Liam Smith and Chris Eubank Jr. have both been fined for their pre-fight taunts that marred the build-up to January's middleweight clash.

Former world champion Smith stopped Eubank Jr. in the fourth round at Manchester Arena, although the bout was clouded by comments made by the pair in a press conference two days before the fight.

Smith, who apologised after, aimed a seemingly homophobic jibe at his opponent, asking Eubank Jr.: "Nobody in this room has ever seen you with a woman. Do you have something you want to tell us?"

Eubank Jr. responded by taunting Liverpool-born Smith about his social class and private life, with the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) subsequently opening an investigation.

British boxing's governing body called both fighters to a hearing and announced on Monday the pair had been sanctioned.

A widely reported BBBofC statement read: "The stewards of the British Boxing Board of Control considered comments made by Liam Smith and Chris Eubank Jr. at the press conference dated January 19 2023 at their meeting on Wednesday, April 12 2023.

"Mr Smith did not appear nor was legally represented. Mr Eubank Jr. did not appear but was legally represented.

"Following full consideration of all facts placed before the stewards, the stewards found that the misconduct charge was proven for both boxers.

"Mr Smith and Mr Eubank Jr. were both fined, payment to be made within twenty-eight days."

Smith and Eubank Jr. are set for another bout after the latter activated his rematch clause, with suggestions that clash could take place at Liverpool's home stadium Anfield.

Simon Kjaer is relishing being back in the knockout stages of the Champions League, as Milan aim to secure a semi-final spot.

Milan hold a 1-0 lead from the first leg, having last reached the Champions League semi-finals in the 2006-07 campaign.

They have only been eliminated twice after winning the first leg of a knockout tie, though have kept a clean sheet in their last five Champions League matches, the best run by a side since Manchester City in the 2020-21 season.

The Rossoneri have beaten Napoli twice in April, though overcoming the Serie A leaders at home will be no easy task.

For Kjaer, he is revelling in having another shot at playing in the latter stages of UEFA's flagship club competition.

"We are very happy to be here, we deserved this chance and last time we were in this stadium, it went well, so we hope to repeat it," Kjaer said in a press conference.

"You never know when this opportunity will come around again.

"These are evenings that stay with you for the rest of your life, whether good or bad. This is why we play football.

"The other night at San Siro was one of the best experiences of my career with our fans. It will be different tomorrow, but it gives you a sensation that you cannot find anywhere else."

Napoli's star striker Victor Osimhen returned from an adductor injury on Saturday, though could not help Luciano Spalletti's team beat Verona.

Even if Osimhen is fit to start on Tuesday, Kjaer does not hold any fear.

"We will meet Osimhen, just as we do other strikers," he said. "It is never just the work for one defender, it is teamwork and respect."

Stefano Pioli echoed Kjaer's sentiment when it comes to Osimhen, who has netted 25 goals this season.

"He is such a powerful, impressive and decisive striker, so we take his characteristics into account, but at the same time we have our own way of playing football and we won’t move away from that," said Pioli.

"We saw with previous Napoli games that a lot of it is about knowing the moment to slow down and speed up, and that is even more crucial with a player like Osimhen."

Kepa Arrizabalaga does not see any problem in Todd Boehly coming into the dressing room after games, revealing Chelsea's co-owner often does so.

Reports emerged following Chelsea's home loss to Brighton and Hove Albion that Boehly had spent around an hour in the team's dressing room.

Boehly is said to have declared that Chelsea's results have been "embarrassing". The Blues have lost all three games under interim boss Frank Lampard, who took over after Graham Potter was sacked earlier in April.

Kepa, however, sees no issue with Boehly having his say or visiting the dressing room.

"Todd comes to the changing room in every game," the goalkeeper said at a press conference ahead of Chelsea's Champions League clash with Real Madrid.

"He had different chats with us after different games. I am not going to say what he said.

"It is normal when he came into the changing room."

Lampard, too, has no problem with it.

"I'm comfortable with that," said Lampard. "When an owner is very invested, it's their prerogative to have the input they want, it shows passion."

Kepa has kept his place in the team since Lampard took over from Potter, despite the Chelsea great having dropped him during his first stint as head coach and Edouard Mendy having returned from a hand injury that had kept him out since the World Cup.

The 28-year-old shrugged off any suggestion there is lingering animosity between Lampard and himself.

"It was three years ago, it was a different situation and different everything," Kepa said.

"Now I am playing, Frank is the manager, and he is taking his decision in every game, and when he picks me in the starting XI, I am doing my best.

"It's been my home for five years now. I am very happy to be here. I am feeling like I am at home. I am enjoying this journey that we have had in the last few years.

"In the last two seasons, I played 15 games, but now I am playing, and I am playing well. I feel confident and enjoy it out on the pitch. I think that's the most important thing.

"Obviously, the season, in general, is not the best, but I am personally happy with my season."

Chelsea trail Madrid 2-0 heading into Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg at Stamford Bridge.

Barcelona have confirmed Sergi Roberto is facing a spell on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury.

The versatile 31-year-old was replaced by Eric Garcia just 15 minutes into a goalless LaLiga draw at Getafe after doing damage to his left leg.

Sergi Roberto had a scan on Monday and Barca revealed he has done damage to his biceps femoral muscle.

The loss of the club stalwart is a blow ahead of the leaders' clash with third-placed Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

There was good news for the Catalan giants, though, with Ousmane Dembele, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong able to take part in the training.

Xavi bemoaned the state of the Coliseum Alfonso Perez pitch after his side failed to score for a third consecutive game in the stalemate at Getafe.

The Blaugrana are 11 points clear of fierce rivals Real Madrid with nine games to play.

Jalen Hurts has been rewarded with a massive, record-breaking contract extension two months after leading the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl.

The Eagles announced on Monday that Hurts has agreed to a five-year extension through the 2028 season.

No financial terms were given, but it is reportedly for $255million with $179m in guaranteed money, including $110m fully guaranteed at signing.

The deal, which includes a no-trade clause, makes the 24-year-old Hurts the highest-paid player in NFL history.

A second-round pick by the Eagles in the 2020 draft, Hurts is coming off his second full season as their starting quarterback, helping lead the franchise to a 14-3 record and an appearance in the Super Bowl.

Although Philadelphia suffered a 38-35 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Hurts played well, completing 71.1 per cent of his 38 attempts for 304 yards with a touchdown for a 103.4 passer rating.

This came after he passed for 3,701 yards with 22 touchdowns and six interceptions for a 101.5 QB rating in 15 regular-season games to earn his first Pro Bowl selection.

The dual-threat quarterback is also one of the league's best at making plays with his legs, as he scored 13 touchdowns on the ground this past season – the second-most rushing TDs by a QB in a single season in NFL history.

With 760 rushing yards in 2022, he joined the Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen and the Arizona Cardinals' Kyler Murray as the only quarterbacks in NFL history with at least 3,500 passing yards and 750 rushing yards in a single season.

Frank Lampard has refuted suggestions Chelsea are "broken" as they prepare for their Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid.

The Blues welcome the defending European champions to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday after suffering a 2-0 loss in the away fixture last week.

Chelsea head into that game on the back of another defeat, losing at home to Brighton and Hove Albion to extend their winless Premier League run to five matches.

Lampard's side are 11th in the table – well below expectations, he acknowledged – but he does not believe they are beyond repair.

"We are not where we want to be, [but] I think the word 'broken' is a bit much," he said. "The league position is reality, and we are 2-0 down in this game. We have to work against that.

"I'm big on personal responsibility as a player and as a group. I'm not blaming anyone else. We have to address things now and going forward. It is a big part of the game.

"You do a lot of work and delve into data, statistics and output of games. This is not a question of player commitment; my job is to find ways we can get better to compete at this level."

Lampard was a player when Chelsea defied the odds with a remarkable run to Champions League glory under Roberto Di Matteo, another interim boss, in 2012.

But the idea of an upset against Madrid ranking alongside that triumph was swatted away by Lampard.

"I don't think anything that happens tomorrow will be better than when we won the Champions League," he said. "We had many difficult moments on that run.

"Considering the moment we are in and the team we are facing here, of course it would be special. I have no doubt it'll be positive [to play at home].

"I've been here too many times on a Champions League night at Stamford Bridge not to understand that the atmosphere is going to be great. It is down to us to engage the crowd. They can help us."

Matt Fitzpatrick believes learning to be patient has been his secret to success.

The reigning U.S. Open champion went into the final round of the RBC Heritage on Sunday with the outright lead after a spectacular career-best round of 63 on Saturday, but had to survive a three-hole playoff against Jordan Spieth before securing victory.

Fitzpatrick fell two shots off the lead at one point, before recovering to force a playoff against Spieth.

"The big thing for me, that I feel like I've learnt when I play well, is just having patience. Just letting it happen and just giving myself time," Fitzpatrick said.

"I just felt as long as I was within two shots going into the back nine, I was easily in with a shout."

The Englishman moved up to a career-high number eight in the world after his win at the Harbour Town course at Hilton Head, just his second PGA Tour win after the U.S. Open.

"Before winning the U.S. Open, before last year really, I probably got overworked over majors," he said. "I was that desperate to try and win one, just changing things, trying a bit harder.

"I probably made myself tired from that, and then you come to this week and you just feel tired from the week before.

"I think sometimes it can be tough, particularly if you really had a grind, if you had a good result. I think it can be difficult to get yourself up for it."

Christian Eriksen expects Manchester United can battle all the way through the rest of a busy season following his full return from injury.

The Denmark international made his first start since January during Sunday's 2-0 win in the Premier League over Nottingham Forest.

After minutes off the bench against Everton and Sevilla, Eriksen is back to help United contend for further silverware in the FA Cup and Europa League.

But he says it is imperative Erik ten Hag's side do not neglect the league, as they aim to secure Champions League football for next season.

"Every game now until the end is going to be very important," he told MUTV. "Someone is going to drop down, [and] someone's going to go in front.

"So if we stay on the front foot like we are now, we're going to be in a very good position and be safe for the Champions League before the season is done."

A post-EFL Cup wobble looks to be behind United, though they conceded twice late on against Sevilla in Thursday's Europa League quarter-final first leg.

Victory over Forest, particularly with several key stars on the sidelines, emphasised what Eriksen feels to be a strong squad ethos over recent months.

"They've impressed me," he added. "They've kept the intensity, they've kept the level for how they play. The games, everything, even from the outside, has been looking good.

"If you take into account how we started [the season], it's a completely different feeling around the club and also on the pitch. The feeling around the boys is really good."

Manchester United legend Gary Neville declared Manchester City are "far too close for comfort" to matching their rivals' famous treble.

Alex Ferguson's side made history in the 1998-99 season by winning the FA Cup, Premier League and Champions League, a feat not achieved by any other English side.

However, City remain in the hunt on all three fronts this season and, while manager Pep Guardiola has played down talk of a potential treble, the fight is on.

City hold a 3-0 advantage over Bayern Munich ahead of Wednesday's second leg of their Champions League quarter-final, and face second-tier Sheffield United in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley on Saturday.

In the Premier League, City sit four points behind Arsenal with a game in hand and take on Mikel Arteta's side a week on Wednesday at the Etihad Stadium.

As a result, Neville has admitted his concern that United's arch-rivals could match his club's historic achievement.

"I thought their Bayern Munich game was sensational. Bayern Munich were fantastic in the game in the first half and when Pep Guardiola said after the game he was worried, I could feel that as Bayern looked dangerous and sharp," he said on the Gary Neville podcast.

"He was resting players against Leicester because he knows he has to go to the Allianz Arena and it will be tough and he knows that. If Bayern get a goal, it is a bit like Anfield where they can go and get two or three.

"They've had a brilliant week, City. To win that game 3-0 and beat Liverpool 4-1, they're purring, they're playing well. They're serious now about it and they're in great form now.

"Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan in midfield, the best midfield you can get. Up front, Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez are really settled now. They're hitting the home straight.

"The treble was mentioned last week, it's definitely on. They can win the European Cup, FA Cup and the Premier League.

"There's a long way to go, they can come up against a team that does them on the way: Real Madrid in the Champions League, Manchester United or Brighton in the FA Cup or they could lose to Arsenal at the Etihad, but they're very close to it. Far too close for comfort."

Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool will try to be "smart" with their recruitment in the upcoming transfer window and insists he is motivated to get the Reds firing again.

Liverpool have endured a torrid season, sitting in eighth place in the Premier League with nine games remaining, with Champions League qualification looking unlikely, and out of all cup competitions.

Fans were further agitated by reports last week that the club had ended their pursuit of Jude Bellingham due to Borussia Dortmund's asking price.

Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of Liverpool's trip to Leeds United on Monday, Klopp said people will just have to "wait and see" when it comes to their transfer plans.

"There's really nothing to say. You have to wait until we finish our business and then you will see what we did," he said.

"We have to be ready for praise or criticism. We'll work from the first day of the new season with the boys and we'll really go for it – that's much more important.

"All the rest is speculation from the media. We have nothing to do with that."

Liverpool have been linked with players such as Mason Mount, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch in recent weeks, and Klopp expressed his belief that those in charge of transfers at the club are well-placed to solve their issues.

"We always try to be smart in our recruitment," Klopp said. "I am 100 per cent sure that if you gave the power stick to a few people, then next season we'd bring in 20 new players.

"If you gave it to a few others, then we'd bring old players back when we were successful before and stuff like this. We are in charge, that's what we decided on and let's go from there.

"It's an interesting period, very interesting and we always try to be smart in the transfer market, so it's not completely new to us."

Klopp is coming to the end of his eighth season in charge at Anfield, with three more years left on his contract, and he remains as driven as ever despite this season's difficulties.

"Yes, I am still motivated," he said. "Maybe even more, because now I know everybody here and I feel even more responsible for everything.

"I've said it a couple of times, it's a little bit strange when you have to say 'I'm fully in' because maybe people from the outside question it. But no, motivation is absolutely not my problem."

The German believes he has identified the problems he must solve, and is "looking forward" to the challenge, adding: "The way we defend, that must be much clearer.

"We also have to work on the way we attack and how we control games. It's a big job, but it's something I'm looking forward to."

Keylor Navas believes he could help Paris Saint-Germain win the Champions League next season and feels capable of playing for "any team."

The 36-year-old Costa Rica international swapped life in the French capital for a Premier League relegation battle by joining Nottingham Forest on loan for the rest of the season in January.

Navas would relish another opportunity with the Ligue 1 leaders after Gianluigi Donnarumma took over as PSG's first-choice keeper.

He told Canal+ "I have one year left on my contract in Paris. If I have to go back there and play, I feel capable of winning the Champions League with PSG.

"I didn't like the situation I was experiencing in Paris. I wanted to feel that the team loved me. I always felt in good condition to play.

"When I was at PSG nobody could say that I was causing problems, that I wasn't training or that I wasn't working well On the contrary, I wanted to train even more and show that I could play. But unfortunately I didn't have the chance."

Navas has no idea where he will be playing next season and is keeping his options open.

He added: "I feel capable of playing for any team. We'll see what happens in the future. I would like, when I finish my loan here, to see the club's intentions. Then we can make decisions."

Joan Laporta claimed Real Madrid have always been favoured by referees as he labelled the capital club "the team of the regime".

Barca's president spoke at a press conference on Monday to robustly defend the club amid allegations they made payments to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, the former vice-president of the technical committee of referees.

The club are subject to a UEFA investigation with prosecutors in Spain pursuing charges for alleged corruption. Barca are accused of having paid over €7million to a company owned by Negreira.

Laporta, though, has insisted Barca have no case to answer, as he looked to turn the spotlight onto rivals Madrid.

"I want to mention a club which decided, on its own, to appear in court when the trial happens," Laporta said.

"A club saying that they feel wronged. A club, Real Madrid, which has historically been favoured by arbitration decisions. Historically and currently. A team that has been considered the team of the regime of the day due to its proximity to the power of the day. 

"They were the team of the system because they were close to the political and financial power. I think it's worth mentioning that for seven decades the big majority of the presidents of the technical committee of referees have been former members or players of Real Madrid.

"For 70 years the people who assigned the referees were former members or former Real Madrid players. In some cases, all of those at the same time.

"For this club to appear in trial and say they feel wronged for the best period in Barcelona's history, this trial will be used to take their masks off. It's an unprecedented exercise of impudence."

Laporta, who said the allegations represented "one of the most ferocious attacks in our history" reiterated Barca's innocence.

"Throughout our 123-year history, Barcelona has always been a model of fair play, both on and off the field," he said.

"If we have won for so many decades, it has undoubtedly been a result of effort, talent and knowledge.

"No campaign to discredit us will prevent us from continuing to be an organisation of reference in the world of sports that is beloved and admired by millions of Catalans and by many more millions of people around the world.

"I am fully convinced that Barcelona has never performed any act with the intention of altering the competition to gain an advantage.

"If there were any person or private entity outside Barcelona that had taken advantage of this context to commit irregularities, the club would be the first to fully investigate. Our image is at stake.

"Accusations must be proven. We live by the rule of law, which guarantees among its basic principles the presumption of innocence. I reiterate with all my resolve, I am convinced that Barcelona has not committed any crime of sports-related corruption. I hope that sooner rather than later, the club is fully exonerated.

"Consulting on technical-refereeing issues does not constitute any type of illegal act. Consulting – as is done by the big clubs – that was carried out transparently, with the corresponding invoices, at least in my first mandate as president."

Barca were held to a 0-0 draw by Getafe on Sunday, though they hold an 11-point lead at the top of LaLiga with nine games remaining.

The trainer of Hill Sixteen says protesters who held up the start of Saturday's Grand National race were responsible for the death of the horse.

The 10-year-old, ridden by Ryan Mania, fell at the first fence and after being tended to on the course, had to be put to sleep.

The incident came after animal rights campaigners had succeeded in delaying the race at Aintree as police arrested 118 people amid scenes of chaos.

The start was held up for 14 minutes after a large number of activists attempted to gain access to the course before the main event.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, trainer Sandy Thomson pointed to the fact his horse had never had a problem on the course in previous rides, and suggested the fall was due to being "buzzed up" from the protesters' actions.

"It was all caused by these so-called animal lovers who are actually ignorant and have absolutely no idea about the welfare of horses," he said.

"There were quite a lot of the horses buzzed up... When they got down to the start, nobody quite knew what was happening.

"The starter wanted to get them off as quickly as possible, then the horses were drawn forward then told to get back.

"One of the other things missing was the parade. I think that gives the horses and the jockeys that couple of minutes to gather their thoughts and that didn't help the situation either."

Activist group Animal Rising, whose supporters disrupted the race, said: "We want to offer our deepest condolences to anyone connected to Hill Sixteen or who has been impacted by their death.

"Horse deaths and injuries are an unavoidable consequence of the way we use animals for sport."

The Grand National is among the world's most famous races but also has its detractors, with concerns over the number of horses that suffer serious injuries or die from falls.

Two horses died at the Liverpool course in earlier races during the week's festival, before Hill Sixteen became the third fatality.

"If we look at the last nine years since the course has been modified there's been an average of under two fallers at the first two fences," Thomson added.

"This year everyone got very uptight about [the protests] – horses, jockeys – and there were eight fallers at those first two fences.

"We as a sport are continually moving forward, we're continually trying to make the sport safer."

Corach Rambler won the 175th running of the famous steeplechase.