by Tim Stannard

1) Controversy rumbles in Barcelona over flag ban for Copa final 

Oh dear. Rumbling in the background in Spain whilst Sevilla have been getting busy with winning the Europa League is a hugely brewing, bubbling story from Barcelona concerning the Copa del Rey final on Sunday, against the new UEL champions. 

The blue-starred Catalan independence flags have been banned from the match at Atletico Madrid's Vicente Calderon by the Spanish government with threats that the police will remove them from fans trying to enter the stadium for Sunday's showpiece event. 

Naturally, this will only encourage more to be both brought and bought. There is even the mooted possibility that the Barcelona president, Josep Bartomeu, won't attend. The Barcelona city mayor and Catalan regional president will not be going to Sunday's game, and Barcelona themselves are making strong protests. "An attack on the freedom of expression," says the club. "The flags are symbols that defend the destruction of Spain," says La Liga president, Javier Tebas. This one is going to get messy. 

Catch the latest from our Jamie Easton from Barcelona on the XTRA at 10PM ET.

2) Pique has new sparring partner and Madrid plan love it or list it with Morata 

Real Madrid have a new Alvaro Arbeloa! 

One of the sad facts of the fullback leaving the club this season was the end of the on-line sparring with Gerard Pique. It was poetic stuff to leave Shakespeare red-faced. But a new player is in town and just as peripheral as Arbeloa. That new challenger in the ring is Nacho who says that "Pique loves to talk, he loves the sound of his own voice...the best way to shut him up will be to win the Champions League final." Burn! 

Transfer news! Juventus want James Rodriguez, claim Corriere dello Sport, and in return the Old Lady could offer up Alvaro Morata to Real Madrid. Who, according to those in the know in Spain will then be flipped and sold on, again. 

Non-transfer news! Triumphant Sevilla midfielder, Ever Banega, has said that he is not yet thinking about a summer time move to Inter Milan. At least until after the Copa del Rey final on Sunday.

3) Failed drugs test leads to tumor discovery for Frankfurt captain 

The first leg of the Bundesliga relegation / promotion play-off takes place on Thursday between Eintracht Frankfurt and second division Nurnberg. And a remarkable story leads the match with a failed drugs test for Frankfurt captain, Marc Russ, leading to the diagnosis of a tumor, which was the cause of the positive test. Catch the highlights of that game on the XTRA at 10PM ET. 

The Toulon Tournament runs into day two with some of the best young football talent taking part in the ten team tournament in France. Match of the day sees England taking on Portugal live on beIN SPORTS from 1.20PM ET.

Here's fun one. La Liga clubs are set to be fined for empty seats for any matches that are shown on TV. A good thing Getafe went down then, as that could have been costly. 

4) Yahama find Top Gun Maverick to replace Iceman 

With engines roaring away today in Italy for the bikes and riders arriving for the latest MotoGP meeting, Movistar Yamaha have announced who the rider who will be replacing the departing Jorge Lorenzo. And it's an exciting move with the 2015 rookie of the year, and 21-year-old Suzuki rider - and great first name - Maverick Vinales as the chosen one. Tune into beIN SPORTS live on Sunday morning at 7.55PM ET for the Gran Premio d'Italia. 

5) Giro lead by Axel Rose of road-racing 

There is biking action from the Adriatic side of Italy with the Giro d'Italia currently under way on Stage 12. And it looks like a rainy day judging by the pictures currently LIVE on beIN SPORTS. The race is currently all with the Guns N' Roses with Welcome to the Bob Jungels still wearing the pink jersey. 

What is Sports Burst? 

The life philosophy of Sports Burst is that if you are not upsetting someone, then you are not trying hard enough. SB is a daily trawl and troll through the morning's sports news to bring you fact-nuggets to make you both smile and swear. Hopefully at the same time.