Football

Sunny Singh Gill, a 39-year-old referee of Indian descent, is set to make history as the first British South Asian to officiate an English Premier League match on Saturday. This milestone follows in the footsteps of his father, Jarnail Singh Gill, who became the first English league football referee to wear a turban.Gill's appointment to referee Crystal Palace's game against Luton at Selhurst Park is a testament to his dedication and hard work. He has been following in the footsteps of his father and brother, Bhupinder, who is also a referee and became the first Sikh-Punjabi to serve as a Premier League assistant referee in January 2023.Growing up in a family passionate about football, Gill and his brother developed a love for the game at a young age. Gill's first Sunday League match as a referee came at the age of 17. In 2021, he and Bhupinder became the first people of Indian descent to officiate in the same Championship match.Gill's appointment to the Premier League is a significant moment for representation and diversity in the sport. It sends a message that anyone with passion and determination can achieve their dreams, regardless of their background.Meanwhile, Paul Tierney has been removed from refereeing duties in the next round of Premier League matches following his controversial decision in the Nottingham Forest-Liverpool game. Tierney will instead serve as a video assistant referee for Arsenal's home game against Brentford on Saturday.Tierney's mistake occurred when he stopped play after Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate sustained a knock to the head at a Forest corner just before Liverpool's stoppage-time goal. Despite Konate's quick recovery, Tierney dropped the ball to Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, even though Forest had possession at the time.Forest's players and coaching staff were furious with the decision, and club owner Evangelos Marinakis expressed his unhappiness to Tierney after the match.

Paris Saint-Germain's preparations for their crucial Champions League last-16 second leg against Real Sociedad have been marred by controversy surrounding coach Luis Enrique's handling of star forward Kylian Mbappe.Despite PSG's comfortable 2-0 lead from the first leg, Enrique's decision to reduce Mbappe's playing time has raised eyebrows. The French superstar, who has scored 32 goals in 33 games this season, was benched for the game against Nantes and substituted early in the matches against Rennes and Monaco.Enrique's actions have been interpreted as a punishment for Mbappe's decision to leave PSG at the end of the season. The coach has hinted that he is preparing the team to play without Mbappe, who is expected to join Real Madrid.However, critics argue that Enrique's handling of Mbappe is inappropriate and could jeopardize PSG's chances of advancing in the Champions League. Former PSG defender Alain Roche said, "I don't understand. I get the impression that ever since he told the club he was leaving he has been punished by the coach."Mbappe's absence from the starting lineup has been particularly noticeable in PSG's recent matches. The team has struggled to create chances and has failed to win in their last two games.Enrique's decision to experiment with Mbappe's playing time ahead of such an important European fixture has been questioned. PSG have a history of dramatic collapses in Champions League knockout ties, and another exit this time would be disastrous for both the coach and the club.

Barcelona's Champions League hopes have been dealt a significant blow with the news that midfielders Pedri and Frenkie de Jong are set to miss the second leg clash against Napoli due to injuries.De Jong suffered a right ankle sprain in Sunday's goalless draw at Athletic Bilbao, while Pedri picked up a new injury to his right hamstring. The club has not specified the duration of their absence, but both players could be out for more than a month.This is a major setback for Barcelona, who are already without Sergio Busquets due to suspension. Pedri and De Jong have been key figures in Xavi Hernandez's team this season, and their absence will be a significant blow to the team's chances of progressing in the Champions League.De Jong has been sidelined earlier this season with a right ankle injury, while Pedri has been plagued by right thigh problems. This is the third time Pedri has suffered a right thigh injury this season.Pedri is also expected to miss Spain's international friendlies against Colombia in London on March 22 and Brazil at Santiago Bernabeu four days later."They are two very influential players in our game, two very important players. We will miss them," said Xavi after the draw at Bilbao.Barcelona will host Napoli on March 12 in the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie. The first leg ended in a 1-1 draw, so the tie is finely poised.Without Pedri and De Jong, Barcelona will have to find a way to replace their creativity and energy in midfield. Gavi, Nico Gonzalez, and Riqui Puig are all options for Xavi, but none of them have the same experience or quality as Pedri and De Jong.The injuries to Pedri and De Jong are a major blow to Barcelona's hopes of winning the Champions League this season. The Catalans have not won the competition since 2015, and they will need to be at their best to overcome Napoli and progress to the quarter-finals.

In a weekend of missed opportunities, both Girona and Barcelona failed to capitalize on Real Madrid's draw against Valencia, surrendering points in their respective matches.Girona, who had a chance to regain ground on the league leaders, succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at Mallorca. The hosts took the lead in the 33rd minute through Jose-Manuel Copete, and Girona's struggles continued as they failed to score for the third time in five games.Barcelona, aiming to move into second place, were held to a goalless draw by Bilbao. The match lacked intensity, and Barcelona suffered potential injuries to Frenkie de Jong and Pedri.Atletico Madrid, on the other hand, tightened their grip on fourth place with a 2-1 victory over Betis. Memphis Depay's cross deflected into the Betis net for an early lead, and Alvaro Morata added a second before halftime. Betis pulled one back through William Carvalho, but Atletico held on for the win.In other matches, Villarreal crushed Granada 5-1, with Alexander Sorloth scoring a hat-trick.

Inter Miami's star-studded lineup put on a dominant performance, crushing Orlando City 5-0 in their MLS encounter on Sunday. The match, held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, showcased the brilliance of Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi, who combined for four goals.Suarez opened the scoring with a sensational brace in the opening 11 minutes. His first goal came from a deflected shot off the crossbar, while his second was a clinical finish from close range. Robert Taylor extended Miami's lead to 3-0 in the 29th minute.The second half belonged to Messi, who mesmerized the crowd with two stunning goals in a six-minute span. His first goal was a fortunate deflection off the post, while his second was a towering header assisted by Suarez.Despite the impressive performance, Messi's night was marred by an unfortunate incident. After his brace, he attempted a free-kick that went wide and struck a baby girl in the stands. The incident left the toddler in tears.Speaking after the match, Messi expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance. "We're doing well, we're enjoying it, we're growing," he said. "Today was an important match to win, to continue on this path of growth and this has to make us very strong for everything that's to come."Inter Miami's victory was a testament to the quality of their squad. Suarez and Messi proved to be an unstoppable force, while the rest of the team provided solid support. The win keeps Miami in contention for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Toni Kroos, the 34-year-old German midfield maestro, has made a sensational return to the national team after announcing his retirement three years ago. Kroos' decision to step down in 2021 was a surprise, but his exceptional form for Real Madrid and the German team's struggles have prompted him to reconsider.Kroos' return is a major boost for Germany, who have endured a disappointing period since winning the 2014 World Cup. The team failed to progress beyond the group stage in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, and crashed out of the 2020 Euros in the round of 16.New coach Julian Nagelsmann believes Kroos' experience and leadership will be invaluable to the young German squad. Kroos is known for his exceptional passing range, tactical intelligence, and ability to control the tempo of the game. He is also a role model for younger players, guiding them and showing them how to work effectively as a team.Kroos' return is particularly significant given the team's lack of experienced mentors. The squad is filled with talented young players, but they have lacked the guidance of senior figures. Kroos' presence will provide stability and direction, helping the team to develop and reach its potential.Kroos' decision to return to the national team has been met with excitement by fans and pundits alike. He is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation, and his return gives Germany a genuine chance of success at the 2024 Euros, which will be held on home soil.While some fans have expressed concerns about the toll that additional international matches could take on Kroos, most are simply delighted to see him back in the German colors. Kroos has always been a vocal critic of the congested football calendar, but he has assured fans that he is still physically and mentally capable of playing at the highest level.With Kroos back in the fold, Germany will be a formidable force in the upcoming Euros. His experience, leadership, and exceptional passing ability will be crucial to the team's success.

Bayer Leverkusen has extended its dominance at the summit of the Bundesliga, securing a 2-0 victory over 10-man Cologne. This triumph has widened the gap between Leverkusen and Bayern Munich to a significant 10 points.Leverkusen's manager, Xabi Alonso, acknowledged the importance of this victory, stating, "Ten points are a lot, but it's not over yet." He emphasized the need for continued focus and determination, recognizing that the title race is far from decided.Leverkusen's unbeaten streak in all competitions now stands at an impressive 34 games, a German record. Their victory over Cologne was hard-fought, with the home team playing with 10 men from the 15th minute after Jan Thielmann was sent off for a reckless challenge on Granit Xhaka.Despite the numerical disadvantage, Cologne put up a spirited fight, hitting the post twice. However, Leverkusen's quality ultimately prevailed. Jeremie Frimpong opened the scoring in the 38th minute, tapping in a cross from Alejandro Grimaldo. Grimaldo himself sealed the victory in the 73rd minute, squeezing the ball in at the near post after a fine assist from Amine Adli.Alonso praised his team's patience and control, saying, "We controlled the counter-attacks and were unlucky not to get the goals. In the end, we had patience and got the goals."Cologne, currently in the relegation play-off spot, remains eight points adrift of safety. Despite their valiant effort, they were unable to overcome the deficit created by Thielmann's red card.In another Bundesliga match on Sunday, Hoffenheim secured a 2-1 win over Werder Bremen thanks to a first-half double from Maximilian Beier.

Manchester City's title hopes received a major boost as they came from behind to defeat arch-rivals Manchester United 3-1 in a thrilling Premier League derby at the Etihad Stadium. Phil Foden's brace and Erling Haaland's stoppage-time strike sealed the victory, leaving City just one point behind league leaders Liverpool.United stunned the hosts with a stunning goal from Marcus Rashford in the eighth minute. However, City dominated possession and created numerous chances, with Foden and Rodri denied by excellent saves from Andre Onana.Haaland's incredible miss just before half-time, when he fired over with an open goal, seemed to give United hope. But Foden's equalizer in the 73rd minute, a blistering shot into the top corner, leveled the match.Ten minutes later, Foden struck again, this time with a composed finish after a slick one-two with Julian Alvarez. Haaland then atoned for his earlier miss with a clinical finish in stoppage time, rolling the ball into the net to seal the victory.United's defeat leaves them 11 points adrift of the top four, while City's triumph keeps them firmly in the title race. The result sets up a tantalizing clash between City and Liverpool next weekend, with the Premier League crown potentially on the line.

Mohammedan Sporting and Gokulam Kerala engaged in a captivating end-to-end football match on Sunday night, with the Kolkatans emerging victorious 3-2. This triumph solidifies Mohammedan's position at the top of the I-League standings.The match commenced with Mohammedan taking an early lead in the 16th minute. Alexis Gomez's skillful pass found Lalremsanga Fanai, who deflected the ball past goalkeeper Padam Chhetri. Eddie Hernandez, unmarked and with ample space, effortlessly slotted the ball into the net.Seven minutes later, Mohammedan extended their advantage to 2-0. Gomez, receiving a short pass from David Lalhlansanga, unleashed a stunning strike from just outside the penalty area, sending the ball soaring into the top corner of the net.However, Gokulam refused to be deterred and fought back before the interval. P.N. Noufal produced a brilliant solo effort, sprinting from his own half on a counter-attack and sending the ball into the far top corner.The second half witnessed a resurgence from Gokulam. K. Abhijith's superb cross was met by Nidhin Krishna's stunning header, leveling the score at 2-2. Gokulam's hopes of securing a point were dashed in the dying seconds when Lalhlansanga capitalized on some inadequate defending by Abdul Hakku to score the winning goal.Despite the loss, Gokulam remains third in the standings with 32 points, six behind Mohammedan.