The German football federation appointed Andreas Rettig as sporting director in charge of all its national teams and youth academy on Friday.

The federation said Rettig was taking over with immediate effect. It did not say how the appointment would affect Rudi Völler's position as sporting director of the men's national team.

This Friday, Lebanese Muay Thai fighter Abdallah Ondash will enter his second fight at ONE Championship’s fight event series ONE Friday Fights. 

Ondash had dedicated his first win, which he picked up on August 4, to the victims of the Beirut port explosion which killed more than 220 and wounded more than 6,500 people. 

North Korea has 191 athletes signed up for the Asian Games starting next week, according to organiئers, suggesting the country is poised to end its more than three-year isolation from the global sporting arena.

Women including Japanese trailblazer Yoshimi Yamashita will referee at the men's Asian Cup for the first time next year in Qatar, officials said Thursday.

Harry Maguire said he can cope with the pressure of being in the spotlight for club and country after England manager Gareth Southgate condemned the "ridiculous treatment" meted out to the defender.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has returned to the club after recovering from his recent back operation.

Guardiola is resuming his duties after three weeks away, with City confirming his return on Wednesday.

European champion Italy took a big step Tuesday toward being able to defend its title. Spain and Belgium won easily on their path to Euro 2024. Sweden looks like it's failing to qualify for the first time in 28 years.

Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr.'s alleged attack on his girlfriend in a New York City hotel room left the woman with a fractured neck vertebra and a deep cut above her right eye, prosecutors revealed at his arraignment Tuesday.

Porter, 23, pleaded not guilty to felony assault and strangulation charges in connection with the incident early Monday at the Millennium Hilton near the United Nations in Manhattan. Prosecutors said he didn't stop until his girlfriend, former WNBA player Kysre Gondrezick, ran out into the hallway covered in blood.

Argentina expected a struggle in the altitude of La Paz. The World Cup champion's climb appeared even steeper with Lionel Messi out of the lineup.

Argentina still beat Bolivia 3-0 on Tuesday in its second match of the qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup.

Germany needs to act fast in its search for a new coach for its troubled men's national soccer team.