Wilfried Nancy has called for cohesion and understanding from MLS decision-makers after the Columbus Crew were forced to play with midfielder Sean Zawadzki in goal in their 4-0 defeat to the Seattle Sounders.

Abraham Romero saw red at the end of the first half, and with both Patrick Schulte and Nicholas Hagen away on international duty, Zawadzki found himself wearing the gloves.

Romero was the Crew’s only goalkeeper in the matchday squad as players from Columbus’ reserve side can only be called up four times before signing a professional contract.

Nancy asked MLS to allow an additional call-up for a backup goalkeeper but that request was rejected, leaving the Crew head coach furious at the full-time whistle.

“We are at 39 matches played,” Nancy s…

Another football season is in full swing and a new edition of Football Manager is right around the corner following its beta release on Thursday.

The classic football management simulator is set for full release on November 19, but you can get early access to the beta version – which may contain bugs and issues developers Sports Interactive still need to fix – if you pre-purchase the game.

Therefore, it s time to start thinking about which club you might want to take the reins of. However, with playable leagues in over 50 countries, such a decision can often feel a little daunting.

Do you fancy yourself as a miracle worker who can take a tiny club to the Champions League final? Want to test yourself with a newly promoted side in a top league? Or how about …

Wales must navigate the play-offs in March to reach the European Championship finals next summer.

If they do so, it will be Wales’ fourth major tournament out of the last five.

Here, the PA news agency looks at their Euro 2024 story so far and what happens next.

How did Wales get here?

It has been a campaign of transition without talismanic captain Gareth Bale following his retirement in January and the loss of other key players such as midfielder Joe Allen.

Wales began well with a bonus point away to World Cup semi-finalists Croatia – courtesy of Nathan Broadhead’s stoppage-time equaliser – and a narrow home win over Latvia.

But a sour summer – back-to-beat defeats against Armenia and Turkey – would cost them dear, despite bouncing b…

Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma has targeted a return from the cruciate ligament injury he suffered in February by the end of 2016.

The French international has been out of action since the beginning of the year, after being stretchered off in Chelsea s 1-1 draw against Manchester United. 

I don t know when I ll be back out on the pitch but everything is going well, Zouma told The Sun.

I m kicking the ball around a bit – I m not in any pain and I feel good.

Zouma was initially expected to be a part of the France squad for Euro 2016 this summer; however the injury means the 21-year-old s next action will come back in a Chelsea shirt. 

When asked about the possibility of him playing again this year, Zouma replied:

I hope so; I think I ve…

Jonathan David s first-half penalty saw Lille stun Champions League holders Real Madrid on Wednesday, handing Los Blancos their first loss in any competition since January.

Fifteen-time European champions Madrid had not tasted defeat since going down to Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey 36 games ago, while they were also unbeaten in their last 14 Champions League outings.

But Los Blancos were flat from the off in France and had a couple of warnings before David converted from the spot in first-half stoppage time, after Eduardo Camavina handled from Edon Zhegrova s free-kick.

Andriy Lunin, standing in for the injured Thibaut Courtois, had earlier clawed David s attempt onto the post, while Endrick called Lucas Chevalier into action at the other end after becomin…

It was another exciting weekend in Scottish football which was split between Viaplay Cup semi-final action and the battle for cinch Premiership points.

Aberdeen and Rangers will play in the final of the Viaplay Cup after winning their respective last-four games, while Celtic extended their lead over the Light Blues to eight points at the top of the cinch Premiership with a 3-0 win at Ross County on Saturday. Motherwell lost again at Kilmarnock and Dundee beat Livingston.

Here, the PA news agency looks at five things from the weekend’s action.

James Tavernier continues to lead the way for Rangers

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC)

The free-scoring Rangers right-back once again proved his worth with a double in a 3-1 Viaplay Cup semi-final…

England will withdraw its candidature to host the 2022 World Cup if, as expected, the United States drops its bid for the 2018 event, a top official said on Tuesday.

England, Russia, and the United States, plus joint bids from Spain/Portugal and Belgium/Netherlands are all still in the running for both 2018 and 2022 tournaments.

Australia, Japan, South Korea and Qatar have already declared their intention to concentrate only on 2022.

If the United States pulled out from the 2018 race, they would face no European opposition for the next World Cup as no one continent can stage successive finals.

We are sure it won t be long before the United States will withdraw from 2018 leaving themselves a run on 2022, said David Dein, the international president of En…

Rangers favourite Steven Davis admitted a “strange sensation” after announcing his retirement from football.

The 39-year-old, who played 140 times for Northern Ireland – the UK male international caps record – enjoyed two separate spells at Ibrox, playing a central role in four title triumphs, as well as lifting both the Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup on three occasions.

Davis also had a spell as caretaker manager at Ibrox earlier in the season following the departure of Michael Beale as he rehabilitated from a long-term knee injury sustained in December 2022.

– A Legend

Steven Davis spoke to as he announced his retirement from professional football.

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC)

The midfielder had spells at …

The 2018 Cheltenham Festival has entered the final stage, with seven races on Day 4 set to conclude yet another impressive event. A 70,000 sell-out crowd is expected to witness the Gold Cup Chase, likely to be the highlight of the final day. 

A total of 18 contenders will be hoping to claim the bragging rights and a sizeable prize, but it is Nicky Henderson’s Might Bite that has been made 4/1 ahead of Native River and Our Duke.

The highly rated trained has a chance to make history with three major wins in a single Cheltenham event having already won the Champion Hurdle and the Champion Chase. 

Chances are there will be plenty of wagers placed on the 2018 Gold Cup Chase and we can highly recommend placing your bets with bet365.

The UK firm is …

Atletico Madrid beat newly crowned Copa del Rey winners Athletic Bilbao 3-1 at home in LaLiga on Saturday as Diego Simeone s side moved a step closer to a top-four finish.

Fourth-placed Atletico moved onto 64 points and have increased their advantage over Athletic, in fifth, to six points with five games to play.

Midfielder Rodrigo de Paul put Atletico in front in the 15th minute with a goal from outside the box. After controlling an attempted clearance from the visitors, his effort dipped just under the bar as his strike deflected off one of the Athletic defenders.

Athletic levelled just before half-time through Nico Williams after Antoine Griezmann lost the ball through a careless pass.

But Angel Correa restored the lead for Atletico in the 52nd minute …