List of All Articles with Tag 'ball'

Bryan Harsin is having the time of his life away from coaching Auburn football into the ground.After the worst tenure of Auburn football we have seen in over a century, Bryan Harsin is having the time of his life away from the coaching profession.Harsin recently spoke with ESPN's Chris ...

One thing is for sure: Deion Sanders will get butts into seats to see Colorado play football.It may take a year or so before they start winning more games than they lose, but Deion Sanders has so much positive momentum working for him at Colorado.The greatest cover cornerback in NFL history ...

A 19-year-old college baseball player has died from head injuries after a dugout collapsed on him while he was volunteering in Pennsylvania, according to school officials.

Wigan Athletic’s campaign ended in disappointing fashion after they were relegated from the Championship, bottom of the table - and 2023/24 is set to start in equally bad fashion. The Latics were handed a four-point deduction for next season by the EFL after failing to pay players’ wages on time, with that reduction set to impact on their immediate start to life in League One. However, they were also given a second suspended four-point penalty which would come into effect if either the club owner failed to deposit a required amount to more than cover payments into a designated account by 24 May or if Wigan failed to pay wages again between now and the end of next term - and that second penalty has now been activated, meaning they’ll start 23/24 on minus eight points. The EFL confirmed on Friday that they had requested Wigan owner Abdulrahman Al-Jasmi deposit funds equating to 125% of their “forecast monthly wage bill” into the club account. A statement from the organisation added they had “spent the past 48 hours in dialogue with the Club in an attempt to find a positive outcome” before confirming the additional points penalty had been executed. This follows Wigan being late with two instances of paying players, on Friday 24 March instead of Friday 10 March and on Tuesday 16 May instead of Friday 5 May. They had also been charged with misconduct following three late instances of payments in 2022. A statement from the club confirmed they intended to consider an appeal. “The football club has been very transparent with the EFL, who have had clear visibility of the eight-figure sum to finance the remainder of this season and the whole of next season,” it said. “The club will now consider all options open.” Wigan also revealed their intent to restructure the club financially, appearing to suggest that promotion to the Championship ahead of schedule caused cash flow problems as a result of the need to “strengthen again in the summer and in the January Transfer Window” which left “the wage budget...unfortunately becoming more and more unmanageable”. A series of meetings have agreed a wage budget for next season which will be 65% lower than this year, while the club anticipate beginning life back in the third tier with a new CEO and sporting director in place as well as greater emphasis on youth development. While that should lead to a more sustainable future, given they’ll start the year eight points adrift already, fans will no doubt be fearing that could lead to a second successive season with Wigan fighting against relegation. Read More It’s his problem – Frank Lampard says next Chelsea boss has to turn club around ‘Business as usual’ as Chelsea look to wrap up Women’s Super League title Andy Pilley steps down as chairman and director of Fleetwood

Frank Lampard said turning around Chelsea’s fortunes will be the next manager’s problem as he prepares to bow out from his interim role after Sunday’s game against Newcastle. The team’s wretched season slumped to a new low with a 4-1 thumping against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Thursday, the ninth defeat of Lampard’s 11 games in charge. If results go against them on the final day they could finish as low as 14th and equal their worst placing in the Premier League era. They are already guaranteed to end with their lowest points tally in the competition, with the fewest number of goals the club have scored in a Premier League campaign. Mauricio Pochettino is expected to be appointed as the club’s next permanent manager in the coming days and his in-tray will include quickly slimming down a bloated first-team squad and installing cohesion in a team that has lost its way since Graham Potter was sacked in April. Chelsea have won only once in the almost two months since Potter was removed seven months into a five-year contract, and the task of rediscovering the team’s form has seemingly grown more daunting with each defeat. A remedy has proved beyond Lampard in his short time in charge, and he was asked whether the incoming manager will have the toughest job of any Chelsea boss in the last 20 years. “It’s a good headline but I don’t know,” said Lampard. “It remains to be seen, I can’t jump into the future. “I think it is a fantastic job because it is the Chelsea job and when I took it first time (in 2019) I came I probably got it it was because a lot of top managers didn’t want that, I know that for a fact. “I enjoyed the process and I enjoyed coming in and I wish the new manager well. “I don’t know… it’s his problem I guess – is that the headline you wanted?” One of the hindering factors during Lampard’s reign has been the size of the squad, with 34 first-team players vying for selection following co-owner Todd Boehly’s whirlwind transfer activity during his first 12 months in control. It has meant limited playing time for younger members of the squad, even those signed for large fees and with high expectations. Carney Chukwuemeka joined from Aston Villa for £20million last summer but has struggled for minutes, whilst Noni Madueke arrived for £29m from PSV Eindhoven and has featured just 11 times. Both players started the loss at Old Trafford and played 82 minutes before being substituted and Lampard said he was pleased with the application of players that came in having not been regulars in the side. “I don’t want to go into individuals,” he said. “I thought Carney did really well (against United) coming in to midfield with personality. It has been one of the harder parts of my job with the numbers in the squad. “Going with a team to win important games and working with the younger players who we haven’t seen before because normally there is a process and a pre-season. “We haven’t had that time. I thought Carney did well, I thought Noni did pretty well again and the flip of that was that Azpi (Cesar Azpilicueta) was fantastic with his captaincy and attitude. “It is 70 per cent of the game how you apply yourself and your attitude.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Aryna Sabalenka to begin French Open against player who ‘hates’ her Andy Pilley steps down as chairman and director of Fleetwood ‘Business as usual’ as Chelsea look to wrap up Women’s Super League title

Oklahoma state legislature prioritized overturning an NIL bill previously vetoed by its governor.While Oklahoma governor Kevin Stitt wants to get teachers raises more than anything in the world, the state legislature wants to make sure its college programs don't get lapped when it comes to ...

Andy Pilley has stepped down as chairman and director of Fleetwood as discussions continue surrounding a change of ownership and control at the Sky Bet League One club. Pilley will be sentenced next month after being convicted on four counts of fraud. The 52-year-old was found guilty last week of two counts of fraudulent trading, fraud by false representation and being involved in the acquisition, retention, use or control of the proceeds of fraudulently mis-sold energy contracts. Pilley was remanded in custody and he will be sentenced on July 3. Also chairman of BES Utilities, Pilley had been involved in High Court litigation with Cheshire West and Chester Council, but lost a civil court fight over investigating allegations of mis-selling. Pilley had been the chairman and owner of Fleetwood for 20 years and overseen the club’s rise from non-league status to the English Football League. In announcing the boardroom changes, Fleetwood, who finished 13th last season, said it would be “business as usual” while working through the transition of ownership. A statement on Friday afternoon read: “Fleetwood Town can confirm Andy Pilley has stepped down as chairman and director of the club. “Steve Curwood, who has been the club’s CEO for 15 years, will be appointed interim chairman with current vice chairman Phil Brown to join the board as a director. “The club have this week entered discussions with the EFL in relation to requirements surrounding a change of ownership and control. “The club would also like to clarify there will be no other changes to the board before the planned change of ownership. “In the meantime, the club will continue to operate business as usual and will make a further announcement in due course.”

Chelsea boss Emma Hayes says it is “business as usual” for her side as they prepare for Saturday’s Super League finale, looking to wrap up another title. Ahead of the season’s concluding round of fixtures, the Blues – who have won the WSL five times and for each of the last three seasons – are two points clear of second-placed Manchester United, with a goal difference better by five. Chelsea, aiming to complete a league and FA Cup double, play bottom side Reading away, while Marc Skinner’s United are at Liverpool. Hayes told a press conference: “I think back to every campaign, we’ve only won the league by a couple of points at best, maybe (with) a game (to spare) somewhere along the line, so this is just business as usual for us. “The preparation is what we’d prepared for at the very beginning of the season. “It’s not like we’ve won leagues comfortably in the past – so nothing is different from our perspective. We’ve always known from previous experience it goes to the last game.” A win to seal the title would be a seventh successive league victory for Chelsea, who have scored 24 goals in the past six games, conceding once. It's not like we've won leagues comfortably in the past – so nothing is different from our perspective Emma Hayes Reading, meanwhile, have lost each of their last five games, conceding 16 times across their last four. The Royals pulled off a shock 1-0 win at home against Chelsea last season, and Hayes said: “We don’t think about that. What we think about is we are exactly where we want to be – a position to control the outcome. “I have to keep reminding the team we’re 90 minutes away from winning the title and all of my energy’s focused on doing that.” Regardless of what happens on Saturday, United – guaranteed at least second, their first finish in a Champions League berth – have had their best WSL campaign to date, as well making a debut FA Cup final appearance, when they were beaten 1-0 by Chelsea and Skinner has said he feels his side do not “get enough credit”. Asked about that comment, Hayes said: “They should. They’ve had an outstanding year. I’m sure Marc will build on that and make them even more competitive next year.” Reading need to win to have any chance of surviving, lying two points adrift of 11th-placed Leicester, who have an inferior goal difference by three and go to Brighton. Reading boss Kelly Chambers said: “If you just give up now or don’t believe then, for me, what’s the point of stepping out there on Saturday? “There’s still a glimmer of hope there for us and we just have to give everything we can. If we are beaten by the better team, I can accept that – what I can’t accept is that we don’t turn up and fight for everything.” Third-placed Arsenal look set to seal the final Champions League spot, currently three points clear of Manchester City and holding a goal difference advantage over them of 11. Jonas Eidevall’s Gunners host fifth-placed Aston Villa, whose 21-goal forward Rachel Daly was named WSL player of the year on Friday, while Gareth Taylor’s City play Everton at home. It would be the first time since 2014 that City have finished outside the European places. Taylor said: “It’s fine margins between being successful in the season like Chelsea and where we’re at coming up short. “With the group we have and the support, if we can squeeze more out of these players with another season, it’s exciting times.” Saturday’s other match sees West Ham entertain Tottenham. Meanwhile, according to Football Association statistics released on Friday, WSL attendances are up 173 per cent this season compared to the last, with the 2022-23 average being 5,272, up from 1,931. The cumulative attendance for the current WSL campaign stands at 664,211, and all of the three highest-ever WSL crowds were achieved this season. They were 47,367 for Arsenal against Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium in September, 44,259 for Manchester City v Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium in December, and 42,700 for Arsenal against Chelsea at the Emirates in January. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live If she hates me, OK – Aryna Sabalenka on first-round clash with Marta Kostyuk Pep Guardiola convinced Man City can make most of opportunity to win treble Pep Guardiola fears Vinicius Junior racism row won’t make a difference in Spain

Chelsea are insistent on receiving at least £55m for Mason Mount this summer, with Manchester United yet to match the club’s valuation for the England international despite leading the race for his signature. The 24-year-old is willing to go to United amid interest from Liverpool and Arsenal and agreement on a price is now the only obstacle to his move to Old Trafford. Mount only has a year left on his contract and has refused to sign a new deal amid uncertainty at Chelsea. The midfielder believes United’s system under Erik ten Hag offers the best fit, with the Dutchman understood to have the clearest idea for him. United do not want to go as high as £55m because their own summer budget is open to change with the takeover, but it is felt a deal will eventually be done despite the clubs currently being some way off agreement. United thrashed Chelsea on Thursday night to secure Champions League qualification which drastically improved what they can offer Mount next season. Ahead of the meeting at Old Trafford, United boss Ten Hag rather pointedly noted that spending big sums without having a cohesive plan in place to utilise those signings effectively was a total waste - as Chelsea have found out this season. “When there is no strategy behind, or (not) the right strategy, money doesn’t work,” he said. “In this moment there is a centralisation of good players, of the best managers, also of the money, it is all here in the UK. And that makes a great competition, but also a tough and a hard competition. “And you have to do the right things and you can have money but you have to do it and spend it in a smart way and also you need a strategy behind it, because, otherwise, the money doesn’t work.” Read More £600m spent but still outscored by Haaland – Chelsea’s masterpiece of stupidity Manchester United owe Champions League return to one man Man Utd to learn extent of Antony injury which will see him miss FA Cup final

Pep Guardiola has said he is “not optimistic” the Vinicius Junior racism row that has erupted in Spain will drive a change of attitude in the country. Real Madrid forward Vinicius was racially abused by fans during his side’s game at Valencia in LaLiga last week. The affair has sparked a wave of criticism of Spanish football and the way it deals with such matters. It is thought to be at least the 10th time Brazil international Vinicius has been racially abused this season alone. Manchester City manager Guardiola, the former Barcelona boss, believes the Spanish game can learn from English football on the issue. “They should,” he said. “Here they are so strict. They know what they have to do. “Of course racism is a problem everywhere, not just in one specific place. Everywhere we have (people) thinking we are better than our neighbours, we are better than the other ones, for all generations everywhere. We need to accept the diversity as a strength, like a human being – and still right now, we are far away from that Pep Guardiola “Our ancestors come from migrants, come from wars, come from dictatorships, you have to move from other countries, build families there and come back to where you’re born. “The problem is that there is racism everywhere. Not just for gender but for colour, for attitudes. We believe that our language is better than the other one, our country is better than the other one. “As much as you travel in other countries, you realise we are the same, with the same fears, with the same good things. “We need to accept the diversity as a strength, like a human being – and still right now, we are far away from that. “Hopefully it can be one step to getting better in Spain but I’m not optimistic. I know a little bit the country and I’m not really optimistic. “There are a lot of black people stepping forward to defend what they should not (have to) defend. Hopefully justice can help to do it but in the same time is it going to change anything in Spain?” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Pep Guardiola convinced Man City can make most of opportunity to win treble Ryan Mason believes Tottenham are still an attractive proposition for managers Rankings don’t lie – Dan Evans believes British tennis has soul-searching to do

Of course, Alabama head coach Nick Saban would be opposed to a nine-game SEC schedule...SEC expansion is coming in two years, but we still don't know if it will be remain an eight-game conference schedule out of fear and control, or if the league will wisely accept the notion of a progressi...

Ryan Mason insists the Tottenham job remains an attractive proposition despite another protracted search for the head coach role. Spurs saw another contender to permanently replace Antonio Conte exit the running this week after Feyenoord boss Arne Slot committed his long-term future to the Eredivisie club before he signed a new deal on Friday. Tottenham held an interest in Slot but no direct discussions with the 44-year-old took place, the PA news agency understands. Other managers linked with the vacancy, such as Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso and Burnley boss Vincent Kompany, have also pledged their immediate futures to their current clubs, but acting head coach Mason is under no illusions the top job at Spurs remains desirable. Asked if the Tottenham job was still an attractive proposition, Mason replied: “Absolutely, yes. “It is Tottenham Hotspur, it is a big club. Not just for managers or coaches, but for staff members, for players. “Anyone here should feel the privilege and honour to represent the badge. If they don’t, then they shouldn’t be here. It is as simple as that.” When Conte left his position on March 26, Tottenham were firmly in the race for Champions League qualification but they travel to relegation-threatened Leeds on Sunday with only a faint chance of securing a place in the Europa Conference League. It is Tottenham Hotspur, it is a big club. Not just for managers or coaches, but for staff members, for players Ryan Mason Mason insisted that, while European football for next season is crucial, the most important task for the club is to put a plan in place. “Obviously it has its implications and it’s not where the football club wants to be. We definitely want to be competing in Europe,” Spurs’ acting head coach stated. “Any European competition is important for a club this size but at the same time the most important thing, regardless of whether we’re in or out of Europe, is that there is a plan and there is commitment from everyone to that going forward.” During the last few weeks, Mason has repeatedly referenced the need for commitment at the club without going into specifics. Even before Conte departed two months ago, the future of the Italian was uncertain with his deal set to expire this summer anyway. Mason again refused to be drawn on whether any coaches, players or staff had lacked commitment this season, but admitted the squad had been affected by the turmoil off the pitch. He added: “The results before he (Conte) left weren’t amazing. I don’t think results have dipped a huge amount. “Obviously we were in a different position but I think you could feel it, you could feel it the weeks leading up to it there was uncertainty and it’s never great to have that uncertainty. “We’ve probably been in that situation for the last eight weeks where there’s been a lot of uncertainty. “That is why one of my main things when me and my team of people came in, I wanted to create a togetherness and make us feel part of something towards the end of the season.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Rankings don’t lie – Dan Evans believes British tennis has soul-searching to do Cameron Norrie sees Lyon title defence ended by Francisco Cerundolo Mikel Arteta braced for even harder Premier League challenge next season