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Matt Crocker, US Soccer’s sporting director, announced his departure on Tuesday, moving to a similar role with the Saudi Arabia football federation with under two months remaining before the 2026 World Cup. US Soccer said the responsibilities formerly held by Crocker will be divided among COO Dan Helfrich, assistant sporting director Oguchi Onyewu, women’s youth national team development head Tracey Kevins, and the broader sporting leadership team. US Soccer CEO JT Batson praised Crocker, stating, “Matt helped guide important steps across our sporting organization, and we’re grateful for his contributions.” He added that the federation remains “well positioned to make the decisions needed in the short, medium, and long term.” Crocker, hired in 2023 after Earnie Stewart left for PSV Eindhoven, arrived with a strong pedigree from English football, having served as technical director at Southampton and later for England (2013‑2020), where he was tasked with modernising the national team’s playing style. During his US tenure, Crocker oversaw all national‑team operations, including youth programmes, and was chiefly responsible for senior‑team coaching appointments. His first high‑profile decision was to re‑hire Gregg Berhalter as USMNT manager after a brief contract lapse and a complex investigation involving player Gio Reyna and past domestic‑violence allegations. Following Berhalter’s second stint, which ended with a group‑stage exit at the 2024 Copa América, Crocker secured Mauricio Pochettino as his successor at the end of 2024. Under Pochettino, the United States have recorded 10 wins, 1 draw, and 7 losses in 16 matches, including recent defeats to Belgium and Portugal in March friendlies. On the women’s side, Crocker recruited Emma Hayes from Chelsea in late 2023 after Vlatko Andonovski’s departure. Hayes guided the USWNT to Olympic gold in 2024 and has the squad positioned as a contender for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Reflecting on his time, Crocker said, “It has been a privilege to be part of US Soccer during such an important period for the sport in this country. I’m grateful for the people I’ve had the opportunity to work with across the federation, from our coaches and players to our technical and administrative staff.” Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s national‑team structure is in flux ahead of its own 2026 World Cup appearance. Reports suggest head coach Hervé Renard may depart, and technical director Nasser Larguet is expected to step down, signalling a broader overhaul of the federation’s leadership.

Michael Rosen, celebrated poet and author of titles such as We’re Going on a Bear Hunt and Chocolate Cake, has been awarded the 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Award in recognition of his lifelong impact on children’s literature.The accolade makes him the fourth Briton to receive the honor, joining the ranks of Eleanor Farjeon, Aidan Chambers and David Almond.The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) praised Rosen’s work for echoing the rhythms of children’s language, blending playfulness with emotional depth and social awareness. IBBY highlighted his ability to foster empathy and spark conversations about history, family, loss, identity and society across poetry, novels and non‑fiction.The companion illustration prize was bestowed upon Chinese artist Cai Gao, whose distinctive visual language and high artistic quality expand the possibilities of children’s illustration. Past illustration laureates include Quentin Blake, who won in 2002.Rosen missed the award announcement at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair after being denied boarding on a flight from Stansted to Bologna due to post‑Brexit passport regulations. The rule requires UK passports to have been issued within the previous ten years and to retain at least three months’ validity on the day of departure.He later posted on X (formerly Twitter), noting the irony of being turned away because his passport was issued in March 2016 despite an expiry in August 2026, calling it a “Brexit benefit”.Despite the setback, Rosen received a call from an Italian woman informing him of his win, which he described as a “happy ending”.From a pool of 78 candidates across 44 countries, the jury evaluated the “distinctive literary and artistic qualities” of each entrant and their capacity to view the world through a child’s eyes. The formal award ceremony is slated for August in Ottawa.

Gina Rinehart, Australia's wealthiest person, faces a potentially significant loss of wealth and control over her Pilbara iron ore empire as a court verdict looms in Perth. The Western Australian supreme court judgment will determine whether Rinehart must share the spoils of some of Hancock Prospecting's most lucrative iron ore projects with the family of her late father's business partner, Peter Wright.The dispute centers on the lucrative Hope Downs mining complex near Newman in north-west Western Australia, a joint venture between Hancock Prospecting and Rio Tinto, which delivered a $832m profit to Hancock Prospecting in 2025. The Wright family heirs claim they are entitled to an equal share of the 2.5% royalties coming from Hope Downs to Hancock Prospecting.Hancock Prospecting rejects the claim, arguing it undertook all the work and bore the financial risk of development, making it the legitimate owner of the Hope Downs assets. The judgment, expected to be appealed regardless of the outcome, may also impact Rinehart's children, who have accused their mother of an 'egregious fraud' against them.Rinehart's company and Hancock Prospecting have rejected all claims, with Rinehart's lawyers arguing that her actions were done to right an historic wrong by her father. The court's decision will also inform a separate federal arbitration process that will decide how Hancock Prospecting's shares are divided between the family.In a related development, Hancock Prospecting's latest annual report shows that more than $6.4bn in dividends have been placed in reserve pending the outcome of arbitration.

Manchester City's recent comprehensive win over Chelsea has brought them within six points of Premier League leaders Arsenal, reigniting the title race. A viral social media meme featuring a City fan mocking Arsenal's struggles has captured the attention of football fans worldwide.The fan in question was seen mimicking a celebratory sip from an empty plastic bottle adorned with an Arsenal logo, leaving City's supporters in laughter and making viewers wonder if Arsenal have 'bottled it' once more. This comes after Arsenal's dramatic stumble over the past few weeks, including a loss to 11th-placed Bournemouth in the Premier League.Arsenal's quadruple hopes have taken a hit, with the team suffering three consecutive losses in local competitions. Manager Mikel Arteta acknowledged that his players are hurting but need to 'take it on the chin' and 'embrace the challenge' ahead. The team's fate is now as much in Manchester City's hands as it is in their own.Meanwhile, Manchester City's manager, Pep Guardiola, remains alert to the threat posed by Arsenal despite their recent blip. Guardiola emphasized the need for respect towards Arsenal, stating that beating them twice in a few weeks will be extremely difficult. City are favourites to lift the FA Cup and could still bag their 11th league trophy, with some experts predicting a domestic treble for the Sky Blues.

Match details: Atletico Madrid will meet Barcelona on Tuesday at 21:00 CET (19:00 GMT) in the Metropolitano Stadium for the Champions League quarter‑final second leg. The fixture decides which side advances to the semi‑finals. After a 2‑0 first‑leg triumph at Camp Nou, Atletico enter the tie as favourites despite trailing Barcelona in the La Liga table. Their advantage stems from goals by Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sörloth, who capitalised on a red card for Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi. Barcelona, the reigning Spanish champions, are desperate to overturn the deficit. They bolstered their domestic campaign with a 4‑1 win over Espanyol, extending their lead over Real Madrid to nine points. Ferran Torres netted a brace, assisted by teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal, while Marcus Rashford added the fourth. Atletico’s weekend league performance was less convincing, suffering a 2‑1 loss to Sevilla after heavy rotation by Diego Simeone. The loss left them fourth in La Liga with 57 points, four behind Villarreal. Historical context: The two clubs have met 251 times, with Barcelona winning 115 matches, Atletico 79 and 57 draws. Their recent knockout encounters include Atletico’s victories in the 2014 and 2016 quarter‑finals, both decided over two legs. Team news: Atletico will miss Marc Pubill (suspension) and have Jose Giménez, Pablo Barrios and David Hancko listed as doubtful. Barcelona’s defender Pau Cubarsi is suspended, replaced by Ronald Araujo. Injuries rule out Marc Bernal, Raphinha and Andreas Christensen. Predicted line‑ups: Atletico – Musso; Molina, Le Normand, Lenglet, Ruggeri; Llorente, Koke; Simeone, Griezmann, Lookman; Alvarez.Barcelona – Joan Garcia; Koundé, Araujo, Martín, Cancelo; Eric Garcia, Pedri; Yamal, Fermin, Rashford; Lewandowski. Managerial insights: Simeone stressed the need to stay focused on the objective of advancing, while Barcelona coach Hansi Flick highlighted the quality of his squad and the importance of collective effort. With a slim margin separating the sides, the second leg promises a tactical battle that could see either club secure a coveted place in the Champions League semi‑finals.

Dominic Frimpong, a 20‑year‑old midfielder for Berekum Chelsea, was killed in an armed robbery targeting the club’s team bus on Sunday. The attack occurred on the road between Goaso and Bibiani as the squad travelled back from a Ghana Premier League match against Samartex in Samreboi. The club’s statement described how "masked men wielding guns and assault rifles" blocked the road, opened fire, and forced the driver to reverse. Players and staff fled into nearby bushes for cover while the assailants continued shooting. The Ghana Football Association (GFA) confirmed Frimpong’s death, expressing "profound shock and deep sorrow" and noting that the loss affects not only Berekum Chelsea but Ghanaian football as a whole. The GFA pledged to strengthen security arrangements for clubs travelling for domestic competitions. This tragic event follows a similar, non‑lethal bus attack on Legon Cities in 2023 after a match at Samartex, underscoring a growing security concern for teams traveling across the country. Key takeaway: The fatal shooting of Frimpong highlights urgent gaps in travel safety for Ghana Premier League clubs, prompting calls for immediate security reforms.

Leeds United delivered a seismic upset at Old Trafford, beating Manchester United 2‑0 and moving six points clear of Tottenham in the Premier League table. The victory marked United’s first league loss at the stadium since February 1981, ending a 45‑year unbeaten home run.Michael Carrick recorded his first home defeat as United’s interim manager. The team never found rhythm, a situation worsened when defender Lisandro Martínez was shown a red card in the 56th minute for yanking Dominic Calvert‑Lewin’s ponytail. Martínez now faces a three‑match ban, with United considering an appeal.Noah Okafor proved decisive, netting a brace. His first goal arrived five minutes after the red card when a Jayden Bogle cross was flicked on by Leny Yoro and finished by Okafor. The Swiss striker celebrated with a calm, hands‑folded pose as the crowd chanted “Yorkshire, Yorkshire”. He added a second, long‑range strike later in the half, sealing the win.Leeds dominated the early exchanges, creating several chances through wing‑back Gabriel Gudmundsson and forward Jayden Bogle. United’s response was limited to a consolation header from Casemiro, but they could not threaten Leeds’ lead.The result has major implications: Leeds now sit comfortably in the Champions League race, while United’s relegation worries intensify. A win against Wolves on Saturday could further distance Leeds from the drop zone, especially if Tottenham falters against Brighton.Post‑match, Leeds manager Daniel Farke and his players celebrated exuberantly, kneeling on the pitch and shouting “We are Leeds”. The three points are described as “vital” for the club’s season ambitions.

Arsenal's recent defeat to Bournemouth has sent shockwaves through the football world, with manager Mikel Arteta expressing his disappointment and frustration with his team's performance. The 2-0 loss has raised concerns about the team's mental fortitude and ability to cope with pressure.Arteta's side has been criticized for their risk-averse playing style, which has led to a series of underwhelming performances. The team's inability to beat Bournemouth's press and create scoring opportunities was a major concern, with Arteta admitting that his team's display was 'a big punch in the face'.Despite the setback, Arteta remains committed to his approach, which he believes will ultimately lead to success. However, with Manchester City breathing down their necks in the Premier League table, the pressure is mounting on Arteta to deliver results.The defeat has also sparked debate about the team's mental preparation and ability to handle the pressure of being top of the league. With a crucial match against Manchester City looming, Arteta will need to find a way to motivate his team and prevent another disappointing performance.

Marie‑Louise Eta will take the touchline for Union Berlin’s upcoming Bundesliga match against Wolfsburg, becoming the first woman to coach a men’s team in one of Europe’s top‑five leagues. The 34‑year‑old was promoted on an interim basis after the dismissal of Steffen Baumgart, who was sacked following a 3‑1 defeat to bottom‑placed Heidenheim.Union sit seven points clear of the relegation‑playoff zone with five games remaining, but a dismal run of two wins in 14 matches has left the club teetering near the drop‑zone. Club officials turned to Eta, citing her continuity and proven tactical acumen, to halt the slide.Eta’s appointment is the latest milestone in a rapid rise through Union’s ranks. In the 2023‑24 season she became the Bundesliga’s first female assistant manager under Nenad Bjelica, and earlier in 2024 she briefly commanded the men’s side, overseeing a win, a draw and a loss while Bjelica served a suspension. Her prior success with Union’s under‑19 men’s squad further cemented her reputation as a forward‑thinking coach.Speaking in a 2023 interview, Eta emphasized that she wants to “convince with quality and substance” rather than rely on tokenism. Former England women’s manager Sarina Wiegman hailed her as a “trailblazer”, noting that such progress reflects football’s broader societal shift toward gender equality.Germany is already seeing more women in senior coaching roles: Sabrina Wittmann leads third‑tier side FC Ingolstadt, while Corinne Diacre previously managed Ligue 2 club Clermont Foot in France. In England, Hannah Dingley made history as caretaker of Forest Green Rovers before moving to Manchester City’s academy.Eta’s current stint with the men’s team is expected to be short‑lived. She has already signed a contract to become head coach of Union Berlin’s women’s side next season, where she will continue to develop talent in the Frauen‑Bundesliga. Nonetheless, her presence on the technical area this weekend offers a powerful visual for aspiring female coaches worldwide.Social media reactions have been mixed. While a minority of users resorted to sexist trolling, Union’s official X account defended Eta vigorously, dubbing her a “football goddess” and firing back at detractors. Eta, a former Champions League winner with Turbine Potsdam, said she draws motivation from messages sent by young women and girls she has inspired.The upcoming match will not only test Union Berlin’s fight against relegation but also serve as a symbolic moment in the ongoing effort to break the “grass ceiling” in professional football.