Tonga kicked out

Tonga National Rugby League (TNRL) has one week to appeal its expulsion from the International Rugby League (IRL). After months of dispute between Tongan players, coaches and the board over finances and resources, the IRL has confirmed it voted at a board meeting this week to expel the TNRL as issues remain unresolved. ‘‘The directors carefully considered the position of Tonga National Rugby League which has been suspended since October 2019, in the light of a wide-ranging consultation with stakeholders in the Tongan game,’’ an IRL statement said. ‘‘After that meeting, the board wrote to TNRL, advising them of the resolution passed at that meeting, which is to expel TNRL from the membership.

Manchester United threw open the race for the final Champions League qualification spots in the English Premier League by beating fourthplaced Chelsea 2-0 thanks to headers by Anthony Martial and Harry Maguire, No 5, yesterday. With 12 games remaining, seven points separate Chelsea and 11th-placed Burnley, with the team finishing fifth also set to earn a place in next season’s Champions League following Uefa’s decision to punish Manchester City for serious breaches of financial regulations by handing the English champions a two-year European ban. Martial glanced in a header off a right-wing cross by Aaron Wan-Bissaka to give United the lead in the 45th minute , before Maguire planted home a corner from January signing Bruno Fernandes in the 66th.