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Follow live coverage as AFC Bournemouth face Liverpool in the EFL cup. Manchester United won this competition last season - known as the Carabao Cup since 2017 - but it remains Liverpool who have the most triumphs in history, with nine to their name, one ahead of Man City. While all 72 clubs from the football league enter from the first round, Premier League teams enter at the second or third round stage, the latter for clubs competing in Europe this season. The final will be held at Wembley on 25 February, 2024, marking the first chance for both a trophy and a place in next season’s Uefa competitions. Follow live updates from today’s game in the live blog below.

West Ham host Arsenal in the Carabao Cup fourth round tonight as the two Premier League sides attempt to reach the quarter-final stage of the competition and Declan Rice returns to the London Stadium. Despite their Premier League opposition, Hammers boss David Moyes is expected to make sweeping changes to his team as he tries to halt a serious downturn in form. West Ham have gone four matches without a win and their most recent result, a 1-0 loss to Everton in the league, did not sit well with the fans. Their displeasure will evaporate overnight though should the Irons defeat Arsenal at the London Stadium. That won’t be an easy task though. Rotation is likely for Mikel Arteta’s side too as they must prepare for a tough league clash with Newcastle this weekend. That said, the Gunners are unbeaten in four games and put five goals past Sheffield United last time out, with Eddie Nketiah netting his first league hat-trick for the club, meaning they are in top form. With Manchester City already out of the league cup, this will be a competition Arteta will have his sights set on winning. Follow along for all the action from the London Stadium plus get the latest odds and tips right here: Read More What time is the Carabao Cup draw? Date, time and how to watch Carabao Cup extra time rules: What happens if fourth-round matches end in a draw? Why Declan Rice returns to West Ham as Arsenal’s ‘Van Dijk’ signing

Tonight’s Carabao Cup ties will go straight to penalties should they finish as a draw after 90 minutes, with extra-time only coming into play from the semi-final stage of the competition. Premier League leaders Tottenham were knocked out on penalties by Fulham earlier in the tournament, after the second-round match finished as a 1-1 draw following 90 minutes at Craven Cottage. Those rules will apply again tonight as plenty of Premier League sides are in action. Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea will all attempt to reach the quarter-finals, while the draw will take place at the conclusion of Manchester United vs Newcastle - in what is a rematch of last season’s final. League One’s Port Vale were the first team to reach the last eight of the Caraboa Cup, for the first time in their history, after defeating Mansfield Town on Tuesday evening, while an 83rd-minute penalty earned Middlesbrough a 3-2 victory away at Exeter. The quarter-final stage of the Carabao Cup will be played in the week commencing Monday 18 December, before the semi-finals are played across two legs in January. In the semi-finals, extra time will be played should the aggregate score be level at the end of the second leg, followed by penalties if required. The same rules are used for the Carabao Cup final, which is scheduled for 25 February 2024 at Wembley Stadium. Which teams are in the draw and what are their ball numbers? 1. Middlesbrough 2. Port Vale 3. AFC Bournemouth or Liverpool 4. Chelsea or Blackburn Rovers 5. Everton or Burnley 6. Ipswich Town or Fulham 7. Manchester United or Newcastle United 8. West Ham United or Arsenal Read More What time is the Carabao Cup draw? Date, time and how to watch Is West Ham vs Arsenal on TV? Channel, time and how to watch Carabao Cup The eight-month gap that sums up Manchester United’s alarming decline Why Declan Rice returns to West Ham as Arsenal’s ‘Van Dijk’ signing Man Utd vs Newcastle LIVE: Latest Carabao Cup fourth round updates Is Manchester United vs Newcastle on TV? Channel, time and how to watch Carabao Cup

Eniola Aluko still believes England can secure qualification for Great Britain at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The Lionesses – who need to finish top of Nations League Group A1 to have a chance at claiming GB an Olympic spot – slipped to third after losing 3-2 in Belgium on Tuesday. Sarina Wiegman’s side, with six points from four games, are three behind leaders the Netherlands and one behind second-placed Belgium. Their final two group fixtures see them play the Dutch at Wembley on December 1 and then Scotland at Hampden Park four days later. Former England and Team GB forward Aluko said: “It is a tough group with the Netherlands, Belgium and Scotland. It is not an easy group at all. I think the Nations League is deliberately competitive. “Really, England have got to win the last two games to have any chance of qualifying, but if any team is going to prove anyone wrong it’s the Lionesses, and they have done so well in the last two years.” Aluko is not doubtful that England – who were World Cup runners-up over the summer, a year on from winning the Euros – could pull through because they “have everything to win those last two games”. She added: “I think sometimes there can be a bit of a hangover from the World Cup where you have a massive high and then come back to normality. “Sometimes it takes players a little bit to get going again. The season only just started again and we are only five games into the Women’s Super League. “Fatigue is not just physical – it is mental as well. There are so many games and so many tournaments. “Frankly, the women’s game is really competitive. On any given day, Scotland can beat England and Holland can beat England – that is the sort of level of competition we are dealing with.” Aluko was speaking after she collected an MBE for her services to association football and to charity on Wednesday. The Prince of Wales, who presented Aluko with her MBE at a ceremony at Windsor Castle, told her “this feels like this is overdue”, and she later said of that moment: “It was lovely and a really, really nice thing to say.” Broadcaster and football executive Aluko’s playing career included featuring at three World Cups, three European Championships and the London 2012 Olympics. She began her career at Birmingham and had subsequent spells at Charlton, Chelsea and in the United States before returning to Birmingham in 2012. Aluko rejoined Chelsea from 2012 to 2018, during which time she won two WSL titles, the WSL Spring Series and two FA Cups. After announcing her retirement from playing in January 2020 following a spell with Juventus, Aluko had stints as sporting director at Aston Villa and Los Angeles-based Angel City FC. The 36-year-old has also worked heavily with charities and organisations such as Charity Water, Common Goal and Unesco. Read More Football fan convicted of racially abusing Rio Ferdinand Welsh rugby still has deep-rooted issues that need to be sorted – Alun Wyn Jones A bit far-fetched – Eoin Morgan dismisses link with England white-ball coach job England star Alex Greenwood well enough to return home after head injury Tiger Woods-designed course gives ‘a lot of options’ ahead of PGA Tour debut Golf, fish tanks, slippy socks and stray balls – freak injuries to cricket stars

After Australia confirmed they would not bid for the 2034 World Cup to leave Saudi Arabia as the sole candidate, a number of “concerned” football officials said they would wait to publicly speak until the bid process became clearer. Then, a few hours later, Fifa president Gianni Infantino appeared to confirm it all on his Instagram account. “The next two editions of the Fifa World Cup are set to be hosted in Africa (Morocco) and Europe (Portugal and Spain) – with three celebratory matches played in South America (Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay) – in 2030 and in Asia (Saudi Arabia) in 2034.” It was seen as an interesting way to announce what is one of football’s major decisions. So much for going to the member associations for ratification, for a confirmation that was scheduled to come in the fourth quarter of 2024... A decision that very few in football seem to actually want has involved very little discussion at all, at least in public. Like the 2030 World Cup that paved the way for it, it has almost been imposed on the game. That is despite the reality that Saudi Arabia 2034 will involve most of the same discussions as Qatar, but on a completely different scale. The bidding terms were already altered so the kingdom only needed to have four of the 14 required 40,000-seater stadiums, but that means 10 new arenas have to be built. That will involve the same migrant labour system that was such a core criticism of Qatar, but without yet any of the reforms. Saudi Arabia meanwhile has a far more criticised human rights record than its smaller neighbour with far graver issues like capital punishment now coming to the fore. That is because the kingdom is way behind Qatar in terms of progressive reforms, which will foster a much more difficult conversation about women’s rights and who actually feels comfortable attending the World Cup. But corruption? The accusations of bribery that shrouded how the 2022 World Cup was won? There’s no need to get into any of that because it’s all been so smooth, which of course brings us to the modern Fifa, as well as the very governance of football in the 21st century. While Sepp Blatter was actively against Qatar getting the World Cup in 2022, it is pretty clear that Infantino looked on this favourably. It has come as part of strengthening the relationship with the kingdom and Mohammed bin Salman, amid an alignment of ambitions. The crown prince has sought to make the sport a core of his Vision 2030 reform, in part for its immense global popularity, in part for his country’s genuinely vivacious football culture. Infantino is meanwhile seeking to evolve Fifa and the greatest part of that is harnessing the immense power of the club game. A World Cup is only every four years, after all. The club game is all the time and everywhere. “How many people outside of Italy are supporting the Italian national team,” Infantino pondered in October 2019. “Not many, but when you look at how many people are supporting Real Madrid or Barcelona in Spain, this goes much beyond the Spanish borders. These are hundreds of millions of people all around the world…” Eyeing the huge revenues of the Champions League, Infantino has wanted his own version, which is why the Club World Cup is to be expanded to 32 teams from 2025. To make that as glamorous as Uefa’s showpiece event, though, the Fifa president knows he needs the big European names. So he needs funding to make it attractive, especially when previous talk has been about offers of £80m for competing. Saudi Arabia is one of a few states from the global south that have been doing more business with Fifa. A sponsorship deal with Visit Saudi for the Women’s World Cup – ironically held in Australia and New Zealand – already caused a player revolt. Saudi money meanwhile formed part of a Softbank fund that was supposed to finance the previous version of this tournament. From all this, a path has been smoothed for Saudi Arabia to get what it really wants, which is the World Cup. The stadium rules were changed. Rivals were taken out of the running. The Saudis had previously been in the running for 2030, which already had Morocco-Spain-Portugal offering a persuasive commercial argument and Argentina-Paraguay-Uruguay offering a persuasive romantic argument due to the centenary of the first World Cup in Montevideo. From what was potentially the most split voting process of all, a much cleaner solution was raised. The South American countries would get three games to recognise the centenary, and the rest of that World Cup would be held in Morocco-Spain-Portugal. Given Fifa’s continental rotation rules and how 2026 is to be staged in Canada-Mexico-USA, that left only Asian and Oceania countries eligible for 2034. Asia quickly fell in behind Saudi Arabia and it should be noted that Infantino has long built a strong alliance with the Asian confederation. They vote for him as a bloc, in presidential elections that don’t actually have competitors. Rather than the transparency that was supposed to define World Cup democracy after the scandals of 2018-22, football was effectively presented with one choice, all the major moves having taken place in meetings behind closed doors. The point to all of this is not to already have the discussion surrounding Saudi Arabia or other World Cups. It is about, as various sources put it, “the failure of football governance”. It certainly doesn’t feel like true democracy and this is regarding decisions that change the face of the entire game. So, amid all of the discussion about Saudi Arabia, the wonder is why there is not more debate about football’s presidential structure just not working for the sport. This is not unique to Fifa after all. The global body, appropriately enough, just represents the most high-profile example from the top down. Uefa and the continental confederations have similar structures. Most of these presidential elections since the 2015 football governance reforms, including the last two from Uefa for Aleksander Ceferin, have been single-candidate campaigns. This gives the eventual incumbent a significant mandate in itself but also comes in a context where there is no “opposition” or multi-party system to keep democratic processes in check once the president is in power. They in effect become executive presidents, with a huge amount of influence to set the direction of the game for decades. Everything flows from the top down, although presidents inevitably spend a lot of time cultivating power blocs. It is why many describe Infantino’s “today I feel…” speech as political genius rather than simply bizarre, since he was speaking to a huge core of constituents that reject western Europe’s perception of the game. Infantino is widely seen as having Africa and Asia sown up in terms of votes. More generally, confederation meetings are described by various people involved as “muted” with only the presidents really speaking, unless it is to express agreement. Dissent or disagreement, as figures like Norwegian president Lise Klaveness have found, is rapidly shut down. This is in part because the president gets to appoint the committees, which everyone wants to be on, so it means no one steps out of line. This problem of power invested in the role is then compounded by the power of tournaments themselves. It is quite an intoxicating thing to be able to fly around the planet on private jets, “have every door opened” – in the words of one prominent source – and be able to bestow the most popular events in the world on countries. This brings all the pomp and circumstance of a major head of state, but with none of the responsibility or the internal resistance. Figures with long knowledge of how football governance talk of how presidents get “power corrupted”, if not financially corrupted. “Ceferin has changed,” one source who knows him says. It was similarly noted by people in English football how, after the Super League, Ceferin was much more content to thank heads of state rather than football administrators. A tension between Fifa and Uefa over the game’s calendar has meanwhile evolved into an increasingly personal rivalry between Infantino and Ceferin, that drives a lot of modern football. All of this has created a situation where, to bring it full circle, a series of tournament votes where there have been single candidatures too. Although 2026 did have Morocco, it was seen as a fait accompli for Canada-Portugal-Spain and that was the start of a series of five successive European Championships and World Cups where there was only one bid. Is this really how the world’s only truly global game should be governed, especially when that status gives it such profound political power, and it consequently faces a number of existential threats? Decisions of huge importance are taken out of the hands of those most affected. It all speaks to a dangerously split game, prone to all sorts of influences, but this is one huge reason why it is split in the first place. There’s similarly an argument that this isn’t really about individuals in the roles, even if everyone obviously has personal responsibilities. It is what the system produces. The system needs to evolve. There should be wider-reaching outcomes than the mess of 2030, or Saudi Arabia getting 2034. If the Russia-Qatar decisions prompted regime change at Fifa, this should prompt a change of the entire governance model. Read More Saudi Arabian World Cup in 2034 sparks ‘significant concern’ from major leagues Lionel Messi, the complete footballer who completed football, finally leaves the Ballon d’Or stage Enjoying the Qatar World Cup? Here is the reality hiding in plain sight The year that sportswashing won: A season that changed football forever Sportswashing is about to change football beyond anything you can imagine First golf, now football? Saudi Arabia’s grand plan and the 72 hours that changed everything

A football fan has been convicted of racially abusing Rio Ferdinand at a Premier League match. Jamie Arnold hurled racist remarks and hand gestures at the former England defender, who was working as a pundit for BT Sport during the match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United on May 23 2021. The 33-year-old had denied a racially aggravated public order offence but was unanimously convicted on Wednesday following a two-day trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court and will be sentenced on December 8, West Midlands Police said. Arnold is old enough to know such appalling behaviour is inexcusable and certainly won't be tolerated Pc Stuart Ward, West Midlands Police Pc Stuart Ward, the UK’s first dedicated hate crime officer within a football unit for West Midlands Police, said: “Abusing anyone for the colour of their skin is disgusting and can never, ever be condoned. “Arnold is old enough to know such appalling behaviour is inexcusable and certainly won’t be tolerated. “I know from personal experience how being a victim of racism hurts while offenders risk their own aspirations through getting a criminal record. “I would like to thank Rio for his assistance in this investigation. “Through his support, we’ve ensured a man has this conviction to his name.” Arnold, of Stone, Staffordshire, was arrested at the scene following the offence, which occurred during the first game played at Molineux with fans present since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Crown Prosecution Service said he was caught making racist gestures on CCTV and was seen by several witnesses in the stands. Mr Ferdinand told a previous trial that he did not see the gestures made by Arnold, but had noted one fan’s “more aggressive body language”. Arnold was previously banned from games for three years after being found guilty of homophobic abuse and making gestures which mimicked disability during the same game. He was also ordered to pay almost £900 in fines and court costs, West Midlands Police said. A spokesman for campaign organisation Kick It Out said: “Kick It Out welcomes the guilty verdict handed to Arnold today. “It is imperative that perpetrators of discriminatory abuse are held to account for their actions and we hope this result sends a strong statement that racism has no place in our society. “We commend the CPS and West Midlands Police for their work securing justice in this case and would urge authorities across the country to take similar incidents of discriminatory abuse just as seriously. “We continue to work with partners across football to tackle discriminatory abuse as it happens and to ensure that victims receive the support they need. “We would encourage anyone who witnesses discrimination of any sort in future to report it directly to us at Kick It Out.” Read More Welsh rugby still has deep-rooted issues that need to be sorted – Alun Wyn Jones A bit far-fetched – Eoin Morgan dismisses link with England white-ball coach job England star Alex Greenwood well enough to return home after head injury Tiger Woods-designed course gives ‘a lot of options’ ahead of PGA Tour debut Golf, fish tanks, slippy socks and stray balls – freak injuries to cricket stars Nottingham Panthers invite all fans to gathering in honour of Adam Johnson

The Las Vegas Raiders fired former head coach Josh McDaniels and former general manager Dave Ziegler in the wee hours of Wednesday morning. Here are some candidates who could conceivably replace McDaniels as the face of the Silver and Black next year.

Irene Paredes was denied the opportunity to make her 100th appearance for Spain after an computer error meant that she wasn’t listed in the squad for Tuesday’s match against Switzerland. The Barcelona defender had missed her country’s 1-0 win against Italy last Friday with injury but was hoping to make her return to the team for their Nations League fixture in Zurich. However, a computer glitch in Uefa’s system meant that the Spanish Football Federation were unable to update their squad list ahead of the game. The squad from the previous game - which Paredes missed - was instead submitted, meaning the 32-year-old was unable to be selected. The error also meant Amaiur Sarriegi still appeared in the squad list, despite being withdrawn from the national squad due to injury. “There was some kind of computer problem,” Spain’s head coach Montse Tome said. “I was told about it at the hotel so I had to adapt to the situation. From there, we chose the 11 that you saw.” On the pitch, Spain extended their perfect start in their Nations League group, running out comfortable 7-1 winners against Switzerland after a brace from Alexia Putellas. Aitana Bonmati also started the game after being crowned Women’s Ballon d’Or winner earlier in the week. Paredes could still earn her 100th cap for her country in next month’s international break when Space take on Italy and Sweden. Putellas and Jenni Hermoso are the only current players to have reached the landmark for the national side. Hermoso made a triumphant return to the national side last week, coming off the bench to score the winner against Italy in her first appearance for Spain since the kiss scandal involving former Spanish football president Luis Rubiales at the women’s World Cup final. Read More Why the Ballon d’Or still doesn’t care about women’s football Lionel Messi wins record eighth Ballon d’Or as Aitana Bonmati and Jude Bellingham also pick up awards Luis Rubiales banned from football for three years after World Cup final kiss

Celtic have banned the Green Brigade from home matches after the prominent fan group defied the club’s request by displaying Palestine flags at last week’s Champions League game against Atletico Madrid. An email to supporters in the standing section has been published on social media showing that Celtic have suspended season tickets for those who have registered with the ticket office as being part of the ‘ultras’ group, who were already banned from away games as a result of a number of incidents this season. Wary of further Uefa disciplinary action, Celtic had asked fans not to bring any flags associated with the Middle East conflict ahead of facing Atletico at Celtic Park last Wednesday - but thousands defied the club’s appeal. An email leaked on social media shows Celtic cited "repeated incidents of unacceptable conduct involving the ‘Green Brigade’ group". The ban is pending further review and communication with the fans’ group. Celtic have been fined by Uefa twice this season for displays linked to the Green Brigade section - a pyrotechnic show away at Rotterdam and an "anti-fascist" banner which, according to the European governing body, contained a "provocative message of an offensive nature" towards Lazio. Other issues apparently cited by Celtic include "rushing turnstiles" at Fir Park, "illegally gained access" ahead of the Lazio match and "unauthorised banners" plus behaviour towards stewards. A Celtic spokesperson said: "To avoid any misunderstanding, the progressive steps taken by the club over a period of time are as a result of an increasingly serious escalation in unacceptable behaviours and non-compliance with applicable regulations, at matches at Celtic Park and away grounds over a period of time, which are creating serious safety concerns and other issues." Read More Celtic twice throw away lead as Atletico storm back to claim point Manchester United kit ‘too tight’ as players forced to wear replicas Police arrest 70-year-old man after alleged racist abuse during Barrow vs Morecambe

Manchester United players are reportedly wearing replica items of kit during matches this season after players complained the official version was “too tight”. United goalkeeper Andre Onana is said to have found the Adidas performance model to be uncomfortable, according to the Telegraph, after it was designed to be a closer fit than the replica shirts available from the club shop. The £47m summer signing has therefore been wearing a looser version in recent matches, while United’s outfielders have also been wearing non-branded socks since August because players have found they are too tight. United’s players last wore the official black socks with club emblem in the 2-0 defeat to Tottenham and the first-team squad have since been wearing an unofficial Adidas version with no club branding. Some players have also taken to cutting holes in the back of the socks this season because they have too tight around their calves. The Daily Mail reported that Adidas are planning to make minor adjustments to the kit’s design. It comes after Aston Villa and Newcastle experienced problems with the kit provided by their shirt manufacturer Castore earlier this season. Villa’s players reportedly experienced discomfort while wearing the club’s home kit earlier this season after a design issue left the shirts heavy with moisture. Read More Erik ten Hag says ‘only a matter of time’ until Manchester United form improves What time is the Carabao Cup draw? Date, time and how to watch Sir Bobby Charlton funeral announced for November 13

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Cumbria Police have arrested a 70-year-old man after Barrow alleged one of their staff members was racially abused during their home game against Morecambe. Police said they were investigating “an incident of a racially aggravated hate crime” during Barrow’s 1-0 League Two win against Morecambe on Tuesday night at The So Legal Stadium and that the man remains in custody. Cumbria Constabulary said in a statement: “Police are investigating an incident of a racially aggravated hate crime that occurred during the Barrow AFC v Morecambe FC football match in Barrow (31 October). “A 70-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated Section 4a Public Order Act and remains in police custody. “Any hate-related incidents will not be tolerated and will be dealt with robustly.” Meanwhile, Barrow have appealed for witnesses and said they were “conducting a thorough investigation”. A Barrow statement read: “We are aware of an allegation of racist abuse being directed at a Barrow AFC staff member during Tuesday evening’s Sky Bet League Two fixture at The So Legal Stadium. “The club would like to make it absolutely clear that we abhor discrimination in all its forms and will take the strongest action possible, including pursuing life bans, for anyone found guilty of racism. “We will be conducting a thorough investigation and would appeal to any fans who may have witnessed any discriminatory abuse to please come forward.” Morecambe said in statement they were “aware of an incident that has taken place” during the match. They added: “Until full details and understanding of the incident have been made clear, the club will not be making any further comment at this time. Morecambe FC stands against all forms of discrimination.” Read More Barrow demand life bans after alleged racist abuse during Morecambe win England star Alex Greenwood well enough to return home after head injury Cristiano Ronaldo rages against fans, referee and Jordan Henderson in chaotic match