Sportsday - FA Cup & #bestsportingheadline

1. Roger Federer pulls out of French Open
2. Golf: Muirfield votes against allowing women members
3. Cricket: 1st Test - England v Sri Lanka, Headingley
4. FA Cup: Countdown to Saturday's final

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Right then, that's it from us today. Thanks for all your excellent work on #bestsportingheadline. 

Until the next time, be seeing you.

Dispute? What dispute?

Ukraine have announced their provisional 28-man squad for Euro 2016 and interestingly there's a place for both Andriy Yarmolenko and Taras Stepanenko - who clashed rather violently a few weeks ago.

Yarmolenko viciously hacked Stepanenko and both were sent off as a brawl marred a league match between their respective clubs, Shakhtar Donetsk and Dynamo Kiev. 

"I'd like the whole country to know my friendship with Yarmolenko has ended," Stepanenko said shortly afterwards. Yes indeed. But they were both singing a different tune at a news conference this afternoon. 

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"I would like peace and friendship to prevail inside our team. As a man, I am used to being responsible for my actions," Yarmolenko said. 

Stepanenko added: "We have discussed this situation and I hope this won't happen again as we are likely to play side-by-side in the Ukraine team for many years. This dispute should be considered settled."

Muirfield votes to exclude women members

Some more reaction to the decision by Muirfield to maintain its ban on women members.

This from the Open golf champion at the course in both 1987 and 1992... 

Fulham interested in Murray?

Fulham are interested in signing Bournemouth striker Glenn Murray, according to the Evening Standard.

The London paper says the Cherries are prepared to let him go on a free despite having paid Crystal Palace £4m last summer. 

Fulham, who had their transfer embargo lifted this week, would take on the 32-year-old's weekly salary of £30,000, they add.

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Di Matteo the next Villa boss?

New Aston Villa owner Dr Tony Xia has said the club's next manager will be given up to £50m to spend to get the club back into the Premier League.

The Chinese businessman also confirmed former Chelsea and West Brom boss Roberto di Matteo is in contention for the managerial vacancy.

Xia bought the club from Randy Lerner this week for £60m, subject to Football League approval.

"We will have a budget from £20m to £30m to £40m to £50m," he said.

"It depends when we have the coach around the table."

Head over here for the full story.

Reuters

Federer pulls out of French Open

Some absolutely incredible stats coming out of this one. 

The last 65 Grand Slams!

Manchester United news conference

Simon Stone

BBC Sport

So now we know, for all the stick Louis van Gaal has received this season and the pressure he has been under as Manchester United manager, his hardest task lies in front of him.

For, after working with a squad of 27 players this season, Van Gaal knows he has to disappoint some.

Seven will have the consolation of missing out on a starting spot for Saturday's FA Cup final by being named on the substitutes' bench.

That means nine will remain in their suits and sit in the stands.Of those, Luke Shaw and Bastian Schweinsteiger are injured. Third choice keeper Sam Johnstone won't reasonably expect to be involved either.

But with Matteo Darmian and Marcos Rojo fit, and Marouane Fellaini back from suspension, there are some from the 17 who were on duty against Bournemouth on Tuesday who cannot be sure of their place.

Federer pulls out of French Open

Federer pulls out of French Open

The 17-time Grand Slam singles champion added: "This decision was not easy to make, but I took it to ensure I could play the remainder of the season and help to extend the rest of my career. 

"I remain as motivated and excited as ever and my plan is to achieve the highest level of fitness before returning to the ATP World Tour for the upcoming grass court season. I am sorry for my fans in Paris but I very much look forward to returning to Roland Garros in 2017."

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Federer pulls out of French Open

In a Facebook post, Federer, 34, wrote: "I regret to announce that I have made the decision not to play in this year’s French Open. 

"I have been making steady progress with my overall fitness, but I am still not 100% and feel I might be taking an unnecessary risk by playing in this event before I am really ready." 

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Federer pulls out of French Open

Roger Federer announces he will not be taking part at this year's French Open.

GEt

Manchester United news conference

It was also pointed out to Louis van Gaal that victory on Saturday would secure Manchester United's first trophy since Sir Alex Ferguson retired. 

"For me it is not the most interesting point," he replied. 

"We are able to win something, now we can win something but still you have nothing, it is always a final you cannot predict. First we have to win.

"It is not good to speak about my interests. It is important for the club, the players, the manager and his staff. We have played four matches of six away. We deserve to win. But Crystal Palace beat Tottenham so it is also deserved they are at the final."

Skiffle hits the right note

Here's the full result of today's big race

1 Skiffle (W Buick) 5-1

2 The Black Princess (L Dettori) 13-8 Fav

3 Play Gal (Catherine Gannon) 25-1

9 ran. Distances: 1 length, 7 lengths

You can follow all the latest horse racing results on the BBC Sport website.

Manchester United news conference

Here's a little more from Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal. 

Asked whether it was a particularly important game for himself, given the amount of speculation surrounding his future, he replied:"I think the interests of the club are much more important than the manager. 

"Of course, you have put your own aims. [Winning the FA Cup] is one I have always had. But close is not enough.You have to win it. I have read that the last FA Cup is 2004, so also for Manchester United it is a big title.

"We are playing in the most prestigious temple of England. It confirms how important it is."

Baumgartlinger joins Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen haveannounced the signing of Austria international Julian Baumgartlinger on a four-year deal. 

The 28-year-old midfielder, who is in national team manager Marcel Koller's provisional 24-man squad for Euro 2016, joins from Leverkusen's fellow Bundesliga club Mainz.

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Manchester United news conference

Here's a little more from Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal: "Always your starting point, to impress and perform good, depends on a lot of factors, including your opponent. 

"Our starting point is to win well and score beautiful goals. But if we win 1-0 that is also enough. Winning is the most important thing in a final, otherwise you have nothing."  

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Manchester United news conference

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The latest word from Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is that Matteo Darmian and Marcos Rojo will be fit for Saturday's FA Cup final against Crystal Palace. Marouane Fellaini is available again too of course, after suspension.

"It is always important to win silverware," Van Gaal said. "For players, qualification is not a title. A title is the FA Cup and championship. They can look and hold the cup. That is exciting. 

"The FA Cup is a big title in England. We are playing in the most prestigious temple of England. It confirms how important it is."

Pardew set for new Palace contract

Alan Pardew is set to commit his future to Crystal Palace by signing a new contract before Saturday's FA Cup final with Manchester United. 

Pardew became Palace boss on a three-and-a-half-year deal in January 2015.

He led the club to 10th in the Premier League last season but the Eagles struggled in the second half of this year's campaign, slumping to 17th from fifth, before finishing 15th.

Details of the new contract remain undisclosed but Pardew said: "We are probably going to (sign) it before the game."

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Eng 171-5 v Sri Lanka

Vic Marks

Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"This pair have have got England out of a nasty hole, in contrasting ways; Bairstow free and easy, and Hales has done a damn good job without catching the eye. This is his most significant Test innings so far."  

Eng 171-5 v Sri Lanka

This has been a fine stand from Alex Hales (71) and Jonny Bairstow (54), who came in with England floundering at 82-5. 

They've since motored on to 171-5 at tea. 

Head over here for the latest from Headingley.

Reuters