The Sports Desk

Sir Jim Ratcliffe sits down with BBC sports editor Dan Roan after completing his deal to buy a 27.7 per cent stake in Manchester United.

The British billionaire's investment is worth about £1.25bn.

He says it's a boyhood dream to be involved in United and that restoring them to the pinnacle of English and European football is the greatest challenge.

Sir Jim also discusses how it's his "preference" to build a new stadium for the club that can also "serve the north of England".

Producer: Jonathan McKeith

We catch up with England captain Harry Kane after his brilliant start to life at Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga.

Kane talks to Alex Howell about his pre-move nerves, his pride at his goalscoring feats and his hopes of ending his personal trophy drought.

We also hear from Bayern fans, who have taken Kane to their hearts.

Kane also talks about the work he and his wife are doing to promote mental health and resilience in schools via the Harry Kane Foundation.

Germany football commentator Taufig Khalil joins the podcast to explain why Kane has been such a hit on and off the field.

Panel: Sarah Mulkerrins, Alex Howell, Taufig Khalil

Producer: Sam Sheringham

The public has watched with growing astonishment at the 16 year old darts prodigy who has beaten players forty years his senior to progress in one of the biggest tournaments in the world. We discuss the impact Luke Littler has had on the sport already and how his success could change darts in the years to come.

Jane Dougall is joined by semi-professional darts player Deta Hedman, who has known Luke since he was just ten years old, and darts journalist Chris Hammer from Sporting Life, who believes the teenager’s achievements aren’t a flash in the pan and that he will go on to emulate the success of other sports people like snooker's Ronnie O’Sullivan.

We also hear from PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter who talks about the challenges of the world championships for someone as young as Luke and how he’s been coping with the pressure of playing in front of the Alexandra Palace crowd.

Whether it’s the Saudi Pro League's £750m spending spree, the unopposed bid for the 2034 men’s World Cup or the growing influence in golf, tennis, boxing and F1, the scale of Saudi Arabia’s sporting ambitions seem boundless.

But the more money that’s spent, the greater the concerns over human rights, the environment and the very integrity of sport.

BBC sports editor Dan Roan has been to Saudi Arabia to interview Saudi sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal and several other key figures in Saudi sport.

We also hear from Amnesty International and tennis great Martina Navratilova.

Panel: Sarah Mulkerrins, Dan Roan, Ian Herbert, Mohamed Qoutb

Producer: Sam Sheringham

As the Israel-Gaza war intensifies, we examine the stance taken by football and some of its key protagonists.

Following the row over the decision not to light the Wembley arch in Israeli colours - and fans being urged not to bring Palestinian flags into stadiums - what considerations are clubs, players and governing bodies having to make when responding to an international crisis? And what geopolitical forces are influencing those decisions?

Does football and its star players have a moral obligation to use their power and influence in global affairs – or should it stay out of politics all together?

Panel: Sarah Mulkerrins, Prof Simon Chadwick, Jacob Steinberg & Bassil Mikdadi

England captain Leah Williamson and star Beth Mead were among more than 25 players to miss the Women's World Cup due to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) damage, drawing attention to an injury that's threatening to derail the progress of the women's game.

Women's health expert Dr Emma Ross from The Well HQ explains some of the reasons why women are six times more likely to have a non-contact ACL injury than men, while orthopaedic surgeon Nev Davies details how the Power Up To Play grassroots warm-up routine could reduce the risk of ACL injury.

We hear from Birmingham City's Siobhan Wilson, who is currently recovering from an ACL injury – and football’s global players’ union Fifpro on what needs to change to support women in football.

Panel: Katie Smith, Elizabeth Conway, Emma Ross, Nev Davies

Producer: Sam Sheringham

Katie Smith is joined by Spanish football expert Guillem Balague and reporter Antia Andre from RNE radio to react to the news that most of the Spain women's team have agreed to end their boycott.

The deal was reached at 05:00 local time on Wednesday after more than seven hours of meetings.

They discuss how the decision was reached following government intervention and whether it will bring lasting change for women in Spanish football and society.

The players began the boycott after then RFEF president Luis Rubiales kissed forward Jenni Hermoso following Spain's triumph over England in the Women's World Cup final last month.

The kiss, which Hermoso said was not consensual, led to Rubiales' resignation, while Spain manager Jorge Vilda was sacked.

Presenter: Katie Smith

Producer: Sam Sheringham

Photo: Ivana Andrés of Spain lifts the Women's World Cup trophy and players celebrate the winning of the tournament during the ceremony after the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Final game between England and Spain at Stadium Australia on August 20, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

On the eve of the Women's World Cup, we discuss Karen Carney's landmark review into domestic women's football.

Carney joins the podcast panel to outline her plan to drive investment and growth by creating two fully professional leagues, better grassroots facilities, a regular TV slot - and much more.

Carney warns that unless her proposals are acted upon "the moment of the Lionessess in 2022 could be lost and the team deserves more than that."

Panel: Katie Smith, Emma Sanders, Karen Carney, Siobhan Chamberlain

Producer: Sam Sheringham

Image: Georgia Stanway of England celebrates after scoring their team's second goal with teammates Chloe Kelly, Rachel Daly and Fran Kirby during the Women's International Friendly match between England and USA at Wembley Stadium on October 07, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Harriet Lander - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

As Wimbledon becomes the latest major sporting event to be disrupted by protestors we discuss what impact protest has on sport and explore the cause of the activists.

Sarah Mulkerrins is joined by BBC sports editor Dan Roan, Managing Director of Silverstone Stuart Pringle and historian Dr Fern Riddell - expert on the Suffragette movement - to discuss the impact of recent protests on sporting events. We also hear clips from Nesta McGregor’s interview with Lord Coe and Gary Lineker.

Panel: Sarah Mulkerrins, Dan Roan, historian Dr Fern Riddell.

Producer: Jonathan McKeith

A long-awaited independent report has painted a sorry picture of deep-rooted discrimination in English cricket and challenged its governing body to adopt recommendations to transform the culture and structure of the game.

We hear shocking evidence from the chair of The Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) Cindy Butts, an apology from Richard Thompson, chairman of the England & Wales Cricket Board and the thoughts of England Test captain Ben Stokes.

Panel: Sarah Mulkerrins, Dan Roan, Former umpire John Holder, Isabelle Westbury

Producer: Sam Sheringham