PSG Takes on Barcelona in Champions League Highlight Despite French Protests

Barcelona's German coach Hans-Dieter Flick (C) talks to Barcelona's players during a training session at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on October 19, 2026, on the eve of the UEFA Champions League first round day 3 football match between Paris Saint Germain (PSG) and FC Barcelona. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
Barcelona's German coach Hans-Dieter Flick (C) talks to Barcelona's players during a training session at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on October 19, 2026, on the eve of the UEFA Champions League first round day 3 football match between Paris Saint Germain (PSG) and FC Barcelona. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
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PSG Takes on Barcelona in Champions League Highlight Despite French Protests

Barcelona's German coach Hans-Dieter Flick (C) talks to Barcelona's players during a training session at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on October 19, 2026, on the eve of the UEFA Champions League first round day 3 football match between Paris Saint Germain (PSG) and FC Barcelona. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
Barcelona's German coach Hans-Dieter Flick (C) talks to Barcelona's players during a training session at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on October 19, 2026, on the eve of the UEFA Champions League first round day 3 football match between Paris Saint Germain (PSG) and FC Barcelona. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

In a test for both teams and the strained French police, Paris Saint-Germain hosts Barcelona in a Champions League showcase against the backdrop of violent unrest across France.

PSG and Barcelona head the standings, though Liverpool or even surprising Stuttgart could end Tuesday on top of the table, The Associated Press reported.

The game, which will need a robust security presence, takes place in a very different context to when PSG beat Manchester City 4-2 away last week.

What began in France as protests against school conditions has expanded to include a wide range of other groups and causes. There have been violent clashes, fires and looting.

An emergency meeting with top government officials on Monday confirmed PSG-Barcelona and other soccer games in European competitions can go ahead after the possibility of calling off games and other big events was discussed.

Liverpool could go top with a win over Villarreal if PSG and Barcelona draw, or on goal difference if Andoni Iraola's team can rout its Spanish opposition. Stuttgart has won both of its games but Atletico Madrid will be sterner opposition for the German team.

Man City aims to get back on track after last week's PSG loss when it faces Greece's AEK Athens, while troubled Napoli seeks a first point against Norway's Bodø/Glimt.

Also, Roma plays Slovan Bratislava, Borussia Dortmund heads to Azerbaijan to face Sabah, Porto hosts PSV Eindhoven and Fenerbahce takes on Slavia Prague.



Grealish Issues Apology for Recent Absence at Everton for Disciplinary Reasons

21 November 2022, Qatar, Ar-Rayyan: England's Jack Grealish in action during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B soccer match between England and Iran at Khalifa International Stadium. (dpa)
21 November 2022, Qatar, Ar-Rayyan: England's Jack Grealish in action during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B soccer match between England and Iran at Khalifa International Stadium. (dpa)
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Grealish Issues Apology for Recent Absence at Everton for Disciplinary Reasons

21 November 2022, Qatar, Ar-Rayyan: England's Jack Grealish in action during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B soccer match between England and Iran at Khalifa International Stadium. (dpa)
21 November 2022, Qatar, Ar-Rayyan: England's Jack Grealish in action during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B soccer match between England and Iran at Khalifa International Stadium. (dpa)

On-loan Everton winger Jack Grealish has apologized for being unavailable to play for the team because he breached the club's disciplinary rules.

Grealish, who is on a second loan spell from Manchester City, has missed the last four matches for Everton's senior team, with his most recent appearance coming on Oct. 17.

He made his comeback in a behind-closed-doors match with Derby on Thursday, after which he sent a post on Instagram addressing his recent absence.

“Nice to be back out there with the boys today after a few good days training,” Grealish wrote. “I want to apologize to the fans and everyone at the club for not being able to help the team the last few weeks.

“I love playing for this club and can’t wait to be back playing in front of you guys in an Everton shirt. See you all soon.”

Everton manager David Moyes has been reluctant to discuss any finer details about Grealish's conduct, with the club only saying the 31-year-old winger was “not match-fit” ahead of a trip to Newcastle on Nov. 2.

Grealish, one of the most talked-about players in English football, was once the most expensive player in the British game after joining City from Aston Villa for 100 million pounds ($139 million) in 2021.

He helped City win the Premier League-FA Cup-Champions League treble in 2023, but has been out of favor over the last two years.


Upamecano Leaves France Squad for Personal Reasons After 3-1 Loss to Italy in Nations League

 France's Dayot Upamecano speaks during a press conference in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, ahead of the UEFA Nations League match between Italy and France. (AP)
France's Dayot Upamecano speaks during a press conference in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, ahead of the UEFA Nations League match between Italy and France. (AP)
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Upamecano Leaves France Squad for Personal Reasons After 3-1 Loss to Italy in Nations League

 France's Dayot Upamecano speaks during a press conference in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, ahead of the UEFA Nations League match between Italy and France. (AP)
France's Dayot Upamecano speaks during a press conference in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, ahead of the UEFA Nations League match between Italy and France. (AP)

Already depleted with injuries, France lost another important player in Dayot Upamecano, who has left his teammates after the 3-1 loss to Italy in football's Nations League.

The French team said on Friday that the Bayern defender was allowed by coach Zinedine Zidane to return to Munich for a “personal reason.”

Pio Esposito scored two goals on Thursday as Italy beat France for a first victory over Les Bleus on home soil in 64 years. The Italian win also marked Zidane's first loss since he took charge of France after the World Cup as a replacement for Didier Deschamps.

Italy moved top of Group A1, above France thanks to a better head-to-head record. Zidane's team hosts Türkiye on Sunday

Zidane has been dealing with an avalanche of injuries. Inter Milan forward Marcus Thuram and Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu were ruled out this week after William Saliba, Jules Koundé, Maxence Lacroix, Manu Koné, Ousmane Dembélé and Esteban Lepaul were already sidelined.

Star striker Kylian Mbappé’ was rested against Italy but could make his return against Türkiye.


Sinner Admits that Knee Injury Left him Barely Able to Move

Tennis - Jannik Sinner Press Conference - Allianz Tower, Milan, Italy - November 10, 2026 Jannik Sinner during the press conference REUTERS/Claudia Greco
Tennis - Jannik Sinner Press Conference - Allianz Tower, Milan, Italy - November 10, 2026 Jannik Sinner during the press conference REUTERS/Claudia Greco
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Sinner Admits that Knee Injury Left him Barely Able to Move

Tennis - Jannik Sinner Press Conference - Allianz Tower, Milan, Italy - November 10, 2026 Jannik Sinner during the press conference REUTERS/Claudia Greco
Tennis - Jannik Sinner Press Conference - Allianz Tower, Milan, Italy - November 10, 2026 Jannik Sinner during the press conference REUTERS/Claudia Greco

Missing from this year's ATP Finals, title holder Jannik Sinner admitted that he's had days on which he could barely move due to the knee injury which has kept him out of action since winning Wimbledon.

Sinner, who was world number one until being displaced by Alexander Zverev earlier this month, recently said that he will make his comeback at the "Six Kings Slam" tournament in Saudi Arabia, which has been rescheduled for late December.

"I had days where I felt nothing and I could play without any problems and then I had days where I couldn't move at all," Sinner said in a video published on his YouTube channel.

"The worst part for me about this injury is that I cannot compete, I cannot play tennis.

"Also my life outside of tennis is a bit more limited because of a simple fact that I cannot do things that I really like, because I want to protect my knee."

Sinner had been having another superb season before succumbing to his knee injury, and he revealed in the video published Wednesday that tonsil surgery caused him to lose a lot of weight.

Before his knee injury, which prematurely ended his season, Sinner had won five consecutive Masters 1000 tournaments -- Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome -- to complete his set of top-tier ATP events, before being crowned Wimbledon champion for the second straight year.

"I'm not going to lie, it's also tough to see other players play and I cannot compete," said Sinner, according to AFP.

"Also because the season I've had, it has been an incredible season until the moment when everything happened and it switches from a very very positive season to a very tough ending of season even though I had a lot of success."

Last week Sinner announced that Magnus Norman will replace his long-time coach Darren Cahill, who helped shape the Italian into the world's top tennis player.