“I think the biggest challenge is getting people to accept new ideas and a new competitive environment. Diet and nutrition are significant hurdles, as are training facilities," Butler said.

The top-tier competition has been on hold since the first phase ended on January 3.

Arsenal powered into the FA Cup fifth round for the first time in six years as the quadruple chasers crushed Wigan 4-0 on Sunday.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick called on his team to show a "reaction" against Girona on Monday in La Liga after their 4-0 thrashing by Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey.

Serie A referee designator Gianluca Rocchi said referee Federico La Penna was "clearly wrong" in showing Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu a second yellow card during Saturday's loss at Inter Milan, and apologised over the incident.

An impressive performance from Trent Alexander-Arnold on his first start in two-and-a-half months also helped Los Blancos move two points clear of champions Barcelona, who visit Girona on Monday.

Bangladesh women’s football team have entered the final phase of their home preparation for next month’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup, with no further international fixtures scheduled before the tournament kicks off on March 1 -- raising fresh concerns over their readiness.

Marc Guehi scored his first goal for Manchester City to seal a 2-0 win over minnows Salford in the FA Cup fourth round, while Burnley suffered an embarrassing exit against Mansfield on Saturday.

Harry Kane scored twice in the first half as Bayern Munich cruised to a 3-0 win at Werder Bremen on Saturday, restoring their six-point lead atop the Bundesliga table.

Chelsea eased into the FA Cup fifth round as Pedro Neto's hattrick inspired a 4-0 win at Hull on Liam Rosenior's return to the club that sacked him two years ago.

Debutants Rajshahi Stars completed a remarkable unbeaten campaign to lift the Bangladesh Women's Football League title, defeating Bangladesh Army 3-0 to seal the crown with a perfect 10 wins from 10 matches on Saturday.

Rennes, four days after firing coach Habib Beye, stunned Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 on Friday, snapping the defending champions' seven-match winning run in Ligue 1.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot is being kept awake by the challenge of managing his busy squad's workload.

Rajshahi finished with maximum points in the 11-team league.

The Nations League will be the focus for European international football for the year after the 2026 World Cup.

Atletico handed the defending champions their heaviest loss of the season, leaving Barcelona a mountain to climb in the return leg at Camp Nou.

Arsenal's lead at the top of the table now stands at four points as they aim for a first league title in 22 years.

Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe apologised Thursday for his "choice of language" after saying the "UK has been colonised by immigrants".

Tottenham Hotspur are "not a big club" because of their policy in the transfer market, former manager Ange Postecoglou has said in the wake of the London club's sacking of head coach Thomas Frank on Wednesday.

Thomas Tuchel has signed a new contract that will see him remain head coach of the England national football team through to the end of Euro 2028 in the UK and Ireland, the Football Association announced on Thursday.