After the Republic of Ireland’s men’s team were drawn to play Israel in the Nations League this autumn, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) asked Uefa about what the sanctions for refusing to fulfil the fixtures would be.

They were told that they could potentially be disqualified, so have opted to play the matches.

Subsequently, the FAI were accused by former international winger James McClean of not having a “backbone”.

The Scottish FA did not respond to fresh requests for comment on their decision to play the matches.

But in a statement issued to the BBC in November, they said that “to refuse to play would forfeit both matches and negatively impact the prospects of our women’s national team”.

They added: “The Scottish FA is acutely aware of the suffering and devastation experienced in Gaza.

“We are not insulated from the emotional weight of that reality, nor immune to the moral urgency expressed by the supporters, campaigners and wider civic society who have been in touch following the draw against Israel.

“At the same time, we are a national association operating under membership of Fifa and Uefa and bound by their statutes.

“Member associations do not have unilateral discretion to choose who they will or will not play against, which is why we are obliged to fulfil our fixtures.”

When Cirstea announced 2026 would be her farewell after a 20-year career, not even her dreams would have suggested the reality of how it has panned out.

Announcing her retirement has led to playing with new-found freedom, as well as a feeling of having nothing left to prove.

This liberated mindset has produced some of the best results of her career – particularly on clay where she has won 10 of her 12 matches so far.

Earlier this week, she became the oldest player to beat a world number one after taking out Aryna Sabalenka in the Rome third round.

If Cirstea manages to beat Coco Gauff or Mirra Andreeva in the semi-finals, she will also break another notable barrier – finally cracking the world’s top 20.

Having forged a solid career which has included four WTA titles and two Grand Slam quarter-finals, Cirstea has never gone higher than a peak of 21st – which came way back in 2013.

Given she is playing some of the finest tennis of her career, it has prompted many people to ask whether she could reconsider her decision.

Cirstea remains committed to hanging up her racquet, although she has added a caveat as her run in Rome continued.

“Maybe if I win the tournament, I promise I’ll think about it,” she laughed.

Arsenal defender Ben White will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury and is set to miss out on England’s World Cup campaign.

The 28-year-old picked up the injury in the first half of Arsenal‘s 1-0 win at West Ham on Sunday and was seen leaving London Stadium in a knee brace.

In a statement, the club said White has sustained a “significant medial ligament injury” which will rule him out of the last two Premier League games and the Champions League final on 30 May.

The statement added: “Our medical team are now managing Ben’s recovery and rehabilitation programme, with everyone fully focused on supporting the aim of Ben being ready for the start of our pre-season preparations.”

White has made 30 appearances in all competitions this season and has started the past five Arsenal games, though he has only started nine league games.

Wins against Burnley and Crystal Palace in the Gunners’ final two Premier League games will secure a first league title in 22 years, while they also face Paris St-Germain in their first Champions League final in 20 years.

Arsenal‘s target of White being fit for pre-season means he is unlikely to be fit for the World Cup. Thomas Tuchel will name his squad for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico on 22 May.