Author: News Desk

The back page of the Daily Mirror leads with reports that England boss Gareth Southgate could extend his contract with the national team following the Euros 2024 in Germany – despite having suggested he would leave after the summer tournament. 

The paper says Southgate has hinted that depending on how well the squad do in Germany, could mean he extends his stay. This summer England will field arguably its strongest squad in years including the likes of Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Declan Rice.

The back page of the Daily Express – like many back pages today – leads on the news that as of next season, Blue Cards will be introduced to the FA Cup.

The news that the FA Cup will trial the Blue card has been met with backlash. The Blue cards will be shown to players for dissent and tactical fouls – it will mean the player will have to spend 10 minutes in the technical area.

Elsewhere, the paper also reports on England’s upcoming Six Nations match against Wales and reports rookie taking to the pitch makes the paper.

The back page of the i newspaper leads with the news that a ‘Blue card’ will be trialled in the FA Cup next season – essentially a sin bin. It has been met with wide backlash. 

Blue cards will be shown to players for dissent and tactical fouls – it will mean the player will have to spend 10 minutes in the technical area. 

Elsewhere, a large image of the England rugby team makes the back page as the paper says England has announced the same starting squad ahead of their next Six Nations match.

The front page of the London business newspaper City AM reports on the Barratt-Redrow merger. The paper says the £2.5bn merger of two of the UK’s largest housebuilders sent shockwaves through the market. 

The paper says shares in major FTSE 100 and 250 housebuilders suffered a mixed day on the London market, as the surprise merger highlighted investors’ skewed opinions on the state of UK housing.

The front page of the business paper The Financial Times reports on Sir Keir Starmer’s U-turn on green pledges. The Labour leader has confirmed that if his party is elected to power at the next general election (expected later this year) they will slash the green spending plan due to ‘frail finances’ after 13 years of Conservative power. 

The Independent leads on Commons leader Penny Mordaunt who said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ‘should reflect on’ gender jibe made in the House of Commons during Wednesday’s PMQs.

No 10 and the PM have rejected calls to apologise after Sunak made the jibe in front of Brianna Ghey’s mother – who was in the House during the session.

The Guardian reports that campaigners and unions are “furious” with Sir Keir Starmer for U-turning on his £28bn green investment plan. It calls the move “the most controversial U-turn of Keir Starmer’s leadership” and says it has prompted an angry response from environmental groups, trade unions and some in the energy sector.

The paper quotes the Unite union saying Labour risks “outsourcing their policy-making to the Conservatives”.

The Metro’s front page leads on a conspiracy theorist’s claim that the Manchester Arena bombing was faked. A high Court has described the claims as “absurd and fanatical”. Richard Hall is being sued by a father and daughter who were both badly injured in the 2017 attack.

Hall claimed the attack was part of a government exercise and that survivors lied about their injuries.

The Sun reports on plans to introduce a blue card into football that would see players sent to a 10-minute sin bin. The paper says football fans have reacted with fury over the sin-bin plans.

The paper says the move would add to the “confusion” caused by the video assistance referee system (VAR), which critics have said slows down the game and fails to improve the quality of the decisions made.

The Daily Mirror reports the number of children having teeth pulled in hospital has rocketed to 48,000 last year due to difficulty accessing dentists.

An average of 119 operations a day are currently being carried out on children with tooth decay, according to the Daily Mirror. The paper quotes British Dental Association chair Eddie Crouch saying that the “oral health gap is widening for our youngest patients”.