Changes called for as Sinner and Djokovic withdraw

The tournament director of the Canadian Open says changes need to be made to the "demanding schedule" of players after Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic pulled out of the Masters 1000 event. Sinner, who beat Alexander Zverev to win the Wimbledon title this month, said he had withdrawn from the ATP tournament, which takes place from 2-13 August in Montreal, to prioritise his health. Carlos Alcaraz will also be absent from the Canadian Open as he continues his recovery from a wrist injury that has kept him out since April. "We are obviously very disappointed that Jannik and Novak won't be joining us in Montreal this year, especially after they also withdrew from last year's tournament in Toronto," said the Canadian Open's tournament director Valerie Tetreault. "We respect their decisions and understand that, with such a demanding schedule, players' health must remain the priority. "That said, we believe the frequency of these last-minute withdrawals in the last few years raises a broader issue for our sport. "Masters 1000 events are among the flagship tournaments on the tour, and fans rightfully expect to see the world's best compete. "We are already in discussions with the ATP to ensure this matter received serious consideration." The Canadian Open takes place before the Cincinnati Open, which is also a Masters 1000 event, and prior to the start of the US Open - the final Grand Slam of the year - on 30 August. Seven of the existing nine Masters 1000 events - the sport's highest level below the Grand Slams - are now staged over 12 days and concerns over the congested tennis calendar, which stretches across 11 months of the year for the top players, have regularly been voiced. Britain's Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu recently pulled out of Wimbledon on the eve of their home Grand Slam because of injury. Draper, who withdrew with a long-term arm injury, said he felt the amount of injuries suffered by leading players is "pretty worrying". In September 2024, Alcaraz said: "They are going to kill us in some way." "We firmly believe adjustments are needed in the near future to better protect the integrity of our Masters 1000 events while remaining mindful of the realities players face," added Tetreault. Earlier this year, women's world number one Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek pulled out of the Dubai Championships, a WTA 1000 event, two days before it started. Tournament director Salah Tahlak said players who made late withdrawals from tournaments should be docked points, while Sabalenka said criticism of her was "ridiculous" and that she may not play at the tournament again....

Malaysia set to host postponed Bahrain GP

Malaysia is set to hold a grand prix in October as a replacement for the Bahrain race that was called off earlier this season as a result of the war in the Middle East. The Sepang track near Kuala Lumpur, which was last on the calendar in 2017, is expected to stage a race on behalf of Bahrain on 2-4 October, a week before the event in neighbour Singapore. The race will be presented as the Bahrain Grand Prix being held in Malaysia. The event is expected to be announced officially in the coming days, perhaps as early as Sunday. It has been arranged by Formula 1, but has not yet been been through the formal sign-off process, which also includes governing body the FIA. Bahrain and Saudi Arabia both had their April races postponed in March after the USA and Israel launched their war against Iran. F1 had hoped that Bahrain could be reinstated in October. But with the deadline approaching by which a new date had to be confirmed for logistical reasons, and no sign of the war ending, a decision had to be made to race elsewhere. When Malaysia is confirmed, it will mean races on three consecutive weekends in Azerbaijan, Malaysia and Singapore. What about the end of the season? The ongoing war also means there is uncertainty about the two season-ending races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, scheduled for the final weekend in November and the first in December. A decision on those does not have to be made until September but a number of alternatives are being considered. If Qatar and Abu Dhabi cannot happen, the most likely track to host a race at the end of the season is Imola in Italy. Imola staged the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix between 2020 and 2025 after previously hosting F1 between 1980 and 2006. Portimao in Portugal and Istanbul Park in Turkey are also under consideration, but are significantly less likely. Both tracks have construction work to complete before their official return to the calendar next year, and hosting a race in early December would significantly increase the difficulties in doing so. The cancellation of the four Middle Eastern races would take what had been originally scheduled as a 24-race calendar down to 20. F1 is keen to host at least 21 races, because any less than that would activate contractual clauses that could see the sport have to pay rights fees back to broadcasters and may also mean the same for teams with some sponsorship budgets....

How do Manchester City manage the Rodri dilemma?

Manchester City are in flux. Replacing a manager after 10 years is no easy feat, let alone when there appears to be a squad overhaul too. Four of the starters in City's Treble-winning side of 2022-23 - Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, Bernardo Silva and John Stones - have left this summer, with the Blues signing £116m Elliot Anderson and promising 17-year-old Jeremy Monga. And the changes might not end there. Fresh from captaining Spain to World Cup victory, Rodri will head for back surgery on Monday with just a year left on his contract, amid increasing speculation about his future. It is not clear how long the 30-year-old will spend on the sidelines, but one thing new boss Enzo Maresca was clear on in his first news conference was that he wants to keep him. But with reports that Real Madrid are "operating on the basis" of Rodri joining them,, external what do City do? Will they look to cash in when Rodri returns to fitness, or keep to Maresca's stance? And how might Maresca's midfield operate - with or without Rodri? What's the background? When Rodri returned from an anterior cruciate ligament injury last year, there will have been plenty who wondered whether he would return to the Ballon d'Or-winning levels he had reached at his peak. Pep Guardiola - the man Maresca has replaced - said last October: "In the World Cup, he will be the best Rodri, and next season he will be the best Rodri." Guardiola was proved right on the first count. Not only did Rodri captain Spain to World Cup success but he was also awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player. Maresca was unequivocal when asked for his view on Friday. "I think every manager wants to have Rodri because he is a top player," he said. "But now, surgery on Monday... he needs a holiday... he needs to rest and recover and then he will be back with us." The plan seems clear, therefore - look to retain one of the best players in world football rather than sell him. But there will have to be contingencies in place. One of these will be the presence of Anderson, while City are monitoring 18-year-old Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, who impressed for Morocco in the World Cup. What does a Maresca midfield look like? To understand how Rodri, Anderson and someone like Bouaddi might come together, it is key to understand Maresca's game model. As a disciple of positional play, he draws comparisons between his football and chess. "There are a lot of similarities," Maresca said. "The most important is positional play and strategy. "For a coach, it's important to have the mentality of a chess player: develop a plan, study counter-moves, choose the arrangement of the pieces." Maresca's strategy has largely been rooted in an on-the-ball shape that looks like a 3-2-2-3. One of Rodri's most useful qualities in a Maresca side would be his ability to move between these predefined positions on the pitch. Throughout the World Cup, for example, we saw him drop into the backline when former City team-mate Aymeric Laporte pushed up with the ball. Naturally, Rodri spent most of the game in a holding midfield position, but when space opened up he was more than capable of pushing forward too....

Guardiola turns down Italy manager job

Pep Guardiola has turned down the chance to coach the Italian national side. Earlier this week, Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Giovanni Malago said talks had been held with Guardiola, who left Manchester City this summer after 10 years, and that "exceptions" could be made for his salary. On Thursday, FIGC technical director Paolo Maldini said Italy first approached their former player Carlo Ancelotti, who is currently in charge of Brazil. Ancelotti has agreed to stay in post and now Guardiola has informed the FIGC he intends to continue with his plan to take a break from the game, which will allow him to rest, spend more time with his family and travel. In addition to a huge salary, the FIGC is understood to have effectively told Guardiola he could shape the job as he saw fit, as they tried to tempt one of the most successful coaches in the game to take charge of a side that has failed to qualify for three World Cups in a row. However, after taking some time to consider the situation, he has said no. It means former Italy playmaker Andrea Pirlo, currently head coach of Dubai-based United FC, is the frontrunner to be tasked with navigating Italy through a Nations League group that includes France, Belgium and Turkey in the autumn and then try to qualify for Euro 2028. ...

Best team, moments, matches and players of World Cup group stage

After 72 matches across three countries, 48 teams who qualified for the 2026 World Cup have been whittled down to 32. Records have been broken by some of the star players who have delivered on football's biggest stage, while new heroes have emerged. A group of BBC reporters in the United States, Canada and Mexico have picked their best teams, players, matches and moments from the group phase. Best team Ian Dennis, BBC Radio 5 Live France. I've seen all of their group games and they've made it three wins from three for the first time since they won the World Cup in 1998. They're still not perfect, so room to improve as they get stronger under a manager who has the experience to draw on, as Didier Deschamps seeks a third successive World Cup final. Phil McNulty, BBC Sport's chief football writer France. Just looking at their attack with Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele and what it can do when it clicks - and the strength of Didier Deschamps' squad as a whole - makes me think they will be very difficult to stop. There are other strong contenders, but they are the most dangerous team in the tournament. John Bennett, BBC World Service After a sloppy start against Senegal, France exploded into life when Michael Olise was moved into the number 10 position. Their front four is frightening (with Desire Doue or Bradley Barcola), Kylian Mbappe's the happiest I have ever seen him at a major tournament, William Saliba is one of the best defenders at the tournament, unsung Adrien Rabiot links things brilliantly and there is also so much strength in depth. I saw them live twice, in New Jersey and Philadelphia, and I would be stunned if they do not make it to the final. Alex Howell, BBC Sport's England reporter France look like they are going to take some stopping. They have the best front three of the tournament and their strength in depth means that they can rotate as the tournament goes on. Kylian Mbappe is already firing and now he's up and running he will be hard to stop. Liz Conway, BBC Sport journalist I said Spain from the start and I'm going to stick with them. We still haven't seen them hit top gear and we know they have far more potential to show, especially with key players Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams coming back from injury. This is a long tournament and their momentum will build. They could face France in the semi-final, which would be a huge test, but if they can come through that I think they can go all the way. Gary Rose, BBC Sport journalist Lionel Messi is grabbing the headlines and rightly so with his six goals from three games so far at this World Cup, but it would be unfair to say Argentina are all about him and him alone. Often a collection of brilliant individuals, this Argentina side looks more like an array of brilliant individuals who are playing as a team, and the result of that has been three wins, no goals conceded and five scored. They have hit the ground running at this World Cup and look like they will take some stopping. Neil Johnston, BBC Sport journalist I've seen both France and Brazil in the group stage and right now, if I was to pick one over the other, I'd opt for Les Bleus. They have hit the ground running, with Kylian Mbappe in impeccable form and Michael Olise at his teasing best....

Salah an injury doubt for Egypt's last-32 tie

Egypt captain Mohamed Salah is a doubt for Friday's World Cup last-32 tie against Australia after suffering a hamstring injury. The 34-year-old was substituted during Egypt's 1-1 draw with Iran and team doctor Mohamed Abou said Salah had complained of pain before scans later confirmed a hamstring strain. The statement from the Egyptian Football Association added that Salah has begun a treatment programme but made no suggestion as to whether the forward will be fit to play against Australia in Dallas on 3 July (19:00 BST). "I spoke with Salah and, God willing, the injury doesn't seem serious," Egypt coach Hossam Hassan said after the Iran match. "He assured me it would be fine, that it's not a serious injury." A hamstring problem kept former Liverpool star Salah out for three weeks from late April but he recovered to feature in the Reds' final two games of the season. Salah has scored once and provided two assists so far in this World Cup as Egypt qualified from Group G in second place....

What you need to know about England's opponents DR Congo

Get the lowdown on DR Congo, England's World Cup opponents in the round of 32. What can I expect from DR Congo? Fifty-two years after a chastening World Cup debut, DR Congo have earned redemption by qualifying for the knockout stages for the first time. Back in 1974, when known as Zaire, their three group defeats included a 9-0 hammering by Yugoslavia. They had not been to a World Cup since, until now, but head coach Sebastien Desabre has transformed a team who were in crisis when he took over nearly four years ago. He led them to fourth place at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and has instilled discipline and tactical nous. A back five was trialled just before the World Cup and maintained for the first two games of the tournament, which included a draw with Portugal, before they switched to 4-4-2 to beat Uzbekistan. What are DR Congo's strengths? Defensive solidity has underpinned their improvement, as shown by 29 clean sheets in 57 games under Desabre. Since he took charge, DR Congo have never lost by more than a one-goal margin when able to call on Europe-based players. Swift counter-attacks utilise the prowess of strikers Cedric Bakambu and Yoane Wissa at running in behind opposition defences. Mental resilience, often lacking in the past, was forged during a protracted qualifying campaign which included three play-off matches. And what about their weaknesses? DR Congo have seldom faced top-20 ranked sides in recent years, bar Senegal and Morocco – and they have a poor record against both. With the majority of the national team's regular starters struggling for playing time at their clubs in 2025-26, a lack of conditioning – and quality – is a concern....

Clarke steps down as Scotland boss after World Cup exit

Steve Clarke has resigned as head coach following Scotland's exit from the World Cup. The Scottish FA announced his departure in a statement just moments after Croatia's win over Ghana on Saturday, which sealed Scotland's fate. BBC Scotland has learned the players were told on Saturday with Clarke and the squad still at their Charlotte base. He had signed a new four-year deal only a month ago. The Scots defeated Haiti 1-0 in their opening Group C match in Boston, the same city where they then lost 1-0 to Morocco, before being beaten 3-0 by Brazil in Miami. It left them with only a faint chance of going through to the last 32 as one of the eight best third-placed teams - but that hope was extinguished on Saturday, three days after the Brazil defeat. "The most emotional part of this goodbye is for my players, without whom we wouldn't have had any of the memories that we've accumulated from 2019 until now," said Clarke. "They deserve all the praise and adulation that they receive and it was truly an honour to be called their gaffer. "Thanks for having me and good luck to my successor." Clarke became Scotland head coach seven years ago, with the country having not reached a major finals since the World Cup in 1998. Under his stewardship, the Scots reached two European Championships before making it to this summer's World Cup. However, despite that qualification success, Scotland underwhelmed in all three tournaments, with the win against Haiti earlier this month the only win across the finals. Scotland went into Wednesday's game against Brazil well placed to be one of the best third-placed teams in the competition, only for defensive mistakes to undermine that bid. "While we are all disappointed to have exited the World Cup at the group stage, we must not lose sight of the undeniable progress made during Steve's seven years in charge," said Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell. "From starting as a pot four team in 2019 to topping our World Cup qualifying group, he has more than delivered on the remit to take Scotland back to a major tournament. "We thank Steve for his record-breaking contribution and know that when the disappointment of World Cup elimination subsides, the Scotland supporters will be thankful for the memories of marching with pride at major tournaments once again."...

England's first World Cup training session: What did we learn?

England arrived at their permanent World Cup base in Kansas City on Saturday and immediately got down to business. Shortly after dropping their bags off at the Inn at Meadowbrook Hotel in Prairie Village, where the team will stay for the duration of their stay in the United States, they made the 20-minute trip to their training centre at Swope Soccer Village for their first session since arriving in Missouri. The locals welcomed Thomas Tuchel's men into their community with open arms but also with a high security, the team escorted by a motorcade of protection. There was nothing however, to protect the players from the searing sun, with temperatures reaching around 31C, as the team were put through their paces. And this is what BBC Sport noticed from England's opening training session in Kansas City. BBC Sport reported on Friday that there was an emerging sense that the team that started against Costa Rica last week will be the side that Tuchel selects in the team's first game against Croatia on Wednesday - and there were further reasons to believe that may be the case in training on Saturday. For part of the session the 10 outfield players that started versus Costa Rica: Jude Bellingham, Ezri Konsa, John Stones, Nico O'Reilly, Elliot Anderson, Harry Kane, Anthony Gordon, Declan Rice, Noni Madueke and Reece James trained away from the rest of the squad. Of course, it may simply have been a coincidence that the 10 were grouped together - but if you were looking for clues into how Tuchel's team may look in Dallas on Tuesday then reading something into that would be understandable. One obvious potential alteration to the team that beat Costa Rica would be Bukayo Saka for Madueke, but Tuchel's confirmation that the former requires managing through the tournament due to fitness concerns has raised questions over the Arsenal attacker's involvement. Saka trained away from what appeared to be the starting group and still did not look like he was moving freely....

Arsenal and Liverpool chase Barcola - Sunday's gossip

Arsenal and Liverpool among Bradley Barcola suitors, Brighton reject Coventry's Carl Rushworth bid and Bayern Munich might beat Barcelona to Marcus Rashford. Paris St-Germain are not opposed to selling France forward Bradley Barcola, with Arsenal and Liverpool among the teams interested in the 23-year-old. (L'Equipe, in French - subscription required), external Brighton have rejected a reported £20m bid from Coventry City for 24-year-old English goalkeeper Carl Rushworth. (Sky Sports), external Bayern Munich are prepared to beat Barcelona to the signing of Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, 28. (Fichajes - in Spanish, external) Everton's 26-year-old Senegal midfielder Iliman Ndiaye can add Arsenal to his list of suitors, with the Gunners joining Manchester City and Manchester United in monitoring him. (Mail - subscription required), external Nottingham Forest have submitted a near-£25m bid for Arsenal midfielder Fabio Viera, 26, who had a successful loan at Hamburg last season. (Football Insider, external), external Forest may also add Inter Milan's Davide Frattesi to their midfield, with the 26-year-old out of favour at the San Siro. (Football Italia, external), external Atletico Madrid will turn to Paris St-Germain attacker Lee Kang-in, 25, to replace the departed Antoine Griezmann. (Fichajes - in Spanish, external), external Barcelona are interested in 18-year-old Australian defender Lucas Herrington, who is currently with Major League Soccer side Colorado Rapids. (Goal, external), external Former Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski, 37, and ex-Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka, 31, might move to MLS side Chicago Fire. (Yahoo Sports, external), external Roberto Mancini is ready for a second spell as the head coach of Italy, after leaving Qatari club Al-Sadd. (Fabrizio Romano, external)...

Shirts, stuffed lions & Lego - the stolen England items worth $18,000

England had $18,000 (£13,500) of property stolen in a theft from a vehicle that was carrying equipment, according to Jackson County's prosecution office. Two men, Mustafa Salik and Erfan Kamal, have been charged in connection with the incident, which happened as the vehicle was taking equipment from England's pre-tournament camp in Florida to Kansas City. Despite the incident the Football Association have been clear that nothing was taken that would impact their preparations for Wednesday's opener against Croatia (21:00 BST). Of the property taken, listed in court documents seen by BBC Sport, four pairs of football boots, one football, a pair of goalkeeper gloves and training kit were stolen. Three signed jerseys - valued at a total of $15,000 - were also listed as items taken. It is understood the majority of what was stolen has now been recovered. ...

The US sporting triumph that is overshadowing the World Cup

"We care way more about the Knicks than the World Cup right now." New York is witnessing a moment of sports history - and it has nothing to do with football. On Saturday night the New York Knicks clinched their first NBA championship in 53 years with a 4-1 series win over the San Antonio Spurs, and the long-awaited victory sent fans into a frenzy. Fewer than 10 miles away, Brazil faced Morocco in the sixth game of the football World Cup, but it was at Madison Square Garden where scenes were electric. Thousands of fans gathered - around the home of the Knicks that is often referred to as 'the mecca of basketball' - for an outdoor watch party, despite the game being played in Texas. Nearby bars were overflowing with anxious New Yorkers who hung on every shot and call during the incredibly close game five in the best-of-seven series. It is an interesting position for a city in the middle of co-hosting the World Cup. "People live and shed tears here for basketball," Knicks fan Raymond Yu told the BBC. "We care way more about the Knicks than the World Cup right now." While Americans were never considered the biggest football fans in the world, New York in particular - with its diverse communities - always had a stronger tie to the game. But the Knicks' win has overshadowed the World Cup for now. At the Molly Wee Pub, when a win seemed likely a young college student remarked to his friends: "Oh my god, I'm going to see the Knicks win the Finals. I can't believe it." Once it was official, he and everyone else in the bar rushed into the streets screaming at the top of their lungs and embracing complete strangers. The celebrations swelled and lasted well into the early hours of the morning, with people climbing light poles and setting off fireworks, while police on foot and even horseback tried to make sure the chaos was controlled. Among them was Matthew Sorbonne, who told BBC Sport what the win meant to him. "I watched them since I was a kid. This means everything to me. For 25 straight years they've been garbage. Finally we have a win," he said....

Martyn Kelly remembers wishing he had a stool to climb on like the rest of the kids in the ground to get a better view.

The world's first official penalty shootout was not something he wanted obscured by other people's heads. On a warm evening on 5 August 1970 at Boothferry Park in Hull, a star-studded Manchester United reached the end of extra time level at 1-1 with second-tier Hull City in a cup match. Six weeks earlier, football's lawmakers had decided to end the days of the coin toss to decide winners in favour of five players from each team taking a kick from 11 yards out with just the keeper to beat. "Blimey," thought then 11-year-old Hull City fan Kelly. "It's George Best, one of the greatest players ever. He's going to take the first penalty in the world's first penalty shootout." That was something worth watching. No-one knew yet that this new method of deciding a tied football match would become a nerve-shredding experience some fans, players and managers can barely watch. Before this, cup or knockout matches that ended in draws were settled by replays, by drawing lots or tossing coins. At the 1968 European Championship, Italy went through to the final after a correct heads-or-tails guess following a 0-0 draw against the Soviet Union. The final against Yugoslavia then ended 1-1 and Italy eventually won 2-0 two days later when the sides reconvened for a replay. For those who were not fans of the existing ways to break a deadlock, the final straw came four months later. When Israel's captain pulled a piece of paper saying 'no' out of a big sombrero hat that determined his side had lost their 1968 Olympic quarter-final to Bulgaria after a 1-1 draw, some within his country's footballing governing body were furious. Israeli Football Association official Yosef Dagan said there must be a better way to decide these big moments – or at least one that was, theoretically, less to do with luck and more to do with skill. Dagan and Michael Almog – who went on to become Israel FA chief - developed the idea of a penalty shootout before writing an official proposal to Fifa in 1969. It was published in the governing body's official magazine. In the letter, Almog proposed "to stop this way of deciding the winner by drawing lots, an immoral and even cruel system for the losing team and not honourable for the winner". He called for it to be replaced by a shootout of five penalties for each side. If the teams were still level after that then it would continue until one side missed and the other scored. The suggestion was heavily debated before eventually being adopted by football's lawmakers, the International Football Association Board (Ifab), at its AGM in Inverness on 27 June 1970. Aside from drawing lots, tossing coins and replays, there had been other ways over the years to settle draws, including sharing titles or counting corners, and there had also been versions of penalty shootouts at some domestic and minor competitions. When BBC Sport asked Fifa to confirm whether the Watney Cup shootout was the first official penalty shootout, world football's governing body replied that is does not have "any records confirming or denying the claim". The National Football Museum does, though, refer to it as the first shootout in England. Various competitions, including the full rounds of the FA Cup until two seasons ago, still continued to use replays. It was not until 1990-91 that the FA Cup introduced penalties if teams were level after extra time in a replay. After that Ifab decision in 1970, it was not long before the first opportunity came to see a penalty shootout being used to decide a professional football match. Would the successor to the coin-toss be any less cruel? That evening in Hull at the Watney Cup - a pre-season cup competition - would provide some answers. "I couldn't believe it, my beloved Hull City were up against Georgie Best, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law. That's like having Messi, Ronaldo and Mbappe in the same team," Kelly recalled on the BBC's Sporting Witness programme. Former Hull City player Frankie Banks said: "It was a massive game, playing against Manchester United, who two years earlier had won the European Cup. "The atmosphere was electrifying. "The Man United players were our heroes. On paper we didn't stand a chance. We wanted to win, we wanted to prove to everybody that although they were the best side probably in the world we could go out and give them a game." And that is exactly what they did, taking the lead on 11 minutes through Chris Chilton before Law pulled one back for United in the 78th minute to send the game into extra time. As the clocked ticked down on the additional half-hour, players realised they were about to be part of something historic. "[Hull player-manager] Terry Neill obviously asked for volunteers and some of the lads were reluctant to step up and take the penalties and some were brave enough to step up and say 'I'll take one, I'll take one and I'll take one'," said Banks, who was not on the team sheet that day but was at the game. "Nobody wants to be the one that misses." And, in particular, no-one wants to be the first player ever to miss in a shootout. However, Best was happy to go down as the first player to score, sending his right-footed shot low into the left corner. For Hull City, Neill became the first player-manager to score in a shootout, helping keep the score level at 3-3. "It was still anybody's game and the noise was deafening," said Banks. But then, in a moment that countless big-name players to come would experience through the decades, Law saw his low shot saved by a diving Ian McKechnie. "For ever and ever, Law will go down as the first man to miss in a penalty shootout and McKechnie will go down as the first goalkeeper to save a penalty in a penalty shootout," said Banks. Ken Wagstaff then missed for Hull and so when Willie Morgan scored for United, Hull knew they had to convert their final kick. And that was when McKechnie became the first keeper to take a penalty in a shootout. "Please, not him," Kelly remembers thinking. "I couldn't believe it, my mum couldn't believe it, even Alex Stepney the Man United keeper couldn't believe it and actually asked him what he was doing up there. I had my head in my hands!" McKechnie stepped up and blasted a powerful strike... against the upper side of the crossbar. And with that, he became the first keeper to miss a penalty in a shootout. "I still maintain that Ian McKechnie was the right choice – he had a sweet left foot – and he had the guts to do it. I'd have put money on him to score," said Banks. "Missing that penalty stayed with Ian for the rest of his life." Of course, there have been many Laws and McKechnies since. In fact, statisticians say 24% of penalties in shootouts are missed. They have settled some of the biggest competitions, with the World Cup final going to penalties three times – in 1994, 2006 and 2022. The first major international title to be decided on penalties was the 1976 European Championship – with the winning kick the now infamous and audacious chip named after Antonin Panenka. Over the years, England's men have experienced plenty of misery in shootouts, losing seven times at major tournaments in that way. Two days ago, Wales' dreams of playing at this year's World Cup were ended by Bosnia-Herzegovina in the now all-too-familiar emotional rollercoaster of a penalty shootout. But before that night in Hull, no-one had known what to expect. Ten penalties later, they did. "Each kick was agony," said Kelly. And more than six decades later, that still stands....

Van Graan criticises TV replay 'consistency' after Bath lose semi-final

Investec Champions Cup semi-final Bordeaux-Begles (24) 38 Tries: Gazzotti, Bielle-Biarrey, Lucu, Tameifuna, Matiu Cons: Lucu 5 Pen: Lucu Bath (12) 26 Tries: Muir 2, Hennessey, Carr-Smith Cons: Russell 3 Bath boss Johann van Graan called for more "consistency" with who supplies television match official footage after he felt foul play incidents were missed in his side's Investec Champions Cup semi-final loss to Bordeaux-Begles. The Prem champions were outplayed by Bordeaux on France's Atlantic coast in the English side's first top-tier European semi-final in 20 years, a point which Van Graan acknowledged post-match. Billed pre-game as the defending champions' organised chaos versus Bath's structured efficiency, Bordeaux's style prevailed as their visitors were eventually worn down by the game's relentless pace. Several key decisions did not help Bath's cause. French TV broadcasters have been criticised by some in the past for not showing replays of certain foul play incidents or decisions that may go against the home side. Asked if there is a problem with French broadcasters providing footage, Van Graan told BBC Sport: "Yes. All we want is consistency on both sides of the ball right through the competition. "I believe specifically that three carries from Alfie Barbeary made direct contact to the head. "I want to make clear that the better team won on the day, but I want to ask why certain things are not picked up when you play away from home in France." Had those three incidents been called in Bath's favour, it may not have ended up affecting the result, such was the excellence of Yannick Bru's side. At the sold-out 42,000-seater Stade Atlantique Bordeaux Metropole, the Champions Cup holders delivered a blistering first half with tries for Marko Gazzotti, Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Maxime Lucu. The English side were always underdogs but went blow for blow for the opening half hour, wing Will Muir twice getting on the scoresheet. In a game of international quality the key match-ups were everywhere - Bielle-Biarrey v Henry Arundell, Matthieu Jalibert v Finn Russell - but it was young talent Louie Hennessey who got Bath's third try at the beginning of the second half. From there Bordeaux took over, with 23 stone-plus substitute Ben Tameifuna powering over the decisive try and Temo Matiu putting the result beyond the Prem side, despite Tom Carr-Smith's late consolation. Bath's wait for another trophy in this competition will stretch to 29 years, while Bordeaux earn the chance to go back-to-back against Leinster in three weeks' time. Van Graan added: "Three words [points I would like to make]. Congrats to UBB, they were the better side. Number two the officials were exceptionally good today. The main point I want to make is that from a consistency point of view that where every game is played that the TMO [television match official] gets access to all the footage he wants. "From my point of view, you want the match officials to know what they are looking at. Whatever decision a ref makes is the final call." Muir keeps Bath in the fight Bath will have craved a steady start but delivered anything but. Barbeary - one of five Champions Cup player of the year contenders - failed to catch the kick-off and within two minutes Damian Penaud made a searing outside break and Gazzotti barrelled over. Two superb kicks helped Bath get on to the scoreboard, as Russell's cross-field gained territory and Ben Spencer's chip to the wing found an unmarked Muir over the tryline. Roared on by the home crowd Bordeaux came again, kicking to the corner and then spreading the ball to the other wing for Bielle-Biarrey to dive in unopposed. Bath, though, had plenty of practice facing unstructured chaos in their superb quarter-final against Northampton, and stayed in the fight with a Hennessey break from midfield. Bordeaux lock Adam Coleman may well have been carded for a high shot on Barbeary, the first of the incidents Van Graan identified, but the television match official saw no clear head contact. The English side did not have to wait too long for another boost though, Arundell drawing defenders to allow Muir to blast through Maxime Lucu's tackle and produce a superb diving finish in the corner....