3:28 AM ET Chelsea’s ownership battle is turning sour — ESPN’s Insider Notebook has the latest. PLUS: Why Erling Haaland snubbed Manchester United. Jump to: Why Haaland snubbed Man United | Barca keen but Lewandowski move unlikely | Mata’s next move | No US-style World Cup prep for England Chelsea bidder’s concern amid dirty tricks
Football
6:02 PM ET Cesar Hernandez Despite being friends with LAFC‘s Carlos Vela since their academy days with Chivas, the LA Galaxy‘s Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez won’t hold back against his countryman in Saturday’s El Trafico. “I love him, I admire him, but then when the whistle goes, he’s no one for me,” said Hernandez in a
4:53 PM ET Barcelona rallied for a 1-1 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt in their Europa League quarterfinal first leg on Thursday night. The hosts had a penalty waved off following a VAR review in a scoreless first half, but took the lead shortly after the break from Ansgar Knauff’s stunning long-distance shot. – Hunter: Ousmane
12:58 PM ET A group of U.S. cryptocurrency investors, including Philadelphia 76ers’ president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, have completed a takeover of English fourth-tier club Crawley Town, currently 13th in League Two. WAGMI United, led by co-founders Preston Johnson — a former ESPN gambling analyst — and Eben Smith — a former derivatives trader
3:16 PM ET Wayne Rooney has responded after his former Manchester United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo called him “jealous” following Rooney’s criticisms of Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford during an appearance on Sky Sports earlier this week. Rooney’s response: Who isn’t jealous of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner? “There’s probably not a football player on the
8:04 AM ET The final international break of the 2021-22 European soccer season — the most consequential one in years — is officially in the rearview mirror, and it’s once again time to focus on the homestretch of the club season. In terms of title races, relegations, future Champions League spots or the current Champions
6:00 AM ET The first legs of the Champions League quarterfinals featured contrasting fortunes for the Madrid clubs, wins for Premier League title chasers Manchester City and Liverpool, a chastening loss for defending champions Chelsea and a shock for Bayern Munich. Rob Dawson, Bill Connelly and Derek Rae give their views on the big questions
9:30 AM ET Laura Ricketts has insisted it is her “life’s work to fight against discrimination” after acknowledging the family’s proposed takeover of Chelsea will not win over all fans “right away” amid ongoing opposition to their offer for the club. The Ricketts family investment group, led by Joe Ricketts’ children Tom, Todd and Laura
5:55 AM ET Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said a victory for his team at Manchester City on Sunday would not mean the Premier League title is theirs and that the club must focus on winning all of their remaining games to ensure success. The match in Manchester is being billed by many as a
5:15 AM ET Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has warned his players that the Champions League tie against Real Madrid could be over if they play as badly as they did in their 3-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. Madrid striker Karim Benzema scored two headers in three first-half minutes before adding a third goal