PSG Say Merci to Legend Ibrahimovic

Paris St-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has indicated he will leave the French champions this summer. The 34-year-old's contract expires at the end of the season.

On Friday, Ibrahimovic - who has been linked with a move to LA Galaxy - posted on social media: "My last game tomorrow at Parc des Princes. I came like a king, left like a legend."

PSG host Nantes on Saturday, before ending their season by facing Marseille in the French Cup final on 21 May.

Shortly after his tweet, the club posted an image of their top scorer this season along with the message "merci Zlatan."

Ibrahimovic, who will captain Sweden at the European Championship this summer, joined PSG from AC Milan for a reported £15.7m in 2012.

He has since scored 152 goals in 178 appearances for PSG and was top scorer in Ligue 1 in 2012-13 and 2013-14.

The former Barcelona striker is the top goalscorer in France again this season - 15 ahead of Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette.

PSG won the Ligue 1 title with two months to spare and are 28 points clear with one game remaining.

Manchester United have been linked with a move for Ibrahimovic, who has won league titles with six different clubs.

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Zlatan Adds Nice Hat-Trick

Nice hat-trick for Zlatan 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a hat-trick as Paris Saint-Germain geared up for their Champions League clash against Manchester City with a 4-1 Ligue 1 home win over Nice on Saturday. Ibrahimovic scored twice in the first half and once in the second, while David Luiz added a third in the second half after Hatem Ben Arfa had pulled one back for the visitors early on.

PSG, who were crowned champions last month, have 80 points and with six games left lead second-placed Monaco, who lost 2-1 at home to Bordeaux on Friday, by 25 points. Nice, who had a chance to reduce the gap with Monaco to two points, lag in third place five points behind. They will be leapfrogged by Lyon if they beat Lorient away on Sunday.

At the Parc des Princes, there was a minute of applause when the face of the former Holland great Johan Cruyff, who died last week, appeared on the giant screen. Having lost and drawn their past two league games, anything other than a win would have damaged PSG’s confidence before they take on City in their Champions League quarter-final first leg on Wednesday.

Ibrahimovic opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a powerful cross shot after being set up by David Luiz. Ben Arfa, who hopes to make it into France coach Didier Deschamps’s 23-man squad for Euro 2016, responded with a superb curling shot that went past Kevin Trapp.

The Sweden striker Ibrahimovic put Laurent Blanc’s side ahead again with a free-kick into the top corner in the 34th minute. David Luiz gave PSG a two-goal lead three minutes into the second half with a downward header from a corner.

Ibrahimovic wrapped it up eight minutes from time from close range by latching on to Adrien Rabiot’s cross for his 30th league goal in the season, equalling his tally from the 2012-13 season. The last player to score more than 30 goals in a French top-flight season was Argentina’s Carlos Bianchi for Stade de Reims in 1975-76, with 34.

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Zlatan Puts PSG Top Ligue 1

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice as Paris St Germain defeated Lyon 5-1 at Parc des Princes on Sunday to move 17 points clear at the top of Ligue 1, while second-placed Angers could manage only a 1-1 draw against Bordeaux.

PSG, who are in Monday’s draw for the last 16 of the Champions League as one of the second seeds, dominated from the start against Lyon and were 2-0 up inside the first 20 minutes. Ibrahimovic scored from close range in the 11th minute and soon afterwards Serge Aurier met Ángel Di María’s free-kick to head the second.

Jordan Ferri pulled a goal back when his deflected shot from 25 yards wrong-footed the PSG goalkeeper, Kevin Trapp, but the leaders maintained the pressure in the second half.

Edinson Cavani converted a long pass from Di María, Ibrahimovic scored a penalty after being fouled and a late breakaway goal by the substitute Lucas Moura completed PSG’s 15th Ligue 1 win of the season.

Angers had looked set for defeat against Lyon as they trailed to a 40th-minute goal by Diego Rolan. However, their persistence eventually paid off with seven minutes left when Romain Thomas equalised following a corner to stretch their unbeaten run to five games.

Only goal difference separates them from Monaco, who beat 10-man St Étienne 1-0 at the Stade Louis II thanks to an 82nd-minute penalty by Fabinho after Pierre-Yves Polomat had handled. The St Étienne defender Kévin Malcuit was sent off for a second yellow card just after the hour.

In Sunday’s other Ligue 1 match, Ajaccio extended their unbeaten run to eight games with a 1-1 draw at Marseille, who had Abdelaziz Barrada sent off for a foul on John Tshibumbu. The visitors took the lead midway through the first half with a Jacques Zoua penalty but Marseille were level before the break through Michy Batshuayi.

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EURO 2016 Finals Draw

The Republic of Ireland have been drawn in Group E at Euro 2016 against world number one ranked Belgium, Italy and Sweden.

Martin O’Neill’s side will open their campaign against the Swedes at the 80,000 capacity Stade de France on Monday June 13th.

Their second match takes place in Bordeaux on Saturday June 18th when they take on Belgium . Their final group game comes in Lille on Wednesday June 22nd where they take on Italy.

Northern Ireland have been drawn with world champions Germany, Poland and the Ukraine.

Wales have been drawn in England’s group alongside Slovakia and Russia.

Group A

June 10: France v Romania, Stade de France, Paris, 8.0

June 11: Albania v Switzerland, Lens, 2.0

June 15: Romania v Switzerland, Parc des Princes, Paris, 5.0

June 15: France v Albania, Marseille, 8.0

June 19: Romania v Albania, Lyon, 8.0

June 19: France v Switzerland, Lille, 8.0

Group B

June 11: Wales v Slovakia, Bordeaux, 5.0

June 11: England v Russia, Marseille, 8.0

June 15: Russia v Slovakia, Lille, 2.0

June 16: England v Wales, Lens, 2.0

June 20: Russia v Wales, Toulouse, 8.0

June 20: Slovakia v England, St-Etienne, 8.0

Group C

June 12: Poland v Northern Ireland, Nice, 5.0

June 12: Germany v Ukraine, Lille, 8.0

June 16: Ukraine v Northern Ireland, Lyon, 5.0

June 16: Germany v Poland, Stade de France, Paris, 8.0

June 21: Ukraine v Poland, Marseille, 5.0

June 21: Northern Ireland v Germany, Parc des Princes, Paris, 5.0

Group D

June 12: Turkey v Croatia, Parc des Princes, Paris, 2.0

June 13: Spain v Czech Republic, Toulouse, 2.0

June 17: Czech Republic v Croatia, St-Etienne, 5.0

June 17: Spain v Turkey, Nice, 8.0

June 21: Czech Republic v Turkey, Lens, 8.0

June 21: Croatia v Spain, Bordeaux, 8.0

Group E

June 13: Republic of Ireland v Sweden, Stade de France, Paris, 5.0

June 13: Belgium v Italy, Lyon, 8.0

June 17: Italy v Sweden, Toulouse, 2.0

June 18: Belgium v Republic of Ireland, Bordeaux, 2.0

June 22: Italy v Republic of Ireland, Lille, 8.0

June 22: Sweden v Belgium, Nice, 8.0

Group F

June 14: Austria v Hungary, Bordeaux, 5.0

June 14: Portugal v Iceland, St-Etienne, 8.0

June 18: Iceland v Hungary, Marseille, 5.0

June 18: Portugal v Austria, Parc des Princes, Paris, 8.0

June 22: Iceland v Austria, Stade de France, Paris, 5.0

June 22: Hungary v Portugal, Lyon, 5.0

Last 16

June 25 – Match 1: Runner-up Group A v Runner-up C, St-Etienne, 2.0

June 25 – Match 2: Winner D v Third-place B/E/F, Lens, 8.0

June 25 – Match 3: Winner B v Third-place A/C/D, Parc des Princes, Paris, 5.0

June 26 – Match 4: Winner F v Runner-up E, Toulouse, 8.0

June 26 – Match 5: Winner C v Third-place A/B/F, Lille, 5.0

June 27 – Match 6: Winner E v Runner-up D, Stade de France, Paris, 5.0

June 27 – Match 7: Winner A v Third-place C/D/E, Lyon, 2.0

June 27– Match 8: Runner-up B v Runner-up F, Nice, 8.0

Quarter-finals

June 30 –QF1: Winner Match 1 v Winner Match 2, Marseille, 8.0

July 1 – QF2: Winner Match 3 v Winner Match 4, Lille, 8.0

July 2 – QF 3: Winner Match 5 v Winner Match 6, Bordeaux, 8.0

July 3 – QF4: Winner Match 7 v Winner Match 8, Stade de France, Paris, 8.0

Semi-finals

July 6: Winner QF1 Portugal v Winner QF2, Lyon, 8.0

July 7: Winner QF3 v Winner QF4 , Marseille, 8.0

Final

July 10: Stade de France, Paris, 8.0

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Madrid Draw Blank at PSG

Real Madrid took a big step towards finishing top of Group A when they held Paris Saint-Germain to a 0-0 draw in the French capital.

The French champions enjoyed most of the possession but took an over-cautious approach and injury-hit Real had the best chances through Cristiano Ronaldo and Jesé in the first half.

The Spanish 10-times European champions stayed top of the group with seven points from three games and lead PSG on goal difference, with the reverse fixture to come in Madrid in two weeks’ time.

Malmo are third on three points after beating Shakhtar Donetsk, who have yet to win a point, 1-0.

Real entered the contest having conceded only two goals in eight La Liga games and none in two matches in Europe and they looked solid throughout. They were without the injured Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and James Rodríguez.

PSG were almost at full strength with their preferred midfield of Blaise Matuidi, Thiago Motta and Marco Verratti and were only missing the centre-back David Luiz through injury.

The hosts imposed their usual possession pattern on the game and had their first clear chance after 11 minutes when Matuidi’s low shot was blocked by Keylor Navas.

Motta anchored the midfield as PSG played neatly although they were too slow up front and Ángel Di María looked clumsy while their striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic had a night to forget.

In true Rafael Benítez style Real played tight, looking to bring the ball forward as quickly as possible when they had the chance, but PSG were vigilant.

The visitors had a big opportunity in the 25th minute when Kevin Trapp made a fine save from Jesé after he had collected a brilliant through-ball from Toni Kroos.

The German keeper was at it again 10 minutes from the interval, tipping Ronaldo’s header over the bar as Real began to take control. Casemiro forced Trapp into another save with a long-range shot.

PSG were back in possession after the break and Edinson Cavani went close when he latched on to a cross from Motta in the 49th minute.

Lucas came on for Cavani and Di María made way for Javier Pastore as Laurent Blanc looked to spice it up up front shortly before Isco was replaced by Luka Modric for Real Madrid.

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World Cup Logos - 1998

The home of Jules Rimet, the father of the FIFA World Cup™, France finally claimed the crown for itself in the summer of 1998. If an unforgettable summer for the new champions – who had tasted semi-final defeat twice a decade before – it was also a memorable one for the old tournament which was now bigger than ever before.


The 16th FIFA World Cup comprised 32 teams for the first time. The greater number of qualifying places meant more opportunities for teams from Africa, Asia and CONCACAF – in this case, first-time qualifiers South Africa, Japan and Jamaica. The eight groups of four were spread out across France but the venue for the Opening Match and Final was the showpiece Stade de France just north of Paris. It was there that holders Brazil kicked off the tournament with a 2-1 victory over Scotland, achieved thanks to Tom Boyd's own goal.


The great surprise of the first round was the failure of Spain, who paid for a poor start in Group D. After losing 3-2 to Nigeria and drawing with Paraguay, Javier Clemente's side put six past Bulgaria but the grandstand finish proved in vain. Paraguay beat group winners Nigeria on the same night and qualified at Spain's expense.


Elsewhere, Romania finished top of Group G ahead of England and Colombia and celebrated with peroxide crops – a touch premature given their exit in the next round. In Group A, Kjetil Rekdal's last-minute penalty secured Norway victory over Brazil and progress ahead of Morocco. Iran bowed out early with the consolation prize of a win against the United States. The supporters of Scotland and Jamaica left happy memories of their stay as they headed for home.


The tie of the Round of 16 came in Saint-Etienne, where England and Argentina played out an epic contest. The first half was a mini-classic in itself: after a penalty for each side inside the first ten minutes, the teenage Michael Owen's goal of the tournament put England ahead before Javier Zanetti finished off a clever free-kick to equalise on the stroke of half-time.


After the break, goals gave way to sheer drama: David Beckham sent off for kicking out at Diego Simeone, Sol Campbell's 'winner' disallowed for a foul on the goalkeeper, extra time and penalties. Carlos Roa saved England's final spot-kick from David Batty and Argentina were through. 


France, meanwhile, had home nerves jangling as they moved slowly towards their date with destiny. It took a 113th-minute golden goal from Laurent Blanc – the first in the competition's history – to break the resistance of a Paraguay side led by charismatic goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert. Italy were their quarter-final opponents, and this time it was the thickness of the woodwork which came to their rescue. Roberto Baggio flashed a free header past the post late in extra time, then Luigi Di Biagio rattled the bar with the decisive kick in the shoot-out, ensuring the Azzurri a third successive dose of penalty heartache.


In the semi-final, the hosts faced the tournament's surprise package, Croatia. Entering their first FIFA World Cup since independence from the former Yugoslavia, Miroslav Blazevic's check-shirted charges upset European champions Germany 3-0 in the quarter-final before silencing the Stade de France when adidas Golden Shoe winner Davor Suker struck shortly after the break against France. Cometh the hour, cometh the man, however – right-back Lilian Thuram choosing the perfect moment to score his first ever international goals and send France into their first Final.


Marseille staged the other semi-final between Brazil and a Netherlands side full of confidence after eliminating Argentina through an exquisite Dennis Bergkamp strike. After Ronaldo and Patrick Kluivert traded goals, Brazil prevailed on penalties leaving the Dutch to ponder another near thing.


So to 12 July when, to borrow a line from La Marseillaise, "the day of glory arrived". It was a game that began with the mystery of Ronaldo's late reinstatement on the team sheet in place of Edmundo. Amid reports of a pre-match fit, Ronaldo was a strange shadow of his usual self and France, despite the absence of the suspended Blanc, were soon in command. Two Zidane headers from corners gave them a 2-0 interval lead. Despite Marcel Desailly's second-half dismissal, Aime Jacquet's side even managed a third as Emmanuel Petit concluded a counterattack in the last minute.


The final whistle from Moroccan referee Said Belqola, the first African to officiate at a FIFA World Cup Final, was the signal for the entire population to celebrate. A team representing the multi-racial mix of the modern France had united the nation. The Champs Elysees alone attracted over a million revellers, who danced through the long night.


Quick Facts
Teams: 32
When: 10 June 1998 to 12 July 1998
Final: 12 July 1998
Matches: 64
Goals Scored: 171 (average 2.7 per match)
Attendance: 2785100 (average 43517)

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Blanc Not to Be Dismissed from FFF

Laurent Blanc 

Laurent Blanc will not be dismissed from his position as national team coach for his role in the racism row that has engulfed French football.

Along with other figures in the international set-up, Blanc was under investigation after news broke that he had allegedly discussed with other officials plans for a quota, designed to limit the number of dual-nationals in youth training centres.

A commission examined the tactician's role in the affair and reached the conclusion that there is no need to punish the former defender for his remarks.

The report on Blanc states: "Some of the things said are unacceptable, but they are not racist comments. However, the talk about the race quotas can be labelled discriminatory because they deal with the ethnic origins of the players."

Investigators found that a system to limit the amount of players of foreign origins was discussed during the meeting of the French Football Federation (FFF), but did not find any evidence that such a system was effectively installed.

France's minister of sports, Chantal Jouanno, admitted that dual nationality is a serious issue, but made it clear that racial quotas are not the answer to the problem.

Jouanno said: "The debate about the racial quotas has touched the boundaries of racism. The dual nationality problem is a real issue, but this is not the solution to the problem. Introducing quotas might not be racist, but they contradict the values this sport goes by."

It is not yet clear whether the outcome of the investigation will have any consequences for the position of technical director Francois Blaquart, who also took part in the discussions.