Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Football

<p>Bodo/Glimt are thrilled to be involved in the Champions League knockout phase play-offs</p>

Richard JollyFootball

The four teams that show why the Champions League play-offs work

The extra two games can be a burden for some of Europe’s royalty, but, as Richard Jolly details, the extra stage affords a stage to shine for a more diverse selection of sides across the continent

<p>Fifth round ties will be played on the weekend of 7 March</p>

Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea learn fate in FA Cup fifth-round draw

<p>Troy Parrott has inspired hope that the Republic of Ireland can qualify for this summer’s World Cup finals</p>

Parrott on becoming Republic of Ireland’s hero and Mourinho’s impact

<p>Kim Hellberg has got Middlesbrough playing exciting, winning football</p>

Hellberg’s high-octane football has Boro closing in on Premier League

Inside Football

<p>Interim head coach Michael Carrick (right) congratulates Benjamin Sesko at the end of the game (Martin Rickett/PA)</p>

Managers are evolving – and so is United’s most promising candidate

The VAR storm missed the point of Liverpool’s defeat

<p>Arne Slot embraces Pep Guardiola at Anfield</p>

What’s really happening with Guardiola and Slot amid erratic campaigns

<p>Guardiola has won six Premier League titles in seven years and claimed the Champions League trophy with City</p>

Inside the latest twists in a title race defined by volatility

ACFC

Why I’m breaking up with Eddie Howe… maybe

<p>Real Madrid's head coach Xabi Alonso shake hands with Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior</p>

Football’s next tactical innovation is ‘just not having a manager’

<p>Discover the absurdities and oddities of the beautiful game with the Adam Clery Football Column</p>

Unpack football’s absurdities with Adam Clery’s ACFC newsletter

<p>Argentinian referee Horacio Elizondo (2ndR) shows the red card to English forward Wayne Rooney</p>

Football wishes it was darts – but darts wants to be pro wrestling

Premier League

<p>Lucas Digne of Aston Villa is shown a yellow card by referee Chris Kavanagh during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Aston Villa and Newcastle United </p>

Under-fire referee dropped from upcoming Premier League games

<p> Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn and Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United react after referee Chris Kavanagh and assistant referee Nick Greenhalgh failed to award a penalty during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Aston Villa and Newcastle United</p>

Premier League makes Chris Kavanagh decision after FA Cup errors

<p>Igor Tudor has made significant changes to Tottenham’s coaching team (Andrew Matthews/PA)</p>

Igor Tudor brings in new coaching trio at Tottenham

<p>Igor Tudor has brought in his own coaching staff (Andrew Matthews/PA)</p>

Tottenham coach sacked after just one month

European football

<p>Kane now has 126 goals in 131 games for Bayern Munich</p>

Harry Kane scores 500th career goal with brace against Werder Bremen

<p>Barcelona have formally withdrawn from European Super League project</p>

Barcelona officially pull out of European Super League

<p>Newcastle will hope to book their place in the Champions League round of 16</p>

Newcastle to face Qarabag in Champions League knockout play-offs

International football

<p>Thomas Tuchel has extended his contract with England until 2028</p>

Tuchel extends England contract to rule himself out of Man United job

England confirm final friendlies before World Cup 2026

<p>Pape Thiaw took his Senegal players off the pitch late on in the Africa Cup of Nations final</p>

Senegal manager Thiaw given five-match ban after Afcon final chaos

Football League

<p>Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson was given the Freedom of the borough this week following the club’s rise through the English leagues (Cody Froggatt/PA)</p>

Wrexham boss welcomes Championship play-off expansion plans

Portsmouth and Southampton share points in fierce renewal of rivalry

<p>The fan sadly died after suffering a medical emergency at the Valley</p>

Charlton fan dies as Portsmouth game abandoned for medical emergency

Football betting

<p>Best football betting sites ranked</p>

Best Football Betting Sites UK: Top 10 Ranked (February 2026)

<p></p>

Best Betting Sites UK: Top 10 Online Bookmakers For June 2025

<p>Compare the latest free bets and betting sign up offers in our complete review</p>

Best free bets UK: Top betting sign up offers

How to bet on football