Tom Burrows

'It’s David against Goliath' I went behind the scenes at RC Lens last week, who are trying to do the unthinkable and pip Paris Saint-Germain to the Ligue 1 title Includes interviews with their owner, head coach and captain #FiersDEtreLensois #RCL nytimes.com/athletic/70176…

Was in Cardiff last night for what everyone hoped would be a fiery World Cup playoff final vs Italy Instead, it was an ‘international challenge match’ vs Northern Ireland A piece on the strangeness of a football match that no one wanted to play nytimes.com/athletic/71622…

A piece that will be of interest to #THFC fans I wrote about Roberto De Zerbi's eventful 18-month spell in charge of Marseille It was a turbulent period, with real highs, but pockmarked by disputes with players + some wildly inconsistent results nytimes.com/athletic/70449…

If you're in any way interested in Roberto de Zerbi's time at Marseille, Joe and I covered @TBurrows16 de Zerbi obit after he left the club on Ring for Analysis earlier this month. open.spotify.com/episode/3kQB6Q…

Cardiff City have today lost their damages claim against French side FC Nantes - more than seven years after the death of Emiliano Sala in a plane crash Cardiff had sought €120million in damages Story on what's been a long-running and bitter legal saga nytimes.com/athletic/71577…

“It was hard for my family. They wanted to get out of danger so bad, but they didn’t know what they were coming to. "(My father) said I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if my kids grew up in that, so he did everything he could to get us to this country.” Mohamed Toure and his brother Al-Hassan were born in a refugee camp in Guinea after their parents fled civil war in Liberia. Now, the siblings are both in contention to be in Australia's World Cup squad and could face the United States. They speak to @TBurrows16 about their journey to this point — and their perception that the U.S. think facing Australia will be "a walk in the park". 🔗 nytimes.com/athletic/71110…

I interviewed brothers Mohamed and Al Hassan Toure, who are dreaming of representing Australia at the World Cup 🇦🇺 That would mark another incredible chapter in their life story that began when they born in a refugee camp in Guinea nytimes.com/athletic/71110…

How Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool love affair ended: ■ Free transfer exit sealed well before Galatasaray tie ■ Doubts attacker would accept less game time ■ Team-mates sad but not shocked ■ Saudi uncertainty could lead to U.S. move ■ Liverpool likely to sign winger but no guarantee of marquee name ■ FSG support Slot despite poor season 📝 @JamesPearceLFC, @Simon_Hughes__ and @greggevans40 🔗 nytimes.com/athletic/71489…

If you are going to watch anything today, watch Dan James’ opener for Wales against Bosnia and Herzegovina. What a strike. 🎥 @BBCSportWales

AFCON final saga goes on, with Senegal set to present the trophy before their Stade de France friendly against Peru on Saturday. Senegalese FA lawyer calls the decision to award Morocco the title "crude, absurd, irrational". Story w/@JessMCHopkins nytimes.com/athletic/71486…

'Anything is possible with bravery, with willingness' I made a behind-the-scenes trip to Lens last month, who are chasing a first league title since 1998 They currently trail PSG by one point, albeit the European Champions have a game in hand nytimes.com/athletic/70176…

LFP have granted PSG their request to have big match vs Lens postponed - as it was in between their two games vs #LFC That match will now be on Wed May 13 LFP said decision taken to 'help France maintain its fifth place in the UEFA coefficient rankings' nytimes.com/athletic/71486…

'This might have been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join arguably the biggest club in the world. And he’s earned the opportunity' Visited Norwich to chat to Ajay Tavares' youth coach about his rise, after his move to Barcelona With @Laia_Cervello nytimes.com/athletic/71468…

Mohamed Salah will leave Liverpool at the end of the current season, bringing an end to his nine-year stay at the club. The club have confirmed the 33-year-old Egypt international will exit Anfield despite his existing contract, signed last year, running through to the summer of 2027. More to follow from @Millar_Colin ⬇️ 🔗 nytimes.com/athletic/71442…

“He wound his arm back and sucker-punched me to the back of the head... They then had a goal kick. We both went up to head it and he’s not even gone for the ball, he’s cranked his elbow straight into my face and broken my nose. I was knocked out for about a minute on the pitch. I managed to walk off and then had to go to hospital for the night. It was shocking.” Ethan Light's is one of many examples of a player suffering physical violence in amateur football. “When I see the videos and I think about what that guy did to me, I can't comprehend why you would do that to someone on a football pitch, because you wouldn't do it to someone on the street,” says Light. In this special report, @TBurrows16 looks at the issue of violence in amateur football, why it keeps happening and what is being done about it. 🔗 nytimes.com/athletic/70806…

‘He wound his arm back and sucker-punched me in the back of the head’ After a series of recent incidents, I spoke to a number of people across amateur and non-league football in the UK about their ordeals - and what’s really happening nytimes.com/athletic/70806…

The Ligue de Football Professionnel has said they have received a request from Paris Saint-Germain to postpone their top-of-the-table clash against RC Lens. The reigning European champions have been drawn against Premier League holders Liverpool in the quarter final of the Champions League. More from @TBurrows16 ⬇️ nytimes.com/athletic/71412…

LFP confirm PSG have asked for big Ligue 1 match vs Lens to be postponed PSG currently scheduled to play Lens on April 11, in between their 2 matches vs #LFC Lens strongly against fixture being moved, but LFP have final say #LFC also play on April 11 nytimes.com/athletic/71412…

⚪️ Leeds United in 2004 ⚫️ Newcastle United in 2009 🟣 Aston Villa in 2016 Some Premier League clubs are said to be ‘too big to go down’. But what happens if they do? @stujames75 spoke to those who lived through three ‘nightmare’ relegations ⤵️ 🔗 nytimes.com/athletic/71334…

Exclusive: Liverpool owner Fenway Sports Group has shelved plans to buy a second football club. Around 25 clubs analysed in depth over past two years with strong focus on Spain, Portugal and France. But multi-club project now regarded as “dormant”. nytimes.com/athletic/71317…

🔹 What happens to the trophy and winners' medals? 🔹 Could Senegal players have to return prize money? 🔹 Might the government want its gifts of land returned? 🔹 Are bookmakers paying out on Morocco winning? After the decision to strip Senegal of the AFCON title and award it to Morocco, we answer some of the more unusual questions arising out of that decision. ✍️ @TBurrows16 🔗 nytimes.com/athletic/71286…