Didier Deschamps is getting bored of questions relating to Karim Benzema s France future but refused to reject the striker s claims that he will never get called up again until the coaching regime changes.

Real Madrid star Benzema has been in the international wilderness since police charged him in connection to an alleged blackmail of Mathieu Valbuena with a sex tape in 2015.

The case has not gone to trial yet, but in July the Court of Cassation – France s court of final appeals in civil and criminal proceedings – found in favour of the forward.

Benzema s lawyers argued an undercover police officer acted dishonestly and played an active role in coercing the parties towards a deal and that without his actions no crime would have even taken place.

The …

Paraguay coach Ramon Diaz said his side s refusal to lose was the main reason they were garnering respect, as they advanced to the Copa America semi-finals.

Diaz s men have gone undefeated on their path to the last four in Chile beating Jamaica 1-0 and drawing 2-2 with Argentina and 1-1 with Uruguay in the group stages, before beating Brazil on penalties on Saturday after a 1-1 stalemate in Concepcion.

In all of those draws, they have arrested a deficit most thrillingly against the Argentines, when they came from 2-0 down.

They join Argentina and Chile among the sides yet to lose in the tournament, and have a date with Gerardo Martino s men back in Concepcion on Tuesday.

The players, the directors, everyone here is very happy, Diaz told a news conference…

Manchester United survived an almighty scare to progress to the FA Cup final on penalties after Coventry fell agonisingly short of a sensational comeback win at Wembley.

Sky Blues captain Ben Sheaf sent the crucial kick over the crossbar leaving Rasmus Hojlund to win it, but the game will be remembered for three goals in the final 20 minutes by the Championship side as they recovered from 3-0 down to force extra-time.

Erik ten Hag’s team were three up and cruising through to the May 25 final after goals from Scott McTominay, Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes put them on course for what at that stage looked a routine win.

But Mark Robins’ side, who are eighth in the second tier, roared back with a recovery that almost defied belief.

First, Ellis Simms …

Rangers have sacked manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst after falling off the pace in the Scottish Premiership title race.

Van Bronckhorst joined Rangers last November following Steven Gerrard s move to Aston Villa, leading them to a Scottish Cup triumph and a Europa League final where they were beaten by Eintracht Frankfurt last term.

However, Van Bronckhorst was unable to inspire consistency in the Scottish Premiership, with Rangers finishing last season four points behind Celtic and entering the World Cup break nine adrift of their Old Firm rivals.

Rangers also endured a chastening Champions League campaign this term, becoming the first Scottish team to lose all six of their group-stage games in the competition.

Van Bronckhorst s team conceded 22 goals ac…

Reading have signed Nicky Shorey on a one-year contract following his release from West Brom.

The left-back enjoyed a successful seven-year spell at the Madejski Stadium – earning two England caps in the process before leaving for Aston Villa in 2008.

Loan spells at Nottingham Forest and Fulham followed before he spent two years at the Hawthorns, and Shorey is now delighted to have rejoined the Premier League new boys.

Speaking to the club s official website, the 31-year-old revealed: It feels good (to have returned), I m looking forward to it and I m excited.

I had great times here and it s a new challenge now. The club s completely changed, it s a new challenge and a new season so I m just looking forward to that.

Despite playing 286 matche…

Goalkeeper Mary Earps vowed that “the best is yet to come” from England as they prepare to face Colombia in Saturday’s Women’s World Cup quarter-final in Sydney.

The Lionesses will need to reach the final four without forward Lauren James, who has contributed three goals and three assists this tournament but will be serving the first of her two-match ban for the red card she was issued in England’s last-16 encounter with Nigeria.

While Sarina Wiegman’s side have battled their way into this round, dominance has been largely replaced by dogged determination to grind out wins and keep the dream of lifting a first World Cup trophy alive.

Implement the game plan as best as we possibly can.

Mary Earps looks ahead to tomorrow s quarter-final with C…

Sepp Blatter s reign at the top of FIFA is set to come to an end in the next four months after he announced his resignation from the presidency, here we look back at his 17-year tenure.
 

Early Years

Having joined FIFA in 1975, Blatter moved from his role as technical director to that of general secretary under the presidency of Brazilian Joao Havelange.

Presidential reign begins

After 17 years working for Havelange, Blatter succeeded his mentor in 1998 as he beat former UEFA president Lennart Johansson in the presidential election. Despite being the underdog, Blatter received 111 votes to Johansson s 80 and was handed victory when the Swede conceded defeat before the second ballot.

Criticisms and allegations emerge

Having brushed off al…

Sebastien Bassong has announced his transfer from Tottenham Hotspur to Norwich City on a three-year deal.

Bassong moved to White Hart Lane in 2009 for eight million pounds but fell out of favour last season, spending the second half of the campaign at Wolves.

The Cameroon international tweeted: Morning tweeps!! I ve been officially transferred (sic) to Norwich today! 3 years deal! Another chapter in my football life!

I wish all the best to my old team mate at Spurs!! I ve had great time with them! I hope they ll success!

Bassong was first introduced to English football at Newcastle United, who signed him from Metz in 2008.

The French-born defender was unable to prevent the club s relegation from the top flight, but impressed enough to earn a m…

Manchester United made Paul Pogba the most expensive player in the world when they paid £89million to re-sign the midfielder from Juventus, but that hefty price tag was not enough for the France international to force his way into the top 10 of the Ballon d Or.

Together with Arturo Vidal of Bayern Munich, Pogba came joint 14th in the final rankings of the 2016 award, which is voted for by 173 journalists around the world and administered by respected publication France Football.

The 23-year-old helped France to reach the final of Euro 2016 on home soil, losing to Portugal in extra-time.

While showing glimpses of his best form during Jose Mourinho s first campaign in charge at Old Trafford, Pogba is yet to fully convince back in a United shirt, having left Old T…

Chelsea have received approval to build a new 60,000-seat stadium at Stamford Bridge.
 
Hammersmith and Fulham Council granted planning permission on Wednesday for the Premier League leaders to replace their long-time home on the same site, solving long-running attempts to bolster their home support and matchday revenues. 
 
The proposal now just needs the green light from London Mayor Sadiq Khan before Chelsea can begin planning in earnest. 
 
A new stadium on the site of the iconic Battersea Power Station fell through in 2012, while mooted moves to Earl s Court and the Chelsea Barracks have also failed to get off the ground.  
 
Stamford Bridge s current capacity is 41,663 lower than Chelsea s Premier League rivals Manchester City and United, Arsenal and Liverpool, wi…