Match Details

Related News

• Southampton lose appeal against play-off expulsion over Spygate

  Southampton’s appeal against their Championship play-off expulsion for ‘Spygate’ has been rejected. The EFL upheld its decision, meaning Hull City and Middlesbrough will now contest the Premier League spot on Saturday. Saints admitted spying on rivals, including Boro, before their semi-final. Southampton called the sanction “disproportionate,” but the ruling is final, crushing their promotion dream and confirming a four-point deduction next season.

  Suggested Headlines:

  • Saints’ Play-Off Appeal Fails: Spygate Stands!
  • Southampton Out of Play-Offs; Hull & Boro to Battle for PL
  • EFL Rejects Saints’ Spying Appeal, Upholds Expulsion

• European football: Olise fires Bayern’s winner against Wolfsburg after Kane misses penalty

  Harry Kane missed a penalty, but Bayern Munich secured a 1-0 victory over Wolfsburg, recovering from their Champions League semi-final exit. Michael Olise scored the winner for the Bundesliga champions. In Czech Republic, the Slavia Prague vs Sparta Prague derby was abandoned after home fans stormed the pitch. Meanwhile, Lautaro Martínez inspired Inter to a dominant 3-0 win at Lazio before their Coppa Italia final rematch.

  READ MORE FROM THE GUARDIAN

• Luciano Spalletti set to sign Juventus contract extension ahead of Atalanta clash

  Juventus Head Coach Luciano Spalletti is expected to sign a contract extension through 2028, potentially finalizing the deal before this weekend’s crucial Serie A trip to Bergamo.

  ​Luciano Spalletti is reportedly on the verge of committing his future to Juventus with a new long-term deal.

  According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, terms are largely settled for an extension that would keep the veteran manager in Turin until 2028.

  The agreement is expected to see Spalletti earn upwards of €6 million per season, placing him among the highest-paid tacticians in the Italian top flight.

  ​While Sporting Director Marco Ottolini previously suggested there was “no rush” to finalize the paperwork, reports indicate an announcement could arrive before Saturday’s match against Atalanta.

  The club’s hierarchy, including Giorgio Chiellini and Damien Comolli, has consistently backed Spalletti to lead the project.

  Talks are described as being at an “advanced stage” as Juventus focuses on a strong finish to the season.

• How much does representing England actually pay?

  The prestige of pulling on the white shirt of England is a dream nurtured in the muddy parks of Sunday league and the high-pressure environments of elite academies.

  For the 35 men recently selected by Thomas Tuchel for the March international break, that dream is a reality.

  However, in an era where the Premier League is awash with television gold and astronomical transfer fees, the question of what players actually “earn” for their country remains a fascinating, often misunderstood topic.

  ​The Charity Tradition

  ​Representing England is, financially speaking, a world away from the weekly grind of club football. While Thomas Tuchel himself reportedly earns a cool £5 million per year to navigate the tactical nuances of international football, his players operate under a different fiscal code.

  ​The financial side of representing the Three Lions is somewhat shrouded in secrecy, but historical data and insights from former players provide a clear picture.

  Former Manchester United and England goalkeeper Ben Foster recently pulled back the curtain on his podcast, The Fozcast.

  ​Foster, who earned eight caps and traveled to the 2014 World Cup, explained that while match fees exist, they aren’t exactly “life-changing” for players already earning millions.

  “The way England works is you get a match fee for playing the game – it’s nothing major in broader football terms,” Foster revealed. “You might be talking £2,000 per game or something.”

  ​However, the defining characteristic of the England squad is what they do with that money. For decades, the squad has collectively agreed to donate these match fees to the England Footballers Foundation, supporting various charities.

  While it is occasionally debated whether every modern iteration of the squad maintains this 100% donation rate, the precedent remains a core pillar of the team’s identity.

  ​The Commercial Pot

  ​If the match fees are donated, how do players see any financial return for the weeks spent in international camps? The answer lies in commercial rights. England is a massive global brand, and the players are its faces.

  ​“Every single player’s match fee has always been signed off to charity,” Foster added. “What you do get is a percentage of the sponsorship.

  Every company that sponsors an international team, everybody that sponsors England – whether it’s McDonald’s, Carlsberg or Heineken – all of that goes into a big pot.”

  ​This pot is then distributed among the squad on a pro rata basis. It’s a system that ensures that while the direct “pay-per-game” goes to good causes, the players are fairly compensated for the use of their image and the commercial value they bring to the FA.

  ​The Club Context: The 2026 Earnings Hierarchy

  ​To understand why a £2,000 match fee is viewed as nominal, one only needs to look at the club salaries of Tuchel’s current 35-man squad.

  The gap between the top earners and the emerging youngsters is vast, reflecting the diverse stages of their careers.

  ​At the top of the mountain sits the captain. Harry Kane’s move to Bayern Munich didn’t just bring goals; it brought a staggering weekly wage of £414,509. Close behind is Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, who commands £345,369 per week.

  ​The rest of the squad follows a hierarchy of Premier League dominance:

  ​John Stones & Marc Guehi: £250,000

  ​Declan Rice: £240,000

  ​Marcus Rashford: £232,125

  ​Phil Foden: £225,000

  ​Bukayo Saka: £195,000

  ​Harry Maguire: £190,000

  ​Eberechi Eze: £175,000

  ​Pickford, Madueke, Gordon, & Bowen: £150,000

  ​Dominic Solanke: £140,000

  ​Cole Palmer: £130,000

  ​Aaron Ramsdale: £120,000

  ​Henderson & Calvert-Lewin: £100,000

  ​James Garner: £80,000

  ​Trafford, Konsa, Rogers, & Jordan Henderson: £75,000

  ​Fikayo Tomori: £74,731

  ​Dan Burn: £70,000

  ​Jarrell Quansah: £62,508

  ​Tino Livramento: £50,000

  ​Lewis Hall: £45,000

  ​Spence & Anderson: £40,000

  ​Adam Wharton: £35,000

  ​Nico O’Reilly: £30,000

  ​Kobbie Mainoo: £25,000

  ​Jason Steele: £20,000

  ​While England fans obsess over these figures, fans across the English Channel have been watching a different financial experiment.

  ​Ultimately, for the 35 men in Tuchel’s squad, the money is a byproduct of their talent at the club level. When they step out at Wembley, the £2,000 fee is a footnote—the real value is in the legacy they leave behind.

• Roma have Wesley suspension appeal rejected

  AS Roma’s appeal to overturn Wesley’s suspension was rejected by a sporting judge, confirming the Brazilian will miss the upcoming match against Lecce following a controversial red card at Como.

  ​A sporting judge has officially rejected AS Roma’s appeal to overturn a suspension for Wesley following his red card against Como.

  The club argued a case of “mistaken identity,” suggesting teammate Devyne Rensch committed the foul on Assane Diao.

  However, VAR analysis and officials confirmed Wesley made the challenge, meaning he is ruled out of the upcoming Serie A fixture against Lecce.

  ​The decision is a blow for manager Gian Piero Gasperini, who must now navigate the league clash without his key wide man.

  Despite the setback, Wesley remains available for the crucial Europa League quarter-final second leg against Bologna.

  In his absence, Tsimikas is expected to fill the void against Lecce as Roma looks to recover from their recent 2-1 defeat.