17.937785Z","translationCount":0,"manualOverrideCount":0,"mirroredAssetsCount":0,"hasSyncedSnapshot":true,"hasManualOverrides":false},{"id":"feed-d4a9b3d0ba41bcbba9e32a5a","slug":"feed-d4a9b3d0ba41bcbba9e32a5a-unanswered-questions-for-english-teams-after-women-s-champions-league-returns","title":"Unanswered questions for English teams after Women's Champions League returns","excerpt":"Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City start bids for European glory in unconvincing fashion.","content":"Last season's top scorer Ewa Pajor of Barcelona scored twice on the opening night while Mariona Caldentey converted a late penalty to hand Arsenal victory\n\nThe Women's Champions League returned this week and with it came a host of unanswered questions for the ambitious English trio involved.\n\nArsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City all have designs on winning the competition and, on the face of it, got their campaigns off to solid starts.\n\nArsenal and Chelsea both have three points after narrow home wins while City recovered from 2-0 down for a creditable draw at heavyweights Bayern Munich.\n\nBut scratch deeper, and this was an unconvincing week, particularly given last season's finalists Barcelona and Lyon both opened with commanding victories.\n\nAre the Women's Super League clubs equipped to challenge this season? What still needs addressing? And who has the best chance of lifting the trophy in Warsaw next May?\n\nLast season, Manchester City exploited their absence from European competition to romp to the Women's Super League title.\n\nIn returning to the elite tier this season, their squad will face greater tests, and that was immediately true when 2025-26 semi-finalists Bayern Munich raced into a two-goal lead.\n\nBut Andree Jeglertz's team gave an immediate indication they belong at this level by recovering to draw 2-2, with summer signings Beth Mead and Carlotta Wamser justifying their arrival at the champions with their first goals for the club.\n\nThat was crucial given usual goalscorer Khadija Shaw surprisingly proved fallible in missing a penalty.\n\nWhen she inevitably finds her shooting boots, City should be just fine in this competition.\n\nMan City fight back from two down to thwart Bayern","status":"published","imageUrl":"https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/branded_sport/1024/cpsprodpb/faa1/live/e73726c0-b803-11f1-b1d1-571ed4d7ff2c.png","sourceUrl":"https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cm1e516z2y8qo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","sourceLocale":"en","sourceProvider":"BBC Sport Football","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-09-24T13:19:53Z","publishedAt":"2026-09-24T13:19:53Z","createdAt":"2026-09-24T13:26:13.911169Z","updatedAt":"2026-09-24T15:11:28.72124Z","translationCount":0,"manualOverrideCount":0,"mirroredAssetsCount":0,"hasSyncedSnapshot":true,"hasManualOverrides":false},{"id":"feed-ef67540be2c5a8e8598ec04a","slug":"feed-ef67540be2c5a8e8598ec04a-fox-makes-easy-decision-to-sign-three-year-arsenal-deal","title":"Fox makes 'easy decision' to sign three-year Arsenal deal","excerpt":"USA international Emily Fox has described signed a new contract at Arsenal as \"an easy decision\".","content":"USA international Emily Fox has described her decision to sign a new contract at Arsenal as \"an easy decision\".\n\nThe 28-year-old has been a key player for the club since joining from North Carolina Courage in 2024 and is understood to have signed a new three-year deal.\n\nShe was part of the squad that won the Women's Champions League title in 2025 and the Women's Champions Cup trophy in 2026.\n\nIn her first season at the club, she won the Women's League Cup and has been named in the PFA team of the year in the last two campaigns.\n\nSpeaking to BBC Sport, she said: \"I'm very pleased to be able to continue my journey with Arsenal and it was honestly an easy decision because of where I want to be now, and in a few years' time.\n\n\"When I think of how I'm going to grow, be challenged and be in an environment where it's like my second home, I think of Arsenal.\n\n\"It is a club that is wanting to continue to push the women's game, invest in it and focus on the community, the history of it, the culture, and wanting to excel.\"\n\nFind interviews and extra content on the BBC Women's Football Weekly feed\n\nBBC Sport reported in January that Fox had a year remaining on her existing contract but Arsenal were always confident she would stay at the club.\n\nShe has established herself as one of the best full-backs in the world and has made almost 100 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions.\n\nHowever, despite helping Renee Slegers' side to European glory in 2025, Fox feels there is one important medal missing from her collection - the WSL title.\n\n\"There is definitely some unfinished business. We want to keep going, keep winning and maybe get some things that we've already won before too,\" said Fox.","status":"published","imageUrl":"https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/branded_sport/1024/cpsprodpb/4be2/live/5a69c020-a2bb-11f1-9024-715001d09aeb.jpg","sourceUrl":"https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c046lgw20nno?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","sourceLocale":"en","sourceProvider":"BBC Sport Football","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-09-24T12:59:44Z","publishedAt":"2026-09-24T12:59:44Z","createdAt":"2026-09-24T13:11:14.038969Z","updatedAt":"2026-09-24T15:11:28.723344Z","translationCount":0,"manualOverrideCount":0,"mirroredAssetsCount":0,"hasSyncedSnapshot":true,"hasManualOverrides":false},{"id":"feed-958223b5c1406c64dae61586","slug":"feed-958223b5c1406c64dae61586-euro-leagues","title":"Euro Leagues","excerpt":"Can Klopp unlock Wirtz for Germany? & Jose wants justice after Real's Madrid Derby defeat","content":"Can Klopp unlock Wirtz for Germany? & Jose wants justice after Real's Madrid Derby defeat","status":"published","imageUrl":"https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x576/p0p4zrww.jpg","sourceUrl":"https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0pc83kj?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","sourceLocale":"en","sourceProvider":"BBC Sport Football","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-09-24T12:48:00Z","publishedAt":"2026-09-24T12:48:00Z","createdAt":"2026-09-24T13:11:20.557Z","updatedAt":"2026-09-24T15:11:26.401413Z","translationCount":0,"manualOverrideCount":0,"mirroredAssetsCount":0,"hasSyncedSnapshot":true,"hasManualOverrides":false},{"id":"feed-92c76030eb335726b9731e06","slug":"feed-92c76030eb335726b9731e06-football-daily","title":"Football Daily","excerpt":"John Murray, Ian Dennis & Ali Bruce-Ball hear from Anthony Gordon ahead of England-Spain.","content":"John Murray, Ian Dennis & Ali Bruce-Ball hear from Anthony Gordon ahead of England-Spain.","status":"published","imageUrl":"https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x576/p0pbcq71.jpg","sourceUrl":"https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0032km2?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","sourceLocale":"en","sourceProvider":"BBC Sport Football","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-09-24T12:19:00Z","publishedAt":"2026-09-24T12:19:00Z","createdAt":"2026-09-24T13:11:20.760233Z","updatedAt":"2026-09-24T15:11:26.4079Z","translationCount":0,"manualOverrideCount":0,"mirroredAssetsCount":0,"hasSyncedSnapshot":true,"hasManualOverrides":false},{"id":"feed-0efcdd9c92de6d1968b24ef9","slug":"feed-0efcdd9c92de6d1968b24ef9-carroll-reveals-he-was-sexually-assaulted-in-2021","title":"Carroll reveals he was sexually assaulted in 2021","excerpt":"Former England striker Andy Carroll reveals he was sexually assaulted in 2021, by a man who has subsequently been jailed for three years.","content":"Former England striker Andy Carroll has revealed he was sexually assaulted by a man in 2021.\n\nThe 37-year-old, who was automatically granted anonymity as a victim of sexual assault, has made the details public in an autobiography titled 'Owning it'.\n\nThe incident took place at Carroll's home, during his second spell with his hometown club Newcastle and led to the perpetrator being jailed for three years.\n\nCarroll, now a player/co-owner of non-league club Dagenham & Redbridge, says he decided to include the incident in his book \"at the very last minute\" after discussing it with his girlfriend Lou Teasdale.\n\nA friend of his former partner, who was away at the time, was set to stay over after coming to his home to watch a boxing match.\n\nCarroll says the incident occurred while he was sleeping and he then threw the man out of the house, before knocking him unconscious as he tried to return.\n\nCarroll, who also played in the Premier League for Liverpool and West Ham, called the police and was \"sobbing\" in the arms of his children's nanny.\n\nThe unnamed attacker was found guilty of sexual offences and placed on the sex offender register. Carroll testified in court, a process he says was \"humiliating and embarrassing and absolutely horrendous\".\n\nCarroll wrote: \"I was sexually assaulted, there I said it. Scary to even think about and only a few people knew about it before now.\n\n\"Me and Lou spent a lot of time discussing whether to mention it in this book or not. I avoided my publisher for so long that they probably suspected I got cold feet.\n\n\"Scary to talk about but it's made [me] the person I am today as much as any of the good stuff. And if me talking about it helps just one person then good, it will have been worth it.\"\n\nCarroll, who won nine England caps, added: \"What happened to me affected every facet of my life. I'd think about it every day, making it difficult to focus on anything else, including football… The trauma of what happened to me hasn't gone away.\"","status":"published","imageUrl":"https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/branded_sport/1024/cpsprodpb/716e/live/6bc32f50-b80f-11f1-b205-219f899eccc7.jpg","sourceUrl":"https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c6grv7x544qro?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","sourceLocale":"en","sourceProvider":"BBC Sport Football","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-09-24T12:18:04Z","publishedAt":"2026-09-24T12:18:04Z","createdAt":"2026-09-24T12:41:14.050364Z","updatedAt":"2026-09-24T15:11:17.930064Z","translationCount":0,"manualOverrideCount":0,"mirroredAssetsCount":0,"hasSyncedSnapshot":true,"hasManualOverrides":false},{"id":"feed-ce5e45f12a523a28680e4543","slug":"feed-ce5e45f12a523a28680e4543-i-m-here-to-change-the-story-mcburnie-on-scotland-recall","title":"'I'm here to change the story' - McBurnie on Scotland recall","excerpt":"Oli McBurnie on his Scotland return, fresh perspective and first-goal ambition.","content":"Oli McBurnie on his Scotland return, fresh perspective and first-goal ambition.","status":"published","imageUrl":"https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x576/p0pc29n5.jpg","sourceUrl":"https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0pc29mg?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","sourceLocale":"en","sourceProvider":"BBC Sport Football","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-09-24T12:00:00Z","publishedAt":"2026-09-24T12:00:00Z","createdAt":"2026-09-24T12:11:42.445305Z","updatedAt":"2026-09-24T15:11:28.715189Z","translationCount":0,"manualOverrideCount":0,"mirroredAssetsCount":0,"hasSyncedSnapshot":true,"hasManualOverrides":false},{"id":"feed-716d00c537c49f28fd4b788c","slug":"feed-716d00c537c49f28fd4b788c-wilson-curtis-leave-scotland-squad-to-join-u-21s","title":"Wilson & Curtis leave Scotland squad to join U-21s","excerpt":"Forwards James Wilson and Findlay Curtis leave the Scotland Nations League squad in order to play for the Under-21 team against Azerbaijan on Wednesday.","content":"Forwards James Wilson and Findlay Curtis have left the Scotland squad in order to play for the Under-21 team against Azerbaijan on Wednesday.\n\nHearts striker Wilson and Rangers winger Curtis had been training in Spain as part of the 27-strong group selected by new head coach Sebastien Pocognoli but will now miss the Nations League matches away to Slovenia and at home to Switzerland on Saturday and Tuesday.\n\nThe duo could return to the senior set up for for the 3 October trip to North Macedonia and the home game with Slovenia three days later.\n\nThe Under-21s are away to Bulgaria on the same day as the latter fixture.\n\nWilson, who has scored five Hearts goals this season, became Scotland's youngest men's international player at 18 years and 17 days old when he won the first of his two caps as a substitute against Greece in March 2025.\n\nCurtis has made five Scotland appearances and is the nation's youngest World Cup player after late cameos against Haiti and Brazil in the USA this summer.\n\n'Eternally grateful' McBurnie ready to show what Scotland have missed\n\nPocognoli has 'positive nervousness' for Scotland debut\n\nSri Lanka eye 300 against England in high-scoring second ODI\n\nDrinking at football matches - would fans welcome it?\n\nFury v Joshua announced for 11 December in Cardiff\n\nFirst look: The final chapter in the mystery trilogy starts this Saturday","status":"published","imageUrl":"https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/branded_sport/1024/cpsprodpb/f2b2/live/9ea28950-b807-11f1-bc1f-3f186ca4140c.png","sourceUrl":"https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c6y8zmndyjkro?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","sourceLocale":"en","sourceProvider":"BBC Sport Football","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-09-24T11:25:08Z","publishedAt":"2026-09-24T11:25:08Z","createdAt":"2026-09-24T11:41:43.38856Z","updatedAt":"2026-09-24T15:11:28.551561Z","translationCount":0,"manualOverrideCount":0,"mirroredAssetsCount":0,"hasSyncedSnapshot":true,"hasManualOverrides":false},{"id":"feed-91c341cf79dac5081e4a2365","slug":"feed-91c341cf79dac5081e4a2365-new-boss-reedijk-promises-brave-and-intense-hibs","title":"New boss Reedijk promises 'brave and intense' Hibs","excerpt":"Former Beveren head coach Marink Reedijk vows to develop a \"brave, intense and committed\" Hibernian team after becoming the club's new manager.","content":"Former Beveren head coach Marink Reedijk has vowed to develop a \"brave, intense and committed\" Hibernian team after becoming the club's new manager.\n\nThe Dutchman, 35, replaces David Gray, who was sacked eight days ago after a difficult start to the term for the Scottish Premiership outfit.\n\nReedijk has spent the last two seasons with Beveren, earning promotion to the top flight last season after an unbeaten campaign before leaving in the summer.\n\nHe previously worked in academy roles at Ajax and West Bromwich Albion, as well as the senior teams at Roeselare, Vitesse and Anderlecht B.\n\nHibs say Reedijk - who is \"honoured\" to be appointed - arrives with a reputation for attacking football and building a strong team culture.\n\n\"I can feel the ambition and see the clarity of what the club is trying to achieve,\" he said. \"That was a big part of what attracted me here.\n\n\"I want us to be an assertive team; a team that gives everything, plays with purpose and gives our supporters something to really get behind.\"\n\nGet Hibs news notifications in the BBC Sport app\n\nReedijk will be assisted by Rogier Molhoek at Easter Road, with the club hailing his arrival as \"an exciting moment\".\n\nHibs are currently 10th in the Premiership, with two wins from their opening seven matches, and endured a gut-wrenching Conference League play-off exit.\n\nUnder Gray, they finished third in 2024-25 and fifth last term, with the departed manager also leading them to November's League Cup semi-finals, where they will face city rivals Hearts.\n\nSporting director Malky Mackay insists Reedijk's recruitment is not about \"changing the direction\" of their footbal strategy but is about \"continuing to evolve it\".","status":"published","imageUrl":"https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/branded_sport/1024/cpsprodpb/030d/live/8aa1c2f0-b81f-11f1-9173-8b6ede38f022.jpg","sourceUrl":"https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cqe9e7ver2xpo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","sourceLocale":"en","sourceProvider":"BBC Sport Football","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-09-24T11:15:09Z","publishedAt":"2026-09-24T11:15:09Z","createdAt":"2026-09-24T11:26:18.688155Z","updatedAt":"2026-09-24T15:11:28.549454Z","translationCount":0,"manualOverrideCount":0,"mirroredAssetsCount":0,"hasSyncedSnapshot":true,"hasManualOverrides":false},{"id":"feed-1a426c25011e7ad9bc689def","slug":"feed-1a426c25011e7ad9bc689def-how-man-city-overhauled-their-squad-from-a-650-000-strong-database","title":"How Man City overhauled their squad from a 650,000-strong database","excerpt":"BBC Sport goes inside Manchester City's data team, who have been a key part of their rebuild over the past 18 months.","content":"City's devotion to data is at the heart of their efforts to close the gap on Arsenal and BBC Sport has been given unprecedent access to the inner workings of the club's metrics machine as we uncover some of the secrets guiding their work - particularly regarding player recruitment and sales.\n\nTheir work is a sign of the times in the Premier League, with clubs across the top flight and beyond increasingly using data for transfers and monitoring their teams' performance.\n\nAt City, one of the fundamental aims is to reduce risk of any market transaction, be it a purchase or a sale.\n\nThe system they play in at their current club and how the manager is asking him and the team to play.\n\nOnce those four aspects are observed, City's aim is to understand not just how good the player is but how good he could become at the Etihad.\n\nSince winning the Treble in 2023 , City's squad has undergone a vast overhaul using this approach. Only four players from that historic campaign remain.\n\nIt is crucial to stress, however, that while data has made an indefinite impact on how City operate in the transfer market, the work of traditional scouts continues to be the primary gauge of whether they decide to move for a player.\n\n\"Data plays a role in our decision-making, but it is just one part of the overall picture,\" City sporting director Hugo Viana told BBC Sport.\n\n\"We know data cannot tell us everything about a player. It cannot fully show a person's character, mentality or behaviour.\n\n\"That is why we study data insights but focus on the expertise of our scouts and other specialists.\"\n\nThe prominence of data, however, has grown significantly behind the scenes at the Etihad.\n\nHere BBC Sport can take you to the core of some of City's key transfer calls from their extensive three-year squad revamp - including the £116m signing of Elliot Anderson.","status":"published","imageUrl":"https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/branded_sport/1024/cpsprodpb/a0ec/live/a3f20410-b7fa-11f1-8ef6-b9665ffdab6f.jpg","sourceUrl":"https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cm1wx51gyly5o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","sourceLocale":"en","sourceProvider":"BBC Sport Football","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-09-24T09:31:22Z","publishedAt":"2026-09-24T09:31:22Z","createdAt":"2026-09-24T09:41:13.965715Z","updatedAt":"2026-09-24T15:11:14.187796Z","translationCount":0,"manualOverrideCount":0,"mirroredAssetsCount":0,"hasSyncedSnapshot":true,"hasManualOverrides":false},{"id":"feed-8cfaa6fe658f4262edbf487e","slug":"feed-8cfaa6fe658f4262edbf487e-send-us-your-scotland-world-cup-memories-of-boston","title":"Send us your Scotland World Cup memories of Boston","excerpt":"BBC Scotland is looking for Scotland supporters to send us their videos, audio and memories of that magical week or so in Boston at the World Cup.","content":"BBC Scotland is again looking for Scotland fans to send us in their footage, audio and pictures - this time capturing the memories from Boston during the World Cup.\n\nThousands of Tartan Army supporters descended on the city and a relationship to last well beyond the World Cup was born.\n\nWe are looking for Scotland fans to send us their videos, audio and memories of that magical week or so in Boston.\n\nWe'll use your footage to make a programme about lifelong bonds and friendships formed in Massachusetts, told from the perspective of Scotland fans and Bostonians.\n\nBBC Scotland previously used your footage to capture the memories of Scotland's World Cup qualification-clinching 4-2 win over Denmark.\n\nThrough the Eyes of the Fans: Scotland v Denmark\n\n'Eternally grateful' McBurnie ready to show what Scotland have missed\n\nPocognoli has 'positive nervousness' for Scotland debut\n\nSri Lanka eye 300 against England in high-scoring second ODI\n\nDrinking at football matches - would fans welcome it?\n\nFury v Joshua announced for 11 December in Cardiff\n\nFirst look: The final chapter in the mystery trilogy starts this Saturday","status":"published","imageUrl":"https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/branded_sport/1024/cpsprodpb/6174/live/467fc120-9a43-11f1-aed2-8d6da8d75094.jpg","sourceUrl":"https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c04k6nqgxdpo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","sourceLocale":"en","sourceProvider":"BBC Sport Football","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-09-24T09:13:20Z","publishedAt":"2026-09-24T09:13:20Z","createdAt":"2026-09-24T12:26:44.651808Z","updatedAt":"2026-09-24T15:11:28.719276Z","translationCount":0,"manualOverrideCount":0,"mirroredAssetsCount":0,"hasSyncedSnapshot":true,"hasManualOverrides":false},{"id":"feed-2ee0885dfabacc97c7c17699","slug":"feed-2ee0885dfabacc97c7c17699-podcast-hibs-manager-hunt-scotland-start-afresh","title":"Podcast: Hibs' manager hunt & Scotland start afresh","excerpt":"Scotland's new era starts, Hibs search for a boss and Celtic's finances.","content":"Scotland's new era starts, Hibs search for a boss and Celtic's finances.","status":"published","imageUrl":"https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x576/p0pc61pv.jpg","sourceUrl":"https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0pc61p8?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","sourceLocale":"en","sourceProvider":"BBC Sport Football","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-09-24T07:48:00Z","publishedAt":"2026-09-24T07:48:00Z","createdAt":"2026-09-24T08:41:16.865321Z","updatedAt":"2026-09-24T11:26:23.025837Z","translationCount":0,"manualOverrideCount":0,"mirroredAssetsCount":0,"hasSyncedSnapshot":true,"hasManualOverrides":false},{"id":"feed-b5fa68f5cad91cfdf9ae2436","slug":"feed-b5fa68f5cad91cfdf9ae2436-man-utd-selling-old-trafford-turf-cubes-for-125","title":"Man Utd selling Old Trafford turf cubes for £125","excerpt":"Manchester United is selling pieces of its Old Trafford pitch for £125 each, an initiative announced the same day the club reported its overall debt remains more than £1bn.","content":"Manchester United are selling pieces of their Old Trafford pitch for £125 each.\n\nThe initiative was announced the same day that the club reported that overall debt remains more than £1bn.\n\nThe first batch put on sale has already sold out.\n\nWhile United recorded a record revenue of £677.6m and a £22.6m operating profit for 2025-26, they had a pre-tax loss of £43m.\n\nThe 13-time Premier League champions also confirmed £63.5m had been spent on buying land for the team's new stadium, which is expected to cost more than £2bn overall.\n\nFor the first time in 14 years, the Old Trafford pitch was dug up this summer and stripped back to its foundation.\n\nSections of the turf were preserved, with pieces measuring 7x7cm then being placed in glass cubes.\n\nThe club website says that the cubes make a \"priceless memento of iconic games played at home and keeps the memories of matchdays alive\".\n\nPre-match, post-match and topical United content\n\nSubscribe and listen for everything you love about the Red Devils\n\nMan Utd still £1bn in debt with £63.5m spent on new stadium\n\nMan Utd, Neville and how the media agenda is set","status":"published","imageUrl":"https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/branded_sport/1024/cpsprodpb/9154/live/b1ab3510-b7e4-11f1-b86f-f9f95031dc8c.jpg","sourceUrl":"https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cmwyzjedq51lo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","sourceLocale":"en","sourceProvider":"BBC Sport Football","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-09-24T07:08:11Z","publishedAt":"2026-09-24T07:08:11Z","createdAt":"2026-09-24T07:11:14.022791Z","updatedAt":"2026-09-24T15:11:20.618574Z","translationCount":0,"manualOverrideCount":0,"mirroredAssetsCount":0,"hasSyncedSnapshot":true,"hasManualOverrides":false},{"id":"feed-02c835408571701dc3ce02ac","slug":"feed-02c835408571701dc3ce02ac-eternally-grateful-mcburnie-ready-to-show-what-scotland-have-missed","title":"'Eternally grateful' McBurnie ready to show what Scotland have missed","excerpt":"Overlooked by Steve Clarke and dismissed by some Scotland fans, but Oli McBurnie returns with a point to prove, writes Tom English.","content":"Oli McBurnie's goal sent Hull City to the Premier League\n\nWhen Oli McBurnie sits down to talk, one of the first things you notice is Al Pacino staring at you, a large tattoo on the striker's left arm depicting the actor in full Scarface mode. Say hello to my little friend and all of that.\n\n\"It's my favourite film,\" he says, on day one of his return to the Scotland fold after five long and controversial years on the outside looking in.\n\n\"I liked certain things about his personality [Pacino as the madman Tony Montana]. I liked the fact that he knew exactly what he wanted. He's a psycho.\n\n\"I don't condone a lot of his methods, but he knew what he wanted and he did anything to get it, so I think there's something that can be said for that.\"\n\nIt's a humorous beginning to a conversation that covers a fair amount of ground in the build-up to Nations League matches against Slovenia (twice), Switzerland and North Macedonia:\n\nHis feelings about Steve Clarke, the Scotland boss who cast him to the wilderness\n\nThe perception in places that he's some kind of trouble-maker who's not all that bothered about adding to his 16 goalless caps\n\nThe mistakes he made, the lessons he has learned, his fierce desire to finally score for his country. \"A tap-in on Saturday or one that goes in off my backside would be lovely.\"\n\nA long road back, McBurnie says about his years in exile, ended by this summons under new head coach Sebastien Pocognoli.\n\n\"There were times when it looked like I was never going to come back,\" the 30-year-old tells BBC Sport Scotland in La Manga. \"The older I've got and the more mature I've got, you really appreciate these times a lot more.\n\n\"When I was last in the squad, I was a kid really. You think it's just going to always be like this. I probably did take it for granted a little bit.","status":"published","imageUrl":"https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/branded_sport/1024/cpsprodpb/c261/live/ccad4ab0-b758-11f1-a430-4d16ee157c41.jpg","sourceUrl":"https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c6qjk1122e9jo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","sourceLocale":"en","sourceProvider":"BBC Sport Football","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-09-24T07:05:06Z","publishedAt":"2026-09-24T07:05:06Z","createdAt":"2026-09-24T07:11:20.855989Z","updatedAt":"2026-09-24T15:11:28.713117Z","translationCount":0,"manualOverrideCount":0,"mirroredAssetsCount":0,"hasSyncedSnapshot":true,"hasManualOverrides":false},{"id":"feed-df954cafcbd67d47eafc8362","slug":"feed-df954cafcbd67d47eafc8362-hibs-impressed-by-reedijk-in-manager-search-gossip","title":"Hibs impressed by Reedijk in manager search - gossip","excerpt":"Hibs nearing a decision on new coach as Rangers star admits he was ready to move on over the summer...","content":"Hibs nearing a decision on new coach as Rangers star admits he was ready to move on over the summer...\n\nHibernian are closing in on a new manager after a final round of in-person interviews, with Dutchman Marink Reedijk, 34, emerging as a leading contender. ( Edinburgh Evening News , external )\n\nInter Turku manager Vesa Vasara is unlikely to leave the Finnish club to take over at Hibernian . ( Hibs Observer - subscription required , external )\n\nBelgium midfielder Nicolas Raskin says he was \"mentally ready to leave\" Rangers right up until the last few hours of the transfer window but insists it was \"beyond my control and that of the club\". ( Sporza and HLN via Scottish Sun , external )\n\n\"To say no to Jose Mourinho is a difficult thing,\" reveals new Scotland squad defender Luis Binks, who rejected a new Tottenham deal against the legendary manager's wishes to go in search of first team experience. ( Daily Record - subscription required , external )\n\nFormer Tynecastle player Ryan Stevenson is convinced Hearts are good enough to challenge for the title again this season, saying the busy run of games up to Christmas will define whether that's the case. ( Daily Record - subscription required , external )\n\nBobby Wales scored twice as Dundee beat Partick Thistle 3-0 in a bounce game on Tuesday before the striker joined up with the Scotland Under-21 squad. ( The Courier - subscription required , external )","status":"published","imageUrl":"https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/branded_sport/1024/cpsprodpb/b5a2/live/5f5e5440-b7e4-11f1-bc1f-3f186ca4140c.png","sourceUrl":"https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/ckz7zdv38rreo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","sourceLocale":"en","sourceProvider":"BBC Sport Football","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-09-24T06:54:23Z","publishedAt":"2026-09-24T06:54:23Z","createdAt":"2026-09-24T07:11:26.371844Z","updatedAt":"2026-09-24T11:11:16.847312Z","translationCount":0,"manualOverrideCount":0,"mirroredAssetsCount":0,"hasSyncedSnapshot":true,"hasManualOverrides":false},{"id":"feed-30d9f62d64da9a49fb487247","slug":"feed-30d9f62d64da9a49fb487247-charles-taking-record-breaking-price-tag-in-his-stride","title":"Charles taking record-breaking price tag in his stride","excerpt":"Fulham midfielder Shea Charles tells BBC Sport NI he does \"not really think about\" the price tag which saw him become Northern Ireland's most expensive footballer when he joined Premier Leag...","content":"If Shea Charles is feeling a weight of expectation from being the most expensive Northern Ireland footballer ever his demeanour does not betray it.\n\nInterviewed by BBC Sport NI before the forthcoming four-game Nations League bonanza, the Fulham midfielder cuts a laid-back but determined figure who is keen to play a key part in helping a young Northern Ireland side continue to build on recent progress.\n\nCharles' record-breaking £30m move from Championship side Southampton to the Cottagers in the summer gave him the opportunity to move up a division and ply his trade in the Premier League.\n\nHe describes becoming NI's most expensive footballer as \"quite crazy\".\n\n\"I think I was like second or third before that. But to be number one, it's really cool. Just to be in the Premier League and just being able to play my football is amazing,\" he told BBC Sport NI's Stephen Watson.\n\n\"For me, I don't really think about it [the price tag] too much, and you see what a lot of people are going for these days, it's kind of crazy.\n\n\"I've just got really good people around me, living with my younger brother and my older brother, mum and dad. I've got a really good friendship group that keep me grounded.\"\n\nInternational football, rather than the club game, will occupy the 22-year-old's attention over the coming weeks as Michael O'Neill's side face Georgia home and away, Hungary and Ukraine over the coming weeks.\n\nAlready capped 35 times since making his debut in June 2022, Charles emphasises the influence international football has had on advancing his career prospects and improving his game.\n\n\"International football has always been massive for me ever since I made my debut – the types of players you play against, the teams you are playing, you rarely got to play against them when you're playing in the Championship.\n\n\"Being able to show your level against those kind of players was always going to help.\n\n\"I feel like he [O'Neill] has really trusted me from the moment that I came in, starting me in any game that he could really, and I'm obviously very thankful for that.","status":"published","imageUrl":"https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/branded_sport/1024/cpsprodpb/429a/live/8f5ea1d0-b7ea-11f1-a430-4d16ee157c41.jpg","sourceUrl":"https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cw98022gvjr1o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","sourceLocale":"en","sourceProvider":"BBC Sport Football","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-09-24T06:41:49Z","publishedAt":"2026-09-24T06:41:49Z","createdAt":"2026-09-24T06:56:14.090349Z","updatedAt":"2026-09-24T15:11:26.387352Z","translationCount":0,"manualOverrideCount":0,"mirroredAssetsCount":0,"hasSyncedSnapshot":true,"hasManualOverrides":false},{"id":"feed-8b7786515cf407e3d0e8b56b","slug":"feed-8b7786515cf407e3d0e8b56b-flex-your-football-brain-with-our-daily-quizzes","title":"Flex your football brain with our daily quizzes","excerpt":"Test your ball knowledge against today's Who Am I?, Five in Five and Brainteaser.","content":"Keep scrolling to beat all three of BBC Sport's daily quizzes.\n\nToday's questions, clues and answers have been set by Flora Snelson and Joe Rindl\n\nGuess the footballer in as few attempts as possible.\n\nAfter each wrong guess you unlock a new clue. The fewer clues you need to get the right answer, the more points you score.\n\nGive us five correct answers inside five minutes.\n\nGuess today's fiendishly difficult question. You have five lives before the answer is revealed.\n\nAfter more quizzes? Go to our dedicated Football Quizzes and Sports Quizzes pages and sign up for notifications to get the latest quizzes sent straight to your device.\n\nDon't miss the Match of the Day Predictor deadline\n\nFootball quiz: Name every club in the Premier League and EFL\n\nCan you name the 10 Lionesses with most England caps?\n\nSri Lanka near 300 against England in high-scoring second ODI\n\nDrinking at football matches - would fans welcome it?","status":"published","imageUrl":"https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/branded_sport/1024/cpsprodpb/ada7/live/27df4c70-9658-11f1-b2ab-0dd01740f9f6.jpg","sourceUrl":"https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cm36lyrd3jnzo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","sourceLocale":"en","sourceProvider":"BBC Sport Football","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-09-24T05:55:44Z","publishedAt":"2026-09-24T05:55:44Z","createdAt":"2026-09-24T06:11:13.916564Z","updatedAt":"2026-09-24T15:11:17.942846Z","translationCount":0,"manualOverrideCount":0,"mirroredAssetsCount":0,"hasSyncedSnapshot":true,"hasManualOverrides":false},{"id":"feed-8b057b143d51c44bf776c939","slug":"feed-8b057b143d51c44bf776c939-why-this-break-has-come-at-the-worst-time-for-de-zerbi-spurs","title":"Why this break has come at the worst time for De Zerbi & Spurs","excerpt":"BBC Sport columnist Tony Pulis explains the different factors that mean Tottenham boss Roberto de Zerbi needs time with his players to build a proper team.","content":"That is similar to what has happened at Spurs, where the board backed Roberto de Zerbi to the hilt with an outlay on new players of around £400m.\n\nIt was an almost unprecedented occurrence from a club that has always been renowned for being careful with investment in their team, and it sent expectations from many Spurs supporters through the roof.\n\nThe club had just avoided relegation two seasons running, finishing 17th twice in a row, but suddenly some fans were looking forward to a season competing for trophies and a top-four finish.\n\nTheir early results and performances have been disappointing, of course, but fans have to understand all the different factors that affect you when you are building a team - and it is ridiculous to suggest De Zerbi should be under pressure already, especially after he kept them up last season.\n\nDe Zerbi (left) took over as Spurs boss with seven games to go last season and the club 17th in the Premier League. Three wins and two draws were enough to keep them up\n\nFinding a way for your club to win takes a manager in lots of different directions but they all involve time - on the grass or with social interaction with the players.\n\nNot only has De Zerbi not been given that early time and opportunity, the majority of his players have now been taken away from him for another three weeks on international duty.\n\nDe Zerbi has many other issues to deal with, from Tottenham 's poor home form to their inability to recover from conceding the first goal in games.\n\nBut his biggest challenge right now will be to fit those players who have just arrived in with the ones already at the club, into a unit that plays as a team and produces results so that the money the club has spent is justified.\n\nAll of this will take time, and patience, and all the kinds of little detail that supporters never see.\n\nIn my day, we were given time to create a team, and a family. For today's managers, time seems more limited than ever.\n\nWe are only five games into the season but there are already some Spurs fans who seem to think De Zerbi is the worst manager in the world, even though he has proved elsewhere how good he is.","status":"published","imageUrl":"https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/branded_sport/1024/cpsprodpb/c068/live/df157960-541c-11f1-8b8c-6d33e1d5abb6.jpg","sourceUrl":"https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/crd68ev059y8o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","sourceLocale":"en","sourceProvider":"BBC Sport Football","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-09-24T05:37:24Z","publishedAt":"2026-09-24T05:37:24Z","createdAt":"2026-09-24T05:41:13.917329Z","updatedAt":"2026-09-24T15:11:20.620968Z","translationCount":0,"manualOverrideCount":0,"mirroredAssetsCount":0,"hasSyncedSnapshot":true,"hasManualOverrides":false},{"id":"feed-20053aea2052e49879cb9ad9","slug":"feed-20053aea2052e49879cb9ad9-debbie-beard-and-amanda-thorpe-lost-their-husbands-this-is-their-story","title":"Debbie Beard and Amanda Thorpe lost their husbands - this is their story","excerpt":"Debbie Beard and Amanda Thorpe speak to the BBC's Simon Jack at the launch of a new suicide prevention toolkit.","content":"Debbie Beard and Amanda Thorpe on the loss of their husbands\n\nWarning: This story contains discussion of suicide and information some readers may find distressing\n\nTwo women, united in grief, are meeting for the first time.\n\nDebbie Beard lost her husband just over a year ago. Matt Beard, the former Liverpool Women manager, died in hospital on 20 September 2025. He is believed to have taken his own life, though an inquest is yet to conclude.\n\nAmanda Thorpe's husband Graham, the former England and Surrey cricketer, took his own life in 2024. He had \"spiralled into depression\" after losing his job as a batting coach in 2022.\n\nThe two women, who had never met before, came together at an event launched by the Prince of Wales and the Royal Foundation to urge sport at every level to make suicide prevention part of its culture through a new nationwide toolkit.\n\nThere they spoke to the BBC's business editor Simon Jack , who was 17 when his father took his own life.\n\nOn Your Side , external is a set of resources available online that aims \"to make suicide prevention as much a part of sport as warm-up, training and performance\".\n\nFormer England international Graham Thorpe took his own life in 2024 after suffering from depression and anxiety\n\nAmanda Thorpe has said previously she believes her husband would still be alive had he received more support from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) after leaving his coaching role. Following the inquest into his death, the ECB said it was \"a profound tragedy\" and added Thorpe's passing was a \"stark reminder\" of the challenges many face with mental health.\n\nMatt Beard died a month after leaving his role as manager of Burnley Women. He had been in the post for only two months. When the inquest into his death was postponed indefinitely, Burnley said they were \"aware of an ongoing legal process\" and would \"not be making any comment at this time\".\n\nAmanda: \"Graham had been struggling for the previous year to 18 months during Covid. Graham didn't really like following rules and there were quite a few in Covid - like playing under bubble conditions. So he had been having some medication and therapy in his job. But then Graham lost his job and he didn't see it coming.","status":"published","imageUrl":"https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/branded_sport/1024/cpsprodpb/cc5f/live/7a5b14e0-b767-11f1-b1d1-571ed4d7ff2c.png","sourceUrl":"https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c6kgxj9j7jmyo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","sourceLocale":"en","sourceProvider":"BBC Sport Football","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-09-24T05:16:40Z","publishedAt":"2026-09-24T05:16:40Z","createdAt":"2026-09-24T05:26:13.969067Z","updatedAt":"2026-09-24T15:11:17.932745Z","translationCount":0,"manualOverrideCount":0,"mirroredAssetsCount":0,"hasSyncedSnapshot":true,"hasManualOverrides":false},{"id":"feed-7723eef4fc336ff74631d840","slug":"feed-7723eef4fc336ff74631d840-england-should-stop-trying-to-replicate-spain-gordon","title":"England should stop trying to replicate Spain - Gordon","excerpt":"Anthony Gordon says that controlling games is not in the \"English DNA\" but the Three Lions could still win major tournaments if they stop \"trying to replicate Spain\".","content":"Anthony Gordon says that controlling games is not in the English \"DNA\" but the Three Lions could win major tournaments if they stop \"trying to replicate Spain\".\n\nThe Barcelona winger was speaking at St George's Park as the England squad prepare to take on world champions Spain on Saturday - their first match together since the World Cup.\n\nEngland lost their semi-final 2-1 to Argentina, before beating France 6-4 in the bronze medal match.\n\nEnding on a high meant England achieved their best finish in a World Cup since 1966.\n\nBut many have criticised the manner in which England were beaten by Argentina, after head coach Thomas Tuchel substituted goalscorer Gordon and went to a back five.\n\nThe tactical tweak invited pressure, with Enzo Fernandez equalising before Lautaro Martinez scored a stoppage-time winner.\n\nGordon said that he had \"never felt worse\", after the game and believes that the \"scar\" left by defeat may mean the England squad take a different approach in the next tournament.\n\n\"[The] scar doesn't have to be a negative one because it might lead us to victory in the next tournaments,\" Gordon said.\n\n\"We can't keep looking at other countries and trying to be like them, because we're not them - we're English and we have our own strengths which they don't have, so maybe we start playing the way we're good at.\"\n\nSigned instead of Rashford, Gordon is proving worth at Barca\n\nGordon moved to Barcelona from Newcastle for £69.3m in the summer.\n\nHe says that the experience of playing in La Liga - with and against some of Spain's top stars - has made him realise just how different the nation's approach is to football.","status":"published","imageUrl":"https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/branded_sport/1024/cpsprodpb/a4dc/live/9936a4d0-b783-11f1-b3b9-2dc27b32a5b3.jpg","sourceUrl":"https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c90kly6kelk1o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","sourceLocale":"en","sourceProvider":"BBC Sport Football","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-09-24T05:05:26Z","publishedAt":"2026-09-24T05:05:26Z","createdAt":"2026-09-24T05:11:13.791966Z","updatedAt":"2026-09-24T15:11:17.935156Z","translationCount":0,"manualOverrideCount":0,"mirroredAssetsCount":0,"hasSyncedSnapshot":true,"hasManualOverrides":false},{"id":"feed-20e1e2ebdedc77d78e4bb41f","slug":"feed-20e1e2ebdedc77d78e4bb41f-barcelona-rule-out-alvarez-deal-thursday-s-gossip","title":"Barcelona rule out Alvarez deal - Thursday's gossip","excerpt":"Barcelona rule out Alvarez signing from Atletico Madrid, Liverpool will not allow Wirtz departure, and Chelsea target English midfield duo, plus more.","content":"Barcelona rule out Alvarez signing from Atletico Madrid, Liverpool will not allow Wirtz departure, and Chelsea target English midfield duo.\n\nBarcelona have ruled out signing Argentina forward Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid in January, with the 24-year-old waiting to see whether Paris St-Germain or Arsenal make a bid for him, or whether he should stay put. (Fichajes - in Spanish) , external\n\nLiverpool will not countenance selling Germany midfielder Florian Wirtz, 23, to Bayern Munich in the January transfer window, while the German giants would only consider making a move next summer if France winger Michael Olise, 24, turns down a new deal. (Christian Falk - Bayern Insider/Bild) , external\n\nBournemouth 's Alex Scott, 23, and Crystal Palace and England's Adam Wharton, 22, are Chelsea 's primary midfield targets, with the West London club no longer interested in Monaco and Senegal's Lamine Camara, 22. ( CaughtOffside , external )\n\nAston Villa are keen to tie Argentina midfielder Emi Buendia, 29, to a new contract as a reward for his outstanding form (Mail) , external\n\nEngland left-back Luke Shaw, 31, could leave Manchester United when his present deal expires with the club next summer. (Teamtalk) , external\n\nUdinese are set to sign Austria defender David Alaba, 34, who left Real Madrid in the summer. (Fabrizio Romano) , external","status":"published","imageUrl":"https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/branded_sport/1024/cpsprodpb/b75f/live/d18ca640-b792-11f1-bc1f-3f186ca4140c.png","sourceUrl":"https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/crq5x1n12xexo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","sourceLocale":"en","sourceProvider":"BBC Sport Football","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-09-23T21:33:27Z","publishedAt":"2026-09-23T21:33:27Z","createdAt":"2026-09-23T21:41:14.159912Z","updatedAt":"2026-09-24T15:11:26.710704Z","translationCount":0,"manualOverrideCount":0,"mirroredAssetsCount":0,"hasSyncedSnapshot":true,"hasManualOverrides":false},{"id":"feed-4abc27786b3ea8e6d87bb7c4","slug":"feed-4abc27786b3ea8e6d87bb7c4-when-bellamy-watched-on-as-ronaldo-caused-airport-lockdown","title":"When Bellamy watched on as Ronaldo caused airport lockdown","excerpt":"Craig Bellamy says Cristiano Ronaldo is \"beyond a superstar\" before his Wales side face the Portugal legend in the opening match of their Nations League A campaign.","content":"But a chance encounter with the Portugal legend helped Wales boss Craig Bellamy appreciate that the 41-year-old is significantly more than just a footballing icon.\n\nBellamy was on a pre-season trip to Lisbon during his time as an assistant to manager Vincent Kompany at Burnley when the Portuguese capital's airport was effectively put into lockdown.\n\nIt led to the Welshman describing Ronaldo as \"beyond a superstar\" after he realised the vast presence of police and security officials were to help escort the global icon.\n\n\"So we got to the airport and the police were everywhere. It was on lockdown,\" Bellamy said.\n\nRonaldo spurred on by 1,000 goals and Portugal glory\n\nLive on BBC iPlayer, BBC One Wales, BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru and 5 Live, BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary.\n\n\"We're Burnley and we had a little bit of VIP. We were on a coach, we were chartered but still had to go into the airport a certain way.\n\n\"It was like rows of police with police cars everywhere. We thought, 'something has happened, there must be a warning here'.\n\n\"Everything was locked off. People in the terminal, you name it. We couldn't get off the coach and we had to wait for what we thought was a security breach or something.\n\n\"We are stuck on the coach for 10, 15 minutes and suddenly this car turns up, it parks and a guy walks out, goes in the boot, grabs a rucksack and someone else gets out and puts the rucksack on and who is it? Ronaldo.\"\n\nBellamy added: \"He is walking on his own with police everywhere and Lisbon airport locked off. Even the police were taking pictures. No-one could bother him.\n\n\"It was the coolest walk I have ever watched for a minute.","status":"published","imageUrl":"https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/branded_sport/1024/cpsprodpb/be58/live/7a629a90-b699-11f1-ba3d-1d5c8a47f823.jpg","sourceUrl":"https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cmgqdjvvqp2no?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","sourceLocale":"en","sourceProvider":"BBC Sport Football","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-09-23T21:30:59Z","publishedAt":"2026-09-23T21:30:59Z","createdAt":"2026-09-23T21:41:19.171659Z","updatedAt":"2026-09-24T15:11:26.716099Z","translationCount":0,"manualOverrideCount":0,"mirroredAssetsCount":0,"hasSyncedSnapshot":true,"hasManualOverrides":false},{"id":"feed-ef3f3df2788cfa52317ae4b1","slug":"feed-ef3f3df2788cfa52317ae4b1-burnham-says-ban-on-alcohol-for-football-fans-in-stands-is-discrimination","title":"Burnham says ban on alcohol for football fans in stands is 'discrimination'","excerpt":"The prime minister opposes the law - in place since 1985 - and believes there is a case to remove it.","content":"Andy Burnham has branded a ban on fans being allowed to drink alcohol in the stands during men's football matches as \"discrimination\".\n\nThe prime minister told reporters that \"I don't think it's fair for football fans to be singled out\", as he suggested a change could be trialled.\n\nLaws are in place which prevent drinking in view of the pitch at stadiums for clubs in the top five tiers of men's football in England. Other sports do not face such a restriction.\n\nThe Football Supporters' Association (FSA) said the \"outdated\" legislation should be reviewed, but police chiefs have warned against relaxing the law and would like to meet the PM to \"explain the challenges\".\n\nThe legislation was introduced in 1985 by Margaret Thatcher's government for English and Welsh football grounds. At the time, then-Home Secretary Leon Brittan said that alcohol was a \"major contributory factor in violent and disorderly behaviour\" in football grounds.\n\nBurnham is a keen football fan and a season-ticket holder at Premier League team Everton.\n\nShortly before he became prime minister, he criticised the restriction on football fans as he attended a rugby league game at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium where it was possible for supporters to have a drink in the stands.\n\nSpeaking to reporters on his trip to the United Nations in New York, Burnham was asked if it was still his view now he is in Downing Street.\n\nBurnham replied: \"I think that legislation dates to an era where football was very different.\n\n\"And I do believe there is a case to remove that discrimination. There are different ways it could be done. It could happen on a trial basis.\n\n\"But I'm not going to back away from what's been a long held view of mine. I don't see how it can be fair that some supporters of one sport can be treated differently.\"\n\nGovernment sources have stressed that Burnham was restating an opinion that he has long held, rather than making any sort of policy announcement.","status":"published","imageUrl":"https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/branded_news/1024/cpsprodpb/2f8d/live/6d631b50-b81d-11f1-bc1f-3f186ca4140c.jpg","sourceUrl":"https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c933ky0nknxko?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","sourceLocale":"en","sourceProvider":"BBC Sport Football","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-09-23T21:01:16Z","publishedAt":"2026-09-23T21:01:16Z","createdAt":"2026-09-23T21:26:14.025708Z","updatedAt":"2026-09-24T15:11:20.628969Z","translationCount":0,"manualOverrideCount":0,"mirroredAssetsCount":0,"hasSyncedSnapshot":true,"hasManualOverrides":false}],"meta":{"page":1,"limit":25,"hasMore":true}}