football : Reports, news and investigations

Frank McCourt, former owner of Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team, described the French club as 'one of the most iconic brands in all sports'.

French president said sporting victories give a nation a feeling it can succeed in other areas such as the economy, culture, politics and diplomacy.

Fans were put on flight from Nice to Moscow but say they will come back for Russia-Wales match because their visas have not been cancelled.

UEFA also fined the team 150,000 euros for rioting during match against England in Marseille, while Russian fans' coach was intercepted in Cannes.

French media reported three England fans were seriously injured in fierce fighting between English and Russian groups and locals.

Former football star suggested Didier Deschamps may have left Hatem Ben Arfa and Karim Benzema out of Euro 2016 squad on racial grounds.

It is the third time the state of emergency, which will also cover the Tour de France, has been extended since the November 13 attacks on Paris.

French authorities have reportedly trained for the possibility of drones being used to disperse chemical or biological weapons over crowds.

Football authorities on the Riviera have introduced a 'secularism charter' that bans clubs on Côte d'Azur from bringing religion into the game.

Prime minister Manuel Valls said it was necessary to extend emergency powers for two months as France prepares to host football tournament.

After Belgium bombs, French minister says everything will be put in place to guarantee 'collective security' at summer football tournament.

Former French football star and UEFA boss, already suspended from football for 8 years, has formally thrown in FIFA presidential towel.

French and English officials maintain the Tuesday match in London, when England fans are urged to join in singing of La Marseillaise.

The former premier league footballer is reportedly one of four men questioned over alleged blackmail of Lyon star Mathieu Valbuena.

Incident at Marseille-Lyon match, in which fans threw bottles onto pitch, comes less than a year before France hosts Euro 2016 finals.

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