declan rice. he transferred from republic of ireland to england after playing some families from his grandparents country and today he had to apologise for a social media post that has emerged where he made an apparent reference to the ira. is currently with the england squad for their 2020 qualifiers after being called up by the england manager garrett southgate. the posting question came from 2015, when the milled field there was an island youth player and wrote at the time on instagram, and he has apologised on instagram, and he has apologised on the same platform today. this is what he had to say today. i am aware that a poorly expressed, and i made when i was a junior player has been circulated on social media. i recognise now that my intent to show support for my team—mates at the time could be negatively interpreted. while my naive weights we re interpreted. while my naive weights were not meant to be a political opinion, and do not represent who i

yesterday declan rice was named ireland's young player of the year. —— yesterday declan rice was namedis month's euro 2020 qualifiers. the west ham midfielder has been capped 3 times by the republic, but they were only friendlies and — at his request — fifa switched his nationality last week. he's the only new face in a 25 man squad to face the czech republic at wembley a week on friday and then the match away in montenegro 3 days later. the 11 to 4 on favourite — with the dark cap in the centre here — was farfrom dominant and was challenged late on in the race. the runaway favourite altior won the big race of the day at cheltenham, the queen mother champion chase. it was a record equalling 18th consecutive victory for the horse. no doubt the star of the day here. it certainly wasn't easy. he was under pressure coming over the last but he held on to win the queen mother champion chase for the second year running. a record equalling 18th when. —— record equalling win. the cross—country race was won by remarkable fashion, by a street, some 22 lengths clear of his nearest rivals. not surp

yesterday declan rice was named ireland's young player of the year today he's in the england squad forthe west ham midfielder has been capped three times by the republic, but they were only friendlies and — at his request — fifa switched his nationality last week. he's the only new face in a 25 man squad to face the czech republic at wembley a week on friday and then the match away in montenegro three days later. the runaway favourite altior won the big race of the day at cheltenham, the queen mother champion chase. it was a record equalling 18th consecutive victory for the horse. the 11 to four on favourite — with the dark cap in the centre here — was farfrom dominant and was challenged late on in the race. jockey nico de boinville had to dig deep to win by one—and—three—quarter lengths. altior‘s winning run started way back in in october 2015. probably not his favourite ground, but just of the probably not his favourite ground, butjust of the last, it looks like there was a battle on in there that's the great thing about him. he's got an enormous amount of talent and he just proved t

declan rice says he looks forward to pulling on an england shirt when gareth southgate's team play eurost czech republic and montenegro over the coming days. west ham midfielder rice may feature after switching his allegiance from the republic of ireland, for whom he played three friendly matches. 18—year—old chelsea winger callum hudson odoi could also feature but for 20—year—old rice, it's a decision he's comfortable having made. tough decision. i think everyone knows my situation with the republic of ireland. i have obvious he played there in the set up. i had to make a decision that was best for me. i am english, i am from england, decision that was best for me. i am english, iam from england, and it was really good playing ireland, no iamjust was really good playing ireland, no i am just looking forward to the future and putting on the england shirt and future and putting on the england shirtandi future and putting on the england shirt and i look forward now and forget about the past. —— i have to. the major league baseball season gets underway injapan on wednesday, but along with

natalie, a lot of focus will be on declan rice and what sort of reception he might receive after theing, but not with declan rice. he had to apologise after old tweets emerged appearing to show support for the ira when he was about 16 years old. gareth southgate said that most people who have children at that age will understand that you are still maturing at that age. callum hudson adderley was parachuted in from the under 21s. he hasn‘t even played a game for them yet and has not made a premier league start for chelsea, but that he was the subject of a bayern munich bid for him that was batted away by chelsea. he and the likes of jayden sancho, who might even start tonight, are really exciting players. gareth southgate said he wouldn‘t hesitate to throw either of those three into even start the match. england fans are very much excited to see how they fare, especially when we have these two games ahead of england starting the nations league semifinals injune. full coverage across the evening on bbc news. championship side birmingham city have been deducted nine points by the englis

the two names that leap out are declan rice and callum hudson—0doi, both making their first starts fortech when rice came on as a substitute against the czech republic, just 20 years old, some season republic, just 20 years old, some season for him. but what about callu m season for him. but what about callum hudson—0doi, just 18. he hasn't even started a premier league match for chelsea, but here he is, starting for his country. it has been a stratospheric rise for him. all eyes on those two when they get under way at 7:45pm at 7:45pm your time. thank you very much. it's only qualifying, but already france, spain, belgium and england head the betting for outright winners. unusually, both germany and the netherlands — whose recent form has been questionable — are some way behind in the lastest odds, but that could change pretty soon. the two sides met on sunday night in a great game that germany won 3—2. football journalist johannah franden joins us from france. thank you for coming on sport stay. how good the these two teams look for you? very good, they more or less had one half each

and england midfielder declan rice apologises for a pro—ira comment he made on social media three yearsd you say things that maybe you do not know enough about. hello, and welcome to sportsday. welcome along, good evening. not such a good one though for scotland. alex mcleish‘s side were abject in their euro 2020 qualification opener. they lost 3—0 to kazachstan, a side ranked 117th in the world, a team who have only won two of their last 20 qualifers. craig templeton watched the action. scotland's qualifying campaign bond gone a long way from home and 3000 miles —— 4000 miles from edinburgh but still at and forced. early patterns of freight were done by kaza khsta n yellow. patterns of freight were done by kazakhstan yellow. and they found a whole and scottish defence. it was about to get worse and once more at the path to scotland's goal easy to find and it was too easy to find and it was 2—0 afterjust ten minutes. 0nly it was 2—0 afterjust ten minutes. only the agility did not become three before half time. but the interval brought no change and soon it was three, left lurking and yo

southgate has named another young squad, which includes west ham's declan rice, who has now declared the republic of ireland, and chelsea teenager callum hudson—odoi. southgate is keen to maintain the form shown in 2018. we were the only team to backup a final last summer with a semi—final. we were in a group that was tough and that has got to be a motivation right through. we are still a young group, there is still plenty of opportunity to improve and we need to be hungry for that to dig the milwaukee bucks return to the court on friday aiming to make amends for their surprise loss to cleveland on wednesday. milwaukee has more wins than any other nba team so far this season, and will be keen to hold off the toronto raptors and claim top spot in the eastern conference ahead of the play—offs. a few star names return against miami heat — who themselves need the win to keep their play—off hopes alive. people in los angeles got to see something special as a wingman flew over the city on a night the last supermoon of 2019 also hovered over it. jon devore flew through the californian build

west ham midfielder declan rice has issued an apology for pro—ira comments he made on social media 3and monteonegro after switching allegiance from the republic of ireland. the post in question came from 2015 when the midfielder was an ireland youth player and he wrote '#upthera' on instagram. he has apologised on that same platform today and then received support from the england manager. i think people understand, most people who have children of those sorts of ages, and people are still maturing at that age. you are in conversations with friends you can get giddy. you don't understand the context. our fans in get giddy. you don't understand the context. ourfans in our public ‘s will recognise that fact, i'm sure. bryony frost is going to miss next month's grand national meeting at aintree. she broke her collarbone in a fall at southwell. she became the first female jockey to win a grade 1 jumps race at the festival last week. she also came fifth in the national last year hasn't although she hadn't yet secured a ride in the big race. gymnast simone biles has confirmed that next yea

declan rice with his second goal of the season. it finished 2—0. and in the day's other premier league results crystal palace beat burnely 3—1, and wolves got a comfortable victory at home to cardiff. so let's have a look at what does to the table then manchester city two points in front at the top — liverpool, of course, play tomororw. tottenham seem to have stalled a little in third place — and manchester united are closing in on them. they're up into the top four, after arsenal failed to convert that penalty at wembley earlier. down at the other end... huddersfield still on just 14 points after that loss to brighton on the south coast. fulham play chelsea tomorrow... cardiff are still in danger. to the championship, next. the lead has changed there this afternoon, too... norwich back to the top, after a 3—1 win over millwall. they're two points clear of leeds, who won yesterday. here are all the other results from today for you... the ones to pick out, a huge win for aston villa... four nil against derby who stick just outside t

and declan rice could get his first cap after he co ntroversially could get his first cap after he controversially 20—year—old had to apologise yesterday after old social media posts were unearthed where he appeared to voice support for the ira, something he has denied. southgate says all three are more than ready to start for england, and england fans will be excited to see how they fare in an england shirt with the nations league coming up injune. time for a look at the weather. here's lucy martin. the weekend is almost here and it looks like it will be cooler than it has been, a good deal of dry weather and some sunshine and some fairly chilly nights. for some of us waking up chilly nights. for some of us waking up to chilly nights. for some of us waking uptoa chilly nights. for some of us waking up to a touch of frost. here is the satellite from earlier, a cold front working south—east. behind it we have shower clouds feeding in but also more in the way of brightness. that cloud is courtesy of a cold front working its way south and east. it brought some rain earlier for scotland, northern irel

no players in the start team and for west time but feel that declan rice or chelsea when eric tom hudsonhe sub bench this evening and you can the sub bench this evening and you ca n follow the sub bench this evening and you can follow all the action from wembley with commentary on that match tonight on radio five live and we will bring you all the updates here on bbc news through the evening as well as commentary on the bbc sport website. just before i go. finally, with the czechs at wembley tonight, players from that country have made their mark on european championships of the past. the tournament really came of age in 1976 when czechoslovakia beat west germany in the first major penalty—shoot out. and it was czech—born antonin panenka who gave his name to the penalty we know today. good night. and he scored it! and they want it! czechoslovakia identity european champions! the weather this evening across the majority of the country is relatively quiet but it is very blustery in scotland right now. with the air force wings and frequent showers. the weekend overall is going to bring quit

midfielder declan rice made an apparent reference in support of the ira in an instagram post back inffect rice‘s reception by england fans. i think people understand, most people will have children of those sorts of ages and people are still maturing at that age and you are in conversations with friends that you can get giddy and you can say things that maybe you do not even know enough about all you don‘t understand the context, so i think oui’ understand the context, so i think ourfans and our public understand the context, so i think our fans and our public will recognise that fact, i am sure. marcus rashford will miss both qualifiers with an ankle problem picked up against liverpool last month. he has been playing through the pain, but has returned to manchester united for treatment. chelsea ladies have won the first leg of their last eight champions league tie against paris saint germain. hannah blundell got chelsea‘s first. watch this for a strike. erin cuthbert scored the second and it finished 2—0. the second leg is in paris next wednesday. class a drugs and weapons, includin

declan rice is on the bench, he had an eventful week, he had to apologise yesterday for old social mediat appear to show his support for the ira, something he denies and he has apologised. it is after his controversial switch last month from the republic of ireland to england. and callum hudson odoi is on the bench, he is 18 years old, he has yet to make a premier league start for chelsea and he has yet to even play once and for the england under 21 is. he could get his first cap if he comes off the bench. england have an excellent record in qualifying and remember this game and the game against montenegro are on monday are their last two matches before they play in the nation's league semi—finals in june. plenty to look forward to, especially for these fans who really wa nt to especially for these fans who really want to see what these youngsters are made of. rain, rising rivers and broken bridges are hampering aid effo rts broken bridges are hampering aid efforts for those affected by a cyclone in southern africa. the death toll officially across the region is 440, although the true nu

now the papers this morning are dominated by declan rice's apology for an apparent pro ira social mediaer pledged his allegiance to england earlier this month and is expected to make against the czech republic in a euro 2020 qualifier this evening. the times says that rice has apologised over the tweet and reports that rice has described the comments as "naive". the mail also looks ahead to england's match against the czech republic this evening, when it expects young borussia dortmund starjadon sancho to make his first competitive start. the mirror says england manager gareth southgate has appealed to fans to forgive rice for his social media message. it also claims scotland's next opponents san marino one of the world's lowest ranked sides, will "smell blood" after the scots dismal 3—0 defeat to kazakhstan. chelsea ladies have won the first leg of their last eight champions league tie, against paris st germain. hannah blundell got chelsea's first. watch this for a strike. erin cuthbert, scored the second and it finished 2—0. the second leg is in paris next wednesday. but this was rath

declan rice with the goal at the lon stadium.rtunity to really close the gap on third—place aberdeen... they drew at home to motherwell. one game going on right now, in the scottish cup... celtic playing hibernian in the quarterfinals. just over 15 minutes in and it is tied. tennis, and yet another milestone day in the phenominal career of roger federer. 20 grand slam singles titles, he's won a record six atp finals and the davis cup with switzerland... and now he's won his 100th title on the atp tour. he did it by beating stefanos sitsipas in straight sets at the dubai tennis championships. he's only the second man to reach the milestone — jimmy connors has 109, you wouldn't bet against federer passing that record before he calls time on his career. on wednesday, england blugeoned over 400. today — they scored considerably less. all out for 113 in the final one day international against west indies. the st lucia pitch wasn't as easy to bat on but england made heavy weather after being put into bat. jonny bairstow was the first t

czech republic on friday, at wembley, they have made four changes from that game, west ham united's declan ricemmentary on five live sport. cardiff city set to claim that the £15 million deal to buy emiliano sana of nantes was not legally binding. he was the record signing, but he died when an aircraft crashed into the english channel near guernsey, cardiff are going to speak to fifa as they say that the conditions for the completion of the deal were not fulfilled and he was not registered asa fulfilled and he was not registered as a premier league player. united nations human rights council has described plans to restrict levels of testosterone in female runners as unnecessary, humiliating and harmful. olympic 800—metres champion caster semenya is challenging the iaaf‘s bid to force female athletes with naturally high levels of testosterone to take medication. under the rules, they would have to race against men or change events if they refused. the un say the plans "contravene international human rights". former australian captain steve smith has returned to top level cricket after serving a

yesterday, declan rice was named ireland‘s young player of the year, today he‘s in the england squadto face the czech republic at wembley a week on friday and then the match away in montenegro three days later. gareth southgate says he‘ll fit in very well. we have tracked him for quite awhile. i think they are really big decisions when you are asking a player transfer association. you have got to be very clear that you feel they have a future with you. that said, there was never any guarantees made to him. that is also important, you have got to be playing well to get in the squad. but his form has been excellent, we like what we have seen in terms of his character, his leadership qualities. we have seen him play as a leading player and a centre back. i think he will fit well into the way that we work. three english teams have already reached the champions legaue quarterfinals, liverpool can make it four out of four tonight. they are in germany ahead of their match against bayern munich. the tie is all square after a goalless first leg at anfield. liverpool are fighting for the premi

the west ham midfielder declan rice has been named in england's squad for their euro 2020 qualifiersgland recently, having played three times in friendly matches for the republic. i think they are really big decisions when you are asking the player to transfer association, you have to be really clear that you feel they have a future with you. that said, there was never any guarantee is made to him because i think that was also important, that he be playing well to get in the squad, but his form has been excellent. tributes have been paid to one of formula 1's leading figures, the race director charlie whiting has died suddenly. he was 66. whiting was the official race starter and oversaw all rules matters in f1. he passed away suddenly in melbourne, where he was due to officiate this weekend's season—opening australian grand prix. four—time world champion sebastian vettel has called him "our man, the drivers's man". british number one kyle edmund has been beaten at indian wells by the great roger federer. the swiss, a five—time champion in california, eased past edmund 6—1, 6—4 injus

declan rice, the west ham midfielder, he isjust 20.m. he has issued this apology, saying i am aware that a poorly expressed comment i made when i was a junior player has been circulated on social media. i recognise now that my attempt to show support for my team—mates at the time can be negatively interpreted. while my naive words were not meant to be a political opinion and do not represent who i am, i sincerely apologise for any offence caused. we are actually going to hear from gareth southgate in the next half an hour or gareth southgate in the next half an hourorso, gareth southgate in the next half an hour or so, the england manager, and iam sure hour or so, the england manager, and i am sure he will be asked about that. chelsea are the sole british representatives in the women‘s champions league. they play paris st—germain later in the first leg of their quarterfinal. chelsea will reach the semi—finals for a second season in a row if they overcome psg, who were themselves finalists in 2015 and 2017. the first leg at kingsmeadow