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S&P Global Ratings on Friday revised Bahrain's outlook to "stable" from "positive", citing spending pressures that could push

Mikel Arteta revealed that many Premier League managers had been in contact with him after the Arsenal boss was charged by the Football Association for comments after the Gunners’ 1-0 defeat at Newcastle earlier this month. Arteta branded the officials’ decision not to overturn Anthony Gordon’s goal “an absolute disgrace” and waits to see the extent of his punishment. And Arteta highlighted that he and his manager colleagues were “all in this together” when it came to making improvements regarding officiating in the Premier League. “I have been in contact with many of them, I know most of them for many years and we are all in this together,” Arteta said. “We compete with each other but we understand our roles and understand our responsibility and we want to fulfil that to our best. “So everything we do has to be properly thought with good process in place and make sure we contribute to make it better. “We do meetings (with the officials) but sometimes individually. A lot of things happen.” I have been in contact with many of them, I know most of them for many years and we are all in this together Mikel Arteta Arsenal faced criticism after a public statement supporting Arteta’s comments was released earlier this month. But the Gunners manager defended his views, putting his reaction down to emotions after it was suggested his comments would set the wrong example as to how to treat referees. “I have given hundreds of opinions but you want to isolate one moment when I talked about something I believed and used it in a different way, I don’t think that’s fair”, Arteta said to a reporter. “We live the game with emotion. I react when a player scores a goal. I react when a player gives the ball away. We are constantly reacting – this is the game. “We live a game which is passionate and you play to win and so this has to happen and we have to react. “Let’s sit down here like a theatre and be on mute and see if this league and game will be interesting, it won’t. And that’s what makes it special.” Aaron Ramsdale will start in goal for Arsenal’s Saturday evening clash with Brentford as David Raya is not eligible to play against his parent club. Ramsdale’s father recently said the goalkeeper does not smile since summer signing Raya replaced him as the Arsenal number one. And Arteta responded by highlighting the attitude he demands of players who have fallen out of favour. He said: “Aaron is one of many players who is playing less than he wants. There are many unfortunately in a dressing room of 24 players. “The behaviour we demand is to challenge and to make each other better. “This is the purpose and to overcome the ability and to play and show with facts that you have to play more and show how wrong I am (for not picking him).” Read More Cristiano Ronaldo’s second-half brace inspires Al Nassr victory over Al Akhdoud Everton points penalty ‘draconian’ and ‘too harsh’ say Premier League protesters Australia see off Finland to reach Davis Cup final for second-successive year Neil Robertson not worried by slide down rankings ahead of UK Championship Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool can benefit from Alexis Mac Allister’s deeper role Kevin Sinfield says time is of the essence as he prepares to run for MND again

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has called Liverpool counterpart Jurgen Klopp the biggest managerial adversary of his career. The Reds visit the Etihad Stadium on Saturday lunchtime for the latest instalment of a classic rivalry that has so often gone a long way to deciding the destination of the Premier League title. City go into the game one point ahead of Klopp’s side, who look their most realistic title challengers, even if Guardiola says Arsenal and Tottenham are also in the race. Guardiola has had some battles over the years, notably with Jose Mourinho, but says Klopp has made him a better manager. Asked if the German was his biggest rival, he said: “Yes, by far. Because we have faced each other a thousand million times. “Absolutely, he made me better, he helped me reflect on a lot of things with the problems they have created for us, it’s part of when you are many years in this business, him and his teams, here and Dortmund have always been big rivals, good games for both, both teams have a positive approach to the games and always attractive. “I’m pretty sure he made me a better manager through his teams, and of course, the way we play for them is good with the transitions, they have a lot of space in behind, they are fantastic with the runs, they are a fantastic team, fantastic legs, a top side, no doubt.” After a poor season last year, where they missed out on Champions League qualification, Klopp’s side look back to their best and are clear challengers for the title. “Absolutely,” Guardiola said. “Arsenal will be too, I see them as so, so solid. Spurs even, the two defeats they had lately, the feeling when I see the way they are playing and with one game a week, I think they will be there. “Chelsea start to recover and have one game a week. I think the four or five contenders are there. I don’t know if Newcastle will join, maybe United will join us but many things can happen.” Read More Mauricio Pochettino wants managers ‘involved in decisions’ around referee reform Ange Postecoglou too busy with football matters to worry about agent-rules probe Many Premier League managers have been in contact after FA charge – Mikel Arteta

Ange Postecoglou insists he has too much on his plate to worry about an investigation by the Football Association into a potential breach of agent rules during a 2008 transfer which involves Tottenham. The Times reported this week that an unlicensed agent may have been used during the negotiations of Jermain Defoe’s transfer from Spurs to Portsmouth in the winter transfer window of 2008. The FA has confirmed to the PA news agency that they are looking at the case, which did go to an arbitration hearing at the time of Defoe’s move to Fratton Park in the 2007-08 campaign. PA has contacted Tottenham for comment. No action was taken against any party involved in the transfer, but with Spurs dealing with a growing injury list ahead of Sunday’s visit of Aston Villa in the Premier League, any potential punishment is far from Postecoglou’s mind. “In 2008? I think I was maybe coaching Brisbane Roar mate, so fair to say I wasn’t around then,” he said. “And really, if you think that’s coming across my desk? People are keeping a fair bit away from me at the moment because of what’s really important and that is we’ve got a big game on Sunday. “With the issues we’ve got around the team, that’s where my focus is. “It’s not across my desk, mate. For me to give you an answer would mean me sitting down with whoever is doing the investigation, whoever has all the information here, you know how many hours? “I don’t know if you’ve spent any hours doing that but I don’t have that time in my day to be assessing those kinds of issues. “With those kinds of things, any of those issues, there are those responsible, maybe I’m the spokesman, but I’m the spokesman for the football club in terms of the football. “I would hate it absolutely if you got a lawyer out here and he started talking about what sort of formation we should play at the weekend. With the issues we’ve got around the team, that’s where my focus is Ange Postecoglou on the current investigation “I’ll keep my mouth shut with those things, not for any other reason, but I respect the space that other people are in and that I’m in. “If you’ve got real questions about that, there are probably better people to ask than me.” Meanwhile, an FA spokesperson told PA: “We are looking at the case, and as part of that we will be reviewing the arbitration panel award.” Read More Pep Guardiola puts Jurgen Klopp on pedestal as ‘by far’ his biggest career rival Mauricio Pochettino wants managers ‘involved in decisions’ around referee reform Many Premier League managers have been in contact after FA charge – Mikel Arteta Cristiano Ronaldo’s second-half brace inspires Al Nassr victory over Al Akhdoud Everton points penalty ‘draconian’ and ‘too harsh’ say Premier League protesters Australia see off Finland to reach Davis Cup final for second-successive year

Get ready for an action-packed week of college football conference championship games! Check out the matchups, TV schedule, and locations here.

After social media posts suggested Josh Giddey had a relationship with a minor, the NBA is now stepping in to investigate the allegations.

Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables fell on his face running out of the tunnel.

The Philadelphia Eagles waived defensive end Derek Barnett on Friday. Here are three teams that should take a chance and add him for the remainder of the season.

The NBA MVP race continues to take shape, with Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the rise as Nikola Jokic and others maintain strong cases.

Following a hot start, what will Daryl Morey and the Philadelphia 76ers do at the NBA Trade Deadline?

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a stunning 40-yard lob as part of a quick-fire second-half double to help Al Nassr beat Al-Okhdood 3-0 in the Saudi Pro League. The Portugal star chested down a loose ball and expertly lofted home from distance in the 80th minute after opposition goalkeeper Paulo Vitor raced out to clear the initial danger. Ronaldo’s eye-catching finish was his 15th goal of the season and came just three minutes after he had doubled his side’s lead. The 38-year-old’s first of the evening was a powerful finish from a tight angle following a fine touch to kill a dropping ball. Victory for second-placed Al Nassr was their 11th from 14 games this term to move them a point behind leaders Al-Hilal. Midfielder Sami Al Naji opened the scoring at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh by slotting the ball home in the 13th minute before former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward Ronaldo took centre stage. Read More Everton points penalty ‘draconian’ and ‘too harsh’ say Premier League protesters Australia see off Finland to reach Davis Cup final for second-successive year Neil Robertson not worried by slide down rankings ahead of UK Championship

Everton fans have staged a protest outside the Premier League’s headquarters in London in response to the club’s 10-point punishment for breaching financial regulations. The Toffees were handed the sanction by an independent commission last week after they exceeded losses permitted under the league’s profitability and sustainability rules by £19.5million in the three seasons ending in 2021-22. Manager Sean Dyche expressed shock at the “disproportionate” penalty on Friday, a sentiment shared by the fans who gathered outside the Premier League’s offices in Paddington, west London. Paul, 36, who lives in East Dulwich but is originally from St Helens, is a season-ticket holder who will be at Sunday’s game against Manchester United. He told the PA news agency that the points deduction “felt draconian”, adding: “It just feels like the rules were deliberately vague to give flexibility for this kind of situation. “I think Everton have been deliberately targeted because of the threat of an independent regulator, and that feels wrong.” Alan Newton, 46, who lives in London but is originally from Maghull, held a season ticket for 10 years. He told PA: “Nobody’s saying that we’re not guilty as a club of anything, but the points that have been taken off is far too harsh a penalty. “Do I think that some of the other bigger clubs are going to get penalties like this or it’s going to play out the same? Probably not. “I think the likelihood is we’ll get a reduced penalty, it’ll set a precedent for other clubs and we’ll see what happens next.” The points deduction has left Everton 19th in the table and above bottom side Burnley only on goal difference. However, Amy Panayi, 28, who lives in Gravesend but is originally from Liverpool, does not believe the club will be relegated. “If we just get consistency with your teams like Manchester City and Chelsea, I will take a 10-point deduction,” she told PA. “I will say I don’t think we will go down, because there’s too much fight (and) heart there.” Read More Australia see off Finland to reach Davis Cup final for second-successive year Neil Robertson not worried by slide down rankings ahead of UK Championship Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool can benefit from Alexis Mac Allister’s deeper role Kevin Sinfield says time is of the essence as he prepares to run for MND again LTA urges British tennis fans to show ‘respect’ after Novak Djokovic row at Davis Cup Erik ten Hag prepared for Everton to be ‘mad’ and urges Man Utd to match them