Dan Sheldon

England's squad for the 2026 World Cup... thoughts? 🔗 nyti.ms/4tLw63z

Tonda Eckert authorised a “contrived and determined plan” to spy on opponents in a “deplorable approach” that led to Southampton's expulsion from the Championship play-offs. #SaintsFC Full story by @PJBuckingham @TheAthleticFC nytimes.com/athletic/72983…

Only three police officers are being sent from the UK to the United States to help support England fans at the World Cup - a 92 per cent cut on the 40 they stationed in Germany for the European Championships in 2024. Story @TheAthleticFC nytimes.com/athletic/72972…

Middlesbrough will play Hull City in Saturday’s Championship play-off final after Southampton failed in an appeal to overturn their expulsion. Middlesbrough, who had lost their semi-final tie to Southampton, were awarded a place in the final on Tuesday after the south-coast club - who have also been docked four points for the 2026-27 Championship campaign - admitted to spying on rival teams. Exclusive from @Dan_Sheldon_ and @mjshrimper nytimes.com/athletic/72938…

Exclusive: Southampton have lost their appeal and the players have been informed. #SaintsFC Full story w/ @mjshrimper @TheAthleticFC nytimes.com/athletic/72938…

Away end tickets to watch Arsenal lift the Premier League trophy at Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park are being listed for up to £45,000 on resale websites. The current cheapest tickets listed on SeatPick — a ticket search engine marketplace — are £3,000, although the majority of those available are priced between £10,000 to £20,000. More from @Dan_Sheldon_ — unlike those tickets, this story is free to read: bit.ly/4uqblvp

Southampton released a statement from chief executive Phil Parsons on Wednesday, in which he admitted the club's conduct was "wrong" but argued the sanction bore "no proportion to the offence". Parsons issued an apology from Southampton to the clubs involved and the Southampton supporters, said they intended to "demonstrate change" and accepted they deserved a sanction. However, he claimed the potential financial consequences of the sanction made it "the largest penalty ever imposed on an English football club". bit.ly/4uRRtRE

New: Southampton players are exploring their options regarding legal action against the club if the EFL’s verdict to expel them from the Championship play-off final is upheld. #SaintsFC Full story w / @AdamCrafton_ @mjshrimper @TheAthleticFC nytimes.com/athletic/72922…

22 years in the waiting, 6 years in the making: the title is Arsenal’s again. The squad gathered at Colney to watch tonight’s game, as they became champions. Here’s how #AFC won the #EPL - a title not simply won, but engineered. @TheAthleticFC 🔴⚪️🏆 nytimes.com/athletic/72914…

The Champions League final will not be made free-to-air in the United Kingdom for the first in over 30 years. TNT Sports, which is owned by Warner Bros Discovery, has the exclusive UK rights to screen the final between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal in Budapest on May 30, but they will place the fixture behind a paywall. The cheapest option for fans wanting to watch the trio of European finals will be to sign up to HBO Max’s most basic subscription, costing £4.99 a month. Full story, which is free to read, from @Dan_Sheldon_ ⬇️ nyti.ms/4uuE6qw

🚨 Pep Guardiola to leave position as Manchester City manager at end of this season. 55yo Spaniard departing after trophy-laden decade & set to be replaced by Enzo Maresca. No official confirmation yet from #MCFC. W/ @SamLee @TheAthleticFC after @MailSport nytimes.com/athletic/62693…

🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Agreement complete for Xabi Alonso to become Chelsea manager. 44yo Spaniard visited London early last week & accepted opportunity; 4yr contract now finalised - announcement imminent. Primary target throughout + wanted #CFC move @TheAthleticFC nytimes.com/athletic/72724…

FIFA drops Rob Dieperink from its list of World Cup referees after he was arrested by Met Police in April following allegations of sexual assault against an underage boy. He denied the allegations & the Met has since ended its investigation @TheAthleticFC nytimes.com/athletic/72822…

Middlesbrough’s request to participate in the hearing has been denied. It will only be the EFL & #SaintsFC, which also means #Boro will be unable to appeal any decision. @TheAthleticFC nytimes.com/athletic/72785…

Story with @Dan_Sheldon_ @TheAthleticFC Like the Super Bowl… World Cup (11 minute) half time show headliners Madonna, BTS and Shakira not being paid by FIFA for performances. Exposure wins the day. WC final audience hugely bigger than Super Bowl nytimes.com/athletic/72799…

Shakira, Madonna and BTS are not being paid to headline the half-time show during the men’s World Cup final in the United States this summer. It will be the first time in the tournament’s history that musical artists are performing at FIFA’s showcase event, which will take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19. Chris Martin, the lead singer of Coldplay, has curated the line-up and it is being produced by Global Citizen. Full story from @Dan_Sheldon_ and @AdamCrafton_ ⬇️ 🔗 nytimes.com/athletic/72799…

Exclusive: Shakira, Madonna & BTS are not being paid to headline the half-time show during the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium & are instead donating their time to Global Citizen. Full story w/ @AdamCrafton_ @TheAthleticFC: nytimes.com/athletic/72799…

Exc: #Boro have asked the panel if they can participate in the hearing. Ordinarily, an interested party can only make written submissions. If granted, it would be highly unusual & could create more tension with #SaintsFC. Story w/@mjshrimper @TheAthleticFC nytimes.com/athletic/72785…

NEW @TheAthleticFC FIFA has drafted plans to use MetLife Stadium field during half-time show of World Cup final, making it very likely that half time for will run significantly beyond football’s usual 15 mins. nytimes.com/athletic/72749…

Southampton have acknowledged the EFL’s charges over alleged “unauthorised filming” and say they will be “fully cooperating with the League throughout this process”. #SaintsFC @TheAthleticFC nytimes.com/athletic/72645…