6:52 AM ET West Ham United forward Michail Antonio has questioned the reaction to teammate Kurt Zouma‘s cat-kicking incident and asked whether his actions were “worse than racism.” Zouma issued a public apology on Tuesday after a video emerged where the France international can be seen kicking and slapping his family pet. – ESPN+ viewers’
Football
1:00 PM ET Kepa Arrizabalaga is facing a fight to save his Chelsea career despite impressing in rival goalkeeper Edouard Mendy‘s absence, sources have told ESPN. The 27-year-old has kept four clean sheets in seven matches while Mendy was engaged at the Africa Cup of Nations, including Wednesday’s Club World Cup semifinal win over Al-Hilal
7:26 AM ET Sam Marsden Moises Llorens Barcelona are targeting low-cost defensive and midfield signings this summer — including a trio of Chelsea defenders — in order to go all out for Erling Haaland, sources have told ESPN. Barca know the competition for Haaland will be fierce, with Real Madrid, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain
10:25 AM ET Brazilian police have arrested a man they believe hacked into Neymar‘s bank accounts and repeatedly stole sums of money amounting to more than $40,000, officials in Sao Paulo said. Police said the alleged hacker worked at an unnamed bank where the Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil forward and his business manager father had
11:06 AM ET Douglas Costa has joined MLS club LA Galaxy on an initial loan after leaving Italian side Gremio. Silvio Avila/Getty Images The LA Galaxy have signed former Brazil attacker Douglas Costa, the team announced on Thursday. Costa, 31, had been on loan at boyhood club Gremio from Italian giants Juventus, but, after relegation to
4:20 AM ET Luis Enrique is on Manchester United‘s shortlist of candidates to become the club’s permanent manager this summer, sources have told ESPN, with the Spain coach regarded by the Old Trafford hierarchy as possessing the technical credentials and winning track record to bring success back to the club. The 51-year-old, who guided Barcelona
2:28 AM ET Wayne Rooney has spoken about his mental health and problems with alcohol. Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images Wayne Rooney has said he feared his mental health and drinking problems could have killed him during his playing career. Rooney, the record goalscorer for Manchester United (253 goals) and England (53) was
3:14 PM ET ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Romelu Lukaku had to come to the desert to end his goal drought. The 28-year-old’s first goal in a month was enough to ensure Chelsea beat Al Hilal by a score of 1-0 and book their place in Saturday’s Club World Cup final against Brazilian side
5:30 PM ET Rob DawsonCorrespondent Manchester United‘s players are keen on Mauricio Pochettino becoming permanent manager in the summer, sources have told ESPN. United are stepping up the search for their next permanent boss now Richard Arnold has officially taken over from Ed Woodward as CEO at Old Trafford, and there is growing clamour from
5:09 PM ET Caitlin Murray The biggest stars on the U.S. women’s national team have accused the U.S. Soccer Federation of having “failed to do the bare minimum” and “willful inaction” in protecting players from abusive coaches in a letter released on Wednesday. “USSF had the obligation to protect its players — yet it stood