Chelsea’s players are facing wage reductions of up to £2m each after a 3-1 defeat against Nottingham Forest left their Champions League qualification hopes hanging by a thread.
The west London side slumped to their sixth consecutive Premier League defeat on Monday, leaving them stranded in ninth place on 48 points.
With just three fixtures remaining this season, the two-time European champions are four points adrift of sixth-placed Bournemouth.
Financial implications of missing Europe
Contractual clauses dictate that weekly salaries will be slashed by between £30,000 and £40,000 if Europe’s elite club competition is not secured.
Given the size of the current squad, these individual pay cuts could result in total savings exceeding £50m for the Stamford Bridge outfit.
The club has earned approximately £100m from competing in the tournament this season through prize money, matchday income and sponsor bonuses.
Club captain Reece James is among those affected, having signed a contract extension in March that aligned him with the incentive-based wage structure introduced by the BlueCo ownership.
Forest defeat exposes defensive frailties
The hosts were comprehensively outplayed during large spells of Monday’s crucial domestic encounter against the relegation-threatened visitors.
Taiwo Awoniyi netted a brace and Igor Jesus converted a penalty to put the Reds 3-0 ahead, before Joao Pedro scored a stoppage-time consolation goal.
Interim manager Calum McFarlane was left furious by the sluggish start that ultimately condemned his side to another damaging loss.
“The first 15 minutes were unacceptable,” said McFarlane.
“The manner of the two goals conceded really set us back and gave us a mountain to climb.”
“It’s a ruthless game, it’s a really high level, and we cannot start like that.”
Budapest will host the 2026 Champions League final at the Puskas Arena on Saturday, 30 May, with UEFA introducing an earlier kick-off time to benefit fans.
The showpiece event will feature a revised schedule, starting at 17:00 local time (16:00 BST) rather than the traditional evening slot.
This adjustment marks a significant shift away from the 20:00 local time kick-off typically reserved for European football’s ultimate prize.
The decision to move away from the original kick-off is to enhance the matchday experience and benefit fans, teams and host cities.
UEFA
Ticket allocation and premium pricing
Supporters of the two successful finalists will each receive an estimated allocation of 17,200 tickets to distribute.
General admission seats were previously sold via a public lottery system on the official tournament website.
Prices for the Hungarian finale range from £60 for ‘Fans First’ categories up to £823 for premium Category 1 seating.
Semi-finalists battle for Budapest
Four elite clubs are currently fighting for the right to lift the famous trophy.
Paris Saint-Germain carry a slender 5-4 advantage over Bayern Munich into their decisive second-leg encounter.
Meanwhile, Arsenal welcome Atletico Madrid to north London on Tuesday with their tie finely poised at 1-1.
The Gunners have received a timely double fitness boost ahead of that crucial home fixture, according to manager Mikel Arteta.
Global broadcast and streaming details
UK viewers can watch the climax of the European campaign exclusively live on TNT Sports.
Pre-match coverage is expected to begin one hour before the action commences on the pitch.
Streaming options include the HBO app for compatible devices, while the spectacle is usually broadcast for free on YouTube.
Fans based in the United States have comprehensive viewing choices across CBS, Paramount+, Univision and TUDN.
Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior has completed a permanent transfer to Portuguese champions Porto for an initial fee of £14.6m following a successful season-long loan.
The 26-year-old has put pen to paper on a four-year contract with the Primeira Liga side.
The newly-crowned Portuguese champions will pay a fixed fee of €17m (£14.6m), alongside a potential €5m (£4.3m) in performance-related add-ons.
The Premier League club have also secured a €2m (£1.7m) sell-on clause, while the player’s new contract contains a €70m (£60m) release clause.
Title success in Portugal
The Poland international’s permanent departure follows an impressive campaign under head coach Francesco Farioli.
Porto recently secured the Primeira Liga title for the first time since 2022 with two games to spare.
Forming a formidable defensive partnership alongside former Chelsea centre-back Thiago Silva and compatriot Jan Bednarek, the versatile defender helped restrict domestic opponents to just 15 league goals.
Despite quarter-final elimination in the Europa League against Nottingham Forest, Porto’s domestic triumph guarantees a return to the Champions League next season.
Struggles for game time in London
The former Spezia man originally arrived in north London in January 2023 for a fee of £21m.
He made 68 appearances across two-and-a-half years, primarily serving as backup to the established central defensive pairing of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.
His most notable performances in an Arsenal shirt came during last season’s Champions League quarter-final encounters against Real Madrid.
After initially seeing potential moves blocked last summer, the Polish defender approached Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during pre-season to formally request an exit.
Arteta praised for handling of exit
Speaking to Polish outlet Laczy Nas Pilka, the defender admitted that initiating the departure process was challenging.
“The earlier conversation, when I asked for the loan, was more difficult. I’d never done this before, but I felt the time had come to speak with him face-to-face. He understood me and supported me.”
Once the initial loan agreement was struck, relations between the player and his Spanish manager remained highly positive.
“We already knew then that I would go on loan to Porto. The coach emphasised how big the club was and wished me luck.”
The Minnesota Wild will start goaltender Filip Gustavsson in Game 2 against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday after Jesper Wallstedt conceded eight goals in their series opener.
Head coach John Hynes confirmed the goaltending switch hours before puck drop in Denver.
Wallstedt struggled against a formidable Colorado offence, allowing eight goals on 42 shots during a chaotic 9-6 defeat in Game 1.
The young netminder had previously impressed by surrendering just 14 goals across six games during the first-round series victory over the Dallas Stars.
Gustavsson ready for post-season return
Gustavsson has not featured since conceding five goals to the St Louis Blues on 13 April.
The 27-year-old posted a 28-15-6 record with a 2.69 goals-against average during the regular season.
He and his Swedish compatriot split starting duties evenly throughout the campaign.
“We have confidence in both of our goalies. They’re both excellent,” Hynes said.
“We believe either one of them can win us a game. It’s a good opportunity to get Gus in the net. He’s hungry to get in.”
Praise for top-shelf attitude
Gustavsson boasts 11 games of playoff experience for Minnesota, recording a .917 save percentage and a 2.54 goals-against average.
Hynes praised the veteran goaltender for his professionalism and support following the Game 1 disappointment.
“He wants to play. He wants to get in the net. He was working for it,” the coach added.
“His attitude toward the team and toward Wally [Wallstedt] was top shelf.”
Injuries test Minnesota depth
The Wild remain without crucial forward Joel Eriksson Ek and defenceman Jonas Brodin due to lower-body injuries.
Further lineup adjustments remain possible ahead of face-off as the medical staff evaluate several game-time decisions.
Las Vegas Raiders’ number one draft pick Fernando Mendoza will skip the Indiana Hoosiers’ celebratory visit to the White House to focus on his rookie preparations.
The 22-year-old was instrumental in leading Indiana to their first ever national championship.
The championship-winning team has been invited to Washington D.C. on 11 May by US President Donald Trump to commemorate their success.
However, the Heisman Trophy winner has opted out of the trip, citing a desire to make a strong impression on his new NFL employers.
Rookie prioritises team practice
The Boston-born star expressed concerns that attending the presidential reception would conflict with the Raiders’ Organised Team Activities (OTAs).
“If it is on the first day of OTAs, like I said, I’m on the bottom of the totem pole here,” Mendoza explained.
“I’ve got to prove myself. I can’t miss practice.”
The quarterback emphasised that his primary goal is to serve his new teammates as he transitions to the professional level.
“I don’t know anything official. I don’t have the calendar, but as a rookie I don’t think that’s a good look,” he added.
Scheduling discrepancy and college legacy
Despite the player’s scheduling concerns, the official Las Vegas Raiders website lists their rookie workouts as beginning on 18 May.
This timeline leaves a one-week gap between the White House ceremony and the start of official team activities in Nevada.
The first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft leaves behind a historic collegiate legacy before moving to Las Vegas.
The former Hoosiers quarterback threw for 222 yards to secure a 13-10 victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2025 Big Ten Championship Game.
He later completed 16 passes for 186 yards and rushed for a touchdown as Indiana defeated the Miami Hurricanes 27-21 to claim the national title.
British number one Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from the Italian Open in Rome after suffering from a post-viral illness.
The 2021 US Open champion had been practicing in the Italian capital for the past few days ahead of the prestigious clay-court tournament.
She completed her mandatory media obligations before ultimately deciding alongside her team that she was unfit to compete.
Setback in clay-court season
This latest withdrawal represents a frustrating obstacle for the 23-year-old as she attempts to build momentum on the demanding European clay-court swing.
The talented right-hander has endured a heavily disrupted timeline on the WTA Tour, frequently battling various injuries and physical ailments since her historic triumph in New York.
Her focus will now undoubtedly shift toward regaining full fitness ahead of the impending French Open at Roland Garros.
Tottenham Hotspur are preparing to negotiate a cut-price permanent transfer for loan midfielder Joao Palhinha from Bayern Munich this summer.
Roberto De Zerbi has guided the north London club to consecutive Premier League victories, boosting their hopes of avoiding relegation.
The Italian coach has revitalised the squad’s spirit since his recent arrival.
With three crucial fixtures remaining to secure top-flight status, attention is already turning toward essential summer recruitment.
Capitalising on Bayern’s stance
The 30-year-old currently has a £21.5m buy option included in his temporary loan agreement.
However, recent reports indicate the German champions are eager to offload the Portuguese international permanently.
This situation presents the Premier League side with a prime opportunity to secure his signature for a significantly reduced fee.
Doing so would preserve vital transfer funds to strengthen other key areas of the pitch.
Midfield grit and passion
The tenacious ball-winner has excelled during recent fixtures, particularly impressing against Aston Villa.
While his distribution may lack penetrative passing, his defensive coverage and tackling ability have proven invaluable.
De Zerbi has publicly praised the loanee’s passionate approach to the game.
“Yeah, I love Palhinha like this.”
The manager admitted he enjoys seeing his players enthusiastically celebrate crucial challenges.
“No, no, they have not to follow me in this, but if I saw one player like…”
Jon Rahm has reached a settlement with the DP World Tour to retain his membership and ensure his eligibility for next year’s Ryder Cup following negotiations over unpaid fines.
The two-time major champion previously rejected a settlement offer that was accepted by several of his LIV Golf colleagues.
That initial proposal required the payment of financial penalties and a strict commitment to play a minimum of six events on the European circuit.
Fines settled for conditional release
The exact number of tournaments the 31-year-old must now enter remains unconfirmed by tour organisers.
However, the Spanish player will settle his outstanding disciplinary fines, which he previously estimated to be in the region of £2.6m.
This landmark agreement grants the former Masters winner a conditional release to continue competing in conflicting events for the foreseeable future.
This involves payment of all outstanding fines accrued from 2024 to date, along with participation in agreed DP World Tour tournaments (outside the Majors) in the remainder of the 2026 season.
Uncertainty surrounds breakaway league
The compromise arrives at a critical juncture for the Saudi-backed golf league following major financial developments.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund recently announced that it will cease funding the breakaway competition at the conclusion of the 2026 campaign.
The organisation is actively searching for alternative investment as it prepares to resume its schedule at Trump National Golf Club this weekend.
Crucial boost for European team
Securing the former world number one’s availability represents a significant victory for European captain Luke Donald.
The formidable ball-striker has been an integral part of the continental squads that triumphed in the last two editions of the biennial contest.
He is now poised to feature prominently when the prestigious team event heads to Adare Manor next year.
The lucrative recruit, who moved leagues for a reported £258m in late 2023, will next compete at the PGA Championship at Aronimink.