Omar Garrick

Bayern Munich’s Lena Oberdorf will miss the 2024 Paris Olympics after sustaining a severe knee injury. The 22-year-old suffered a cruciate and medial collateral ligament issue in her right knee during Germany’s European Championship 2025 qualifier against Austria on Tuesday evening, which ended in a 4-0 victory. As a result, Oberdorf will miss the Games with the German national team and a significant portion of the upcoming season for Bayern. “This is a severe blow and we all feel for Lena. We’ll support her on her way back and be there for her in every respect. Lena is...

Wolverhampton Wanderers say they will be submitting a formal complaint to UEFA following an alleged racist remark made towards Hwang Hee-chan during Monday’s pre-season match against Como. The club said that midway through the second half of the 1-0 win, Hwang, 28, reported the incident, which sparked angry reactions from his team-mates and resulted in the dismissal of Daniel Podence. Wolves head coach Gary O’Neil said he spoke to Hwang and offered him the opportunity to abandon the match. However, the South Korean forward chose to continue and complete the game. “Channy (Hwang) heard a...

France’s all-time leading scorer, Olivier Giroud, has officially announced his retirement from international football. The 37-year-old had previously stated in May that the European Championship in Germany will be his last major tournament for France. But it was formally confirmed on Monday that the former Arsenal and Chelsea striker would no longer play for his country. In a statement on Instagram, he wrote: “The dreaded moment has arrived: the moment to bid farewell to the French national team. “My career with the French national team hasn’t always been a smooth ride.

Manchester United have confirmed the appointment of Jelle ten Rouwelaar as first-team goalkeeping coach. The Athletic reported on July 4 that the Old Trafford club were to hire the 43-year-old, who spent last season in the Premier League at Burnley. He arrives as part of a shake-up in manager Erik ten Hag’s backroom team, with Ten Rouwelaar expected to work closely with goalkeepers with Andre Onana, Altay Bayindir, and Tom Heaton. “Jelle is experienced with English football and he has some great innovations in goalkeeping, a new approach and it’s very interesting,” Ten Hag...

Manchester United have confirmed that left-back Tyrell Malacia has returned to individual training after being sidelined for more than a year. The 24-year-old, who has been out since last summer due to a knee meniscus injury, has been diligently working on his fitness programme and is making strides towards a comeback. United said that Malacia returned to Carrington “earlier this week” and has been pictured training individually under the close supervision of the medical staff. The Netherlands international joined United from Feyenoord in 2022 and has made 39 appearances for the...

Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake have joined Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff at Manchester United, with Mitchell van der Gaag and Benni McCarthy leaving the club. Both individuals will be working as assistant managers to Ten Hag for the remaining period of his contract, which will now run until the summer of 2026. “I am delighted that Rene and Ruud have agreed to join our project, adding a wealth of experience, knowledge and new energy to the staff,” Ten Hag said. “Now is a good time to refresh the coaching team as we look to build on the achievements of the past two years...

Bayern Munich have completed the signing of midfielder Joao Palhinha from Fulham. He has joined the German club on a four-year contract that will run until 2028. “This is one of the happiest days of my life. I’m now playing for one of the top clubs in Europe,” Palhinha said. “It’s a dream come true for me, and I’m very proud of that. I’m looking forward to the atmosphere and the fans at the Allianz Arena. I want to enjoy success with FC Bayern and win titles — I’ll give it my all.” The Athletic previously reported Bayern had reached an...

Ollie Watkins described England reaching the European Championship final as the “best feeling ever” after his dramatic injury-time winner secured a 2-1 victory against the Netherlands. The Aston Villa striker, who replaced Harry Kane in the second half, scored in the 91st minute following an assist from fellow substitute Cole Palmer. Watkins fired a low shot past goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, ensuring Gareth Southgate’s side will face Spain this Sunday in Berlin. “I’ve been waiting for that moment for weeks,” Watkins said to ITV Sport. “It’s taken...

Ecuador has parted ways with coach Felix Sanchez following their exit from the 2024 Copa America. The decision was confirmed following their defeat against Argentina in the quarter-final of the United States tournament. Ecuador were beaten 4-2 on penalties against reigning champions Argentina after a 1-1 draw in normal time. The Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF) announced in a statement that they have terminated “the contractual relationship” with Sanchez and dismissed his coaching staff. The FEF expressed gratitude to Sanchez and his team “for their work and...

Burnley’s former lead performance analyst — who is a former staff member at Manchester City — has been banned from all football-related activity by the Football Association (FA) for 12 months after breaching betting rules. Richard Bredice was also fined £4,500 after he admitted he breached FA regulations by placing 456 bets on football matches and any other matter concerning or related to football between November 1, 2014, and December 12, 2022. Six months of his suspension take effect immediately, while the remaining six months are deferred until the end of the 2025-26 season.

England are through to the last 16 of Euro 2024 after topping Group C. Albania’s 1-0 defeat against Spain on Monday meant England had already secured their place in the last 16 of Euro 2024 with a game to spare. With four points from their opening two games, even if they lost against Slovenia, England would have advanced as one of the four best third-placed teams. The 0-0 draw against Slovenia ensured they finished top, with Denmark second and Slovenia third. All three progressed with Serbia eliminated. GO DEEPERThe Briefing: England 0 Slovenia 0: Southgate's side seal top spot in Group C...

Vitesse Arnhem have been barred from domestic competition next season, unless they can successful appeal. Here's why...

Vitesse Arnhem have had their professional licence revoked by the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB), effectively barring the club from competing in the 2024-25 season. The decision comes after Vitesse failed to meet critical financial and regulatory requirements, including providing a balanced budget, maintaining a bank account, and securing an auditing accountant. Vitesse say they will appeal. The KNVB’s independent licensing committee communicated this decision to Vitesse on Monday, citing the club’s inability to comply despite several extensions. Vitesse — who  had...

Liverpool legend Alan Hansen has been released from hospital after a period of illness, the club has confirmed. It had initially been announced on June 9 that Hansen was “seriously ill” in hospital, but the former Scotland centre-back is now set to continue his recovery at home. A statement read: “Alan, Janet, Adam, Lucy and family would like to thank everybody for their wonderful messages of love and support. It has been overwhelming and has helped enormously. “We also hugely appreciate the ongoing respect that has been shown for our privacy as Alan continues his...

Aurelien Tchouameni has said that he hates “extremes in everyday life” as he called on everyone in France “to go out and vote” in the upcoming election. French president Emmanuel Macron, leader of the liberal and centrist Renaissance party, called a snap election on June 10 in response to the National Rally’s victory in the European elections. The two-round vote will take place on June 30 and July 7. The second round falls between the European Championship quarter-finals and semi-finals and less than three weeks before Paris hosts the 2024 Olympics. A number of...