Barcelona have finally secured funding to regenerate Camp Nou and the surrounding areas.

The club initially announced renovation plans in 2014, but a host of problems since have meant only a small part of the work has taken place.

The project now looks set to accelerate quickly upon the completion of the season, however, with Barca confirming on Monday that 20 investors have made €1.45billion available.

Barca assured concerned fans that "club assets were not used as a guarantee and a mortgage wasn't taken out on the stadium", with repayments set to be made in instalments paid at five, seven, nine, 20, and 24 years "with a flexible structure".

"This operation once again confirms the club's credibility regarding the Spotify Camp Nou project, the epicentre for Espai Barca," a statement added.

"The project is essential when it comes to keeping Barcelona at the forefront of world sport, is one of the foundations for the club's economic recovery and future viability and is a tool to enable continuation of the governance model, whereby the over 146,000 Club members are its owners.

"In the coming days the club will hold a press conference regarding the details of the operation."

While Barca will play out the remainder of the 2022-23 campaign at Camp Nou, it had already been confirmed they are to move to the Olympic Stadium in Montjuic for next season.

Barca reportedly hope to be back at Camp Nou in late 2024.

Grenades FC are champions of the 2022/23 Antigua & Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) Premier League after a 7-0 hammering of Empire at the ABFA Technical Centre on Sunday.

Goals from Sherman Austin (1’), Tev Lawrence (30’) and Rakeem Henry (42’) meant Grenades went into halftime with a comfortable 3-0 lead. They then added four more goals in the final quarter-of-an-hour through Carl Osbourne (75’), Ridel Stanislas (77’), Keanu Barrett (84’) and Donovan Baptiste (90’) to complete the 7-0 score-line.

Grenades ended the season with 45 points from their 17 matches, two more than runners-up All Saints United who secured a 3-0 win over Ottos Rangers in their Week 18 clash.

After a scoreless first 45 minutes, Nazir McBurnette opened the scoring in the 64^th minute before Kendulkar Challenger doubled All Saints’ lead six minutes later. Roneba Cordice converted a penalty three minutes from full time to complete the scoring.

The top five was rounded out by FC Aston Villa (37 points), Old Road FC (31 points) and S.A.P FC (26 points).

FC Aston Villa were handed a 1-2 defeat by Swetes FC in the other Sunday fixture.

On Saturday, S.A.P FC hammered Cedar Grove Blue Jays 5-2 while Pigott’s Bullets beat Willikies by a goal to nil.

FIFA has received four expressions of interest in hosting the 2027 Women's World Cup, including a joint bid from the United States and Mexico.

Brazil and South Africa have also submitted expressions of interest alongside another joint bid from the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, with the hosts set to be appointed next May.

USA hosted the Women's World Cup in 1999 and 2003 – winning the former edition – while Germany are the only other potential host to have previously staged the competition, doing so in 2011.

The US and Mexico – alongside Canada – are already set to host the next edition of the men's World Cup in 2026.

Federations hoping to host the tournament now have until May 19 to confirm their involvement in the bidding process. 

FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura said: "We are thrilled by the expressions of interest received, not least because they come from member associations with a strong football tradition representing four confederations, thus confirming the consistent popularity of women's football across the world.

"All member associations can rely on the most robust and comprehensive bidding process in the history of the FIFA Women's World Cup."

The 2023 edition of the tournament – taking place in Australia and New Zealand – will kick off on July 20, with the Matildas facing the Republic of Ireland and their co-hosts taking on Norway on the opening day.

Tottenham have dismissed Cristian Stellini from his role as acting head coach, replacing the Italian with Ryan Mason in the aftermath of Sunday's humiliating 6-1 defeat to Newcastle United.

Stellini took charge on an interim basis following Antonio Conte's exit last month, but the former assistant has been unable to inspire a turnaround in Spurs' ailing bid to secure Champions League qualification.

Tottenham found themselves 5-0 down within 21 minutes of an extraordinary meeting with top-four rivals Newcastle on Sunday, the second-earliest a side have ever gone five goals down in a Premier League match.

The result represents Spurs' first five-goal Premier League defeat since a 5-0 loss to Liverpool in December 2013, leaving them six points adrift of the third-placed Magpies having played a game more.

With Stellini overseeing just one victory in four games since Conte's exit, chairman Daniel Levy has opted to make his second coaching change in under a month.

In an update posted on the club's website, Levy wrote: "Sunday's performance against Newcastle was wholly unacceptable. It was devastating to see. 

"We can look at many reasons why it happened, and whilst myself, the board, the coaches and players must all take collective responsibility, ultimately the responsibility is mine.

"Cristian will leave his current role along with his coaching staff. Cristian stepped in at a difficult point in our season and I want to thank him for the professional manner in which he and his coaching staff have conducted themselves during such a challenging time. We wish him and his staff well.

"Ryan Mason will take over head coach duties with immediate effect. Ryan knows the club and the players well. We shall update further on his coaching staff in due course.

"I met with the player committee today – the squad is determined to pull together to ensure the strongest possible finish to the season. 

"We are all clear we need to deliver performances which earn your amazing support."

Mason previously led Spurs on an interim basis following Jose Mourinho's exit in 2021, overseeing a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in the EFL Cup final.

His second stint in charge will begin against Manchester United on Thursday, with the Red Devils entering that game six points clear of Spurs with two games in hand.

Mateo Kovacic feels "at home" at Chelsea amid suggestions the Croatian could be targeted by Manchester City and Bayern Munich at the end of the season.

Kovacic is approaching the final 12 months of his contract with Chelsea, and his failure to put pen to paper on a new deal has led to suggestions he could seek an exit.

City could be in the market for midfield reinforcements in the upcoming transfer window, with club captain Ilkay Gundogan rumoured to be weighing up a contract offer from Barcelona. 

Kovacic has also been linked with a reunion with former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel, who has endured a troubled start to life at Bayern since replacing Julian Nagelsmann last month.

The 28-year-old has been a regular under three different coaches during a season of upheaval at Stamford Bridge, and he remains content in west London.

Speaking to the club's media channels, Kovacic said: "I have been here five years already, time flies, and I have been at Chelsea the longest of all my clubs.

"I feel really, really at home. There is nothing to not love in London. My family enjoys it, which makes it easier for me. The food is okay, maybe not like Italy or Spain! But London is amazing.

"I can only say good things about London and England. We feel really great here."

Kovacic has started three of Chelsea's four games since Frank Lampard returned to the club as caretaker manager earlier this month, including both legs of a 4-0 aggregate defeat against his former club Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Luke Shaw hailed the "amazing confidence" shown by Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho to take penalties in Manchester United's FA Cup semi-final shoot-out win over Brighton and Hove Albion.

Sancho and Rashford stepped up third and fourth respectively for United at Wembley, where the game finished 0-0 after extra time, and were both successful from 12 yards as United prevailed 7-6 on penalties.

The United team-mates, along with Arsenal's Bukayo Saka, suffered racist abuse on the back of missing penalties in England's shoot-out defeat to Italy at the same venue in the Euro 2020 final.

Shaw, who was on the scoresheet in that meeting with Italy, believes his international and club colleagues deserve huge praise for stepping up and converting in the tense showdown against Brighton.

"I was next to Jadon. I said, 'Whatever happens happens, just be confident. It's part of football, things happen, these things happen’," Shaw said.

"I think maybe what was playing on their minds are the things that come with it, the racism and stuff that they experienced last time.

"For me, they showed amazing confidence to step up and because the last time they took one in a shoot-out it was here and the memories that come with that.

"But I'm really happy for both of them to put themselves forward and take really good penalties."

Versatile defender Shaw was shifted to centre-back against Brighton to cover for the absences of suspended Harry Maguire and injured pair Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane.

The 27-year-old helped keep a clean sheet and, fitness depending, is certain to start next month's first ever FA Cup final between United and fierce rivals Manchester City.

And Shaw, who has won the EFL Cup and Europa League with United, insists he will never take appearing in major finals for granted after playing his part in the Red Devils' latest run to Wembley.

"As players we can never take anything for granted," he said. "Every day with this manager you have to be 100 per cent at it in training; around the place because he sets high standards. 

"If you don't meet them, you don't play no matter what the circumstances are – whether there's injuries, suspensions, it does not matter.

"So, for me, I don't take it for granted. Still, the back end of the season is the most important – that's when you win stuff, and we want to win this trophy so we have to give it everything."

Erik ten Hag expects Raphael Varane to return to fitness in time to feature in Manchester United's FA Cup final clash with cross-city rivals Manchester City.

Varane was substituted at half-time after sustaining an ankle injury during the first leg of United's Europa League quarter-final tie against Sevilla, which the Red Devils lost 5-2 on aggregate.

Varane's central defensive partner Lisandro Martinez suffered a season-ending metatarsal fracture in the same game, forcing Ten Hag to use a makeshift backline in recent matches.

With club captain Harry Maguire suspended, Luke Shaw partnered Victor Lindelof in the centre of defence as United reached a record-equalling 21st FA Cup final with Sunday's penalty shoot-out win over Brighton and Hove Albion.

United will now face treble-chasing rivals City in a Wembley Stadium final on June 3, and the Red Devils are hopeful of having Varane available.

Asked whether Varane could feature in United's second domestic cup final of the season, Ten Hag told talkSPORT: "I think so, yeah. Varane, for the cup final, he can return."

Varane has made a total of 27 starts for United this campaign, having also been sidelined with ankle and leg injuries prior to last year's World Cup.

United have fared well in Varane's absence, winning 20 of their 25 games without him in the starting lineup across all competitions (L5), compared to 16 of their 27 with the Frenchman involved from the off (D7 L4).

Leeds United are not putting all their eggs in one basket ahead of facing Leicester City on Tuesday, even if this is "a crucial game".

The two teams directly above the Premier League relegation zone meet at Elland Road following contrasting weekend results.

As Leicester came from behind to beat Wolves, Leeds lost again against Fulham, leaving them only a point outside the bottom three.

Leicester are still below Javi Gracia's side, though, meaning their next match presents a rare opportunity to get three points – even if Gracia is not prioritising one game over another.

"It's a very important game, a crucial game," Gracia said. "We give the value of the game, and we are really focused on it.

"There are six games left and all the remaining games are important. You never know where you can get points.

"Playing at home is the next game, and we have to be focused. Leicester come from a win, and it will be demanding for us."

Although Leicester are 17th, ahead of the drop zone only on goal difference, they have a little momentum while remaining wary of a Leeds response.

"They've had a bit of a struggle," Dean Smith said of Leeds.

"They've been on the back of heavy defeats at home, but they will see this one as a big one to try to pull away from where they are, just like us.

"We can't give them any reason to get lifted. We can't give cheap free-kicks away and cheap goals. We have to keep them quiet for as long as we can."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Leeds United – Brenden Aaronson

Aaronson finding some form would go a long way to helping Leeds' cause. He has endured a miserable barren run, going 35 shots without scoring since his first and only Premier League goal to date. Thirteen Leeds players have scored in the competition since then.

Leicester City – Harvey Barnes

Leicester are set to welcome Barnes back from injury, and that spells bad news for Leeds. The winger has scored in all five of his Premier League appearances against Leeds, with only two players in the competition's history ever netting in their first six matches against a side – Raheem Sterling and Mohamed Salah, both against Bournemouth.

MATCH PREDICTION – LEICESTER WIN

Leeds have won just one of their past eight league games against Leicester, and even that was away from home in January 2021.

Leicester have won four of those matches, although this presents a big opportunity to do a league double over Leeds for the first time since 1997-98.

There should be goals regardless, with Leeds conceding 2.6 goals per game under Gracia in the Premier League – a club high – while Leicester are the only side in Europe's top five leagues without a clean sheet since the World Cup.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Leeds United – 29.1 per cent

Leicester City – 43.9 per cent

Draw – 27.0 per cent

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed both Karim Benzema and Eduardo Camavinga will miss Tuesday's LaLiga trip to Girona.

However, Ancelotti expects the pair to be available again for Saturday's home game with Almeria, before Los Blancos play the Copa del Rey final against Osasuna and their Champions League semi-final with Manchester City.

David Alaba is also anticipated to be back for the Osasuna clash on May 6, having not played in the 2-0 win against Celta Vigo on Saturday.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Ancelotti ran through the players he will have missing as his team attempts to close ground on leaders Barcelona.

"Benzema and Camavinga will miss out and [Dani] Ceballos has got accumulated cards,"he said. "Camavinga lasted the game [v Celta] but then he felt some discomfort from a knock. I think they should be available for Almeria. 

"[Ferland] Mendy and Alaba won't be there either. Alaba is recovering well and I don't think he should be a problem for the Copa del Rey final."

Elaborating on Benzema's situation, Ancelotti added: "If he recovers from his knock, he'll play against Almeria.

"He's hugely important for us. He's shown a fantastic level in recent games and you keep that up by playing, not by resting. If he's fit, he wants to play and that's what we want as well."

The gap at the top of LaLiga remains 11 points with eight games to play after Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid 1-0 on Sunday, and Ancelotti is keen to close that to better reflect what he believes is a true representation of how close the Clasico rivals are.

"If we're talking about the quality of the two teams, there's no way there should be 11 points between us, and that's been clear in the games we've played against each other," he said. "We're two evenly matched sides and the deficit has come about through small details. We want to cut it down."

Despite their victory against Celta, there were more concerns about the surface at the Santiago Bernabeu, which has been affected by the ongoing renovations at the famous stadium.

Marco Asensio scored and assisted in the game, but also hit a wayward shot in the second half that appeared to bobble up off the surface, and Ancelotti previously confirmed it will be replaced before they play City on May 9.

“Every team wants to play on a beautiful pitch," Ancelotti said. "We are aware of the problems we have at the Bernabeu and we won't complain.

"We're talking about something which is clear to see, our playing surface is suffering due to the ongoing works and they will fix that as soon as possible."

Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman has urged Xavi Simons to stay at PSV for another season amid strong suggestions he could be on his way back to Paris Saint-Germain.

Simons swapped PSG for PSV last August after being restricted to just 11 first-team appearances for the Ligue 1 giants, whom he joined from Barcelona two years earlier.

The 20-year-old has started all 30 Eredivisie games for second-placed PSV this season, but he recently hinted he would be open to a return to PSG in the future.

Barca have also been tipped to move for their former youth player, yet Koeman believes the young attacking midfielder is better off staying in the Netherlands for the time being.

"I think it would be very good for him to stay one more year at PSV," Koeman told Studio Voetbal.

Opening up on talks he held with Simons earlier this week, Koeman added: "I can't reveal what we talked about, but these next steps are extremely important.

"I consider Xavi to be someone who weighs up his choices very carefully."

Simons is the joint-top scorer in the Dutch top flight this season with 15 goals, level with Heerenveen forward Sydney van Hooijdonk, while also assisting a further eight goals.

The three-cap Netherlands international can play right across the frontline, and national team boss Koeman believes he can become even more of a creative force in the future.

"I see him on the left for us, and I think he can grow into the number 10 position," Koeman said. "He's very talented and already very important at PSV."

Manchester United will "do everything" to deny Manchester City a potential treble when they face their cross-city rivals in the FA Cup final, Erik ten Hag has promised.

United reached a record-equalling 21st FA Cup final with Sunday's penalty shoot-out victory over Brighton and Hove Albion at Wembley Stadium, Solly March blazing over the crossbar as the rest of the 14 spot-kicks were converted. 

The two Manchester clubs will now face off in a major cup final for the first time on June 3, after a Riyad Mahrez hat-trick guided City to a 3-0 win over Sheffield United in the last four.

With City battling Arsenal in the Premier League title race and being drawn against Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals, Pep Guardiola's team could yet collect three major trophies this term. 

Doing so would see them match the famous achievements of United's 1998-99 side, and Ten Hag knows how much the club's fanbase would relish denying City.

"I understand, of course, the feelings from the Manchester United fans about it," the Dutchman said.

"We will do everything to give them that, to give them the second trophy, everything that I have, everything the team have, everything the staff have, we will give everything to get that done.

"We can do it, because we proved it, but it's not an easy job. It's a great team, but we'll also have a great team and great players and we can beat them.

"More than 100 per cent, you can't do, so the fans can rely on that. We will give it and we will do it against every opponent, it doesn't matter who it is.

"Of course, we want to give that against City. We want to give the fans that, sure."

Having beaten Newcastle United to lift the EFL Cup in February, United have reached both domestic cup finals in the same season for just the third time. 

However, the Red Devils have never won both trophies in the same campaign, lifting the FA Cup but losing the EFL Cup showpiece game in the 1982-83 and 1993-94 seasons.

Joe Willock was compared to Ronaldinho and Luka Modric after a sparkling performance in Newcastle United's rout of Tottenham that included one of the assists of the season.

Newcastle team-mate Bruno Guimaraes has dubbed the midfielder "Willockinho", and he more than lived up to that nickname on Sunday.

Willock, who coach Eddie Howe is backing for an England call-up, produced perhaps the moment of the match in a 6-1 win, his sensational outside-of-the-boot pass sending Alexander Isak away for the fourth of five goals in the first 21 minutes.

That was Willock's fifth assist in the Premier League this season to go with three goals as one of the key men in a Newcastle team closing on Champions League qualification.

Only Kieran Trippier (five) and Guimaraes (four) created more than Willock's three chances against Spurs, and the Brazil international was suitably impressed.

Guimaraes told reporters: "Willockinho, with his new hair today... he looked like Ronaldinho and played like him, too. 

"An amazing through ball for [Isak's] goal. What a pass. Only Modric can play a pass like that. It was amazing."

Newcastle climbed back up to third with the win, now six points ahead of their fifth-placed opponents and still with a game in hand.

Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion are perhaps better placed to challenge Newcastle than Tottenham, though, and Guimaraes knows the job is not yet done.

"Of course we are thinking about the Champions League, but let's take it step by step," he said.

"We can do it, of course, but there's still seven games to go. We started this way – now let's finish the season this way."

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo would like to see Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo face off in LaLiga before both players retire.

Messi has been repeatedly linked with a return to Barcelona, with whom he spent 21 years prior to leaving for Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent in August 2021.

Ronaldo enjoyed nine trophy-laden seasons with Real Madrid, meanwhile, prior to playing for Juventus, Manchester United and now Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr.

While there has been little talk of Ronaldo heading back to the Spanish top flight, Cerezo believes it would benefit the league for the two superstar forwards to return one day.

"It would seem fantastic to me if Messi returned to the league, the same as Cristiano Ronaldo," he said while attending the Barcelona Open tennis final on Sunday. 

"Both are still playing and it would be fantastic if they returned."

Cerezo was speaking ahead of Atletico's 1-0 loss to Barcelona, which leaves Diego Simeone's side 16 points adrift of the leaders and five behind second-place Real Madrid.

Yannick Carrasco played a full part for Atletico, though he may find himself at Barcelona next season as the Catalan giants have the option to sign the versatile wide player.

"Yannick is a very good player, fantastic," Cerezo said when asked about Carrasco's future. 

"In the world of football, there are people who want to achieve many things and don't get to, and others who don't want anything and get it. I don't know [what will happen next]."

Chelsea's disappointing season has created speculation about several of their key players' futures.

The Blues are mid-table in the Premier League and will miss out on Champions League qualification next term.

It has been a tumultuous season, with Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter both axed under their new ownership led by Todd Boehly.

TOP STORY – REAL MADRID OPEN HAVERTZ TALKS

Real Madrid have commenced negotiations with Chelsea about a possible off-season move for Kai Havertz, reports 90min.

Los Blancos view the 23-year-old German forward as a potential successor for veteran striker Karim Benzema.

Madrid are eager to reinforce their offensive options in the next transfer window. Bayern Munich are known to be admirers of Havertz too.

ROUND-UP

– Gazzetta dello Sport claims Juventus are planning a move to bring Chelsea's Kalidou Koulibaly back to Italy as he is unhappy at Stamford Bridge.

– Liverpool's interest in RB Leipzig's Josko Gvardiol has cooled given the German club's £80m valuation which they believe is too high, according to Football Insider.

– The Mirror reports Paris Saint-Germain are considering selling Neymar in the off-season with his contract up in 2025. Chelsea and one other Premier League club are interested.

– Real Madrid are preparing a new contract offer for Eduardo Camavinga amid links with Premier League clubs, reports Fabrizio Romano. The Frenchman wants to remain with Madrid.

– The Sun claims Manchester City are plotting a move for Brentford full back Aaron Hickey who is expected to cost around £30m.

– There is no truth to speculation linking Barcelona with a move for Chelsea's Reece James, according to Fabrizio Romano. James signed a long-term deal last year.

Atlanta United moved up to third in the MLS Eastern Conference after Maren Haile-Selassie's 99th-minute own goal helped them to a 2-1 home win over Chicago Fire on Sunday.

Chicago thought they had rescued a point from substitute Kacper Przybylko's 90th-minute strike but there was to be drama in the final minute of nine stoppage-time minutes.

Machop Chol glanced on Brooks Lennon's corner, with Juanjo Purata's poke deflecting off Haile-Selassie's back and dribbling over the goalline. The win meant Atlanta stretched their unbeaten streak to four games.

Georgios Giakoumakis had put Atlanta ahead in the 13th minute, lashing home from  Lennon's cutback.

But Chicago squared the game up from Przybylko's strike after he had been thwarted with his initial attempt, only for the hosts to find a late winner.