�* larger the uk on sunday will stay largely dry with this area of high pressure in charge. to the north, this low, quite a long way away to the north but getting close enough to bring outbreaks of rain across scotland, heavy rain in the north—west where there will also be gales, particularly around the coast, but a milder day for many. temperatures between eight and 12 degrees. thank ou. that's it. you can keep up—to—date with with developments on the bbc website. and of course the news continues here on bbc one as wejoin our colleagues across the nations and regions, for the news where you are. have a great evening. hello and welcome to sportsday. we sit down with england manager gareth southgate as he admits critcism before the world cup nearly made him quit.

i never want to be in a position where my presence is affecting the team and a negative way. and i didn't believe that was the case. and i didn't believe that was the case. the line up for the women's final of the australian open is complete. as wimbledon champion elena rybakina stays on course for another grand slam title. a storm in a tee peg, problems on and off the course at the dubai desert classic. also coming up in the programme... it's set to be the biggest change in rugby union history but communuity clubs have hit back at plans to lower the height of tackling. and once upon a time in burnley — the transfer announcement that united the internet.

hello and welcome to sportsday. all that to come shortly, but we start tonight with two time british shot—putt champion amelia strickler who'd told the bbc that world athletics is betraying women with plans to continue to allow transgender athletes to compete in female track and field events. strickler says she's terrified that women's records will be smashed and young girls will walk away from sport. it was widely thought that athletics would follow the world governing body of swimming in banning trans women from female categories, but the bbc has seen leaked policy documents which outline plans to simply lower testosterone levels for a longer period of time. jane dougall reports. born in ohio to an english mother amelia is a two—time british shot

put champion. it amelia is a two-time british shot put champion-— put champion. it could be really harmful to _ put champion. it could be really harmful to women _ put champion. it could be really harmful to women who - put champion. it could be really harmful to women who have - put champion. it could be really harmful to women who have an| put champion. it could be really - harmful to women who have an women's board is the biggest concern. bitter board is the biggest concern. after learnin: board is the biggest concern. after learning world _ board is the biggest concern. after learning world athletic continue to let trans women in category she decided to speak publicly. records of all, decided to speak publicly. records of all. prize _ decided to speak publicly. records of all, prize metals, _ decided to speak publicly. recordsi of all, prize metals, sponsorships, it all matters. she of all, prize metals, sponsorships, it all mattere— it all matters. she is a first current british _ it all matters. she is a first current british athlete - it all matters. she is a first current british athlete to l it all matters. she is a first | current british athlete to do it all matters. she is a first - current british athlete to do so. it is a betrayal because biologically we will never have that advantage, never. hormones cannot undo male puberty. it cannot undo bone structures and long size, heart size, all of it.— size, all of it. last year world athletics _ size, all of it. last year world athletics president _ size, all of it. last year world athletics president said - size, all of it. last year world l athletics president said biology trumps gender. but in lee's policy document seen by the bbc the governing body has instead proposed a reduction of the current permitted testosterone levels by half for up a nd testosterone levels by half for up and transgender women have to maintain that for two years instead of one. swimming is world governing

body band trans women completely from competing in female categories at trans swimmer leah thomas won a national female championship in america. world athletics was expected to follow suit. at some researchers that work with the federation say this policy is still restricted. i iii federation say this policy is still restricted. , . , restricted. i if they were inclusive as possible _ restricted. i if they were inclusive as possible they _ restricted. i if they were inclusive as possible they wouldn't - restricted. i if they were inclusive as possible they wouldn't have i restricted. i if they were inclusive l as possible they wouldn't have any restrictions on trans athletes. if they— restrictions on trans athletes. if they were — restrictions on trans athletes. if they were as concerned as other sports _ they were as concerned as other sports they wouldn't allow trans athletes — sports they wouldn't allow trans athletes at all. i think this is a reasonable middle ground. world athletics would perhaps - reasonable middle ground. world athletics would perhaps say - reasonable middle ground. rir athletics would perhaps say they are trying to be inclusive of trans athletes for the can you see the predicament here?— athletes for the can you see the predicament here? there is a way to be inclusive — predicament here? there is a way to be inclusive and _ predicament here? there is a way to be inclusive and keep _ predicament here? there is a way to be inclusive and keep it _ predicament here? there is a way to be inclusive and keep it fair - predicament here? there is a way to be inclusive and keep it fair for - be inclusive and keep it fairfor women and the female sex. i think that's what i'm fighting for, that's what i'm pushing for.— what i'm pushing for. world athletics say _ what i'm pushing for. world athletics say they _ what i'm pushing for. world athletics say they are - what i'm pushing for. world - athletics say they are gathering constructive feedback from member federations and incest a final decision has not yet been made.

england manager gareth southgate says he considered quitting because of criticism he faced before the world cup amid concerns it might affect the teams performance. england suffered a generally poor series of results leading up to qatar before being knocked out at the quarter final stage. in his first interview since the tournament, he told our sports editor dan roan why he ultimately decided to stay. i must ask first of all, how close did you come to walking away from the job and how difficult a decision wasn't to say? no, not difficult. obviously, i'm contracted to 202k. my only concern after last summer was that when it feels like there might be division between what the fans want and where my position might�*ve been, that can affect the team. and i was conscious of that leading into the world cup. i wasn't quite sure how

things will play out. i think it's always right to judge an international manager on their tournaments. did i think that we overachieved? no. do i think we underachieved? no, i don't. i think our performances were good. i think that game with france, going into it is a 50—50 game. i think everybody would consider france to be one of the best teams in the world and the depths of talent that they have. but of course across the flow of that game, that's a game we should win. and all of our data and everything, we end up higher than the opponent. but football is a low—scoring game. where small margins make a difference was that we gotta make sure now that those small margins turn in our favor. was that night when england lost to hungry and you received

criticism, was that playing a major role in your thought process going into the world cup? and if so, why? i was worried after that game that the team would be affected by the narrative being constant, should the manager stay or go. i felt when we went into the games in september we were a little bit anxious. we thought at wembley against germany the crowd warned against the team but they were waiting to see what happened. i've been around teams where that can inhibit performance. and the last thing you want as a manager is that your presence is divisive and inhibiting performance. i knew i had support with the player and how they were responding to things. i knew i had support of the organisation. those things are calm. i think there are bigger things a stake than just having the support of those people at certain times was up before the world cup, would you say that you were feeling more likely to leave than stay

for the tournament? no. i was totally focused on the tournament. and determined to enjoy it, determined that we wanted to give it the best possible shot. expectations are higher and that's a good thing. i'm never worried about somebody else taking over and benefiting. were talking about building a future for england for now, for the next few months, the next tournament. i think people have enjoyed that journey with us. and i feel that we can still go into the euros and we've gotta qualify 1st. we can't just talk about winning a tournament until we qualify. but i feel very confident about chelsea and that tournament. were there ever times when you felt in the aftermath of the france defeat that you had perhaps taken the team as far as you could and that change may be good

for the side as well as yourself? no, i didn't feel that. i think if anything, i think that we're much closer now to really having that belief to win. we've still got a small step to take. the margins of that game were really fine but in the end games are won or lost in those key moments and we didn't defend well enough and the goals they scored. we had opportunities to score at the other end that we have to take to win those games. but across the tournament, the level of performances were good. i saw progress in the team from our performances in the euros, even though in the euros we got to a final end in this tournament if you justjudging on where we finished in terms of the rancour but not quite as successful. and you can watch the full interview after the 10.30 sports news

here on the news channel. marcelo bielsa is in london for further talks with the everton hierarchy as they search for a manager after sacking frank lampard. bielsa, the former leeds united boss, is the favoured choice for owner farhad moshiri with the hope of finalising an appointment before the weekend. sean dyche is the other main contender to take over at goodison park. it's been a dramatic day on and off the court in melbourne. we'll have more on the controversy surrounding novak djokovic's father shortly but first there's guaranteed to be a first—time winner in the women's singles after semi—final success for elena rybakina and aryna sabalenka. stuart pollitt reports. six months ago elena rybakina was winning wimbledon. now on the hard courts of melbourne a tough opponent. two—time australian open victor victoria as a ringtone. the decisive moment in this match came at five all in the first set. she had three breakpoints. she couldn't

convert them. elena rybakina regrouped, force a tie—break and took first set. she broke her twice in a straightforward second set to reach a second grand slam final. the exerience reach a second grand slam final. tue: experience from reach a second grand slam final. tta: experience from wimbledon reach a second grand slam final. t“t2 experience from wimbledon and reach a second grand slam final. tt2 experience from wimbledon and to reach a second grand slam final. t“t2 experience from wimbledon and to be honest, ijust want experience from wimbledon and to be honest, i just want to come and enjoy the moment, enjoy the atmosphere because it's really amazing to play in front of you guys. amazing to play in front of you cu s. ., , . ., , ., amazing to play in front of you cu s. ., , _, , ., , guys. onto the second semifinal, big hittin: guys. onto the second semifinal, big hitting belarusian _ guys. onto the second semifinal, big hitting belarusian aryna _ guys. onto the second semifinal, big hitting belarusian aryna sabalenka . hitting belarusian aryna sabalenka hadn't dropped a set in melbourne. she has a talent to win, the temperament, that has been questioned before. and it was tested here. aryna sabalenka broke into love in the first game by an opponent playing her first grand slam semifinal. but far from crumbling at that setback aryna sabalenka stepped up her game, overpowering her polish opponent. a

7-86, 6- to overpowering her polish opponent. a 7—86, 6— to success for aryna sabalenka, finally she been able to take the next step to a grand slam final. , , , ., final. just being in the final in these kind — final. just being in the final in these kind of— final. just being in the final in these kind of tournaments, . final. just being in the final in l these kind of tournaments, it's amazing to feel this atmosphere, to play on these courts. that is a great experience for me. aha, play on these courts. that is a great experience for me. a new name on the women's _ great experience for me. a new name on the women's trophy _ great experience for me. a new name on the women's trophy is _ great experience for me. a new name j on the women's trophy is guaranteed. will it be aryna sabalenka or elena rybakina writing their name into australian open history come the weekend? that final takes place on saturday. former british number one annabel croft says sabalenka's form will make her tough to beat in the final on saturday. she hasn't dropped a set in this event but also the previous event as a woman coming into this tournament. she's got the form. she's sent down some clear messages to the tour that she's desperate to take her first let grand slam title. she really wears her heart or her sleeve, she's appealing to a twinkle in her eye,

good sense of humor. she's emotional, she's noisy, she's got a big personality and big character. there will be a lot of people that would love to see her take her first grand slam title.— grand slam title. elena rybakina is obviously the _ grand slam title. elena rybakina is obviously the wimbledon _ grand slam title. elena rybakina is| obviously the wimbledon champion grand slam title. elena rybakina is - obviously the wimbledon champion for the people want really talking about her as a potential champion here. she sort of snuck through the drawer. ~' ., she sort of snuck through the drawer. ~ ., , , ., drawer. one thing we know she is one ofthe drawer. one thing we know she is one of the biggest — drawer. one thing we know she is one of the biggest serves _ drawer. one thing we know she is one of the biggest serves in _ drawer. one thing we know she is one of the biggest serves in the _ of the biggest serves in the women's game. when that's firing it's unplayable. she's got beautiful ground stroke, she's very, very tall, long reach on the court. just beautiful timing on the ball. she's very calm. she is totally the opposite to aryna sabalenka. doesn't give anything away. she's got a very quiet personality on the court. but she's determined. she doesn't have a good record against aryna sabalenka but when you're going into a grand slam finals she's on was a bit more experience having one of at wimbledon. it's good to be interesting even though she's lost all three matches that they played i

think it's almost 50—50 going into this one. off the court, novak djokovic has been asked to comment on why his father has been filmed posing for pictures with supporters of russia's president at the tournament. srdjan djokovic has been criticised by former ukranian players and ukraine's ambassador to australia. our tennis correspondent russell fuller has more. novak djokovic father was filmed posing for photos with supporters of vladimir putin after his son had beaten his opponent in the final last night. he was seen with a supporter who was carrying a russian flag with the russian presidents face emblazoned on it. he was also wearing a t—shirt with the pro war z symbol on it. in an australian open contacts, russian and belarusian flags and symbols have been banned since the opening day after russian flag was displayed and a match

between a russian player and a ukrainian player. and the response of the organisers tennis australia is interesting, they say a small number of people were evicted but they also say they are spoken to players and their teams to remind them of the rules to avoid any situation to has the potential to disrupt. meanwhile, athletes from russia and belarus could be cleared to take part in the next olympics in paris as neutral athletes. the international olympic committee said it will "explore a pathway" for their participation. world athletics — the sports governing body — says its position is that russian and belarussian athletes will remain excluded though. the move has been criticised in a joint—statement from athletes for ukraine and athlete association global athlete. there's a storm brewing in dubai and i'm not talking about the rain that's prevented golfers completing the first round at the desert classic.

this one centres on rory mcilroy and liv golfer patrick reed. afterfeeling he'd been snubbed by the world number 1 on the practice range, reed threw a golf tee at mcilory, who called the whole thing a storm in a teacup. our golf correspondent iain carter has more. we have in unprecedented civil war in the game of golf right now. it shows no signs of abating at the moment. this is one of those that surround the fringes of what is perhaps the most fractious time in the history of the professional game. what sort of impact this is having on the players and all the tournament itself and to buy? t tournament itself and to buy? i don't get to having a massive impact on the tournament, in the sense that it's already been disrupted by pretty uncharacteristic weather for this part of the world. the play today was suspended for six hours for that they got nowhere near completing the first round. rory

mcilroy and read only managed 16 holes. the tour is kicking on and going ahead. players are tolerating each other. there are handshakes going around. i was an ad blue derby last week and start one of the high profile bubbles, if you want to use that term and lots of players were shaking his hand. slate two officials were as well. we know the undercurrent is there. there are court actions and arbitration coming injust a couple court actions and arbitration coming in just a couple of weeks' time, which are going to be pivotal to the future of the professional game. it's almost like golf itself is of phoney war with that backdrop. well that's all been overshadowed by the rain on the course — only 12 of the 132—man field were able to complete the first—round. belgium's thomas pieters leads the field by one stroke, on 5—under—par. tommy fleetwood, is one of four englishmen, who are one stroke behind.

let's have a quick look at some of the other stories making the sports news today. the former everton and scotland striker duncan ferguson has been given his first full—time managerial role as head coach of forest green rovers. he takes overfrom ian burchnall who left on wednesday. the club are bottom of league one, and have had just five wins in 28 matches this season. england test captain ben stokes and england all—rounder nat sciver are among the winners in the international cricket council's annual awards. stokes has been named men's test cricketer of the year. sciver won the women's cricketer of the year award, and women's one—day international cricketer of the year. at the age ofjust14 vladislav gradinari has become the youngest player to win a snooker ranking event match. he knocked out the three—time women's world champion in a snooker shoot out. he said it feels amazing.

it was described as the biggest change to rugby union in its history, but the reaction to the sport banning tackling above the waist from next season hasn't been welcomed by everyone. the announcement has led to a backlash from the community game, who weren't consulted over the move as dan pallett reports. it's the move as dan pallett reports. a tough, physical is it's a tough, physical sport. but it is rugby union about to change forever? the governing body says that tackling above the waist will be banned next season. only the top two professional divisions will be exempt. dave ellis is a defence coach with international experience. he says the rule changes had problems in france for the last two seasons. it’s problems in france for the last two seasons. �* , , ., , problems in france for the last two seasons. 2 , ., , ., seasons. it's causing lots of problems — seasons. it's causing lots of problems for _ seasons. it's causing lots of problems for referees, - seasons. it's causing lots of i problems for referees, players seasons. it's causing lots of - problems for referees, players and supporters in general. the

interpretation has been very complicated for the referees. really frustrating for the players. from my experience, not one particular game, it's finished 15 and 15. it is experience, not one particular game, it's finished 15 and 15.— it's finished 15 and 15. it is not “ust the it's finished 15 and 15. it is not just the men _ it's finished 15 and 15. it is not just the men affected. - it's finished 15 and 15. it is not just the men affected. the - it's finished 15 and 15. it is not i just the men affected. the rules will apply to the women and children's rugby. i will apply to the women and children's rugby.— will apply to the women and children's rugby. i think it's going to be difficult _ children's rugby. i think it's going to be difficult to _ children's rugby. i think it's going to be difficult to implement - children's rugby. i think it's going to be difficult to implement for i children's rugby. i think it's going to be difficult to implement for a | to be difficult to implement for a lot of— to be difficult to implement for a lot of the — to be difficult to implement for a lot of the women, advocates can rule out of— lot of the women, advocates can rule out of the _ lot of the women, advocates can rule out of the women out of the game. i think— out of the women out of the game. i think it's _ out of the women out of the game. i think it's too — out of the women out of the game. i think it's too extreme. and i think for the _ think it's too extreme. and i think for the children, because i coach young _ for the children, because i coach young children playing rugby, i want to make _ young children playing rugby, i want to make it— young children playing rugby, i want to make it safer them for the future and i'm _ to make it safer them for the future and i'm not— to make it safer them for the future and i'm not convinced that them tackling — and i'm not convinced that them tackling that lower will make it safar— tackling that lower will make it safer for them. tackling that lower will make it saferforthem. i tackling that lower will make it safer for them. i think they will come _ safer for them. i think they will come into— safer for them. i think they will come into contact, the heads will come _ come into contact, the heads will come into— come into contact, the heads will come into contact, the heads will come into contact with their needs. there's_ come into contact with their needs. there's lots — come into contact with their needs. there's lots of disquiet and lots of action too. rob play professionally, he is launch the community clubs union to give grassroots clubs they are safe. ~ �* ., ., ., ., are safe. we're not here to argue of the medics — are safe. we're not here to argue of the medics for _ are safe. we're not here to argue of the medics for that _ are safe. we're not here to argue of the medics for that we _ are safe. we're not here to argue of the medics for that we just - are safe. we're not here to argue of the medics for that we just want - are safe. we're not here to argue of the medics for that we just want a l the medics for that we just want a voice for them at the moment that is

not being heard. the counsellors, many people feel have let their constituent bodies down we just need that looking at and resolving. ih constituent bodies down we just need that looking at and resolving. in a statement trf _ that looking at and resolving. in a statement trf you say they understand it's a significant change to the game, they promise clarity and also detailed guidance for players, coaches and referees. the debate about the future of rugby union hasjust begun. the debate about the future of rugby union hasjust begun. well in may, the wheelchair rugby european championship will take place in cardiff. among the participants will be players who have been injured playing rugby. one of them is great britain's keiran flynn, who's told us he's opposed to the rule changes. it's going to cause more injuries. particularly concussions, you'll be tackling people around the knees with your head. it's common sense to realise that obviously, knees are going to hit heads for the people

are going to get concussions. broken facial bones, nose, cheeks, jaws, teeth. personally, idon't like facial bones, nose, cheeks, jaws, teeth. personally, i don't like the rule change but will see what happens with that going forward. further reaction and discussion on bbc sport website. further reaction and discussion on bbc sport website. on to boxing and anthony yarde says he has the right mindset to help him beat light—heavyweight champion artur beterbiev. yarde is a huge underdog for the fight at wembley arena. beterbiev is the wbo, wbc and ibf belt holder, who has 18 knockouts in 18 fights. ade adedoyin reports. this will be anthony second attempt at a world title. the first time backin at a world title. the first time back in 2019 he faced another hard—hitting russian, he was very brave that night. had him in real trouble in the eighth round, almost often but ultimately ran out of steam and was stopped himself in the penultimate round of the five you can argue that on saturday night he

faces an even bigger task against artur beterbiev. a man who stops every opponent he is facing the professional ranks so far for that what he does have in his favour is you. he's 38 years old, yard is 31. yard is a hard plunger and scored some big wins in his career he believes he got all the tools to get the job done saturday night. from the 'ob done saturday night. from the job done saturday night. from the thin . s the job done saturday night. from the things that _ the job done saturday night. from the things that i've _ the job done saturday night. from the things that i've been - the job done saturday night. f'fi�*fl the things that i've been through, it cemented in the personality. i've shown that in terms of my personal life, me and the ring and when your parents aid you your hard—headed, that's what i am. i'm hardheaded. i'll give it my all, man.— i'll give it my all, man. this is no easy task — i'll give it my all, man. this is no easy task against _ i'll give it my all, man. this is no easy task against yarde - i'll give it my all, man. this is no easy task against yarde and - i'll give it my all, man. this is no easy task against yarde and that| i'll give it my all, man. this is no i easy task against yarde and that is considered to be one of the hardest punchers in boxing at the moment. a decorated image orfrom punchers in boxing at the moment. a decorated image or from a world amateur and european champion. decorated image or from a world amateurand european champion. he even has a win over the reigning heavyweight champion back in the amateur days. he did lose in 202012

in london. yarde, a come up artur beterbiev he's taking nothing for granted being the odds in favor. this granted being the odds in favor. as a boxer is a good challenge for me. he has— a boxer is a good challenge for me. he has a _ a boxer is a good challenge for me. he has a good professional career. he's had _ he has a good professional career. he's had good fights i'm prepared for him _ he's had good fights i'm prepared for him like everyone, like a lighthouse fights. i tried to be ready— lighthouse fights. i tried to be ready 100%. lighthouse fights. i tried to be ready100%. if lighthouse fights. i tried to be ready 10096-— lighthouse fights. i tried to be ready 100%. lighthouse fights. i tried to be read 100%. ., ., , , , ready 100%. if yarde does pull this off he will have _ ready 100%. if yarde does pull this off he will have to _ ready 100%. if yarde does pull this off he will have to rank _ ready 100%. if yarde does pull this off he will have to rank as - ready 100%. if yarde does pull this off he will have to rank as one - ready 100%. if yarde does pull this off he will have to rank as one of l off he will have to rank as one of the biggest upsets by a british boxerin the biggest upsets by a british boxer in the world title fight here in the uk. artur beterbiev is considered the heavy favourite to win and for very good reason. you might be wondering what's going on behind me. you might be wondering what's going on behind me. just before we go — the transfer window closes in just a few days and new signing announcements come in all forms, but this one has definitely caught your attention. this is how burnley revealed their latest signing — south african forward lyle foster with a shrek inspired masterpiece

featuring lord farquaad. it's already had over 17 million views online with many saying it's the greatest signing annoucenment ever. i have to agree. that'll do burnley, that'll do. and that'll do from sportsday. from all the team here, have a great evening. today wasn't as cold across southeastern parts of the uk, temperatures have even out at long last photo if you are looking for sunshine it was better towards western areas. sheltered from the north and north easterly wind. we show that high pressure sitting to the southwest of ours. those winds

coming around more from the north today. and have brought in quite a few showers to eastern parts of the uk. those showers will continue well into the night. mainly for eastern parts of england, we will see clearing skies and tumbling temperatures in scotland, called to be breaking up in northern ireland. frost is likely. could be as low as —4 frost is likely. could be as low as “4 and glascow. risk of frost across some sheltered parts of england and wales but further east enough cloud in breeze to keep those temperatures just above freezing. even here i think the cloud will break up, the winds will be much lighter tomorrow. any overnight showers will soon fade away and we will see some china time. sunshine in scotland and not of although northwestern areas which are more cloudy later. —— scotland. rise up to strongly by the end of the afternoon, temperatures 9 degrees here for that elsewhere typically around six to eight celsius much as we start today. we've got that weather from bringing rain into the northwest of scotland. look as it moves southward, the rain get squeezed out of it. high

pressure continues to shape our weather into the start of the weekend for the we're left almost with a band of cloud clear in scotland, northern ireland, heading down across northern england and into wales. a bit of dampness with that, to the ultimate of its on jakub to the north following glaucoma sums cloud for scotland. temperatures not changing very much, near average for this time a year. second half of the weekend could turn a bit milder there is are high pressure to the southwest again. around the top atlantic winds coming in and strengthening and those weather fronts will bring rain. i had of that for england and wales there may well be sunshine once again. cloud increasing from the north. that weather front bringing rain into scotland, perhaps into northern ireland followed by blustery showers in the far northwest with a milder air on sunday, temperatures a bit higher. could make double figures in scotland and northern ireland for the it will be turning windy through the it will be turning windy through the day and stays windy into the into the night. the winds in northern scotland could be gusting in excess of 60 mph. it looks like a

windy and to the weekend.

hello, i'm ros atkins, this is outside source. at least nine palestinians are killed in an israeli raid in the west bank. the us secretary of state is to visit israel and the west bank next week. residents crowd into underground shelters in kyiv as eleven people are killed across ukraine in the latest russian strikes. we'll talk to a former commanding general of the us army in europe. also on the programme: in scotland, a transgender woman convicted of rape has been moved to a men's prison the us secretary of state antony blinken

is to travel to israel, egypt and the west bank to urge