World Soccer News

Real Madrid ambassador Zinedine Zidane believes Gareth Bale is among the top three players in the world and "more than good enough" for the Spanish giants.

Pools were relegated to npower League Two last season and terminated the contracts of Hughes and his assistant Micky Barron on May 9. Former Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest defender Cooper, 46, becomes the club's sixth permanent manager in the last four and a half years.

Even before the start of Saturday's Champions League final, the German rivals are at odds in their approach to the biggest game in club soccer.

John Bostock's brief tenure with Toronto FC ended Friday when the former teen soccer sensation was put on waivers.

The flamboyant Portuguese boss is expected to take charge at Stamford Bridge for a second time this summer after it was confirmed he is to leave Real Madrid at the end of the Spanish season.

German sportswear makers Adidas and Puma will renew their own decades-old rivalry when Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund meet in the Champions League Final at Wembley on Saturday.

The 21-year-old winger, who spent time on loan at QPR during their relegation campaign, has also withdrawn from England's squad for the European Under-21 Championship.

Stoke midfielder Steven Nzonzi has handed in a transfer request just two days after manager Tony Pulis left the club.

The German Football Federation says Werder has asked it to release Dutt from his post as director of sports.

The Duke of Cambridge is to welcome football officials from across Europe for Uefa's 37th annual congress being staged in London.

Manchester City's plane touched down late in the afternoon, just in time for the players to suit up.

The big surprise about the Champions League final on Saturday isn't the teams - Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, both superb.

The 38-year-old Beckham, who said last week he will retire from the sport after the season, will be with French champion Paris Saint-Germain when the team travels to Lorient for the season finale.

Drummer Rigby, 25, from Crumpsall, Manchester, was from 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, attached to the Regimental Recruiting Team in London.

The UEFA executive committee on Thursday ratified a 10-match minimum ban for racist abuse by players or officials.

Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa were picked Thursday in Japan's 26-man squad for the 2014 World Cup qualifier against Australia next month.

The changes were first announced last month by UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino and will now be included in the disciplinary regulations.

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone says he will not bear any grudge if star striker Radamel Falcao decides to seek a new challenge.

Joy: A Crystal Palace fan celebrates news of the club's survival in 2010. Three years later, the club are on the brink of the Premier League Three years ago next Saturday, Crystal Palace Football Club was staring into the abyss.

There has been considerable speculation about the future of the Wales international after Tottenham failed to qualify for the Champions League, with Madrid among the clubs linked with a big-money move for the Spurs talisman.