ZIDANE APPOINYED FRANCE HEAD COACH AFTER 2026 WORLD CUP

Zinedine Zidane has been appointed head coach of the France men’s national football team, the French Football Federation (FFF) announced on Tuesday.

The 54-year-old takes over from Didier Deschamps, who stepped down following the 2026 FIFA World Cup after leading France for 14 years.

Zidane’s appointment comes after France’s disappointing campaign at the tournament in North America. Widely regarded as one of the favourites, Les Bleus were eliminated by eventual champions Spain in the semi-finals before losing to England in the third-place playoff.

The former France captain returns to coaching for the first time since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, where he enjoyed one of the most successful managerial spells in modern football.

“I have often said there is nothing greater than the French national team. It is therefore a joy and obviously a great honor to become the coach of France. It is also a responsibility,” Zidane said in a statement released by the FFF.

“I want to thank President Philippe Diallo, the Executive Committee and the French Football Federation for their trust and salute the fourteen years of Didier and his staff. I also have a special thought today for all my teachers. Needless to say, I have a lot of ambition for the French team.”

As a player, Zidane is regarded as one of France’s greatest footballers. He inspired the country to its first FIFA World Cup title in 1998, scoring twice in the 3-0 victory over Brazil in the final, before helping France win the UEFA European Championship in 2000.

His international playing career ended in dramatic fashion when he was sent off during the 2006 World Cup final against Italy following his infamous headbutt on Marco Materazzi.

Zidane now aims to emulate Deschamps by winning the World Cup as both a player and a coach.

Speaking at his unveiling, Zidane said coaching the French national team had always been his ambition.

“It’s a continuation for me, a dream come true. Over the last four or five years, I’ve received offers to lead a club and I rejected them all for the France national team. It’s the only thing I’ve wanted to do,” he said.

Zidane brings an outstanding club coaching record to the role. During two spells in charge of Real Madrid, he guided the Spanish giants to three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles, two La Liga championships and two FIFA Club World Cup trophies.

His immediate challenge will be preparing France for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, with a squad featuring attacking stars including Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, Désiré Doué and Bradley Barcola.

“We’ll be doing things differently. Deschamps is Deschamps, Zidane is Zidane. I will do what I know how to do,” he said. “I guarantee continuity so that the French national team keeps winning.”

- Ariana News

BERNARD LACOMBE DEAD AT 72: LEGENDARY FRANCE STRIKER WHO WON EURO 1984 PASSES AWAY AS TRIBUTES FLOOR IN

• Bernard Lacombe won the European Championship with France back in 1984 

• The prolific former striker is still the second-highest ever goalscorer in Ligue 1 

• French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo hailed him as 'remarkable' 

Legendary former France international Bernard Lacombe has passed away at the age of 72. 

The prolific striker is perhaps best remembered as one of the victorious European Champions of 1984 alongside Michel Platini, and netted 12 times for Les Bleus in his 38 international appearances. 

One of those strikes remains a record-breaker today, after Lacombe scored within 30 seconds of the World Cup clash with Italy back in 1978, France's fastest at football's greatest competition. 

Beyond success on the international scene, Lacombe was known in the seventies and eighties as one of the most lethal forwards in France. 

In fact, he has the second-most goals of any player in Ligue 1 history, registering 255 strikes in 497 appearances across stints with Lyon, Saint-Etienne and Bordeaux. 

French giants Lyon, where he played 258 times, paid tribute to their former star and manager on social media in the wake of the tragic news.

'It is with immense sadness that we learned on Tuesday evening of the passing of Bernard Lacombe,' they wrote.

'All our thoughts are with his family and loved ones, as well as with the fans of Olympique Lyonnais and football.

'Rest in peace, Bernard.'

After hanging up his boots, Lacombe went on to manage Lyon - where he came through the ranks having been born in the city - for four years between 1996 and 2000, winning the Intertoto Cup in 1997.

He would also spend 20 years as a special advisor to owner Jean-Michel Aulas, and was reportedly crucial to the retention of a number of the club's Brazilian players, such as Juninho. 

French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo, added an emotive response to the news, saying: 'It is with deep sadness that I learned of the passing of Bernard Lacombe. Bernard Lacombe left an indelible mark on French football, as a player, coach, and manager.

'He was one of the greatest strikers in the history of French football. The second-highest scorer in Division 1, he made his mark on the glorious history of Lyon, Saint-Étienne, and Bordeaux. He also shone with the French national team. His goals helped establish Les Bleus on the international stage.

'Bernard Lacombe was a major contributor to the 1984 European Championship title. He performed some of France's greatest feats, including his goal in the opening seconds of the game against Italy at the 1978 World Cup. He was undoubtedly a source of inspiration for many strikers.

.'After his remarkable playing career, Bernard Lacombe put his footballing knowledge to work for Olympique Lyonnais, his beloved club.

'With Jean-Michel Aulas, whom I am thinking of very much in these difficult moments, he formed a duo that transformed OL into a successful club.

'Deeply attached to his city, his club, and his friends, Bernard Lacombe will be deeply missed.

'The Federation will pay tribute to him. On behalf of all French football, I extend my most sincere condolences to his family and friends.'

Bordeaux, for whom he featured 297 times and scored 137 goals, added on X: 'With immense sadness, Bernard Lacombe has just left us at the age of 72.

'Having played for [Bordeaux] between 1979 and 1987, this legendary striker left his mark on the club's history with his talent and generosity. 

'The entire Marine et Blanc family mourns today a striker of rare elegance, one of the greatest players in the club's history. Thank you, Bernard.'

- Dominic Hoogan

THIERRY HENRY RESIGNS FROM FRANCE YOUTH POST AFTER PARIS GAMES

Thierry Henry celebrating his team claiming silver in Paris. Luke Hales/Getty Images

Thierry Henry has resigned from his role as manager of France's youth teams after earning a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, the French Football Federation announced on Monday.

Henry, who won the 1998 World Cup with his country as a player, cited "personal reasons" as the motivation for his decision in the FFF news release

"I have to thank the FFF and Philippe Diallo [president of the FFF], who gave me this amazing opportunity," Henry said. "Winning a silver medal at the Olympics for my country will remain one of the proudest achievements of my life.

"I am incredibly grateful to the Federation, the players, the staff and the supporters who allowed me to live out a magical experience."

Henry's Olympic team, made up of under-23 players and three overage selections, beat Argentina and Egypt on the way to the final in Paris, only to be beaten 5-3 by Spain after extra time..

Diallo thanked Henry for his professionalism in the statement and added that the FFF is searching for a new coach to take charge ahead of the upcoming qualifiers for the U21 Euro 2025.

Henry has managed Monaco in Ligue 1 and the Montreal Impact in MLS previously, and he served as an assistant during Roberto Martínez's time in charge of Belgium's senior men's national team.

- ESPN

CHELSEA CONDEMN ENZO FERNÁNDEZ'S DISCRIMINATION CHANTS

Enzo Fernández joined Chelsea in 2023 and has made 46 appearances. Photo by Stephen Nadler/ISI Photos/Getty Images

 Chelsea have condemned all discriminatory behaviour and started an internal disciplinary procedure in the wake of Argentina's derogatory song about French players, the club said in a statement.

The French Football Federation (FFF) announced on Tuesday it would file a legal complaint over "racist and discriminatory remarks" made by Chelsea player Enzo Fernández and his Argentina teammates about France's team after Sunday's Copa América victory over Colombia.

"Chelsea Football Club finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour completely unacceptable," a club statement said on Wednesday.

"We are proud to be a diverse, inclusive club where people from all cultures, communities and identities feel welcome."

Following Argentina's 1-0 win over Colombia in the final, Fernández posted a video on Instagram that was widely viewed on X. The video showed the Argentina players singing offensive chants that singled out France players of African heritage.

The same chants -- by some Argentina fans -- emerged before France and Argentina met in the 2022 World Cup final, which Argentina won.

France defender Wesley Fofana displayed his discontent with his Chelsea teammate and reposted the video, citing the chant as "uninhibited racism."

Chelsea and France forward Christopher Nkunku followed Fofana, saying on X: "God bless them," talking about the Argentinean team's derogatory words.

Fernández issued a statement of apology on Instagram admitting the song "includes highly offensive language" but added "those words, do not reflect my beliefs or my character. ... I stand against discrimination in all forms and apologise for getting caught up in the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations."

French sports minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra wants FIFA to take action. She replied to a L'Equipe story about the derogatory chants, writing on X: "Pathetic. Behaviour that is all the more unacceptable if it is repeated. @FIFAcom: a reaction?"

FIFA also said it was also looking into the incident after the French federation pledged to file a complaint with the sport's world governing body over "racist and discriminatory remarks."

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has said football and its 211 national federations must have a zero tolerance approach to racism and in May committed to relaunching a task force to monitor incidents.

"FIFA is aware of a video circulating on social media and the incident is being looked into," the governing body said Wednesday. "FIFA strongly condemns any form of discrimination by anyone including players, fans and officials."

It is unclear what jurisdiction FIFA has over the incident on a team bus after a tournament, but the governing body likely could act if the Argentina federation's handling of the case is considered unsatisfactory.

Julio Garro, Argentina's undersecretary for sports, said on Wednesday he felt Argentina football federation president Claudio "Chiqui" Tapia as well as team captain Lionel Messi should issue apologies for the chanting.

"This leaves us, as a country, in bad standing after so much glory," Garro said in an Argentina radio interview.

- Adriana Garcia

FRENCH FEDERATION TAKES ACTION OVER 'RACIST' ARGENTINA CHANT

Argentina beat Colombia in Sunday's Copa América final in Miami. JUAN MABROMATA/AFP via Getty Images

 The French Football Federation (FFF) is filing a legal complaint over "racist and discriminatory remarks" by Argentina players in postmatch chants about France's team after the Copa América final.

Argentina beat Colombia 1-0 on Sunday. A video posted on Instagram by Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández and widely viewed on X showed Argentina players singing about French players with African heritage.

Fernández later apologized for singing the song featured in the video.

The same chants -- by some Argentina fans -- emerged before France and Argentina met in the World Cup final two years ago, which Argentina won.

"Given the seriousness of these shocking remarks, which are contrary to the values of sport and human rights, the FFF president has decided to contact its Argentinian counterpart and FIFA directly to file a legal complaint for racist and discriminatory remarks," the French federation said in a statement on Tuesday.

"The president of the French Football Federation, Philippe Diallo, condemns in the strongest terms the unacceptable racist and discriminatory remarks made against the players of the France team as part of a song sung by players and supporters of the Argentina team."

Diallo is a member of the executive committee of European soccer body UEFA with a growing reputation in the game's politics.

The derogatory chants single out France players of African heritage from several countries holding a French passport.

Fernández's Chelsea teammate Wesley Fofana, a France international, shared the video on social media Tuesday with the comment, "Football in 2024: Uninhibited racism."

In an apology on Instagram, Fernández said he was "caught up in the euphoria" of the celebrations.

"I want to apologise sincerely for a video posted on my Instagram channel during the national team celebrations," he posted. "The song includes highly offensive language and there is no excuse for these words.

"I stand against discrimination in all forms and apologise for getting caught up in the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations. That video, that moment, those words, do not reflect my beliefs or my character. I am truly sorry."

FIFA could not immediately confirm Tuesday if the French complaint had been filed.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has said soccer and its 211 national federations must have a zero tolerance approach to racism and in May committed to relaunching a task force to monitor incidents.

Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.

- ESPN News Services

MBAPPÉ URGES VOTE AGAINST 'EXTREMES' IN FRANCE ELECTIONS

Kylian Mbappé was speaking at a news conference the day before France's Euro 2024 opener against Austria. Frederic Scheidemann - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

 Kylian Mbappé on Sunday called on the French public to vote against "extremes," backing up the comments made by his teammate Marcus Thuram a day prior.

France striker Thuram on Saturday expressed his concern about the rise of the Rassemblement National, the country's right-wing populist party, before the country's general election at the end of the June.

"I share the same values as Marcus," Mbappé, France's captain, said in a news conference. "Of course I support him. For me, he hasn't gone too far. It's freedom of speech, and I'm on his side.

"We [the France team] are citizens, we cannot be disconnected from the world around us. We know that we are in an important situation for our country, an unprecedented situation. I want to address the French people. The extremes are at the gates of power, we have the opportunity to choose the future of our country.

"I call on all young people to go and vote, to understand the gravity of the situation. I hope that my voice resonates as far as possible. I hope we will still be proud to wear this jersey on July 7."

July 7 is the date of the second and final round of the legislative elections unexpectedly called by France President Emmanuel Macron following the European Union elections that saw the Rassemblement National receive 31.4% of the country's votes last weekend.

Asked directly whether he was calling on the French public to vote against the Rassemblement National, Mbappé added: "Kylian Mbappé is against the extremes, the groups that divide us. We have the opportunity to choose the future of our country. We must not hide ... I am in favour of ideas that unite us."

France coach Didier Deschamps said he had no issue with his players discussing politics and respects their right to free speech.

"Everyone has their own opinion. ... They are footballers but they are also citizens who don't exist outside the situation which exists in France."

Deschamps' comments echo the statement issued by the French Football Federation on Saturday after Thuram's news conference. The statement said the players were free to express their opinions but reiterated that the federation itself was obliged to remain neutral, while asking the media to refrain from asking its players in Germany to comment on elections at home.

Sources told ESPN that the FFF's president Philippe Diallo spoke to Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann on Saturday, but the squad was not aware that statement was being shared. The sources added that the team is intent on taking a position and considering making a joint statement.

France face Austria in their opening fixture of Euro 2024 on Monday.

Information from ESPN's Julien Laurens and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

- ESPN

NOËL LE GRAET RESIGNS AS HEAD OF FRENCH FOOTBALL FEDERATION AMID SEXUAL ALLERGATIONS

FRENCE FOOTBALL FEDERATION PRESIDENT "TAKING A STEP BACK" FROM ROLE