Sports

Irish Premiership: How the league’s long-term European hopes rest with Larne

Published

50 minutes ago

August 12, 2026

Despite dropping out of the top 50, all is not lost for Northern Ireland.

However, they will need Larne to qualify for the league phase of the Conference League, as they famously did in 2024, and also put in a decent performance.

In the final qualifying round, either Lincoln Red Imps of Gibraltar or Cyprus side Omonia stand in their way.

In the league phase, a club will pick up two points for a win and one point for a draw. This is halved for results in qualifying rounds.

It is also important to remember that the Irish League’s total at the end of the season will be divided by four.

Should Larne reach the league phase, then they would earn a bonus 0.125 points for each position gained in the overall rankings, which adds extra incentive.

It is also out of Larne’s hands to an extent, as the teams above Northern Ireland can also pick up more points as they all have at least one team in contention in Europe.

Estonia are best placed with two of their four teams still in contention, while Malta – although further ahead – are the nearest team without a club still in Europe.

While the rest of the league will be looking at the Inver Park side, manager Gary Haveron was not feeling pressure to deliver for the league.

“Is it extra responsibility? No, I don’t feel like it is,” Haveron told BBC Sport after the first leg of the game with Iberia 1999, which ended in a goalless draw before the Georgian’s extra-time win in Tbilisi.

“We will go out and try our absolute damnedest, but I would say that about any game that Larne play in.

“If everybody benefits and every club can benefit from it, then I’m only too glad to do it.”

Sports

PSG vs Aston Villa live updates: UEFA Super Cup latest team news, predictions

Published

4 minutes ago

August 12, 2026

qasimgillani

Hello and welcome to The Athletic’s live coverage of the 2026 UEFA Super Cup.

Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain take on Europa League champions Aston Villa in Salzburg today, with PSG looking to defend the title they won on penalties against Tottenham last year.

This is an opportunity for both teams to win a trophy before their domestic seasons have even begun, so a potentially big morale boost — as well as another piece of silverware — awaits the winner.

Stick around as we bring you all the build-up, team news and analysis from our team of writers ahead of kick-off later today.

Sports

Djed Spence: Inter Milan in talks for Tottenham full-back

Published

11 minutes ago

August 12, 2026

qasimgillani

Inter Milan are in advanced talks to sign Tottenham and England full-back Djed Spence, in a deal worth a minimum of £25.6m (30m euros).

The 26-year-old has emerged as a key target for the Serie A champions, having enhanced his reputation at the World Cup, at which he made eight appearances.

Spence was named in Tottenham‘s Premier League starting XI 23 times last season as they narrowly avoided relegation.

He has made 85 appearances for the north London club after a £20m move from Middlesbrough in July 2022, and Spurs have begun the process of identifying potential replacements.

Sports

Matteo Ruggeri transfer news: Aston Villa close in on Atletico defender

Published

16 minutes ago

August 12, 2026

qasimgillani

Aston Villa are closing in on the signing of Atletico Madrid defender Matteo Ruggeri.

A deal for the 24-year-old left-back is progressing and he is expected to move to Villa Park after just a season at Atletico.

He will replace Lucas Digne, who completed an £8.5m return to Paris St-Germain on Sunday and could face Villa in the Super Cup in Salzburg on Wednesday.

Manager Unai Emery is looking to lift his first Super Cup having lost his three previous finals.

Villa had been looking to revamp their left-back options this summer and were looking for more physicality in the position, having also been interested in AC Milan’s Pervis Estupinan, who played for Emery at Villarreal.

Ian Maatsen is due to start against PSG at the Red Bull Arena in Austria.

Ruggeri made 47 appearances for Atletico last season after joining from Atalanta last summer, signing a five-year deal, as they finished fourth in La Liga and lost the Copa del Rey final on penalties to Real Sociedad.

He won the Europa League with Atalanta in 2024 and was named in the competition’s team of the season.

Ruggeri played throughout the Italy age groups and earned a first senior call-up in March 2025 but is yet to play for the national side.