Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver Raymond Berry, who won two NFL championships with the Baltimore Colts before guiding the New England Patriots to a Super Bowl as head coach, has died aged 93.

A statement released by his family through the Hall of Fame confirmed he passed away on 25 May while surrounded by loved ones.

The legendary split end spent his entire 13-season playing career in Baltimore, becoming one of the most reliable targets in professional football history.

He established a lethal connection with quarterback Johnny Unitas during an era when the sport heavily favoured running the ball.

The Greatest Game Ever Played

The former SMU draft pick is perhaps best remembered for his heroics in the 1958 NFL Championship Game against the New York Giants.

Often credited with sparking the league’s modern popularity, the sudden-death thriller saw him catch 12 passes for 178 yards and a crucial touchdown.

That single-game championship receptions record stood until 2014, underlining the magnitude of his performance in the 23-17 victory.

He secured his second consecutive championship the following season with the Colts.

During that dominant 1959 campaign, the prolific pass-catcher led the league outright in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.

A model of consistency

Selected as a 20th-round draft pick in 1954, the six-time Pro Bowler vastly exceeded early career expectations.

He retired in 1967 as the NFL’s all-time leader in receptions, amassing 631 catches for 9,275 yards and 68 touchdowns.

In a remarkable testament to his sure-handedness, Unitas’ favourite target fumbled just once during his entire professional career.

“Luck is something which happens when preparation meets opportunity,” he once explained.

“One play may make the difference in winning or losing a game. I must be prepared to make my own luck.”

His number 82 jersey was later retired by the Colts, and he was inducted into the Baltimore Ravens’ Ring of Honor.

Super Bowl run in New England

Transitioning to the touchline, the football icon spent 14 seasons as an assistant coach before taking the top job at the New England Patriots in 1984.

He orchestrated a memorable run the following year, guiding a wild-card squad all the way to Super Bowl XX.

Although his side suffered a heavy defeat to the historic Chicago Bears, his tenure in Foxborough remained highly respected.

He compiled a 48-39 overall record as a head coach, eventually departing the franchise after the 1989 season.

“It was a great six years for me,” he told ESPN in 2008. “I had some really great players, and you really enjoy coaching talent like that.”

“And I still have New England fans to this day come up and talk about how much they enjoyed those years. Nice to have satisfied customers.”

Davide Ancelotti has been appointed as the new manager of French side Lille on a two-year contract ahead of their upcoming Champions League campaign.

The 36-year-old succeeds Bruno Génésio at the Ligue 1 club.

Génésio departed despite guiding the team to a third-place league finish last season.

That impressive domestic form secured their return to Europe’s elite club competition.

Stepping out of the shadows

The Italian coach brings substantial experience from working as an assistant to his father, Carlo.

His coaching education includes stints at European heavyweights such as Bayern Munich, Napoli, Everton, and Real Madrid.

The younger Ancelotti also served alongside his father with the Brazil national team during their World Cup qualifying run.

However, his only previous senior head coaching role was a brief five-month spell in charge of Brazilian outfit Botafogo last year.

‘Energy and determination’

Lille president Olivier Letang expressed great confidence in the new appointment.

“Davide is a consummate professional, possessing all the qualities and skills of a modern coach.” – Olivier Letang

Letang added that the club hierarchy was deeply impressed by his maturity, energy, and technical abilities.

“His vision of football and his approach to coaching are both rigorous and highly relevant.”

European ambitions

The French club will be looking to build on their recent continental performances.

Under their previous leadership, Lille reached the Europa League round of 16 before falling to eventual champions Aston Villa.

The new head coach will now be tasked with navigating the demanding dual schedule of domestic football and the Champions League.

Thomas Tuchel’s England could face host nation Mexico and five-time winners Brazil in the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup if they successfully navigate Group L.

Group stage expectations in North America

The Three Lions begin their expanded 48-team tournament campaign next summer across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Avoiding early upsets will be the primary objective for the national side as they look to secure top spot against Croatia, Ghana and Panama.

The European finalists must navigate across multiple host cities to complete their opening round of group fixtures.

Navigating the knockout phases

Securing first place ensures a favourable round-of-32 fixture against a third-placed finisher in Atlanta on 1 July.

Progressing past that first elimination hurdle could quickly set up a daunting round-of-16 tie against co-hosts Mexico.

That highly anticipated fixture would likely take place in front of a partisan home crowd in Mexico City.

Should Tuchel’s men advance beyond the last 16, they face the immediate prospect of a blockbuster quarter-final showdown with Brazil on 11 July.

Favourable seeding against heavyweights

FIFA’s tournament seeding provides a distinct advantage regarding early meetings with other elite international nations.

The current bracket structure means clashes against defending champions Argentina or European title-holders Spain are mathematically impossible before the semi-finals.

Furthermore, a heavyweight encounter with 2022 finalists France can only occur if both footballing giants reach the showpiece final.

The current squad will be desperate to capitalise on this structured draw as they search for a first major men’s trophy since 1966, having fallen agonisingly short in two consecutive European Championship finals.

Arsenal earned a staggering £123.9m to top the European prize money charts for British clubs during the 2025/26 season, despite suffering penalty heartbreak against Paris St-Germain in the Champions League final.

The Gunners generated the highest revenue among the 12 domestic sides competing on the continent, narrowly missing out on a potential £133m windfall.

Mikel Arteta’s Premier League champions fell short in Budapest, losing 4-3 on spot-kicks to the French giants after aiming for their first elite European crown.

However, the overall campaign proved highly lucrative for English sides, who collectively banked £585m across all three Uefa competitions.

Villa and Palace taste European glory

While the north Londoners missed out on the ultimate financial prize, two other Premier League outfits successfully secured continental silverware.

Aston Villa pocketed £35.5m for their triumphant Europa League run, culminating in a resounding 3-0 victory over Freiburg on 20 May.

Crystal Palace added to the English trophy haul exactly a week later, edging past Rayo Vallecano 1-0 to win the Conference League and £17.7m.

Nottingham Forest also enjoyed a profitable continental campaign, securing £20.9m after reaching the semi-finals of the Europa League.

Champions League regulars secure huge windfalls

Beyond the finalists, the traditional top-flight heavyweights continued to draw massive financial rewards from Europe’s premier club competition.

Liverpool accrued £94.7m before their quarter-final elimination at the hands of eventual winners PSG.

Manchester City walked away with £83.9m following a last-16 exit to Real Madrid, while Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur claimed £79.7m and £73m respectively.

Newcastle United matched the Citizens’ last-16 finish, taking home £55.7m for their efforts on the biggest stage.

Scottish sides struggle to make an impact

North of the border, the three Scottish representatives managed a combined total of £33.8m following difficult European campaigns.

Rangers earned £15m but failed to progress beyond the newly formatted Europa League league phase.

Arch-rivals Celtic secured £14.5m before being eliminated by Stuttgart in the knockout play-off round of the same tournament.

Aberdeen rounded out the British contingent, making £4.3m after failing to win a single match and finishing 35th in the Conference League standings.

Full breakdown of 2025/26 British European earnings

According to figures compiled by Football Meets Data, the complete financial rewards for the campaign are listed below.

Tyson Fury has been urged by former world champion Duke McKenzie to avoid a tune-up fight against Andy Ruiz Jr ahead of his highly anticipated winter showdown with Anthony Joshua.

The 37-year-old recently returned to competitive action following a brief retirement, defeating Arslanbek Makhmudov on points in April.

Following that victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the former two-time heavyweight world champion immediately agreed to a blockbuster bout with Joshua.

Both British stars are now scheduling interim bouts, with Joshua set to face Kristian Prenga on 25 July.

Stylistic mismatch

The ‘Gypsy King’ expects to take a warm-up fight in August and has attracted interest from numerous contenders, including Mexican-American hard-hitter Ruiz.

However, boxing pundit McKenzie believes the former unified champion presents the exact wrong type of stylistic challenge.

“No, there is absolutely no sense in it,” McKenzie told talkSPORT Boxing.
“Stylistically, Andy Ruiz is all wrong, isn’t he? He’s not 6ft 6 or however tall Joshua is.”
“He’s not got long arms, he’s short, he’s diminutive and he’s a little pressure fighter.”

McKenzie advised that the returning heavyweight should instead target a tall, rangy opponent to adequately prepare for his domestic rival.

Remaining focused on August

Despite his recent setbacks against Oleksandr Usyk in 2024, the veteran remains fully committed to his three-fight plan for the calendar year.

He recently confirmed his intention to stay active, regardless of who stands in the opposite corner this summer.

“We have not got an opponent yet, but again, it’s never about the opponent, it’s just about me versus me always,” he told FurociTV.
“So, whoever the opponent is, if it’s Joe Bloggs or if it’s Mike Tyson, it’s all important to me. It’s just a run out for me, just to get sharper for the big one.”

However, the Manchester-born boxer is acutely aware that a shock defeat would completely derail the long-awaited clash with Joshua.

“Listen, I might get knocked out my next fight in August, so then it’s all over,” he conceded.

He insists he will not overlook his next challenger, noting that every heavyweight contest remains a deadly serious proposition.

Paris St-Germain have successfully retained the Champions League following a final victory over Arsenal, raising fresh questions about the normalisation of Qatari state ownership in European football.

The French champions’ triumph on the pitch comes exactly four years after Qatar hosted the World Cup amid intense global scrutiny over human rights and sportswashing.

Yet, as the Parisian club celebrates back-to-back European crowns, the vocal outrage that defined the build-up to the 2022 tournament has largely evaporated.

Focus shifts from politics to the pitch

The narrative surrounding the recent final heavily focused on the contrasting tactical approaches of the two sides rather than the political complexities of the victors’ ownership.

Praise has been lavished upon the Qatari-owned club for their expansive style, with standout performances from players like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia capturing the public’s imagination.

Even former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson reportedly messaged president Nasser Al-Khelaifi to congratulate the team for their commitment to attacking football.

Retaining Europe’s premier club competition is traditionally viewed as the ultimate benchmark of sporting greatness, yet this victory carries significant off-field implications.

The normalisation of state wealth

Behind the scenes, the balance of power in elite football continues to consolidate in the executive suites rather than on the turf.

Recent images of Al-Khelaifi standing alongside Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin and Real Madrid’s Florentino Perez highlight the established authority of state-backed entities within the sport’s hierarchy.

Following the recent departure of Pep Guardiola, the widespread acceptance of the French giants’ continued dominance suggests autocratic wealth is now fully integrated into the game.

The ultimate objective of sportswashing is long-term normalisation, and the muted criticism surrounding this latest European triumph indicates that the strategy has proven highly effective.

Arsenal and Manchester City are finalising their summer transfer strategies, with both Premier League clubs preparing for major squad overhauls ahead of the new season.

The European transfer market officially opens for English clubs on June 15, while windows in Italy, Germany, France, and Spain will follow shortly after.

Mikel Arteta’s side head into the off-season bolstered by increased prize money following a remarkably successful campaign that saw them win the domestic title and reach the Champions League final.

However, the North London outfit must adapt their recruitment strategy to ensure ongoing compliance with strict financial regulations.

This evolving approach will rely heavily on trading existing squad members to help fund new incoming acquisitions.

Gunners target attacking reinforcements

Despite a reasonable contribution from Viktor Gyökeres, the club are eager to sign another high-profile centre-forward.

Adding superior firepower is viewed as a crucial step to elevate the team’s attacking output to the next level.

The Emirates hierarchy are also tracking several creative midfielders and wingers to broaden their tactical options.

Atlético Madrid forward Julián Álvarez emerged as a primary target in January, though Barcelona are expected to provide fierce competition for the Argentine.

Midfield additions and potential departures

Other domestic targets for the capital club include Aston Villa playmaker Morgan Rogers and Bournemouth prospect Junior Kroupi.

Midfield reinforcements remain a priority, with Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali and Bayern Munich veteran Leon Goretzka currently under consideration.

Defensive adjustments could see Piero Hincapié join on a permanent basis, as his loan arrangement from Bayer Leverkusen includes a purchase clause.

To finance these ambitious moves, the boardroom are prepared to entertain offers for established regulars such as Ben White, Gabriel Jesus, and Gabriel Martinelli.

Club captain Martin Ødegaard recently dismissed widespread speculation regarding his own potential exit from the Emirates.

Securing futures and City’s massive war chest

Teenage revelation Myles Lewis-Skelly faces an uncertain future despite his impressive breakthrough performances in midfield.

Off the pitch, securing their manager’s long-term commitment remains paramount for the Arsenal ownership.

“Keeping Arteta is an utmost priority.”

The 44-year-old tactician is expected to sign an improved deal as he enters the final 12 months of his current contract.

Discussions are also planned with Declan Rice over fresh terms, while Leandro Trossard enters the final year of his agreement after receiving a wage increase last summer.

Elsewhere, Manchester City are reportedly assembling a staggering £300m budget depending on target valuations.

The Manchester club already invested £80m in January on winger Antoine Semenyo and centre-back Marc Guéhi.

Their summer focus now shifts to replacing Bernardo Silva, with Newcastle defender Tino Livramento among the names currently linked to the Etihad Stadium.

Arsenal defender William Saliba is a major doubt for the upcoming World Cup in North America after aggravating an injury during Saturday’s Champions League final defeat to Paris St-Germain.

The imposing centre-back played the full 120 minutes of the penalty shootout loss despite carrying a pre-existing knock.

Reports from France suggest the decision to play through the pain barrier has worsened his condition.

He now faces several weeks on the sidelines with the global tournament just 10 days away.

Defensive crisis looms for Deschamps

The defender was named in Didier Deschamps’ 26-man squad and was expected to start alongside Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano.

His absence would represent a significant blow to the national team’s preparations.

Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate, alongside Maxence Lacroix, Lucas Hernandez and Jules Kounde, provide alternative options for the French coaching setup.

The talented youngster has established himself as one of Europe’s premier defenders, forming a formidable domestic partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes.

Bittersweet end to historic season

The European heartbreak concluded an otherwise momentous campaign for the north London club.

Mikel Arteta’s side recently ended a 22-year wait for domestic glory by securing the Premier League title, finishing seven points clear of Manchester City.

Missing the pinnacle of international football would be a cruel conclusion to a stellar individual season.

Medical staff will now assess the France international to determine if a recovery is possible before the group stages commence.