عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Sports

French Protests Push UEFA to Switch Date of Europa League Game in Rennes

Protesters face police during a demonstration against rising living costs in Rennes, France, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez)
Protesters face police during a demonstration against rising living costs in Rennes, France, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez)
TT
TT

French Protests Push UEFA to Switch Date of Europa League Game in Rennes

Protesters face police during a demonstration against rising living costs in Rennes, France, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez)
Protesters face police during a demonstration against rising living costs in Rennes, France, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez)

The prospect of a general strike in France next week amid national protests on cost of living issues has pushed UEFA to change a Europa League match date in Rennes.

UEFA said Rennes will now host Olympiakos of Greece on Wednesday of next week at 4:30 p.m. local time (1530 GMT) instead of the Europa League’s scheduled program Thursday.

French trade unions are calling for a Nov. 5 general strike during widespread protests that began with students raising concerns about school conditions.

According to Reuters, UEFA said it was informed by French public authorities that routine security around the game in Rennes could not be assured on Nov. 5.

The earlier kickoff time next Wednesday avoids a clash with 6:45 p.m. Central European Time (1745 GMT) starts in two Champions League games:

Fenerbahce vs. Liverpool and AEK Athens vs. Real Madrid.

The French league also has moved games scheduled this Saturday when police and public authorities are dealing with planned marches and protests.

Most Viewed

 
 
Sports

Matthaeus: Ballon d'Or Title Will Help Keep Kane at Bayern

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Ballon d'Or - London Palladium, London, Britain - October 26, 2026 Bayern Munich's Harry Kane makes a speech after winning the men's Ballon d'Or award Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Ballon d'Or - London Palladium, London, Britain - October 26, 2026 Bayern Munich's Harry Kane makes a speech after winning the men's Ballon d'Or award Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs/File Photo
TT
TT

Matthaeus: Ballon d'Or Title Will Help Keep Kane at Bayern

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Ballon d'Or - London Palladium, London, Britain - October 26, 2026 Bayern Munich's Harry Kane makes a speech after winning the men's Ballon d'Or award Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Ballon d'Or - London Palladium, London, Britain - October 26, 2026 Bayern Munich's Harry Kane makes a speech after winning the men's Ballon d'Or award Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs/File Photo

Winning the Ballon d'Or will help convince Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane to extend his deal with the German champions, former World Cup winner Lothar Matthaeus said on Wednesday.

On Monday Kane became the first Englishman to win the prestigious award -- the top individual honor in the sport -- since Michael Owen in 2001.

The England captain was prolific last season, scoring 61 goals in 51 games for Bayern across all competitions as the German side completed a domestic league and cup double. He was also a World ⁠Cup semi-finalist with ⁠England, scoring six goals in the tournament.

"We are very happy to have Harry Kane in the Bundesliga. He is an international ambassador of football," Matthaeus, who won the award in 1990 after leading Germany to World Cup victory that year, said in an online media ⁠round table.

"Maybe he was dreaming to win the Ballon d'Or. but you have to play in a big club like Bayern. He found his peace in Munich and the right club with the right teammates,” Reuters quoted him as saying.

Kane, 33, joined Bayern in 2023 in a €100 million ($111 million) move from boyhood club Tottenham Hotspur, in search of silverware. He has since won the league twice and is in talks with Bayern over a new contract.

"I think he ⁠gets a ⁠bonus (for winning the Ballon d'Or), 36 years ago I got nothing," Matthaeus said. "But it is about more than money. It is a good moment to sign (a new deal) for Bayern. Bayern helped him get this Ballon d'Or.

"The relationship between Harry Kane and Bayern Munich is perfect, and with everything that has happened in the last three years, I think Harry will sign his contract for the next two, three years."

Bayern, top of the Bundesliga standings, take on Magdeburg on Wednesday in the German Cup second round.

Sports

French Protests Push UEFA to Switch Date of Europa League Game in Rennes

Protesters face police during a demonstration against rising living costs in Rennes, France, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez)
Protesters face police during a demonstration against rising living costs in Rennes, France, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez)
TT
TT

French Protests Push UEFA to Switch Date of Europa League Game in Rennes

Protesters face police during a demonstration against rising living costs in Rennes, France, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez)
Protesters face police during a demonstration against rising living costs in Rennes, France, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez)

The prospect of a general strike in France next week amid national protests on cost of living issues has pushed UEFA to change a Europa League match date in Rennes.

UEFA said Rennes will now host Olympiakos of Greece on Wednesday of next week at 4:30 p.m. local time (1530 GMT) instead of the Europa League’s scheduled program Thursday.

French trade unions are calling for a Nov. 5 general strike during widespread protests that began with students raising concerns about school conditions.

According to Reuters, UEFA said it was informed by French public authorities that routine security around the game in Rennes could not be assured on Nov. 5.

The earlier kickoff time next Wednesday avoids a clash with 6:45 p.m. Central European Time (1745 GMT) starts in two Champions League games:

Fenerbahce vs. Liverpool and AEK Athens vs. Real Madrid.

The French league also has moved games scheduled this Saturday when police and public authorities are dealing with planned marches and protests.

Sports

Real Madrid Apologize to China Over Mbappe Comments

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - LaLiga - FC Barcelona v Real Madrid - Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain - October 25, 2026 Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Albert Gea/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - LaLiga - FC Barcelona v Real Madrid - Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain - October 25, 2026 Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Albert Gea/File Photo
TT
TT

Real Madrid Apologize to China Over Mbappe Comments

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - LaLiga - FC Barcelona v Real Madrid - Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain - October 25, 2026 Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Albert Gea/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - LaLiga - FC Barcelona v Real Madrid - Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain - October 25, 2026 Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Albert Gea/File Photo

Spanish football giants Real Madrid apologized to China on Wednesday for star striker Kylian Mbappe's comments poking fun at Mao Zedong.

"Real Madrid C.F. wishes to express its apologies to the Chinese people for any offense caused by the recent remarks of our player Kylian Mbappe," read the club's statement, which came 24 hours after the furor broke.

"Our club maintains a deep respect for China, its history, its culture and ⁠its ⁠citizens, as well as for the millions of Chinese fans who feel affection and admiration for Real Madrid," the statement added.

China said Wednesday it took "seriously" an apology from Mbappe.

Mocking former leader Mao is taboo in China and the French player's remarks saw him become the latest foreign sports figure to anger Beijing.

In a clip of a video interview with French show The Bridge -- since taken down -- Mbappe talked about being amused by an internet meme of his face photoshopped onto "some guy, think he's a Chinese dictator,” an apparent reference to Mao.

"My comment was ill-judged and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world. I apologize to everyone my words have upset," the France captain said in a statement in French, Chinese and English on Tuesday.