Celtic's Neil Lennon gets suspended

          

  Under the terms of his previous ban, he was not permitted in the zone within 15 minutes of the final whistle.Lennon commented on his official Twitter page that he was "thrilled to be on the touchline for Sunday" and added "Cup Final is always a special occasion".Celtic are aiming to secure a league and cup double at Hampden on Sunday.Lennon has been given a suspended one-match ban for entering the "playing zone" during April's defeat by Motherwell.The Scottish FA said: "Mr Lennon was found in breach, with a one-match suspension applied. The tribunal suspended the sanction until the end of season 2013-14 and to take effect in the event that Mr Lennon is found in breach of rule 205 within that period.

Manchester City fans to thank former boss

              

  He also lifted the FA Cup in 2011, but was relieved of his duties after City failed to win a trophy this season and were knocked out in the group stage of the Champions League.Keyworth also used Twitter to thank those who had given money, saying: "Thank you to everyone who has donated, supported or publicised this; it just shows what fans can do when they pull together. Very proud to be a blue at times like these.City fans, led by University of Nottingham student Adam Keyworth, plan to donate any money raised over the price of the advert to a local Manchester charity.Every single donation has been from everyday City fans and not one from any of our celebrity support. Keyworth, 21, started the online campaign and told BBC Sport: "We raised £5,000 in the first two days and the money has just continued to pour in.Incredibly, as donations continue to pour in, I am in the position to give every penny over the advert fee to a local Manchester charity, so more people benefit from this idea.We didn't get a chance to say goodbye to Mancini as the sacking was quite messy so we're hoping, now we have the money, to put the ad in this weekend.

Division One clubs may break away

          

   There would be one automatic promotion/relegation exchange between this 'Championship' and the top flight in addition to play-offs involving the second-bottom side in the SPL and the second, third and fourth sides in the division below.We will do what we have to do now to proceed and we in the First Division are unanimous in our views. SFL motions require the support of 22 clubs to be passed and a formal vote will take place on 10 June.However, there would not be play-offs between the Championship and Scotland's third tier.We have no meeting organised with the SPL but we will organise that in the coming days.Currently, promotion/relegation play-offs exist between the First and Second Divisions and between Divisions Two and Three.SPL proposals for a merger with the SFL, a revised financial distribution model and more end-of-season play-offs appear unlikely to gain approval.The SFL held their AGM on Thursday and an initial show of hands reflected only 16 clubs in support of the SPL's 42-team proposals.Following the AGM, First Division clubs held a meeting of their own and Hamilton chairman Les Gray told the media: "We are at the end of it now and we think there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Wigan boss delays decision

           

  Stoke City are interested in Martinez, while Everton are monitoring events.He managed to keep the club in the Premier League for three seasons and led the team to victory over Manchester City in this season's FA Cup final. On Wednesday, Whelan spoke of his relationship with Martinez. "We are very honest with each other," he told BBC Sport.Whelan's close relationship with Martinez has been at the heart of Wigan's recent success and the 76-year-old hopes that loyalty may yet have a bearing on his manager's future. Roberto has been dedicated to Wigan Athletic. He is so disappointed at getting relegated, as I am, that I don't think he has come round yet to the idea that we have just got to gear up, accept it - that's football - and get back as soon as possible, that's next season.There is a massive, massive amount of loyalty between Roberto and myself," added Whelan. "If he wants to stay, that is fantastic and I will be over the moon. It does take some swallowing when you get relegated, I fully understand that.But if he decides he wants to move his career I will fully respect that and I will give him every bit of support I can.Martinez joined Wigan as a player in 1995 but left in 2001, before returning as the club's manager in June 2009 after more than two years in charge at Swansea City.

Steven Nzonzi has transfer

       

   Peter Coates, the Stoke chairman, said: "I can confirm that we have received a written transfer request from Steven Nzonzi.He made 38 appearances for the Potters this season and scored his first goal in the home defeat by Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month. He is our player and has three years remaining on his contract."The 24-year-old Frenchman, who was recently voted the club's young player of the year, has told the Potters he wishes to leave less than a year after his £3m move from Blackburn.The former France Under-21 international was frozen out by then Rovers manager Steve Kean before completing his move to Stoke on the final day of last summer's transfer window.

New drug-testing plans

            

  For racist incidents involving spectators, a partial stadium closure for the first offence and a full stadium closure for a second, coupled with a fine of 50,000 euros (£42,800), will be applied.Talking about the blood-boosting drug involved in the case of disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong, John Fahey, said: "I simply say this about football - they are not testing enough for EPO. They can do more and we encourage them to do more.It may never be known if that was the case, as the blood bags used to convict Fuentes have been ordered to be destroyed, a ruling Spain's anti-doping agency (AEA) plans to appeal.The new measures were on the agenda at Uefa's executive committee meeting, held in London prior to Saturday's Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.The extent of the use of performance-enhancing drugs in football was hinted at in the Operation Puerto case in Spain.In February, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said he had asked Uefa several times to implement new drug-testing procedures.While that investigation, which led to Eufemiano Fuentes being found guilty of running one of the world's largest sports doping rings, centred around cyclists, the Spanish doctor has boasted of a client list that extended into a number of other disciplines.When you have a doping control at Uefa, they do not take blood, they take only urine," the 63-year-old said. "I have asked many times [at Uefa meetings] in Geneva [for that to be changed].

Rio Ferdinand signs new deal

          

  The defender made 34 appearances for United in 2012-13, including 28 in the Premier League, more than any of the club's other central defenders.He has made 432 appearances for United, with a Champions League triumph and two League Cup wins to add to his six Premier League titles.Ferdinand said: "Who wouldn't want to play in this fantastic team in front of 76,000 fans each week?Earlier this month, retiring Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said Ferdinand had enjoyed his best season for the club and would be offered a new deal.I can now fully concentrate on my club career, which has worked well for me over the past few years.Ferdinand's contribution to United's Premier League title success saw him voted into the Professional Footballers' Association's team of the year by his peers.This is a great team to be part of and we are now moving into a new era with the club which is very exciting.The former West Ham United and Leeds United defender, who was capped 81 times by England, joined United in July 2002 for nearly £30m, making him the world's most expensive defender.I have met with David (Moyes). I am really looking forward to working with him and winning many more trophies with this great club.

Europa League winners could earn

            

Meanwhile, Berlin's Olympic Stadium has been revealed as the venue for the Champions League final in 2015.Uefa is also expected to announce it will raise the maximum number of Champions League qualifiers per country from four to five, if the winners of the Europa League from 2015-16 do not finish in their domestic league's qualifying places for the Champions League.That year's Europa League decider will be at Warsaw's National Stadium, which staged the opening game of Euro 2012.Should the winners of both European competitions come from the same country and not finish in their league's qualifying places, both would be in the Champions League the following season.The Europa League generates far less income and media attention than the Champions League.Uefa is keen to avoid a repeat of the scenario that happened in the Premier League in 2011-12 when Chelsea won the Champions League and Tottenham were placed into the Europa League despite finishing fourth in the top flight.The governing body has tried a number of initiatives to increase interest, with previous attempts including the change of name from Uefa Cup to its current title in 2009.This season's final was contested between two teams who entered that way, Chelsea beating Benfica 2-1 in Amsterdam.Currently, teams who finish third in their Champions League group drop into the competition.

Dortmund will miss Mario Gotze

             

Gotze will become the most expensive German player of all time when his transfer goes through on 1 July.BBC World Service has all the build up and full match commentary of the Champions League Final from 1500 BST on Saturday,Ballack, who played for the Bavarian side between 2002 and 2006, believes he is the best young player in the Bundesliga.Playmaker Gotze, 20, has been ruled out of Saturday's final at Wembley against Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich because of a hamstring injury. Ballack said it would be a mistake for Bayern to write off Dortmund, who beat his former side 5-2 in the German Cup final last season without Gotze.The fact that Bayern signed him for so much money shows that he is maybe the greatest talent we have at the moment," he said.He will join Bayern in the summer for £31.5m after agreeing a deal in April.He is a big loss for Dortmund. Also, for the guy to reach his first final against his new club and then miss out, it's a shame.Ballack told the BBC World Service: "It's not just about Gotze. Dortmund are dangerous for Bayern Munich.Dortmund had a few fantastic games without him against Bayern in the last few years.

Hughes is leading contender

               Talks have not taken place but progress is expected next week.The 39-year-old Spaniard, whose side won the FA Cup but were relegated from the Premier League, had been expected to inform chairman Dave Whelan of his wishes on Thursday. He left Ewood Park four years later for Manchester City, where he spent 18 months before being replaced by Roberto Mancini.Stoke will not rush the appointment and although some at the club have privately spoken of a need to "change direction", Hughes has emerged as the choice of key decision-makers.The former Queens Park Rangers boss, 49, would be open to the prospect, with leading figures at the club of the view that Hughes would be a "good fit".The former Manchester United, Barcelona and Chelsea striker started his managerial career with Wales in 1999, before leaving the post to take charge at Blackburn in 2004.Pulis left Stoke on Tuesday after seven years in charge. Wigan manager Roberto Martinez is another under consideration but Hughes is the frontrunner.A one-season spell at Fulham followed, before he was named QPR manager in January 2012. He saved the Loftus Road club from relegation that season, but was sacked just three months into the following campaign.

Mark Hughes is leading

              

Talks have not taken place but progress is expected next week.The 39-year-old Spaniard, whose side won the FA Cup but were relegated from the Premier League, had been expected to inform chairman Dave Whelan of his wishes on Thursday. He left Ewood Park four years later for Manchester City, where he spent 18 months before being replaced by Roberto Mancini.Stoke will not rush the appointment and although some at the club have privately spoken of a need to "change direction", Hughes has emerged as the choice of key decision-makers.The former Queens Park Rangers boss, 49, would be open to the prospect, with leading figures at the club of the view that Hughes would be a "good fit".The former Manchester United, Barcelona and Chelsea striker started his managerial career with Wales in 1999, before leaving the post to take charge at Blackburn in 2004.Pulis left Stoke on Tuesday after seven years in charge. Wigan manager Roberto Martinez is another under consideration but Hughes is the frontrunner.A one-season spell at Fulham followed, before he was named QPR manager in January 2012. He saved the Loftus Road club from relegation that season, but was sacked just three months into the following campaign.

Hibernian and Glasgow City

             

Rangers remain third after a 1-0 win at Spartans, while Celtic were 3-1 victors at Falkirk.Hibernian thumped Hutchison Vale 9-0, with Lizzie Arnott netting a hat-trick, while City beat Buchan 7-0.Nicky Wright scored twice as Aberdeen won 3-2 at Forfar and Hamilton beat bottom club Kilwinning 2-1.

Chelsea Ladies fight back

              

  The home side were on the back foot, but they forced their way into contention and in the 27th minute drew level through Jakobsson's well-struck 20-yard drive.The Blues keeper then denied Da Costa, tipping the American midfielder's 79th-minute shot over the bar.The Blues had recovered well from their shaky start and either side of half-time looked the more likely team to find a second goal.But despite the late pressure Liverpool, managed by former Chelsea boss Matt Beard, could not force an equaliser. Third-placed Bristol Academy, who have played a game fewer than both Chelsea and Liverpool, are the only remaining team with a 100% record. They did so 12 minutes after the interval, Aluko netting a 12-yard shot after the ball had broken loose in a goalmouth scramble for her second goal of the campaign.It meant that the Reds lost their 100% record as well as their place at the top of the table to Emma Hayes's side.That stung Liverpool into a response and only a good save by Lynn prevented England midfielder Fara Williams from equalising with a long-range effort.

Steph Houghton strikes late

                

Striker Ellen White then fired wide of Bardsley's goal from a good position before the keeper saved again from Little before half-time.Lincoln had created no clear-cut chances but with just a couple of minutes remaining they went ahead when Roberts tapped home from close range. Everton and Birmingham City, fourth and fifth in the table respectively, battled out a goalless draw. She also had to tip a Gilly Flaherty shot over the bar as the visitors continued to create the better openings after the breakArsenal looked set for a second successive defeat but they salvaged a point when Houghton smashed home a 20-yard shot in the last minute. .The Gunners forced a succession of corners but, with Lincoln defending frantically at times, a breakthrough still proved elusive.

Bristol overtake Chelsea

            

  Bristol were in control for the majority of the game, though they were unable to create any clear-cut scoring opportunities in the early stages.Natalia doubled the lead two minutes later, the Spaniard running at the defence then striking home a 12-yard shot for her fifth goal of the season.The first on-target goal attempt came at the other end, Brazilian midfielder Ester Dos Santos forcing goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain into a 34th-minute save.And a third goal almost arrived in the 67th minute as midfielder Lucy Staniforth smashed a 25-yard drive against the crossbar.But the home side were quickly back on top, and three minutes before half-time striker Natasha Harding's 18-yard shot was well saved by keeper Shannon Lynn.Chelsea attempted in vain to fight back as Bristol maintained their grip right to the end of an entertaining game.Academy then started the second half at a blistering pace and went ahead when Rose headed in captain Corinne Yorston's inswinging 48th-minute corner.

Doncaster Rovers Belles

                  

  We've had support from all over the world and people are angry and bemused at the decision.The FA made its decision via an independent panel where clubs were assessed on their financial sustainability, where factors such as management, marketing and the quality of their coaching staff and facilities were considered.But we are built on a wider fabric than one big benefactor. Doncaster Rovers Belles are a massive community club. We are made of strong stuff and we will fight on.Doncaster discovered the news after one game of this season, with boss John Buckley calling the situation "farcical".As one of the founding members of the national women's league, Doncaster have twice won the league and FA Cup double and were synonymous as women's football grew in the early 1990s.The decision to split the league into two tiers, with relegation and promotion between both, is part of the FA's five-year plan to make women's football the second most-played sport in the country behind men's football. But from next season the summer league will expand to two divisions, with Manchester City joining seven other teams in FA WSL 1.To say we are disappointed might be the understatement of the year," Rovers chairman Alan Smart told BBC Sport.Having finished second from bottom in the first two WSL seasons, Doncaster will drop down a division to FA WSL 2 and compete against nine other sides.

Everton reach Continental Cup

          

The 33-year-old was quickly in the action on her return to set up midfielder Millie Bright for a second-minute 25-yard shot that flew past the post.Donny had chances to regain the lead straight after the break, but keeper Lizzie Durack made excellent saves from Smith and then defender Ashleigh Mills. Everton will be joined in the semi-finals by local rivals Liverpool if the Reds get at least a draw from their final game in the same group, against Chelsea on Sunday.And England was unlucky not to put the Belles in front when her well-struck 12th-minute shot thudded against the crossbar.Despite creating several other half-chances, however, Donny were on the way to defeat when Jones scored with a tremendous 20-yard shot.Her strike partner Jessica Sigsworth then ran with the ball from inside her own half before firing in a long-range effort that went narrowly wide.And three minutes into stoppage time Duggan completed the scoring from the penalty spot following a foul on midfielder Kelly Jones.The pressure paid off, though, as the home side took a deserved lead in the 35th minute with England latching on to an inch-perfect Sigsworth through-ball to shoot home.

Glasgow City ease to away victory

              

Kilwinning recorded their first points of the season in a 5-4 win over relegation rivals Falkirk. Buchan also triumphed 5-4 against Hamilton Accies.I was really delighted for Sarah Crilly to get the third goal. She took it very well and getting a third killed the game.Glasgow City's Suzanne Lappin broke the deadlock at second-placed Hibs in the first half, closely followed by a Leanne Ross penalty to put the reigning champions 2-0 ahead at the break.Leanne Crichton was very composed with the fourth to round off a very good day for us and a massive well done to all the players.Further goals for City came through Sarah Crilly and Leanne Crichton to round off an excellent day for the league leaders.Kilwinning recorded their first points of the season in a 5-4 win over relegation rivals Falkirk. Buchan also triumphed 5-4 against Hamilton Accies.City head coach Eddie Wolecki Black said: "We are obviously very happy with the result and I have to say that Hibs are as good a team as we have played against this season.

Lyon aim for historic

            

In Lyon, the tournament debutants face a club who have gone 118 competitive games without losing other than on penalties.Despite those achievements, Wolfsburg midfielder Martina Mueller insisted her side were not intimidated by Lyon.Their fearsome form continued in the semi-finals, where fellow French team Juvisy were beaten 9-1 on aggregate thanks to doubles in both legs from the club's second all-time goalscorer Lotta Schelin. Mueller's belief comes from a breakthrough season for the north German team in which they have won their first Bundesliga and German Cup titles,  as well as defeating Arsenal 4-1 on aggregate to make the Stamford Bridge showpiece.The Sweden striker will take on an ever more important role in the final after fellow attacker Laetitia Tonazzi, who has scored 17 top-flight goals this term, was ruled out with a calf injury. Unfortunately for Wolfsburg, striker Selina Wagner - who scored in the second leg against Arsenal - will miss the fixture after being ruled out for six months  with a ruptured cruciate knee ligament. In better news for Lyon, Swiss midfielder Lara Dickenmann is expected to have overcome a calf problem in time for the match.We announced during pre-season training that we wanted to win everything. With the girls, we set ourselves the challenge of winning as many games as possible and of achieving our goals.Lyon have also established a track record of beating German opposition, after seeing off Turbine Potsdam and Frankfurt in the previous two Women's Champions League finals.

Sheffield Utd seek Stuart McCall

        

  Motherwell finished their season on Sunday with a 2-0 defeat by St Johnstone but McCall's side had already clinched second place in the Scottish Premier League and a place in next season's Europa League qualifiers.McCall, who took over at Fir Park midway through season 2010-11, signed a new two-year deal with Motherwell in March. I've always been happy here and if anything at all ever comes up and is put to me that is the time we'll talk about it, but at this moment in time it's been pure speculation.And, speaking after the the match McDiarmid Park, McCall said: "It's a story that's not worth speaking about because it's all speculation.t is understood Motherwell have acknowledged the approach from the Blades but that no major developments are imminent.I've never as a player, coach or manager sought to go elsewhere.I think when you've had a decent season, or a couple of decent seasons which I've been fortunate to have, then speculation will grow.