Barca line up Lenglet

Nacional have apologised to Chapecoense after supporters appeared to make mocking gestures during their Copa Libertadores match about the Brazilian club s tragic plane crash.

During their second-stage clash – which Nacional won 1-0 in Chapeco – some visiting supporters were shown taunting their hosts about the accident that killed 19 of Chapecoense s players in 2016.

In a letter to their opponents, Nacional described the behaviour as sick and horrific and asked for forgiveness from Chapecoense.

On behalf of Nacional Football Club, we ask the president our deepest sympathy and deep sense of shame. We urge you to accept our deepest apologies to the horrific gesture, a statement read.

Unfortunately, many sick minds channel their irrationality to sporti…

Ukraine captain Andriy Shevchenko has announced his retirement from international football, except for one goodbye game .

The 35-year-old has decided that now is the right time following his country s early exit from Euro 2012.

After being asked whether the defeat by England was his last international game, he told ITV: Probably. I will play one more game just as a friendly a goodbye game.

Shevchenko was disappointed that his co-hosts could not progress any further than the group stages, but he understood how difficult it was to qualify for the quarter-finals after being drawn in a group with three of the top 20 teams in the world.

Of course we are sad because we (host) the competition and after the first game we were magnificent, very good and we won …

England s senior players, including David Beckham and John Terry, are attempting to quash any talk of revenge as they prepare for a World Cup qualifier against Croatia in Zagreb on Wednesday that could begin to define the new Fabio Capello era.

It was Croatia who dramatically ended England s hopes of qualifying for the Euro 2008 finals when they won 3-2 at Wembley last November, a result that ultimately led to the sacking of Head Coach Steve McClaren.

Slaven Bilic s side also beat McClaren s team 2-0 at home during the same campaign and the wounds from both those defeats still fester for many players in the England camp.

Their return to Zagreb, so early in the World Cup qualifying campaign, is certain to bring calls for both revenge and redemption but Beckham…

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho praised Ryan Sessegnon s display in their 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League  but feels the youngster still has a lot to learn.

Sessegnon scored his maiden goal for Spurs during an eye-catching Champions League debut at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday.

It was also the 19-year-old s first start for the club since his move from Fulham and Mourinho was suitably impressed, albeit adding there is plenty of room for improvement.

That is the quality we know he has. He arrives always in dangerous positions and he is a good finisher, Mourinho told BT Sport.

He has a lot to improve. He lost too many individual duels and he has to learn how to use his body. 

He was playing experienced players and has a lot …

Celtic manager Neil Lennon relished the opportunity to give European experience to teenagers Karamoko Dembele and Scott Robertson in Thursday s defeat to Cluj.

Dembele, 16, came on as a 72nd-minute substitute in the 2-0 Europa League loss in Romania and became the youngest player to represent Celtic in continental competition.

Debutant Robertson started the match and played the full 90 minutes, with the 18-year-old coming in as one of nine changes to the side that beat Rangers in Sunday s Scottish League Cup final.

Celtic were already assured of top spot in Group E but saw a 12-game winning run in all competitions ended by goals from Andrei Burca and Damjan Djokovic.

We think very highly of him, Lennon told Celtic TV of Dembele. I wanted to give him s…

Rumours have mounted that Manchester City could dismiss manager Manuel Pellegrini, but the Chilean insists he is under no pressure.

Manuel Pellegrini has rubbished speculation that his job as Manchester City manager will be under threat if he fails to deliver silverware this season.

The Chilean s position at the Etihad Stadium has come under scrutiny after last weekend s 2-1 defeat at Liverpool left the champions five points adrift of Premier League leaders Chelsea, who also have a game in hand.

Media speculation has suggested that City who appointed Pellegrini ahead of the 2013-14 campaign could attempt to persuade Pep Guardiola to leave German champions Bayern Munich to take the reins.

But Pellegrini is unconcerned by the reports and insists the only t…

Everton midfielder Ross Barkley has vowed to adapt his game in order to rediscover the form that made him hot property last season.

The England international was a star turn in an Everton side that finished 5th in the Premier League in 2013-14, leading to rumours that the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea were interested in his services.

By his own admission Barkley has failed to replicate those excellent performances this season as Roberto Martinez s men found themselves in an unlikely relegation battle.

Barkley was on the scoresheet as Everton defeated Newcastle United 3-0 on Sunday to put a six-point gap between themselves and the bottom three, and the 21-year-old is promising to do more to improve his game.

It has been a tough season for me. I…

Chelsea are assessing Reece James after he withdrew from the England squad for Sunday s Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine.

James season has been ravaged by injury, limiting him to only 18 appearances for the Blues in all competitions.

A knee problem caused the right-back to miss the World Cup in Qatar, along with Chelsea team-mate Ben Chilwell.

James made his England return on Thursday, appearing from the bench for the final five minutes of a 2-1 qualifying win at Italy, only to suffer another setback.

Reece James has withdrawn from the England squad and will not feature against Ukraine on Sunday, an England statement read.

Defender has withdrawn from the squad and will not feature against Ukraine on Sunday.

22 players will be out to …

Kai Havertz and Nico Schlotterbeck have withdrawn from Germany s squad for Tuesday s friendly with Belgium.

Both players started Saturday s 2-0 win over Peru, but the German Football Association (DFB) confirmed on Sunday they have now returned to their clubs.

Chelsea attacker Havertz is ruled out of the Belgium match through illness, while Borussia Dortmund defender Schlotterbeck has a thigh injury.

Germany head coach Hansi Flick has decided against calling up any replacements for the friendly at RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne.

Belgium, who beat Sweden 3-0 in their opening Euro 2024 qualifier on Friday, will be without Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois due to a minor strain injury.

has travelled home from the squad due to illness, while Nic…

Market: Portugal to beat Holland

Odds: 

Euro 2016 champions Portugal continue their preparations for this summer s World Cup against Holland on Monday night. After a successful qualifying campaign, Fernando Santos side are in a tough group containing Spain, Morocco, and Iran. While Portugal have their sites set on this year s finals, the Dutch will be watching from the second consecutive tournament from their sofas.

For the hosts on Monday night, the Euro 2016 Champions have continued to impress and could be one of this summers World Cup finals surprise packages. Along with lifting the trophy in France two years ago, Fernando Santos Portugal side finished third in the Confederations Cup and also qualified for the World Cup at the head of Group B. Winning nine o…