Bayer Leverkusen wins first Bundesliga title, ending Bayern Munich’s 11-year reign

LEVERKUSEN, Germany — It’s “Neverkusen” no longer. Coached by Xabi Alonso, Bayer Leverkusen won the Bundesliga title for the first time Sunday to end Bayern Munich’s 11-year reign as champion. In the end, it wasn’t even close — Leverkusen leads second-place Bayern by 16 points. Florian Wirtz scored a hat trick as Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen … Read more

Ryan Reynolds celebrates ‘ride of our lives’ as Wrexham gains promotion to English 3rd division

WREXHAM, Wales — The sequel turned out to be just as good for Wrexham. The Welsh team co-owned by actor Ryan Reynolds clinched promotion to the third tier of English soccer thanks to a 6-0 home win over Forest Green on Saturday. That’s back-to-back promotions for the team since it was thrust into the spotlight … Read more

Fixture pileup a concern as Premier League title contenders look to juggle European commitments

For the three contenders in the Premier League title race, any dropped points from this stage could be fatal. The danger could be greater than ever for Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City this weekend. On the face of it, the games don’t appear too difficult — Arsenal, the leader on goal difference with seven rounds … Read more

Monterrey defeats beats and Inter Miami to advance to the CONCACAF semifinals

MONTERREY, Mexico — Lionel Messi’s first trip to Mexico for an official match did not end well. Brandon Vazquez, Germán Berterame and Jesus Gallardo scored goals and Monterrey beat Inter Miami 3-1 on Wednesday night in the second leg of the two-game, total-goals series to secure a spot in the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals. Vazquez … Read more

France, Spain tighten security as Islamic State threatens Champions League games – National

France and Spain will step up security ahead of the Champions League quarter-finals in Madrid and Paris on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, top officials said, as Islamic State threatened drone attacks on Europe’s top club soccer tournament. British police said they were aware of reports of threats and had a robust policing plan in place ahead of Arsenal’s match against Bayern … Read more

Wrexham takes step closer to promotion with win over Mansfield

Wrexham, the fourth-tier Welsh team co-owned by actor Ryan Reynolds, has taken a step toward another promotion by beating Mansfield 2-0 WREXHAM, Wales — Wrexham, the fourth-tier Welsh team co-owned by actor Ryan Reynolds, took a step toward another promotion by beating Mansfield 2-0 on Friday. Talismanic forward Paul Mullin scored both goals — finishing … Read more

Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham team owes him millions. What’s the financial hit? – National

Owning a soccer club is hitting Ryan Reynolds in the wallet. Wrexham, the Welsh team bought by Reynolds and fellow Hollywood actor Rob McElhenney in 2021, released its accounts for the latest financial year on Thursday and reported that the amount owed to celebrities has risen to nearly nine million pounds ($11.4 million USD). That … Read more

Owning Wrexham is hitting Ryan Reynolds in the wallet. Club owes its celebrity owners more than $11M

Owning a soccer club is hitting Ryan Reynolds in the wallet. Wrexham, the Welsh team bought by Reynolds and fellow Hollywood actor Rob McElhenney in 2021, released its accounts for the latest financial year on Thursday and reported that the amount owed to celebrities has risen to nearly 9 million pounds ($11.4 million). That was … Read more

Owning Wrexham is hitting Ryan Reynolds in the wallet. Club owes its celebrity owners more than $11M

Owning a soccer club is hitting Ryan Reynolds in the wallet. Wrexham, the Welsh team bought by Reynolds and fellow Hollywood actor Rob McElhenney in 2021, released its accounts for the latest financial year on Thursday and reported that the amount owed to celebrities has risen to nearly 9 million pounds ($11.4 million). That was … Read more

French soccer federation limits support for players’ Ramadan observance. Critics see discrimination

For Muslim soccer players in deeply secular France, observing Ramadan is a tall order, and this is not about to change. Wielding the principle of religious neutrality enshrined in the French constitution, the country’s soccer federation does not make things easy for international players who want to refrain from drinking or eating from dawn to … Read more