Union Berlin Signs David Datro Fofana on Loan from Chelsea for Next Season 

Molde's then player David Datro Fofana celebrates during the Europa League match between Molde and 1899 Hoffenheim in Villarreal, Spain, Feb. 18, 2021. (AP)
Molde's then player David Datro Fofana celebrates during the Europa League match between Molde and 1899 Hoffenheim in Villarreal, Spain, Feb. 18, 2021. (AP)
TT

Union Berlin Signs David Datro Fofana on Loan from Chelsea for Next Season 

Molde's then player David Datro Fofana celebrates during the Europa League match between Molde and 1899 Hoffenheim in Villarreal, Spain, Feb. 18, 2021. (AP)
Molde's then player David Datro Fofana celebrates during the Europa League match between Molde and 1899 Hoffenheim in Villarreal, Spain, Feb. 18, 2021. (AP)

Union Berlin bolstered its Champions League preparations on Tuesday by signing Ivorian forward David Datro Fofana from Chelsea on loan for next season.

The 20-year-old Fofana rarely played for Chelsea after the English Premier League club signed him for a reported fee of around 12 million euros ($13.1 million) from Norwegian team Molde FK in January. He made only three short league appearances for Chelsea.

Union hopes to give him more chances to shine in the Bundesliga.

“David’s speed and his flexible offensive qualities are highly interesting for us,” Union sporting director Oliver Ruhnert said. “We want another goal-scoring player who will give our attacking game additional impetus.”

Fofana is Ruhnert’s second signing in three days from English clubs following United States midfielder Brenden Aaronson’s arrival on loan from Leeds on Sunday.

Union, which was promoted to the Bundesliga for the first time only in 2019, finished fourth in the league last season to clinch Champions League qualification for the first time. It will play its European games at Olympiastadion, a venue traditionally used by city rival Hertha Berlin. Hertha was relegated from the Bundesliga last season.



IOC: No Summer Sports at the 2030 Winter Olympics

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry speaks during the opening of the executive board meeting of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), at the Olympic House, in Lausanne, Switzerland, 06 May 2026. EPA/ANDREAS BECKER
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry speaks during the opening of the executive board meeting of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), at the Olympic House, in Lausanne, Switzerland, 06 May 2026. EPA/ANDREAS BECKER
TT

IOC: No Summer Sports at the 2030 Winter Olympics

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry speaks during the opening of the executive board meeting of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), at the Olympic House, in Lausanne, Switzerland, 06 May 2026. EPA/ANDREAS BECKER
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry speaks during the opening of the executive board meeting of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), at the Olympic House, in Lausanne, Switzerland, 06 May 2026. EPA/ANDREAS BECKER

There will be no summer sports at the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Thursday, with any potential crossover to come after that date.

The IOC has been reviewing all aspects of the Games in the past year, including potentially introducing traditional summer sports in the winter edition, to ⁠boost popularity and ⁠participation in the Winter Olympics.

It would also increase medal chances for countries that may not have strong winter sports traditions. Among potential additions mentioned were cycling and running ⁠with cross-country or snow events.

"For 2030 we have taken the decision, no crossover sports, no summer sports," IOC President Kirsty Coventry told a press conference.

She said any change would affect the Games from 2034 onwards. Salt Lake City will host the 2034 Winter Games.

"The Olympic program commission... will look at ⁠all ⁠avenues, and that would potentially lend itself to 2034," Reuters quoted her as saying.

Winter sports federations have opposed such plans, saying bringing in summer sports would dilute the brand of the Winter Olympics.

Introducing popular sports such as athletics or cycling in the Winter Olympics would also mean existing winter sports federations would have to share revenues with them.


De la Fuente: Spain's Carvajal in Race to Make World Cup Squad

FILE - Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal plays the ball during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Osasuna and Real Madrid in Pamplona, Spain, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses, File)
FILE - Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal plays the ball during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Osasuna and Real Madrid in Pamplona, Spain, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses, File)
TT

De la Fuente: Spain's Carvajal in Race to Make World Cup Squad

FILE - Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal plays the ball during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Osasuna and Real Madrid in Pamplona, Spain, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses, File)
FILE - Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal plays the ball during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Osasuna and Real Madrid in Pamplona, Spain, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses, File)

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has not ruled Dani Carvajal out of his World Cup squad but said the right back must prove his fitness and form after the Real Madrid captain suffered a right foot injury in training last week.

"Carvajal is a very important figure in our dressing room," De la Fuente told reporters on ⁠Wednesday.

"I actually spoke ⁠with him yesterday, so I’m aware of what’s going on. He doesn’t have a specific injury, nothing serious, but he needs time to get back to his usual level.

"We’ll ⁠see in the remaining matches whether he truly gets the opportunity and delivers the performances."

According to Reuters, De la Fuente added that Carvajal, who made just one appearance for Spain in 2025, would understand if he was left out of the squad for the World Cup, which is being held in the United ⁠States, ⁠Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.

Carvajal, 34, is approaching the final weeks of his contract with Real and has struggled for game-time this season amid competition from Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Spain begin their World Cup campaign against Cape Verde on June 15 and also face Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Group H.


Dortmund Defender Suele to Retire at End of Season

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Quarter Final - Real Madrid v Borussia Dortmund - MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, US - July 5, 2025 Borussia Dortmund's Niklas Sule during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Jeenah Moon/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Quarter Final - Real Madrid v Borussia Dortmund - MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, US - July 5, 2025 Borussia Dortmund's Niklas Sule during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Jeenah Moon/File Photo
TT

Dortmund Defender Suele to Retire at End of Season

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Quarter Final - Real Madrid v Borussia Dortmund - MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, US - July 5, 2025 Borussia Dortmund's Niklas Sule during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Jeenah Moon/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Quarter Final - Real Madrid v Borussia Dortmund - MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, US - July 5, 2025 Borussia Dortmund's Niklas Sule during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Jeenah Moon/File Photo

Borussia Dortmund defender Niklas Suele will retire at the end of the season, the 30-year-old said on Thursday.

Suele, capped 49 times by Germany, began his career at TSG Hoffenheim before joining Bayern Munich in 2017, where he won five league titles as well as the Champions League in 2020. He moved ⁠to Dortmund in 2022.

In ⁠an appearance on the Spielmacher podcast on Thursday, Suele said he made the decision to hang up his boots after injuring his knee during a ⁠match against Hoffenheim last month.

“When I went for an MRI the next day and received the good news (that it wasn’t a cruciate ligament tear after all), it was 1,000% clear to me that it was over," Reuters quoted Suele as saying.

"I couldn’t imagine anything worse than looking forward to ⁠life – ⁠being independent, going on holiday, spending time with my children – only to then have to come to terms with my third cruciate ligament tear."

Dortmund, second in the standings, host Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday before finishing their league campaign with a trip to Werder Bremen on May 16.