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• De Gea reiterates Man Utd happiness as contract talks continue

  David de Gea remains content at Manchester United and is focused on helping the Red Devils qualify for the Champions League, as talks over the goalkeeper's new contract continue.

  De Gea's contract with United is set to expire at the end of the season, though the Spaniard has repeatedly expressed optimism he will extend his 12-year stay at Old Trafford.

  The 32-year-old outlined his desire to finish his career at United earlier this year, though a report from The Athletic this week suggested he had turned down the club's first offer of fresh terms.

  While that report suggested a positive outcome remains likely, De Gea is putting his future to one side as United look to beat Tottenham, Newcastle United and Liverpool to a top-four Premier League finish.

  "I've been here many, many years, enjoying every moment at this club and playing many games," De Gea told Sky Sports. 

  "Of course it's great to be here, it's a massive club. I love the club and I'm really happy here.

  "It's been the same over the years. There's a lot of noise about everything at this club, but the players just focus on games, especially the one we have on Sunday – it's a massive game for us because we want to finish in the top four.

  "We have many games so I think we have to be really caring about training, recovering well, helping the team and that's the most important thing, more than contracts or anything."

  United visit top-four rivals Newcastle on Sunday, with the fifth-placed Magpies just three points adrift of Erik ten Hag's team in third.

  United have won more Premier League away games against Newcastle than against any other side (14), though they have lost on two of their last five trips to St James' Park (W2 D1). 

• CAS upholds life ban on former Haitain Football Federation vice president Rosnick Grant

  The life ban imposed on Rosnick Grant, the former vice president of the Haitian Football Federation, has been upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. However, the fine imposed on Grant has been significantly reduced, CAS said in a release on Thursday.

  This decision comes a few weeks after another CAS decision concerning the former President of the FHF, Mr. Yves Jean-Bart, who was released from the sanctions imposed on him by FIFA due to insufficient evidence. That CAS decision is currently being appealed to the Swiss Federal Tribunal.

  CAS said the Arbitral Panel found that the evidence against Mr. Grant regarding the sexual abuse charges was sufficiently convincing and that, as a result, the sanction imposed on him by the Court should be confirmed, with the exception of the fine, which was reduced to 35,000 Swiss Francs.

  Grant, the former Vice-President and Head of Referees of the Haitian Football Federation (FHF), was banned by the Adjudicatory Chamber of the FIFA Ethics Committee for violation of Article 23 (protection of physical and mental integrity) and Article 25 (abuse of power) of the FIFA Code of Ethics in connection with acts of harassment, sexual abuse, threats and coercion against female referees.

  The fine of 100,000 Swiss Francs was initially imposed on Mr. Grant. That has been reduced to 35,000 Swiss Francs.

  In May 2020, the Investigatory Chamber of the FIFA Ethics Committee opened an investigation into Mr. Yves Jean-Bart, former President of the FHF, who was suspected of having coerced several female players from the National Technical Centre in Croix-des-Bouquets into having sexual relations with him.

  During the proceedings, the Investigatory Chamber identified Mr. Grant as one of the perpetrators of sexual abuse and opened an investigation against him in August 2020. On 22 July 2021, based on the final report of the FIFA Ethics Committee, the testimony of a victim, the statements of Mr. Grant, and the statements of the Chairman of the Investigation Chamber of the FIFA Ethics Committee, the Adjudicatory Chamber of the FIFA Ethics Committee issued the Challenged Decision.

  On October 6, 2021, Mr Grant filed an appeal at CAS requesting the annulment of the Challenged Decision, claiming that he was innocent of the charges against him. A CAS Panel of three arbitrators, composed of Mr Alexander McLin, President (Switzerland/USA), Prof. Gérald Simon (France) and Mr José J. Pintó (Spain), was constituted to decide the appeal.

  A hearing was held on 15 and 16 February 2023, during which numerous witnesses were heard, some of whom benefited from special protective measures.

  As a basis for its decision, the Arbitral Panel considered the testimony of a victim, who had travelled to Switzerland for the hearing, to be accurate, coherent and credible. The Panel also noted the inconsistency and imprecision in the statements of the witnesses called by Mr. Grant, most of whom stated, in a contradictory and unconvincing manner, that the accusations against Mr. Grant were the result of a conspiracy against him.

  Finally, the Arbitral Panel found that the fine imposed on Mr. Grant was disproportionate to the salary conditions he was subject to in Haiti. In conclusion, the Arbitral Panel found that the evidence against Mr. Grant regarding the sexual abuse charges was sufficiently convincing and that, as a result, the sanction imposed on Mr Grant by the Court should be confirmed, with the exception of the fine, which was reduced.

• Gundogan future 'open' amid Barcelona links, says agent

  Ilkay Gundogan's future remains "open" despite reports suggesting the Manchester City midfielder is keen to join Barcelona upon the expiration of his contract, according to his agent.

  City captain Gundogan is entering the final three months of a four-year deal he signed back in 2019, and the Germany international is yet to agree to fresh terms.

  Gundogan has appeared in 24 of City's 27 Premier League games this campaign, yet reports have claimed he has his heart set on a move to Camp Nou at the end of the season.

  Despite suggestions Barcelona are willing to offer Gundogan a two-year deal, the player's agent and uncle Ilhan Gundogan says nothing has been decided.

  "There's definitely no agreement yet with any club," he told The Guardian. "The focus of Ilkay in recent weeks was only on Manchester City and the birth of his son. 

  "Now he is in the final and crucial phase of the season and is completely focused on that. Where Ilkay plays next season is still open."

  Gundogan has won four Premier League titles since joining City from Borussia Dortmund in 2016, scoring twice in a comeback win over Aston Villa to hand Pep Guardiola's team their latest triumph on the final day of last season.

  The 32-year-old did not feature for Germany in the recent international break, with Hansi Flick opting against calling him up after the birth of his child.