Rugby’s leading nations have united to announce a blanket ban on playing international matches for recruits to the proposed breakaway R360 league. England, New Zealand, Ireland and France are among those who currently either favour or exclusively pick players from their domestic competitions. That meant signing up to the globe-trotting R360 itinerary was always set to put their players’ Test careers on hold.
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Liverpool have told Barcelona that Luis Díaz is not for sale after rejecting the Spanish champions’ first approach for the Colombia international. Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, contacted Liverpool officials on Wednesday to discuss the possible transfer of Díaz, who also has interest from the Saudi Pro League. However, Deco was informed Liverpool have no intention of selling the 28-year-old.
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Chelsea’s season ended in glory in Wroclaw as they came from behind to beat Real Betis 4-1 in the Conference League final to seal the London club’s seventh major European trophy. Everything for Enzo Maresca’s team hinged around a five-minute spell midway through the second half. In that window Cole Palmer turned a match the LaLiga side had enjoyed by far the better of into a Chelsea procession.
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Tottenham ended their 17-year trophy drought and sent misfiring Manchester United into a tailspin as under-fire Ange Postecoglou oversaw a 1-0 victory in Wednesday’s all-or-nothing Europa League final. Spurs edged this tense all-English final, with Brennan Johnson’s goal, thanks in no small part to a touch from Luke Shaw, Micky van de Ven goal-line clearance and Guglielmo Vicario’s stoppage-time save seeing them win a first trophy since the Carling Cup in 2008.
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Manchester United will face Tottenham in an all-or-nothing Europa League final after substitute Mason Mount’s magical brace helped secure a 4-1 comeback win against battling Athletic Bilbao. Despite falling behind to a wonder strike from Mikel Jauregizar the Red Devils responded with gusto through Casemiro, Rasmus Hojlund and a fine brace from Mason Mount.
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