Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge does not want to see UEFA s Financial Fair Play (FFP) model scrapped and has called for tougher sanctions for clubs that break the rules.

FFP regulations, approved by UEFA in 2010 to prevent clubs that qualify for its competitions from spending beyond their means, appear set for significant changes due to the ongoing impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The break-even requirement, which means clubs must balance their spending with their revenues and restricts the accumulation of debt, has been declared purposeless by UEFA in the context of the revenue crisis caused by COVID-19.

Changes to those specific regulations could well be on the horizon but, though Rummenigge sees the merit in such adjustments, he is firmly ag…

Gianluigi Buffon has called time on his second spell at Juventus, concluding a defining playing association with the Serie A giants.

There may only be three clubs on the goalkeeping great s resume but sustained excellence over more than two decades has filled his trophy cabinet with individual and team honours. 

The former Parma prodigy has rubbed shoulders with the very best in world football throughout that time, forming part of Serie A, Ligue 1 and World Cup-winning sides.

In honour of Buffon s stellar career, we have compiled a star-studded group of former team-mates for a dream XI.

He s back 

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen)

GOALKEEPER: GIANLUIGI BUFFON

Who else has the pedigree to don the gloves …

Newcastle are hoping to boost the attacking options at manager Eddie Howe s disposal by signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin from Everton this summer, according to multiple sources. The 27-year-old scored a late penalty to earn Everton a point when the two teams met in April at St. James Park, after Alexander Isak gave the Magpies an early lead.

Calvert-Lewin is about to enter the final 12 months of contract with the Merseyside Blues, which should make it easier to reach an agreement over a proposed transfer. Though him signing a new deal at his current club hasn t been ruled out either, it is believed that his departure from Goodison Park is more likely to happen. Everton obviously aren t too happy with the thought of losing his services for free next year.

The Toffees signed…

Market: Both teams to score

Odds: 10/11 @

Looking to tick off another game and move one step closer to the Ligue 1 title, Lille will make the trip to The Stade Bollaert-Delelis when they face off against Lens on Friday night.

Starting with the hosts, while Lens might have been hit with a hard-fought 2-1 defeat against Champions League semi-finalists PSG last weekend, Franck Haise s men have shocked many across Europe this season. Only marking their Ligue 1 return last year, the Pas-de-Calais outfit have themselves a stunning European finish at the top of their agenda this time around. Gaining a string of plaudits on either side of March s international break, their loss against the defending champions last week was their first top-flight defeat in their previous…

Market: Avondale win

Odds: 2/5 @

Hoping to find a route to the top of the NPL Victoria table on Saturday morning, Avondale will welcome the Melbourne Knights to Avenger Park.

Starting with the hosts, making real history last season as they got their hands on a maiden NPL Victoria title, Avondale are once again tipped as a leading contender this time around. Opening Saturday’s showdown at Avenger Park sat just three points adrift of leapfrogging South Melbourne to top spot, the Blues will certainly be smelling a golden opportunity this weekend. Last seen securing a 2-1 victory at home against St. Albans, Zoran Markovski’s men have now won all of their previous four appearances on the bounce. With their recent purple patch highlighted by a 5-1 romp against Por…

Kevin De Bruyne made his return to Manchester City s matchday squad but was only among the substitutes for Saturday s lunchtime Premier League clash with West Ham.

The Belgium playmaker sustained a minor injury while on international duty this month, keeping him out of last weekend s match against Arsenal and the Champions League meeting with Porto.

Manager Pep Guardiola suggested a heavy workload and lack of opportunity for rest was a factor in De Bruyne getting hurt, and that appeared to be reflected in his choice to ease the 29-year-old back into action.

City s starting XI was unchanged for the clash at the London Stadium – a happy hunting ground in recent times for the visitors.

It marks the first time since October 2017 that Guardiola has name…

Leah Williamson has put pen to paper on a new deal at Arsenal, extending her 19-year stay with the Gunners.

The England defender, who was eight years old when she had her first trial at the club, has agreed fresh terms with the Women s Super League side.

Williamson returned to action in February following a lengthy lay-off with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, which forced her to miss the Lionesses run to the 2023 Women s World Cup final.

The 27-year-old, who skippered England to Euro 2022 glory, has made 232 appearances for Arsenal, winning the Women s Super League as well as the FA Cup and League Cup on two occasions.

Everyone knows what Arsenal means to me, but I think every time I sign a new contract, I feel that love ignite all over again, she …

Kieran McKenna says his table-topping Ipswich side must “stay humble” as they rescued a late point in a 1-1 draw with Huddersfield.

The high-flying Tractor Boys leapfrogged Leicester to the Championship summit thanks to Brandon Williams’ leveller three minutes from time.

Delano Burgzorg’s second-half opener looked destined to hand Darren Moore a win in his first home game in charge.

However, McKenna’s valiant outfit fought back with Williams’ first goal since 2019 extending their unbeaten away league run to 14 games.

Despite their high standing and fifth league outing without defeat, the Ipswich boss wants his side to stay grounded.

“We need to stay humble and keep learning,” McKenna said.

“There’s parts of the team and…

Liverpool lost a third successive top-flight game under Jurgen Klopp for the first time and Manchester City extended their record winning run in Saturday s Premier League action.

The Reds conceded three goals in a seven-minute spell as they went down 3-1 to Leicester City managed by their former boss Brendan Rodgers at the King Power Stadium.

Klopp s men are now 13 points adrift of City, who brushed aside Tottenham 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium later in the day for their 16th win in a row in all competitions.

Burnley also scored three unanswered goals at Crystal Palace to move further clear of the relegation zone, while Brighton and Hove Albion and Aston Villa played out a 0-0 draw.

Some comeback that!

— Jamie Vardy (@vardy7)

Leicester Ci…

Burak Yilmaz rolled back the years to score a brilliant hat-trick as Turkey withstood a fightback and consigned the Netherlands to a 4-2 defeat in their 2022 World Cup qualifying opener.

Veteran striker Yilmaz had not scored an international goal in two years prior to a first-half brace that had Turkey in control by half-time of the Group G contest at the Ataturk Stadium.

Hakan Calhanoglu s fine effort 31 seconds into the second half left the Dutch reeling but quickfire goals from substitutes Davy Klaassen and Luuk de Jong offered hope of an unlikely point with 15 minutes to go.

But 35-year-old Yilmaz wrapped up the points and made sure he was leaving with the matchball with an outstanding free-kick nine minutes from time, the visitors miserable outing compounde…