Summary

  1. get involved

    Get Involved - Everton receive second points deductionpublished at 12:33 British Summer Time 9 April

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

    Surely a cap on spending, rather than being reactive than proactive? Having a team of players worth £60-£100m minimum vs £1-9m is virtually bullying and needlessly raises egos.

    Ryan

  2. Uefa considering squad increase for Euro 204published at 12:27 British Summer Time 9 April

    European Championship trophyImage source, Getty Images

    Uefa is considering increasing squad sizes for this summer's European Championship in Germany to 26 players following talks with coaches.

    Discussions with international bosses whose teams had qualified for Euro 2024 were held in Dusseldorf on Monday.

    "Uefa has taken note of the various opinions and points of view shared," said a statement from European football's governing body

    "A final decision will be made in the coming weeks."

    The subject was discussed as part of a wider two-day workshop for finalists, and now goes to Uefa's national team competitions committee then its executive committee.

    Squads are currently limited to 23 players, a return to the regulations used prior to Euro 2020. For that tournament, three further players were allowed to mitigate against the impact of potential Covid outbreaks in the squad.

    Read more here.

  3. Who is Ruben Amorim?published at 12:23 British Summer Time 9 April

    Ruben AmorimImage source, Getty Images

    Ruben Amorim spent most of his playing career with Benfica, featuring 153 times for the club, while he also had spells with Braga, Belenenses and Qatari club Al-Wakrah.

    Amorim opted to hang up his boots aged 32 after winning 14 caps with Portugal and began his managerial career in 2018-19 with Portuguese third-tier club Casa Pia.

    Just weeks after taking up the role, Casa Pia were threatened with a points deduction due to Amorim not having completed his coaching badges. He resigned from his position just weeks later.

    He was appointed as the head coach of Braga B in September 2019 and just three months later was promoted to first team manager after the sacking of Ricardo Sa Pinto.

    Amorim led Braga to silverware only three weeks later, lifting the Taça da Liga.

    Sporting Lisbon came calling in March 2020.

    In his first full season in charge, Amorim ended Sporting's 19-year wait for the league title and won the Taça da Liga.

    He has a reputation for developing players too, with the likes of Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha and Manchester midfielder Matheus Nunes benefitting from his guidance.

    Sporting are currently top of the league in Portugal, four points clear of Porto.

  4. Amorim would be 'major signing' for Liverpoolpublished at 12:14 British Summer Time 9 April

    Ruben Amorim shouts from the touchlineImage source, Getty Images

    More from Abel Xavier, who made 48 appearances for Everton before moving to Liverpool in 2002.

    Xavier spoke to BBC World Service on Monday about whether Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim has the personality to be able to replace the outgoing Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.

    “Yes, I believe so," Xavier said.

    "Liverpool’s philosophy was never signing the best players in the world. They can afford it, but if you saw under Klopp, they want to have the best collective team in the world.

    "I think Ruben’s approach is very similar. I played at Liverpool, and I know the exact mentality and identity.

    "With a lot of respect to Sporting Lisbon, I would like to see Ruben Amorim at Liverpool, and I think that he will be a major signing concerning the importance to find the correct person after Klopp.”

  5. 'Destiny is to leave Sporting Lisbon'published at 12:03 British Summer Time 9 April

    Ruben AmorimImage source, Getty Images

    Former Liverpool defender Abel Xavier spoke to BBC World Service yesterday about Ruben Amorim, who is linked with a move to Anfield.

    Amorim is currently in charge of Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon.

    Here's what Xavier had to say about the future of his countryman.

    Are you surprised he has been linked with clubs like Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Barcelona?

    Xavier: “His destiny is to leave Sporting Lisbon. His name is going to be always in one of the top clubs, for sure.

    "I know him very well. He is very humble, discreet, and has a very clear mindset. His communication in Portugal is very honest, very open. Sometimes we, as coaches, need to balance the communication between inside and outside, but he speaks freely. He is able to adapt to the circumstances but not change his convictions.”

    Is he good at developing players?

    Xavier: “Yes. First of all, the philosophy of Sporting Lisbon comes from the academy and progression to the first team. Ruben is also coordinated with the youth development - he knows exactly what the features of certain players are.

    "In recent years, before Ruben, they went more into investments and the club won nothing. With the signing of Ruben, they returned to this identity."

  6. No 'verbal agreement' between Liverpool and Amorimpublished at 11:57 British Summer Time 9 April

    Mandeep Sanghera
    BBC Sport

    Ruben AmorimImage source, Getty Images

    Liverpool have been heavily linked with Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim as a replacement for Jurgen Klopp since Xabi Alonso announced he would be staying at Bayer Leverkusen.

    However, it is not believed the Reds have reached a verbal agreement with Amorim as they continue their search for Klopp's successor when the German leaves at the end of the season.

    It is understood Liverpool are undertaking a thorough and robust process which includes extensive research and due diligence around a number of viable candidates.

    They do not want get into providing a running commentary on their search but, to suggest a preferred candidate has been identified and acted upon, would be wholly inaccurate.

  7. get involved

    Get Involved - Everton receive second points deductionpublished at 11:52 British Summer Time 9 April

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

    Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules are ruining English Football, by punishing wealthy owners for spending their own money on improving their teams. The entire concept is ridiculous and ought to be abolished.

    Matthew Wainwright in Blackburn

  8. Watch: MOTD Top 10published at 11:45 British Summer Time 9 April

    Media caption,

    MOTD Top 10: Aston Villa's relegation with Micah Richards

  9. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 11:41 British Summer Time 9 April

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

    Ronaldo is yesterday’s news and is flipping out in a pointless league of egos. He’s still 18 and thinks he can referee the referee. I don’t miss him.

    Ryan

  10. Postpublished at 11:34 British Summer Time 9 April

    Cristiano RonaldoImage source, Getty Images

    The red card is Ronaldo's first in Saudi Arabia since he moved to Al-Nassr in December 2022.

    But it is his 12th of all-time, with his first one back in May 2004 during a Manchester United Premier League encounter with Aston Villa.

    During his spell at United, Ronaldo received four red cards overall before six at Real Madrid and once at Juventus - but he has never been sent off for Portugal.

    But this incident against Al-Hilal is the latest in a turbulent few months for the superstar.

    In February, he was banned for one match for provoking fans during Al-Nassr's match against Al-Shabab when the crowd were chanting Messi's name at him.

    His side were then knocked out of the Asian Champions League in a quarter-final penalty shootout loss to Al-Ain in March.

  11. Postpublished at 11:26 British Summer Time 9 April

    Cristiano Ronaldo was visibly unhappy with the referee's decision, appearing to raise his fist towards him as he left the field.

    He then added some more interesting reactions towards the referee and Al Bulayhi as he departed.

    Cristiano Ronaldo reacts to the referee after been given a red cardImage source, Reuters
    Cristiano Ronaldo reacts to the crowd after being sent off for Al NassrImage source, Reuters
    Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after being sent off for Al NassrImage source, Reuters
  12. Ronaldo's red card in picturespublished at 11:19 British Summer Time 9 April

    Cristiano Ronaldo appeared to swing his elbow twice at Ali Al Bulayi after 86 minutes.

    Cristiano Ronaldo elbows an opposition player during Al-Nassr v Al-HilalImage source, Reuters

    Al Bulayhi then fell to the floor...

    Cristiano Ronaldo elbows an opposition player during Al-Nassr v Al-HilalImage source, Reuters

    And the straight red immediately followed.

    Cristiano Ronaldo is shown a red cardImage source, Reuters
  13. Ronaldo sent off in Al-Nassr semi-final defeatpublished at 11:13 British Summer Time 9 April

    Al-Hilal 2-1 Al-Nassr

    Cristiano RonaldoImage source, EPA

    Al-Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off for elbowing an opponent during his side's 2-1 Saudi Super Cup semi-final defeat by Al-Hilal.

    Ronaldo, 39, was shown a straight red card on 86 minutes after appearing to swing his elbow twice into the chest of Ali Al Bulayhi, who fell to the floor.

    The Portugal international then appeared to raise his first towards the referee before leaving the field.

    It is Ronaldo's first red card since his move to Al-Nassr in December 2022.

    Al-Nassr were trailing 2-0 at that stage after goals from Salem Al-Dawsari and Malcom, with former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane pulling one back in stoppage time.

    Three-time winners Al-Hilal will play Al-Ittihad in the final on Thursday.

    Al-Ittihad beat Al-Wehda 2-1 in their semi-final earlier on Monday thanks to goals from former Real Madrid captain Karim Benzema and Morocco forward Abderrazak Hamdallah.

  14. get involved

    Get Involved - Everton receive second points deductionpublished at 11:06 British Summer Time 9 April

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

    Instead of points deductions, which upsets the league table at a crucial time of the season, make the offending clubs pay the overspend amount into the EFL pool for the lower clubs to share out.

    Tony, Whitley Bay

  15. get involved

    Get Involved - Everton receive second points deductionpublished at 10:51 British Summer Time 9 April

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

    It really is a mess this drip drip of points being deducted. It should apply to the following season.

    Stuart Knight, Bolton

  16. 'Evertonians have to come together'published at 10:45 British Summer Time 9 April

    Everton fans waving flagsImage source, Getty Images

    Everton fan Peter Macfarlane and host of podcast The Blue Room speaks to BBC Radio 5 Live on the club's two-point deduction: "There has to be some sort of relief because it appears that it's coming to its conclusion now.

    "I feel like we've been in the dark since November - we haven't actually known where we stood in the league with these point deductions.

    "As disappointing as it is to get more points taken off us and how much of an injustice we may feel that is, at least we now know what we need to do to stay in the Premier League. There has been such a cloud hanging over the club and hanging over the supporters for such a long time.

    "It's been difficult to keep morale high - or any resemblance of morale, to be honest. We just have to go out and win now and stay in the Premier League.

    "It's no surprise the Premier League has decided to come in hard. I would have been more surprised if it was seen to be more reasonable, given how we feel they have acted towards Everton and Evertonians this year.

    "We've had four separate commissions, including our appeal, and all four have disagreed and contradicted each other. There's no consistency or clear guidelines.

    "We have a number of home games but you can't underestimate anyone because the teams that we're going to be playing will be fighting for their lives. We have Brentford, Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United all to come.

    "It's been difficult to pick up points at home given the mood around the place but Evertonians have to come together, and I know that's what we do best when our backs are up against the wall."

    BBC Sport has a dedicated Everton page packed with news, analysis and fan views - get it here

  17. get involved

    Get Involved - Everton receive second points deductionpublished at 10:37 British Summer Time 9 April

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

    The huge amounts of money involved in football are destroying our beautiful game. The Everton, Forest and one day Man City punishments should be celebrated for finally giving us all tangible evidence of this truth.

    Chris

  18. get involved

    Get Involved - Everton receive second points deductionpublished at 10:30 British Summer Time 9 April

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

    If you ask me, Everton should count their lucky stars that the first points deduction wasn't applied last season, as the first breach was from the 21/22 season. A 6 points deduction would have been more than enough to see them relegated that year.

    JC, Devon

  19. 'The more we look at it, the more it becomes complex'published at 10:25 British Summer Time 9 April

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    Everton badge on Goodison ParkImage source, Getty Images

    Football finance expert Kieran Maguire has spoken to BBC Radio 5 Live about Everton's two-point deduction:

    "Under the accounting rules, if you're putting together a piece of real estate or property, you are allowed to add together all of the costs - material, labour, and overhead cost, including interest - and, instead of treating it as a cost in terms of the day-to-day business, it gets added to the value of the property.

    "Everton have done that, and it appears to be in the rules but the Premier League is saying it's not so certain about that, even it allowed Spurs to do it. The more we look at it, the more it becomes complex.

    "We have now a situation where Nottingham Forest have appealed, then Everton appeal. The frightening thought is that we could get to the end of the season and still not know who has been relegated."

  20. Postpublished at 10:20 British Summer Time 9 April

    Andros Townsend
    Luton Town midfielder on the Monday Night Club

    Ultimately, I don't think teams thought that the punishment would be this severe.

    Everton would have known they weren't going to be inside that £105m debt because they spent £30-odd million in the summer. So I wonder if clubs thought that it would just be a fine and a slap on the wrist and we just get on with it.