Xabi Alonso’s team, which can win the title this weekend, are exempted from German club ownership rules, producing a ‘performance gap’.

Beckenbauer, one of only three men to win the World Cup as player and as a coach, died on Sunday, the German football association said.

Former Spurs striker Harry Kane creates opener and scores Bayern Munich’s second goal in 4-0 victory over Werder Bremen.

Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min of Korea is the most famous internationally, but Japan’s Maya Yoshida, Daichi Kamada and Wataru Endo all play in Germany’s Bundesliga

The 18-year-old Hongkonger is pressing for a debut with FC Ingolstadt after coming through the ranks at Germany’s famed football academy DFI.

German league’s digital boss in Asia wants to transform traditional, fragmented football viewing experience with Japan market already on board, and Hong Kong ‘one of the markets we would really like to bring the feed to life’.

With a rich Asian player history and a new Chinese poster boy, head of Asia-Pacific Kevin Sim hopes ‘someone from Hong Kong or China will play in the Bundesliga soon’.

Wages for elite players rise despite impact of Covid-19 on club finances, PSG lead the way in paying three of top five – Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe

In a tough year for sport, these athletes and officials pushed past Covid-19 to soar on and off the court.

Bayern Munich claim their sixth European crown after a 1-0 win over French champions Paris Saint-Germain.

Hansi Flick’s Bayern side are on course to become the first side to win the Uefa Champions League with a 100 per cent record.

Sarpreet Singh, who joins Nurnberg on loan this season, recounts his unlikely journey to making his senior debut for Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich last year.

Louis Lancaster, who coached Manchester United target at Watford, compares England winger to Michael Jordan.

Global Lottery Management System warns of dangers to integrity from widespread links to betting companies targeting Asian markets, with half of English Premier League clubs adorning a betting sponsor on their shirts.

‘We are ready to sign players from China and are very much looking forward to it,’ says Bundesliga champions’ chairman as comments reiterate hopes expressed by former president Uli Hoeness of ‘300 million Chinese paying one euro each’

New outbreaks in German slaughterhouse and in crowded high-rise flats signal Covid-19 fight far from over.

Project Restart will begin with Aston Villa vs Sheffield United but game promises to be different from December meeting as Germany’s Bundesliga and Spain’s La Liga offer glimpses into how sport will change during coronavirus pandemic.

Premier League club agrees to sign Werner after meeting his release clause of around €60 million

Killer of 15, Harold Shipman, seen among cardboard cut-outs from photographs sent in by Australian rugby fans as part of league’s ‘Fan in the Stands’ scheme.

Japanese and South Korean pioneers such as Yasuhiko Okudera and Cha Bum-kun blazed the trail in the 1970s with AFC internationals helping German clubs to success at home and in European competition.

German top flight will be screened live in city as world awaits return of first of Europe’s ‘Big Five’ football leagues – derby rivals Borussia Dortmund and Schalke 04 kick-off this weekend’s action before leaders Bayern Munich play on Sunday.

Authorities warn that matches could be halted if too many supporters gather outside the grounds.

Dutch league called off with no champion declared, French Ligue 1 called off until September and Italy’s Serie A may be forced to follow suit, though other ‘Big Five’ leagues expect to play by June.