Football
Champions League permutations: What Chelsea, Newcastle and Man City need to qualify
Chelsea, Newcastle United, and Manchester City are among five Premier League clubs still battling for a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League as the final matchday of the 2024–25 campaign approaches.
With Liverpool crowned champions and Arsenal firmly secured in second, both clubs have already booked their spots in Europe’s premier club competition for the 2025–26 season.
Tottenham Hotspur will also feature in the Champions League despite their poor domestic form this season. Their qualification comes via their Europa League final victory over Manchester United earlier this week.
That leaves three Champions League berths still open, with clubs placing third, fourth, and fifth in the Premier League standings set to join Liverpool, Arsenal, and Spurs in next year’s tournament.
While the top four typically qualify, UEFA has granted the Premier League an additional slot this year due to strong showings from English clubs across continental competitions.
That added incentive has intensified the battle as Chelsea, Newcastle, Manchester City, Aston Villa, and Nottingham Forest all remain in contention entering the season’s final fixtures.
At the top of the table, Liverpool have 83 points and Arsenal sit on 71, both already assured of their Champions League spots.
Manchester City are third with 68 points, followed closely by Newcastle and Chelsea, both on 66. Aston Villa also have 66 points but trail on goal difference. Nottingham Forest sit just behind them on 65 points.
Goal difference plays a critical role here. Newcastle boast a +22 goal difference, which puts them in the strongest position among the teams tied on points. Chelsea follow with +20, while Villa lag significantly at +9.
Manchester City face Fulham away and only need a point to lock in a top-five finish. A win would likely secure third place, and there’s still an outside chance to leapfrog Arsenal for second, though that would require a heavy win and a substantial loss for the Gunners.
City’s worst-case scenario is dropping to sixth, which would send them to the Europa League instead.
Newcastle are at home against Everton and can clinch Champions League football with a win—unless Aston Villa somehow overturn the large goal differential.
A draw would also suffice if Villa fail to win or Chelsea draw with Forest. A loss would leave them depending on Villa losing or a more favorable goal swing against Chelsea or Forest.
Chelsea head to the City Ground to play Nottingham Forest in what will be a decisive matchup for both clubs.
A win will likely send Chelsea into the top five, barring a goal difference miracle from Villa. A draw would leave them needing a Newcastle loss or a non-victory from Villa. If they lose, Chelsea could still qualify if Newcastle also lose by a larger margin.
Aston Villa must travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United. A loss ends their Champions League hopes. A draw could be enough only if Newcastle fall to Everton. A win over United could see Villa qualify if either Chelsea or Newcastle drop points.
Nottingham Forest are the ultimate outsiders. They must defeat Chelsea to even have a chance at the Champions League. Even then, they would still rely on either Newcastle or Villa failing to secure three points in their respective fixtures.
As for Europa League qualification, Crystal Palace are already assured of a place after their FA Cup triumph. The Premier League’s sixth-placed team will also earn a spot in Europe’s secondary competition.
Meanwhile, the Conference League berth is currently held by Newcastle after their Carabao Cup win. However, this could shift. If Chelsea win the Conference League final against Real Betis and finish seventh, the spot may pass down to the eighth-placed Premier League team, either Brentford or Brighton.
The same could happen if Chelsea finish sixth and Newcastle seventh, as long as the Blues also lift the Conference League trophy.
Football
FIFA finally sanctions Israel and sounds message for peace: Here’s why
FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee has taken action against the Israel Football Association (IFA) after finding breaches of its rules relating to offensive conduct, fair play, and incidents involving discrimination and racist behavior.
As part of the ruling, the IFA has been fined CHF 150,000 (around €165,000), with conditions attached. The federation is required to roll out preventive measures, including displaying a clear anti-discrimination message at its next three home matches in FIFA competitions. The message, which promotes unity and rejects discrimination, must appear alongside the federation’s emblem, with its design, size, and placement submitted to FIFA for approval at least 15 days before each fixture.
Beyond matchday requirements, the IFA must also take longer-term action. Within 60 days, it is expected to allocate one-third of the fine toward a detailed anti-discrimination initiative. This program is set to include structural improvements, defined protocols, monitoring systems, and educational campaigns across stadiums and official platforms throughout an entire season, all subject to FIFA’s approval. The remaining portion of the fine must be settled within 30 days. FIFA has also issued a formal warning regarding future conduct, with the option for the IFA to appeal the decision.
In relation to a separate complaint raised by the Palestinian Football Association concerning teams based in disputed territories, FIFA chose not to impose any measures. The governing body pointed to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the legal status of the West Bank under international law, but emphasized its willingness to encourage dialogue and mediation between both sides.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino reiterated the organization’s stance on the role of football during periods of political tension, stressing that while the sport cannot solve global conflicts, it can still play a part in bringing people together and fostering understanding through competitions like the World Cup.
Football
New angle emerges of massive brawl in Brazil: Brutal close-range fight footage (VIDEO)
The Minas Gerais state championship final between Cruzeiro Esporte Clube and Clube Atlético Mineiro ended in chaos on Sunday, with a massive on-field brawl. Cruzeiro secured a 1-0 victory, but the match will be remembered for the violent fallout.
Reports from Brazilian media indicate that the referee issued an additional 23 red cards following the melee.
The incident that sparked the conflict occurred in the 97th minute inside Atletico’s penalty area after a collision between Christian of Cruzeiro and home goalkeeper Everson. Everson reacted aggressively, first pushing Christian and then pinning him to the ground with both knees.
Close-range footage of the altercation later surfaced online, showing the intensity of the clash and adding fuel to an already controversial derby.
This extraordinary sequence will likely result in disciplinary action from the league and raises questions about player conduct in high-stakes matches.
Football
Michael Carrick blow as ‘prominent’ target on Man Utd’s managerial shortlist is ‘keen’ on Old Trafford job
Former Brighton & Hove Albion FC boss Roberto De Zerbi is reportedly “keen” on becoming the next manager of Manchester United FC.
The 46-year-old is currently without a club after leaving Olympique de Marseille by mutual agreement last month. Both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur FC have been linked with a summer move for the Italian as they search for a permanent head coach.
According to reports from The Telegraph, De Zerbi would favour the Old Trafford role if given the choice.
His potential appointment could be a setback for interim United boss Michael Carrick, who has largely impressed since taking charge in January.
Carrick suffered his first defeat on Wednesday as United lost to Newcastle United FC, with goals from Anthony Gordon and William Osula sealing the result.
Despite that setback, several United players are believed to support Carrick being given the role permanently. Senior figures such as Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw are reportedly impressed by his tactical ideas and deep understanding of the game.
United’s hierarchy have yet to decide whether to stick with the former England international or appoint a new manager. Other names linked with the role include Julian Nagelsmann and Roberto Martínez.
De Zerbi has also been mentioned as a potential candidate at Tottenham. Spurs currently sit 16th in the Premier League, just one point above the relegation zone.
The club dismissed former head coach Thomas Frank last month and appointed Igor Tudor as interim manager.
Tudor has yet to register a win, but after a recent defeat to Crystal Palace FC he insisted the team is still moving in the right direction.
“Unfortunately this is the moment we pay for everything. One red card changes everything,” Tudor said.
“Maybe it will sound strange, but I believe more after this game than before. I saw something. I need to choose the right players because the boat is going in the direction that I want it to go.
“When the injured players return, I’m sure we will have a good team and the victories will come. It’s not easy to accept where we are now, but it is how it is.”
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