Roman Abramovich ‘offers’ Chelsea to Swiss billionaire Wyss, Madrid CONFIRM Hazard fate, Australian tournament – updates

Frustrated Toffees make formal complaint

Everton officials have written to the Premier League to make an official complaint following the decision not to award them a penalty in their game against Manchester City on Saturday.

The Toffees trailed 1-0 when Rodri handled in the box with just a few minutes remaining at Goodison Park.

Referee Paul Tierney waved play on - perhaps understandable given his position on the pitch - but then VAR official Chris Kavanagh somehow upheld the decision.

that the club have contacted the league demanding an explanation as well as an apology for Frank Lampard and his players.

Football takes further action against Russia

The game of football continues to react to Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine with countries and clubs releasing statements with every hour that passes.

In the past few minutes, the Swiss Football Association has announced that Switzerland will not play any games against Russia - or the Football Union of Russia - until further notice, and that position is non-negotiable.

Meanwhile, Bundesliga 2 club Schalke have revealed that they have ended their partnership with Gazprom prematurely.

The German outfit had already dropped the Russian energy giant as their main shirt sponsors.

Chalobah hits out at Atwell

Many pundits agreed that League Cup referee Stuart Atwell handled yesterday's frantic final between Chelsea and Liverpool well, but still got one major decision wrong.

The officials, both on field and at Stockley Park, took no action when Naby Keita caught Trevoh Chalobah in the groin with his studs during the second half.

Chalobah certainly felt the full force of Keita's boot, and was still sore afterwards when he tweeted that he required stitches following the challenge.

The defender added that the 'referee is right there' when the incident takes place, leaving him baffled by the lack of punishment for the Liverpool midfielder.

Gunners hoping for Saliba extension

Arsenal are preparing an attractive contract for William Saliba in the hope that the highly-rated youngster extends his stay at the Emirates.

Unai Emery brought the centre-back to the Emirates from Saint Etienne in 2019 as part of a £27million deal, but the 20-year-old has yet to make an appearance for the first team.

Instead, Saliba has spent the past two seasons out on loan, where he has impressed for Nice and, this year, Marseille.

Mikel Arteta has admitted that he views the defender as part of his first team plans but, with his current deal due to run out in 2024, may be forced to sell if Saliba doesn't agree to an extension.

United tracking talented teenager Tino

Manchester United are Southampton's 19-year-old right-back Tino Livramento.

The teenager has enjoyed an impressive season since Saints raided Chelsea for the defender last summer.

An attack-minded full-back, Livramento has recently regained his place in the Southampton side after a month out with injury.

The right-back spot has troubled Ralf Rangnick since he took charge at Old Trafford with Diogo Dalot, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Victor Lindelof all being tried in the position.

FA confirm Russia games boycott

The Football Association have reiterated that England will not play any games against Russia in the foreseeable future, no matter how the country are labelled.

The announcement comes after FIFA issued a weak statement yesterday that said they would allow Russia to continue to take part in the upcoming World Cup play-offs, but only as the Football Union of Russia, and with no flags or national anthem.

The decision is likely to put the entire World Cup at risk with next month's opponents, Poland, having already shown their unwillingness to play.

Leeds nearing Jesse Marsch appointment

Leeds United are expected to announce Jesse Marsch as the successor to Marcelo Bielsa later today.

The American coach has been busy finalising his move to Elland Road, and an official announcement is now imminent.

The 48-year-old has been without a club since December, having parted RB Leipzig with them 11th in the Bundesliga.

Marsch was among the frontrunners to take over from Bielsa at Leeds at the end of the season, but a run of just one point from the last six games hastened the need for change.

Pierre-Emerick’s in Aub-some form

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang continued his red-hot form with a goal against Athletic Bilbao yesterday.

The 32-year-old has been on fire since quitting Arsenal for Barcelona last month.

Aubameyang hadn’t featured for the Gunners since December 6 when he made his Deadline Day switch, having been stripped of the Gunners captaincy by Mikel Arteta.

The Gabonese ace hasn’t looked back, however, already bagging five goals in his last three games for his new side.

He scored a hat-trick in last weekend’s 4-1 victory at Valencia, before grabbing another against Napoli in mid-week.

His latest effort set his side on their way to a resounding 4-0 thumping of Athletic Bilbao.

Being Franck on Kessie transfer

Barcelona are reportedly closing in on securing Franck Kessie on a free transfer.

The 25-year-old has entered the final six months of his contract at AC Milan and has already told them he will not be renewing.

The Ivory Coast midfielder is wanted by several Premier League clubs.

Arsenal were believed to be looking to secure his services as well North London rivals Tottenham, Manchester United and Everton.

But all three look set to be in store for disappointment.

 claims Barcelona now looks certain to be his next destination as the ace is ‘unconvinced’ by offers received from England.

Man City's Haaland boost

Man City have received a boost in the transfer chase for Erling Haaland.

The Citizens and Real Madrid are leading the race for the Norwegian hot-shot’s signature.

Some reports have stated that Haaland had already made his mind up to join Madrid at the end of the season.

Now those rumours have been dashed by Jan Fjortoft, a former international team-mate of the star’s father Alf-Inge and spokesman of the Haaland family.

Speaking to Bild TV, the ex-Premier League striker said: “An agreement with Madrid hasn't been made.

“Erling Haarland and his team, including his dad, are looking at the situation in minute detail in order to choose where he will play next season.

“They will make the decision based on a number of elements.”

Philips: Sign Ward-Prowse

Kevin Philips has urged Mikel Arteta to bring Southampton star James Ward-Prowse to Arsenal.

He told Football Insider: “Ward-Prowse is the sort of player Arsenal need.

“Technically he is a very, very good player and he’s a dead-ball specialist. He’s the sort of player Arteta would love in his squad I imagine.

“Could they get him out of Southampton? That’s the question. He just signed a new deal and I think he’s happy there.

“It would be a big test if Arsenal could knocking though. He could be persuaded to join.

“Ward-Prowse is the sort of player Arsenal need to be looking at in the summer. He’d compliment Partey well and let’s be honest, there’s not many better set-piece takers than him in the world.”

Blues considering surprise Hazard return

Beaten League Cup finalists Chelsea are this morning contemplating a move for former star Eden Hazard,

The 31-year-old Belgian had endured a torrid time at the Bernabeu since his €100million transfer to Real Madrid in 2019, making only 47 La Liga appearances for the Spanish giants, and scoring just four goals.

Injuries have plagued the forward's time in Madrid, and it's now hoped that a loan move back to Stamford Bridge may help to reignite Hazard's career.

Hazard netted 110 times in 352 games for the Londoners in a seven-year spell, helping them to two Premier League titles.

Overnight round-up

Bayer Leverkusen's Patrik Schick has been linked with striker-light Arsenal while Barcelona could target Eric Bailly.

A summer hunt by the Gunners for proven frontmen is the Premier League's most predicted transfer line.

And European giants are showing increasing interest in Czech Republic star Schick.

The ex-Roma and Sampdoria ace, 26, has hit 20 Bundesliga goals this season. 

Emirates boss Mikel Arteta could lose Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah at the end of the season after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang departed for Barcelona.

And Schick might well be a cheaper option than other possible Arsenal targets.

Those include Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, Real Sociedad ace Alexander Isak and Everton’s England attacker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Meanwhile, Barca are said to be monitoring Manchester United's fourth-choice centre-back Bailly.

It comes as Ajax chief Erik ten Hag became an even hotter favourite for the permanent United boss job at the end of the season.

Finally, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel took the rap for sub keeper Kepa's shootout woe as Liverpool won the Carabao Cup.

The Reds triumphed 11-10 on penalties after a 0-0 draw, with Kepa failing to save any spot-kicks before missing the last one.

Tuchel said: "No blame on him. Blame on me. This is life as a football coach who does substitutions.

“I feel bad for him. We took the decision, like we did last time in a shootout because Kepa is training with the outfield players on a daily basis at penalties."

Fifa put World Cup at risk

Fifa have put the entire World Cup under threat by declining to kick Russia out of the competition, writes DANIEL CUTTS.

On a day when the FA ruled out England facing Russia at any level, world football’s governing body refused to boot them out of Qatar 2022.

Instead, Fifa will allow them to compete in the play-offs at neutral venues under the name “Football Union of Russia” — but with no national anthem, flag or fans.

Fifa chief Gianni Infantino is under pressure to axe Russia from the World Cup over president Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

But Fifa have stopped short of that step, saying “additional sanctions” could include “potential exclusion from competitions”.

Earlier yesterday, the .

Poland are due for a showdown with Russia in a play-off semi-final on March 24.

The winner of that game was set to play the play-off final in Warsaw or the Russian capital against either Poland or Sweden.

My winner Caoim as a shock to me

Caoimhin Kelleher had to be reminded he had clinched a ‘mad’ Carabao Cup final win for Liverpool, writes ANDY DILLON.

Reds’ boss Jurgen Klopp has told the Irish hero that his name will now be placed alongside other legendary keepers on a special wall the the training ground.

Kelleher scored the 11th and decisive spot-kick under enormous pressure as a gripping clash with Chelsea went to a sudden death shootout.

He said: “It's a mad one. I thought I would have saved one. I got close to a few but when it came down to me I didnt realise I had scored the winning penalty.

"I forgot I scored the winning one. All the penalties from the lads were class so I was just happy to score.

“I got my hand on a few but all the penalties were very high quality but thankfully we were able to win.

“The manager said 'Well done for scoring the winning penalty'. Obviously there's a wall at Liverpool with all the goalies that have won cups and he said 'now is your chance to get on that'."

Kelleher - who was a striker into his teens - helped clinch a first domestic cup win for Klopp and the first for a decade for Liverpool.

'Now treat Eriksen as normal'

Thomas Frank hopes Christian Eriksen will be allowed to let his feet do the talking from now on — after the midfielder’s emotional return put a smile on the face of football.

Eriksen was given a standing ovation from fans and players on both sides when he arrived as a 52nd-minute substitute on Saturday.

It completed a remarkable comeback, just 259 days after he suffered a cardiac arrest playing for Denmark against Finland at Euro 2020 in June.  

Bees boss Frank said it felt like the club had been a circus sideshow in the days leading up to Eriksen’s return.

Frank said: “I completely understand the circumstances which make Christian coming back to football a really big event.

“But now he has played his first game, he really wants to just speak about football and less about what happened in June.  

“He wants to be treated like a normal football player — even though we know he will never be a normal football player because of what happened to him.

“For everyone involved in football, it was a big moment. It was fantastic to see the reception he received and it was a big moment for Christian and his family.  

“Now he should only talk with his feet and speak about football instead of everything else.”

Tuchel 'feels bad' for Kepa

Thomas Tuchel is taking the rap for Chelsea blowing their Wembley dream.

Tuchel’s tactical masterplan to swap keepers for the penalty shootout backfired spectacularly to hand Liverpool the Carabao Cup.

First choice Edouard Mendy was brought off with a minute of extra-time remaining and replaced by spot-kick specialist Kepa who failed to save a single shot then pumped his own over the bar.

A thrilling final was played out against the backdrop of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with protest banners among the 85,000 crowd at Wembley.

Tuchel said: “I take the decisions when I take the decisions, I only take them when I want to take them. I cannot rejudge my decisions when I know the outcome. This is how it is.

“No blame on him. Blame on me. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it does not work out. This is life as a football coach who does substitutions.

“Sometimes you bring a player on and he scores. Sometimes he makes a decisive mistake. No regrets. If it is necessary to take the blame absolutely it is on me.

“I feel bad for him. But no blame. We took the decision, like we did last time in a shootout because Kepa is training with the outfield players on a daily basis at penalties."

Schik leave could suit Arteta

Bayer Leverkusen's Patrik Schick is the latest striker linked with Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta is tipped to recruit a proven frontman as Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah could follow Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out this summer.

And 33-cap Czech Republic star Schick has loomed onto the radar of European giants after 20 Bundesliga goals this campaign.

Other possible Arteta targets include Napoli's Victor Osimhen, Real Sociedad ace Alexander Isak and Everton’s England attacker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Red Devils Lu’s out

Manchester United’s five-year trophy drought has been contrasted with Liverpool new boy Luis Dias’ instant Carabao Cup joy.

United last won silverware with EFL Cup and Europa League triumphs in 2017.

But Colombia winger Dias, 25, was a starter as Liverpool beat Chelsea in a Wembley shootout today after a 0-0 draw.

Tuchel: Abramovich situation changes nothing

Thomas Tuchel has broken his silence on the ongoing situation with Chelsea's Russian owner Roman Abramovich.

On Saturday, 55-year-old Abramovich handed over control of the club to six trustees in a brief 110-word statement.

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, 'stewardship and care' of the club was relinquished to Chelsea's charitable foundation.

Blues boss Thomas Tuchel spoke to the  after the Carabao Cup final loss to Liverpool.

The German manager said: "I think it will change nothing for me on a daily basis.

"That’s how I understand it.

"I’m in close contact with Marina & Petr Cech to the run the first team.

"I think [our ability to win football matches] will not change with the news."

Ed in his hands

Edouard Mendy was left with his head in his hands after his replacement Kepa Arrizabalaga missed the decisive penalty in the Carabao Cup final shootout.

The 29-year-old was taken off deep into extra-time against Liverpool with Thomas Tuchel favouring Kepa to save spot-kicks at Wembley.

But the German gaffer's decision backfired as the Spain international failed to save any of Liverpool's 11 efforts on goal from 12 yards out.

And Kepa then blazed his deciding penalty high over the bar to hand the Merseyside outfit the Carabao Cup.

Fans were left fuming that Tuchel took off Mendy after his dazzling display in Sunday's epic encounter.

The Senegal international was named as the man of the match after producing a string of stunning stops - including an incredible double save in the first half to deny Naby Keita and Sadio Mane.

And while Mendy showed no disappointment at being taken off, he failed to hide his shock and dismay after Kepa missed his penalty.

Mendy was snapped in disbelief with his head in his hands before covering his face to console himself.

Ten Hag 'likely to ne next Man Utd boss'

Ajax chief Erik ten Hag is the even hotter favourite to become Manchester United manager amid claims Mauricio Pochettino wants the Real Madrid job.

It's thought Ten Hag and ex-Spurs boss Pochettino have been in a two-horse race for Old Trafford this summer as interim United boss Ralf Rangnick heads upstairs.

But Poch is reportedly holding out for the Bernabeu as Carlo Ancelotti's position looks vulnerable.

That could leave United focusing on Ten Hag, who is said to be Rangick's preferred choice.