France

PSG and Morocco star Achraf Hakimi under investigation for alleged rape

PARIS — Paris Saint-Germain right back Achraf Hakimi is facing a criminal investigation in France after an allegation of rape was made against him, an official from the Nanterre prosecution office said on Friday.

Hakimi, a Morocco international, firmly denied the allegation, according to his lawyer. PSG did not immediately reply to a Reuters request for comment.

The Nanterre prosecution office said Hakimi has been placed under police monitoring and was banned from contact with the alleged victim.

President of France's soccer federation resigns amid harassment allegations

PARIS — Noel Le Graet has resigned as president of France's soccer federation amid allegations of harassment and sexual harassment and a government ministry audit this month that concluded the 81-year-old no longer had "the necessary legitimacy" for the job.

Le Graet, head of the French Football Federation since 2011, stepped back last month amid a legal investigation into allegations against him of sexual and moral harassment and after an audit and report commissioned by the sports ministry.

Messi named FIFA men's player of the year 2022

PARIS - Lionel Messi was named FIFA player of the year 2022 on Monday as Argentina scooped all major men's awards after winning a vintage World Cup final last December.

The 35-year-old forward scored two goals in the final against France, with the South Americans emerging triumphant on penalties following a 3-3 draw after extra time in Qatar.

Messi and Mbappé combine for 3 outrageously good goals in PSG romp over Marseille

Like the rest of America, I've been selfishly hoping that Lionel Messi decides against renewing his contract with Paris Saint-Germain and instead opts for Inter Miami, giving me one glorious day out at Allianz Field of Wil Trapp man-marking the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner.

France captain Wendie Renard will sit out 2023 World Cup along with two other French stars

France captain Wendie Renard said on Friday that she will not play at this year's Women's World Cup to preserve her mental health, with fellow internationals Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Kadidiatou Diani following suit.

Renard, who is widely considered to be one of the best defenders in women's football, played for France in international games against Norway, Denmark and Uruguay earlier this month.

She has 142 caps for France and plays for French side Olympique Lyonnais.

18-year-old Rennes defender couldn’t stop crying after scoring own goal in 119th minute

I've been actively losing sleep due to feeling bad for Rennes defender Jeanuël Belocian. A freak Belocian own goal vs. Shakhtar Donetsk in the 119th minute of Thursday’s Europa League playoff match tied the aggregate score at 3-3 and sent the two teams to penalties.

Shakhtar would win the penalty shootout 5-4.

PSG confirm Neymar suffered ankle ligament damage during Sunday's game

Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar sustained ankle ligament damage in Sunday's 4-3 Ligue 1 win over Lille, the French club said late on Tuesday.

Brazilian forward Neymar, who scored PSG's second goal in the 17th minute, was stretchered off the field in tears early in the second half after colliding with Lille's Benjamin Andre and rolling his right ankle.

Messi's latest signature cleats are a celebration of life in your mid-30s

He's been wearing them on the pitch for over a week now, but the new Lionel Messi cleats 2023 have finally dropped with adidas giving the World Cup winner his latest signatures — the X Speedportal Messi.1 "L10NEL M35SI" boots.

Who says you can't embrace the age of 35, when 40 is suddenly on the horizon and there's no turning back? Not Messi. He's giving us a bit of playfulness in "Solar Orange/Silver Metallic/Core Black." Adidas is probably supposed to be marketing at teens and 20-somethings, but they said screw it, let's do something for everyone in their mid-30s.

Sublime Messi free kick at 90+5' gives PSG a wild 4-3 victory at the death

PSG's wildly inconsistent form since club football restarted was perfectly encapsulated by Sunday's riotous 4-3 win over Lille at the Parc des Princes.

The PSG Ultras ran the gamut of demanding a statue for Kylian Mbappé, calling for the heads of all these overpaid pretenders and finally celebrating deliriously as chants of "Messi, Messi, Messi" reverberated around Paris. Just another day for les Parisiens.

The home side looked set for a stroll after Mbappé and Neymar scored inside 17 minutes.

Lionel Messi is doubtful for PSG's Champions League clash vs. Bayern due to injury

Paris Saint-Germain's injury crisis worsened after the club confirmed on Friday that Lionel Messi will miss this weekend's Ligue 1 clash against AS Monaco due to a hamstring injury.

Messi played the full 90 minutes of PSG's 2-1 defeat by Olympique Marseille in the French Cup on Wednesday and the 35-year-old is in a race against time to be fit for their Champions League last-16 clash with Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

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