BBC

German referee Felix Zwayer, who once served a ban for alleged involvement in a match-fixing plot, will take charge of next week's all-English Europa League final between Tottenham and Manchester United.

Zwayer, now 43, was given a six-month suspension in 2006 after he was investigated for taking a £250 bribe from official Robert Hoyzer, who was subsequently handed a life ban.

It emerged that Zwayer, who has denied wrongdoing, was one of the officials to notify the authorities of Hoyzer's match-fixing scheme and his relatively short ban was recognition of that.

Since the ban was imposed, Zwayer has become one of Europe's leading referees and officiated in Arsenal's Champions League semi-final second leg defeat by Paris St-Germain last Wednesday.

Zwayer also took charge of England's European Championship semi-final victory over the Netherlands last summer.

When England and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham played for Borussia Dortmund, the midfielder was fined 40,000 euros (£34,000) in 2021 for criticising Zwayer by making a reference to his ban.

The Europa League final will be played in Bilbao on Wednesday, 21 May.

Bosnian Irfan Peljto will referee Chelsea's Conference League final against Real Betis on 28 May in Wroclaw, Poland.

Romanian Istvan Kovacs will take charge of the Champions League final between PSG and Inter Milan on 31 May in Munich, Germany.

Training collision 'thankfully nothing too serious' - Postecoglou. Video, 00:00:57Training collision 'thankfully nothing too serious' - Postecoglou

What awaits Tottenham in the Arctic Circle? Video, 00:02:03What awaits Tottenham in the Arctic Circle?

Everything Tottenham do is seen as negative - Postecoglou. Video, 00:00:53Everything Tottenham do is seen as negative - Postecoglou

Will Man Utd or Spurs save their season and who needs it more? Video, 00:02:54Will Man Utd or Spurs save their season and who needs it more?

Which is the bigger club - Real Madrid or Barcelona? Video, 00:02:57Which is the bigger club - Real Madrid or Barcelona?

'Sad to end this way' - Alexander-Arnold jeered by Liverpool fans. Video, 00:01:30'Sad to end this way' - Alexander-Arnold jeered by Liverpool fans

'It's hugely important just to talk' - Burn and Shearer on mental wellbeing. Video, 00:06:37'It's hugely important just to talk' - Burn and Shearer on mental wellbeing

I didn't want to feel like a stranger in my own house - Neville. Video, 00:01:22I didn't want to feel like a stranger in my own house - Neville

Three years ago Tottenham beat Arsenal 3-0 and weeks later beat the Gunners to a Champions League place.

It marked the sixth consecutive season that Spurs finished above Arsenal in the Premier League.

Things have changed since then.

The Gunners have finished above their north london rivals ever since and this Premier League campaign will go down as one of the worst in Tottenham's history.

There remains a light on the horizon - with Tottenham looking forward to a Europa League final against Manchester United, knowing victory will give them a Champions League spot next campaign.

But this won't stop the speculation about manager Ange Postecoglou's future after another hugely disappointing league campaign.

"One has gone forwards and one has gone backwards – it's as simple as that," said BBC pundit Danny Murphy.

"That's mainly because Arsenal's recruitment has been better first and foremost, and also that they have had more consistency in terms of having the same manager to build under too."

Harry Kane scored twice for Spurs and Son Heung-min netted the other in that Tottenham win.

Rob Holding was sent off for Arsenal.

A Gunners win would have sealed their Champions League spot with two games to spare, but they ended up losing their next game too and Spurs beat them to a top-four spot.

The mood was high at Tottenham after Antonio Conte had taken them up from eighth place after replacing Nuno Espirito Santo in November.

BBC chief football writer Phil McNulty, who was at that game, said: "Tottenham Hotspur's decisive win pointed to a golden future under Antonio Conte.

"Arsenal were frail and vulnerable, while Spurs were irresistible and looked in prime position to continue on an upwards curve under the inspirational Conte.

"As so often, Harry Kane and Son Heung-min were the inspiration.

"Instead, it proved to be the high watermark of the Conte era.

"The night of joy and celebration when Spurs swept aside their neighbours can now be viewed as another part of another false dawn."

Tottenham fan Anna Howells, a content creator for Spurs XY, said: "That day had so much promise, a united team with fans, a manager with a proven record, returning to the Champions League and Harry Kane scoring goals for fun - what could go wrong?"

Arsenal have won five of the six derbies since then - with one draw.

As it turned out, Tottenham could not keep Conte happy.

He left by mutual consent in March 2023 after calling his players "selfish" and criticising the culture of the club.

They finished eighth, and lost in the Champions League last 16 to Milan.

There were big changes the following summer as in came Celtic manager Postecoglou, and out went the club's all-time top scorer Kane to Bayern Munich.

"This is only Ange's second season, and before that you had Conte, and Mourinho before that," said ex-England and Liverpool midfielder Murphy.

"So since the end of 2019 Spurs have had three managers while Arsenal have had this stability under Arteta and they have given their manager time to build something."

It all started so well under Postecoglou, with Spurs top of the table and unbeaten after 10 games going into November.

But a 4-1 home loss to Chelsea, with Spurs having two defenders sent off, sent them on a run of losing 12 of 28 games - and they missed out on a Champions League place by finishing fifth.

Domestically, Tottenham have had a wretched season this time around. They sit 17th and are facing their lowest finish since they were in the second tier in 1977–78.

Yet it could end up being their best season in terms of trophies since 2008, after setting up a Europa League final with Manchester United.

"This season in isolation has been really poor, but they also missed out on the Champions League last season too," said Murphy, who played for Spurs from 2006 to 2007.

"They would have been really hopeful that they would have been as competitive again this time – fifth again this year would have got them in, but instead they have fallen off a cliff."

Postecoglou has repeatedly pointed to injuries, but there has not been an upswing in results since several of them returned.

In the Carabao Cup they reached the semi-final, beating Liverpool 1-0 in the first leg before meekly losing the second leg 4-0 at Anfield.

Murphy added: "I don't think it [their current situation] is a catastrophe for Spurs because they have got some brilliant young players and they have still got some good experienced players.

"Their league form this season and their position is so far short of what that squad should produce and that is ultimately down to the manager.

"I think this is quite an anomaly what has happened to them this season, with the injuries they have had and their lack of confidence at times.

"What I think Spurs need to find is a balance between where they have been under Ange, and where they were in that season they finished fourth under Conte."

Spurs fan Howell said: "Looking back, the writing has been on the wall since we didn't back Mauricio Pochettino in terms of signing and going after the players he wanted.

"That has been the case ever since, and each manager has inherited a squad that slowly but surely lost their identity along the way and there was always a 'big rebuild' needed."

"Spurs might have won the battle that year but Arsenal have absolutely won the war," said Arsenal fan writer Laura Kirk.

Arsenal kept faith in Arteta, who took over in 2019, and are set for their third second-placed finish in a row, having not finished that high since 2016 before.

Kirk said: "Since Arteta has taken over Arsenal there has always been a very clear direction and identity in how he does things, and how he wants his team to play.

"Building sustainable success takes time, even if it looks like it happened overnight. After Arsenal finished outside of the Champions League places in 2022, there then followed their first season genuinely challenging for the title."

Arsenal were eight points clear in April 2023, but a run of four games without a win - including a 4-1 loss at Manchester City - saw Pep Guardiola's team go on to take the title.

Kirk continued: "That season might have looked like it came out of nowhere but success is not linear, and it was the result of small improvements over the course of Arteta's time at the club.

"Getting to this stage has included ups and downs, but the general direction has been positive.

"Arsenal clearly have faith in Arteta and could see this trend, even if the results weren't where we wanted to be back in 2022."

Arteta was backed in the transfer market in 2023 and brought in Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber for a total of about £200m.

Last season they finished on 89 points, two behind champions Manchester City, and reached the quarter-finals in their first Champions League campaign in six years.

This season they are second behind Liverpool in the league - and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League where they lost to Paris St-Germain.

"Arsenal look in a much more competitive place, with a much-better rounded squad than Tottenham, that is there for all to see," said Murphy.

"Arsenal's progression and competitiveness over the past couple of seasons, finishing second and fighting for titles, and progressing better in the Champions League, is also because of the manager."

It is not all doom and gloom for Tottenham though, says Murphy - who played 29 times for the club.

"If they do bring in a new coach - which I think they will do - who just changes and tweaks things a little bit, and gets them a little bit more defensive minded and brings in a couple of players, then they can soon be competing for those Champions League places again," says Murphy.

"I don't think Tottenham can bridge the gap to Arsenal in a summer but with the right appointment and some really good recruitment, why they can't be fighting for the top four or five next season?

"I'd expect Tottenham to be back to what we've seen from them before this season.

"Arsenal are at least a couple of years ahead of them, though. To close that gap again, basically Spurs need to do what Arsenal have done under Arteta.

"The right managerial appointment, some really good recruitment and then the stability Arsenal have had in the past few seasons."

Danny Murphy was speaking to BBC Sport's Chris Bevan

Up Next. What awaits Tottenham in the Arctic Circle? Video, 00:02:03What awaits Tottenham in the Arctic Circle?

Will Man Utd or Spurs save their season and who needs it more? Video, 00:02:54Will Man Utd or Spurs save their season and who needs it more?

Everything Tottenham do is seen as negative - Postecoglou. Video, 00:00:53Everything Tottenham do is seen as negative - Postecoglou

I didn't want to feel like a stranger in my own house - Neville. Video, 00:01:22I didn't want to feel like a stranger in my own house - Neville

Europa League final will be 'all or nothing' - Amorim. Video, 00:01:25Europa League final will be 'all or nothing' - Amorim

Fernandes is clearly one of top players in world - Amorim. Video, 00:00:24Fernandes is clearly one of top players in world - Amorim

Messi 'does stuff that normal humans can't do' Video, 00:02:26Messi 'does stuff that normal humans can't do'

Moment driver sees huge explosion rip through Iran port

At least four people have been killed and 500 more injured in Bandar Abbas.

Watch: What we learned from Trump's meeting with Netanyahu

Netanyahu is the first world leader to visit the White House since the US president announced tariffs on global trading partners.

'They live in big fear': The BBC visits displaced Alawites in Lebanon

Thousands of Syrians have crossed into Lebanon from the provinces of Latakia and Tartus.

Watch: Hamas hands over Israeli hostages to Red Cross

The men were all taken captive during the 7 October attacks and have been held in Gaza for 16 months.

People of Gaza must be allowed home, says Starmer

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey called on the PM to reiterate to the White House that the UK is committed to two-state solution.

Watch: 'Dangerous fool' Khalife sentenced to jail

The former solider collected information and passed it to Tehran, before escaping from HMP Wandsworth.

Hugs and tears: How Israeli hostage return unfolded

Three freed hostages are returned to Israel after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into force.

Watch: Three freed Israeli hostages arrive in Israel

Doron Steinbrecher, 31, Emily Damari, 28, and Romi Gonen, 24, were seen getting out of a Red Cross vehicle, in footage released by the Israeli Defense Forces.

Watch: BBC reporter returns to childhood home destroyed in Syria civil war

Feras Killani grew up in Yarmouk in Damascus, which saw brutal fighting between rebel and government forces.

BBC goes inside Syrian prison holding IS detainees

Orla Guerin visits Al-Sina prison in north-eastern Syria, where many suspected fighters have been held for years.

Watch: BBC speaks to Syrian rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa

Sharaa led the rebel offensive that toppled the Assad regime in Syria less than two weeks ago.

Songs and celebrations at Damascus rally

The BBC's Lina Sinjab says there is a joyous mood in the Syrian capital, as people mark the end of the Assad regime.

Jeremy Bowen: Assad's palace, once a symbol of power, now an empty shell

The BBC's international editor returns to Bashar al-Assad's presidential palace, where he interviewed him in 2015.

BBC sees crowd surge over rumoured execution of Assad henchman

The BBC sees a crowd surge in Damascus as rumours spread that a hated Assad henchman is about to be executed.

Syria rebels burn tomb of Bashar al-Assad's father

Video shows Syrian rebel fighters gather around the burning tomb of the late president Hafez al-Assad.

Relatives of those killed and imprisoned react after Assad's fall

Some Syrians are hopeful that loved ones detained under the Assad regime may still be alive.

Celebratory gunfire as Syrians cross border from Lebanon

Footage shows the Mansaa border crossing between Lebanon and Syria after rebel groups seized Damascus on Sunday.

'People are seizing the moment to enjoy victory'

Lina Sinjab in Damascus says people find it hard to believe that 54 years of the Assad dynasty have ended.

Both clubs can almost forget about this game, really. It is a bit of a nuisance for both of them.

Tottenham's season rests on what happens in the Europa League final on 21 May, while for Crystal Palace it is all about the FA Cup final next weekend.

Eagles boss Oliver Glasner went strong with his team selection against Forest last week and if he does the same here then I can see a Palace victory. They don't have much to play for, though, because win or lose they look likely to finish in their usual position - 12th.

Spurs are still having a stinker of a time with injuries, with James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall both set to miss the rest of the season, and that situation hardly helps Ange Postecoglou with the side he picks.

It is hard to make a call without knowing who will play but, all things considered, the most likely outcome is probably a draw.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Tottenham have won each of their last nine Premier League home games against Crystal Palace. In their top-flight history, they’ve only won 10 in a row against Blackburn (1933 to 1966).

In what is the 25th different campaign in which they’ve met, Crystal Palace are looking to complete their first ever league double over Tottenham.

Tottenham Hotspur have picked up fewer points in Premier League London derbies this season than any other side (11), losing six of their 11 games (W3 D2). Only in 2004-05 have Spurs ever lost more London derbies in a league season (7).

Crystal Palace have picked up 46 points in the Premier League this season, just three short of their competition record of 49 in 1992-93, 2018-19, and 2023-24. Indeed, 52% of their points in the competition this season have come away from home (24/46), with only Ipswich (68%), Southampton (55%), and Bournemouth (53%) having a higher ratio.

Tottenham have won only one of their last nine Premier League games (D2 L6), conceding in each of their last 10 games in the competition (20 in total); they last endured a longer run without a clean sheet in the league in December 2010 (17 games).

Crystal Palace are winless in their last five Premier League games (D3 L2), this after winning four of their previous five beforehand (D1). The Eagles have drawn each of their last three league games, last drawing four in a row in October 2021 under Patrick Vieira.

Only Southampton (28) and Ipswich Town (27) have dropped more points from winning positions in the Premier League this season than Tottenham (26), with Spurs only dropping more in a Premier League campaign in 2007-08 (33) and 2001-02 (27).

Tottenham have only won two of their last 12 Premier League games that have directly followed a midweek UEFA Europa League match (D3 L7). At home, Spurs have failed to win all five of their league games following a European fixture in 2024-25 (D2 L3).

Eberechi Eze has been directly involved in five of Crystal Palace’s last seven league goals (3 goals, 2 assists), scoring in both of their last two league games. In his 267-game English league career, Eze is yet to find the net in three successive appearances.

Tottenham’s Son Heung-min has scored nine goals in his 16 Premier League appearances against Crystal Palace, only scoring more against Southampton (11) in the competition. Indeed, only Sadio Mané (13) and Harry Kane (11) have more goals against the Eagles in the Premier League overall.

Tottenham Hotspur's winless run in the Women's Super League extended to 10 games as Robert Vilahamn's side closed out the season with a 1-1 draw at Everton.

Veatriki Sarri put Everton ahead with a beautiful curling free-kick around the Tottenham wall, before Drew Spence finished off a slick team move to equalise.

Everton came into the game off the back of an impressive 2-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield last weekend, and straight from kick-off they looked confident.

The home side dominated possession in the early stages and pressed Tottenham well - Toni Payne got a foot to Lize Kop's clearance but fortunately for the Spurs goalkeeper the ball deflected away from goal.

Defender Ella Morris was booked for halting an Everton attack just outside the penalty area and Sarri scored a wonderful goal, though Kop will feel she could have done better having got a hand to the ball.

Brian Sorensen's side almost doubled their lead shortly afterwards when Martina Fernandez's header struck the crossbar.

Spurs began to get into the game and equalised through an excellent team move in the 30th minute.

Olivia Holdt timed her run in behind the Everton defence to perfection as she raced onto Ella Morris' through ball, before producing a low cross that Drew Spence smashed home at the far post.

Both sides spurned chances after the break - Kelly Gago took too long on the ball when one-on-one with Kop and saw her effort deflected wide.

At the other end, Courtney Brosnan produced a smart save with her legs to keep out Jessica Naz's first-time strike following Bethany England's cut-back.

A point sees Tottenham finish 11th in the table, their lowest final position in the WSL, while Everton stayed eighth.

On the evidence of Saturday's performance, you can't really argue with Vilahamn's pre-match claim that his side "were not ready" to take the next step as a team.

It has been a hugely underwhelming season after reaching the FA Cup final in 2023-24, with Spurs winning just five of their 22 league games and amassing just 20 points, 11 fewer than they collected last term.

Tottenham struggled to keep hold of the ball for large chunks of the match, though when they did the attacking trio of Holdt, England and Naz looked threatening.

"We started the game quite badly actually - Everton were much better than us," Vilahamn told the club's website.

"But in the second half we were dominant and we had some chances. We should have won if you look at the whole 90 minutes. It's another game where we don't find a way to win.

"It's quite easy to see where and how we need to improve. We need to get better and sharper."

Spence's goal gave a glimpse of the level that this group of players could reach more often with a strong summer of recruitment, though it is unclear how much Vilahamn will be backed in the transfer market.

Everton were unable to record back-to-back wins in the WSL for the first time since December 2023, yet their season still draws to a satisfactory conclusion.

The Toffees have trended upwards after failing to win any of their opening six games. Performances improved after the winter break, even if their results remained inconsistent.

The fans at Walton Hall Park appeared to recognise that, rattling off an impressive repertoire of songs in appreciation of Sorensen and his players.

"I think we had the momentum, especially at the beginning of the game," Sorensen told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"But we got more and more tired and the game evened out. Overall we left everything out there to see if we could win, so I'm proud of the girls.

"We want to start next season like we started today - front-footed and aggressive. I'm disappointed we didn't win but I'm happy with the performance."

During the first half of the season Sorensen repeatedly promised that January signings would improve his team's fortunes. He was right.

But with Karoline Olesen, Rikke Madsen, Maren Mjelde and Lauren Thomas all leaving the club when their contracts expire at the end of June, investment will be needed over the summer.

Sorensen said that is the plan, as is extending Fernandez's loan from Barcelona.

If that happens, then at least matching their fifth-place finish in 2020-21 will be achievable.

Tottenham can salvage what has been a troublesome season with their first trophy since 2008 when they face Manchester United in the Europa League final on 21 May - yet in many ways reaching the showpiece game was immaterial for Tottenham.

Change will come at the club regardless of their success in Europe, given Spurs are currently 16th in the Premier League, with some of those internal adjustments already taking shape.

The most important decision will be the confirmation of head coach Ange Postecoglou's future.

The Australian's job remains unsafe despite the achievement of leading his side to a continental final, where they will face fellow domestic strugglers United in Bilbao in their second European final in six years.

An annual departmental review could also lead to adjustments. Their destabilising injury record this season could leave the medical and strength and conditioning teams under scrutiny.

There will be new faces the boardroom too.

Vinai Venkatesham, the former Arsenal chief executive, is joining the club before next season in the same position he vacated at Emirates Stadium.

Similarly, a potential return of former managing director of football Fabio Paratici is an ongoing process.

BBC Sport understands machinations towards Paratici's possible comeback are in motion, though sources close to the situation have expressed caution by insisting a full agreement for the Italian's return is yet to be finalised and may take a while longer to be reached.

There is a sense, however, that a deal with a view to appointing Paratici to the club's new-look executive team is achievable.

Paratici, having first joined Spurs 2021, left the club in 2023 after an appeal against a two-and-a-half-year Fifa ban for alleged financial irregularities dating back to his spell at Juventus was rejected by Italy's highest sports court.

Despite the suspension, Paratici - who held talks with AC Milan in recent weeks - has remained a constant at Tottenham, working for the club in an unofficial consultancy capacity.

The Italian has also been a regular at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium since his ban was enforced in spring 2023.

Paratici's suspension is due to expire in July, which could pave the way for his return if discussions are successful.

The 52-year-old remains one of the most respected football executives in European football and his connections would be invaluable to Tottenham as they approach a key summer transfer window.

Paratici was central to a number of Tottenham's most recent signings, most notably Cristian Romero, Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur.

Post

Joe Rindl

BBC Sport

Great question, Andy.

I've just had a dig through the small print and in Article 11.03 for both the Europa and Conference Leagues Uefa say:

"The winning team is presented with 50 gold medals and the runner-up with 50 silver medals."

So I imagine clubs can distribute medals as they see fit.

As for your question on times a player has won European trophies with two different clubs in one season, I'll leave the BBC Sport audience to answer that one.

Get Involvers - work your magic!

Watch The Football News Show

Right now we're streaming The Football News Show at the top of this page.

They've got loads of great guests on this morning.

We've loaned them Simon Stone, Nizaar Kinsella and Nick Mashiter (I think Nick's still in Bodo).

And a few Manchester United and Chelsea fans will also be on.

Make sure you get watching!

'You can make it something really special, this is the group that'll do it'

Bodo/Glimt 0-2 Tottenham (Spurs win 5-1 on agg)

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham's X account has given us an insight into what it's like to be in the dressing room with boss Ange Postecoglou.

After last night's win he told his players: "I'm so proud of how all of you have stuck together. Not one time have I felt that people are not believing or have lost what we have in here. It's just outstanding.

"People never realise what it's taken for you guys to be in this position and you deserve all the credit for that. It's unbelievable what you've done.

"The things we've had to deal with. Everyone has contributed. Yeah, we've had problems, for sure, but we've stuck together. You can make it something really special. This is the group of players that is going to do it."

This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

Skip X post

Allow X content?

This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

End of X post

Postecoglou comes out fighting after reaching final

Bodo/Glimt 0-2 Tottenham (Spurs win 5-1 on agg)

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham are 16th in the Premier League after a poor domestic season and are chasing their first major trophy since 2008.

Manager Ange Postecoglou has come under criticism for his team's form, despite losing a number of senior players to injury. They won in Norway without James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall - both out for the season - with Son Heung-min also missing.

At times he has been mocked after stating, accurately, he wins trophies during his second season at a club. And minutes after seeing his team reach the Europa League final, he came out fighting again.

"It's going to upset a lot of people isn't it," Postecoglou said. "The debate's now raging. The latest one is that neither of us will be able to get a trophy if we win, they're just going to take a team photo because we're not worthy.

"I mean, who cares if we're struggling in the league? If it's so easy to get to a final, then why doesn't everyone who finishes in the top three do it? It's a separate thing. It's got nothing to do with league form.

"I couldn't care less who's struggling and who's not. I think both us and Manchester United have earned the right to be there."

When was Solanke's last goal from open play?

Bodo/Glimt 0-2 Tottenham (Spurs win 5-1 on agg)

Tottenham led 3-1 from the first leg and Dominic Solanke broke the deadlock in the Arctic Circle to put the tie further out of reach.

The England striker has been in and out of the team this season through injury but has got back in the goals recently.

Solanke produced a perfect poacher's strike in Bodo to register his fourth goal in five games - and his 15th in 44 games since joining from Bournemouth last summer.

It was also his first goal from open play in 16 games, stretching back to the 2-1 defeat by Newcastle in January, when the 27-year-old headed in the opener from Pedro Porro's cross.

Spurs' defence pulls off rare feat

Bodo/Glimt 0-2 Tottenham (Spurs win 5-1 on agg)

Tottenham's clean sheet in Norway not only made for a panic-free evening but also meant they pulled off a rare feat.

Bodo/Glimt have played 11 home games in Europe this season and Qarabag are the only other team that has won in Bodo. The likes of Lazio, Olympiakos, Twente, Besiktas and Porto have all been beaten.

What's more, it was only the third time in 22 European games this season that Bodo/Glimt have failed to score.

Spurs also became the first team to stop Bodo/Glimt scoring in 2025, with Thursday's game the 16th that the Norwegian side has played since the turn of the year.

Man Utd and Tottenham have earned their shot at the Champions League

Simon Stone

BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

I said this last night and I repeat it now, I do not understand the argument over the merits of Manchester United and Tottenham potentially qualifying for the Champions League by winning the Europa League.

That is the prize at the start of the tournament - and has been for quite a while. In 2023 I don't recall anyone complaining about Sevilla dropping out of the Champions League, then winning the Europa League in the same season to qualify for the Champions League again, having finished 12th in the league. All I heard was how amazing it was they were specialists in the tournament.

When West Ham won the Conference League in 2023, amid the elation at winning the trophy and the admiration expressed for David Moyes, I don't recall anyone complaining about them getting into the Europa League the following season given they finished 14th in the table.

The obvious difference this season is that eight third place teams have not dropped into the competition below midway through.

It means that in the Europa League the number of clubs from each country was sealed at two. By their very nature, the two clubs from the biggest countries would be expected to do well.

One side from Germany and another from France didn't even make it out of the first phase. Manchester United have knocked out both sides from Spain and the other one from France in the knockout rounds. Tottenham beat a team from Germany in the quarters and the two Italian teams were beaten by the teams who then lost to the Premier League duo.

The fact is Manchester United and Tottenham have reserved their best performances for the Europa League. Whoever wins it deserves their Champions League place.