State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque visited Abahani in Dhanmondi today, reaffirming his commitment to keeping the country’s sports arena free from political influence and urging the club’s officials to reclaim their lost pride with proper management.

Dorielton Gomes scored his 14th goal of the campaign as Bashundhara Kings re-established a three-point lead at the top of the Bangladesh Football League with a 1-0 win over Brothers Union at the Kings Arena on Saturday.

For any footballer, playing a World Cup final for their country is a lifelong dream. Even reaching the final twice -- let alone in consecutive tournaments -- for a single nation is an extraordinary feat. Yet football history witnessed something even rarer, truly unparalleled. Midfielder Luis Monti played in back-to-back World Cup finals -- but for two completely different countries!

The 41-year-old Ronaldo is set to appear in a record sixth World Cup in June, a tournament expected to be the final major chapter of the forward's career.

Friends and family in Ireland initially reacted with disbelief to the idea of travelling to China in 1976.

Bukayo Saka is back in Arsenal's squad for the clash with Newcastle United, Mikel Arteta said on Friday, as the North London side look to reclaim top spot from Manchester City in a thrilling Premier League title race.

Former Nigeria forward Michael Eneramo died on Friday after collapsing on the pitch during a friendly match, the Nigeria Football Federation announced.

Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe suffered a "muscle overload" in his left hamstring during the team's 1-1 draw at Real Betis in LaLiga, a club source told AFP on Friday.

Former Barcelona defender Hector Bellerin snatched a late point for Real Betis in a 1-1 LaLiga draw against Real Madrid on Friday to do his former side a favour in the Spanish title race.

The match at the Shaheed Dhirendranath Datta Stadium was decided within the first minute.

Brazilian winger Estevao is out for the rest of the English season, with his participation in the World Cup in doubt, Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane said on Friday.

UEFA banned Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni for six matches on Friday after a controversial incident in the Champions League clash against Real Madrid in February.

Arne Slot warned on Friday that "margins are small" in the Premier League as Liverpool aim to strengthen their push for a place in next season's Champions League.

Claudio Ranieri has left his senior advisor role at AS Roma, the Serie A club said on Friday, a decision which comes in the wake of a fallout with manager Gian Piero Gasperini.

Tiago Tomas' stunning 119th-minute back-heel sent Stuttgart to a German Cup final meeting with Bayern Munich after a 2-1 extra-time home win over Freiburg on Thursday.

Shock images of Argentine football icon Diego Maradona lying dead in bed, his stomach grotesquely swollen, rocked the negligence trial of his medical team on Thursday.

Iran's footballers will be welcome at this year's World Cup, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday, distancing the US government from a proposal that Italy could take their place in the tournament.

An eerie silence had fallen across the field. As if some invisible force had swallowed the roar of thousands in a single breath. Under the blazing lights of that vast green stage stood one man.

Italy has played down suggestions that its national team could replace Iran at the World Cup, following reports that an envoy to US President Donald Trump had asked FIFA to consider the move.

The prospect of Iran being replaced at the “greatest show on earth” has stirred a mix of disbelief and indifference across Italy, after a suggestion by a US envoy reignited debate over the intersection of politics and sport.