Nottingham Forest have asked Uefa for clarity after expressing their concerns over Crystal Palace’s Europa League place.
The Eagles won the FA Cup to qualify for Europe for the first time in their history, but Uefa must decide if they have breached its multi-club ownership rules.
Uefa’s final ruling will centre on American businessman John Textor, owner of Eagle Football – which holds a 43% stake in Palace.
Eagle Football also owns a 77% stake in French side Lyon, who – like Palace – have qualified for next season’s Europa League.
Uefa’s rules state “no individual or legal entity” can hold a majority of shareholder voting rights at two clubs in the same European tournament.
Forest finished seventh in the Premier League, earning a Europa Conference League play-off spot, but stand to gain if Palace are unable to compete in Europe and could be lifted to the Europa League.
Sources have told BBC Sport they have issued their reservations to Uefa.
Uefa’s regulations are in place to prevent collusion between clubs. Palace’s argument is their historic FA Cup win – beating Manchester City 1-0 last month – and European qualification was an achievement accomplished entirely on their own merit.
The club have insisted they are an entity which operates entirely independently, not within the structures of a multi-club model.
Palace also say there has been no employee, backroom staff or coach sharing with Lyon, no dialogue, no collaborative strategy, no combined partnerships, sponsorships or commercial deals and no collective scouting, analysis or software collaborations.
Forest have avoided this issue after owner Evangelos Marinakis diluted his control of the club.
The Greek businessman also controls Olympiakos, as well as Portuguese side Rio Ave and, at the time, Forest and Olympiakos were both on course to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Forest complied with the rules after Uefa changed the date to 1 March for clubs to highlight potential issues in ownership structures as it was becoming unmanageable to go through the checks required from the previous deadline of 1 June.
The first and second qualification rounds of the Europa League and Conference League are in July.
At that point Palace had not acted despite qualification through the FA Cup being a possibility.
BBC Sport contacted Uefa and Palace who declined to comment.
The World Cup of Darts gets under way on Thursday and teenage sensation Luke Littler will be making his debut in the competition.
In the international doubles tournament in Leverkusen, Germany, Littler and world number one Luke Humphries will pair up to represent England.
England are the defending champions, with Humphries winning it alongside former world champion Michael Smith in 2024.
The two players in each team will throw three darts each and alternate throughout the match.
Each team consists of the two best-ranked players from each nation based on the Professional Darts Corporation’s Order of Merit on 7 May.
The four top-ranked nations – England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland – have received a bye into the second round, which will consist of 16 nations.
Dutch world number three Michael van Gerwen opted not to play in the competition, effectively costing the Netherlands a spot in the second round.
The other 12 spots will be determined via the results of the group stage, where 36 teams will compete.
Those 36 nations have been split into 12 round-robin groups of three, with the group winners advancing to the second round.
The top 16 nations were seeded, with the nations ranked between five and 12 separated in the groups to face two unseeded nations in the group stage.
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Which players and nations are taking part?
A total of 80 players from 40 nations are taking part.
The numbers next to each nation indicate the seeding.
Through to the second round
Group stage
Group A
Group B
Group C
Group D
Group E
Group F
Group G
Group H
Group I
Group J
Group K
Group L
What is the format of the World Cup of Darts?
All rounds are played as one-off doubles matches.
During the group stage all matches are played in a best-of-seven-legs format.
In the second round, quarter-finals and semi-finals, matches are best of 15 legs.
When are the matches?
The 36 group stage matches will be played on Thursday and Friday.
Thursday’s session starts at 18:00 BST. Friday’s afternoon session starts at 11:00 and the evening session at 18:00.
All 12 second-round matches will be played on Saturday.
The afternoon session starts at 12:00 and the evening session at 18:00.
The quarter-finals, semi-finals and final will take place on Sunday.
World Cup of Darts prize money
A total prize pot of £450,000 is available.
The winning team will earn a combined £80,000, with the runners-up taking £50,000.
All teams in the group stage are guaranteed at least £4,000, while teams in the knockout rounds will earn a minimum of £9,000.
Prize money (per team)
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World Cup of Darts winners
The first edition of the World Cup of Darts was in 2010 and it became an annual competition from 2012.
Five different nations have won the competition and there have been eight different winning pairs.
Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis won it four times for England, and Van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld three times for the Netherlands.
Of the teams competing at the 2025 World Cup, Scotland’s Anderson and Wright, Wales’ Clayton and Price and Australia’s Heta and Whitlock have won the World Cup.
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The team will find out everything you need to know and be able to call upon a network of contacts, including our experts and pundits.
We will be answering your questions from the heart of the BBC Sport newsroom, and going behind the scenes at some of the world’s biggest sporting events.
A tattoo artist was delighted when Dani Harmer – star of 2000s children’s TV series The Story of Tracy Beaker – arrived at her studio with a very specific request
Dani Harmer paid tribute to her Tracy Beaker character in tattoo form (file)(Image: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images )
A tattoo artist couldn’t help but share her delight after a children’s TV star from Tracy Beaker arrived at her parlour with an unusual request. Dani Harmer played the lead role in The Story of Tracy Beaker – the television adaption of the popular Jacqueline Wilson books – from 2002 to 2005.
Two decades on, Dani, now 36, decided to pay tribute to the role that shot her to stardom by visiting Holly Marie’s studio in Coventry. The artist took to TikTok to document the encounter as she gushed: “Bog off! I can’t believe TikTok brought me and Dani Harmer together and we were able to make these tattoos.” Her video began with the pair waving to the camera as Holly Marie exclaimed: “Today I tattooed Tracy Beaker… on Tracy Beaker, so let me show you everything that we did today.”
The clip continued, showing the grand reveal of Dani’s first inking just above her right ankle – depicting Tracy in the original illustration style used in the kids’ novels. “Dani said that she’d always wanted a Tracy Beaker tattoo but she’d never found the right artist, and I just can’t believe that I got to be that artist,” Holly Marie gushed.
With Dani giving it the thumbs up, Holly Marie went on to showcase her second piece of work – a Lord of the Rings tattoo on Dani’s forearm. “She also trusted me to do a very personal tattoo, which has elements to do with her children, her partner and herself and her life – including the non-profit organisation she has that I had no idea about,” she added.
Holly Marie signed off: “Thank you so much Dani for chatting with me whilst we listened to Queen and Taylor Swift and just being an all-round delightful person.” Writing in response, one TikTok user declared: “Career highlight! This is at the top of your CV now right?”
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A second person quipped: “This is one of the most British flexes you could possibly obtain.” A third pondered: “Imagine being able to say that you’ve tattooed Tracy Beaker.” Meanwhile a fourth TikTok user said: “I absolutely love this! OG Tracy Beaker really brings me soo much nostalgia and comfort.”
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Dani took to the platform herself, meanwhile, to share her account of the day. “I visited the amazing Holly and she is an absolute icon,” she stated. “Her work is beyond gorgeous.”
The actress continued, proudly showing off her new tattoos. “I’m going to call it ‘The Story of My Life’,” Dani said of third design Holly Marie revealed.
“It’s super personal for me and it’s got all of my favourite things in it – and I love it.”
As she prepared herself for the Tracy Beaker tattoo, she added: “Guys it is finally happening – I am getting a Tracy Beaker tattoo on my leg. I think it’s going to hurt, but I’m ready.”
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After the event, she praised: “There she is in all her glory with my stubbly legs! Ain’t she pretty?”
“What’s more iconic than Tracy Beaker getting a Tracy Beaker tattoo?” one TikTok user joked in reply to Dani’s clip. Another fan admitted: “I love all the tattoos but I’m surprised the Tracy Beaker one didn’t say ‘Bog Off’ or the worm she ate or the clock or anything other amazing Tracy Beaker says.”
Helen Flanagan is trying to sell her lavish six-bedroom mansion and has drastically cut the asking price by 20 percent under a month after first listing it for sale
Helen Flanagan’s home is up for sale(Image: Instagram/hjgflanagan)
Helen Flanagan has drastically cut the asking price of her lavish mansion under a month after first listing the property. The former Coronation Street star, 34, had initially whacked an asking price of £1.5million on the vast home.
However, less than a month later and the actress’ six-bedroom mansion has dropped in price by over £300,000. The hefty 20 per cent cut sees the property now up for grabs for £1,195,000.
The price drop comes after Helen admitted she has been “really struggling financially” despite previously being a mainstay on the ITV soap and also starring in a number of reality TV shows. She was recently on popular dating show Celebs Go Dating, where she quickly left after admitting she already had a secret boyfriend – whom she is no longer with.
Helen’s lavish property near Bolton is up for sale(Image: Instagram/hjgflanagan)
Helen’s home on the outskirts of Bolton spans over three floors and boasts six bedrooms. In total, the property is over 5,000 square feet in size and even offers a large designer walk-in wardrobe.
The sales brochure for the property reveals two of the bedrooms also have an en-suite bathroom attached. Helen bought the home with her ex, footballer Scott Sinclair in 2021, when they paid £840,000.
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The six-bedroom home has two en-suite bathrooms(Image: Instagram/hjgflanagan)
Despite her home being for sale and her financial struggles, the mum-of-three has been able to head to Ibiza for a party alongside Wayne Lineker and former EastEnders star Dean Gaffney. The newly single star gave fans a sneak peek into her boozy holiday as she looked stunning while posing in a black bikini in Ibiza with a huge smile on her face.
She took to Instagram to share snaps of the trip at O Beach Ibiza alongside Dean and Wayne. Gary Lineker’s brother Wayne is seen in one image planting a kiss on Helen’s head. She captioned the post: “Best day @obeachibiza always the most fun day x.”
Her home has a walk-in wardrobe(Image: Helen Flanagan/Instagram)
Sharing the snap with fellow former soap star Dean, Helen added “old jungle friends” in reference to the duo appearing on the all-stars version of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here in 2023. The pair were also both voted off the show together.
Discussing how her relationship with footballer Robbie Talbot broke down just months after they started living together, Helen said in a recent interview with Fabulous: “I’d asked him to stay for a while, because I often get quite scared in the house on my own and feel safer with a man there.
Helen has been partying with Dean Gaffney
“But Matilda is very sensitive and a proper daddy’s girl, and she struggles with not seeing Scott as often as she’d like. I always think about how she feels when she misses her dad, and having my boyfriend there maybe doesn’t help her. When you’re a mum, you do what you’ve got to do for your kids – I will always put mine first.”
Helen shares her three kids with her ex, Scott; Matilda, nine, Delilah, six, and three-year-old Charlie.
Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs onTikTok,Snapchat,Instagram,Twitter,Facebook,YouTubeandThreads.
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READ MORE: ‘I’m a fashion writer and found an unlikely retailer selling glitzy festival-ready outfits’
Two members of K-pop supergroup BTS were released from South Korea’s mandatory military service on Tuesday and announced they wanted to start performing again “as soon as possible”, prompting a fan frenzy.
BTS, South Korea’s most lucrative musical act, has been on a hiatus since 2022 while its seven members complete their military service.
Hundreds of fans gathered at a site near the two army bases where band leader RM — recently named “Favorite K-pop Artist” at the American Music Awards — and singer V were separately discharged.
Cheers broke out as they stepped out of different vehicles and hugged, with RM playing a quick song on the saxophone as V stood next to him smiling, holding bunches of flowers.
“What we want most right now is to perform again,” RM, still wearing his army uniform, told reporters and fans after his discharge.
“We’re working hard on the new album so we can return to the stage as soon as possible.”
RM said there had been “many difficult and painful moments” during his 18 months of military service.
K-pop boy band BTS member RM (2nd L) prepares to play the saxophone while bandmate V (2nd R) looks on at an outdoor sporting facility in Chuncheon on June 10, 2025, after their release from 18 months of South Korean military service. (Photo by Shin Yong-ju / AFP)K-pop boy band BTS members RM (L) and V salute for fans and members of the press at an outdoor sporting facility in Chuncheon on June 10, 2025, after their release from 18 months of South Korean military service. . (Photo by ANTHONY WALLACE / AFP)
“Since returning, I’ve grown closer with my father and old friends — many of whom had already completed their military service,” he added.
V said military service was “a time for me to reset and rebuild both my body and mind”.
“Now that I’ve done that, I truly want to run straight to ARMY as soon as possible,” he said, referring to the band’s official fandom name.
This week, four BTS members will complete their service. Two were discharged last year, and the final member, SUGA — who has been working as a social service agent for alternative non-active duty service — will be released later this month.
HYBE, the band’s agency, had urged fans not to go to the discharge location, citing safety concerns. Flouting the warning, dozens gathered outside V’s military base, eagerly awaiting the return of their star.
“Honestly, I came here with such high expectations,” Yang Ho-hee, 28, told AFP outside the base.
Fans react as K-pop boy band BTS members RM (foreground L) and V look on at an outdoor sporting facility in Chuncheon on June 10, 2025, after their release from 18 months of South Korean military service. (Photo by ANTHONY WALLACE / AFP)Fans of K-pop boy band BTS members RM and V gather at an outdoor sporting facility in Chuncheon on June 10, 2025, after the two band members were released from 18 months of South Korean military service. (Photo by Shin Yong-ju / AFP)
Reunion tour?
On a football field where the newly released BTS members spoke, hundreds of fans from around the world gathered, hoping to catch a glimpse of their idols.
“Actually, it’s mixed emotions. I feel like I’m crying already,” said Arlene Mendoza, a fan from the Philippines.
“I’ve been travelling to Korea so many times, but this is actually the first time I’ll see V.”
RM and V later held a live chat on their superfan platform, Weverse, where fellow member Jin joined.
“We have plans. Please wait just a little longer,” said RM.
“I’ve had time to recharge, so I’ll make something good and show it to you. We’ll make sure everyone knows that we’re back.”
In addition to the army releases, Friday is so-called FESTA — a celebration that marks the anniversary of the group’s debut and typically draws thousands of global fans to Seoul.
All the band members signed new contracts with their agency HYBE in 2023, and once SUGA is released on June 21, analysts expect profit-driving reunion activities.
“In the case of HYBE share prices, the current market consensus is seen as not fully reflecting BTS’s impact,” Lim Soo-jin, an analyst at Daishin Securities, told AFP.
Despite an ongoing police investigation into the company chairman for suspected insider trading and a recent raid by authorities, analysts say HYBE’s shares are up, rising by 10 percent over the past week through June 9.
Fans of K-pop boy band BTS members RM and V pose at an outdoor sporting facility in Chuncheon on June 10, 2025, after the two band members were released from 18 months of South Korean military service. (Photo by Shin Yong-ju / AFP)
GDP impact
Prior to their mandatory military service, the boy band generated more than 5.5 trillion won ($4 billion) in yearly economic impact, according to the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute.
That accounts for roughly 0.2 percent of South Korea’s total GDP, according to official data.
HYBE has hinted at a BTS comeback this year, but has also said the members “need time for reflection and preparation”.
“Normally, the process goes from song production to album release, then a tour,” Lee Jae-sang, CEO of HYBE, told a shareholder meeting in March.
“But since BTS have already become global top-tier artists, we are continuing discussions about their vision and what’s next,” Lee added.
Outside HYBE headquarters in Seoul, banners from fans read: “Thank you for making even the waiting feel joyful.”
The building was wrapped with the slogan “WE ARE BACK”, the official logo for the upcoming BTS FESTA.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said he is “so scared” by the “painful” war in Gaza as he delivered an emotional speech.
It is 20 months since Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza in response to the unprecedented Hamas-led cross-border attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.
At least 54,880 people have been killed in Gaza since, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry.
Guardiola, 54, was speaking as he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester on Monday.
“It’s so painful what we see in Gaza. It hurts my whole body,” said Guardiola in clips of his speech shared on social media.
“Let me be clear, it’s not about ideology. It’s not about whether I’m right, or you’re wrong. It’s just about the love of life, about the care of your neighbour.
“Maybe we think that we see the boys and girls of four years old being killed by the bomb or being killed at the hospital because it’s not a hospital anymore. It’s not our business.
Tom Flathers/Manchester City FC
Guardiola has never been afraid of airing his political views, having frequently spoken of his support for pro-Catalan independence.
In 2018, he was fined £20,000 by the Football Association for “wearing a political message” pitchside – a yellow ribbon to support imprisoned politicians in his native Catalonia, having previously being warned he was in breach of regulations.
The year before, he joined thousands of protesters in Barcelona calling for independence in the region.
Guardiola was awarded the honorary degree for his success with City – having won 18 trophies in his nine years at the club – as well as the work of his family foundation, the Guardiola Sala Foundation, which “strives to support the most disadvantaged” in society.
“Maybe this image feels far away from where we are living now, and you might ask what we can do,” said Guardiola, who added he was also “deeply troubled” by the wars in Sudan and Ukraine.
“There is a story I’m reminded of. A forest is on fire. All the animals live terrified, helpless. But a small bird flies back and forth to the sea, carrying drops of water in its little beak.
“A snake laughs, and asks: ‘Why bro? You will never put the fire out.’ The bird replies: ‘Yes, I know.’ ‘Then why do you do it again and again?’, the snake asks once again. ‘I’m just doing my part,’ the bird replies for the last time.
“The bird knows it won’t stop the fire, but it refused to do nothing.
“In a world that often tells us we are too small to make a difference, that story reminds me the power of one is not about the scale, it’s about choice, about showing up, about refusing to be silent or still when it matters most.”
Others within football have previously spoken out about the Israel-Gaza war.
In October 2023, Liverpool and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah called on “world leaders to come together to prevent further slaughter of innocent souls”.
In the same month, Dutch winger Anwar El Ghazi had his contract at Mainz terminated for a perceived pro-Palestine post he made on social media.
Last year, El Ghazi – now at Cardiff City – pledged 500,000 euros of his pay-off from Mainz to “fund projects for the children in Gaza”.
