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Kirby Smart's Georgia football program may have actually overachieved this last decade-plus.While Kirby Smart has led his alma mater to back-to-back College Football Playoff National Championships, you can certainly argue that his Georgia football program has actually ... overachieved?! Wai...

Equal prize money at the 2026 and 2027 men’s and women’s World Cups has to happen “no matter what”, according to world players’ union FIFPRO. Gianni Infantino, the president of football’s global governing body FIFA which organises the tournaments, said in March it was his ambition for there to be equal prize money after this summer’s Women’s World Cup. He has said sponsors and broadcasters must play their part in helping to achieve that, something FIFPRO general secretary Jonas Baer-Hoffmann agrees with. Qatar." data-source="FIFA"> However, Baer-Hoffmann insisted on Friday that equal prize money must not just be a goal – it was essential. “It is not wrong from FIFA to actually call all the other economic contributors to the tournament to the table,” he said. “You can say whatever you want about how footballing institutions have probably massively under-invested in the game and have not done enough to develop it. “At the same time, so have many other stakeholders, whether they are broadcasters or sponsors. “So while we think this prize money equalisation has to happen in 26-27 no matter what, we also are looking to work with FIFA to make sure that the economics of this tournament continue to develop because it shouldn’t just be a prize money equalisation on the back of a political commitment.” Infantino had been especially critical of broadcasters in some of the big European markets, including the United Kingdom, for offering a tiny fraction of the money they had put forward for the 2022 men’s finals compared to this summer’s women’s tournament. However, a deal for the tournament to be screened on the BBC and ITV was announced earlier this week. FIFA has confirmed a record prize money pot will be distributed for the tournament in Australia and New Zealand, with 270,000 US dollars (around £216,000) earmarked for each member of the winning squad. Every player involved in the tournament is guaranteed to receive at least 30,000 US dollars (just over £24,000), at a time when the average salary in the women’s game worldwide is 14,000 US dollars (£11,000), according to last year’s FIFA benchmarking report. World players’ union FIFPRO has praised FIFA “for listening to the voice of players” on the issue of pay, and for ensuring equal conditions in terms of training facilities and transport for players at this summer’s finals compared to the men’s tournament in Qatar late last year. A group of 150 players from 25 national teams – including players from England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland – had written to FIFA in October last year calling for equal conditions and for a guarantee that at least 30 per cent of prize money would be allocated to players. Previously, there was no requirement for national associations to distribute a minimum amount of World Cup prize money to participating players. The overall performance-based fund for the finals is 110million US dollars (£88.1m), more than three times what was on offer at the 2019 World Cup in France, with the players sharing more than 44 per cent of that between them. FIFPRO said on Friday that the money earmarked for players would go into designated accounts audited by FIFA to ensure it got to them. There remain issues globally regarding the conditions for players, with the Jamaican squad publishing a statement on Thursday criticising their country’s federation for how it has resourced and handled the team’s World Cup preparations. Their complaints include a failure to pay agreed compensation or provide sufficient resources for team preparation in some areas, including food, training and travel. Sarah Gregorius, FIFPRO’s director of global policy and strategic relations for women’s football described the plight of the Reggae Girlz as “completely unacceptable”. FIFPRO also confirmed FIFA had presented its proposed approach regarding armbands to a players’ group at a meeting on Thursday. A group of seven European nations were threatened with sporting sanctions starting with a yellow card for their captains if rainbow-coloured ‘OneLove’ armbands were worn at the men’s World Cup in Qatar last year. Discussions are ongoing with other stakeholders on the issue, with the Football Association understood to be in almost daily written contact with FIFA regarding this topic. Baer-Hoffmann said feedback from the players’ group would be passed to FIFA in due course. Infantino said in March that all sides had learned lessons from what happened in Qatar and was confident “a solution” would be agreed for the Women’s World Cup. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Kim Huybrechts and Dimitri Van den Bergh put on united front after ‘differences’ Zak Crawley sets the tone for England before Australia hit back in Ashes WRU criticised for ‘serious failure of governance’ over misconduct allegations

England are back in action on Friday and resume their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a trip to the National Stadium in Ta’Qali. There, Gareth Soughate’s side are in action against Malta in Group C - a meeting off top against bottom in the early stages of this series. Two wins over Ukraine and Italy have put the Three Lions well and truly in the driving seat to comfortably qualify for the finals, given the top two in each group will head through to play in Germany. Malta, meanwhile, have lost both their games against Italy and North Macedonia. Key decisions in terms of the team will come over whether to hand a debut to Eberechi Eze and how many of the fringe or inexperienced players get the nod in a game England should be far too strong for their opponents in. Here’s everything you need to know. When is Malta vs England? The Euro 2024 qualifier kicks off at 7:45pm BST on Friday 16 June. Where can I watch it? England’s Euro 2024 qualifiers are free-to-air after Channel 4 secured the rights for all Three Lions games for two years. Fans can stream the match via Channel 4’s app and desktop website. What is the England team news? It’s not yet clear whether Man City’s stars will feature in the match given their Champions League exertions - and subsequent celebrations - but it’s likely Gareth Southgate will offer a chance to a few players who are not habitual starters. Marc Guehi could be in line to win just his fourth cap in defence and Crystal Palace teammate Ebe Eze is hoping for his senior debut with the national team. Jude Bellingham has just completed his transfer to Real Madrid but will not be playing in this break as he recovers from injury. Predicted lineups MAL - Bonello, Attard, Borg, Apap, Corbalan, Muscat, Guillaumier, Yankam, Mbong, Jones, Satariano ENG - Pickford, Trippier, Guehi, Maguire, Shaw, Rice, Gallagher, Eze, Saka, Kane, Maddison Odds Malta 66/1 Draw 18/1 England 1/20 Prediction No contest in terms of the outcome of course, so it’s about how clinical and intense England can be in the humid conditions. Malta 0-4 England. Read More Southgate makes call over Man City stars and warns of ‘line’ in celebrations How to watch Malta vs England Euro 2024 qualifier online and on TV today Malta vs England team news and predicted line-ups for Euro 2024 qualifier England’s future is about to be defined – and it’s out of Gareth Southgate’s control One year to Euro 2024: Who is on the plane for England? Rashford underlines commitment to England after missing recent games

Norway manager Stale Solbakken joked that if Jack Grealish could train for England then he has no cause to worry about Erling Haaland’s treble celebrations ahead of Saturday’s clash with Scotland. Solbakken understood the need for Haaland to revel in his success with Manchester City after last weekend’s Champions League final. Solbakken has taken it easy with Haaland this week, more concerned with ensuring the striker recharges, and believes a homecoming welcome will lift his star man during the Euro 2024 qualifier in Oslo. City celebrated in Ibiza after their Istanbul success against Inter before continuing the party on a bus parade in Manchester on Monday with Grealish throwing himself wholeheartedly into the fun. When asked what the Norwegian people made of the scenes ahead of a big international, Solbakken said: “I think everyone understands that and I also think it’s a good idea to do that. “Because, no matter how good you are, if you say (Pep) Guardiola is the best manager in the world and he has managed to do this treble once in Spain, once time in England, even when he had the best players representing the biggest clubs with the biggest budgets, you could think this would happen more often. But it doesn’t because it’s so, so difficult. “And I don’t think you can postpone a celebration like that. You can’t say ‘let’s meet up in the summer when these national games are over and we party’. It’s not the same because the excitement is a little bit out of your body and you have to do it then. “When he came here, he didn’t look like he had gone the Grealish way. If Grealish managed to train for England the first time, he should also manage to do it for us.” Only one of Haaland’s 53 goals this season has come on the international stage but the 22-year-old has not played for his country since September and Solbakken believes an excited home crowd will help him overcome his heavy schedule. “The biggest gift in that is the love the crowd will give him because it’s a long time since he has played in Norway and he didn’t participate in the two internationals earlier this year,” the former Wolves and Copenhagen manager said. “Obviously the Norwegian people have seen him on telly for a long time without seeing him live. I think he has had one game here in a year. “So that will probably pump him up and give him the five to 10 per cent he probably lacks due to the programme he has been through and all the feelings and emotions he has been through as well.” Haaland was missed in March as Norway took one point from their opening two Group A games against Spain and Georgia, while Scotland sealed maximum return. On the game, Solbakken said: “It’s more crucial for us than Scotland of course but no matter what, before the group started, this would always have been a key game. “But it’s more that Scotland have had a really great start. I think we played two really good games but what messed it up a little bit, even though we only got one point, is that Scotland beat Spain. “That means it looks much better for us if we can beat you and everyone is beating each other. If we win, also Spain are in trouble, because it’s two teams who can catch them.” Read More City soak it in and Nuggets strike gold – Tuesday’s sporting social Cadan Murley suspends loyalty to Man Utd to analyse Erling Haaland’s finishing Jack Grealish revels as Manchester City parade treble Manchester City’s trophy parade in pictures The sporting weekend in pictures Man City match-winner Rodri named Champions League player of the year

England forward Alessia Russo will leave Manchester United this summer. The 24-year-old will become a free agent when her contract expires at the end of this month. Russo was the subject of a reported world record £450,000 bid from Arsenal in January but the approach was rebuffed by United at the time. She is again being linked with the Gunners as well as French outfit Lyon and American side Washington Spirit. A United statement read: “Manchester United can confirm that Alessia Russo will leave the football club on completion of her contract at the end of June. “Everyone at the football club would like to thank Alessia for her service and wish her luck for the future.” Russo joined United in 2020 after previous spells with Chelsea, Brighton and North Carolina Tar Heels. She scored 26 goals in 59 appearances for the club and helped them to second place in the Women’s Super League and the FA Cup final last season. Russo said on Instagram: “It’s been the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make. @manutdwomen, thank you for everything.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

When asked by fans if he would expand his tour, Suga said Korean artists 'can't perform in China'.

The Microsoft co-founder is the latest high-profile US business leader to visit China in recent months.

What the papers say According to the Daily Mail, Tottenham have submitted a joint £50million bid to Leicester for midfielder James Maddison and forward Harvey Barnes. The Daily Telegraph says Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea could all enter the bidding war for West Ham’s England midfielder Declan Rice after Arsenal’s initial £90m bid was turned down. The Times reports Arsenal are continuing to prioritise a deal for Rice and have therefore pulled out of the race to sign 21-year-old Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo. Chelsea could face competition from United for the signing of Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana, although United have also shortlisted Porto’s Diogo Costa. Social media round-up Players to watch Kieran Tierney: Newcastle remain in pole position to sign the Scotland full-back from Arsenal, Football Insider says. Rasmus Hojlund: Atalanta will demand a figure “well in advance” of their club transfer record of £45m for the 20-year-old striker, the Mail says. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Stephen Kenny has insisted he does not feel under any pressure to select teenage sensation Evan Ferguson for the Republic of Ireland. The 18-year-old has emerged from the Brighton ranks in thrilling fashion this season and his Premier League form was rewarded with a first senior Ireland cap in November before a goal in his maiden start for his country against Latvia in March. Ferguson’s blossoming talent has prompted excitement back at home and he will hope for a role in Friday night’s key Euro 2024 qualifier against Greece in Athens. But asked if the clamour to pick him was a problem, Kenny replied: “No, not at all. At the moment on recent form, he’s in the team on merit. He’s been our best forward, for sure. “To score a goal in his first game can only give him confidence. I don’t feel any pressure, no. He’s a brilliant addition for us. I’m delighted to have him in the team.” Ferguson started Ireland’s opening qualifier, a 1-0 home defeat by France, a game in which he and his team-mates fought a rearguard action for long periods before ultimately going down to Benjamin Pavard’s second-half strike. Greece boss Gus Poyet is expecting a significantly different approach at the OPAP Arena – which could only be a third full as the Uruguayan attempts to lure fans back to support the national team – and Kenny did little to disabuse him of the notion. He said: “France were a penalty shootout away from being double World Cup champions. They are undoubtedly a world-class team, a team that has a lot of world stars in it. “This is a different game entirely. Greece are on a good run of form, they are a possession-based team as well, they get a high percentage of possession in a lot of their games, they like to dominate possession, they’re expansive. “We’ve shown the capacity to be like that as well in a lot of games, that’s one of our strengths as well. It’s an intriguing game really. “Is the approach different? Yes it is, so we’ll have to wait and see how that goes on Friday.” Wigan wing-back James McClean could win his 99th cap in Athens, putting him in line to become the seventh man to win 100 for Ireland against Gibraltar on Monday, although Kenny is adamant sentiment will not come into his thinking. He said: “You can’t allow sentiment to enter your decision-making process when you’re selecting the team, that doesn’t come into it. But anything is possible. “James, there’s an inevitability he will get 100 caps, it’s only a matter of when. He’s been an incredible servant to Ireland. “You see [Luka] Modric playing at 37 last night – you wouldn’t put that out of the realms of James playing to that age. He’s obsessed with his levels of fitness. He could play for several years still.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Gareth Southgate urges players not to cross the line with celebrations England Under-21s defender Jarrad Branthwaite was close to giving up on football Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele set record-breaking pace at US Open

England boss Gareth Southgate admits there is a line his players cannot cross following Jack Grealish’s treble celebrations. The manager stopped short of criticising the forward after his partying grabbed the headlines. Grealish joined his Manchester City team-mates for a night in Ibiza – following Saturday’s 1-0 Champions League win over Inter Milan which sealed the treble – before they returned on Monday ahead of their trophy parade. The 27-year-old, Phil Foden, Kalvin Phillips, John Stones and Kyle Walker linked up with the England squad on Tuesday ahead of Friday’s Euro 2024 qualifier in Malta. They will not start and Southgate insisted any celebrations should not go over the top. He said: “There is a line but in our head we weren’t thinking of including the City players for this game. “I have spoken with the players. We have talked about where the focus needs to be, where we need them to be and acknowledged what they have experienced and that’s for me to manage. “A few of our players would be teetotal. What is different is that everyone posts everything. I wouldn’t have liked a few of my nights out to be posted publicly. My generation would have a lot more problems. “We know, talking to Hendo (Jordan Henderson), Harry Kane, Tripps (Kieran Trippier) what that game takes out of you. “It’s a huge occasion and we needed to give those guys the time to take everything in but, point number one, they all wanted to come in to be with the group, which is fantastic. “I don’t think they would have felt anything unusual about how we have dealt with this and how we have embraced the players back in to the group. “We have also got the dynamic that while they are chuffed to bits and we are proud of them, a few others are pretty p****d off that they have won it at their expense. You are always really conscious of that.” England’s last trip to Malta – a World Cup qualifier in 2017 – ended with a 4-0 victory but only after three goals in the final five minutes from Kane, Ryan Bertrand and Danny Welbeck. It saw fans turn on the team, who were drawing 0-0 at half time, and Southgate remembers the atmosphere, with the squad abused on the coach driving to the stadium, during and after the game. “Myself and Steve (Holland) were talking about it as we landed because it wasn’t a pleasant journey to the stadium and it was less pleasant going home,” he said. “I’m not sure everyone knew we had won 4-0, because they were in the bar at 1-0, some at 0-0. “For us it was a good reference to how far the relationship with the fans has come. The performances of the team are going to ebb and flow, the connection with the fans feels completely different now. “It doesn’t matter what we have done in the last few years, last few games, we have to go again tomorrow night and make sure that we give our fans something to be excited about.” Meanwhile, Kieran Trippier believes the squad needs to embrace their final games of the season. England, top of Group C, also host North Macedonia at Old Trafford on Monday aiming to solidify their lead following March’s wins over Ukraine and Italy. It will cap a season which also saw the first winter World Cup in November and December with the Premier League having finished three weeks ago. “It’s difficult. It has been a tough season for myself and obviously the lads in Europe as well,” said Newcastle defender Trippier. We know at the end of the day we are coming away with England and they are two massive games. We want to be going to Germany next year. Kieran Trippier “We know at the end of the day we are coming away with England and they are two massive games. We want to be going to Germany next year. “We know the challenges but for me it is easy to flip the switch and get back into that mode again. “It’s been a good week of training. Everyone is buzzing to be back together and hopefully we can get the result. “You have to be professional in terms of not doing too much and overloading. It’s about ticking over and just getting yourself in the best possible shape to be with England.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live England Under-21s defender Jarrad Branthwaite was close to giving up on football Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele set record-breaking pace at US Open Joselu fires Spain to Nations League final with late winner against Italy

The firm, which makes over half of the world’s Apple products, is looking for its next big growth driver.

Jarrad Branthwaite has just helped PSV Eindhoven to Champions League qualification and the Dutch Cup, but the defender was just six weeks away from not having a football career. The 20-year-old spent last season on loan at the Eredivisie club from Everton and excelled, playing 36 times in all competitions and leaving with silverware, which was enough to earn him a call-up for the England Under-21s squad for this summer’s Euro 2023 tournament in Romania and Georgia. But it could have been so different just four years ago when his boyhood club Carlisle gave him a six-week ultimatum to prove he was worthy of a professional contract. Branthwaite, whose development was hindered by knee condition Osgood-Schlatter, felt close to giving up but it was his dad Paul who pushed him. “When I was at Carlisle at 16, it was a scholarship and they said to me that I had six weeks to prove that I wanted to get a professional contract,” he said. “I went through a stage where I was like ‘do I really want to do it?’ And he said ‘yeah, come on, you have to do it’. So I think he’s influenced me to get to where I am today. “I would probably say I was close to giving up. They said they didn’t think I had it in me to get a professional contract so they gave me six weeks. “My dad Paul gave me a training programme to do and after the six weeks, I got given a contract. The programme was just to work on my fitness and things and strength to give myself the best chance to get that contract. “It was back at home in the gym and stuff to make sure that if I looked back and had regrets, it would kick me, you know? So it was to make sure I gave my all and even if I didn’t get it, I could say I tried my best. “I told him thanks for it. It’ll be a proud moment for him if I play for England here at a major tournament.” His career path has sky rocketed since then and he has become hot property, with a host of top European clubs reported to be interested in signing him this summer. But he has hinted that a return to Goodison Park could be on the cards as he eyes a Premier League career. I would probably say I was close to giving up. They said they didn't think I had it in me to have get a professional contract so they gave me six weeks Jarrad Branthwaite “You’ve got to set your goals. To play in the Premier League continuously is a big thing for every player,” he added. “When I left Carlisle for Everton, it was my goal to play in the Premier League. I think every kid’s goal is to play in the Premier League. That would be my main ambition. Just to solidify myself in a team in the Premier League at Everton and play as many games as I can. “It’s just about hard work. You’ve got to keep working hard every day, give yourself the best possible chance and perform on the pitch. “It’s been a good, successful year for me. I moved abroad to PSV and was just looking to play games and to develop as a player. “Over the year I’ve done that. I’ve played 36 games overall so it was a good learning curve for me, getting regular game time which is the first time in my career I’ve done that. I really enjoyed my time there. It was a good experience.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele set record-breaking pace at US Open Joselu fires Spain to Nations League final with late winner against Italy Rickie Fowler hits 62 at US Open to equal lowest score in men’s major history