EFL clubs are poised to vote next month on a significant proposal to expand the Championship play-offs to include six teams.
An extraordinary general meeting has been scheduled for March 5, where all 72 EFL clubs will convene to discuss the plans. The Football Association’s board has already given its approval to the proposed changes.
Should the motion pass, the new format could be introduced as early as next season, incorporating an eliminator round similar to the system currently used in the National League.
Under the proposed structure, the team finishing fifth in the league would face the eighth-placed side, while the sixth and seventh-placed teams would also compete.
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The FA board gave its backing despite reservations which have previously come from the Premier League (Getty)
These initial encounters would be one-off ties, hosted at the home ground of the higher-ranked club.
The winners would then advance to a two-legged semi-final against the teams that finished third and fourth, culminating in the traditional Wembley final.
The FA board gave its backing despite reservations which have previously come from the Premier League, concerned over the possibility of declining standards if sides that finish eighth in the second tier make it to the top flight.
The regulation change which was approved by the EFL’s board last week must receive a simple majority backing from the the 72 clubs as a whole, and also within that the majority of the 24 Championship clubs.
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Clubs have been consulted on the plans and they are expected to go through with a high level of support within the Championship, not only because it would keep the door open for more clubs in the promotion fight, but also reduce the number of dead-rubber league fixtures late in the season.
While the expansion plans are limited to the Championship play-offs for now, there is some interest in this being expanded to League One and League Two in the future.
But while ‘Bud’ announced his retirement several months later, Canelo has opted to remain in the sport for a little while longer.
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It was announced by Turki Alalshikh last month, in fact, that the Mexican will headline a card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this September.
Along with that, Alalshikh added that Canelo is set to face one of the champions at 168lbs, presenting him with an opportunity to reclaim one of his titles.
As it stands, the only current male super-middleweight world champions are Christian Mbilli and Jose Armando Resendiz, with the WBO and IBF titles remaining vacant following Crawford’s departure.
And, of the two, WBC champion Mbilli is perhaps the obvious candidate for a Canelo clash, given his fan-friendly style and Alvarez’s traditionally productive relationship with the WBC.
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The unbeaten Frenchman comes off a 10-round draw with Lester Martinez, featuring on the undercard of Canelo-Crawford, which saw Mbilli retain his WBC ‘interim’ strap.
Serena Williams eligible to return to Tennis this Month
Serena Williams will be eligible to return to professional tennis in 13 days if she chooses.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has confirmed that Serena Williams will complete the required six month period in the anti-doping testing pool on February 22, clearing her to compete again under professional rules.
This simply means Williams has met the eligibility requirement for a return after time away from the Tour. No announcement has been made by Williams or the WTA regarding future plans.
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Williams last played competitively in 2022 and stepped away as a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion and one of the most successful players in tennis history.
If she decides to return, she will likely play in major US tournaments like Indian Wells and the Miami Open, where former champions are often granted wild cards.
Manchester United ticked off another game in their race for Champions League football thanks to Benjamin Sesko’s smart finish in added time at West Ham
23:59, 10 Feb 2026Updated 23:59, 10 Feb 2026
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Manchester United are six points above Liverpool in the Premier League top five after drawing 1-1 with West Ham United on Tuesday night. Benjamin Sesko’s injury-time leveller maintained Michael Carrick’s unbeaten start to life in interim charge.
The draw moves United up to 45 points, with Chelsea just one point behind after their 2-2 draw against Leeds United. Liverpool face Sunderland on Wednesday night before the Premier League pauses for FA Cup action this weekend.
United are next in action on February 23 when they travel to Everton. Here, the Manchester Evening News takes a look at United’s upcoming fixture list compared to some of their Premier League rivals.
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.
Here at The Manchester Evening News, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester United coverage and analysis.
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NEW DELHI: Sri Lanka batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa has clarified his recent comments about the bats used by Indian cricketers after they sparked major controversy during the T20 World Cup 2026. His earlier remarks were interpreted by many as an allegation of “bat-tampering” or unfair equipment advantages for Team India, but Rajapaksa said his words were misunderstood and taken out of context.
How PCB, ICC, BCB reached a resolution on India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup match
In a social media post, Rajapaksa explained that his intention was to praise India’s cricketing setup and equipment standards, not accuse anyone of wrongdoing. “Hi all, just a quick clarification about comments from a recent interview that have been interpreted differently and, in parts, lost in translation,” he wrote. “My point was meant as praise: Indian cricket is incredibly advanced, from its systems and infrastructure to its equipment standards. Their bat manufacturers are truly among the best in the world. In hindsight, I could have provided clearer context. Nothing but respect always,” he added.The controversy began after Rajapaksa was quoted as saying, “Indian players have bats that are far superior to the best bats we get. It feels as though a layer of rubber has been applied. I can’t imagine how that’s possible. These bats can’t even be bought by others — all players know this.” These comments led to online debates and speculation about whether Indian players were using special or modified bats.However, no official complaint was made to the ICC, and neither India nor Sri Lanka issued any formal statement on the matter. The episode mainly remained a social media and fan discussion.In cricket, ball tampering has long been a sensitive topic, but bats have also been discussed in the past, especially regarding size and power. The ICC has rules on bat dimensions, such as the maximum thickness of the edges, but there are no regulations on the quality of the willow used to make bats. With English willow becoming rarer and more expensive, some fear that wealthier teams and players could gain an equipment advantage.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson warms up at Soldier Field on Jan. 8, 2023, wearing a shirt honoring Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin before facing the Chicago Bears in Illinois. The pregame gesture reflected league-wide solidarity as Jefferson prepared for kickoff during a late-season divisional matchup. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is not for sale on the trade block, but CBS Sports doesn’t believe it. Jordan Dajani published “10 crazy predictions” this week, fresh off the steam of the Super Bowl, and at the very top of his list, he predicted Jefferson to Buffalo via trade.
The idea is louder than it looks, because Jefferson’s value is massive, and Minnesota’s financial hit would be brutal.
It’s the latest in an offseason that Minnesota will navigate without general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, who was fired on January 30th.
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CBS Sports Tosses a Loud Jefferson Trade Idea Into the Offseason
The offseason starts with one hell of a theory.
Buffalo Bills helmets line the sideline at Caesars Superdome during second-quarter action against New Orleans, with the scene unfolding on Nov. 25, 2021, in Louisiana. The image captured a quiet stretch as the Saints and Bills battled through a physical matchup, with equipment staged neatly as play continued under the dome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports.
CBS Sports: Jefferson to Bills
Dajani’s article did not include a barrage of trades; it only featured two. Jefferson to Buffalo and George Pickens to the Denver Broncos.
He explained on Jefferson, “Joe Brady’s name popped up on NFL radars in 2019, when he served as the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach at LSU. The undefeated Tigers had a historical season, which was powered by the play of Joe Burrow, Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase.”
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“Now, he’s the head coach of the Bills, and this offseason, Buffalo makes an aggressive move to pair its new coach with a friend of his — sending the Minnesota Vikings a package of picks for Jefferson. Why would Buffalo choose now to take a big swing at receiver? After all, Brandon Beane hasn’t been this aggressive before. Realize that the Bills front office is under just as much pressure as Brady to prove that the firing of Sean McDermott wasn’t a mistake.”
For now, the Bills’ WR1 is Khalil Shakir, who usually totals about 750 receiving yards in a season.
Dajani continued, “It’s about winning right now for the Bills, and what they will do is lean into Brady’s vision for the offense. Yes, Brady oversaw the No. 1 rushing attack in the NFL this past season, but his background is passing the ball. Jefferson is coming off his worst NFL season, as he set career lows in receiving yards (1,048) and receiving touchdowns (2).”
“We all know he’s one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. His career 90.2 receiving yards per game ranks No. 2 in NFL history, and his 7,432 receiving yards through five seasons were the most in NFL history. Imagine a talent like Jefferson teaming up with a quarterback like Josh Allen.”
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Vikings fans saw the Dajani theory and grimaced.
A $46 Million Dead Cap Challenge
If the Vikings fulfill this prophecy by trading Jefferson before June 1st, they’ll swallow a dead cap penalty of $46 million. Yes, that means the team would “pay Jefferson not to play here,” which just seems mind-boggling for a player who rather emphatically has not asked for a trade.
Theoretically, trading Jefferson after June 1st would ease the dead cap pain, zinging Minnesota for about $14 million.
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Still, there’s just no reason on God’s green earth for Minnesota to offload its best player when the man has not asked for it.
The Bills’ Would-Be WR Corps
From the Bills’ standpoint, hell yes, adding Jefferson would net dividends and reignite a dejected fan base that just watched the Bills fall short of the AFC Championship in a set of playoffs that didn’t feature Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, or Lamar Jackson for the first time in seven years.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson celebrates in the end zone after scoring late at Lumen Field, with the moment arriving on Dec. 22, 2024, in Seattle. The fourth-quarter touchdown energized Minnesota’s sideline as Jefferson capped the drive against the Seahawks in a hostile road environment under bright primetime lights. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images.
The Bills’ WR group for Josh Allen would look like this:
Justin Jefferson
Khalil Shakir
Keon Coleman
Josh Palmer
Curtis Samuel
Tyrell Shavers
Mecole Hardman
Stephen Gosnell
The trade would draw parallels to the Vikings-Bills swap in 2020 for Stefon Diggs. You know, the deal that Minnesota used to extract Jefferson from the 2020 NFL Draft.
Vikings Reduced to Nubbins
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Minnesota would probably net a 1st-Rounder for Jefferson or something similar, but the playmaking corps would shrink with the snap of two fingers. Kevin O’Connell would promote Jordan Addison to WR1, probably re-sign Jalen Nailor, get some targets to last year’s rookie Tai Felton, and use free agency or the draft to find one extra competent receiver.
If you’re wondering why the Vikings would trade Jefferson — keep wondering. There’s no good reason for it; Jefferson hasn’t yet turned 27, and the passing game would risk full futility without him.
Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson reacts after finding the end zone at Bank of America Stadium during third-quarter action, with the play coming on Oct. 1, 2023, in Charlotte. The touchdown punctuated Minnesota’s offensive rhythm as Jefferson answered coverage with precision against Carolina’s secondary in a pivotal road moment. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports.
It’s why most, besides Dajani, don’t think a Jefferson trade is realistic.
Other theories this offseason have suggested that Minnesota could trade Addison — not Jefferson — and those ideas make a bit more sense because Addison isn’t as productive as Jefferson and he can’t stay out of trouble off the field.
The Bills will start the 2026 offseason about $8 million over the salary cap.
Manchester United will reportedly appeal JJ Gabriel’s red card which threatens to rule the 15-year-old out of an important upcoming FA Youth Cup clash
Jim Quinlan Sport Trends Writer
23:28, 10 Feb 2026
Manchester United have reportedly decided to appeal JJ Gabriel’s red card, which the 15-year-old received during the Under-18s’ 4-3 victory over West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday.
Gabriel contributed two assists as United took a four-goal lead into the half-time interval of their Premier League Under-18 Cup clash. West Brom managed to pull one back after 52 minutes, and upon the restart the youngster became involved in a tangle with an opponent off the ball, resulting in his sending off.
It did not take long for the academy forward – who has already trained with the senior squad under both Ruben Amorim and Michael Carrick – to react.
Posting video footage of the incident on his Instagram stories, Gabriel fumed: “How can this be a yellow let alone a red, how?”
According to BBC Sport, Gabriel’s view reflects that of United and the club intend to appeal their youth player’s impending suspension.
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The red card is due to carry a three-match ban that would prevent the young talent from featuring in United’s FA Youth Cup fifth round clash with Oxford United next Wednesday, February 18.
Gabriel featured in the previous round, starting and playing 115 minutes as Darren Fletcher‘s side defeated Derby County after extra-time at Old Trafford.
Either side of the important meeting with Oxford, Gabriel would be in line to sit out an U18s Manchester derby against Manchester City and finally a meeting with Wolves U18s.
For now, the club wish to temper expectations and as reported by MEN Sport, sources close to the youngster understand it is not much hassle in keeping the 15-year-old grounded. He has a strong family support and a circle of friends, who don’t let him get ahead of himself.
They have done all they possibly can to keep Gabriel out of the clutches of European rivals and the youngster has a bright future ahead.
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Here at The Manchester Evening News, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester United coverage and analysis.
Make sure you don’t miss out on the latest United news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.
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Ex-NFL star Boomer Esiason said Tuesday that American Olympians “should just pipe down” as several competitors garnered backlash for speaking out on hotly debated political topics in the U.S. while in Italy.
Esiason was on his daily WFAN Radio show with Greg Giannotti. The former Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets star said he was watching Team USA figure skating win gold in one event over the weekend. Giannotti asked whether they were “happy to represent America.”
Boomer Esiason speaks on stage during the 2019 New York City Police Foundation Gala at New York Hilton Midtown on April 30, 2019 in New York City.(Owen Hoffmann/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
“They seem to be happy to represent America,” Esiason said. “Not everybody is, but everybody should just pipe down and just do their sport and play for our country and respect the flag and respect everything that’s going on.”
“It brings up mixed emotions to represent the U.S. right now, I think. It’s a little hard. There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren’t,” Hess said.
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Hunter Hess of the United States reacts during the Men’s Ski Halfpipe Final at the Toyota US Grand Prix at Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort on Jan. 9, 2026 in Aspen, Colorado.(Dustin Satloff/U.S. Ski and Snowboard/Getty Images)
“I think, for me, it’s more I’m representing my friends and family back home, the people that represented it before me, all the things that I believe are good about the U.S. If it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I’m representing it. Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.
“I just kind of want to do it for my friends and my family and the people that support me getting here.”
Hess backtracked in a social media post on Monday after President Donald Trump called him a “real loser.”
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Lillis said that while he “would never” want to represent another country in the Games, he’s “heartbroken” over the administration’s actions, regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Minnesota.
“I love the USA. I would never want to represent a different country in the Olympics. With that being said, a lot of times, athletes are hesitant to talk about political views and how we feel about things.
Bronze medalist Christopher Lillis poses on the podium during the awards ceremony for the men’s aerials at the 2024-25 FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup at Beidahu Ski Resort in Jilin City, Jilin province, China. It happened on Feb. 23, 2025.(Yan Linyun/Xinhua via Getty Images)
“I feel heartbroken about what’s happening in the United States. I’m pretty sure you’re referencing ICE and some of the protests and things like that,” he continued. “I think that, as a country, we need to focus on respecting everybody’s rights and making sure that we’re treating our citizens as well as anybody, with love and respect. I hope that when people look at athletes compete in the Olympics, they realize that that’s the America we’re trying to represent.”
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Fox News’ Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report.
Ukraine’s Vladyslav Heraskevych on Tuesday said he would be wearing a “helmet of remembrance” in honour of those killed in the war with Russia in the skeleton competition at the Winter Games despite the International Olympic Committee’s ban.
Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing will crown its inaugural champion next month.
The newest boxing promotion on the block has promised big things for the sport, looking to break the mould set by the four major sanctioning bodies, the WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF.
While White may have recently dialled back on a previous promise not to work with those organisations, he continues to push ahead with the introduction of a Zuffa championship, and the cruiserweight division will host the first title fight.
With signings still taking place, how Opetaia, or indeed Glanton, defend their belt following this clash remains to be seen. What will be interesting for fans, however, is how the IBF plays a part.
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With Opetaia still keen on facing either WBC champion Noel Mikaelian or WBA and WBO titleholder Gilberto Ramirez, the IBF must approve this defence – or unification of sorts – for him to keep his title. Glanton is currently ranked at number 15 with the sanctioning body. The fight tops a card at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas on March 8.
