Italian football stands on the brink of a Champions League “debacle” – with the prospect of no Serie A clubs competing in this season’s last 16.

Since the reintroduction of the last-16 knockout round to Europe’s showpiece competition in 2003-04, there has always been at least one Italian representative – on 12 occasions in the past 22 years, there have been three.

In fact, not since 1987-88, when Napoli went out in the first round of the European Cup to Real Madrid, has no Serie A club made the last 16 of the competition – or first knockout round when it took other formats.

But Inter Milan’s shock play-off exit to Norwegian debutants Bodo/Glimt on Tuesday means either Juventus or Atalanta will have to overcome first-leg deficits to keep that run going.

Juventus trail Galatasaray 5-2 heading into a return meeting in Turin, while Atalanta are 2-0 down on aggregate before Wednesday’s home leg with Borussia Dortmund.

Inter – finalists last season – lost 2-1 at San Siro against Bodo, having suffered a 3-1 defeat in the first leg.

It is the first time the Milan giants have been knocked out of the Champions League by a team from outside Europe’s top five leagues, those from England, Spain, Germany, Italy and France.

“This is a big wake up for Italian football,” said Italian football journalist Daniele Verri.

“Juventus will need to win 4-0 and Atalanta need to win 3-0. [For them all to go out] would be a complete debacle, a disaster for our clubs.

“Tonight Ronaldo and Christian Vieri were guests at San Siro, and this is a symbolic clash with what has been and what is.”

Inter signed Ronaldo and Vieri for world-record fees in the late 1990s, when Serie A was the envy of world football, blessed with the game’s most talented stars.

AC Milan then beat Juventus to win the Champions League in 2003, losing to Liverpool on penalties in the final two years later, before defeating the Reds to become European champions again in 2007.

While there have been more recent successes in Europe’s other competitions – Atalanta won the Europa League in 2024, Roma won the Conference League in 2021 – Jose Mourinho’s Inter were the last Italian side to win the Champions League in 2010.

Inter’s European exit comes despite being 10 points clear of rivals AC Milan in Serie A and a further four ahead of defending champions Napoli, who failed to make it out of the Champions League’s league phase.

“It is a piece of history,” said journalist Vincenzo Credendino. “Speaking about Italy and Inter, this is one of the worst pieces.

“Inter are the best in Italy, but maybe it is time to think not about what can happen in one or two years, but about 10 or 15 years – and on that side we can see generally Italian football is not on the same level of top European leagues.”

The national team – European champions five years ago – must also win through a play-off in March to avoid missing out on a third successive World Cup this summer, having last lifted the trophy in 2006.

“It is a difficult time for Italian football and this shows it,” added European football expert Julien Laurens on BBC Radio 5 Live.

“Today, Inter Milan put pressure on but it was not enough from them. They have been the best team in Italy for the last few years. And Napoli as well, they haven’t even come close.

“It’s terrible for Italian football at the moment.”

Inter won five of their opening eight league phase games in Europe to finish 10th, with Juventus 13th and Atalanta 15th.

Yet in the play-offs, all have come unstuck against sides who finished lower in the table but play a more intense brand of football.

“What does it say about Italian football? That something needs to be changed,” added Verri.

“The level of Italian football is poor. It is a structural issue. We play very slow football. You can ask any manager in Italy and they will all say the same.

“I was talking to Claudio Ranieri the other day and he said: ‘Look, when I was in England at Leicester… people don’t train more than in Italy. They just do it with another intensity, and then they keep up that intensity during the games.’

“We play slow, and in Europe you suffer.”

While Inter boast a much more expensively assembled squad on far bigger wages than Bodo, who had nine Norwegians in their starting XI at San Siro, Verri says Italian clubs are seeing their best players move abroad.

Last season’s Serie A top goalscorer Mateo Retegui left for Al-Qadsiah in Saudi Arabia, for example, while former team-mate Ademola Lookman joined Atletico Madrid and Tijjani Reijnders left AC Milan for Manchester City.

While the majority of Italy’s national squad still play in the country, stars such as Gianluigi Donnarumma, Riccardo Calafiori, Sandro Tonali and Retegui are elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Laurens believes Serie A clubs are no longer producing good enough youngsters.

“Sporting CP, Club Brugge and Bodo have similarities in their success this season. Their scouting is great and their academies perform well,” he explained.

“The academies in Italy are not producing enough players or players who are fit to play in their first team. The way they spend their money is not what we are used to from Italian clubs.”

US government officials have been warned that there could be “catastrophic” security consequences if cities hosting World Cup matches do not receive funding that has been frozen.

Almost $900m (£666m) designated for the 11 host cities in the US has not been received amid a partial federal government shutdown.

Officials at a House Homeland Security Committee hearing said the freezing of funds and a lack of co-ordination between local entities and the federal government are two of the main reasons why security preparations are behind schedule.

Ray Martinez, chief operating officer of the Miami World Cup Host Committee, said it may have to cancel events unless organisers receive $70m (£52m) by the end of March.

“We’re 107 days out from the tournament but, more importantly, we’re about 70-something days out from starting to build the Fan Fest,” he said.

“These decisions have to be made. Without receiving this money, it could be catastrophic for our planning and co-ordination.”

The World Cup, which is also being hosted by Canada and Mexico, starts on 11 June.

USA’s game against Paraguay in Los Angeles on 13 June is the first of the 2026 tournament to be held in the US.

Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle are the US host cities.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which is part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), launched a Fifa World Cup grant programme in November.

It was intended to provide $625m (£462m) to host cities to “carry out the extensive security activities required to protect players, staff, attendees, venues and critical infrastructure across the host cities, strengthening them against potential terrorist attacks”.

The amount was increased by $250m (£185m) in December to “strengthen their ability to detect, identify, track, or mitigate unmanned aircraft systems [drones]”.

However, since funding has been frozen Kansas City deputy chief of police Joseph Mabin said his department does not have enough staff to cover the city’s security needs.

The Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Boston, is scheduled to host seven matches, but town officials have reportedly, external said it may pull out of hosting games unless it receives the funding.

England play Croatia in Dallas on 17 June, Ghana in Boston on 23 June and Panama in New York on 27 June.

Scotland play Haiti and Morocco in Boston on 14 and 19 June respectively before facing Brazil in Miami on 24 June.

The driver of the car involved in a fatal crash in which British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua was injured has appeared in court in Nigeria.

Joshua’s personal trainer, Latif Ayodele, and strength coach, Sina Ghami, died on 29 December after their vehicle collided with a stationary lorry near Lagos, Nigeria.

The former world heavyweight champion, 36, was treated in hospital for his injuries.

Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, who was driving Joshua when their car crashed, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care, and driving without a valid driver’s licence.

The 46-year-oldappeared at Sagamu Magistrates Court in Ogun state near Lagos on Wednesday, when the case was adjourned until 13 March.

Prosecutors told the court they needed further time to prepare evidence.

Joshua was discharged from hospital two days after the Lexus SUV crashed on the busy Lagos-Ibadan expressway, in south-west Nigeria. Ghami and Ayodele were both pronounced dead at the scene.

Kayode, who was making his second appearance at court, is yet to enter a plea.

Since joining FC Bayern Munich on loan from Chelsea last summer, Nicolas Jackson has been limited to seven starts in 22 appearances across all competitions.

In Bayern’s last five matches, the Senegalese striker has featured for just 28 minutes across two brief cameos.

According to Sport Bild, Jackson is unhappy with his playing time — and his frustration is noticeable within the squad.

The report suggests that the 24-year-old is the only substitute openly showing his discontent, whereas players like Min-jae Kim, Leon Goretzka and Tom Bischof are accepting their limited roles without complaint.

Jackson is fully expected to return to Chelsea at the end of his loan spell.

Chelsea have been fined £325,000 and West Ham fined £300,000 for their mass brawl during their Premier League match at Stamford Bridge last month.

Late in injury time after Chelsea had come from 2-0 down to lead 3-2, a confrontation ensued between both sets of players following a challenge between Marc Cucurella and Adama Traore.

Tempers flared and West Ham defender Jean-Clair Todibo was sent off, following a VAR review, for grabbing Joao Pedro by the throat in amongst the mass altercation.

Both clubs were charged by the FA on February 4. It was alleged at that time that Chelsea players had been “improper and/or provocative” while West Ham players were “improper and/or provocative and/or violent”.

Jean-Clair Todibo was shown a straight red card for grabbing Joao Pedro by the neck AFP via Getty Images

Both clubs have now been fined after an independent regulatory commission determined that the charges stood up and both clubs required punishment. Video footage and referees’ report were used as evidence.

An FA statement on Wednesday said: “An independent Regulatory Commission has fined Chelsea FC and West Ham United FC for the mass confrontation at their Premier League fixture on Saturday 31 January 2026.

“It was alleged that Chelsea FC failed to ensure its players didn’t behave in an improper and/or provocative way around the 95th minute. It was also alleged that West Ham United FC failed to ensure its players didn’t behave in an improper and/or provocative and/or violent way at this time.

Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has followed his country’s football association in denouncing Morocco’s jailing of 18 Senegalese fans following January’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Rabat.

The Teranga Lions supporters were arrested during the final in the Moroccan capital, which was controversially suspended as the Senegal players left the pitch in protest against the late award of a penalty to the host nation.

Fans, in response, attempted to enter the field of play during the match on January 19, leading to the arrest of 18 people who were later charged with hooliganism and violence against security officials.

Prison sentences were handed out last Thursday to them, ranging from three months to one year, along with fines of up to 5,000 dirhams ($545).

“It seems this matter goes beyond the realm of sport and that is regrettable,” Sonko told the Senegalese parliament on Tuesday.

“For two countries that call each other friends, like Morocco and Senegal, things should not have gone this far.”

The 18 fans have denied any wrongdoing but have not appealed the sentence. Senegal, however, will seek a royal pardon from Morocco’s King Mohammed VI.

“If they do not, we have agreements that bind us and allow us to request that the supporters serve their sentences in their own country,” Sonko added.

The Senegal Football Association had immediately spoken out at the time of the sentences, describing them as “incomprehensibly harsh”.

“Clashes occur in numerous stadiums around the world, including every weekend in Morocco, without resulting in such sanctions,” Bacary Cisse, the president of the FSF’s communications committee, said.

“The treatment of these supporters therefore appears disproportionate.”

Defence lawyer for the 18, Patrick Kabou, had said on February 6 that they were still “waiting to learn the charges”.

He added that some had chosen to go on hunger strike against their detention and treatment.

In response to the sentencing, Kabou echoed the “incomprehensible” sentiment, saying his clients were “victims”.

Senegal were the eventual winners of the final after the match resumed following the players’ protest, securing a 1-0 win in extra time.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino says he was “very reassured” about Mexico’s hosting of football’s 2026 World Cup, in his first comments on the violence triggered by the killing of a drug cartel leader.

Mexico is one of the three host countries for the June 11-July 19 World Cup, along with the United States and Canada.

The country as a whole, but particularly one of the tournament’s host cities, Guadalajara, was shaken by the violence that followed the killing of the leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

“Very reassured, everything’s good. It’s going to be spectacular,”  Infantino said on Tuesday in the Colombian city of Barranquilla, two days after cartel members went on a rampage – including in Guadalajara – over the army’s killing of their leader Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera.

At least 74 people were killed during the operation to capture him at a ranch near Guadalajara and subsequent clashes between the security forces and suspected cartel members.

Only one was a civilian, according to the government, but residents and tourists alike were left scurrying for cover as cartel gunmen blocked roads in 20 of Mexico’s 32 states and torched vehicles and businesses.

“It feels like we’re in a war zone,” Javier Perez, a 41-year-old engineer, told the AFP news agency on Tuesday in the car park of a grocery store replete with burned-out cars, in the Jalisco tourist resort of Puerto Vallarta.

There will be ‘no risk’ to World Cup football fans in Mexico

The images of anarchy and violence were beamed around the world less than four months before the start of the World Cup, while FIFA on Monday refused to comment.

Infantino was speaking on Tuesday at a Colombian Football Federation event; however, his optimism was not reflected by the Portuguese Football Federation, which cast doubt on whether their team would play a friendly on March 29 in Mexico City.

The federation said it was “closely monitoring the delicate situation currently unfolding in Mexico”.

It added that the safety of players, coaches and supporters was a top priority, and security considerations would be the deciding factor.

Mexico national team coach Javier Aguirre was more upbeat, declaring: “All is going ahead as planned.”

Earlier, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum assured that there was “no risk” to World Cup fans and said the situation was “gradually returning to normal”.

Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco state, will host four group-stage matches.

Mexico City and the northeastern city of Monterrey will also host games. Both cities were spared from the recent unrest.

In addition to the four matches, including one of the most anticipated of the first round between Uruguay and Spain, Guadalajara will co-host with Monterrey the playoff tournament that will determine the last two teams to qualify for the World Cup at the end of March.

Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus ruled out the prospect of Guadalajara being dropped from the tournament over security concerns, saying there was “absolutely no risk” of a change in the lineup.

All eyes will be on the central state of Queretaro on Wednesday, when Mexico meets Iceland for a friendly, while a first-division game was suspended on Sunday in Queretaro over the violence.

Nathan Jones has explained his decision not to include Collins Sichenje in the starting lineup for Charlton Athletic’s clash with West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday evening.

The Harambee Stars defender had earned his first start in the previous match against Southampton, where Charlton Athletic secured a 1-1 draw, and he was substituted late in the game after an encouraging performance.

Following that display, many supporters anticipated that he would retain his place in the team for the trip to face West Bromwich Albion. However, despite the positive expectations, he was named among the substitutes for the encounter.

Nathan Jones has since pointed out that injuries and squad management influenced his selection decisions. He noted that one of his players was unavailable due to fitness concerns, while Collins Sichenje was not selected to start because of the demanding schedule.

The Charlton Athletic coach added that the defender had limited recent game time, making it difficult to ask him to begin another match within a short turnaround. He added that these adjustments, combined with other disruptions before kick-off, affected the team’s preparation.

“We lost Lloyd Chamberlain, who shouldn’t really play. We couldn’t play Collins because of the second game in three to four days, since he hasn’t played football. So again, you know, those things, the massive disruption before the game,” Nathan Jones told Charlton Athletic media.

Nathan Jones also reflected on the draw between Charlton Athletic and West Bromwich Albion, describing the encounter as an open and fast-paced contest, particularly after the interval, when his side struggled to impose their usual structure.

The coach explained that although his team managed to produce a decisive moment to get on the scoresheet, they were unable to maintain consistent control throughout the match, which he said does not align with the standards and principles they work on in training.

Despite the challenges, Nathan Jones acknowledged the quality within the opposition’s ranks and admitted that competing at this level requires resilience and consistency.

While he felt his side could have secured more from the fixture, he maintained that earning a point against such strong opponents reflects progress and indicates that the team remains in a competitive position overall.

“We didn’t. It was a bit of a basketball game second half. We showed a moment of quality and scored, but we didn’t have any control in that game, and that’s not how we train. We train, and we work, and we do stuff,” he added.

“So all these things, you know, and as I said, this level is brutal. It’s tough, tough, you know, it’s good players. I mean, you look at their squad, their squad’s fantastic. They’ve got a fantastic squad when you look at it. So for us to be competing, I’d be disappointed that we only come away with a point. It shows that we are not in the worst place.”