‘The victim should always be the priority’: how football is failing its anti-racism pledges

As the sport’s governing bodies and social media companies fail in their aim to safeguard, players are forced to fill the leadership vacuum Don’t get The Long Wave delivered to your inbox? Sign up here Hello and welcome to The Long Wave. I’m standing in for Nesrine today – and while this newsletter is not, and has never wanted to be, a digest of “the week in racism”, sometimes events are so egregious that they force our hand. In the past few weeks alone, there have been multiple high-profile reports of online racial abuse targeted at footballers, as well as a number of on-the-field incidents

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Manchester United’s Jack Fletcher given six-match ban for homophobic slur

Incident took place at EFL Trophy game with Barnsley Player ‘truly sorry for the offensive word that I used’ Jack Fletcher has received a six-game ban and been fined £1,500 for calling a Barnsley player a “gay boy”, with the Manchester United midfielder apologising for the homophobic slur. Fletcher made the comment when playing for United Under-21s in October’s 5-2 EFL Trophy loss at Oakwell. Continue reading...

WSL’s promotion-relegation playoff will give WSL 2 side home advantage

Fixture will be a first in English women’s top divisions Dates and kick-off times revealed for WSL season finale The Women’s Super League 2 side involved in the new promotion-relegation playoff will have home advantage in the one-leg contest, WSL Football has confirmed, with the top-flight side having to play away from home. The first fixture of its kind in the English women’s top divisions, the playoff will be held on Saturday 23 May with a 12.30pm kick-off and will pit the team third in WSL 2 against the WSL’s bottom side. The match will be broadcast live on BBC Two and Sky Sports. Continu

Donald given historic third stint as Europe's Ryder Cup captain

Luke Donald will captain Team Europe for a third consecutive Ryder Cup after being named in the role again for the 2027 contest at Adare Manor in Ireland.

Donald returns for 2027 Ryder Cup: Dates, venue and all you need to know

The countdown continues to the centenary edition of the Ryder Cup, but when and where will Team Europe face Team USA next? Here's all you need to know about the 2027 contest, live on Sky Sports...

Fletcher apologises for use of homophobic slur after six-match ban

Manchester United midfielder Jack Fletcher has apologised for using a homophobic slur during a Vertu Trophy match after being handed a six-game ban.

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Liverpool top-five failure 'could cost £120m'

Failure to qualify for the Champions League would have financial implications for Liverpool. How much would it impact them?

Fletcher banned for six games for homophobic slur

Manchester United midfielder Jack Fletcher apologises for using a homophobic slur that has led to him receiving a six-match ban.

Saudi clubs have a new strategy: buy up France’s best young footballers

Ligue 1 clubs such as Monaco, Rennes, Nantes and Reims need the money – and Saudi Pro clubs are willing buyers By Get French Football News Signing Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kanté brought eyes to the Saudi Pro League but, in their bid to hold that gaze and avoid a repeat of what happened to the Chinese Super League, Saudi clubs have implemented a new strategy and targeted a new demographic. Eighteen months ago, the league introduced an extra spot in squads for foreign players, provided they were under the age of 21 when recruited. Saudi clubs honed in on France, where

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