and olly foster is in baku ahead of that game.n a lot of talk about the ticket situation, struggles with fa ns the ticket situation, struggles with fans able to get there but do you think there's a sense of occasion tonight? there is a sense of occasion, this is a big dealfor baku and azerbaijan. the eastern frontier of european football, the caspian sea just shimmering behind the camera and that flaming tower up there, one of the major viewpoints here in the city. and arsenal are in one of those towers, that is the hotel and just across the way chelsea also in position. we will be going live to the olympic stadium in a couple of minutes to hear for our correspondence that whether teams are trained. but the real news, ever since the two teams found out that they would be coming to baku there has been that scramble for tickets for the fans. first disappointment from chelsea and arsenal that they would only get 6000 each and then a realisation that they probably would not and have not taken up their full allocation because we are a

here we are in baku.t huge game in madrid on saturday this would feel an even bigger game, all england, all premier league, europa league final, and a london derby. people talk about who is it more important too, arsenal with the champions league carrots 7 arsenal with the champions league carrots? what is the real factor here? chelsea have got that. for arsenal, champions league beckons if they can win tonight. that could make unai emery make the arsenal tea m make unai emery make the arsenal team that much stronger with the fans. for chelsea, eden hazard's last scheme. it may be his last game, i should say. and last scheme. it may be his last game, ishould say. and it last scheme. it may be his last game, i should say. and it may be the last four sarri also. big motivation for chelsea. as we saw last night, pressure beginning to tell all round in that camp. we saw that fracas at the chelsea training session. and may be lost in the controversy, sarri throwing his hat, ka nte controversy, sarri throwing h

the baku fans that were in the stadium didn't really know what to sing.e're trying our best but the first half was surreal. it did not feel like a cup final. there we re not feel like a cup final. there were more arsenal fans than chelsea, were more arsenal fans than chelsea, we felt that on the streets of baku, and certainly a few more red shirts. joan, how was the final for you? red it is always an honour to be at a final, to watch arsenal. the atmosphere was flat flatter than donald trump's hairpiece. we try to give as much noise as we could, and for the local supporters, people coming in from other places, there we re coming in from other places, there were a coming in from other places, there we re a lot coming in from other places, there were a lot of australians here, and other groups who support arsenal, it was sort of a chance for them to see people that they won't get the opportunity to see like we get to see these guys every week. so whilst it was a disappointment, i'm glad we've made the effort to come here and support my team and i will be ba

they beat arsenal 4—1 in baku, in azerbaijan.ll the goals were scored in the second half, with eden hazard scoring twice for chelsea. a government review has recommended that university tuition fees in england should be reduced from just over 9,000 pounds a year tojust over 7,000. now on bbc news live to singapore for asia business report. boeing's boss issues another apology as the aircraft could be grounded until august. where could somewhere in asia grabbed the top global city ranking? good morning asia, hello world, it is the first day, glad you could join us. we start off with boeing 737 max—8 aircraft. it is unlikely to re—enter service before august, and that is the view of the airline industry's trade body. at the same time, the playmaker‘s chief executive has reiterated that the company is sorry for the lives lost on itsjets in the company is sorry for the lives lost on its jets in the wake of two deadly crashes. the entire 737 max fleet has been grounded since march, when a plane crash in ethiopia killed everyone on boa

sarah rainsford was at the stadium in baku.streaming out of the stadium first tonight. this isn't the result they came all the way to baku hoping for. you can see it on their faces — dejected, disappointed, angry, some of them, in fact, when we asked them about the result. now, it was an extremely long journey for a london derby, arsenal and chelsea facing off here in the olympic stadium in baku, almost 3,000 miles. for chelsea, obviously, it was worth it. this is victory. but what about the arsenal fans? hey, have you got a second? have you got have a second? yeah, i'm gutted, completely. i mean, it was expensive enough getting here, and to see my team play that shambolically is just ridiculous. was it worth coming all this way for? no. for azerbaijan, hosting big events like this one is a big deal. this is a country that wants to showcase itself to the world. but that does bring a sometimes uncomfortable spotlight on things like human rights here, and the big armenian question — that conflict that meant that arsenal's armenia

on a train that nearly killed me, 12 hours, to bluesy to baku. and after, pretty complicated, long and expensive journey to get here, the fa ns expensive journey to get here, the fans now have an equally long journey home. sarah rainsford there. a mural by the artist banksy which was painted on the walls of a garage in wales has been moved very carefully. it's new home is a museum which will feature the artwork known as seasons greetings. tomos morgan reports. as christmas descended on port talbot last year, so did banksy. a painting on one side of a young boy playing in what looks like snow but, on the other side, the piece shows the child is breathing fumes. but can it be moved intact? after sleepless nights and months of planning, the moment of truth has finally arrived and the banksy is on the move. it's been quite the headache for engineers. protective resins, wooden casings, and steel barriers have all been needed. it's been a slow process, as a crane slowly moved the garage corner onto a flatbed before being transported through the centre

from london to hear in baku.have complained about baku as a host venue, two london clubs, it‘s a long, very expensive way to come. what you think about as hosting? they didn‘t know it was going to be two london clubs, so they could of said have it at wembley. it‘s very out of the way for most big clubs, they clubs knew it was going to be someone they clubs knew it was going to be someone from england, italy, spain or germany. i personally wouldn‘t have chosen baku for a big european final. you've had some hiccups as well, no hotel and taxi drivers trying to pull a fast one. we got to the airport and tried to get a taxi where they asked for 100 azerbaijani money, 50 quid, we found out it should be £3 50. i got to my hotel and it doesn‘t exist. should be £3 50. i got to my hotel and it doesn't exist. what about the atmosphere in general, they have been some weird logistical problems but what is the atmosphere like no? there are people in shirts for both teams. it seems that arsenal have a few more fans from london,

mkhitaryan will stay at home for arsenal's europa league final in baku because of safety concerns evenhough uefa and azerbaijan say a security plan in place. also coming up in the programme... steve clarke lays out his vision for scotland and what he'll demand from his players. i only want players who out 100% committed to the national team. i will certainly be 100% committed. and as part of our change the game season we look at a possible link between periods and the increased risk of serious injury. good evening. the cricket world cup starts in nine days time. england, the hosts, taking on south africa at the oval. it's a long tournament and england think that their best chance of going the distance and making it through to the lords final onjuly1lith is with jofra archer in the side. that's the biggest talking point that came out of today's squad announcement. here's our sports correspondentjoe wilson. sometimes in cricket things move quickly, sometimes. fast bowling is what jofra archer does. in the matches, he is exceptional. he qualified for england in march, he is in the world c

from baku, sarah rainsford, reports. they slid into baku on a slow train from georgia. two flights and all night on here. it wasn't too fun, it was long. arsenal fans are also upset that their midfielder from armenia won't be travelling here. henrikh mkhitaryan decided it wasn't safe for him. it all stems back to the war that forced this theatre group to flee their homes three decades ago. they are from a part of azerbaijan that is now under armenian control. it is an emotional issue for many, even now. the region's football team is still going too, in exile, and they say henrikh mkhitaryan would have been safe in the final. may be the maximum pressure with some screaming something, but it is enough, nothing else. azerbaijan wants this final to project its best face to the world, but this is also a country where government critics, activists and bloggers are behind bars, and that is aside the football fans want to see. the government firmly denies it is trying to whitewash its image through sport. for the fans who have made it, the talk of cost and controversy has alrea

this isn't the result they came all the way to baku hoping for.inted, angry, some of them, in fact, when we asked them about the result. now, it was an extremely long journey for a london derby, arsenal and chelsea facing off here in the olympic stadium in baku. almost 3,000 miles. for chelsea, obviously, it was worth it. this is victory. but what about the arsenal fans? hey, have you got a second? have you got have a second? yeah, i'm gutted, completely. i mean, it was expensive enough getting here, and to see my team play that shambolically is just ridiculous. was it worth coming all this way for? no. for azerbaijan, hosting big events like this one is a big deal. this is a country that wants to showcase itself to the world. but that does bring a sometimes uncomfortable spotlight on things like human rights here, and the big armenian question — that conflict that meant that arsenal's armenian midfielder said he didn't feel safe to come here. for these fans, though, the big questions have really been about logistics. i've been on that train, that

has been farfrom smooth. human rights, the road to baku has been far from smooth. with a lot at stake. 3000 miles away on the edge of asia lies baku, an unlikely venue for a london derby. the cost and complication has denied many the chance to be here. those who are have stories to tell. so i travelled from barrow in furness, and probably the only person from there here today! it's taken me probably the best part of 30 hours, car, three flights, big long layovers. but now that we're here, we're just happy and looking forward to the final. any team that got here it would have been difficult especially with the fans being able to travel. logistically, it's a nightmare. not in attendance is the arsenal player henrikh mkhitaryan, who decided he didn't feel safe enough because of political tension between his country, armenia, and hosts azerbaijan. even his name, it seems, is attracting the wrong kind of attention. the sports minister is keen to promote the positives and told me there was no truth in accusations that events like these are being used to sanitise the nati

jake and his dad, kevin, join us now from baku. you are finally in baku, congratulations.al is the pinnacle for any foot or fan, and the adventure that we have had on the way is just and the adventure that we have had on the way isjust incredible, and we have made so many memories, for a lifetime, really, and meeting so many different people along the way. lots of different stories to tell for many years to come, and i am really looking forward to the match now. tell us a bit more about the adventures, because i understand as the journey was going on people were hearing about the trip, and you were getting a reception when you arrived in places. yes, so i kind of documented my travels on twitter, and each place, local people were messaging me and seeing how we were getting on. eventually i think the azerbaijan tourist board messaged me and said what time do you get into baku? i dropped them a message and they welcomed us with a local band, dancing, food, breakfast. yesterday they picked us up again and took us to the stadium for a tour, presented us to the stadium for a to

we'll bring you the latest from baku in azerbaijan, where arsenal and chelsea have gone through theirast preparations for the europa league final. good evening. theresa may admitted it's a "matter of great regret" she couldn't deliver brexit, as she met eu leaders for one of her last summits as prime minister. responding to the crushing defeat of conservatives in the european elections, she conceded the results were "disappointing" and it would have to be for her successor to take the uk out of the european union. meanwhile labour, like the conservatives, is wrestling with how to respond to their poor showing in last week's eu elections. tony blair's former spin doctor alastair campbell has now been expelled from the party after admitting he voted liberal democrat. and tonight two former labour ministers have admitted they didn't vote for the party either. here's our deputy political editor, john pienaar. she tried. she failed. now it will be someone else‘s job to sort out brexit. but how? it has split the country and has torn theresa may's party. in brussels, for leaders gathering to

fans from both clubs have been arriving in the host city, baku, although many have struggled with thent, david 0rnstein, has made it though and is live in baku for us tonight. tension must be building there among the fans. fiona, it really is. chelsea and arsenal have met many times over the year, but arguably never before with so much at stake. the lead up has been dominated by controversy over travel tickets. politics and human rights as well, but at last it's time for the sport, and the totte n ha m time for the sport, and the tottenham and liverpool are facing off in the champion league final on saturday, so it marks the start of a huge a few days for english football. at last, they arrived, the final stop on a journey so many simply couldn't make. these, among the relatively few who did, travelling thousands of miles at great expense to watch their team go for glory. you can see us, we are a mixed marriage. chelsea, arsenal. it can't get any better than this for us, so we decided we had to go, because when else would we get a chance to see baku and to get to see arsenal play chel

they beat arsenal 4—1 in baku, in azerbaijan.

our sports correspondent david 0rnstein is in baku for us this evening.f the field but it will certainly be remembered for what happened on it. chelsea annihilating arsenal to secure their fifth european trophy and a first in the entire career of their manager, moritz sre, and a night of sharply contrasting fortunes, emotions and repercussions. the final destination at the end of a long and controversial journey. at the end of a long and controversialjourney. two at the end of a long and controversial journey. two clubs separated by a 40 minute drive across london, meeting 3000 miles away in azerbaijan. arsenal knew victory would bring the added bonus of champions league qualification. indeed, they made the better start but couldn't find a breakthrough. on his right foot... chelsea's superior european pedigree began to tell. as the local time ticked past midnight, the local time ticked past midnight, the sparse crowd needed awakening and giroud oblige. the former arsenal striker returning to haunt his club. pedro doubled the lead. and when eden hazard ext

last night's europa league final played before swathes of empty seats in baku was certainly controversialan arguably created more headlines than chelsea's 4—1 win over arsenal. 0lly foster guaged the mood among supporters earlier today. chelsea then heading home as europa league champions once again. a fitting finale? it was a final that really felt so flat. we have told all those stories about the journey is the fans have had to make, about how both clubs failed to take up their allocation because it soon became apparent how expensive and how difficult it would be to get to baku, and there were over 10,000 empty seats at

sarah rainsford in baku for us.n wales has been moved very carefully. its new home is a museum which will feature the artwork known as seasons greetings. tomos morgan reports. as christmas descended on port talbot last year, so did banksy. a painting on one side of a young boy playing in what looks like snow but, on the other side, the piece shows the boy is breathing fumes. but can it be moved intact? after sleepless nights and months of planning, the moment of truth has arrived, and the banksy is on the move. it's been quite the headache for engineers. protective resins, wooden casings, and steel barriers have been needed. it's been a slow process, as a crane slowly moved the garage corner onto a flatbed before being transported through the centre of town, but seasons greetings has remained in perfect condition. and there we are! i am so relieved, you've no idea. i said this morning i didn't see anything going wrong. total faith in these guys doing the job because they looked so professional to me but accidents ha

azerbaijan where the final is being held. 0ur sports correspondent david 0rnstein is in the capital baku9 europa league final where the last few preparations are taking place. we have arrived, we have seen supporters of chelsea and arsenal along the way, many more to come in the next couple of days. it was reported both clubs had handed back around half of their allocated 6000 tickets. what we have been heard todayis tickets. what we have been heard today is that arsenal have almost sold them all, chelsea less so, and both clubs are expecting quite a few fa ns both clubs are expecting quite a few fans internationally as well. as for the football itself, arsenal arrived on saturday, so they have already been training in the azerbaijan capital whereas chelsea arrived today. they also have a reported injury concern over n'golo kante. as far as we know, arsenal have a clean bill of health. they are expecting around 60,000 bill of health. they are expecting around 60 , 000 spectators bill of health. they are expecting around 60,000 spectators inside the stadium both sets of players will be he

we left london last tuesday and it has been almost a week to get to baku travelling 3500 miles usingncies going through three different countries and sleeping in different beds including trains and taxis and flights. we left london to go to istanbul and we nt left london to go to istanbul and went from istanbul to anne cara, and we nt went from istanbul to anne cara, and went ona went from istanbul to anne cara, and went on a train from there —— to ankara. we were delayed by cows on the track at one point and then we we nt the track at one point and then we went to to and from wc to baku. —— and then we went to tiblisi. arsenal arejust behind me and chelsea and then we went to tiblisi. arsenal are just behind me and chelsea are just over the road in a very luxurious hotel. both teams have trained at the olympic stadium which is just about five miles to the north—east of the city. we are waiting to see if we will get more supporters arriving for the final. this is a final that means a lot more to arsenal because they are not in the champions league at the moment and it is notjust the

how has the atmosphere been in baku? get the right result for you. a couple of the arsenal fans are saying that is a lot of arsenal and chelsea supporters. while there may not be many from the uk there will bea number not be many from the uk there will be a number from azerbaijan filling the stands. this is a showcase for azerbaijan. they want to show this venue off as a major venue for sporting events like this, they do not want to see empty seats. bbc news at six coming up in a few minutes. time for a look at the weather. the weather will get warmer towards the weekend. temperatures could reach 27 celsius for some. but before we get there, this close, and wet weather. the rain at its heaviest at the moment in northern ireland. but what a beautiful start to the day it was. sunshine for most parts of the uk. cloud and rain has been rolling in. the rain heavy for northern ireland, north—west england, south—west scotland. turning heavier and persistent here at the moment. showers working in across eastern scotland as well.

olly foster is in baku for us.tmosphere is building over there? —ish. we saw pockets of chelsea and arsenalfans —ish. we saw pockets of chelsea and arsenal fans last night. a lot of arsenal fans last night. a lot of arsenal and chelsea shirt which does not necessarily mean those supporters, people tagging onto these teams perhaps, a lot have adopted a club for the night and a lot of international fans but those fa ns lot of international fans but those fans coming from london, it has been a struggle. we are down in the bay. we will take that out for a spin later. i have two fans including tim who writes for a chelsea fanzine and another who is an arsenal fan and writer. it is like a badge of honour getting here. absolutely. it has beena getting here. absolutely. it has been a slog, booking to get here, hotels and things like that. i know people who have had accommodation cancelled. thankfully not me. i think it is a sense of solidarity between the two fans because we know we made a big effort to get him. they will

why during the baku games, but never during the other games? so far from london, lisbon, madrid.ch a question will appear. i believe that everybody will get acquainted with our beautiful city and will be happy to come back again. manchester city have been referred to uefa‘s adjudicatory chamber following an investigation into the club‘s finances and possible breaches of the financial fair play regulations. if found guilty they could be banned from next season‘s champions league. here‘s our sports correspondent david ornstein. we do not know on the timescale. hazy milan are under a similar investigation. that has been going on for months. other suggestions are this will be dealt with quickly. manchester city say they are disappointed but not surprised. their statement is very strongly worded, especially towards the chairman of this investigation. they also hit out at the immediate weeks. but they seem particularly confident of clearing their names. they say they have provided irrefutable evidence and the hope for a satisfactory outcome. staying with city, the women‘s team has sign

that led to fears that the match would be played in front of a half—empty stadium in baku.ty ahead of kick—off in about 20 minutes' time. the local people are being very friendly. the beer is very good as well. everyone seems to be ok because there is not many chelsea fans, which is good. i am hoping for a chelsea win against arsenal. we just hope the team are motivated. it is very difficult to come here because there are no direct flights and the airlines up at the price up. but we are arsenal. the gunners. well, our correspondent sarah rainsford — who is in baku — joins us live from outside the stadium. both these clubs sent back tickets and there was a fear they might be playing in front of a half empty stadium this evening. what is it looking like?” stadium this evening. what is it looking like? i am outside as you can see. it has obviously gone quiet here already, most of the crowd have already passed me. a pretty big crowd from what i can see. i have seen some photographs from inside. it is not full by any means but it looks like a good turnout. certainly that azeri f

but the controversy over the dificulties fans have had getting to baku continues.committee says the distance wasn't an issue as 4,000 or 5,000 have travelled, arsenal head coach unai emery says he sympathises because many more would have wanted to make the journey. i must respect this decision. yes, i prefer i must respect this decision. yes, i p refer to i must respect this decision. yes, i prefer to play with our supporters here that a lot of supporters can come here from arsenal and chelsea, from london but it is difficult for this flight from london but it is difficult for this flight but tomorrow they are going to be a lot of supporters, first in england and secondly in all of the world because as manchester you have a lot of supporters around the world. scotland's women beat jamaica 3—2 in glasgow in their last warm—up game before next month's football world cup in france. substitute defender sophie howard scored the winner in the 67th minute. the friendly at hampden park was watched by a record home crowd of 18500 fans. now to cycling where giulio ciccone won

chelsea thrashed arsenal to win the europa league in baku last night.n in turbulent times, chelsea know how to wind and certainly how to celebrate. two teams separated by a a0 minute drive across london meeting 3000 miles away in azerbaijan. the result, an unusual atmosphere. but still there was plenty at stake. arsenal were playing for the added bonus of champions league qualification. they made the better start but couldn't find a breakthrough. chelsea's superior continental pedigree began to tell. as a local time ticked past midnight, the sparse cloud needed awakening, and 0livier giroud duly obliged. the former arsenal striker scoring against his old club. when eden hazard extended the lead further, chelsea were in cruise control. arsenal scored arguably the goal of the game to threaten a comeback, then eden hazard scored again in what could be his final chelsea appearance. arsenal were humiliated, their dream ending in tea rs. humiliated, their dream ending in tears. the blues adding more silverware to the collection. if the game was dominated by t

the other question is, english teams having to travel all the way to baku. all the way to moscow, it was a shambles and a mess. hopefully uefa will look into this now. and those two clubs from the same country, if it isn't in that country, make sure it is somewhere nearby, somewhere you can get it. pat nevin, great to have you with us. let's get the weather now. we have had thunderstorms lurking. as far as the weekend is concerned it will turn drier and a little bit warmer as well. i want to emphasise the word dry because there will be some showers around on saturday. on the early hours of saturday, you can see across some parts of eastern britain. as we head into saturday morning, a chilly start with some sunshine for many of us. again, showers are expected anywhere from say the north—east of england into eastern parts. down into lincolnshire and the south—east. many western area should have a fine day. cardiff and newcastle should get to 1a. on sunday will be dry across the uk. there won't be any showers. temperatures will be higher and the chance for thos

our correspondent olly foster is in baku for us.st impressions of this baku final words particularly good, hundreds upon hundreds of empty seats and a terrible atmosphere inside the olympic stadium. it was a really flat first half, as well, arsenal's cech made a couple of decent saves, it was goalless at halftime. it got better in the second half, it had to, and stealthily ran away with the match, former arsenal player olivier giroud with a wonderful glancing header to put that one up. pedro also scared before —— scored before hazard made it 3—0 from the spot. alex iwobi, the substitute, scored a wonderful goal from outside the alex iwobi, the substitute, scored a wonderful goalfrom outside the box, 3-1, wonderful goalfrom outside the box, 3—1, a glimmer of hope with a few minutes to play? well, no, because hazard in what we certainly think will be his last match, scored a fourth. 4—1 to chelsea, and they are europa league champions once again. a great season for maurizio sarri, their manager, with his first major silverware. they f

for the europa league final in baku, arsenal and chelsea are getting just 6,000 each and face a 2,500elling each way with no direct flights. it's a disgrace that ticket prices are at the level they are. 80% of the tickets that are available through the clubs, even if you can get one, are priced more than £150, some of them £500. and of course the total allocation is less than half the capacity of the ground, which is really shameful. what has been even more remarkable about this dramatic week of football of course is that the dominant force in the english game is not among the four european finalists. manchester city know that if they beat brighton away on sunday in their last game of the premier league season, they will be crowned champions for the fourth time in eight years, but this unforgettable title race is not quite over yet. with the lead changing hands an incredible 32 times, city and liverpool have been locked in a relentless battle that is going right to the wire. after 13 straight wins, the leaders are top byjust a point, but slip up and liverpool, who have only lost one g

there'd been some controversy over the decision to stage this event in baku with fans struggling to getence there yet? not yet, they have just been playing some unpatriotic azerbaijan music here, there is an event going on here, there is an event going on here in downtown baku. —— some unpatriotic. just some arsenal and chelsea fans, and those who get farewell feel like it is a triumph in itself. there will be a lot of stories of how they got here, five road journeys, overnight train trips, a lot will be coming in on the day. the allocation, which was small anyway, neither club has been able to fulfil that allocation of 6000 each. a lot of tickets are going back to uefa. on top of the criticism of it being here in the far east and frontier of european football, the expense, it being mid week, a lot of fans would have to ta ke week, a lot of fans would have to take the best part of a week off work to get here to see them in this final, and it is a big deal, this final. for arsenal, final, and it is a big deal, this final. forarsenal, missing out final, and it is a big deal, this final. f

arsenal will face fellow london club chelsea in the azerbaijan capital of baku, after the blues won acht frankfurt. the match finished 1—1 after extra time, and ian dennis watched that one. for the first time ever, all four final births in european competition will be filled by one country. sari says it is because of the high standard in england but for a moment chelsea was under threat. after a loftus—cheek goal, they were pegged back via jovic and the germans twice when it went to extra time had effo rts when it went to extra time had efforts cleared off the line. it was a penalty shootout that settled it, and after two saves to swing it back in chelsea's favour, hazard, possibly for the final ever kick in the blue at chelsea, at stamford bridge, booked a baku trip to face arsenal. tennis, and it was a thursday to forget for two of the biggest names in the women's game at the madrid open. defending champion petra kvitova lost out in straight sets to kiki bertens, in a reversal of last year's final, the dutch seventh seed winning their quarter—final 6—2, 6—3. while earlier, world num

chelsea thrashed arsenal to win the europa league in baku last night.ight after the match he hinted that he could be on his way out of the club. 0lly foster is in baku. a big, big win for chelsea last night. yes, and they deserved it, sally. arsenal didn't really turn up, like many of theirfans and chelsea fans. we talked about their struggles to get to baku. 10,000 empty seats as well and we will show you empty seats as well and we will show you some empty seats as well and we will show you some of that in a moment. there's let me get out of the way because that is the chelsea team hotel and they had a big party, thrown by the owner, roman abramovich, and the team bus is parked up there to whisk them away and it has been for about an hour and it has been for about an hour and a half. they will be getting on it pretty soon. they will have mixed memories of this. they leave as europa league champions, but that stadium, which the authorities said would be full, at least 10,000 empty seats there. they said all those tickets that would be taken up by arsena

the players don't have to worry about getting to baku but the fans certainly do. flights between london and baku in the week of the final on the 29th of may. the quickest journey by air on the day, takes nearly seven hours. and by train it takes more than four days, passing through seven countries! of course, you could drive, but the minimum journey time, is listed online as 58 hours. obviously the europa league is on all the back pages this morning — and the headline writers have been having fun. "a full english", says the mirror, and "england is finally the toast of europe." the daily express goes with "bam bam baku", with a shot of arsenal's hat—trick hero aubameyang, as well as chelsea's keeper kepa and in the sun it's, "oh my quad — and "an historic english final 4!" wales coach warren gatland has agreed a deal, to take charge of the british and irish lions on their tour of south africa in 2021. although no contract has been signed, terms have been agreed for gatland to lead the lions for a third time. he's already overseen a winning tour of australia and a d

turn up rather than baku, but maybe they willjust turn up without rather than baku, but maybe they willhousands of miles on the wrong direction in order to get a flight they can get on and then afford. as i said before, it is a great shame, the understandable excitement of the supporters of those four clubs, for the forthcoming weeks is going to be tempered by worry about whether they can actually get to see the games. accommodation prices have gone through the roof and i heard jurgen klopp said 2700, that is absolutely absurd. a disgrace. will you be going? i'm not a fan of any of the four clubs, going? i'm not a fan of any of the fourclubs, i‘m a going? i'm not a fan of any of the four clubs, i‘m a fan of stoke city and our european days have been temporarily left behind! temporarily! i won't be going but we will be giving every support to the supporters organisations at those four clubs in taking up these issues, not only for this year but to try and get changes for future yea rs to try and get changes for future years as well, for the fans of clubs whichever country they come from,

there had been a lot of talk about the decision to stage the final in baku.inal branding because the final of course was a lwa ys because the final of course was always going to be here in baku on the shores of the caspian sea on the eastern frontier of european football. you can see those famous plain towers behind mejust let football. you can see those famous plain towers behind me just let up in the colour red. arsenal ensconced in their hotel in one of those towers, chelsea just over the road from us. we heard from the arsenal manager in the past hour saying how disappointed he is that there are not more fans here but both teams we re not more fans here but both teams were allocated 6000. at the time they said that was not enough but they said that was not enough but they had not taken up their full allocation. you get the feeling there are twice as many arsenal fans as chelsea fans at the moment anyway. earlier we spoke to the azerbaijan president of the football federation and asked for his comments about the fact that it is here in baku and that fans o

for the europa league final in baku, arsenal and chelsea are getting just 6,000 each and face a 2,500travelling each way with no direct flights. it's a disgrace that ticket prices are at the level they are. 80% of the tickets that are available through the clubs, even if you can get one, are priced more than £150, some of them £500. and of course the total allocation is less than half the capacity of the ground, which is really shameful. what has been even more remarkable is that the dominant force in the english game is not among the four european finalists. manchester city know if they beat brighton away on sunday in their last game of the premier league season, they will be crowned champions for the fourth time in eight years, but this unforgettable title race is not quite over yet. with the lead changing hands an incredible 32 times, city and liverpool have been locked in a relentless battle that is going right to the wire. after 13 straight wins, the leaders are top byjust a point, but slip up and liverpool, who have only lost one game and in almost any other year would be champi

away from baku, final preparations are being made in london for the opening of the cricket world cup.africa at the oval and if training is anything to go by today, pace bowler mark wood may not feature. liam plunkett and sam curren in the frame to play instead. captain eoin morgan should recover from a fractured finger to feature. he believes his side can cope with the pressure of being favourites. we have spoken about it as a group and the level of expectation is therefore a reason. over the last two years, our form at home has been outstanding and that's the reason it's there. a lot of it is a well cabi it's there. a lot of it is a well cab i have played in, we have gone in with very little expectation and not done that well. i would pick this position over any other. england is a tremendous cricket team, they have shown that over the past team, they have shown that over the pa st 24 team, they have shown that over the past 24 months, playing really good cricket. the first game of the campaign, for me it isjust excitement. england has been the favourites, so we are going to have to

no direct scheduled flights between london and baku in the week of the final.ussia for the world championship, also to four from london, lisbon, madrid. i believe next time we host such an event, never such a question will appear because i believe everybody getting acquainted with our beautiful city, our hospitality will be happy to be back again. manchester city women have signed ellen white on a two year deal after a couple of seasons with birmingham city. capped 80 times and help the lionesses when the second back—up for the first time. there was a big win forjohanna konta in rome today. she beat the sloane stephens in three sets to reach the italian 0pen third round . the british number one lost the first set on a tie—break. but konta fought back against the seventh seed and took the second set by six games to four. konta broke early on in the decider as the americans serve collapsed and konta took it 6—1. because this match was rained off yesterday konta will have to play her next match against venus williams later today. the two—time french open champion

well arsenal and chelsea haven't sold their full allocation of tickets with travel to baku proving difficultxpensive. neither club are expected to take up their allocation of six thousand each. for everybody it's better to play with 30,000 fans cheering and you do thisjob, these matches and it's better for everybody that, didn't to have the fans with the team. raheem sterling has been a strong voice in the fight against racism in football but he's calling for more action to be taken. he says t—shirt campaigns and social media blackouts aren't enough. the manchester city player says if the authorities are serious about combating racism then points deductions and expulsion from tournaments should be considered. after the situation that i had a chelsea, they came to me with an idea and it was about a premier league associate media —— social media blackout. i just league associate media —— social media blackout. ijust do not agree with that, it is a social media post that will happen for one day and in two days will be forgotten about. and also to do a lot in england, as well a few times, think

sarah rainsford, bbc news, baku. by which. richer sounds was named the best performer. whsmith said the study was not statistically relevant or meaningful. who‘s in milton keynes this morning. tell us more about why the shoppers in the survey ranked whsmith so badly? yes, whsmith has generally come a cropper in the surveys, it is the second year running they have come worst out of the poll of retailers. it is around the poor in—store experience and also the lack of customer care. service was cited, or a lack of service were cited, or a lack of service were cited for the reason why shoppers put them at the bottom of the pile. it's put them at the bottom of the pile. it‘s shares are up in its travel division, those are the whsmith we see at railway stations and airports. do you think the focus has been on those outlets rather than the high street stores? it has, to a larger degree, that is their cash cow and where they have seen their gains in turnover and profits. high street have been tough. the latest results for wh

chelsea lifted the europa league trophy tonight after they comfortably beat arsenal 4—1 in baku. eden hazard sealed the victory. it could be the midfielder‘s final appearance for the club before moving to real madrid in the summer. 0llie foster sent this report from outside the stadium in baku a little earlier. well, full—time whistle has just gone, and it is going to feel like a lot longer journey gone, and it is going to feel like a lot longerjourney for gone, and it is going to feel like a lot longer journey for those gone, and it is going to feel like a lot longerjourney for those arsenal fan heading back to london. they we re fan heading back to london. they were simply outplayed. it was goalless at halftime, and it was an awful first half, compounded goalless at halftime, and it was an awfulfirst half, compounded by a terrible atmosphere. lots and lots of empty seats at this 0lympic stadium. they said it was going to bea stadium. they said it was going to be a sell—out, despite neither of those london clubs taking up their allocation. three quickfire goals after the break,

while for the europa league final in baku, despite a slightly bigger stadium, tottenham and arsenal areinvolving around ten hours of flying. the arsenal supporters trust, whose fans are facing this marathon journey to azerbaijan, had described uefa's treatment as disgraceful and some believe the location of finals needs more flexibility. i think what they should probably do is look at the logistics and see who's going to the final and perhaps, in situations like this, maybe rearrange the game. and, so, after a week of english clu bs and, so, after a week of english clubs gloriously getting into finals, actually getting to watch those finals may be a whole new challenge. andy swiss, bbc news. time for a look at the weather. here's tomasz schafernaker. may has been a bit disappointing, so far, any signs of improvement? depends on your point of view, disappointing, it has been pretty chilly during the last few weeks. but we've also not had an awful lot of rainfall. disappointing may be for other reasons. we need the rainfall for our gardens and it's been really dry. there are signs that th

against spurs tottenham will be hoping to join liverpool — and make it an all—premier league final in bakuil by a goal against ajax, who came away with a 1—0 win at spurs‘ new stadium — in the first leg of their semifinal. in the build up — pochettino claimed he would consider walking away from the cloud — if they went on to win europe's elite competition. natalie pirks looks ahead to the match. they are one goal down in the first half and they must now try to do something they have only managed once and 11 away games and that is to win here against this team that has swept the likes of madrid in this competition, this very young side that are really thrilled at the competition. some of the toughest competition. some of the toughest competition in the world and the spurs simply have to be better if they want to reach their first champions league final. coach eric says this match is not over and causes the most important match in the arena that they have ever had to play. let's have a listen to what he had to say in the press conference. i think it was very good, i think they were very good

there have been sightings of arsenal fans walking around baku being stopped by police. of his name, the mere sight of his name is often -- seems to be causing controversy as well, which is a bit of a shame he would start for them, but yeah, he's not going to be there, but apparently roman is going to be there. he's had his own visa issues in london as well. >> visa getting intertwined with sports there thanks for breaking it down for us >>> a quick look at u.s. futures before we head out it is a risk off day across the board for european equities. a similar theme playing out for u.s. equities as well. dow down about 150 points. we get the richmond fed data watch out for that really all of this is knock on effects from the china/u.s. trade war. >>> in a couple of hours, our cnbc colleague talking to -- that is live at 1:00 p.m. central european time. >> and that is it for today's owi'm joumanna bercetche. >> and i'm willem marx hey! i'm bill slowsky jr., i live on my own now! i've got xfinity, because i like to live life in the fast lane. unlike my parents. you rambling

the match is to be played in the capital of azerbaijan — baku.lled out of the match over concerns for his safety. he is from armenia and there are long—standing political tensions between the two countries. uefa has said it received assurances over his safety, but that was not good enough according to senior mps. uefa's inclusion and diversity policy says the following. "everyone has the right to enjoy football no matter who you are, where you are from, or how you play." but next week, henrikh mkhitaryan will miss the match of a lifetime because he's from armenia and arsenal fans with armenian names have been denied visas to travel to baku. this is a scandal, it's a deeply ugly side to the beautiful game, and if i were secretary of state, i would make it clear to uefa that it's completely unacceptable. so, will the minister demand that uefa ensures that countries that force players to choose between their sport and their safety and discriminate against travelling fans will never be allowed to host future events? mr speaker, the honourable gentlem

it's understood the midfielder feared for his safety on the pitch in baku due to political tensions betweenrmenia and the host country. the azerbaijan fa says sport and political should stay separate. we are very disappointed to see the statement about the player because we have tried to do our best and on behalf of the government as well as local organisations, we had given all the guarantees to the cloud but they think it was a personal decision at the player again for his family, this is a great final, of course everything was observed and analysed in details, and require from us all a recommendation to be provided and that is what we did, with the state authorities as well, and all accommodations have been provided as well as to our snow cloud as well, they had been here the last week for the site visit and it's really disappointing the announcement of their cloud. new scotland manager steve clarke insists he only wants players who are 100% committeed to playing for their country. his predecessor alex mcleish‘s reign was marked by withdrawals and retirements clarke faced the media for t

baku prepares for a major european football final where the nation's politcs are proving more problematict are making the headlines in the media across the world. we begin with the mirror, who says the uk opposition leader jeremy corbyn is poised to support a second referendum on brexit after his labour party suffered a huge loss at the european elections. meanwhile, the independent reports that contenders to replace theresa may as uk prime minister have been dealt a double blow to their hopes of persuading voters that they can deliver a better brexit. the european commission president, jean—claude juncker has flatly rejected any renegotiation of the withdrawal agreement that was struck with ms may last november. in the times business section, pharmacy giant boots could close more than 200 shops over the next two years in a fresh setback for the troubled uk retail sector. the company, which is owned by us pharmacy giant walgreens, said it was "reviewing its store portfolio amid falling sales and profits." on front of the ft, malaysia will return 3,000 tons of plastic waste to countries in

azerbaijan where the final is being held, and our sports correspondent david ornstein is in the capital bakuwelcome to the olympic stadium, the venue for the 2019 europa league final where the last preparations are taking place. we have arrived and have seen supporters from both teams. many more to come. half of the allocated 6000 tickets had been handed back by the clubs. arsenal sold them all. chelsea lasso and both clubs expecting quite a few fa ns both clubs expecting quite a few fans internationally as well. arsenal arrived on saturday so they have already been training in the capital. chelsea arrived today. they have a reported injury concern over ka nte. have a reported injury concern over kante. both sets of players will be here to train and hold news conferences. the match is on wednesday, eight o'clock kick—off uk time 11pm locally. the match has been dominated by non— footballing issues, tickets, visas, politics but gradually the focus will shift to the game. it will be pretty warm, in excess of 20 degrees but nothing too perturbing for either set of players. one of the biggest sp

understood the 30—year—old armenian feared for his safety on the pitch in the azerbaijan capital of bakuas missed club matches played in azerbaijan in the past. it is bad