Simon Stone
BBC Sport

Bury's attempt to climb out of the North West Counties League has erupted into a huge row.

The relaunched club have reached the promotion play-off final on Saturday, when they will visit Wythenshawe Town.

I was told yesterday Bury were attempting to persuade the league to switch the game to Gigg Lane due to the size of their support - they got over 4,000 for their semi-final with Charnock Richard on Saturday.

Wythenshawe Town have stood their ground, which they are entitled to do under league rules as they finished higher in the league.

Bury put a statement out last night, saying they would only get 200 tickets for the game. This prompted a few supporters to say they would turn up anyway and force their way in.

Wythenshawe have responded this morning to say they don't appreciate being 'bullied' about the venue for the game and that 200 tickets is an 'initial' allocation.

It should be a spicy atmosphere at Ericstan Stadium at the weekend. Promotion to the Northern Premier League is the prize for the victor.

Newcastle United made the following statement today, following the announcement by the Football Association that their Italian midfielder, Sandro Tonali, who is currently serving a ban for breaching betting rules, had been handed a further two-month punishment, which will be suspended until the 2024-25 season:

"The banning period is fully suspended for the duration of the 2024/25 season, meaning he will be available to return to competitive football upon the conclusion of an existing 10-month sanction imposed by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) on 27 October 2023.

"Provided that he does not commit any further breach of the FA Betting Rules during the suspension period, Sandro will not serve any part of the two-month sanction."

Sandro Tonali, 23, is currently serving a 10-month ban issued by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) in October for breaking betting rules in Italy.

The Italian midfielder was banned by the FIGC for betting on matches involving his teams Brescia and Milan, and Fifa later granted the Italian federation's request to have the ban extended worldwide.

Tonali joined Newcastle from AC Milan in July for £55m.

The Football Association alleged in March that Tonali broke its rules by placing 50 bets on matches between 12 August and 12 October 2023.

A Newcastle statement said that the latest charges and subsequent punishment for Tonali followed his decision to "self-declare" breaches of the FA's Betting Rules.

The latest punishment for Sandro Tonali relates to Football Association misconduct charges revealed in March - that the Italy midfielder had breached betting rules during his time as a Newcastle player.

Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali has been given a two-month ban from all football activity, suspended until 2024-25, plus a £20,000 fine and a warning after he admitted further breaches of the Football Association's betting rules.

Read more about this developing story here.

Image source, Getty Images

Luton Town

Luton Town manager Rob Edwards on how many points he thinks Luton need to survive: "No, it never has. I know we've had some difficult moments. The performance (against Everton earlier this season) may have been brushed under the carpet at the time, but it was a really good performance. We've had some difficult times. Belief hasn't waned, we have to believe and have something to focus on. We talked about that feeling of success and how we get it as well. Belief is completely there. Our supporters have been incredible as well and after every game, they've been lifting us as well."

Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo on the relegation battle: "Looking at the table and the points, the next matches - it's going to be until the end, it's not going to be solved.

"We are fortunate that we depend on ourselves and this is how we must keep it after Sheffield [United]. It must still be in our hands."

Burnley

It is difficult for Burnley at this point as we are waiting for the outcome of Nottingham Forest's points deduction appeal and the Clarets will likely be believing that Forest will get some points back, says Michael Brown in his latest column for BBC Sport.

Burnley had a tough start to life back in the Premier League. They brought in a lot of players and had to face big teams in the beginning so that cost them a bit of time. They were competitive in a lot of games but have a really young squad and found it hard to see off teams. At times where they have done well in a match, they have just ran out steam and mistakes have crept in.

Whether Vincent Kompany has been too rigid in his principles and style is difficult to say.

With three games to go, can they stay up? Yes. Is it going to be a step too far? I think it actually depends on Nottingham Forest's performance and whether they get any points back.

Click here to read Michael Brown's full column, along with lots more Burnley content.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

Further to my earlier entry on a potential extra European place for the Premier League next season, what Aston Villa do in the Europa Conference League is irrelevant as by winning it, they would qualify for the Europa League.

The worst they can do in the Premier League is finish fifth, which means they will be in the Europa League next season anyway.

The 'spare' place is redistributed amongst the other teams in the Europa League. Eighth in the Premier League will not get you into Europe (unless that is where Manchester United finish and they win the FA Cup).

Manchester United

And finally from Erik ten Hag, the Manchester United manager had this to say on the importance of qualifying for Europe financially: "Definitely it will have an impact on the budget but I'm sure Manchester United is a very attractive team and club to play for. Many players will be very pleased and very happy to play for Manchester United, I'm sure."

Burnley

Believe it or not but Burnley manager Vincent Kompany had plenty more to say in his news conference - he was on good form, reeling off inspirational soundbites, one after another.

You can read more on BBC Sport's dedicated Burnley club page - just click here and enjoy.

Image source, Getty Images

Burnley

Burnley manager Vincent Kompany on whether he is frustrated that his side have hit form - just one defeat in their last eight matches - too late in the season: "There are nine points to play for. Three games is not a lot but nine points is a lot. That's what it is going to come down to ultimately.

"I keep frustration completely out of this place. That's important, so I don't live with that frustration, but it does feel like we would be happy for the league to continue. We would be happy to play more games this season.

"That is not the case, but it is still a mission for us to start every game with the belief that we can win every game. That is still in the building and it is a good feeling to have when you are competing in the toughest league in the world."

Burnley

Burnley manager Vincent Kompany on where it would rank in his managerial achievements, so far, if he led Burnley to Premier League survival: "In my managerial career this would be the best by far. [Better than winning the Championship?] Yes, it's tougher, more difficult, less likely to happen. Success at the end of suffering or sadness is even better.

"Last year was special and also unexpected, which made it really good, but this year you become some sort of Zen master at times. You have got to control your emotions, face the group on a Monday - come with an inspirational message to go to the Tuesday...the whole week, when everybody is asking themselves questions like 'am I good enough?' Dealing with all of that and at the end being rewarded, that would be the best.

"And we will be rewarded. Unfortunately we only have three games left [this season] but fast forward one year, two years, three years - we will be rewarded. It is a matter of time."

Burnley

Vincent Kompany gave an update on Burnley midfielder Luca Koleosho, who has not played since December because of a knee injury: "He was in the building with a smile today so I don't need to ask the medical staff what that means. He looked like he was in a good place today. We are running out of time so we will see, but no further update [than that]."

On the test he faces trying to turn around Burnley's poor record at home this season: "Two out of our final three games are at home so let's hope we can balance that out. It's not the case that at home we haven't had a chance, we have been close so many times. It is clear that on Saturday we have to be close again and we have to try to be able to take points. It's a tough ask but it is not like at home we haven't been really difficult to play against, it's just not always landed inside the post, unfortunately."

On having three games to try to secure Premier League safety: "It's as big an opportunity as you get. Getting to the wire and having something to play for, I think that is one of the most powerful things you can do in this game. Every season I feel it needs to matter and you can make it matter by doing something special in the next three games. You have to believe."

Luton Town

Luton Town manager Rob Edwards on if Everton already being safe is an advantage ahead of their fixture: "Time will tell, we don't know, we haven't got a crystal ball. They've done incredibly well to get out of it, in very difficult circumstances. It is about who can deal with the pressure. Hopefully, we can respond in the right way.

"It could, but we don't know. We've got to concentrate on our job. If we do that, we'll respond well. The outcome matters now, it is the business end of the season. It is a really, really big game for us. Hopefully we can get the right result."

Image source, Reuters

Luton Town

Luton Town manager Rob Edwards on team news: "It's just where we are at from the last squad. [Elijah] Adebayo featured against Wolves, that was a positive. We're pretty much where we were last week."

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

Burnley

Vincent Kompany was asked if he will be watching Luton's game at home to Everton on Friday and whether the result will affect the way he prepares his Burnley team for the visit of Newcastle on Saturday: "Focussing on Forest and Luton doesn't help us one bit. If Luton win their last three games then we are not staying in the league anyway so I don't think we can focus on this and well done to them if that is what they achieve.

"We have to do what we have to do, that is the main thing. I might create a bubble that powerful that we don't find out [Luton's result] before we play the game on Saturday. We will see."

For a second it looks as if Kompany could have been serious, before he breaks into a smile and adds: "Of course, I will know. I am just saying that it is incredibly important to be able to put that away."

Image source, PA Media

Burnley

Burnley manager Vincent Kompany on his players' chance to go down in the club's history by climbing out of the relegation zone and securing Premier League survival: "I want every player in the team to believe that individually they can have a moment. [We have] three games, 90 or 95 minutes to play. Every minute offers an opportunity to have a moment that will remain in the club's history.

"It is so rare in life that you have an opportunity to have a significant moment like this. These guys will have the opportunity in the next three games.

"It starts with the belief yourself that this can be your moment. We will need it spread across the group because we have got three games to cover."

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

It's interesting to hear Erik ten Hag talking about Manchester United.

He is very much looking long-term, discussing what will be his fifth transfer window as United manager.

It chimes with the general feeling around Old Trafford for a while, which is that the Dutchman will get the chance to enter a third season in charge.

That has not been communicated by United, although the alternative choices are not extensive.

However, with one win inside 90 minutes in their last eight matches, United could do with ending the season with a bit of a flourish.

Manchester United

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag on whether the club would entertain offers for most of their players this summer: "It's a joke. As long as I've worked here, every summer, every window, I think 200 players are getting interest from Manchester United.

"We did some research, it's untrue. Also every summer we sell all of the players in our squad, which you make all of the headlines and it is untrue. That takes responsibility how you make such a headline. Find a good source if there is some truth in it."