Germany's Bibiana Steinhaus made history on Sunday by becoming the first female referee to officiate a match in a top European league.

Jose Mourinho claimed his confidence in his Manchester United side remains intact despite seeing Stoke City end their perfect start to the Premier League season with a 2-2 draw.

Worries didn't end for Sloane Stephens after winning her first Grand Slam title Saturday at the U.S. Open, recalling the fabulous photographs of past champions she admired along the hallways of Arthur Ashe Stadium.

"Everyone has the cutest photos on the wall in here with this trophy and that's what I remember seeing most," Stephens said. 

Lionel Messi's hat-trick saw Barcelona move four points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga as Ousmane Dembele marked his debut with an assist in a 5-0 rout of local rivals Espanyol on Saturday.

Earlier, Madrid paid for the absence of the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo and a series of missed chances by Gareth Bale as they were held to a shock 1-1 home draw by newly-promoted Levante.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel Friday urged football governing bodies UEFA and FIFA to tighten rules governing transfers and stamp out spiraling record spending on players.

Brazilian legend Pele hailed Neymar's move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain as an opportunity for his his compatriot to "be the big star", in an interview with goal.com on Friday.

Top striker Robert Lewandowski has said Bayern Munich must spend more on star players or risk being left trailing their rivals.

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane added his voice Friday to the growing clamour for the summer transfer window to close before the season starts across Europe.

Roger Federer, foiled once again one match from a first-ever U.S. Open match against Rafael Nadal, said he just didn't deserve to beat Juan Martin del Potro in the rematch of their epic 2009 final.

The Swiss third seed and 19-time Grand Slam champion was sent packing by Argentine 28th seed Del Potro 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (10/8), 6-4 on Wednesday in Arthur Ashe Stadium. The South American meets Spain's top-ranked Nadal Friday for a berth in Sunday's final.

Franck Ribery is relishing Bayern Munich's Champions League showdown against Paris Saint-Germain with the French veteran insisting he will not retire even if the Germans win this season's European title.