https://www.scmp.com/rss/315973/feed The Union of European Football Associations is the governing body for football in Europe. Founded in 1954, it consists of 54 national members and runs international and club competitions such as the European Championship, Champions League and Europa League. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Reuters Reuters Fifa’s member associations meet ⁠in Vancouver on Thursday for their annual congress, a usually routine gathering that carries greater weight this year with the 2026 World Cup less than two months away and several questions still hanging over the first 48-team edition of the tournament. The biggest World Cup in history will be held across the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to ‌July 19. One of the clearest concerns is cost. The sheer scale of staging a tournament across North... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3351693/iran-expanded-world-cup-under-spotlight-vancouver-hosts-fifa-annual-congress?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3351693/iran-expanded-world-cup-under-spotlight-vancouver-hosts-fifa-annual-congress?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Apr 2026 14:00:11 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse The Football Supporters Europe (FSE) group filed a lawsuit on Tuesday with the European Commission against football’s world governing body Fifa over “excessive ticket prices” for this year’s World Cup finals. “Euroconsumers and Football Supporters Europe (FSE) have filed a formal complaint with the European Commission against Fifa, alleging that the football body has abused its monopoly position to impose excessive ticket prices and opaque and unfair purchasing conditions and processes on... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3347746/supporters-group-files-lawsuit-against-excessive-fifa-2026-world-cup-ticket-prices?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3347746/supporters-group-files-lawsuit-against-excessive-fifa-2026-world-cup-ticket-prices?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Mar 2026 15:00:15 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg There are no tributes to the conquering heroes at Bodo airport, no banners proclaiming their success hang in the streets outside. But visitors venturing this far north should not let Scandinavian understatement detract from Bodo Glimt’s achievements and the impact on their hometown. The football team from the Norwegian Arctic fishing port have beaten giants Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid and Manchester City already in the Champions League this season. On Wednesday evening, they will host Sporting... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3346225/uefa-champions-league-little-bodo-glimt-take-next-step-giant-killing-journey?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3346225/uefa-champions-league-little-bodo-glimt-take-next-step-giant-killing-journey?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Mar 2026 13:00:09 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lewis Hamilton are among the sports stars whose schedules are in doubt because of the spreading war in the Middle East. Cancellations and travel shutdowns are already affecting events since the United States and Israel launched a wave of strikes on Iran on Saturday. Organisers of Formula 1 and major football games will face decisions soon on whether the competitions can go ahead as scheduled. Middle Eastern nations have become crucial to the world sports... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3345200/us-bombing-iran-disrupts-sports-doubt-over-messi-ronaldo-games-and-f1-races?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3345200/us-bombing-iran-disrupts-sports-doubt-over-messi-ronaldo-games-and-f1-races?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Mar 2026 01:22:14 +0000 dpa dpa Fifa president Gianni Infantino has apologised over remarks he made about British fans and defended the decision to award a peace prize to US President Donald Trump. Infantino said at last month’s World Economic Forum in Davos that the World Cup in Qatar in 2022 had been special because “for the first time in history no Brit was arrested”. His comments were described as a “cheap” joke at the expense of fans by the Football Supporters’ Association, while the UK’s football policing lead Chief... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3342154/fifa-boss-sorry-offending-british-football-fans-defends-trump-peace-prize?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3342154/fifa-boss-sorry-offending-british-football-fans-defends-trump-peace-prize?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Feb 2026 17:34:26 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse The departure of Strasbourg coach Liam Rosenior to take over as Chelsea manager has exposed the harsh realities of multi-club ownership, which is gaining ground across the world but causing discord between supporters and teams. The relatively inexperienced Rosenior, 41, has achieved a remarkable elevation from the modest French Ligue 1 side to the World Club Cup champions, who are both owned by American Todd Boehly’s BlueCo consortium. Worldwide, between 200 and 300 clubs are part of a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3339005/strasbourg-find-themselves-latest-victims-multi-club-system-chelsea-take-rosenior?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3339005/strasbourg-find-themselves-latest-victims-multi-club-system-chelsea-take-rosenior?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Jan 2026 06:18:37 +0000 Reuters Reuters Citing “the uncertainty that has arisen in Spain over the past few weeks,” LaLiga announced on Tuesday it was scrapping plans to hold a league match between Barcelona and Villarreal in Miami this December. Uefa, the governing body for European football, approved the match’s move to the United States two weeks ago but did so “reluctantly,” saying it found no framework within Fifa statutes to oppose the move. Then came then protests. Players stood still for the first 15 seconds of their La Liga... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3329909/la-liga-cancels-plans-barcelona-v-villarreal-clash-miami-cites-uncertainty-spain?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3329909/la-liga-cancels-plans-barcelona-v-villarreal-clash-miami-cites-uncertainty-spain?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Oct 2025 07:18:26 +0000 Associated Press,Agence France-Presse Associated Press,Agence France-Presse Mjallby, a tiny team from a remote fishing village next to the Baltic Sea, won the Swedish league title on Monday for one of the most remarkable achievements in European football. A 2-0 win at IFK Gothenburg ensured Mjallby held an unassailable 11-point lead over second-placed Hammarby with three rounds left in Sweden’s top league, Allsvenskan. The improbable title triumph has been compared to Leicester winning the English Premier League in fairy tale fashion in 2016. It is a first major trophy... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3329840/mjallby-team-tiny-fishing-village-win-swedish-league-title-shoestring-budget?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3329840/mjallby-team-tiny-fishing-village-win-swedish-league-title-shoestring-budget?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Oct 2025 15:00:19 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Uefa said on Monday it had “reluctantly” approved the staging of a Spanish La Liga and an Italian Serie A match in the United States and Australia respectively, despite fan protests. “While it is regrettable to have to let these two games go ahead, this decision is exceptional and shall not be seen as setting a precedent,” Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin said in a statement. European football’s governing body made its ruling after La Liga agreed to move a game scheduled for late December... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3328087/uefa-reluctantly-approves-la-liga-serie-matches-overseas?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3328087/uefa-reluctantly-approves-la-liga-serie-matches-overseas?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Oct 2025 04:36:11 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press In a remote fishing village beside the shore of the Baltic Sea, one of the most remarkable achievements in European football is close to being realised. “Make the impossible possible” is one of the mantras found on the walls and the PowerPoint slides at tiny Swedish club Mjällby. And that is exactly what is happening. Mjällby hold an eight-point lead with six rounds left in Sweden’s top league, Allsvenskan, and have lost just one game this season. Oh, and it is on course for the biggest points... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3327038/club-remote-fishing-village-800-people-verge-swedish-football-fairy-tale?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3327038/club-remote-fishing-village-800-people-verge-swedish-football-fairy-tale?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Sep 2025 14:00:22 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Uefa is moving towards a vote to suspend Israel from European football because of its continued war in Gaza, people familiar with the proposal said on Thursday. A majority of the governing body’s 20-member executive committee were expected to support any vote in favour of suspending Israeli teams, two sources said on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject. Such a step would prevent Israeli national and club teams from playing in international competitions, including... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3326940/european-football-body-uefa-moves-towards-vote-suspend-israel-over-war-gaza?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3326940/european-football-body-uefa-moves-towards-vote-suspend-israel-over-war-gaza?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Sep 2025 05:07:20 +0000 Reuters Reuters Italy’s Serie A and Spain’s La Liga have hit back at a European Union commissioner who branded their plans to stage domestic matches outside as a “betrayal” of the fans. Serie A is planning to stage a match between AC Milan and Como in Perth, Australia, next February, while La Liga hopes to move Villarreal’s game against Barcelona to Miami in December. “I’m deeply disappointed by proposals to stage domestic league matches outside Europe,” Glenn Micallef, EU Sports Commissioner, wrote on social... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3323521/eu-official-says-playing-la-liga-serie-games-abroad-betrayal-fans?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3323521/eu-official-says-playing-la-liga-serie-games-abroad-betrayal-fans?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 28 Aug 2025 13:00:17 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Paris Saint-Germain’s path towards defending their Champions League crown will be laid out on Thursday when the draw for the 36-team league phase of Europe’s elite club competition takes place in Monaco. PSG’s thrilling triumph in last season’s final in Munich, when they inflicted a 5-0 hammering on Inter Milan to win the trophy for the first time, came at the end of the first edition of the Champions League under the competition’s new format. The group stage, in place for more than 20 years,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3323415/holders-psg-and-rivals-await-champions-league-draw?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3323415/holders-psg-and-rivals-await-champions-league-draw?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 28 Aug 2025 01:41:29 +0000 dpa dpa Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly ended speculation about his club future, and said he would continue to play at Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr as he also probably sets his sights on next year’s World Cup. “Nothing is going to change. Playing at Al-Nassr? Yes,” he was quoted as saying early on Monday by several reports after captaining Portugal to the Nations League title in Munich. Ronaldo, 40, joined Al-Nassr in 2023 after falling out with coach Erik ten Hag at Manchester United. His current... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3313740/cristiano-ronaldo-set-stay-saudi-club-al-nassr-another-world-cup-looms-closer?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3313740/cristiano-ronaldo-set-stay-saudi-club-al-nassr-another-world-cup-looms-closer?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Jun 2025 15:00:10 +0000 Reuters Reuters A pair of Belgian TikTokkers said they spent 27 hours in an Allianz Arena toilet last weekend before watching Paris Saint-Germain beat Inter Milan 5-0 in the Champions League final for free. Neal Remmerie and Senne Haverbeke told VRT News they managed to get into the Munich stadium the day before the match and hid in a toilet cubicle. After sticking a home-made “Out of Order” sign on the door, the pair waited in silence for more than a day as stadium staff used the facility. “We had a backpack... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3313061/tiktokers-watch-champions-league-final-free-after-27-hours-stadium-toilet?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3313061/tiktokers-watch-champions-league-final-free-after-27-hours-stadium-toilet?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Jun 2025 13:00:14 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Former France and Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane has said he was blown away by the passion for football in Hong Kong after witnessing it first-hand at the weekend. A World Cup and four-time Uefa Champions League winner, Varane was a popular guest at the HKFC Standard Chartered Soccer Sevens on Sunday. “The welcome here was amazing,” said the 32-year-old, who retired last September. “You could see the fans’ incredible passion for football.” Reflecting on that tournament, which was won in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3311208/ex-man-utd-ace-varanes-verdict-hong-kong-event-and-idea-epl-la-liga-games-abroad?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3311208/ex-man-utd-ace-varanes-verdict-hong-kong-event-and-idea-epl-la-liga-games-abroad?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 May 2025 21:00:10 +0000 His predecessor loved Mozart, but Pope Francis’ passion was football – for him “the most beautiful game” – and also a vehicle to educate and spread peace. From Argentine compatriots Lionel Messi and the late Diego Maradona to Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Gianluigi Buffon, Francis received the greatest stars of football at the Vatican, signing dozens of shirts and balls from around the world. And the admiration flowed both ways. Following news of the Pope’s death on Monday at the age of 88, Messi took... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3307372/pope-francis-was-pontiff-2-left-feet-who-loved-beautiful-game?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3307372/pope-francis-was-pontiff-2-left-feet-who-loved-beautiful-game?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Apr 2025 21:18:25 +0000 Uefa has banned disgraced former Premier League referee David Coote from any officiating activity until June 2026. Coote was sacked by Premier League Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) in December, having suspended him the previous month, after a video showing him making derogatory comments about Liverpool and the club’s former manager Jürgen Klopp was circulated on social media. A separate video subsequently showed Coote snorting white powder, reportedly during Euro 2024, and PGMOL said the official... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3300620/uefa-bans-disgraced-former-epl-referee-david-coote-officiating-until-june-2026?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3300620/uefa-bans-disgraced-former-epl-referee-david-coote-officiating-until-june-2026?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Feb 2025 13:30:51 +0000 Although they didn’t actually kick a ball last night, it was a slightly worrying night for Hong Kong’s men’s football side. Their recent defeat to Liechtenstein was met with anger and frustration by the city’s fans. And last night, the European minnows were beaten for the second time in just over two months by Fifa’s bottom-ranked San Marino, in just one of the sporting headlines from while you were sleeping. Late, late shows On a thrilling night of Uefa Nations League action, Scotland... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3287126/hong-kongs-conquerors-lose-worlds-worst-side-again-australia-down-pakistan-t20?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3287126/hong-kongs-conquerors-lose-worlds-worst-side-again-australia-down-pakistan-t20?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Nov 2024 23:28:07 +0000 English football referees’ body the PGMOL said on Wednesday it was taking new allegations against David Coote very seriously and European football body Uefa said it had suspended the Premier League referee. The Sun published a video on Wednesday that the newspaper said showed Coote appearing to snort white powder during his time working as a match official at Euro 2024. The video has not been verified by Reuters. “We are aware of the allegations and are taking them very seriously. David Coote... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3286537/english-football-referees-body-taking-very-seriously-new-allegations-against-david-coote?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3286537/english-football-referees-body-taking-very-seriously-new-allegations-against-david-coote?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 Nov 2024 07:17:43 +0000 Dutch police said they took away more than 300 pro-Palestinian protesters who ignored a ban on demonstrations in Amsterdam on Sunday and detained 50 more following clashes involving Israeli football fans last week. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in the capital’s Dam Square, chanting “Free Palestine” and “Amsterdam says no to genocide”, in reference to the Gaza war. Israel denies allegations of genocide in its more than year-long offensive against Palestinian militant group Hamas. After a... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3285981/dutch-police-arrest-dozens-pro-palestinian-rally-amsterdam-after-football-unrest?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3285981/dutch-police-arrest-dozens-pro-palestinian-rally-amsterdam-after-football-unrest?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 Nov 2024 16:54:51 +0000 Chinese electronics manufacturer Hisense has signed on as the first official partner for next year’s Fifa Club World Cup, global soccer’s governing body said on Wednesday. Financial details of the partnership were not disclosed but Hisense will receive Video Assistant Referee (VAR) branding during the expanded 32-team competition set to take place in the United States from June 15 to July 13. Though no previous Fifa tournament has had a sponsor for video reviews since the technology was approved... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3284509/chinese-electronics-company-hisense-becomes-first-sponsor-fifas-club-world-cup-2025?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3284509/chinese-electronics-company-hisense-becomes-first-sponsor-fifas-club-world-cup-2025?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Oct 2024 14:00:11 +0000 It hasn’t been a great few days for Real Madrid, and the Spanish club’s sense of entitlement is hardly likely to win them any new fans. Convinced, correctly as it turned out, that stars Vinicius Jnr and Dani Carvajal were not going to win the Ballon d’Or, they boycotted Monday’s ceremony entirely, and missed boss Carlo Ancelotti being named coach of the year. But there can’t be many complaints about a player integral to the best club side in the world winning, so as seems normal these days,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3284236/rodri-wins-ballon-dor-after-real-boycott-united-amorim-talks-ohtani-fit-game-3?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3284236/rodri-wins-ballon-dor-after-real-boycott-united-amorim-talks-ohtani-fit-game-3?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Oct 2024 23:30:08 +0000 Players have never been closer to going on strike amid growing discontent towards football’s governing bodies, notably Fifa and its revamped Club World Cup that is being compared to a ‘Super League’, the head of players’ union Fifpro Europe said on Monday. David Terrier was speaking to Reuters after Fifpro Europe, the European Leagues association and Spain’s La Liga accused Fifa of “abuse” as they filed a joint complaint about the global governing body’s international match schedule to European... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3282363/worlds-best-footballers-closer-strike-say-club-world-cup-super-league-disguise?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3282363/worlds-best-footballers-closer-strike-say-club-world-cup-super-league-disguise?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Oct 2024 23:20:07 +0000 Germany secured a place in the Uefa Nations League quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over old rivals the Netherlands on Monday, while France won in Belgium and Italy continued their recent revival. Jamie Leweling of Stuttgart scored on his debut to give Germany victory over the Netherlands in Munich and guarantee them one of the top two spots in Group 3 of League A. It was the eighth meeting of the teams in the last six years but, for the Dutch, there was nothing familiar about Leweling. The... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3282361/nations-league-germany-beat-netherlands-reach-quarter-finals-france-and-italy-win?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3282361/nations-league-germany-beat-netherlands-reach-quarter-finals-france-and-italy-win?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Oct 2024 22:37:52 +0000 On repeat: it was yet another busy night of Uefa Champions League action. There were shock defeats for holders Real Madrid and Bayern Munich as well as late comeback victories. But don’t worry, there was plenty of other sport as well. And while we try to figure out what last night’s results mean in this new Champions League format, here is a round up of what happened while you were sleeping. Heroic Villans Aston Villa v Bayern Munich was a repeat of the 1982 European Cup final, which the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3280864/real-madrid-bayern-stunned-uefa-champions-league-doncic-miss-week-preseason?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3280864/real-madrid-bayern-stunned-uefa-champions-league-doncic-miss-week-preseason?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 02 Oct 2024 23:28:07 +0000 Ann Cao Ann Cao Cainiao Smart Logistics Network has launched a next-day delivery service in Europe and aims to build new hubs across the globe, as the Alibaba Group Holding unit steps up its international expansion plans. The next-day delivery for European Union countries includes a €2 (US$2.20) service for parcel deliveries to Spain and Portugal, the company announced on Tuesday during its 2024 Smart Global Logistics Summit in Hangzhou, capital of eastern Zhejiang province. A three-day delivery option, which... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3278130/alibaba-logistics-arm-cainiao-launches-next-day-delivery-europe-builds-new-hubs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3278130/alibaba-logistics-arm-cainiao-launches-next-day-delivery-europe-builds-new-hubs?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Sep 2024 11:50:15 +0000 Pundits and football fans alike shook their heads in wonder as Lamine Yamal stood alongside his teammates on the winner’s podium on Sunday night’s Euro 2024 final in Berlin. Not only is he now the youngest ever Euro or World Cup finalist, but it was announced afterwards that Uefa had crowned him Young Player of the Tournament. And those records and accolades are just the latest in a string of achievements by the youngster since he burst onto the scene aged 15. Even former Barcelona coach Xavi... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3270645/meet-lamine-yamal-rising-football-talent-dubbed-mini-messi-adidas-sponsored-player-was-youngest-ever?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3270645/meet-lamine-yamal-rising-football-talent-dubbed-mini-messi-adidas-sponsored-player-was-youngest-ever?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 16 Jul 2024 22:00:09 +0000 Spain’s 2-1 deserved win over England in the final of the men’s 2024 Uefa European Football Championship on Sunday leaves many people wondering: what now for manager Gareth Southgate? This is the second final loss in a row for England, which had been beaten on penalties by Italy in the 2020 Euros (hosted in 2021 due to Covid-19 restrictions). In between, at the 2022 Fifa World Cup, England went out in the quarter-final stage, and in the 2018 World Cup, Southgate led his team to the... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3270490/meet-gareth-southgate-england-national-team-manager-whos-sparking-retirement-rumours-after-teams?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3270490/meet-gareth-southgate-england-national-team-manager-whos-sparking-retirement-rumours-after-teams?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Jul 2024 09:00:14 +0000 At just 21 years old, footballer Jude Bellingham – midfielder for Real Madrid and the England national team – is widely regarded as one of the best players in the world. And if you were fighting the urge to sing “Hey Jude” – don’t. The prodigy loved being serenaded with The Beatles number by fans after he helped England to a last-minute 1-0 win over Serbia in the Euros. Bellingham has been on football lovers’ radar for a while, especially after winning the 2023 Golden Boy for Europe’s best... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3269340/meet-real-madrid-golden-boy-jude-bellingham-whos-already-worth-us50-million-21?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3269340/meet-real-madrid-golden-boy-jude-bellingham-whos-already-worth-us50-million-21?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Jul 2024 11:00:16 +0000 Kevin Csoboth scored in the 10th minute of added time as Hungary snatched a 1-0 win over Scotland to stay in the hunt for a place in the last 16 of Euro 2024. A sickening collision led to Hungary striker Barnabas Varga being stretchered off in front of his visibly shocked teammates in the second half, but Csoboth’s late winner kept them alive in the tournament. It was a bitter end to Scotland’s bid to reach the knockout phase of a major tournament for the first time as they were caught out... https://www.scmp.com/news/article/3267743/euro-2024-hungary-score-late-beat-scotland-1-0-barnabas-varga-stretchered-after-collision?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/article/3267743/euro-2024-hungary-score-late-beat-scotland-1-0-barnabas-varga-stretchered-after-collision?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 23 Jun 2024 21:49:37 +0000 Uefa will increase security during the rest of Euro 2024 after several pitch invaders attempted to take selfies with Portugal’s star striker Cristiano Ronaldo. The 39-year-old forward posed for a photo with a young boy during the 3-0 win over Turkey in Group F on Saturday in Dortmund, but grew exasperated as at least five more fans attempted to do the same. “Safety and security in the stadium, on the pitch and at team facilities are the ultimate priority for Uefa,” the European football... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3267736/euro-2024-security-bulked-after-pitch-invaders-aim-ronaldo-selfies?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3267736/euro-2024-security-bulked-after-pitch-invaders-aim-ronaldo-selfies?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 23 Jun 2024 16:52:33 +0000 England must wait to secure a berth in the knockout stage of the Euro 2024 championship after a 1-1 draw with Denmark on Thursday, a game that Harry Kane brought to life with an early goal but which ended with his side clinging on for a single point. It was a second successive lacklustre performance from Gareth Southgate’s men, who squandered the chance to become the first England team to win their two opening games at a Euro tournament. The draw leaves the 2020 runners-up at the top of Group C... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3267431/euro-2024-england-held-denmark-1-1-after-hjulmand-stunner?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3267431/euro-2024-england-held-denmark-1-1-after-hjulmand-stunner?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Jun 2024 19:46:11 +0000 Manager Dragan Stojkovic praised Serbia’s persistent attacks and shots on goal which earned a last-gasp equaliser in their Euro 2024 Group C clash against Slovenia on Thursday and kept their tournament hopes alive. A header by substitute Luka Jovic deep into added time cancelled out right back Zan Karnicnik’s 69th-minute opener for Slovenia, in a fluctuating game in which Serbia had 15 attempts on goal. “We do not give up, we believe all the way to the end and the result came as a reward for... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3267430/euro-2024-serbia-rewarded-never-say-die-attitude-1-1-clash-slovenia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3267430/euro-2024-serbia-rewarded-never-say-die-attitude-1-1-clash-slovenia?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Jun 2024 19:16:22 +0000 Chinese technology brands from Alibaba Group Holding to BYD make up a third of Euro 2024 football tournament’s 13 worldwide sponsors, an example of their growing global footprint and commitment to expanding in overseas markets. The Chinese sponsors include television and home appliance manufacturer Hisense, Alibaba’s global shopping platform AliExpress, financial technology giant Ant Group, smartphone maker Vivo, and electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD. Alibaba owns the South China Morning... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3267079/alibaba-byd-chinese-sponsors-jostle-attention-euro-2024-football-tournament?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3267079/alibaba-byd-chinese-sponsors-jostle-attention-euro-2024-football-tournament?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 18 Jun 2024 11:00:12 +0000 Now that Scotland manager Steve Clarke has masterminded back-to-back European Championship appearances for his country for the first time since 1996, he will aim to go one step further and take them into the knockout stages for the first time. Scotland kick off Euro 2024 against hosts Germany on June 14 before playing Switzerland and then Hungary in Group A. The Scots returned to the big stage of international football at the previous Euros, having not appeared at a tournament since the 1998... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3265515/euro-2024-scotland-aim-knockout-phase-under-steve-clarke-second-appearance-row?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3265515/euro-2024-scotland-aim-knockout-phase-under-steve-clarke-second-appearance-row?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 05 Jun 2024 18:00:09 +0000 Spain will arrive in Germany for Euro 2024 looking to re-establish themselves as major title contenders while hoping to tune out the noise after months of controversy surrounding the country’s scandal-ridden federation (RFEF). As they brace for the challenge of a tough Group B alongside Croatia, European champions Italy and surprise package Albania, Spain manager Luis de la Fuente and his players have had to deal with the furore swirling around the RFEF. With a corruption investigation under way... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3265357/euro-2024-three-time-winners-spain-aiming-glory-after-difficult-period-major-tournaments-amid?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3265357/euro-2024-three-time-winners-spain-aiming-glory-after-difficult-period-major-tournaments-amid?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 04 Jun 2024 15:59:08 +0000 The time for hard-luck stories and excuses is over for England as they head into Euro 2024 with expectations of a first major men’s trophy since 1966 justifiably sky high. Gareth Southgate’s squad will be unsurpassed in terms of quality in Germany and any scenario other than Harry Kane holding aloft the trophy on July 14 will be regarded by most fans as under-achievement. The head coach, who took over in 2016 with England at a low ebb, has an enviable cast to choose from and, while there are... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3265330/euro-2024-always-england-expects-time-there-can-be-no-excuses-bellingham-kane-and-co?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3265330/euro-2024-always-england-expects-time-there-can-be-no-excuses-bellingham-kane-and-co?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 04 Jun 2024 14:00:10 +0000 Hosts Germany will go into Euro 2024 hoping for a deep run in the tournament that will captivate the home crowd and help restore their international reputation after the three-time European champions have gone a decade without a major title. Germany lifted the 2014 World Cup in Brazil for a fourth world crown but have since failed to make any impact at major tournaments. They crashed out of both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups in the group phase for their worst record in more than 80 years and were... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3265215/euro-2024-hosts-germany-without-major-tournament-win-2014-world-cup-aiming-end-winless-decade-home?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3265215/euro-2024-hosts-germany-without-major-tournament-win-2014-world-cup-aiming-end-winless-decade-home?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Jun 2024 22:00:36 +0000 Since Scott McTominay’s masterful performance in Scotland’s Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, he has developed into one of struggling Manchester United’s most consistently solid players in an otherwise horrendous season for his Premier League side. McTominay, whose versatility means he can play in almost any position, will shoulder much of the responsibility at the finals in Germany if Scotland are to write history and advance from the group stage at a major tournament for the first time. The... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3265221/euro-2024-manchester-uniteds-scott-mctominay-key-scotland-they-look-write-more-history-germany?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3265221/euro-2024-manchester-uniteds-scott-mctominay-key-scotland-they-look-write-more-history-germany?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Jun 2024 18:00:10 +0000 This month marks the start of Euro 2024, the main tournament for Europe’s international sides. A 12-month delay because of the coronavirus pandemic meant fans have only had to wait three years since the last tournament in 2021. On that occasion, it was a first-ever pan-European event, with several major cities across the continent staging matches. However, we have returned to tradition with just one host this time. So, with less than two weeks to go until kick-off, here’s everything you need... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3265197/when-euro-2024-where-can-i-watch-it-who-can-stop-france-england-all-you-need-know-about-summer?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3265197/when-euro-2024-where-can-i-watch-it-who-can-stop-france-england-all-you-need-know-about-summer?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Jun 2024 14:00:17 +0000 Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini is out of Italy’s European Championship title defence with a knee-ligament tear, the country’s football federation confirmed on Monday. Scalvini will sit out the Euros after being injured during Atalanta’s defeat on Sunday to Fiorentina, the final match of the Serie A season that had been postponed in March. “The tests he underwent last night showed a tear to the anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee,” said the FIGC in a statement. Scalvini, who is the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3265204/euro-2024-italy-hit-major-blow-atalantas-europa-league-hero-giorgio-scalvini-suffers-serious-knee?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3265204/euro-2024-italy-hit-major-blow-atalantas-europa-league-hero-giorgio-scalvini-suffers-serious-knee?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Jun 2024 10:15:31 +0000 Players could strike in their bid to cut down on the number of matches they play, England’s Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) have warned Fifa. Football’s world governing body is under growing pressure to address the workload of elite players, with threats of legal action. The PFA wants action to alter the congested football calendar, especially with the expanded 32-team Club World Cup proposed for next summer. An event Thursday in London by the PFA and Fifpro, the international... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3264917/fifa-warned-english-european-football-unions-overworked-players-could-strike-threaten-legal-action?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3264917/fifa-warned-english-european-football-unions-overworked-players-could-strike-threaten-legal-action?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 31 May 2024 14:00:13 +0000 Alibaba Group Holding’s global shopping platform AliExpress has signed up English football star David Beckham as its global brand ambassador, as the Chinese e-commerce giant strengthened efforts to boost its international business amid intensifying competition with PDD Holdings’ Temu. Under the one-year partnership announced by AliExpress on Monday, Beckham will be featured in a series of promotional campaigns on television, internet, social media and traditional media, starting with TV... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3264225/alibaba-taps-david-beckham-global-brand-ambassador-international-e-commerce-platform-ahead-euro-2024?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3264225/alibaba-taps-david-beckham-global-brand-ambassador-international-e-commerce-platform-ahead-euro-2024?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 May 2024 07:00:14 +0000 Does British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak risk scoring an own goal by calling an election during the 2024 European Championship football tournament in July? Sunak, himself a football fan, might be hoping for a boost to his struggling campaign if England do well, although whether there really is a link between sport and elections is disputed by experts. Given the national team’s habit of morale-busting defeats in major tournaments, the chance of another hit to the English psyche appears just as... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3263954/euro-2024-englands-football-fortunes-add-sporting-drama-uk-election-rishi-sunak-taking-risk?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3263954/euro-2024-englands-football-fortunes-add-sporting-drama-uk-election-rishi-sunak-taking-risk?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 May 2024 15:00:08 +0000 Hong Kong will play a football international in Europe for the first time, after the city’s chiefs confirmed a friendly date with Liechtenstein on October 10. The pioneering fixture at the 7,000-capacity Rheinpark Stadion was the idea of head coach Jorn Andersen, who said facing unfamiliar opposition would allow Hong Kong to “learn about different playing styles”. Andersen said Hong Kong would return to Asia for their second friendly fixture in October’s Fifa window, which provides a final... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3262598/liechtenstein-host-hong-kong-citys-first-ever-football-match-europe?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3262598/liechtenstein-host-hong-kong-citys-first-ever-football-match-europe?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 May 2024 05:54:14 +0000 If Harry Kane is to win the Champions League with Bayern Munich and claim a first career trophy, he will have to get past Real Madrid and England teammate Jude Bellingham. Tuesday’s semi-final first leg in the Bavarian capital pits the two England superstars against each other, less than two months out from Euro 2024 kicking off in the same venue. A decade apart in age, the duo have walked hugely different paths so far in their careers, but have become crucially important to their respective... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3260756/uefa-champions-league-england-stars-harry-kane-jude-bellingham-headline-bayern-real-madrid-battle?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3260756/uefa-champions-league-england-stars-harry-kane-jude-bellingham-headline-bayern-real-madrid-battle?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Apr 2024 05:25:10 +0000 Alibaba Group Holding’s international online shopping platform, AliExpress, will provide fresh subsidies to entice more Chinese brands and merchants to sell overseas, as the e-commerce giant moves to fend off growing competition from PDD Holdings’ Temu and fast-fashion retailer Shein. The campaign called “10 billion yuan of subsidies” – a typical mainland marketing phrase used to tout large online allotments – will be given to an initial batch of 1,000 Chinese brands and merchants, including... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3258398/alibabas-aliexpress-pushes-10-billion-yuan-subsidies-campaign-entice-more-chinese-brands-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3258398/alibabas-aliexpress-pushes-10-billion-yuan-subsidies-campaign-entice-more-chinese-brands-and?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 09 Apr 2024 11:30:11 +0000 Football has turned a blind eye for too long on racism, according to a German researcher who has called for tougher sanctions against clubs while offenders should be treated in a different way. Lorenz Narku Laing, a racism researcher from the Protestant University of Bochum, said the issue had “tolerated for decades” and become “almost normalised” within football. He said officials needed to think about tougher sanctions for clubs, and suggested considering whether “matches should be abandoned... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3257760/football-racists-need-education-not-prison-says-german-researcher-who-wants-tougher-punishment-clubs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3257760/football-racists-need-education-not-prison-says-german-researcher-who-wants-tougher-punishment-clubs?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 Apr 2024 22:00:25 +0000 Some of the world’s best athletes will take to the field this year in global competitions – and those born in the Year of the Dragon (1976, 1988 and 2000) often take centre stage. Those born under this Chinese zodiac year – which kicks off in February, on Lunar New Year – are described as brave, bold and eager to jump headfirst into a challenge. These attributes can really help in the sports arena; no wonder these athletes are some of the best in their fields. Here are 9 top athletes who were... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/icons-influencers/article/3249352/soaring-success-9-top-athletes-born-year-dragon-indian-cricketer-virat-kohli-and-norwegian?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/icons-influencers/article/3249352/soaring-success-9-top-athletes-born-year-dragon-indian-cricketer-virat-kohli-and-norwegian?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 22 Jan 2024 22:00:21 +0000