FOOTBALL DIGEST

CHRIS KIRCHNER’S bid to buy Derby has finally collapsed, leaving the remaining players fearing for the future of manager Wayne Rooney. The US businessman’s attempt to complete a takeover had been in severe doubt since last week.

Rooney had given his backing to Kirchner, but added in April that if a takeover were not completed quickly, it would leave his future as manager in doubt. Former Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has been waiting in the wings and now looks to be in a prominent position to buy the troubled club.

A PLEA to introduce temporary concussion substitutes was dismissed by the game’s lawmakers yesterday, much to the anger of dementia campaigners. Instead IFAB opted to trial additional permanent concussion substitutes for another year. The Concussion Legacy Foundation criticised the ‘continued failed leadership’ from IFAB.

VITALII MYKOLENKO says war in Ukraine has made him realise the problems he thought he had are unimportant. The Everton defender faces Ireland in the Polish city of Lodz tonight. He admitted: ‘Before the war, I thought that my problems were the biggest and now I realise they are small.’

AUSTRALIA became the penultimate team to qualify for the 2022 World Cup after beating Peru 5-4 on penalties last night after a 0-0 draw. They will be joined in Qatar by one of New Zealand and Costa Rica, who face off this evening.