Association football

Agence France-PresseMay 23, 2013 21:01

Probable starting line-ups in the Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich at Wembley on Saturday: Bayern Munich: (4-2-3-1) Manuel Neuer; Philipp Lahm (c), Jerome Boateng, Dante, David Alaba; Bastian Schweinsteiger, Javi Martinez; Arjen Robben, Thomas Mueller, Franck Ribery, Mario Mandzukic Coach: Jupp Heynckes Borussia Dortmund (4-2-3-1)

Football: Euro final showcases Bundesliga's rise

Agence France-PresseMay 23, 2013 21:01

Germany's Bundesliga will be on show to the world in Saturday's Champions League final when Bayern Munich take on Borussia Dortmund in the first all-German European cup finale. Wembley is set to be bathed in black, red and gold for the day and football fans will have a chance to see why the crowds are turning to the German league in their droves.

Football: Champions League final coaches profiles

Agence France-PresseMay 23, 2013 21:00

With Borussia Dortmund taking on Bayern Munich at Wembley in Saturday's Champions League final, AFP sports looks at the two coaches who have steered them to a first all-German European cup final. JURGEN KLOPP (Borussia Dortmund)

Football: Ferdinand extends Man United contract

Agence France-PresseMay 23, 2013 19:32

Rio Ferdinand has signed a one-year contract extension with Manchester United, the Premier League champions announced on Thursday. The 34-year-old centre-back, who signed from Leeds United in 2002, announced his retirement from international football last week and says he is eager to start work with new manager David Moyes. "I am delighted to have signed for another year and I am looking forward to working with the new manager," said Ferdinand.

Holden thrilled at U.S. return after injury woes

Thomson ReutersMay 23, 2013 18:04

By Simon Evans MIAMI (Reuters) - Midfielder Stuart Holden will return to the United States national team next week, ending over two years of injury nightmares and with the World Cup finals in Brazil as his goal. Holden, who plays in England for Bolton Wanderers, was seen as a central part of the rebuilding of the U.S. team after the 2010 World Cup in South Africa before a serious knee injury forced him out of the game.

Santos rejects Barça's bid for Neymar

Agencia EFEMay 23, 2013 13:17

Sao Paulo, May 23 (EFE).- Santos has rejected Spanish powerhouse FC Barcelona's offer for star striker Neymar, senior officials with the Brazilian club said. Santos Vice President Odilio Rodrigues told local media that the bid was not in the club's interests after a meeting at the home of team President Luis Alvaro Ribeiro. Brazilian media have speculated that Barcelona offered Santos approximately 20 million euros ($25.8 million) to release Neymar, even though the buyout clause in his contract is set at 65 million euros ($84 million).

Football: Guangzhou sink Mariners to reach Asia's last eight

Agence France-PresseMay 23, 2013 00:30

Chinese giants Guangzhou Evergrande marched into the AFC Champions League quarter-finals and underlined their strong title credentials with a convincing 3-0 win over Central Coast Mariners on Wednesday. Goals from Muriqui, Dario Conca and Gao Lin took Marcello Lippi's team through with room to spare, as Japan's Kashiwa Reysol also swept into the last eight with a 5-2 aggregate win over Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.

Football: AFC Champions League results - collated

Agence France-PresseMay 23, 2013 00:30

AFC Champions League round of 16, second leg results on Wednesday: At Kashiwa Kashiwa Reysol (JPN) 3 (Hirofumi Watanabe 42, Jorge Wagner 51, Masato Kudo 69) Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (KOR) 2 (Tatsuya Masushima 22-OG, Kevin Oris 86) Kashiwa win 5-2 on aggregate At Guangzhou Guangzhou Evergrande (CHN) 3 (Muriqui 7, Dario Conca 45+1, Gao Lin 68) Central Coast Mariners (AUS) 0 Guangzhou win 5-1 on aggregate At Doha

Football: Ibrahimovic not ruling out PSG departure

Agence France-PresseMay 22, 2013 13:30

Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic admitted Wednesday that a departure from the Ligue 1 champions could not be ruled out if the club continues to lack stability behind the scenes. The celebrations of PSG's first French title in 19 years have been overshadowed by uncertainty surrounding the future of Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti, who last weekend admitted publicly that he wishes to leave amid speculation that he has been lined up to replace Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid.

Football: Martinez mulling over Wigan future -- Whelan

Agence France-PresseMay 22, 2013 12:15

Roberto Martinez is poised to make a decision about whether or not to stay on as manager of Wigan Athletic, club chairman Dave Whelan revealed on Wednesday. The pair met to discuss the situation and Martinez told Whelan he would reveal his position on Thursday. Martinez led Wigan to a shock 1-0 win over Manchester City in this month's FA Cup final, which gave the modest club from the English northwest their first ever major title. However, they were subsequently relegated from the Premier League, ending their eight-year stay among the English elite.