Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill says that Chris Atherton’s switch to the Republic of Ireland is “disappointing, but we have to accept it”.

Atherton made history in September 2022 when he became the youngest senior footballer in the United Kingdom at 13 years and 329 days old, when he featured for Glenavon in the League Cup in Northern Ireland.

The 17-year-old moved from Glenavon, who he had been with since the age of four, to Chelsea’s academy in July 2025 before signing a professional contract in October.

Atherton represented Northern Ireland at under-16 and under-17 level, and was a youth ambassador at the announcement in Nyon for the UK and Ireland’s successful bid to host Euro 2028 in October 2023, but has now changed allegiance to the Republic of Ireland.

Speaking at his squad announcement for the World Cup play-off semi-final in Italy, O’Neill said “every player has the right to make that choice”.

“He’s a young player that had been initially in the Republic of Ireland set-up,” he continued.

“He came back to be part of our set-up and I think Chris played maybe 17 times for representative teams for us.

“But every player has the right to make that choice, and obviously he’s made that choice.”

O’Neill also referenced the decision of Omari Kellyman, who is on loan at Cardiff City from Chelsea and switched to England from Northern Ireland in 2023.

Northern Ireland have also benefited from changes of allegiance, as Jamie Donley and Ronan Hale switched from England and the Republic of Ireland respectively in the past 12 months.

“We can’t handcuff them to a decision that they made initially,” O’Neill added.

“They have the right to make that choice once in their career, and Chris has decided to make that choice.

“We can only wish him well.”

Despite featuring in the Top 10 highest run-getters in IPL history, these legendary players have never won the orange cap even after 18 editions of the tournament.

IPL Trophy. (BCCI/IPL Photo)

Despite featuring in the Top 10 highest run-getters in IPL history, these legendary players have never won the orange cap even after 18 editions of the tournament.

IPL Trophy. (BCCI/IPL Photo)

Despite featuring in the Top 10 highest run-getters in IPL history, these legendary players have never won the orange cap even after 18 editions of the tournament.

As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 approaches its blockbuster start of the 19th edition on March 28, the tournament once again promises high-octane cricket, massive runs, and individual brilliance. In an era dominated by batting, where the highest run scorer of season leads to the prestigious Orange Cap, there is a shocking fact that some of the IPL’s greatest run-scorers have never claimed the award.Despite featuring in the Top 10 highest run-getters in IPL history, these legendary players have never won the orange cap even after 18 editions of the tournament.1. Rohit Sharma: One of the biggest names in IPL history, Rohit Sharma is also one of the most successful captains, leading Mumbai Indians to five titles (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020). Known for his elegant batting, Rohit ranks 2nd in the top run-scorers in IPL history with 7,046 runs in 272 matches. Rohit Sharma’s best IPL season with the bat was arguably 2013, where he scored 538 runs to lead the Mumbai Indians (MI) to their maiden title. Despite his impact, he has never won an Orange Cap. 2. Shikhar Dhawan: Sitting 3rd on the all-time run charts, Dhawan has amassed 6769 runs in 222 matches. He came close to winning the Orange Cap in 2020 and 2021, where he was among the top contenders but narrowly missed out. Representing teams Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals, and Punjab Kings, Dhawan has delivered several memorable performances but never topped a season.3. Suresh Raina: Suresh Raina Often called ‘Mr. IPL’ was the backbone of Chennai Super Kings’ batting lineup. He scored 5,528 runs in 205 matches Sitting on 5th on the all-time run charts. His best season came in 2013 (548 runs), but even then, he fell short of the Orange Cap an astonishing fact given his dominance during IPL’s early years.4. AB de Villiers: One of the most destructive batters in IPL history, AB de Villiers thrilled fans with his innovative stroke play. He ended his IPL career with 5,162 runs in 184 matches currently sitting on 8th position, with his best season coming in 2016 (687 runs, 3rd place). Batting mostly in the middle order often reduced his chances of accumulating the highest seasonal tally, keeping the Orange Cap just out of reach.5. Ajinkya Rahane: Ajinkya Rahane currently at 9th position in all time run getters has been a dependable opener in the IPL, scoring 5,032 runs in 183 matches. His standout season came in 2012 (560 runs for Rajasthan Royals), yet he never finished as the top run-scorer in any edition. Despite his classical style and consistency, the Orange Cap has eluded him.

Honourable Mention: MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni, one of the most iconic players in IPL history, has also never won the Orange Cap. The Chennai Super Kings legend has led his team to five titles (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023) and scored 5,439 runs in 278 matches. Known more for his finishing role than accumulating big seasonal tallies, Dhoni’s best seasons 2018 (455 runs) and 2019 (416 runs) still weren’t enough to secure the award mainly because his role as a finisher limited his opportunities to score big runs across the season.

Top 10 highest ‘run scorers’ in IPL history

Yang Hyun-Jun has delivered a clear message to Hearts and the latest Ibrox club, insisting the Celtic squad is fully focused on the title run-in after putting recent distractions behind them…

The winger was instrumental in Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Motherwell, netting twice to help close the gap at the top of the Premiership to just two points behind leaders Hearts with eight matches remaining.

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It has been a turbulent campaign for Martin O’Neill’s side, with injuries disrupting progress on the pitch while off-field issues have also created instability throughout the season.

However, there were signs of renewed unity at Celtic Park over the weekend, as the Hoops produced one of their finest performances of the season at a crucial stage of the campaign.

Yang believes the challenges of recent months are now in the past and says the team is fully committed to pushing hard in the closing weeks as they aim to secure another league title.

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Speaking post match after starring in Celtic’s 3-1 win Motherwell, Yang told the mainstream media via Daily Record: “The goal is to win the title now. What has happened this season is in the past now and I am only focusing on the present and what is to come.

“In order for a team to be successful there has to be obstacles. You don’t just get an easy win. It has been difficult at times but if we can achieve our goal this season it will be a massive boost to the team.

“I was really happy with the result and the performance. You can see the character in the team. It just feels like all of the hard work we are doing is paying off and you can see the path the team wants to take. It has to be one game at a time though at this stage of the season.”

Hyunjun Yang of Celtic scores his team’s opening goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park on March 14, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

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Yang added: “It was a very tough game. It was nice to get the two goals but my main priority was for the team and getting the win. I was fortunate to get the opportunities to score and I was very happy to contribute.”

“But I was more happy with the win. It was a very important three points following the difficult run of away matches.”

Hyunjun Yang of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the ScottishPremiership match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park on March 14, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“Motherwell are obviously a very good team. We prepared really well over the past week and I think that contributed to the win. I think this can give me and the team a lot of confidence that we can take into the next game and the rest of the season.”

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Arguably the greatest comeback of all, this one is so iconic that it has its very own title in France and Spain – La Remontada (The Comeback).

PSG were clinical at home, winning 4-0, but the Nou Camp sensed something special when Luis Suarez scored after just three minutes in the second leg.

Barcelona were two goals to the good at the break courtesy of a Layvin Kurzawa own goal, but still trailed by two goals on aggregate.

Lionel Messi scored a penalty soon after the restart but Edinson Cavani hit back to silence the home faithful, although it wasn’t the pendulum-swinging moment PSG hoped for.

Barcelona, now trailing 5-3, needed three goals in fewer than 30 minutes to achieve a miracle. Neymar scored a free-kick in the 88th minute to offer further hope, before the Brazilian stroked home a 91st-minute penalty to level the tie at 5-5 on aggregate.

But PSG were still heading through on away goals.

Then, with 20 seconds of added time remaining, La Remontada came to fruition when Sergi Roberto turned home Neymar’s chipped pass, with Barcelona becoming the only team in history to overturn a four-goal Champions League deficit.

Chelsea Football Club has been fined £10.75 million ($14.3 million) and received a suspended one-year transfer ban for breaches of financial regulations during the tenure of former owner Roman Abramovich. The Premier League confirmed the sanctions on Monday, noting that Chelsea had proactively reported potential violations.

Background of the Breach

The financial irregularities came to light in 2022, when American investors Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital acquired the club from Abramovich for £2.5 billion ($3.2 billion). The league stated that undisclosed third-party payments between 2011 and 2018 were made to players, unregistered agents, and other entities. These payments, which benefitted Chelsea, were not reported to the Premier League at the time.

Settlement and Sanctions

Chelsea accepted the fine, which was approved by an independent commission. The sanctions include an immediate nine-month academy transfer ban and a suspended one-year ban on first-team signings. No points deduction was applied.

The club said it was “pleased to reach a settlement with the Premier League,” adding that it “has treated these matters with the utmost seriousness and fully cooperated with all relevant regulators.”

The Premier League noted Chelsea’s proactive reporting and cooperation as mitigating factors, and confirmed that the breaches would not have impacted the club’s profitability and sustainability rules if properly accounted for at the time.

Previous Financial Penalties

Chelsea’s new ownership has faced multiple fines for financial mismanagement. In 2023, the club paid €10 million ($11.8 million) to UEFA for irregularities under Abramovich, and last year fines totaling €31 million ($36.6 million) were imposed for breaching break-even and squad cost regulations. A separate FA disciplinary process related to these breaches is still ongoing.

Nigerian defender Ekerette Udom scored a brilliant brace to inspire Xerez Deportivo FC to a dramatic 2–1 comeback win over UD Melilla in the Spanish Segunda RFEF on Sunday, March 15, 2026.

Xerez Deportivo came into Sunday’s match seeking victory to end a winless run but were stunned in the 57th minute when visiting Melilla took the lead through Lorenzo. They remained ahead until the 84th minute, when Ekerette Udom brought Xerez back into the game with a well-taken header to level the score and inspire hopes of a comeback win.

With the match heading towards a draw, Ekerette Udom struck again in stoppage time to complete his quick-fire double. The centre-back controlled the ball at the edge of the box, turned strongly while shielding a defender, and fired a low shot into the net to seal the victory. His second goal came deep into added time and sparked jubilant celebrations among the home fans.

Udom, who is on loan from Villarreal CF B, whom he joined in the summer of 2024, has now scored five goals this season despite playing as a centre-back. His impressive goal record continues the form he showed in Nigeria with clubs including Vandrezzer FC, Sunshine Stars, Dakkada FC, and Rivers United, where he was also known for scoring important goals.

Xerez Deportivo will now prepare for their next league match away to UD Almería B on Sunday, March 22, 2026.