In theory a more straightforward task for PSG tonight, compared to last year’s trip here

Gleizes' mother Sylvie Godard doing the ceremonial kick-off for this afternoon's match

Lens were supposed to be hosting PSG tomorrow for a title-decider. Instead, they'll be playing a friendly to raise money for Reporters Without Borders.

I spoke with Lens director Benjamin Parrot about the initiative, rivalling PSG, and how the area's mining heritage shapes their long-term strategy:

Kylian Mbappé excited by France’s spectacular attack before World Cup Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, Rayan Cherki, Désiré Doué, Hugo Ekitike and Marcus Thuram all played their parts in wins against Brazil and Colombia at the weekend

Wrote about France's mini-tour of the US this past week, where Les Bleus were mostly shielded from political issues as Kylian Mbappé successfully led a revamped and rotating forward line

Confirmation from the LFP that Lens v PSG has been postponed at the latter team's request (and despite Lens' refusal) to May 13

Lens will also have the option to play their fixture against Nantes on May 8 instead of May 9, in the event that PSG qualify for the Champions League semi-finals

Jean-Michel Aulas ruffles feathers in Lyon after swapping football for politics Club’s former owner leads the polls in spiky mayoral race but is accused of putting forward ‘nothing of substance’

Jean-Michel Aulas, Lyon's owner-president for 36 years, leads the polls ahead of the city's mayoral election this Sunday.

The 76-year-old has big plans, but has also faced accusations of conflicts of interests and a tense political climate following the death of a far-right activist in the city:

The fact that France conceded almost 100 points over two games will be a worry for later – incredible composure from Ramos to nail that match winning kick

That makes it ten consecutive Six Nations fixtures Bielle-Biarrey has scored a try in

Any kind of win here will be enough for France to win the title, and an 86-point one would send England bottom

‘Wherefore art thou?’: France look to restore identity with outing to Romeo and Juliet Fabien Galthié hopes an outing to the ballet can help Les Bleus put Scotland debacle behind them for Saturday’s Six Nations finale against England

My preview of tomorrow's Six Nations finale between France and England, which Les Bleus have prepared for by going to the opera:

Jean-Michel Aulas ruffles feathers in Lyon after swapping football for politics Club’s former owner leads the polls in spiky mayoral race but is accused of putting forward ‘nothing of substance’

Jean-Michel Aulas, Lyon's owner-president for 36 years, leads the polls ahead of the city's mayoral election this Sunday.

The 76-year-old has big plans, but has also faced accusations of conflicts of interests and a tense political climate following the death of a far-right activist in the city:

Thought he’d turned the corner with that steal for France’s first try but that ended up being one of Dupont’s poorest international performances (Moefana also struggled a lot in defence, far too many missed tackles) – Serin coming on earlier might have helped salvage an extra point

Bielle-Biarrey and France power past Italy to keep Six Nations grand slam plans on track Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored in a record eighth consecutive Six Nations match in France’s 33-8 Six Nations victory against Italy

France managed to slice through Italy at the start and at the end of the game, but in the 60 minutes in-between the visitors gave them their toughest challenge so far this year.

Match report from Lille yesterday:

France miraculously escaped with a draw when they last faced Italy in Lille, two years ago

If Italy’s performance against Ireland is anything to go by, it could be a similarly close game here tonight

Picked Gaël Dréan as a player to watch from France for this preview – he earns his first cap today as a result of a backline reshuffle following Jalibert’s injury

Ramos returns to 10 and Attissogbe takes his place at 15

PSG with the chance to reclaim top spot by beating Metz after Lens slipped up against Monaco earlier today; Dro Fernández given his first start since signing from Barcelona

Roof closed here in Lille for tomorrow’s France v Italy match

As ordered by the court, PSG have now published the ruling in full on their website:

Fabien Brau-Boirie with a fantastic debut, there’s a lot of competition in terms of French centres but wouldn’t be surprising to see him start more matches

Aleksander Čeferin on Infantino's comments about ending Russia's suspension:

"I think this story became big for no special reason. He said we should look into it — of course, we should look into everything."

“I don’t want to enter into disputes. UEFA’s position is clear and has not changed.”

Nasser Al-Khelaifi is asked at the UEFA congress about the World Cup broadcasting controversy in France (which saw beIN win the rights over Ligue 1+):

“Yesterday was a historic day for European football [referencing the UEFA-Real Madrid agreement]. I’m not interested in talking about conflicts.”

📍Brussels

UEFA’s annual congress and Nations League draw taking place here today

Hard to see Ntamack getting his starting spot back straight away – what a first half from Jalibert

Minutes to go until this year’s #SixNations kicks off with France v Ireland in Paris

Antoine Dupont making his return to international rugby here tonight, nearly a year on from suffering a knee injury against this very team

The essential Six Nations preview | The Observer Rugby journalists from each of the competing nations share their previews and predictions for this year’s tournament, which begins on Thursday

As expected, it's a Dupont-Jalibert pairing for France for Thursday's #SixNations opener against Ireland

An in-form and UBB-heavy backline even with Penaud out, as Attissogbe takes his spot

Previewed what to expect from the holders, who remain favourites despite major absences, for The Observer:

Paris St-Germain: Why are Champions League holders struggling to hit top form? European champions PSG face Newcastle in the Champions League on Wednesday - but why have Luis Enrique's side not been at their best so far this term?

✒️ Ahead of tonight's Champions League clash against Newcastle, I analysed why Paris Saint-Germain have been struggling to replicate last season's treble-winning form for BBC Sport:

Mané deservedly got to lift the trophy, but the Afcon final will be remembered for other reasons – VAR controversy, Senegal’s walk-off, and a puzzling penalty

Chaos around the pitch as well – Senegal fans tried to invade the pitch, Diouf attacked while protecting Mendy’s towel, journalists arguing…

Kick-off in 90 minutes and the closing ceremony preparations are underway, now that both teams have familiarised themselves with the pitch

The small but vocal contingent of Senegal supporters have been here for a few hours already

#AFCON2025

AFCON final preview | Present and future of Ligue 1 face off in blockbuster finale - Get French Football News "I think he made that announcement in the heat of the moment. The rest of the country does not agree," Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw said of Sadio Mané's

🇸🇳🇲🇦 Tonight’s #AFCON2025 final could be decided by one of this year’s breakout Ligue 1 forwards off the bench: Hamza Igamane for Morocco, and Ibrahim Mbaye for Senegal

It’s been a very enjoyable and rewarding three weeks covering the tournament in Morocco – all set up for a thrilling finale:

The AFCON Review | Morocco and Senegal advance to set up blockbuster final in Rabat - Get French Football News All eyes will be on Mané again on Sunday in Rabat, in what will be Senegal's first match outside of Tangier. A perplexing suspension rule, however, means that

In a tournament which has seen virtually no upsets, it stands to reason that the final would feature the top two seeds – the hosts are now on the cusp of their first title in half a century

Morocco and Senegal meet at the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time ever on Sunday

#AFCON2025