It is one of the great ironies of football, but also a tribute to the pragmatism of Jose Mourinho, that the Europa League, a competition once much derided by Manchester United fans from their heady perch, today holds the future of their club so firmly in its grasp.

Marcus Rashford made a compelling case for youth as Manchester United stumbled their way into the Europa League semi-finals, moving one step closer towards success in teh competition that is most likely to provide the club with a route back into the Champions League.

Leicester boss Craig Shakespeare is looking forward to the “massive challenge” of facing Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

BT Sport has retained the exclusive rights to show Champions League and Europa League games until the end of the 2020-21 season, it has announced.

YouTube will be streaming the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League finals for free.

Four League of Ireland clubs are to benefit to the tune of €156,000 from Uefa’s policy of dispersing fines received from Financial Fair Play (FFP) breaches.

There is never any shortage of narratives when the Premier League season begins. 

West Ham striker Enner Valencia has suffered an apparently “significant” injury to his right knee and right ankle in the Europa League clash with Astra Giurgiu.

With a Uefa Europa League draw to look forward to during it, Cork City players and staff will hope to enjoy the upcoming summer break.

Liverpool have another chance to chase a place in next season’s Champions League as they begin their UEFA Europa League campaign.

Celtic have been drawn against Inter Milan in the last 32 of the Europa League, while Liverpool will play Besiktas.

Roberto Martinez believes Samuel Eto’o is ready to make the transition from super sub to starting striker after being convinced of the 33-year-old’s quality in his short time at Goodison Park.

Everton may be returning to European football in the continent’s secondary competition, but they have been drawn in a group worthy of the Champions League, according to one of the men plotting their downfall.

Tottenham will be looking to replicate local rivals Arsenal’s recent success against Besiktas after being paired with the Turkish side in Group C of the Europa League.

UEFA has announced that Celtic have been reinstated in the Champions League.

If Sligo can complete the job against Rosenborg after their shock 2-1 win in Norway yesterday they will face Turkey's Kardemir Karabukspor in the Europa League third qualifying round.

The draw for the Europa League first qualifying round has pitted the League of Ireland clubs against teams from Lithuania, Luxembourg and Wales.

Porn – What’s the Harm? (BBC3 at 9pm) is a documentary that finds out if it's true that children are being exposed to more pornography than ever before - and what the effects of that might be.

BT Sport has announced it has won the exclusive UK live broadcast rights for all Champions League and Europa League matches for three seasons.

Irish sides have been handed difficult draws for next season’s Europa League.

A majority of leading clubs want to see the Europa League winners or finalists qualify for the Champions League.

UEFA have confirmed they have opened disciplinary proceedings against Lazio for the alleged racist behaviour of some of their fans during last night’s Europa League clash against Tottenham.

Liverpool could face Dundee United in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League, which is due to be drawn later today.

Having knocked them out at the same stage last year, it’s somewhat a case of the devil they know for St Patrick’s Athletic when they face ÍBV Vestmannaeyjar at Richmond Park tonight in the UEFA Europa League, first qualifying round, first leg.

UEFA have fined Portuguese club Porto €20,000 after their supporters racially abused Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli in February.

Manchester United’s conquerors Athletic Bilbao scored three late goals to beat Schalke 4-2 in their Europa League quarter-final first leg last night.

Porto coach Vitor Pereira tonight claimed Manchester City’s complaint about alleged racial abuse of their players is based on a misunderstanding.

UEFA today responded to Manchester City’s claims that two of their players were racially abused during the Europa League match at Porto by opening disciplinary proceedings against the Portuguese club.

Manchester City and Manchester United will both face difficult matches in the last 32 of the Europa League after Roberto Mancini's side drew holders Porto and their neighbours were paired with fellow Champions League dropouts Ajax.

RYAN DONK’S injury-time winner capped a stunning comeback by Club Brugge, who hit back from 3-0 down to win 4-3 at Maribor and boost their chances of qualifying from UEFA Europa League Group H.

UEFA have invited Sion to a consultation meeting to consider their possible re-integration into the Europa League.

The decision to replace Swiss club Sion with Celtic in the Europa League was today given the backing of FIFA’s powerful executive committee.

UEFA have dismissed Sion’s attempts to be reinstated into the Europa League through the Swiss civil courts.

UEFA have confirmed they have rejected Sion’s appeal against their expulsion from the Europa League, allowing Celtic to remain in the competition.

Irish giantkillers Shamrock Rovers have landed a plum tie against Premier League stars Tottenham in the Europa League group stage draw today.

Shamrock Rovers will be returning home today after becoming the first Irish side to reach the group stages of a European competition last night.

A boost to tourism numbers this year is no surprise as the sector was decimated by the volcanic ash cloud in 2010, experts have warned.

FC Thun 0 Stoke 1

ROBBIE KEANE may still be hoping to plot his latest transfer but one big move was instigated from the Republic of Ireland’s home to UEFA Europa League champions Porto yesterday.

THIS just in — off the post!

UEFA Europa League (First Qualifying Round, second leg)

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC will have to walk an ages-old European tightrope tonight when they take on ÍBV Vestmannaeyjar of Iceland at Richmond Park in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League first qualifying round tie (7.45pm).

Fulham will play in the Europa League next season via the Premier League’s Fair Play League.