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ByNizaar KinsellaFootball Reporter21 April 2026 23:12 BST309 commentsUpdated 32 mins agoChelsea’s head coach Liam Rosenior described his team’s performance as “indefensible”, “unacceptable”, and “indefensible”. This was a worrying performance, and a further drop in performance, given that Chelsea didn’t mount a shot at goal until the forty-fifth minute, and were error prone defensively. Chelsea’s five-game run without a goal is their worst since 1912. Rosenior said, “It was unacceptable from every angle, unacceptable with our attitude.” I keep coming out to defend the players. “That performance tonight is indefensible. The way we conceded the goals, the number of duels we lost, and the lack of energy in the team. Something drastic needs to happen right now. “I believe the players should also take a good look at themselves. You can talk about the basics, but tactics are after that. You can talk about tactics, but you should first learn the basics. This was a poor performance tonight. It was in front of influential coowner Behdad eghbali, and the club’s sports directors on the South Coast, where Rosenior started his coaching career. The Englishman’s future in the dugout will be questioned, and he has one last chance to save his season in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Leeds at Wembley. Chelsea’s Champions League dreams are in tatters, seven points behind the fifth-placed Liverpool and having played one more game. There are questions over whether the head coach, players or fans are on the right page. Rosenior’s remarkable interviews – the best quotes “I don’t think there’s any disconnect between me and the team. “We work closely with them during training, individual meetings and team meeting. We give everything to the players. “There’s a lack in spirit and lack of belief which can create this perception. I cannot argue with this at the moment, because the run that we’re on and the performance that was also unacceptable. “I’m emotional and it’s only a few days after the game, but that performance was unacceptable. We lost 80% duels and did not win a single head-to-head. “Tonight wasn’t [about] tactics. This was about spirit, desire, and courage, and I did see enough of those tonight. “It’s accountability. I have defended players when it was the right thing to do, but I cannot defend this performance. It doesn’t reflect the football club or anything I ask of the group. This has to change. “I feel numb I’m so angry. Something must change immediately. The professionalism was lacking”We need to take a look in the mirror. I need to look at myself in the mirror. Three or four players were lacking in the general attitude, spirit and determination. This is not enough for this team. “It’s unacceptable to be accused of giving up, whether you play for this elite football team or any other football club. All I have to say is that. I’m hurting. “We’ll do all we can to turn things around. We need to make the best decisions for the team before a big game on Sunday. “How bad is it for Chelsea?Image source, Getty ImagesChelsea have lost five successive league games without scoring for the first time since November 1912Their overall five-game losing streak is their longest in the Premier League since November 1993 Across each team’s past nine games in the Premier League, only Tottenham (2) have won fewer points than Chelsea’s fiveChelsea have just one win from their past nine matchesThe Blues are now without a clean sheet in any of their past 12 Premier League games – it is only the second time the Blues have had as long a run in the competition.Chelsea’s xG in the first half against Brighton (0.04) was lower than they had in any of Enzo Maresca’s 114 halves of Premier League football as Chelsea boss. This was also the longest time they had gone before taking their first shot in a Premier League match this season (41st minutes).Only West Ham (15), have conceded more [embedded content]What information do we collect from this quiz?For much of the match, supporters directed their frustration towards the hierarchy, while also chanting for former owner Roman Abramovich.Such song have been a recurring feature of Chelsea’s away support over the past 18 months and are increasingly being heard at Stamford Bridge.However, this was the first occasion on which Rosenior himself became the target of supporter anger, amid a growing sense that a sixth managerial change under the Clearlake Capital and Todd Boehly ownership group may be approaching.Chelsea’s stance has been that they will back Rosenior into next season with the intention to reserve judgement until the end of the next campaign.The hierarchy increasingly accept they have made multiple managerial mistakes and are searching for stability.In a rare interview earlier this month, influential co-owner Eghbali said: “I think we’re behind Liam. It’s a business of results, but we believe he can succeed long-term. “However, the situation has worsened and the fans have turned against Rosenior, making it more difficult to make the decision to keep Rosenior rather than make As head coach and manager, the buck ends with me. I am a tough guy and I can understand the fans’ feelings. “I’m frustrated by the performances we’re putting on and I need to keep working with the staff and players. I need to look at the way we play games, who we select, and who I can rely on in difficult situations, because today, not enough players showed me that. “‘Painful and ‘disgusting,’ what you saidSteve: Will Rosenior make it to the end? If they lose the FA Cup to Leeds at the weekend, they might be gone sooner. Stuart, London: Bring an interim manager in, the season is done. Cannot see this Chelsea side beating Leeds at the weekends.June, Northern Ireland, Has that taxi arrived for Rosenior.Trevor, Essex, Disgusting! Wearing a World Champions badge in gold! A blue Peter badge is too good for them right now! Tim, Penzance : This is painful as a Chelsea supporter. No Chelsea player is showing any hunger on the pitch. Clearlake needs to go, this is worse than in the 80’s.Related TopicsChelseaPremier LeagueFootballMore about

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Image source: Getty ImagesByNick MashiterFootball Reporter25 minutes ago155 commentsTen years ago Leicester was days away from winning Premier League. The Foxes will play in League One next season. They have been on a steep decline since winning the FA Cup 2021. Tuesday’s 2-2 tie with Hull City confirmed the relegation. The Foxes experienced all emotions in the last decade, from the shock of winning the FA Cup by a 5,000-1 margin to the tragic death of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha two years later in a helicopter accident. In 2016-17, they played Atletico in the Champions League quarter finals. The Foxes are now in the same league as Bromley, a team that has played non-league football for 132 years. The decline began after Rodgers’ dismissal in April 2023, when the club was in the bottom three. They still had internationals like Jamie Vardy and James Maddison, but they were unable to win the FA Cup. In the three years since Rodgers’ departure, Leicester has had seven managers. Sources question the decision-making, as the Foxes have lurched between styles with no identity. They went from Smith to Enzo Maesca who at least led them to the Championship title 2024. Steve Cooper, after a failed attempt to sign Graham Potter, to Ru Marti Cifuentes, who was appointed by Van Nistelrooy in July, was expected to take over with the same squad. He was sacked in January after finishing 14th, six points away from the play-offs. Former Foxes defender Gary Rwett was then appointed 24 days later, having been fired by releg Leicester has fallen even further under Rowett. The six-point deduction in February for violating EFL financial regulations left them only on goal differential from the relegation zones. Insiders were shocked at the poor performance of the team in the Saturday’s loss at Portsmouth. Harry Winks got into an ugly argument with fans after the match as he boarded his team coach. Winks, who was brought on as a substitute in the second half of the Hull game, was booed when he entered the field. Follow the reaction as Leicester is relegated from League OneLeicester is relegated after a draw against Hull. The impact of the owner’s deathThe impact that Vichai’s death has on the Foxes cannot be underestimated. The story of winning the Premier League in 2015-16 against all odds is one of the most inspiring sporting stories ever. Robert Huth, the key member of Foxes’ winning squad, said: “He was so important.” “He was a man who got things done.” “After Vichai died, his son Aiyawatt (known as ‘Top” in Thailand) took over the club and father’s business. Huth said, “Top is younger.” “He lost his father, he has to now run King Power. He is in the spotlight. It’s easy to criticise. “He lost his dad in public and it will have an impact. People tend to overlook this. He had to take the company over when he was only 33. You’re a teenager, you look to your father for guidance and it was taken from him overnight.” Leicester have taken steps in order to stop the decline. However, some sources have cited blame culture and a lack of responsibility from both the squad and the club. Huth, Leicester’s loan manager between 2022-2024, said, “I always found Jon to be fair, reasonable, and honest.” “They love Leicester, and want the club do well, but they need help. “Image source, PA MediaThe Fans’ verdict”It is heartbreaking to see us do so well and then dare to dream or to do the impossible,” Foxes Trust Chair Lynn Wyeth told BBC Sport. “I don’t believe anyone ever truly, honestly, thought that we would compete in the Premier League each season. We’re not deluded, but there was an optimism that we could start to be up there in the European spots quite frequently. “It’s not been a gradual slide. It has been in a free fall since Brendan Rodgers. “It all went horribly wrong very quickly. It “The financial impact of another relegationByDale JohnsonFootball issues correspondentLeicester’s relegation comes with serious financial question marks.After being deducted six points for exceeding the maximum loss threshold through to the 2023-24 season by PS20.8m, last month the club reported another huge loss (PS71.1m) for 2024-25.And that second season was as a Premier League club.Leicester had been operating a wages-to-turnover ratio of more than 100% for the two seasons to 2023-24, meaning they were paying out more just on salaries than they generated.Wages dropped to 82% for the Premier League relegation season – largely due to television income – but they still had several big earners.Those players had clauses that reduced their wages upon relegation, but Leicester have still had several of the highest-paid players in the Championship this season.Many of the big earners – such as Patson Daka, Ricardo Pereira and Winks – will be out of contract in the summer.But Oliver Skipp, who has won 10 England caps, is contracted through to 2029 and Jannik Vestergaard remains under contract after being given a three-year deal just before his 31st birthday in 2024.Finding new clubs for those players will not be easy.And then there’s the issue with Leicester’s loan from Australian investment bank Macquarie.In September, they went to Macquarie to bring forward instalments due from the transfers of Tom Cannon, Kasey McAteer and James Justin. In ‘Top’ has previously written off hundreds of millions of pounds in loans.But now it seems Macquarie has been providing lots of the advanced funding, spending future monies due.With television revenues much lower in the League One, there will come a point when there is not much left to take out loans against.From next season, clubs in League One will be restricted to spending 60% of their extra football income – such as prize money, cup earnings or transfer fees received – on player-related expenditure.With many players still at the club on – in League One terms – astronomical wages, it will be tough for Leicester to operate within these parameters.Related topicsLeicester CityPremier LeagueLeague OneChampionshipFootball

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Image source: Getty Images21 Apr 2026, 18 05 BST111 CommentsUpdated in 12 minutesEngland and Real Madrid player Jude Bellingham bought a 1.2% share of cricket team Birmingham Phoenix. The Edgbaston based side was one of eight Hundred franchises that were put up for sale. American investment group Knighthead Capital Management who own Bellingham’s former club Birmingham City bought a 49.9% stake for PS40m. Warwickshire retains their 51% stake. Bellingham has taken 0.6% from each side, meaning Warwickshire will still have 50.4% control. The deal, worth around PS1m, is expected to be confirmed on Wednesday. Bellingham, 22, played junior cricket in Worcestershire for Hagley Cricket Club. Asked last year who he would like to swap places with in a sportsperson, he replied England Test Captain Ben Stokes. Legendary NFL quarterback Brady also belongs to the Knighthead group.

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Image source: Getty ImagesByDale JohnsonFootball Issues Correspondent59 minutes ago395 CommentsChampionship Clubs have rejected the chance to introduce a video assistant referee (VAR) system for next season. Football Video Support (FVS), a variant of VAR that requires fewer resources and allows each coach to review two games per game, could’ve been brought in by August. Goal Line Technology will remain in the second tier. A cost-based study will be conducted before a vote is held in June on whether to extend it to League One. In recent months several managers have called for the introduction of VAR. Norwich manager Philippe Clement stated that there are “moments when I miss VAR in order to get the right decision” after his team conceded a penalty against Ipswich this month. Former Bristol City manager Gerhard Struber stated in January that there are “many indications, evaluations, and the decisions with VAR are better and fairer”. VAR is currently used in the second divisions of Spain, Italy, and Germany. The TV rights deal collapsed and it was scrapped for financial reasons. Slot claims VAR has been against Liverpool – Is he correct?6 days agoWe’ve complied with the financial rules – West Brom13 AprWhat is Football Video Support (FVS?) Football Video Support (FVS), has been tested for two years. It is designed for leagues with fewer cameras and officials. There is no VAR. Instead, a replay operator shows the match referee the camera angles on the pitchside monitor. The manager keeps the challenge if it is successful. Mark Bullingham, Football Association chief executive, said earlier this year that FVS “reduces the amount of times when there is a VAR intervention and effectively puts onus on the coach”. The referee only went to the monitor twice in the last two rounds in the Premier League. With FVS, that number could increase to four times a game – or even more if a manager’s challenge is upheld. Pacific FC and Supra du Quebec had a 2-2 score in injury time after the referee let a tackle from the home team’s Joshua Belluz go unpunished. Supra du Quebec challenged the straight red card for Belluz. It was not a foul that warranted a red card, but the referee needed to take the appropriate disciplinary action once he saw the monitor. Belluz received a yellow card, and as he had already been cautioned, he was dismissed. Supra du Quebec had lost their challenge but they used it tactfully to get a player dismissed. Then, they scored the winning goal during the extra time that was caused by the review. Related topicsChampionshipFootball