our correspondent jo currie has more. bans: the lifeblood of football.se. ——. but not any more. tv rights deals mean more than half the teams in the premier league could remain in top flight even if they play to empty stadiums. —— fans. but how important are supporters today? if you focus just on television rights deals and that the fans could you are making a mistake, because we are part of the television product. if there was not full grounds with large away support and a good atmosphere, it would not be nearly as attractive to the broadcasters. there were so many top—flight clubs making profit before a single fan has attended a match, they hewitt everton, itjust that money be filtering down to supporters in the way of shifting its? there people on low incomes that are working hard and just want to go to games, and they are priced out. you pay the money, if music as you think you pay the money. so we tv rights still worth over £5 billion, many fans could be questioning if the money to to them, where is it going? players and agents are high on the list.

jo currie reports from london. come on, ireland! never have ireland reached a senior world cup final in a team sport. forfans, it's been a last—minute scramble for flights and tickets. two weeks ago, when the tournament got under way, most people predicted it would be england playing this semifinal. but along the way, ireland have beaten the odds — and teams ranked much higher than them — to find themselves on the cusp of history. and this all ireland side, a team ranked 16th in the world, were about to bare their teeth. anna 0'flanagan getting them off to a dream start with the final touch to settle the nerves early on as they dominated the first half. a change of ends, though, brought a change of fortune. alica magaz levelling for spain and ensuring the match headed to penalties. for the second game in a row, ireland took their chances in a shoot out. with it tied at 2—2 after the first five rounds, it went to sudden death. it came down to gillian pinder, and the midfielder stood tall, sending her team through to

jo currie, bbc news.dam peaty brought the european championships to life last night, when he broke his own world record again in winning gold in the 100—metres breaststroke in glasgow. our sports correspondent joe wilson was watching. there was one reason to take your eyes off adam peaty in glasgow — to watch the clock. the world record 57.13 he was chasing was his own. on tv, a red line marks the pace he needed. for context, britain's james wilby an excellent second was over 1.5 seconds behind. he's broken the world record, 57.00! peaty looking in disbelief looked to see his time. the crowd already knew. well, you can hear the crowd's roar. that's notjust the result but a record. remember, adam peaty referred to these championships as a kind of mini olympics. what he's done is given the whole thing status. peaty‘s performance was unmissable. but look past his physique, try, and the mind really matters. i've learned the last season, i want to just enjoy it. be me, i'm not trying to pretend to be anyone el

jo currie reports.ues after a comfortable victory here in front of another sellout crowd. after an underwhelming group stage they found themselves having to win this crossover match to reach the last eight and they did so with relative ease. do you know what, we got 10,000 people cheering for us, more back home and we are home, but on tv, and we wanted to put in a good performance for ourselves and these quys performance for ourselves and these guys here and you can feel the crowd getting behind us and everyone stepped into the breach and thought we have nothing to lose, home world cup, want to do well and we did well in the tournament. it's job done but next up on thursday's quarterfinals england will come up against a familiarfoe, the england will come up against a familiar foe, the defending champions the netherlands and a team who have already scored 26 goals in the world cup so far. england will have to find some ruthlessness if they are to match them. so here's the confirmed line—up for the last e

jo currie is there for us.rnament for the irish, some of part—time players, but it was not to be today with the netherlands too strong. we're joined by one of the average player. you must be so incredibly proud. put this file into words for me. it was an amazing feeling to think of are ranked 15th out of 16 and i am standing here with a silver medal around my neck. i am just so proud. it feels like christmas, actually. the girls of an amazing to determine. naturally, it is going to lose the final, but a better thing on the day one. part of compete against. professionals that we are not there at the moment. but you have to remember that what we have doneis have to remember that what we have done is amazing. it is something that we can only ever have dreamed of. and waking up this morning to be going out and playing a world cup final is the stuff dreams are made of and final is the stuff dreams are made ofand is final is the stuff dreams are made of and is well we play sports. i just know we have inspired the you

jo currie reports from st george's park.settled on england's the dust may have settled on england's impressive performances at this summer's world cup, but there's still a glow around gareth southgate and this england squad. today he showed loyalty to many others players that helped guide england to that fourth—place finish in russia. but he has injected youth into the side. joe gomez‘s impressive performances for liverpool has seen him called up, hoping to add to his three counts. also a surprise election for alex mccarthy of southampton, he was uncapped at the moment. the headline belongs to luke shaw, the manchester united defender backin shaw, the manchester united defender back in the international setup after a turbulent couple of seasons. the man who replaces in the setup is is united team—mate, ashley young. he has had a difficult period in terms of adapting to a new club, a horrendous injury that he had to overcome. so, really impressed with physical condition he looks in. he has added a lecturer age to his game in

jo currie, bbc news.vert for test cricket. it was a thrilling climax on the fourth morning, india needing 84 runs to win, england needing five wickets. when stokes removed the india captain virat kohli, an unlikely win looked possible and he then wrapped it up, taking four wickets in all, to give england a 31—run win. celtic began the defence of their scottish premiership title with a comfortable win over livingston yesterday. today we see two english premier league sides featuring in the community shield at wembley. chelsea winning the fa cup 11 weeks ago and manchester city the league champions of course. eden hazard was the match—winner back in may. he's still with chelsea, despite plenty of talk about a move away from the club, but they do have a new man in charge, antonio conte replaced by maurizio sarri as manager. leeds rhinos have won the women's challenge cup for the first time, coming from behind to beat castleford. they won by 20 points to 14. a late try from leeds skipper lois forsell settling

jo currie is there for us.ing but in the end, they we re this evening but in the end, they were simply outclassed for the world champions, who in front of sell—out crowd here in london claimed in april title. setting a relentless pace, warming up with a goal near half—time, the pick of the bunch. two more goals to follow him in the second half, while the irish failed to register a single shot on target. 670 is the largest ever win in a world cup final, but once the dust is settled, the irish camp reflect on an incredible journey at this world cup. here to help us reflect is the former english great sally walton. just not to be for ireland today. the dutch living up to their working today in steam—rolling ireland today. nothing ireland did wrong, theyjust ireland today. nothing ireland did wrong, they just came ireland today. nothing ireland did wrong, theyjust came up against a team in top form and 11 tournament former allies and writing wise all through the tournament. put into perspective how good this dutch

from newport, jo currie reports. the hottest ticket in town.ave never seen their women's tea m fans have never seen their women's team qualify for a major tournament and while matches against england never normally need extra spice, the winner of this one would seal their place in next summer's world cup. the decision to hold the match here means only 8000 fans will get into watchet. but supporters were expected to be louder voice. with so much at stake, passion was clearly visible. england thought they silenced wales early on but nikita parris' celebrations were caught short after being found offside. it was a busy night for officials. the wales penalty appeal turned down. this time the replay showed the referee got it right. a change of ends brings a change of pace. toni duggan the first play of this campaign to find the net against wales. minutes later, jill scott scoring with this looping header. all smiles from manager phil neville. england were dreaming of france will stop fitting it was nikita parris who sealed the win. welsh hearts brok

jo currie has been following all the comings and goings and is at stamford bridge.move here at sell chelsea has seen kovacic arrive on a one year loan dealfrom real madrid. everton have agreed to sign the barcelona defenderfor agreed to sign the barcelona defender for £27 million. agreed to sign the barcelona defenderfor £27 million. today is traditionally the day we see the last minute scrambles for players and clubs going up against each other for and clubs going up against each otherfor signings, we and clubs going up against each other for signings, we have and clubs going up against each otherfor signings, we have not seen that, that is because the premier league window has closed before the season league window has closed before the season gets under way. most managers have got their business done early on. 1.1 billion has been spent this yearin on. 1.1 billion has been spent this year in comparison to 1.4 billion last summer. it won't stop players leaving for scotland and the rest of europe, that is because their tra nsfer europe, that is because their transf

jo currie was there.tclassed throughout the whole of the match, the dutch finding himself 4—0 up by half—time, adding another two in the second half was the irish did not register a single shot on goal. 6—0 is the biggest ever victory in a world cup final, along the way the dutch have scored 35 goals in their six matches. they dominated the competition, all the other favourites such as england, new zealand, australia and argentina fell away along the way but tonight they will be celebrating a record eighth world title. they are the defending champions once again. manchester city have won the fa community shield for the fifth time after comfortably beating chelsea 2—0 at wembley. both goals from sergio aguero means the argentine becomes the first player to score more than 200 goals for city. so pep guardiola's side this season as they ended the last, winning — this their third trophy in six months. a teacherfrom ohio has become the first american rower to complete a solo jurney across the north atlantic. b

jo currie reports. and she sent this report.port for a match they never dreamed of. ireland reach the world cup semi—final —— never have they reached these final. it was a long scribble for flight and tickets. two weeks ago when the term got under way people predicted would be england in the semi—final. but ireland had beat the odds and ranked much higher than them and found themselves on the cusp of history. this all ireland side team ranked 16th in the world were brought to bare their teeth. anna 0 flanagan getting the monthly dream start with the final touch to settle the nerves early on as they dominated the first half. a change of ends brought a change of fortune. leveling for spain and ensuring the match had the penalties. for the second game in a row, ireland took their chances in a shoot out. tied it to happen to after the first five rounds and went to sudden death. it came down to her. and the midfielder stood tall senator team through to a first ever world cup final. the netherlands awaits the steam of irish amateurs.

jo currie is at the queen elizabeth olympic park in london. jo.up got under way two weeks ago, many would have predicted an amateur side ranked 16 in the world would find themselves one match away from a world cup final. until this year, ireland can qualify for world cup since 2002 and they have never been to an olympic games. but today they had the chance to write their names into the history books. they are a side made up of part—time athletes who had otherjobs. the midfielder, who had otherjobs. the midfielder, who is also a doctor says there is no reason why ireland's incredible journey cannot continue today against spain. that is how exciting it is, rankings don't mean anything, spain played incredible against germany and they took their chances. we have played them in warm up matches coming into big tournaments and we will take our chances and go for it and hopefully get through. irish fans are expected here in their droves this afternoon. i was told dublin airport was packed with fa ns told dublin airport was packed with fans dressed in gre

jo currie reports.the first irish team male or female to make a world final in any sport. their semifinal against spain was already uncharted territory and they could have been forgiven for letting nerves get the better of them. but anna 0'flanagan got them off to a dream start, putting them ahead within three minutes however they were pegged in the second half by alica magaz to send the match into penalties. it takes nerves of steel to score in a shoot out but gillian pinder took it to another level, scoring for the second time in sudden death to take her team into the history books. theirjourney has been an incredible one, a team of amateurs have turned the hockey world cup on its head and will now face netherlands in this afternoon's final. i think it is safe to say this is going to go down in history and i don't know if i will ever play with a better bunch of girls. they deserve this, they deserve it so much and maybe the fact that we are amateur makes us take it a wee bit deeper and ijust hope that

jo currie was watching.rld final in any sport. their semifinal against spain was already uncharted territory and they could have been forgiven for letting nerves get the better of them.

season's women's champions league with a few british sides to watch out for. 0ur sports reporter jo curriese both city and chelsea came close and they will be hoping for more this time around? yes, both making all the way through to the semifinals, and just fell one hurdle too soon for the final. 0ther british team in the draw for the last 32 and that was glasgow city. let's look at who will be playing them. manchester city will be up against the spanish champions from last year, atletico madrid, and that will be a very tough last 32 match. chelsea have a long journey, playing sfk sarajevo, favourites to win that one but quite a journey to get there. whilst glasgow city are playing barcelona, somatio barcelona, not to be confused with barcelona, this is a tea m confused with barcelona, this is a team in cyprus. and we have more to talk about. i mentioned earlier a new era coming in manchester, manchester city doing so well over the past few years. this has been a long time coming, women's team at manchester united. it has been 13 yea rs. manchester united. it has been 13 years. in 2005 the

jo currie is there for us. side, the netherlands. yes, side, the netherlands.s may be broken this evening but in the end they we re this evening but in the end they were simply outclassed by the world number one team who in front of a sell—out crowd in the olympic park, have sealed and eight world title. the dutch overran the irish early on, setting a relentless pace. 4—0 up on, setting a relentless pace. 4—0 up at half—time with my loop the next‘s goldie pic of the bunch. they added another two in the second half while ireland failed to register a shot on target. —— with malou pheninckx‘s the bigger the bunch. once the dust has settled, though, the irish can reflect on what has been an incredible journey at this tournament, a team made up of mostly pa rt—timers, tournament, a team made up of mostly part—timers, ranked tournament, a team made up of mostly pa rt—timers, ranked 16th tournament, a team made up of mostly part—timers, ranked 16th in the world, have turned the world of hockey on its head and many of these players will return to their day jobs in the

jo currie has more.uccess remains a little more mercurial. in their effort to emerge from the crowd, england and ireland would need to handle the heat and keep their cool. just try telling their fans that. a united ireland, ranked 16th in the world, a team given little chance on hockey‘s biggest stage. unlikely quarterfinalists against india, having beaten them in the group stage, goalless in normal time, penalties would decide their fate. the goalkeeper made three vital saves, to leave chloe watkins with the stroke of her stick to instantly become a star of ireland hockey. we put so much hard work, notjust this week, notjust the last few months but the last few years, and it's just so satisfying to get the rewards here and show the world what we can do and how we can play. a team who hadn't qualified for a world cup in 16 years, now through to a semifinal against spain. and already the surprise sensation of the tournament. england, on the other hand, had had an underwhelming start to their campaign and

jo currie reports. ireland's incredible journey in this world cup continues.t ever world cup final after squeaking past spain in the last format. —— format. —— four. they came in their droves and all forms of transport for a match they never dreamed of. it was a mad scramble for flights and tickets. two weeks ago when the tournament got under way people predicted it would be england in the semi—final. but ireland have beat the odds and teams ranked much higher than them and found themselves on the cusp of history. this all—ireland side team ranked 16th in the world were brought to bare their teeth. —— about the bared their teeth. anna 0'flanagan getting them off to dream start with the final touch to settle the nerves early on as they dominated the first half. a change of ends brought a change of fortune. levelling for spain and ensuring the match had the penalties. —— headed to penalties. for the second game in a row, ireland took their chances in a shoot out. tied at 2—2 after the first five rounds, it went to sudden death. it came down to gillian. and the m

jo currie has been to meet the players. but for the past 13 years, only male players have been allowed's team in 2005. fast forward to 2018, and it's all changed. after years of criticism, manchester united are about to re—enter the world of women's football, and this isn't a token gesture. they mean this. —— they mean business. the new team has been awarded a place in this season's championship, the second division, where they will be the only full—time team in the league. and they begin life against liverpool at the league cup this afternoon. i understand now why they didn't do it before, because this club doesn't do anything unless it's going to do it properly. they felt like the structure of the club was not right, we didn't have enough staff on board, and they've gone through quite a lot of restructure, more staffing, more people able to support the women's team. it is a whole—club philosophy that they will look after the women's team. lovely ball. greenwood for england! united may be starting off in the second tier but such is the strength, they've managed to attract an impressiv

jo currie reports.arted territory and they could have been forgiven permitting nerves get the better of them. flanigan caught the moped or dreams start, putting them ahead but they were pegged in the second half to send the match into penalties. it takes nerves of steel to scorer shootout but gillian pinder scored, taking it to another level in the history books. the journey has been an incredible one, a team of amateurs have turned the hockey world cup on its head and will now face netherlands in this afternoon's final. it is safe to say this is going to go down in history andi this is going to go down in history and i don't know if i will ever play with a better bunch of girls. they deserve this, they deserve it so much and maybe the fact that we are amateur nexus take it even deeper andi amateur nexus take it even deeper and ijust amateur nexus take it even deeper and i just hope amateur nexus take it even deeper and ijust hope that this gets the credit it deserves because we are in the world cup fin

jo currie has been to meet the players.chester united. manchester united, 1—off, if not the biggest club in the world but for the past 13 years, only male players have been allowed to represent the famous red shirt after they disbanded their senior women's team in 2005. fast forward to 2018 and it's all changed. after years of criticism, manchester united are about to re—enter the world of women's football and this isn't a token gesture. they mean this. then you team has been awarded a place in this season's championship, the second division, where they will be the only full—time team in the league and they begin life against liverpool at the league cup this afternoon. i understand now why they didn't do it before because this clu b didn't do it before because this club doesn't do anything unless it's going to do it properly. they felt like the structure of the club was not right, we didn't have enough staff on board, and they've gone through quite a lot of restructure, more staffing, more people able to support the women's

jo currie, bbc news. adam peaty really brought the european championships to life last night.inning gold in the 100—metres breaststroke in glasgow. 0ur sports correspondent joe wilson was watching. there was one reason to take your eyes off adam peaty in glasgow — to watch the clock. the world record 57.13 he was chasing was his own. on tv, a red line marks the pace he needed. for context, britain's james wilby an excellent second was over 1.5 seconds behind. he's broken the world record, 57.00! peaty looking in disbelief looked to see his time. the crowd already knew. well, you can hear the crowd's roar. that's notjust the result but a record. remember, adam peaty referred to these championships as a kind of mini 0lympics. what he's done is given the whole thing status. peaty‘s performance was unmissable. but look past his physique, try, and the mind really matters. i've learned a bit lesson this season, just enjoy it. be me — i'm not trying to pretend to be anyone else and because i do. and the crowd definitely got their money's worth tonight. there is more of peaty to come

jo currie, bbc news.at's according to a report by the economist intelligence unit. the austrian capital outscored last yea r‘s number one, the australian city of melbourne. the report says manchester has seen the biggest improvement among european cities over the past year. the least liveable cities were dhaka in bangladesh, and the syrian capital, damascus. bit of a wobble now picture. i think it was a helicopter shot. yesterday we revealed the television presenter, katie piper as the first celebrity taking part in this year's strictly come dancing. last night, another two famous faces were confirmed. steps singer faye tozer and red dwarf actor dannyjohn—jules will also strut their stuff. meanwhile, the astronaut, tim peake has ended speculation as to whether he might compete for the glitter ball. the joke started when a journalist posted a message on twitter saying she had thought teasers about dannyjohn—jules signing up for the competition had been about peake. he replied: clearly disappointed. 0n the

to help me through the details is our sports reporterjo currie. joon't be too pleased? yes, i think they will be raising some eyebrows at this. traditionally in the past supporters going to stadiums have been one of the main sources of income but not any more, it seems, certainly in the premier league. tv deal money is now the main source of income. in this research from the bbc, it shows that in the 2016-17 research from the bbc, it shows that in the 2016—17 season, clubs in the top flight enjoyed £8.3 billion worth of money from tv revenue. it means that over half the clubs in the top flight could make a profit before they even sold a single ticket. now, you imagine some fans will be going, they desperately —— if they don't need our money where our tickets are so expensive? the chairman of the supporters federation says the clubs still need to value those paying to go through the turnstiles. if clubs are focusing entirely on the tv rights deals and not on the fans and then they're making a very silly mistake for the very good reason that we are pa

we can cross live to rodney parade and join our reporterjo currie now. jos to night will qualify automatically for the world cup in france and the loser will have a nervous wait to see if they have a nervous wait to see if they have done enough for a play—off place. if it ends in a drawer, wales stay at the top of the group with one point ahead of england but england have a match in hand, travelling to kazakhstan on tuesday knowing a draw their will hand them qualification. i am joined knowing a draw their will hand them qualification. iam joined by knowing a draw their will hand them qualification. i am joined by people who know what it is like to play in hand, travelling to kazakhstan on tuesday knowing a draw there will hand them qualification. i enjoyed by people who know what it is like to play these matches. nia, the welsh team have been apt to look at the pitch. a great opportunity. they have earned the right for this spectacle, quietly going about their business, getting fantastic results against russia and bosnia without the media platform they hav

we can go live to lee valley now and joing our sports reporter, jo currie. re very aware and i am sure they will be as well and we will do we do our homework. we are confident we have got two wins in the last couple of games and we go into it doing the same as we did and try and get a good result. they will need to score goals and keep out the free scoring netherlands side. and what about ireland‘s chances against india ? well, what a tournament ireland are having in their first world cup since 2002, and they are really going for it, they are the surprise package. they are ranked 16th in the world and have never reached the quarterfinals before so this is new territory. already the biggest game in the country‘s history. tonight, because of the way the format works out, they are playing a team, india, who they have beaten once in the group stage so ireland very much dreaming ofa group stage so ireland very much dreaming of a place in the semifinals and they will be backed all the way by the irish supporters and you can hear them before you see them, ican and y

our reporterjo currie has been following the action. jor takes all' wales were top of the group but it's england going to france next year? what now for wales? wealth as broken hearts this —— wales has broken hearts. at the break, three times in the second half and three different players. claim the first player to score against wales and this qualifying campaign, finally awaiting the welsh defence. scott, minutes later, with a looping header! england would beginning to dream, perhaps it was nikita paris who sealed the win with her goal and sealed their place of the world cup next summer. i know you're going to talk to doug and for us. after tony duggan who opened the scoring spoke today bbc sports and the players are going to be happy and celebrate this evening. we're looking forward to the world cup, the biggest stage and in terms of the overall performance here, it was a frustrating for us. i knows when to be difficult, we've seen in the home, and it was always going to be difficult, but we worked on getting creative and we came up with