Luke Bosher
March 15, 2022 at 12:12 PM EDT
Welcome to The Athletic’s coverage of today’s football news.
Last night, Manchester City missed their chance to go six points clear at the top of the table as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Real Madrid, meanwhile, extended their lead at the top of La Liga with a 3-0 win at Mallorca.
Elsewhere, Celtic have advanced to the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup after a convincing 3-0 win over Dundee United. They will face bitter rivals Rangers.
Tonight, we welcome back European football. Ajax host Benfica and Atletico Madrid travel to Manchester United for the second leg of their Champions League round-of-16 ties.
We’ll also hear from Mikel Arteta, Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel throughout the day, so stay tuned as we bring you all the latest news as it happens.
(Photo: Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images)
March 15, 2022 at 12:12 PM EDT
UEFA ban on Russian football teams upheld at CAS
The ban on Russian football teams appearing in UEFA competitions has been upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The urgent CAS ruling does not apply to Russia’s chances of being reinstated for FIFA World Cup qualifying, however, as the interim judgment comes before a full hearing in the weeks ahead.
For the full story, click here.
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
March 15, 2022 at 11:35 AM EDT
Tuchel on Chelsea
“We have to deal with it. There are new things to talk about, like how to arrive at games. Things that are normally taken care of,” Tuchel said ahead of Chelsea’s match against Lille tomorrow.
“We have a framework to go to Lille and play in Lille. There will be no excuses. It’s already more difficult to arrange things in the best way possible for the FA Cup (quarter-final at Middlesbrough on Saturday).
“As long as we have shirts, as long as we are alive, we will arrive, be competitive and fight hard for our success. We owe it to the people who normally support us … Of course, we’re in the spotlight but this is our responsibility.”
(Photo: Getty Images)
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
GO FURTHER
Chelsea’s commercial future: Is the club Abramovich built now one for brands to avoid?
March 15, 2022 at 10:57 AM EDT
Leverkusen full-back Jeremie Frimpong out for the season
The former Celtic man sustained a serious ankle injury during the 1-0 defeat by Koln at the weekend.
A bitter blow for the 21-year-old, who had only missed one Bundesliga game (due to suspension) this season.
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
March 15, 2022 at 10:24 AM EDT
‘Chelsea and sporting integrity do not belong in the same sentence’
Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson responds to Chelsea’s request to have their match played behind closed doors.
Safe to say he’s not happy!
More here from George Caulkin.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
March 15, 2022 at 9:44 AM EDT
Aaron Hickey earns first Scotland call-up
The Bologna full-back has been in good form since his move to Serie A from Hearts, and has finally made it into Steve Clarke’s squad.
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
Steve Clarke has named his Scotland squad to face Poland and Austria or Wales in our two international friendlies later this month. pic.twitter.com/yWfIqvx3Tg
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) March 15, 2022
March 15, 2022 at 9:22 AM EDT
Chelsea request Middlesbrough game be played behind closed
As Chelsea cannot sell tickets for the match under their licence, they want no fans to attend “to protect sporting integrity”.
An interesting take.
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
Chelsea have asked for their FA Cup quarter-final clash with Middlesbrough to be played behind closed doors “for matters of sporting integrity.”
More from @bosherL https://t.co/2R1pL8jzJ2
— The Athletic UK (@TheAthleticUK) March 15, 2022
March 15, 2022 at 9:14 AM EDT
An update on Nkloulou’s fitness
The Watford defender will return to action with the under-23s today.
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
March 15, 2022 at 8:14 AM EDT
Salah to train today ahead of Arsenal clash
The massive sigh of relief from Merseyside is audible.
Mohamed Salah is to train today ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Arsenal tomorrow, Jurgen Klopp confirms.
Huge news for FPL players too…
(Photo: Getty Images)
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
March 15, 2022 at 7:43 AM EDT
Dominic Calvert-Lewin fined £900 and given three points on license after pleading guilty to speeding offence
Everton forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been fined £900 and given three points on his license after being found guilty of a speeding charge at Chester Magistrates’ Court.
The 24-year-old did not appear in court, but entered a guilty plea on one charge of the two he was accused of through his solicitor, Barry Warburton of Warburton Solicitors LLP.
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
March 15, 2022 at 7:19 AM EDT
Eriksen returns to Denmark squad
A heartwarming story we can all get behind.
Christian Eriksen has returned to the Denmark squad for the first time since suffering a cardiac arrest nine months ago.
He has started Brentford’s last two games, assisting Ivan Toney during the 2-0 win over Burnley on Saturday.
More here on Eriksen’s return.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
March 15, 2022 at 6:54 AM EDT
The next Erling Haaland?
Could Karim Adeyemi be the next RB Salzburg graduate destined for stardom?
Liverpool, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have all been linked with moves for the German forward.
Tifo Football take a look at what comes next.
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
March 15, 2022 at 6:22 AM EDT
Chelsea’s commercial revenue, what next?
Chelsea are ahead of London rivals Arsenal and Spurs for commercial revenue, in no small part due to the trophies they’ve won over the last two decades.
So what happens now in the post-Abramovich era?
Not to mention the short-term image issues that are yet to be resolved.
Phil Buckingham explains.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
GO FURTHER
Chelsea’s commercial future: Is the club Abramovich built now one for brands to avoid?
March 15, 2022 at 5:18 AM EDT
The latest View From The Lane podcast
On a rare midweek without a game for Spurs, Charlie Eccleshare, Jack Pitt-Brooke and Danny Kelly discuss the defeat by Manchester United.
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
March 15, 2022 at 4:18 AM EDT
10 years after Fabrice Muamba’s cardiac arrest
Read more as the former midfielder is reunited with the doctors that saved his life.
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
▪️ Horror when realising his life was in danger
▪️ CPR on pitch and 14 defibrillator shocks seemingly in vain
▪️ ‘Miracle’ of him waking up and lasting special relationships10 years after his cardiac arrest, @fmuamba6 is reunited with the doctors who saved him
— The Athletic UK (@TheAthleticUK) March 15, 2022