Summary

  1. Poll: Should the Alvarez 'double touch' penalty have been disallowed?published at 14:50 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March

    Harry has echoed the sentiments there of the majority of our readers, if the results of today's poll is anything to go by.

    At present, 59% of you believe that the officials were wrong to disallow Julian Alvarez's penalty.

    What do you think?

    Have your say in the poll at the top of this page.

  2. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 14:48 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Happy to see Uefa act so quickly and with common sense after seeing that last night with the penalty. Was totally unintentional and whilst it added drama it was so unfair on Atleti. I wish the FA would do that when they see multiple incorrect decisions each weekend.

    Harry

  3. What happened with Alvarez?published at 14:47 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March

    Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez slipped as he struck a penalty in a shootout against Real Madrid in Wednesday's second leg of their last-16 Champions League tie against Real Madrid, but the ball flew into the top-left corner.

    Initially, it looked as if the goal had been given, to level the shootout at 2-2, but it was disallowed after a review by the video assistant referee (VAR).

    Alvarez was judged to have kicked the ball on to his standing foot - meaning it fell foul of the double-touch rule.

    That meant the penalty was ruled out - with no option for a retake.

    Real eventually won the shootout 4-2 to progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, triggering complaints to Uefa by Atletico.

  4. Full Uefa statement on disallowed Alvarez penaltypublished at 14:41 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March

    Uefa released the following statement on the double-touch penalty rule:

    "Atletico de Madrid enquired with Uefa over the incident, which led to the disallowance of the kick from the penalty mark taken by Julian Alvarez at the end of yesterday’s Uefa Champions League match against Real Madrid.

    "Although minimal, the player made contact with the ball using his standing foot before kicking it. Under the current rule (Laws of the Game, Law 14.1), the VAR had to call the referee signalling that the goal should be disallowed.

    "Uefa will enter discussions with Fifa and Ifab to determine whether the rule should be reviewed in cases where a double touch is clearly unintentional."

  5. Uefa to enter discussions about 'double-touch' penalty rulepublished at 14:39 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March
    Breaking

    Uefa says they will enter discussions with Fifa and Ifab (International Football Association Board) to determine whether the rule around touching the ball twice during a penalty should be reviewed in cases where a double touch is "clearly unintentional".

    This follows Julian Alvarez's disallowed penalty in Atletico's shootout defeat to Real Madrid.

    More to follow.

  6. Will Nottingham Forest qualify for the Champions League?published at 14:37 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March

    Nottingham Forest v Ipswich (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    Nottingham Forest have had a remarkable season and could top it off potentially with a trophy and a Champions League spot.

    Forest are currently third in the Premier League and will face Brighton in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

    This is quite a turnaround for a team that was in a relegation battle last season.

    While we wait to hear from manager Nuno Espirito Santo, let us know if you think Nottingham Forest will qualify for next season's Champions League - press thumbs up for yes, down for no.

    Nottingham Forest players celebrating in front of the fans.Image source, Getty Images
  7. Postpublished at 14:32 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March

    Just a reminder that we are still waiting to hear from Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo, while Brentford's Thomas Frank is due to speak with the media from 15:00 GMT.

  8. 'Beto and O'Brien have done well at Everton'published at 14:20 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March

    Everton v West Ham (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    West Ham United

    West Ham manager Graham Potter on previously being linked with the Everton job: "I've been linked to quite a lot of jobs. I spoke to a lot of clubs during my time off, and out of respect for them, I will keep everything between me. So I won't confirm or deny anything and I wouldn't believe everything that you read in the newspapers."

    On facing the Toffees at Goodison Park: "It's always a tough place to go. It's got great tradition, and very passionate supporters. I've had some results there, but it's never easy, and it won't be on Saturday.

    "They've always been solid defensively, it was maybe up front where they weren't as strong, but they've made some adjustments and improved and had some really impressive results. We'll have to play well, for sure.

    "Beto has come in and has been really effective. Jake O'Brien has also come in and given them a different dimension. They have had some really impressive results and look a good team. So, we have to play well, for sure."

    BetoImage source, Getty Images
  9. Villa handed Premier League breakpublished at 14:16 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March

    Aston Villa, like Crystal Palace, also have a free weekend. They were due to be playing Liverpool on Saturday, but that match was brought forward after the Reds made the EFL Cup final.

    Unai Emery's side drew that rearranged fixture 2-2 at Villa Park.

    With an international break coming up, they won't be in action now until they visit Championship side Preston in the FA Cup quarter-finals on 30 March.

    Their next Premier League game will be at Brighton on 2 April.

  10. 'Todibo getting closer to playing 90 minutes'published at 14:09 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March

    Everton v West Ham (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    West Ham United

    West Ham manager Graham Potter on Jean-Clair Todibo's fitness: "Him coming off in games is solely due to his fitness. We can't expect him to play 90 minutes straightaway. He's building up his minutes, and he's doing Ramadan as well, it was the first week, so the complication is there around diet and recovery, so we're mindful of that just after an injury.

    "But he is getting stronger and stronger and he will be able to go closer to 90 minutes in this game."

    Jean-Clair TodiboImage source, Getty Images
  11. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 14:08 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Bit of a random one BBC but why are Palace not playing in the latest round of fixtures?

    Nick, Kent

    Palace were due to play against Newcastle, who are playing in the EFL Cup final on Sunday, so their match has been moved to Wednesday, 16 April.

  12. 'Too early to say if Antonio will return this season'published at 14:02 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March

    Everton v West Ham (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    West Ham United

    West Ham manager Graham Potter on whether Michail Antonio will return before the end of the season: "It's too early to say and I don't want to put that deadline or pressure on him. It's great that he is here and making the progress. We need to keep supporting him day by day and week by week and then, we will have to see."

  13. Mbappe back in France squadpublished at 14:00 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March

    Kylian MbappeImage source, Getty Images

    Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe is back in the France squad for the upcoming international break.

    He was absent from Didier Deschamps' squad in October or November and last featured for Les Bleus at the beginning of September.

    France face Croatia in the Nations League quarter-finals later this month.

  14. 'Everyone here has huge respect for Moyes'published at 13:55 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March

    Everton v West Ham (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    West Ham United

    Graham Potter on facing former West Ham boss David Moyes, who has overseen an eight-game unbeaten run at Everton: "He's done really well. He's someone I have huge respect for - he's a really great guy and a top, top coach.

    "It's going to be a difficult game - Goodison Park is always a hard place to go, and he's got them organised and built on that defensive solidity that was always there. They are also scoring goals now and playing really well."

    On Moyes' legacy at West Ham: "I don't think it's a case of ignoring what David did here, because he did a lot of good things, including winning the Europa Conference League. He set a high bar - it was always difficult to play against his teams. They are always competitive and he delivered a major trophy, which is fantastic for the club.

    "Everyone here has huge respect for David and wishes him well at Everton, but obviously not on Saturday!"

    David Moyes with the Conference League trophyImage source, Getty Images
  15. Fullkrug back training with the group - Potterpublished at 13:50 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March

    Everton v West Ham (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    West Ham United

    West Ham manager Graham Potter said that Germany striker Niclas Fullkrug has started training with the group after two months out with injury.

    "Fullkrug will be training with the group, but still not ready to start," Potter said.

    "We will assess him over the next 24 hours if he will be available, but it might be after the international break so that he gets some training. With Crysencio Summerville as well, we are looking after the international break."

    Niclas FullkrugImage source, Getty Images
  16. Republic of Ireland recall Armstrong for play-offpublished at 13:48 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March

    Sinclair ArmstrongImage source, Getty Images

    Bristol City striker Sinclair Armstrong has been recalled to the Republic of Ireland squad ahead of their Nations League play-off against Bulgaria later this month.

    Heimir Hallgrimsson has also included uncapped Watford duo Rocco Vata and James Abankwah as well as QPR defender Jimmy Dunne in his 23-man squad.

    The Republic of Ireland will face Bulgaria in the League B promotion/relegation play-off with the first leg in Plovdiv on Thursday 20 March and the return leg at Dublin's Aviva Stadium on Sunday 23 March.

    Armstrong won his only cap under Stephen Kenny in a defeat by Netherlands in September 2023, but the Bristol City striker has not been included in a squad since.

    The 21-year-old has three goals in 28 appearances for Bristol City this season and has not scored since November.

  17. Potter incomingpublished at 13:45 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March

    Everton v West Ham (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    West Ham United

    West Ham manager Graham Potter said his squad is "pretty much as we were" from their last match - a 1-0 defeat at home to Newcastle on Monday.

    He added that forwards Niclas Fullkrug and Crysencio Summerville are not expected to be available until after the international break and refused to put a timeline on Michail Antonio's return.

    More to follow.

    Graham PotterImage source, Getty Images
  18. Can Everton continue their unbeaten run?published at 13:39 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March

    Everton v West Ham (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    Graham Potter will no doubt be asked about the form of Saturday's opponents Everton under former Hammers boss David Moyes.

    The Toffees are unbeaten in their last eight Premier League games (W4 D4) - their longest run since they went nine unbeaten between December 2016 and February 2017 under Ronald Koeman.

    Their only defeat under Moyes came in his first match back at Goodison Park, against Aston Villa.

    West Ham, meanwhile, have won four of their last six Premier League games against Everton at Goodison Park. That's more than they had in their first 22 visits to the stadium in the English top flight (W3 D5 L14).

    Both sides are tied on 33 points, but with 16 points separating them and18th-placed Ipswich, the duo are all but guaranteed safety.

    Abdoulaye Doucoure of Everton and Jack Harrison of Everton celebrate a goalImage source, Getty Images
  19. Will Antonio play again this season?published at 13:30 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March

    Everton v West Ham (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    West Ham United

    Michail Antonio of West Ham United applauds to the fans at London Stadium.Image source, Getty Images

    Michail Antonio was back at London Stadium earlier this week and received a generous reception from West Ham fans - three months after he was involved in a car accident.

    The West Ham striker required surgery to repair a broken leg in December and has been out of action since.

    The Hammers fans unfurled a huge banner that covered a large part of the lower tier behind one goal, reading: "Michail Antonio - our number 9."

    While a date has not been set for his return, he has resumed running and reports suggest he is hopeful of featuring for the Hammers again this season.

  20. The race for Europepublished at 13:26 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March

    Premier League table

    Nottingham Forest's hopes of Champions League qualification - which would signal a return to Europe’s top competition for the first time since the 1980/81 season - was boosted by their win over Manchester City last time out.

    Nuno Espirito Santo's side are third, four points clear of the reigning Premier League champions, who are fifth.

    Just seven points separate Chelsea in fourth and Fulham down in 10th.

    Seventh-placed Brighton have won four consecutive league matches and are now just a point behind City. The two clubs face off this weekend in the Premier League.

    Newcastle, who are sixth, level on points with City, after moving back above Brighton in the table on Monday, sit out this weekend's league action as they take on Liverpool in the EFL Cup final on Sunday.