Football

Thierry Henry, the legendary French striker, has decided to step down as coach of the France under-21 football team. The French Football Federation (FFF) announced the news on Monday, citing "personal reasons" for Henry's departure.Henry took over the reins of the French youth side last summer, signing a contract until June 2025. Under his guidance, the under-23 team achieved a remarkable feat by securing a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This marked the first time since 1984 that France had reached the final of an Olympic men's football tournament.Despite the team's success, Henry has opted to step away from his coaching role. In a statement released by the FFF, he expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead the French youth teams. "Winning an Olympic silver medal for my country will remain one of the proudest moments of my life," Henry said. "I'm incredibly grateful to the federation, the players, the staff, and the fans for giving me this magical experience."FFF President Philippe Diallo thanked Henry for his contributions to the French football program. "We obviously regret this decision, as Thierry Henry was able to achieve the objectives set for him by winning a silver medal at the Olympic Games in Paris," Diallo said. "His professionalism, rigor, and love for the blue jersey were evident throughout his campaign."Henry's departure leaves a void in the French coaching ranks. The FFF will now begin the search for a new coach to lead the under-21 team.

Germany's Gundogan Retires from International Football After Euro 2024German captain Ilkay Gundogan has announced his retirement from international football after leading his country at Euro 2024. The 33-year-old midfielder made the decision after careful consideration and a successful tournament where Germany reached the quarter-finals."After a few weeks of reflection, I have come to the conclusion that it is time to end my national team career," Gundogan said in a statement released by the German Football Association (DFB). "I look back with great pride on 82 international matches for my home country - a number that I could never have dreamed of when I made my debut for the senior national team in 2011."Gundogan, who turns 34 in October, was a key figure in Germany's Euro 2024 campaign. He captained the team and played a pivotal role in their run to the quarter-finals, where they narrowly lost to eventual champions Spain after extra time."My highlight was clearly the huge honor of being able to lead the team as captain at our home European Championship last summer," said Gundogan, who currently plays for Barcelona.Gundogan made his international debut for Germany against Belgium in October 2011. He was part of the squad that won the 2014 World Cup, but missed the tournament due to a back injury. He was also ruled out of Euro 2016 due to a dislocated kneecap.Despite these setbacks, Gundogan has established himself as one of Germany's most respected and successful players. He has won the Premier League title with Manchester City and the Bundesliga title with Borussia Dortmund.Gundogan's retirement marks the end of an era for Germany. He was one of the last remaining players from the team that won the World Cup in 2014. His experience and leadership will be missed by the national team.

Subroto Cup: Three Teams Disqualified for Fielding Overage PlayersThe 63rd Subroto Cup sub-junior boys international football tournament has witnessed the disqualification of three teams for fielding overage players. Nazareth Model High School (Assam), Nehru Public School (Bihar), and Ultou Government Model High School (Manipur) have been removed from the competition.The disqualification was announced by the Subroto Mukerjee Sports Education Society, which operates under the Air Force Sports Control Board. An official release stated that the teams were found to have fielded more than four players above the age limit.A Skeletal Age Estimation Test was conducted in accordance with tournament regulations and All India Football Federation (AIFF) criteria. The results of matches played by the disqualified teams on Day 1 have been declared null and void.Reports on three other teams from Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra are pending and will be received on Tuesday. A decision on their status will be made based on those results.In the previous edition of the Subroto Cup, 16 teams were disqualified for fielding overage players. This issue has been a persistent problem in youth football tournaments, raising concerns about the integrity of the competition and the well-being of young athletes.The Subroto Cup is one of the most prestigious youth football tournaments in India, attracting teams from across the country and abroad. The tournament aims to promote football at the grassroots level and provide a platform for young players to showcase their skills.The disqualification of teams for fielding overage players highlights the importance of age verification and adherence to tournament regulations. It also serves as a reminder that the integrity of youth sports must be maintained to ensure fair play and the development of young athletes.

Switzerland's Yann Sommer Retires from International Football After Illustrious CareerSwitzerland's veteran goalkeeper Yann Sommer has bid farewell to international football, bringing an end to a remarkable 12-year career with the national team. The 35-year-old shot-stopper, who currently plies his trade for Inter Milan, made 94 appearances for his country, leaving an indelible mark on Swiss football history.Sommer's international debut came in 2012, and he quickly established himself as the undisputed number one goalkeeper, taking over the mantle from Diego Benaglio. His exceptional performances between the posts played a pivotal role in Switzerland's success on the international stage.The highlight of Sommer's career came at Euro 2020, where he made a heroic penalty save against France's Kylian Mbappé in the last 16. This crucial stop propelled Switzerland into their first major quarter-final since 1954. Sommer's heroics continued throughout the tournament, as he helped his team reach the last eight.Sommer's consistency and reliability were instrumental in Switzerland's impressive run at the last six major tournaments, where they consistently reached the knockout stages. His leadership and experience were invaluable to the team, and he was widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in Europe.In a statement released by the Swiss Football Association, Sommer expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to represent his country: "My time with the national team has meant a lot to me. I look back with pride on the many unforgettable moments, the exciting matches, the victories celebrated together, and the challenges we have overcome together."Sommer's retirement marks the end of an era for Swiss football. His exceptional talent, dedication, and unwavering commitment have left a lasting legacy on the national team. He will be remembered as one of the greatest goalkeepers in Swiss history, and his contributions will continue to inspire future generations of players.

Chinese Football Official Sentenced to 11 Years for BriberyIn a significant development in China's ongoing crackdown on corruption in sports, a former top official of the Chinese Football Association (CFA) has been sentenced to 11 years in prison. Li Yuyi, who served as vice president of the CFA from 2015 to 2019, was found guilty of taking bribes worth over $1.7 million between 2004 and 2021.Li's conviction is the latest in a series of high-profile cases targeting corruption in Chinese football. In March, former CFA head Chen Xuyuan was sentenced to life in prison for accepting bribes exceeding $11 million. Former national team coach Li Tie also pleaded guilty to accepting bribes and match-fixing.The crackdown on corruption in Chinese sports is part of President Xi Jinping's broader anti-graft campaign. Xi, a self-proclaimed football enthusiast, has expressed his ambition for China to host and win the World Cup. However, repeated corruption scandals and disappointing results on the pitch have hindered these aspirations.Li's sentencing sends a strong message that corruption will not be tolerated in Chinese sports. The investigation into Gou Zhongwen, former director of the General Administration of Sport of China, further demonstrates the government's determination to root out corruption at all levels.The crackdown has also led to the investigation of around 10 high-level CFA officials in recent months. These actions aim to restore integrity to Chinese football and create a level playing field for all participants.

Cristiano Ronaldo's frustration boiled over after Al-Nassr's 4-1 defeat to Al-Hilal in the Saudi Super Cup final. Despite scoring the opening goal, Ronaldo's team collapsed in the second half, conceding four goals in quick succession.Aleksandar Mitrovic led the comeback for Al-Hilal, scoring twice in six minutes, while Malcom added a fourth to seal the victory. Al-Hilal fans taunted Ronaldo with chants of "Messi," further fueling the rivalry between the two football legends.Ronaldo's anger was evident throughout the match, with cameras capturing him gesturing towards his teammates. After the final whistle, he refused to collect his runner-up medal, heading straight to the locker room.This incident has sparked discussions about Ronaldo's temperament and the pressure he faces in his second season with Al-Nassr. Former teammates Rio Ferdinand and Louis Saha believe Ronaldo has the potential to become a successful manager, citing his energy, passion, and experience.Ronaldo's frustration may stem from his desire to continue playing at a high level. Ferdinand believes he will play for at least three more years, while Saha suggests he could transition into a managerial role.Despite his disappointment, Ronaldo remains a respected figure in the football world. His work ethic and determination have inspired many, and his legacy as one of the greatest players of all time is secure.

The Durand Cup, India's oldest football tournament, has reached its quarterfinal stage, with defending champions Mohun Bagan FC set to face Punjab FC in a highly anticipated clash. The draw for the quarterfinals was held virtually, with representatives of the eight qualified teams present.After the conclusion of the FC Goa versus Shillong Lajong FC Group F game, a video call was arranged where representatives of all qualified teams came on board. A live draw of lots was then conducted in front of them, and two teams to play in each venue were finalized.A decision was made to shift the second quarterfinal from Kolkata to Shillong due to playing conditions. The Durand Cup kicked off on July 27, with the final slated for August 31 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. A total of 24 teams took part in this year's edition, including one foreign team from Nepal and all 12 teams of India's top football division, the Indian Super League (ISL).From Group A, arch-rivals Mohun Bagan and East Bengal qualified for the quarterfinals with two wins, one draw, and seven points. Bengaluru FC qualified from Group B with three wins in three games and nine points. Kerala Blasters and Punjab FC made it to the final eight from Group C with two wins, a draw, and seven points. Indian Army FT progressed further from Group D by winning all three games. Northeast United and Shillong Lajong made it to the quarterfinals from Group E and F with nine and seven points, respectively.The quarterfinal fixtures are as follows:* Quarter-Final 1 (August 21, SAI Stadium, Kokrajhar): Northeast United FC vs Indian Army FT, 4:00 PM* Quarter-Final 2 (August 21, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong): Shillong Lajong FC vs East Bengal FC, 7:00 PM* Quarter-Final 3 (August 23, 2024, JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jamshedpur): Mohun Bagan Super Giant vs Punjab FC, 4:00 PM* Quarter-Final 4 (August 23, Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata): Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters FC, 7:00 PM

The Premier League 2024/25 season kicked off with a bang as the league's heavyweights flexed their muscles in the opening week. Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester United all secured convincing wins, while Aston Villa, Brighton, and Newcastle United also impressed.Manchester City's Erling Haaland made an immediate impact, scoring the opening goal against Chelsea and silencing Spanish defender Marc Cucurella, who had previously mocked the Norwegian striker. City's 2-0 victory extended their winning streak in the Premier League to four titles.Liverpool, under new manager Arne Slot, began their campaign with a 2-0 win over Ipswich Town, with Mohamed Salah continuing his tradition of scoring on Matchday 1. Manchester United also earned a 1-0 victory over Fulham, with Joshua Zirkee scoring on his debut.Arsenal, who narrowly missed out on the title last season, started strongly with a 2-0 win over Wolves. Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka opened their accounts for the season, setting the tone for a potential title challenge.Aston Villa, under Unai Emery, continued their progress with a 2-1 win over West Ham. Brighton, under Fabian Hürzeler, also impressed with a 3-0 victory over Everton. Newcastle United, despite a red card to Fabian Schar, secured a 1-0 win over Southampton.Other notable results included Nottingham Forest's 1-1 draw with Bournemouth and Brentford's 2-1 win over Crystal Palace. The Premier League title race is shaping up to be a thrilling one, with several teams vying for the coveted trophy.

Kylian Mbappe's highly anticipated Real Madrid debut ended in frustration as the Spanish giants were held to a 1-1 draw by a resilient Real Mallorca in their La Liga title defense opener.Mbappe, the French superstar, was unable to find the back of the net despite several chances, as Mallorca goalkeeper Dominik Greif stood tall between the posts. Rodrygo Goes had given Madrid an early lead, but Vedat Muriqi's towering header in the second half leveled the score.Madrid's star-studded lineup struggled to break down Mallorca's resolute defense, which came close to snatching a late winner. Los Blancos defender Ferland Mendy was sent off in stoppage time for a reckless challenge on Muriqi."We went ahead, we had chances to score the second, and then in the second half we lacked balance," admitted Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti. "We conceded counter-attacks, it was not a good game, it was quite a clear game to see that we need to defend better and have better balance on the pitch."Ancelotti fielded the same starting lineup that defeated Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup, with Jude Bellingham in midfield behind the attacking trio of Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Rodrygo. However, the team's performance left the Italian coach unimpressed."We have to do better, with more attitude," Ancelotti emphasized. "This game can serve us to learn a lot from, it's a game where it was quite clear where we had a problem. Mallorca had a very good game in a defensive sense, better than us."Mallorca coach Jagoba Arrasate was delighted with his team's performance against the reigning champions. "I'm so tired but it was worth it, it was so important to get a point against a team like Madrid, maybe the best in the world," said Muriqi. "I have to be honest, scoring against Madrid is so beautiful."Madrid's frustration was evident in Mendy's red card, which left them with 10 men in the dying minutes. The draw serves as a wake-up call for Ancelotti's team, who will need to improve their defensive solidity and attacking efficiency if they want to retain their La Liga crown.