Football news live: Euro qualifier roundup, England fallout, Premier League latest updates and more

Follow all the latest football news from across the globe as we look ahead to this week's international fixtures
Nnamdi Onyeagwara
Football news live: Euro qualifier roundup, England fallout, Premier League latest updates and more
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Man City captain Houghton to retire at end of WSL season

Manchester City captain Steph Houghton has announced she will retire from playing at the end of this season.

Houghton, 35, began her career in 2002 with Sunderland, going on to play for Leeds United and then Arsenal before joining City in 2014.

The defender captained England from 2015 until her international retirement in 2021, making 121 appearances for her country.

“Taking the decision to retire, is such a difficult thing to do,” Houghton said in a statement. “Whilst age comes to every player, it makes it no easier having to say the words out loud.

"Football has been my life; my passion and I have loved the career I have had."

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Manchester City captain Steph Houghton to retire at end of WSL season

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Manchester City captain Steph Houghton to retire at end of WSL season

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Rubiales: Prosecutors seeking two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for ex-RFEF president

Spanish prosecutors are seeking a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for former Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales.

The prosecutors are seeking a one-year sentence for a charge of alleged sexual assault, with a further one and a half years for alleged coercion.

The second charge also applies to former Spain Women head coach Jorge Vilda, former RFEF marketing manager Ruben Rivera and former RFEF men’s national team director Albert Luque — the ex-Newcastle United striker.

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Luis Rubiales: Prosecutors seeking two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for ex-RFEF president

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Luis Rubiales: Prosecutors seeking two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for ex-RFEF president

Nottingham Forest's Reid fined for calling referee a 'c***' after Liverpool loss

Nottingham Forest first-team coach Steven Reid has been fined and given a two-game touchline ban for repeatedly calling referee Paul Tierney the C word after his side’s defeat to Liverpool.

Nottingham Forest have also been fined £75,000 for failing to ensure “its players and/or technical area occupants conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and consequently that they had acted improperly”.

March’s Premier League fixture had ended in angry scenes after Liverpool scored a 99th-minute winner to secure a 1-0 victory. Forest had been left aggrieved after a drop ball had been incorrectly awarded to Liverpool minutes before their winning goal was scored.

Reid was dismissed after the final whistle for his comments towards Tierney. The written reasons from the Independent Regulatory Commission released by the Football Association's (FA) state this was for calling Tierney a "c***". Reid admitted to this first charge.

He then continued to use this same language towards the 43-year-old referee as he and his team of officials left the pitch.

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Nottingham Forest’s Steven Reid fined for repeatedly calling referee a ‘c***’ after Liverpool loss

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Nottingham Forest’s Steven Reid fined for repeatedly calling referee a ‘c***’ after Liverpool loss

Manchester United to appoint Johnson as interim head of women's football

Manchester United are expected to appoint Matt Johnson as the club’s new head of women’s football on an interim basis.

Johnson is set to take on the role for six months while United consider their longer-term model.

He will begin the role in May, with United confirming in February head of women’s football Polly Bancroft would be leaving at the end of the campaign to take up a position as a chief executive of League Two side Grimsby Town.

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Manchester United to appoint Matt Johnson as interim head of women’s football

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Manchester United to appoint Matt Johnson as interim head of women’s football

Manchester City close to deal for NYCFC left-back McFarlane

Manchester City are nearing a deal to sign England Under-17 international Christian McFarlane from NYCFC, sources briefed on the deal tell The Athletic.

No deal is done or signed yet, but with NYCFC and Manchester City both under the City Football Group umbrella, it is expected to be completed.

McFarlane, 17, would not move to England until after he turns 18 next January.

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Manchester City close to deal for NYCFC left-back Christian McFarlane

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Manchester City close to deal for NYCFC left-back Christian McFarlane

Leeds' Gyabi out for season after groin surgery

Leeds' Gyabi out for season after groin surgery

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Leeds United's Darko Gyabi is set to miss the remainder of the season after undergoing groin surgery.

The former Manchester City midfielder joins Pascal Struijk, who has also had the same procedure to end his campaign.

The 20-year-old joined Plymouth Argyle on loan in January and went on to make 10 appearances.

A club statement read: "Leeds United can confirm Pascal Struijk and Darko Gyabi have undergone groin surgery.

"Both players will now be out for the remainder of the 2023/24 season, whilst they go through their rehabilitation at Thorp Arch.

"Everyone at the club wishes them well in their recovery and we look forward to them returning to action with the team as soon as they are ready to do so."

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Page to stay on as Wales manager

Page to stay on as Wales manager

Rob Page will stay on as Wales manager despite their failure to qualify for Euro 2024.

Wales fell to Poland in a penalty shootout in Cardiff on Tuesday night to miss out on a place in Germany.

Page took charge of the last European Championships and led his country to a first World Cup since 1958 in Qatar in 2022.

The 49-year-old's deal with the Football Association of Wales (FAW) is set to take him through to the next World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico in 2026.

FAW president Steve Williams said: "The FAW can confirm Rob Page is their manager for the forthcoming campaign in accordance with his contract.

"Rob is the manager. His contract runs to the end of the World Cup and that is how we continue to work."

Leeds defender Struijk undergoes season-ending surgery for groin injury

Leeds defender Struijk undergoes season-ending surgery

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Leeds United defender Pascal Struijk has undergone surgery on a groin injury that will rule him out of the remainder of the campaign.

Leeds boss Daniel Farke confirmed on Wednesday that the Belgian-born central defender will sit out the rest of the season, but is expected to return to full training for the summer ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.

The 24-year-old hasn’t played since the 2-1 defeat to Preston on Boxing Day with the groin issue keeping him sidelined for the last three months.

“A decision was made, he already had his surgery," Farke said on Struik's injury. "It was long and complicated, more than two hours, but it went well. He already started his first steps into the rehab process today. He will miss out the rest of the season but he will be back for pre-season.”

Leeds are currently top of the Championship, above Leicester City on goal difference, having played one game more. They face Watford at Vicarage Road on Friday.

Leeds are confident they have no PSR issues like Leicester’s – only focus is promotion

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Leeds are confident they have no PSR issues like Leicester’s – only focus is promotion

Richarlison says he was depressed following Brazil's World Cup exit

Richarlison says he was depressed following Brazil's World Cup exit

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Tottenham Hotspur and Brazil forward Richarlison has opened up on his depression following the 2022 World Cup, saying he “wanted to give up”.

Richarlison, 26, was Brazil’s leading scorer in the tournament with three goals in four appearances as his nation were eliminated by Croatia at the quarter-final stage.

In an emotional interview with ESPN Brasil, Richarlison said that he told his father he wanted to “give up” after struggling to motivate himself to leave his room and attend training sessions, with the World Cup exit feeling “worse than losing a family member”. He said he has since attended therapy sessions, which he believes helped “save my life”.

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Johnstone set to miss rest of season, Euro 2024 after elbow surgery

Johnstone set to miss rest of season, Euro 2024 after elbow surgery

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Crystal Palace and England goalkeeper Sam Johnstone is expected to miss the remainder of the season and Euro 2024 with an elbow injury.

Johnstone, 31, was set to start England’s friendly with Belgium on Tuesday night before suffering the injury in training ahead of the game.

He was subsequently stood down from the squad and has now undergone surgery on the problem before embarking on a lengthy recovery period.

Jordan Pickford is set as Gareth Southgate's No 1 choice in goal but the backup spots for the tournament in Germany are up for grabs with regular understudy Nick Pope sidelined with injury himself and Aaron Ramsdale struggling for game time at Arsenal.

Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford was called in from the Under-21s following Johnstone's withdrawal while Jack Butland, now at Rangers, was strongly linked with a call-up for the latest squad.

Johnstone's Palace team-mate Dean Henderson could also be in the frame should he finish the season strongly having been part of squads previously during Southgate's tenure.

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Lavia to miss remainder of season after injury setback

Lavia to miss remainder of season after injury setback

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Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia will miss the remainder of the 2023-24 season due to his thigh injury.

The west London club confirmed the news in a statement on Wednesday.

“Recent medical assessments have confirmed that Lavia, who sustained a significant thigh injury against Crystal Palace back in December, will not feature again this season,” Chelsea said.

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Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia to miss remainder of season after injury setback

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Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia to miss remainder of season after injury setback

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Analysing Mainoo's first England start

Our data writer Mark Carey watched Manchester United starlet Kobbie Mainoo for 74 minutes last night and this is what he learnt.

Messi on retirement: 'If I feel good, I will keep playing'

Messi on retirement: 'If I feel good, I will keep playing'

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Lionel Messi says he will call time on his football career when he no longer enjoys playing.

Messi, 36, has a contract with Inter Miami — for whom he has scored 16 goals in 19 first-team appearances since his move from Paris Saint-Germain a year ago — through to the end of 2025.

“I know that as soon as I believe that I can no longer perform, or no longer enjoy the game, or not able to help my team-mates, then I will stop,” Messi told the podcast Big Time, which was broadcast on Saudi Arabian TV this week.

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Camavinga avoids serious injury, in line to face Athletic

Real Madrid midfielder Camavinga escapes serious injury

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Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga has escaped serious injury after being forced off injured while on duty for France on Tuesday night.

Madrid say Camavinga has a slight sprain and the 21-year-old is in line to face Athletic Bilbao in La Liga on Sunday.

Camavinga started the 3-2 win over Chile in Marseille but was substituted before half-time with what appeared to be a twisted ankle.

Madrid doctors made contact with their French national team counterparts following the game with the player returning to Spain for tests on Wednesday.

Ecuador condemn 'events contrary to values' after Paez, 16, allegedly visits nightclub

The Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF) has condemned video footage appearing to show squad members, including 16-year-old Kendry Paez, in a nightclub during April’s international camp in the United States.

Videos emerged on social media appearing to show three players — Paez, plus 32-year-old defender Robert Arboleda and 23-year-old winger Gonzalo Plata — with a female dancer. Arboleda appears to be holding a bundle of bank notes.

A second video appears to show a number of Ecuador players dancing in a club, including Chelsea midfielder Moises Caceido, while a sign is displayed reading “Ecuador in the house”.

The FEF explained players were allotted six and a half hours of free time on Friday — the day after their 2-0 friendly victory over Guatemala at the Red Bull Arena in New Jersey and two days before their defeat to Italy.

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Ecuador condemn ‘events contrary to values’ after 16-year-old Kendry Paez’s alleged nightclub visit

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Ecuador condemn ‘events contrary to values’ after 16-year-old Kendry Paez’s alleged nightclub visit

Spain boss De la Fuente 'ashamed' as Morata booed by fans

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente said it “hurt his soul” to hear the national team’s fans boo captain Alvaro Morata.

Morata, 31, was jeered by fans as he was substituted in the 81st minute of Tuesday night’s friendly clash against Brazil.

The Atletico Madrid striker endured a difficult evening and failed to find a net in the 3-3 draw, which was played at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

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Alvaro Morata booed by Spain supporters, leaving Luis de la Fuente ‘ashamed’

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Alvaro Morata booed by Spain supporters, leaving Luis de la Fuente ‘ashamed’

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LAFC finalizing agreement with Giroud

LAFC is finalizing a deal to sign French forward Olivier Giroud, sources briefed on the deal tell The Athletic.

The agreement would be for Giroud to join LAFC this summer when his contract with AC Milan expires. He would join LAFC after Euro 2024, which runs from June 14 through July 14. MLS’s summer transfer window opens on July 18.

The guaranteed portion of the deal runs through the 2025 MLS season, sources add. LAFC has his MLS discovery rights, meaning they have priority to sign him ahead of any other MLS club.

Giroud, 37, is France’s all-time leading scorer and still active with Les Bleus, having just wrapped up international duty this week. He appeared in a friendly against Germany.

LAFC finalizing agreement with Olivier Giroud, sources say

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LAFC finalizing agreement with Olivier Giroud, sources say

Fulham unveil new stand plans including rooftop terrace and swimming pool

Fulham unveil new stand plans including rooftop terrace and swimming pool

Fulham FC

Fulham have unveiled their latest plans for their New Riverside Stand including Michelin star restaurants, a rooftop terrace and a swimming pool.

The west London club have confirmed a number of premium matchday experiences including a 'Sky Deck', two fine dining restaurants and 'The Dugout', an opportunity to sit behind coaching staff during the match.

Club chairman Shahid Khan said: “My vision for the New Riverside Stand was to provide our fans, and our neighbourhood, with a destination that would continue to honour our history and tradition at Craven Cottage every day of the year, but especially so on match days with a premium experience that will be unlike anything in football, here in London or elsewhere.

"In short, today isn’t about finally being able to offer a higher standard of hospitality options that have essentially been unavailable to Fulham supporters until now.

"It’s about offering the ultimate match day hospitality experience in the world that will also benefit the long-term promise and future of Fulham Football Club.

"The New Riverside Stand at Craven Cottage will make it possible.”

Southgate defends Stones selection despite injury

Southgate defends Stones selection despite injury

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Gareth Southgate has defended his selection of John Stones for England’s friendly against Belgium at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday — despite the Manchester City defender having to be withdrawn in the opening 10 minutes due to an injury.

Southgate added that the Stones, who played the full game when England lost 1-0 against Brazil on Thursday, appeared to have suffered an adductor problem.

The 29-year-old now faces a potential fitness battle ahead of City's crucial Premier League game against leaders Arsenal on Sunday, who lead the Manchester side by a point with 10 matches remaining.

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