Related items

• Tony Docherty delighted to bring experienced defender Joe Shaughnessy to Dundee

  Tony Docherty has secured his first signing as Dundee manager after Joe Shaughnessy pledged to join the cinch Championship title winners.

  The former Aberdeen, Southend and St Johnstone defender will join Dundee when his St Mirren contract expires next week.

  Docherty told his club’s website: “I worked with Joe as a young player at Aberdeen and he is the type of person I want at this football club.

  “I know what I’m getting with Joe. He has a great work ethic and attitude. He has great experience of the league having captained both St Mirren and St Johnstone.

  “There was a lot of competition from other clubs to get him, so I’m delighted he has chosen to sign for us.”

  The Irish defender had an offer to stay in Paisley but opted to move on.

  The 30-year-old said: “I am really excited to get started at Dundee and work with the manager again. I’ve had positive chats with him over the last few days and I can’t wait to get in for the first day of pre-season and get started.”

  Lee Ashcroft and Harrison Sharp earlier signed two-year contracts to stay on at Dens Park.

  “I have loved my three years at the club so far and am looking forward to hopefully a successful season in the top division after winning the league last year,” 29-year-old former Kilmarnock and Dunfermline defender Ashcroft said.

  Goalkeeper Sharp made 14 appearances last season, seven of them in the league.

  The 22-year-old said: “I thoroughly enjoyed last season and some of the memories that we made as a squad are memories that will last forever, and now I can’t wait to be back playing in the league where we belong.”

  The pair follow goalkeeper Adam Legzdins, long-serving full-back Cammy Kerr and homegrown midfielder Lyall Cameron in agreeing to stay since promotion was secured early last month.

  The Dark Blues announced earlier this week that Alex Jakubiak, Jordan Marshall, Paul McMullan, Luke Strachan, Paul McGowan and Cillian Sheridan had not been offered new contracts.

• Jonatan Giraldez: Barcelona’s experience will be vital in Champions League final

  Barcelona boss Jonatan Giraldez believes experience will be key in the Women’s Champions League final against Wolfsburg.

  The teams face off in Eindhoven on Saturday with Barca going for a second title and Wolfsburg a third.

  Barca have won one – in 2021 – and lost two – in 2019 and last year – of the finals they have played.

  Wolfsburg have been beaten finalists three times, most recently in 2020, and won the competition in 2013 and 2014.

  Giraldez said: “Experience is one of the most important things and that goes for all areas of life. The more experience you have the better you will do.

  “That doesn’t just go for Barcelona but also national teams. The more finals you have played in the better you know how to approach the week leading up to it, the match itself, mentally.

  “All of that is important in football and sometimes you need time to gain that experience.”

  Barca travelled to Eindhoven on Friday with a fully-fit squad after Lucy Bronze and Fridolina Rolfo were passed fit.

  Giraldez added: “We need to minimise their strengths. We will be wary of their quick attacks and set-pieces. We want to dominate the game and not let them show their strengths.”

  Wolfsburg finished second to Bayern Munich in the Frauen-Bundesliga this season and boss Tommy Stroot believes they can capture the title in Holland.

  He said: “It is a realistic objective, I have made so many positive experiences. This final is very special for me and it’s always been an objective.

  “It’s always the same thing for us, to decode the structure, to see what kind of frequencies they use. That is our daily work and my players know that as well.

  “It’s a final but it’s no different to the semi-final against Arsenal. We try to watch even more games and decode even more things just to be prepared for every scenario possible.

  “Our players are ready. It’s something special, not many teams have that privilege in a final. We have all the options to react on anything.”

• West Ham walk off pitch after alleged racial abuse in seven-a-side tournament

  West Ham players walked off the pitch during a seven-a-side tournament in America after alleged racial abuse.

  The issue happened against Dallas United in the The Soccer Tournament event on Thursday.

  Dalles have withdrawn from the £1million competition following the allegation, which came towards the end of the game with Dallas leading 2-0.

  Former Hammers Anton Ferdinand, Carlton Cole, Matt Jarvis, Marlon Harewood, Zavon Hines and Jimmy Walker are among those taking part in North Carolina.

  It is unclear what was said – or to which player – but Ferdinand reportedly told media at the game the Hammers walked off due to racism.

  A statement from TST read: “After conducting an investigation into the final moments of the match between West Ham United and Dallas United, we have concluded that Dallas United violated TST’s code of conduct.

  “We have been in dialogue with leadership from both clubs and we are all aligned that the best path forward is Dallas United withdrawing from competition. All parties involved are unified in wanting to make a statement against racial insensitivity.

  “We seek to run an event that is not only fiercely high stakes for all competitors, but also one in which all competitors feel safe and protected. As a result, tomorrow’s game between Dallas United and Far East United has been cancelled.”

  The referee reportedly told players he did not hear what was said, before West Ham decided to walk off.

  Dallas United wrote on Twitter: “In light of the shadow cast by an opposing player’s accusation during tonight’s match, the Dallas United players unanimously decided to withdraw from the remainder of the competition.

  “Our coaches and staff fully support the team’s decision. We thank @TST7v7 for the opportunity to compete in the tournament.”

  Wolves,  Borussia Dortmund and Wrexham are among the teams taking part.