Alonso feels the pain of Europa League loss as Leverkusen now look to German Cup final
May 23 – Losing for the first time in 361 days was a bitter pill to swallow for Bayer Leverkusen’s young coach Xabi Alonso following 51 unbeaten games.
World Football
EA Sports launches new UNICEF projects as it nears £100m fund raising mark
May 23 – Electronic Arts, developers of the FC24 hit video game, have announced that their EA Sports FC Futures initiative has opened up grassroots football to more than 170,000 people over the course of its debut year.
Kompany set to move from Burnley to Bayern, reports
May 23 – Bayern Munich are reported to be in advanced talks over the shock appointment of Vincent Kompany as their new coach.
Lookman hat-trick drives Atalanta to Europa League title and end Leverkusen’s run
By Samindra Kunti in Dublin
May 22 – Ademola Lookman’s hat-trick stunned Leverkusen 3-0 to lead Atalanta to the Europa League crown and the Italian club’s first-ever continental silverware, ending the German champions’ dream of a treble and a perfect season.
Cameroon chaos as sports tribunal blocks appointment of Marc Brys as coach
May 22 – Football chaos in Cameroon has taken yet another downward turn after the appointment of Belgian Marc Brys as head coach was blocked by the country’s top sports tribunal.
Europa League final: Bayer Leverkusen start as favourites but Atalanta are hungry for silverware
May 22 – It may not be the grand farewell for Jurgen Klopp that Liverpool fans had hoped for, but Atalanta or Leverkusen will be crowned Europa League winners on Wednesday in the Irish capital.
Forward thinking. England drop Rashford from Euro 2024 squad
May 22 – Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford was the most controversial omission when England manager Gareth Southgate named his provisional squad of 33 for the European Championship.
Gambia name McKinstry as Saintfeit’s successor
May 22 – The Gambia have named Irishman Johnathan McKinstry as their new coach as World Cup qualifying resumes in June. He succeeds Tom Saintfiet, who has switched continents to take on the managerial role with the Philippines.
Security fears force Scots to close Hampden’s doors for Nations League visit of Israel
May 21 – Israel’s visit to Scotland for a Euro 2025 qualifying game on May 31 will be played behind closed doors because of security concerns amid public protests over Israel’s continued military operation in Gaza.
Flamengo set to agree doubling of Pixbet sponsorship
May 21 – Brazilian giants Flamengo are closing in on the renewal of their partnership with bookmaker Pixbet in what will be the club’s biggest-ever sponsorship.
French minister demands Monaco’s Camara is sanctioned for covering anti-homophobia logo
May 21 – French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera has called for “the strongest sanctions” to be taken after one of Monaco’s players deliberately covered up an anti-homophobia message on his shirt in the club’s final league game of the season on Sunday.
Bulgaria appoint first female ref to top tier men’s league match
May 21 – In a historic moment for Bulgarian football, a female referee will take charge of a match in the country’s first division.
Bayer Leverkusen complete unbeaten Bundesliga season, Bayern Munich finish third
May 20 – Bayer Leverkusen have become the first team in Germany since the Bundesliga was founded in 1963 to complete a whole season undefeated.
Juventus fire Allegri after Italian Cup final sending off
May 20 – Juventus are the latest European giant to be looking for a new manager after sacking Massimiliano Allegri just two days after he led the side to the Italian Cup.
KV Oostende heads for bankruptcy as PMG refuses to co-operate in hunt for new owner
May 20 – In a damning indictment of Pacific Media Group’s (PMG) football club ownership model, Belgium’s KV Oostende is facing bankruptcy after the club failed to find a new owner.