Sports & Casinos UK

Lincoln go up to ChampionshipLive scores | Tables | Talking pointsThanks John, afternoon everyone. I’ll start with a very modern story from Spain.La Liga on Monday condemned threats and intimidation by Sevilla fans aimed at their own players and directors after they fell to a third straight league defeat.Sevilla, 17th in the Spanish top flight, lost 1-0 away at bottom side Real Oviedo on Sunday and some supporters met the team at the airport on their return to insult them, while others wearing masks were at the club training ground. Continue reading...

While authorities are under pressure to keep learning, TV audience figures suggest the public have not lost interestThere will never be a year when horse welfare is not an issue in the run-up to the Grand National, and that is, in a sense, a positive for the sport. It is a sign that the National retains its status as the biggest race of the year – in terms of audience, betting turnover, name recognition and pretty much any other measure you care to choose. Nearly two centuries after the first running in 1839, it still has deep roots in British culture as an annual sporting rite of spring.Within the racing bubble too there are few subjects that raise hackles and generate debate quite like the National, not least because for many racegoers and punters it is the race that first stoked their interest in the sport. Significant changes to the fences and other conditions in recent years, with the aim of minimising the risk of serious or fatal injuries, have left some fans, at least, feeling it is no longer the same race that they fell in love with several decades ago. Continue reading...

Cricket updates from 11am BST across the grounds Team-by-team guide | Email Tanya or comment BTLHampshire’s Ben Brown was a disappointed man last night.“It is a really poor start. The boys are really flat. You come into the season really looking forward to it so to put in that performance at home is hugely disappointing. Continue reading...

Against Birmingham on Easter Monday, Kasey McAteer gave Ipswich supporters something to talk about other than Nigel Farage – namely the growing prospect of a return to the Premier League at the first attempt. In their first game since the Reform UK leader had been allowed to parade with a “Farage 10” Ipswich shirt at the stadium and linked himself with Kieran McKenna’s job, the hosts moved into the automatic promotion places.Farage’s visit on 23 March has divided the fans, even driven some of them away. The chair, Mark Ashton, has apologised “for any hurt, pain or distress that’s been caused”, while the club said they “remain apolitical and do not support any individual party”. A handful of club officials are understood to have known about Farage’s visit beforehand but Ipswich deny that he was invited. In a video posted on Reform’s X account, Farage appears to address a message “To Mark” when signing an Ipswich shirt. Supporters have been left to make up their own minds and there is a feeling among some that they are being lied to. Continue reading...

From exposed anxieties to unexpected heroes, this weekend’s cup contests papered over a weird three-week Premier League breakSign up for our World Cup newsletterLive in a World Cup host city? Tell us your storiesThe soccer calendar has been particularly quirky this year. There’s always an international break in March, but because this year’s edition involved World Cup qualifying playoffs, most games were scheduled for the Thursday and the Tuesday, which meant there was very little soccer played over the weekend; barely even a smattering of friendlies.For a Saturday in early spring, it all felt very weird; it was a day for pacing the floors, wondering how on earth people who don’t like soccer fill the time. And with the Carabao Cup final falling the previous Sunday, and the FA Cup sixth round this weekend, that has meant a three-week hiatus in the title race. Which has been disorienting and, perhaps, not entirely to Arsenal’s benefit. Continue reading...

Sonia Bompastor believes national team managers will need to be “smart” with her Chelsea players after a gruelling block of games concluded positively, with a 2-1 defeat of Tottenham, earning a place in the FA Cup semi-finals.Chelsea’s hopes of retaining two of their three titles remain alive after Veerle Buurman’s wonderful drive and strike earned the Blues a win in an end-to-end battle with Tottenham. Continue reading...

Veteran announces return to Prem and would be eligible Forward will ‘never forget’ time at French second-tier clubThe former England captain Courtney Lawes is returning to the Prem at the end of the season after two years at French club Brive.The 37-year-old retired from international rugby after the 2023 Rugby World Cup and made the move to France after winning the 2023-24 Premiership title with Northampton Saints. Continue reading...

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Dan Bardell and John Brewin to discuss the weekend’s FA Cup Quarter-final games Continue reading...

Slovenian cyclist said signal to stop came too lateRiders could face fine and suspension if found guiltyTadej Pogacar is among the riders being investigated for running a red light at a railway crossing during the Tour de Flanders on Sunday. Pogacar, who won the race for a record-equalling third time, was in a group of riders who went through the crossing without stopping. Most of the peloton behind them had to stop before the railway.Belgian officials confirmed on Monday there was an investigation into the riders who allegedly ran the red light. They said no further details were immediately available. Local media said the riders could face a fine and driving suspension if found guilty. Continue reading...

Gnomes have become collectors’ items since 2016 debut2026 edition retailing at $49.50 inside Augusta NationalEveryone says goodbye to the Masters eventually. Sandy Lyle, Ben Crenshaw, Ian Woosnam and Bernhard Langer used recent years to wave goodbye. Will 2026 be the end for a renowned Augusta National element of more recent times … the Masters gnome?Speculation is rising that this Masters will be the final time gnomes will be on sale inside Augusta’s merchandise outlets. On face value, this hardly feels dramatic. The quirk, though, is that the household essential for any golf lover has become a victim of its own success. Augusta National has offered no comment when approached on the gnome’s future but the race feels on to collect the final batches of stock before the 14-inch ceramic doll is consigned to Masters history. Continue reading...