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Paris Saint-Germain's defense of their UEFA Champions League title remains on track after a commanding 2-0 win against Liverpool in the quarterfinals' first leg.The French side took an early lead through a deflected effort by Desire Doue in the 11th minute, which looped over Liverpool's goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.Liverpool, already out of their English Premier League title defense, struggled to respond but managed to stay in the game until halftime. However, the second half was a different story, with PSG dominating the match.Khvicha Kvaratskhelia doubled PSG's lead in the 65th minute with a well-taken goal, dribbling into the box and rounding the keeper.PSG registered 18 shots throughout the game, with six on target, while Liverpool managed only three shots, none of which were on target.Liverpool manager Arne Slot acknowledged his team's struggles, stating, "We should be grateful we only lost 2-0; they had so many chances."The win puts PSG in a strong position ahead of the second leg at Anfield next Tuesday, where Liverpool will need a special performance to overturn the deficit.

Barcelona secured a 2‑0 advantage over Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano, setting up a high‑stakes Champions League quarter‑final second leg. The win followed a 2‑1 league victory against the same opponents, where Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski scored late goals to clinch the La Liga title. After the match, Diego Simeone approached Hansi Flick with a reminder to return, underscoring the rivalry that will see the teams clash three times in ten days. The upcoming return fixture at Camp Nou promises a tougher battle than the opening encounter. Rashford’s performance was described by Spanish outlets as “hyperactive” and an “exhibition of speed.” He generated seven shots in the first hour alone, including a disallowed goal, multiple attempts saved by goalkeeper Juan Musso, and a free‑kick that struck the bar. His relentless wing play forced the opposition to defend deeper, highlighting his impact beyond the scoreboard. Statistically, Rashford has become Barcelona’s most prolific loanee this season: five goals and four assists in ten Champions League games, and he has reached double figures for both goals and assists across all competitions – a first for any player in Spain this campaign. The loan, secured for €30 million (£26 million) with an option to buy, was initially motivated by Barcelona’s need for a versatile forward who could operate across the front line. The club previously pursued Nico Williams and Luis Díaz, but Rashford’s deal offered a quicker, more economical solution amid La Liga’s salary‑cap constraints. While he started the season as a backup, injuries to Raphinha and form dips from Ferran Torres and Lewandowski opened opportunities. Coach Flick has primarily deployed Rashford on the left flank, though he was briefly positioned as a centre‑forward during the Atletico match. Despite his contributions, Flick cautions that Rashford must improve his defensive work‑rate, a point emphasized by the coach before the game: “We know Marcus is fantastic with the ball, but defending is also part of the game.” Historically, overturning a 2‑0 first‑leg deficit in the Champions League is rare – only one team has succeeded. This reality adds pressure on Barcelona to protect their lead, while Simeone’s side will aim to exploit any complacency. Looking ahead, the club faces a strategic decision: whether to activate the €30 million buy clause and secure Rashford permanently. United have labelled the fee as non‑negotiable, but Barcelona’s limited budget and the desire to convert a successful loan into a long‑term asset make the negotiation critical. Rashford himself remains optimistic, stating he enjoys the new environment and culture in Catalonia. As the second leg looms, his “hyperactive” energy and willingness to take responsibility could prove decisive for Barcelona’s quest to reach the Champions League semi‑finals.

Liverpool has confirmed that Andy Robertson will be leaving the club at the end of the season. The 32-year-old Scottish defender has been an integral part of the team since joining from Hull in 2017 for £8m.Robertson has made 373 appearances for Liverpool, winning two Premier League titles, the Champions League, the FA Cup, two League Cups, the Club World Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup. He has been a key player under Jürgen Klopp and has established himself as one of the club's greatest full-backs.The Scotland captain has lost his regular starting role to Milos Kerkez this season but remains a popular figure in the dressing room. Robertson has expressed his gratitude to the club, stating, “It’s never easy leaving a club like Liverpool. It has been a huge part of mine and my family’s life for the last nine years.”Liverpool has hailed Robertson as “a genuine Liverpool legend, having played a fundamental role in the successes of recent years.” The club has announced that celebrations of Robertson's legacy will be held after the conclusion of the campaign, with the defender fully focused on helping the team end the season successfully.

England's hopes of winning the Women's Six Nations title have been hit by a series of setbacks, including injuries and pregnancies. Prop Hannah Botterman has been ruled out of their opener against Ireland with an ankle injury, and her participation in the tournament is uncertain.The team is already dealing with several injuries, two retirements, and four pregnancies, including that of Rosie Galligan, whose partner is England teammate Marlie Packer. Coach John Mitchell said that Botterman's ankle is not yet mechanically sound, and they will have more information on her return timeline next week.England remain favorites for the grand slam, but Mitchell acknowledged that the team has been affected by the post-World Cup euphoria. Ellie Kildunne will start at full-back, with Claudia Moloney-MacDonald and Jess Breach on the wings. New captain Meg Jones, who took over from pregnant Zoe Stratford, will start at outside centre.Mitchell believes that the team has built a legacy and has the opportunity to create a dynasty. However, he also acknowledged that there will be challenges along the way, including a Lions tour in 2027 and the fact that several players are becoming mothers.

Rory McIlroy, the reigning Masters champion, has begun his title defense on a high note, dominating Augusta National with a big grin and a hell of a swing. His first shot as champion was a 332-yard drive that soared over the hill and into the gallery.McIlroy's approach has changed, as he now embraces an aggressive style, similar to what Phil Mickelson once described. He is no longer hesitant, instead choosing to hit drivers and get close to the green, even if it means risking a miss.On Thursday, McIlroy hit a 377-yard shot at the 2nd hole, well over the big fairway bunker and into the pine straw. At the 8th hole, he clobbered a 361-yard shot into the second cut at the foot of the hill. Although he didn't hit many fairways, his strategy paid off.McIlroy's ability to problem-solve on the course is matched by his knack for getting out of difficult situations. From a challenging spot on the 17th fairway, he managed to pop his second shot between the trees and onto the bank, just 12 yards from the pin for a well-earned up-and-down par.As the day progressed, McIlroy's birdies started to come, with notable shots at the 8th, 9th, 13th, 14th, and 15th holes. He finished the day five under par, a testament to his strong play.McIlroy's performance is a far cry from his previous struggles at Augusta, where he often overthought and played cautiously. Now, with the confidence of being a champion, he is playing freely and aggressively, making him a formidable opponent in the tournament.

The Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) announced that Noa‑Lynn van Leuven is barred from competing in any Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) women‑only events with immediate effect, after the governing body ruled that only biological females may participate in women’s tournaments.Under the new policy, van Leuven – a 29‑year‑old who has claimed six titles in the PDC Women’s Series – will be ineligible for the series and the Women’s World Matchplay, a competition she was on track to qualify for this summer.The DRA justified the decision by referencing a report commissioned from Dr Emma Hilton, a developmental biologist who has published extensively on sex categories in sport. The study concluded that darts is a "gender‑affected sport" and identified several physical differences that give males an advantage, including greater height, longer limbs, broader shoulders, increased muscle mass and stiffer tendons. These attributes, the report argued, enhance reach, stability and throwing mechanics, thereby influencing consistency and precision.This ruling arrives shortly after the International Olympic Committee announced a ban on transgender women from female Olympic events, set to take effect at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.Van Leuven responded on Instagram, describing the decision as a forced retirement. She wrote, "I just got an email… apparently I’m retired, not by choice, but because I am no longer allowed to compete." She added, "This isn’t just about me; it’s another huge hit for the trans community. Every day it is getting harder for trans people just to exist, to compete. If you think this stops with me, it doesn’t. We just want to be."While barred from women‑only events, van Leuven could still aim for the open professional tour, which is gender‑neutral. Currently, Beau Greaves is the sole female player on the tour, and former women’s world champion Lisa Ashton held a two‑year tour card in 2020‑2021.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) chief Patrice Motsepe arrived in Dakar this week, marking his first visit to Senegal since the body’s controversial decision to strip the nation of its Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) crown and hand it to Morocco.Motsepe announced the itinerary at the end of March, pledging to meet leaders in both countries to stress the need for "working together to grow African football" as CAF confronts mounting criticism.President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is scheduled to receive Motsepe at the presidential palace, followed by a joint news conference intended to calm tensions.The visit comes in the wake of CAF’s surprise reversal of the January 18 final, where Senegal had defeated hosts Morocco 1‑0. Citing a breach of regulations concerning players leaving the field, CAF retroactively recorded a 3‑0 victory for Morocco on March 17.During the match in Rabat, Senegal’s squad, head coach Pape Thiaw and staff walked off after Morocco were awarded an added‑time penalty, which forward Brahim Diaz ultimately missed.In response, the Senegalese Football Federation lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), while the Senegalese government demanded an international probe into alleged corruption within CAF.Motsepe, speaking late last month, affirmed that he would respect and implement the CAS ruling, adding that his personal view on the matter was “irrelevant.”

BBC Two’s three‑part series ‘Michael Jackson: An American Tragedy’ attempts to map the arc of the King of Pop from a Midwestern child prodigy to a global phenomenon whose legacy is still contested. Released ahead of the family‑approved biopic Michael, the documentary does not promise fresh revelations; instead, it seeks to place the singer’s meteoric fame, legal controversies and post‑mortem financial empire within a single narrative. The first episode, titled Fame, foregrounds Jackson’s musical genius while also exposing the fraught dynamics of his family life. Interviews with siblings and childhood acquaintances depict a household where “six bunk beds in one room” were the norm, and where fear of their father, Joe Jackson, loomed large. La Toyia Jackson’s recollection that “Michael had a fear of my father – we all did” underscores the pressure that shaped his early years. In The Reckoning, the series shifts to the period of criminal investigations and media scrutiny. Former spiritual adviser Rabbi Shmuley Boteach describes the tragedy as a man who, despite unparalleled attention, remained “utterly lonely.” Prosecutor Ron Zonen argues that the sheer scale of the Jackson enterprise eclipsed the pursuit of justice, noting the obviousness of the abuse allegations in his view. The episode also revisits the 2003 Martin Bashir documentary, which Boteach recalls as a “shock” that contributed to the star’s eventual downfall. The final installment, The Resurrection, examines the attempts to revive Jackson’s career, his sudden death, and the ripple effects of the 2019 Leaving Neverland documentary. The review notes that the allegations have reshaped public perception to the point where many, including the reviewer, find it difficult to engage with his music. The series concludes that the ongoing legal battles—seven alleged victims are currently suing the estate—represent “the most extraordinary effort to uncancel someone in history.” While the documentary assembles an extensive roster of interviewees—family members, former managers, record executives, and even Donald Trump—it occasionally suffers from an overly broad brushstroke that blurs moral clarity. The reviewer acknowledges the valiant effort to strike a middle ground but questions whether such balance is sufficient for a story marked by “wild extremes.” Overall, the series provides a comprehensive, if not groundbreaking, overview of Jackson’s complex narrative, serving as a timely companion piece to the upcoming biopic and a reminder that the conversation around his legacy remains far from settled. Michael Jackson: An American Tragedy is currently streaming on iPlayer.

The Guardian’s piece titled US‑Iran ceasefire: has Tehran played Trump? raises the provocative question of whether Tehran is adopting tactics similar to those of former President Donald Trump in the current ceasefire talks with the United States. No additional information or analysis is provided in the excerpt.