football : Reports, news and investigations

France's national football team beat Ukraine in an unlikely turnaround in a two-match fight for a place in the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil.

A 2-0 defeat in Kiev means France will need stunning performance in Tuesday's return leg in Paris to avoid missing first World Cup since 1994.

The former France and Manchester United star says France is the only major football country where there are no cities with two frontline clubs.

Star agrees to invest in Fourth Division Rodez Aveyron in south-west France where the family of his wife Veronique Fernandez-Lentisco live.

Officers arrested 17 local supporters of France's football team after mistaking their hoisted French flag for a bold separatist statement.

Prime minister's office denies reports that football clubs would avoid revamped 75-percent supertax on salaries above 1 million euros.

French football braced for another possible child prostitution scandal after it emerged that an international player was under suspicion.

British football star David Beckham has joined French club Paris Saint-Germain, promising to donate his earnings to a local childrens' charity.

Didier Deschamps says he will not tolerate the bad behaviour which has marred the national football team's last two major tournaments.

Homeless group charity in Lyon has asked the French Euro 2012 squad give up their bonuses for a worthy cause.

France looking for a new coach after Blanc turned down a new contract offer -World Cup-winning captain Didier Deschamps is favourite for job.

France's sport minister announces football tournament protest over the treatment of jailed opposition figure Yulia Tymoshenko in the Ukraine.

British football star David Beckham is expected to join Paris St-Germain and, writes Agnès Poirier, it's set the French capital abuzz with existentialist questions.

British footballer Joe Cole, on loan at French Ligue 1 club Lille from Liverpool, tells BBC he is enjoying life in France, and notably frogs' legs.

Manchester United defender Patrice Evra praised former United star Eric Cantona for "opening the door" to French players at Old Trafford.

football

French football team fights back for World Cup qualification

France staring at Brazil World Cup qualification failure after loss to Ukraine

No football culture in France, claims Cantona

Zinedine Zidane: Ex-France international helps wife's team

Confused Indonesia police arrest 17 over French flag

No supertax exemption for French soccer clubs says government

France international under suspicion of soliciting underage prostitute

Beckham joins French Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain

New France coach to reign with iron fist

Charity asks French football players to hand over bonuses

Laurent Blanc steps down as French football manager

French cabinet to boycott Euro 2012 in Ukraine

Can David and Victoria Beckham pass the Paris test?

Joe Cole loving life in France and 'blinding' frogs' legs

Cantona led French to Old Trafford, says Evra