now, for the headlines. presenter lenski has had a private audience with the pope. he assures he has given constant prayer and indication to the lord for peace. —— resident

zelensky. mr erdogan�*s party has beenin zelensky. mr erdogan�*s party has been in powerfor more than zelensky. mr erdogan�*s party has been in power for more than 20 years. it is only an hour and a half an until the finalfor the an until the final for the eurovision an until the finalfor the eurovision song an until the final for the eurovision song contest gets an until the finalfor the eurovision song contest gets under way. the event is taking place in liverpool. uk is hosting it on behalf of ukraine, last year's winners. those are the top stories here on bbc news. now, it is time for sports day. hello and welcome to sportsday — i'm gavin ramjaun. it's all over for southampton — they're relegated from the premier league after losing to fulham. leeds united fight on —

but it's never easy. they salvage a point against newcastle as they battle to survive the drop. and notts county join and notts countyjoin wrexham in the big league after a dramatic shoot—out win. also coming up on sportsday: british basketball�*s biggest rivals go head to head, in the playoff final. but can the riders tame the lions in this year's showpiece event? hello there — and welcome along to sportsday, on a day southampton fans were dreading, but perhaps thought was inevitable. the club have been relegated to the championship — after losing at home to fulham. goals from carlos vinicius, and aleksander mitrovic were enough to secure victory for the away side — and confirm southampton�*s 11 year stay in the premier league is over. a 24th defeat of the season leaves them bottom of the table — eight points from safety with just two games left to play.

the squad are optimistic they have the ability to bounce back next season. it isa it is a very tough day for me, for everybody in the dressing room. for the city and the fans. it has been a tough season for all of us. we have been fighting do not be relegated from the very beginning. the day came today. ijust from the very beginning. the day came today. i just want to say thank you to everybody for the support from the very first day. it is a tough situation for the fans that have been supporting as their entire life. this club has quality enough to bounce back immediately. with or without me. i think what we feel now is a very big disappointment. i without me. i think what we feel now is a very big disappointment.- is a very big disappointment. i have to look now — is a very big disappointment. i have to look now that _ is a very big disappointment. i have to look now that we _ is a very big disappointment. i have to look now that we are _ is a very big disappointment. i have to look now that we are looking - to look now that we are looking clean _ to look now that we are looking clean sheet, a great feeling for us. and for— clean sheet, a great feeling for us. and for our— clean sheet, a great feeling for us. and for our fans. lots of support from _ and for our fans. lots of support from them _ and for our fans. lots of support from them. sold it out, and the

sopport— from them. sold it out, and the support from the first to the last minuto — support from the first to the last minute. that is to be able to give this feeling — minute. that is to be able to give this feeling for them, to come here and bring _ this feeling for them, to come here and bring them this clean sheet is really— and bring them this clean sheet is really important. so the end of an era for southampton. earlier, i spoke to their former midfielderjo tessem, but there have been plenty of warning signs that relegation was on its way. i think it has been a biggs does appointments for the fans. they kind of showed that today. this has been coming. —— it has been a big disappointment for the fans. with the way they have been performing, i think this was expected. it was just waiting for it to be confirmed, and todayit waiting for it to be confirmed, and today it was confirmed. a lot of fans will be very sad today, and so am i. ithink fans will be very sad today, and so am i. i think it is a sad day for southampton football club. in terms ofthe southampton football club. in terms of the managerial _ southampton football club. in terms of the managerial changes _ southampton football club. in terms of the managerial changes through i of the managerial changes through the season, that didn't help did it? do you think that selles is housed an impossiblejob on his hands? there have been a few changes since

then. they've tried to do the right thing. it hasn't worked out for the club after buying many players. 0bviously, with the manager changes we have had this season, it hasn't really helped. we chose two different managers. he chose a way of playing that i think was overcomplicated and didn't work. it wasn't positive. same with nathan jones. a very negative in his way of playing. and selles continued the circle. and he was thrown into the job just by being circle. and he was thrown into the jobjust by being here. he has played football which i think has been tactically bad. i think that is the reason we find ourselves in the bottom of the premier league. find bottom of the premier league. and one of the players who has stood out here. the likes of capt james ward prowse, carlos alca raz?

where do they stand? one of the teams that _ where do they stand? one of the teams that has _ where do they stand? one of the teams that has really _ where do they stand? one of the teams that has really stood - where do they stand? one of the teams that has really stood out l where do they stand? one of the l teams that has really stood out has been another, playing very well in a bad team. i don't know where he is going. he is in that age where he might think i have to continue my career and go somewhere else, and that'll be strange for him and strange for southampton fans. but he hasn't had a top season. i don't think he has stood out the season, and been the player or captain we had hoped he would be. ithink and been the player or captain we had hoped he would be. i think he would be better with better players around him. but it is not a good selling point for him and himself, in terms of individual goals, if you want to play in the premier league, i think it has done some damage to him. but for me, i think the big selling point for the club. the optimism _ selling point for the club. the optimism for— selling point for the club. the optimism for the _ selling point for the club. the optimism for the club, a lot of talk about bouncing back into the premier league. how likely is that to happen

soon? it league. how likely is that to happen soon? , ., ., ., , soon? it is tough to go up in the championship- _ soon? it is tough to go up in the championship. but _ soon? it is tough to go up in the championship. but obviously, i soon? it is tough to go up in the - championship. but obviously, coming from the premier league, you have the financial advantage with having the financial advantage with having the parachute with nut none of the other clubs get. so you have the financial advantage, and if you can use that. it relies on getting the right manager, and someone who was in charge, get the players who you need to have in the club to get out of the championship. and i think get that sorted and the club will be ok. leeds united remain in the relegation zone — despite coming back to rescue a point against newcastle — who are chasing a champions league spot. the result marred by a fan encroaching on the pitch — and appearing to push newcastle boss eddie howe — with leeds issuing a lifetime ban. ben croucher reports. back into the spotlight. some aloe dice was brought in as leeds boss with one job dice was brought in as leeds boss with onejob in mind, keeping

premier league football at elland road. an early goal against newcastle would be just the ticket then. shot in the arm their survival hopes, then a kick in the collar for good measure. nobody needed reminding just what was at stake. those who could watch, may have which they didn't. because, sure enough, newcastle went up the other end and won a penalty of their own, that was duly dispatched by callum wilson. indeed, leeds had to hand in their own downfall. you know the drill by now, different spots, same outcome. this time, leeds did have a response, rasmus christmas and at and he had the final touch, perhaps too much. 0ne spectator got close enough to remonstrate in front of eddie howe. the closest to his newcastle side got to spoiling leads's tables pushed away. behind the smiles, there is a valuable

point beyond the applause. there is still a chance. ben crutcher, bbc news. nottingham forest battled back to secure a draw against chelsea at stamford bridge, having had the lead at half time. taiwo awoniyi got the opener. but the match came to life in the second half. raheem sterling scored two for chelsea — but the lead lasted less than 5 minutes. awoniyi with the crucial equaliser for forest, with his second of the game to make it 2 all leaving them three points above the drop zone. manchester united boosted their hopes of champions league football next season with a 2—0 win over wolves. antony martial opened the scoring in the first half, before substitute alejandro garnacho marked his return from injury by scoring the second. the result leaves united 4th — level on points with newcastle — but now four points clear of liverpool. isa man is a man united player, you have to deliver. you have to meet high standards, give the performance and take the responsibility as an individual and a team. we had a tough week, in three days, we

dropped important points. individual mistakes, but also by low energy levels. that can't be. today, we bounced back.— levels. that can't be. today, we bounced back. the most important thin . bounced back. the most important thin and bounced back. the most important thing and aim _ bounced back. the most important thing and aim for— bounced back. the most important thing and aim for our— bounced back. the most important thing and aim for our part, - bounced back. the most important thing and aim for our part, is - bounced back. the most important thing and aim for our part, is to . thing and aim for our part, is to remember_ thing and aim for our part, is to rememberwhere we were thing and aim for our part, is to remember where we were four months a-o. remember where we were four months ago and _ remember where we were four months ago. and where we are. so it is an incredible — ago. and where we are. so it is an incredible success for us. we of course — incredible success for us. we of course want to finalise well. we want _ course want to finalise well. we want to — course want to finalise well. we want to be — course want to finalise well. we want to be able to compete until theh _ want to be able to compete until then. today, we have tried. i don't have _ then. today, we have tried. i don't have anything to talk about in the attitude _ have anything to talk about in the attitude of the players. so, because we have _ attitude of the players. so, because we have to — attitude of the players. so, because we have to respect for the other teams. — we have to respect for the other teams, and they are playing for differeht— teams, and they are playing for different aims. crystal palace continued their resurgence under roy hodgson — they beat bournemouth 2—0. eberechi eze with two great goals for them. palace remain 12th in the table, now four points above bournemouth in 14th. and aston villa won 2—1 against spurs, harry kane with a late consolation for tottenham. theirs hope of securing a champions league place over.

and the stadium of light plays host to the first of the championship playoff semi—finals — with sunderland at home to luton. where it's currently i—i just kicking off in the second half there. luton finished three places and 11 places above sunderland in the championship table. the second leg is on tuesday.. bolton and barnsley remain locked together in the battle for a trip to wembley following a 1—1 draw in the first leg of their league one play—off semi—final. nicky cadden opened the scoring for the visitors shortly after the hour mark — firing low in to the corner from outside the area. however, bolton responded just four minutes later, dion charles bundling the ball home. the two sides meet in the second leg at 0akwell on friday. in scotland, celtic have already secured the title — but glasgow rivals rangers won the last old firm derby of the season 3—0 at ibrox. todd cantwell put second place rangers ahead in just the fifth minute of the match. they're guaranteed a runners up spot this season —

and with it, a shot at qualification for the champions league. john souttar headed their second later in the first half. before a defensive mix up allowed zambian striker fashion sakala to round celtic keeperjoe hart, and seal a comfortable victory. in the rest of the day's scottish premiership matches — ross county and dundee united exchanged places at the bottom of the table — afterjordan white's hat—trick gave ross county a vital 3—1 win. they're guaranteed a runners up spot this season — and with it, a shot at qualification for the champions league. elsewhere, wins for kilmarnock and motherwell. st mirren drew with hearts. and aberdeen—hibs was goalless. after four years out of the english football league — notts county are back after a nail biting finish in the national league play—off final against chesterfield. it took extra time and penalities to secure their move back to league two. patrick geary was watching. what must it have felt like to be and that — what must it have felt like to be and that notts county dressing room, to have _ and that notts county dressing room, to have earned 107 points but still be thwarted by wrexham? to force our be thwarted by wrexham? to force your nerves —

be thwarted by wrexham? to force your nerves through _ be thwarted by wrexham? to force your nerves through the _ be thwarted by wrexham? to force your nerves through the play-offs, | your nerves through the play—offs, where every decision and touch matters. just appeal�*s penalty less than five minutes in. anthony dallas stayed calm but caused mayhem. county fans may have felt bait against them. time takes to minute 88, wherejohn bostock spotted a gap- 88, wherejohn bostock spotted a gap. notts county had their reprieve, the final this season into extra time. but chesterfield had been only briefly went dead. armando dobro three minutes into the extra period has been back in front. —— only briefly winded. it has them 23 points behind. but now that league table counts for nothing. hoping for minutes like this, anthony rodrigues forced the match to penalties. for shoot—out, county change their goalkeeper. may it would perhaps be the substitution of the season. he scored two penalties, and took his side back to the football league. notts county went a long way round, but got there in the end. patrick

geary, bbc news. what drama there. saracens are the first team through to the premiership rugby final. after a 38—15 win over northampton. the home side stormed into an early lead, and were 2i—3 in front at the break, the best of their tries coming after some quick thinking from ivan van zyl. northampton did respond in the second half — but their efforts were in vain. saracens will play either sale or leicester in the final. the defending champions, the stormers are through to the final, and it is all ongoing in that match between leinster and munster. leinster currently leads a 10—6. in super league, st helens ended salford's run of four straight victories as they came from behind to win 26—12. the game saw saints captain james roby break the clubs all time apperance record, ahead of his retirement at the end of the season. joe batchelor�*s try sealed

the win for the home side, as the result sees them rise up to seventh, whilst salford stay sixth. geraint thomas and tao geoghegan hart remain fifth and sixth in the overall standings after stage eight of the giro d'italia the stage eight of the giro d'italia. the stage was won by ireland's ben healy, the ef—education rider, going solo for the last 50 kilometres to take a first grand tour stage win. thomas and geoghegan hart finished alongside fellow contender primoz roglic, and the ineos grenadiers pair are 52 and 56 seconds down on overall leader andreas leknessund. chelsea and manchester united go head to head in the women's fa cup final at a sold—out wembley stadium tomorrow. emma hayes�* chelsea are aiming to win the fa cup, for the third year in a row, and the fifth time overall, while marc skinner's united are playing in their first women's final. so who will come out on top? jo currie reports. manchester united fan izzy gavin never thought you'd see the club's never thought she'd see the club's women's team play in a majorfinal at wembley. but, this weekend, she isjoining

the many fans heading to london, hoping to see them lift their first fa cup. a dream going and watching your club at wembley, and a dream for the players, knowing they have managed it for the first time. it's history. they have got to the final. theyjust have to go in and enjoy it. and it is surprising we have got here, but i don't think no other team deserves it. united only formed a professional women's team in 2018, many years after most premier league clubs. theirjourney to wembley caps a remarkable rise for the side, who are now seeking their first major trophy. another title for chelsea! standing in their way are four—time winners and defending champions chelsea. i don't think we are underdogs to be honest, and when we played them in the league, it was i—0, and i think we actually dominated the game, and played really well. that result could have easily gone a different way. i think that we need to take that sort of performance into the cup final, and maybe youth will prevail in the end.

manchester united and chelsea are also locked in a tight battle for the wsl title, meaning this final could be the first piece in a cup and league double for either side. honestly, when you have back—to—back games, you spend most of your days asking what day of the week it is, let alone, which tournament it is. it's another game in a big block. yes, it's the cup final. we worked really hard to get to the final, we've had a really, i think a really tough qualification to get to the final. so, it's where we want to be. whoever lifts the trophy will most likely do it in front of a record crowd. for the first time ever, the women's fa cup final is the women's fa cup final has sold out wembley. and the increase in ticket sales has been largely put down to the lionesses�* euros win here last summer. absolutely. winning the euros at wembley could not have been more of an iconic moment for women's sport. i think, and to have some of those lionesses

out there on the pitch this weekend will be just the icing on the cake. from ten years ago, when the final was played in front of less than 5000 people in doncaster, to a packed out wembley. this fa cup final is another marker ofjust how far the women's game has grown. joe currie, bbc news, wembley. it should be a cracking game. two familiar rivals go head to head in the final of british basketball�*s league playoff tomorrow. the london lions will take on the leicester riders, at a packed out o2 arena — for both the men's and women's finals — the lions looking to become the first side to win both titles. the lions won the championship by a record margin — and defeated leicester in the bbl cup final injanuary. earlier, i caught up with azania stewart of the lions — who's retiring after the final, following a ten year career. it isa it is a final, and you always want to prepare and play well, and do your best. and obviously, win another trophy. so, for us, your best. and obviously, win anothertrophy. so, for us, i your best. and obviously, win another trophy. so, for us, i think for both teams, women and men, which isjust a fantastic

for both teams, women and men, which is just a fantastic organisation and shows both sides for the riders and london lions, how well they have been playing this season. what london lions, how well they have been playing this season. what you think it does _ been playing this season. what you think it does for _ been playing this season. what you think it does for the _ been playing this season. what you think it does for the sport - been playing this season. what you think it does for the sport when - been playing this season. what you think it does for the sport when the two teams compete side by side? i two teams compete side by side? i think that, just this whole year and season has been tremendous for basketball. when i was growing up, there was nothing like it. to play at the 02 there was nothing like it. to play at the o2 arena, i think it is incredible. as one... it is a famous place to play, and i think it'll be electric. for us to have it on main tv, for fans to electric. for us to have it on main tv, forfans to be in the building. it will be one for the books. i’m it will be one for the books. i'm sure it will. _ it will be one for the books. i'm sure it will. the _ it will be one for the books. i'm sure it will. the rise in the popularity of basketball has been noted, it is in the top five global sports of interest, worldwide, after football and lots of other american sports. so, it is very much front and centre at the moment. what would you notice about the popularity of basketball since you have been playing? i basketball since you have been -la in:? ~' basketball since you have been -la in: ? ~' , y ., playing? i think it is the young kids, playing? i think it is the young kids. girls _ playing? i think it is the young kids, girls and _ playing? i think it is the young kids, girls and boys _ playing? i think it is the young kids, girls and boys who - playing? i think it is the young kids, girls and boys who are i playing? i think it is the young i kids, girls and boys who are just coming in, and the excitement. it is

one of the only sports that you really can physically touch and speak to a professional athlete right after the game. we high five, take pictures and sign autographs. there is not that many sports you can get that all interaction with a professional player. so, it is definitely a lot of new faces in the seat, and we love to see that. but i think the game is just getting bigger and bigger. think the game is just getting biggerand bigger. it has think the game is just getting bigger and bigger. it has been a really big season, the fans have been incredible this year. for yourself. _ been incredible this year. for yourself. it — been incredible this year. for yourself, it is _ been incredible this year. for yourself, it is a _ been incredible this year. for yourself, it is a swansong, isn't it? you are going out after a ten year career. as your last training session today. how does it feel? what are your feelings at the moment?— what are your feelings at the moment? �* , ., ., ., what are your feelings at the moment? , ., ., ., ~ moment? i've been so emotional. at the beginning — moment? i've been so emotional. at the beginning of— moment? i've been so emotional. at the beginning of the _ moment? i've been so emotional. at the beginning of the week _ moment? i've been so emotional. at the beginning of the week i - moment? i've been so emotional. at the beginning of the week i was - the beginning of the week i was like, i'm fine, i'm fine. and then my team have done some really lovely things. everybody recorded a video and got my family and friends involved. today, they give photographs out to each person, with me involved. i think it is really

starting to hit home. well, you have done so much in your career, and it'sjust a moment done so much in your career, and it's just a moment to celebrate, because i think that as a professional athlete, you work so hard and put in so many hours, and for somebody to look in, you just see the finished product in the game, but we spend hours on our craft. so, ijust have to really take a moment and congratulate myself and be proud of myself, and just send thanks to my family and friends. more than i2—thousand people will take part in "the rob burrow marathon" in leeds tomorrow — including the former rugby league player. rob's friend and former leeds rhinos team—mate, kevin sinfield — who's completed numerous challenges since rob's motor neurone disease diagnosis in 2019 — will be with him all the way. graham satchell has more. rob burrow and kevin sinfield back where it all started. headingley stadium.

it is the home of rugby league club, the leeds rhinos. it's the place where we spent a lot of time together, where our team spend a lot of time together. and we had some brilliant memories here. the pocket rocket, as he's known around headingley. some tough moments, but moments that brought us together as a group and made sure that this team would stick together and look after each other no matter what happens. rob and kev were part of a legendary team. this is a champion side providing a real champion response. - together, they won title after title. they met as teenagers and sat next to each other in the changing room for 15 years. yeah, we had some good moments. you always look after the guy next to you, don't you?

and, yeah, he never played any daft tricks on me, thankfully. in 2019, rob was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, a progressive degenerative disorder with no cure. with his wife, lindsey, and three children at his side, rob has shown extraordinary resilience and openness about his condition, and he hasn't been fighting alone. his best friend has completed a series of remarkable challenges running marathons and ultramarathons. but kev always planned a mass participation event. we want people to share and show the love and support for rob. we felt the marathon was a great way to do that, to showcase it, and a brilliant legacy piece for people to to run in rob's name. i think it would be a real celebration of the best of our communities and people coming together for some wonderful causes, but especially. the rob burrow leeds marathon will start at headingley stadium. it travels through leeds, then heads

out into the yorkshire countryside. it winds its way through a couple of local towns, before ending back at headingley. ijust think it would be a wonderful day, a tough day, it's a pretty hilly course. so it would be a tough day, but one where we can share in some of that pain and fight together and show people how much we care about rob. i'm actually really looking forward to spending the time with him. here's your chair for the day. thank you. almost unbelievably, kev is planning to push rob for the whole 26 mile course in a specially adapted chair. thankfully, rob is five foot four and quite lightweight too. it's not like we're pushing a six foot ten guy who's 25 stone, so it'll be tough, but it'll be tough for everybody. and i think i'll certainly be ready for that. i've been inspired by rob throughout

the time i've known him, especially the last couple of years. so the fact that he's going to be right underneath my nose this time, i won't be short of inspiration. rob's wife, lindsay, will also be running tomorrow. the reason that i'm doing it will get me to that finish line, and i've never been more determined to cross that finish line and to do it for rob and just to do a little bit to show that you care and just to do a bit to help. ijust wish i was in that chair having a ride. - i think it needs to have some board on the back so i can _ jump on and have a ride. but no, it's fantastic. i mean, kev has been a brilliant - support for rob from from day one. he's always been there. you know, rob will often say kev's like the brother we never had. - and everybody needs a friend like kev. - so i think for them to do this. together, willjust be incredible. it will be so special - and i think there's a part for them on the route.

it will be phenomenal. well, my friend is finally here and they've done enough all training for it. i hope you have mate and family getting involved in an event for me. i will be honestly proud to finish it with my mate in the same time. the only way that could. i'm sorry to say that the world record for being pushed in the wheelchair is around two and a half hours. come on, kev. we can do it. no pressure. no chance with the world record. i've got to tell you, we're looking forward to it, too. i think everybody's trained really hard and it will be a brilliant day for us. more than 12,000 people are taking part in the marathon. it is an outpouring of love and support for a truly remarkable man. graham satchell, bbc news. good luck to everybody doing that tomorrow. remarkable work from the two of them. sunderland are winning 2-1 two of them. sunderland are winning 2—1 in their match. you can get all

the latest from the championship play—off semifinal on the bbc sport website. that's all from sportsday. we'll have more throughout the evening. much of the country had a very fine and sunny start to the weekend. but two looks quite mixed. there will be some sunshine around, but particularly in scotland and northern ireland, we see this weather front moving in of the atlantic, bring outbreaks of rain and a drop in temperature. but high pressure will bring is a fine evening and night. largely clear skies for many. but that cloud will start to rolling again across east and the midlands. it will be turning wetter and breezy as that weather

front which is in. so a mixture of temperatures. sunday then, we start off with some sunshine around. that grey weather across the east of england should tend to improve. the clouds burning back to the coast. one or two showers into the afternoon through the midlands. this weather front will start to move out of scotland and northern ireland. it brightens up later in the day with a few showers but it will feel much cooler for scotland and northern ireland. low to mid—teens. sunny spells across parts of england and wales. again, we could be up to 21 degrees. sunday night that weather front weakens, it continues to push eastward, bringing cloud, some patchy rain, clearer skies, one or two blustery showers across the north and west of scotland but under those clear skies, with this cool air skies, with this cooler air mass it is going to be a chilly night to come here. for south—eastern areas where we have the weather front, the cloud and rain generally seven to 10 degrees. that weather front clears away eventually and we see some further showers around the edge of this area

of high pressure which will bring us north, north—westerly winds. showers for northern scotland, northern and eastern england, some of these running down to east anglia and south—east into the afternoon. the best of the sunshine towards the south and west. we could be up to 15 degrees here but you will see it is a much cooler day across the board. ranging between ten and 13 celsius. for most of us. that is below par for this time in may. the cool air hangs around through tuesday and again into wednesday, particularly towards northern and eastern areas but very slowly we'll start to see those yellow—orange colours returning. so it will start quite chilly through the week with some showers around but temperatures will recover towards the end of the week and because it is higher pressure nearby, it should stay mostly dry.

live from london. this is bbc news. pope francis and president zelensky meet at the vatican — both men agree on the need for continuing humanitarian efforts in ukraine. final campaign rallies have been held in turkey ahead of sunday's crucial election. and the final countdown in liverpool as the world's biggest song contest gets under way, injust an hour. hello, i'm lukwesa burak. we start in rome, where ukrainian president volodymyr zelensky is on a one—day visit. he's been meeting italy's prime

minister, giorgia meloni, who affirmed that italy would remain a solid ally, and provide kyiv