It's absolutely OK to face fans' criticism - Glasner — and more

Oliver Glasner says it is "absolutely OK" to "face criticism" after some Crystal Palace fans again questioned his immediate future as manager.

Glasner, who led the Eagles to their first major honour last May, said last month that he will leave the club when his contract expires in the summer.

Some fans called for him to leave now during their Europa Conference League draw at Zrinjski Mostar in midweek, and a banner held during Sunday's Premier League win over bottom club Wolves said he is "finished".

That was the Eagles' first home win since early November and just their second overall since early December.

Another banner called the club's board "inept" as there had been "opportunities missed" since last season's FA Cup triumph.

Glasner told Sky Sports after Sunday's 1-0 victory that he saw the banners and said: "It's OK. The fans are as disappointed as we are and they can't talk to us directly, so it's their opportunity to express their mood.

"That's what we have to accept. On the other side, they supported the team right until the end and that's why I think they helped [us] to win the game. But when we face criticism, it's absolutely OK."

Glasner remains '100% committed to Palace success'

Although Palace claimed their first win in 13 at Brighton two weeks ago, they then let a 2-0 lead slip to lose 3-2 at home to second-bottom Burnley.

In a news conference after Thursday's 1-1 draw in Bosnia, Glasner told disgruntled fans to "stay humble" and was far from convincing when asked whether he wants to stay at Selhurst Park until the summer, saying "let's see what the future brings, you never know."

On if he has the drive to continue leading the club, he replied "yes, I think so" before adding "I'm just not good enough to replace the players we sold. I'm just not good enough to integrate the new players to play the same way like we did, and I'm not good enough that we can cope with the schedule we had."

But Glasner provided more clarity after Sunday's game, stressing he remains committed to the club.

"For me, Oliver Glasner is not important," he told the BBC's Match of the Day. "If the club had thought they need a change, then I don't want to be in the way. That is what I meant.

"I spoke to the board, to the chairman, to the sporting director and they said 'no, we think you are the right one'."

• 'Stay humble' - Glasner reacts to fan backlash as future in doubt

The Austrian added: "The most important thing is Crystal Palace, and I am here 100% to be successful for Crystal Palace.

"I need the players. It's important that the players are believing in what we are telling them - I and the staff. It's important that the club is believing in us, that we can get this turnaround and end this season successfully."

The Eagles were fortunate to beat Wolves, with Evann Guessand scoring a 90th-minute winner after the visitors missed a first-half penalty and spent more than 30 minutes with 10 men.

"Of course, the fans are like us all, disappointed with some results and some parts of the game. That's normal," said Glasner.

"I don't expect them to celebrate us when we don't win, when we don't perform right, but on the other side, since I was here, I felt support from the first day.

"Hopefully we face more wins and the mood around the club will be better and we will enjoy our life much more."

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Barcelona president candidate rejects refereeing controversy

Laporta fires back at Real Madrid complaints after Osasuna defeat

Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta dismissed Real Madrid complaints after VAR penalty in their 2-1 loss to Osasuna.

Laporta responds to refereeing debate

Joan Laporta has reacted strongly to criticism from Real Madrid supporters following their 2-1 defeat to Osasuna.

Speaking before entering Camp Nou to watch Barcelona face Levante, Laporta addressed the controversy around the penalty awarded against Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Laporta said the decision was clear and confirmed by VAR adding that Real Madrid had benefited from many similar penalties in the past.

What happened in Pamplona

Osasuna took the lead in the 34 minute after VAR review showed Courtois stepping on Ante Budimir. The referee canceled yellow card shown to Osasuna player for simulation and awarded penalty which Budimir converted calmly.

Real Madrid equalized in the 73 minute when Federico Valverde crossed from the left and Vinicius Junior scored from close range.

As Madrid pushed for late winner, a mistake proved costly. Substitute Dani Ceballos lost the ball allowing Raul Moro to find Garcia del Arco, who beat Raul Asencio and fired into the top corner to seal the win.

“They have no right to complain”

Laporta was firm in his verdict. He said the Osasuna goal was not offside and pointed out that Madrid were not awarded penalty for simulation on this occasion. “I see no problem” he stated adding that Madrid “have no right to complain.”

Laporta also described watching the Madrid match from his campaign headquarters where hundreds gathered around screen.

He said the result showed that there are no easy games noting Osasuna’s steady improvement and warning that Barcelona’s match against Levante would also be difficult.

Having crunched their first two opponents by a combined score of 19-3, the White Sox will try to extend the streak of slaughters against a Brewers split squad today.

Mike Vasil, who did an excellent job in relief last year and is under consideration for a rotation slot for 2026, will start the parade of pitchers for the Sox, with righty Logan Henderson first on the mound for the Brewers.

Henderson, who had a blazing beginning as rookie in 2025 only to have his season shut down by a flexor strain that limited him to five starts, will face a Sox lineup which, in keeping with usual spring one-on/one-off patterns, is largely the same as that in the opener against the Cubs Friday, but with Lenyn Sosa at second and Braden Montgomery in right. Kyle Teel and Korey Lee switch DH/C roles.

Which means that Sox fans get their first chance today to watch Munetaka Murakami on TV.

Vasil et al. will be facing the Brewers lineup that includes old buddy Andrew Vaughn but with most Milwaukee probable regular season starters on the other half of the split.

First pitch is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. Central under (surprise!) sunny skies and temps around 80°. Usual broadcast suspects, which, for those who have forgotten since last year, means CHSN and ESPN 1000.

With the way mother nature have behaved this year, it’s been tough to tell what season we’re actually in. But according to the UHSAA high school sports calendar, spring is just around the corner.

The high school baseball season officially gets underway on Monday, March 2, and here’s a look at the preseason favorites in all five classifications.

Three of the five preseason No. 1s in the coaches preseason rankings are defending state champs — American Fork (6A), Spanish Fork (5A) and Crimson Cliffs (4A). The other two preseason favorites are Union (3A) and Kanab (2A).

In 6A, American coach Jared Ingersol said his team has some big shoes to fill with the graduation of last year’s Mr. Baseball CJ Mascaro and first team all-stater Cooper Jones. The Cavemen definitely have talent returning though with last year’s playoff MVP Kenny Johnson and first team all-staters Cache Poulson and Bode Gaggero.

Big things are also expected from preseason No. 2 Riverton and No. 3 Lehi.

In 5A, Spanish Fork is loaded for a run at a repeat after last year’s unlikely run to the state championship as the No. 20 seed. The Dons went 9-1 in the playoffs.

“We are really excited for this upcoming season. We return 8 of 9 position players and our whole pitching staff is back. We hope to build on the great of the season we had last year,” said Spanish Fork coach Hadley Thorpe.

Headlining that group is junior Nixon Warren, a returning 5A all-stater from a year ago.

Maple Mountain was the No. 1 seed heading into last year’s state tournament, and it will begin the season ranked No. 2 in the rankings.

In 4A, Crimson Cliffs won the state championship as the No. 8 seed, but there are big expectations this year with plenty of returning starters and experience.

“This team is returning a lot of guys from last year which helps us big time when it comes to experience and leadership. Our young guys have had a really good fall and early spring,” said Crimson Cliffs coach Justin Abbot.

Outfield Cutter Christensen is the top returning player for the Mustangs as he was voted a first team all-stater in 2025.

In 3A, defending state champion Canyon View will begin the season ranked No. 2 behind Union in the preseason rankings.

The Cougars are led by returning all-staters in senior Gannon Labrum and junior Dylan Watagomigie

“Excited about the opportunity to compete this season. We have a strong group returning and look forward to our strong schedule,” said Union coach Matt Labrum.

Canyon View graduated three of its four first team all-staters from a year ago and has some notable holes to fill.

In 2A, defending state champ South Sevier is in a similar position after graduating its top three players a year ago. It opens the season ranked third behind No. 1 Kanab and No. 2 Beaver.

Kanab was the 2A runner-up a year ago and is loaded with returning contributors from that group.

" We are excited as a coaching staff to see what we can do this year together,” said Kanab coach Craig Brinkerhoff.

Deseret News preseason coaches rankings

Class 6A

Team (2025 record)

1. American Fork (28-4)
2. Riverton (20-11)
3. Lehi (19-16)
4. Mountain Ridge (20-12)
5. Corner Canyon (17-11)

Class 5A

Team (2025 record)

1. Spanish Fork (18-17)
2. Maple Mountain (28-3)
3. Pleasant Grove (23-6)
4. Alta (19-8)
5. Brighton (28-5)

Class 4A

Team (2025 record)

1. Crimson Cliffs (23-8)
2. Desert Hills (24-6)
3. Snow Canyon (23-8)
4. Ridgeline (25-6)
5. Timpanogos (22-9)

Class 3A

Team (2025 record)

1. Union (21-8)
2. Canyon View (27-5)
3. Juab (25-7)
4. Grantsville (15-13)
5. Morgan (20-10)

Class 2A

Team (2025 record)

1. Kanab (20-8)
2. Beaver (24-5)
3. South Sevier (26-6)
4. Gunnison Valley (18-9)
5. San Juan (21-6)