Association football

Agence France-PresseMay 16, 2013 20:46

With Champions League qualification the only major issue still to be decided, focus on the final day of the Premier League season on Sunday will fall on the characters bidding goodbye to English football. It is certain to be a momentous day at The Hawthorns, where Alex Ferguson will bow out after a record-breaking 26-year spell as Manchester United manager, while veteran midfielder Paul Scholes is also expected to play his final game for the club.

By making growth of soccer in US his pet project, Beckham gave MLS credibility, visibility

The Canadian PressMay 16, 2013 20:02

Ask someone in Asia or Europe a decade ago what they knew about the Galaxy, and odds are the answer would have been limited to planets or stars. Nowadays, it's likely to include a reference to "Beckham's team," the Major League Soccer franchise in Los Angeles.

Football:Drogba suffers new Ivory Coast World Cup snub

Agence France-PresseMay 16, 2013 17:00

Veteran striker Didier Drogba was again left out of the Ivory Coast squad when coach Sabri Lamouchi unveiled his 26 players for next month's World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Tanzania. The 35-year-old Drogba led his country at the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa this year but the team exited at the quarter-finals stage. As a result, the former Chelsea star was axed from the squad for March's World Cup qualifier against Gambia. Despite Drogba's 96 caps and 60 international goals, Lamouchi has resisted the urge to recall the Galatasaray veteran.

Paper: PSG to offer Real Madrid $129 million for Cristiano

Agencia EFEMay 16, 2013 16:51

Paris, May 16 (EFE).- Paris Saint-Germain is ready to offer Real Madrid 100 million euros ($129 million) for striker Cristiano Ronaldo, French sports daily L'Equipe said Thursday. The club would pay the Portuguese forward 18 million euros a year, the paper said, citing unnamed sources. Within the context of a deal for Ronaldo, PSG is also open to the idea of releasing manager Carlo Ancelotti to join Real Madrid, according to L'Equipe.

Football: Lampard signs one-year extension - Chelsea

Agence France-PresseMay 16, 2013 16:30

Frank Lampard has signed a one-year contract extension with Chelsea, the west London club said Thursday. The 34-year-old had suggested on Wednesday night following the club's 2-1 Europa League final success against Benfica that a new deal was imminent. The Blues' all-time record goalscorer's previous contract was due to expire at the end of this season. "I really, really hope to be around next year," he had told ITV after the Benfica game. bur-bc/lp

Football: Germany's Metzelder announces retirement

Agence France-PresseMay 16, 2013 16:30

Schalke 04's ex-Germany defender Christoph Metzelder on Thursday announced his retirement, ahead of this weekend's final round of Bundesliga matches. "I am very grateful for everything I have been able to experience over the last 13 years, the last few months have been torture, so I have to be honest," he said in a press conference. Schalke's away match at Freiburg on Saturday will be the 32-year-old centre-back's last after an injury-hit season, which has seen him make just four league appearances.

Football: Vieira handed coaching role at City

Agence France-PresseMay 16, 2013 16:00

Former Arsenal and France midfielder Patrick Vieira was appointed as the coach of Manchester City's emerging young stars on Thursday. Vieira had been working as City's football development executive since retiring as a player with the Manchester outfit two years ago and is now in charge of their 'elite development squad'. The 36-year-old's move onto the City coaching staff, which will see him deal with what is effectively the reserve team, follows the sacking of manager Roberto Mancini and a number of his backroom team earlier this week.

Farewell to David Beckham, footballer

Thomson ReutersMay 16, 2013 14:04

David Beckham to retire from professional soccer

Agencia EFEMay 16, 2013 14:02

London, May 16 (EFE).- Soccer icon and global celebrity David Beckham announced Thursday that he will retire at the end of the current season. The 38-year-old former English international will play his final two matches for Paris Saint-Germain, which is set to win the French first division. Beckham has been donating his PSG salary to charity. "I'm thankful to PSG for giving me the opportunity to continue but I feel now is the right time to finish my career, playing at the highest level," Beckham said in a statement.

Football: Reaction to David Beckham's retirement

Agence France-PresseMay 16, 2013 13:45

David Beckham announced his retirement from professional football on Thursday, after a memorable career in which he won league titles in four different countries and played at three World Cups. Here, AFP Sports looks at how the world has reacted to news of his retirement, which will come into effect after Paris Saint-Germain's final game of the season at Lorient on May 26: "Best wishes as David Beckham retires. His magical free-kicks for MUFC and England will live long in the memory of all football fans." - British Prime Minister David Cameron