The Guardian

Archives reveal how a format that even one winning manager wanted abolished four decades ago came to be As the playoffs begin for the 40th time, it is easy to forget there was once a world without them. But where did they come from? Whose idea were they? And how did they take root in English football? The EFL granted access to its archives containing the documents and meeting minutes charting how…

The world No 1 lost to Jorden van Foreest, but squeezed into a tie for first and won the blitz playoff The world No 1, Magnus Carlsen, making a rare return to classical chess this week at the annual TePe Sigeman tournament in Malmö, Sweden, squeezed through to a blitz ­playoff in Thursday’s final round after ­Turkey’s 14-year-old ­talent Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus ­blundered fatally in the late stages a…

Many of us struggle to not get sucked into the content machine, even if we simply say: ‘This doesn’t matter’ Last week a video did the rounds of Diego Simeone getting annoyed with Ben White for walking over an enormous Atlético Madrid crest-doormat placed literally in the middle of the tunnel entrance which Ben White had to walk into to get to the room Atlético Madrid had themselves selected for …

Villa thrash Forest to reach Europa League final ‘We didn’t want to leave these games with regrets’ John McGinn said Aston Villa took a giant step towards proving they are not “nearly men” after securing their spot in a first European final since 1982 in front of Prince William, who afterwards joined the players in the dressing room. Villa’s captain scored twice late on as Villa romped to a 4-0 E…

A game to suit departing Stones, West Ham’s Pablo under scrutiny against Arsenal and Maddison can rouse Spurs Liverpool have eased one self-inflicted headache by listening to their fans and scrapping plans to raise some ticket prices for the next three seasons. Anfield’s attention can now focus squarely on eradicating another as Arne Slot’s side seek to salvage a desperately poor season with Cham…

US star is still on rebel tour but the desired focus on teams is not something that is catching on with supporters Moments before Bryson DeChambeau teed off to open LIV Golf’s first American tournament of the year, at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia, the public address announcer bellowed “Long! LIV! Golf!” to try and electrify a modest crowd by the first tee. The irony wasn’t lost …

Bill Foley’s Cannae Holdings Inc expected to complete deal Billionaire Foley to provide ‘significant’ investment Exeter’s members have voted in favour of selling the club to the American owners of AFC Bournemouth. Cannae Holdings Inc, part of billionaire Bill Foley’s investment empire which also includes the Black Knight Sports and Entertainment group, is now set to take full control of the Chief…

As the song that has accompanied them on their maiden European adventure promised all along, Crystal Palace are on their way to Leipzig. Sixteen years after rescuing the club he supported as a child from administration, Steve Parish watched on from the stands with pride as Oliver Glasner’s side held off a spirited challenge from Shakhtar Donestsk to book a showdown with Rayo Vallecano in eastern …

Five-year strategy released with traditional courses vulnerable Research aims to underline game’s ‘contribution to our society’ Golf Australia is preparing to defend the country’s public courses against re-zoning attempts as part of its five-year strategy released on Friday, even as participation growth skews towards non-traditional venues like simulators and driving ranges. The sport reported an…

Individual seen in bushes was confronted on Thursday Echoes of Marcelo Bielsa’s 2019 ‘spygate’ affair Middlesbrough believe they caught a Southampton analyst hiding in the bushes and allegedly recording their training session on Thursday morning, in a remarkable repeat of the 2019 Marcelo Bielsa “spygate” affair . Boro are understood to have reported the incident to the English Football League gi…

Valverde accused Frenchman of leaking earlier argument Real play Barcelona on Sunday with title on the line Real Madrid’s Fede Valverde was taken to hospital to have stitches after a second confrontation with teammate Aurélien Tchouaméni in two days, as the club’s collapse into chaos continues. Players held an an emergency meeting and Real have opened disciplinary proceedings after a punch was th…

Wada looking into allegations relating to Rusada chief IOC recommends lifting of ban on Belarusians competing Russia’s return to international sport has been delayed following allegations that its head of anti-doping was involved in covering up drug test results at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. While the International Olympic Committee said on Thursday that athletes from Belarus should now be f…

The Essex and South Africa spinner has taken more Championship wickets than anyone else since arriving in 2017 – but says 18 teams can reward mediocrity For 10 seasons, few have earned the right to comment on English cricket more than Simon Harmer. Because for 10 seasons, no one has taken more County Championship wickets than the South African off-spinner who arrived at Essex in 2017 on a six-mon…

‘I think we give much more than what we get back’ Novak Djokovic lending his support to players Jannik Sinner refused to rule out participating in a player boycott of the grand slam tournaments and accused the majors of disrespect for the top players due to their lack of response in the ongoing prize money dispute. “It’s more about respect, you know?” said Sinner, the men’s No 1. “Because I think…

Spurs fired survival chances with 2-1 win over Villa ‘It was a great first XI,’ says Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi has rubbished the notion that Tottenham’s vital win at Aston Villa on Sunday was down to them facing heavily-rotated opposition. Spurs’s 2-1 success moved them above West Ham and out of the relegation zone with three matches to play, but much of the reaction focused on how Unai …