Five things we learned

France boss Didier Deschamps has challenged his players to write another glorious chapter in the country’s footballing history ahead of tonight’s Euro 2016 semi-final against Germany.

Every great tournament has its rising stars. Here are ten who could really shine

Up to 500,000 British football fans, around half of whom do not have tickets, are expected to travel to France for Euro 2016, police have said.

A football match lasts 90 minutes but the memories can stay with you for a lifetime.

Former AC Milan defender and Italy coach Cesare Maldini has passed away at the age of 84.

Global football body FIFA has applied to US authorities for tens of millions of dollars in damages from ex-officials indicted there for graft and recognised for the first time executives had in the past “sold” votes in World Cup hosting contests.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is to undergo a scan to determine the severity of the injury he suffered against Barcelona on Tuesday night.

The Après Match crew are hitting the road with a new live show that mixes harmless footie fun with skewering satire, writes Richard Fitzpatrick

As many expected,

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So what’s the story with Martin O’Neill and the number 31?

Oliver Bierhoff is keen for Germany to wrap up their place at Euro 2016 over the next week by beating both Poland and Scotland in their next two qualifiers.

Former Scotland football captain Colin Hendry has admitted harassing hisex-girlfriend over a two-month period.

Steven Naismith believes Scotland are “definitely on track” for France 2016.

When Ireland played Scotland in last November’s European Championship Qualifier at Celtic Park, much of the pre-match build-up was dominated by the potential presence of two Scottish-born players, James McCarthy and Aiden McGeady, in Martin O’Neill’s side.

Fifa whistleblower Chuck Blazer has said he and others took bribes for South Africa to host the 2010 World Cup, in a testimony published by the United States Department of Justice.

If fate has any sense of justice then Steven Gerrard will say goodbye to Liverpool by lifting the FA Cup in his last ever game at Wembley on his 35th birthday; but right now he is in danger of leaving with a nagging feeling of regret, writes Chris Hatherall.

ENGLAND: A monument chronicling 124 years of England’s footballing hurt by listing every defeat suffered by the team between 1874 and 1998 has sold at auction for £425,000 (€600,000).

Thierry Henry has a special gift for spotting talent, according to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, the man who helped transform the France forward’s career.

Thierry Henry still feels he has unfinished business at Arsenal and wants to one day help the club win the Champions League.

Emmanuel Petit has condemned apathy in France towards Thierry Henry and the manner in which he was vilified after his handball in the 2010 World Cup play-off against Ireland.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed Thierry Henry will “certainly” return to the club in some capacity in the future.

Thierry Henry's decision to leave the New York Red Bulls has reopened the possibility of the French forward returning to Arsenal.

After the controversy surrounding James McClean's decision, we take a look at others who stuck by their decisions - for better or worse.

Last weekend, James McClean, quite clearly and eloquently explained in an open letter to Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan why he would be not be joining his team-mates in wearing a poppy on his shirt, as is the tradition on Remembrance day.

An impressive start to their Euro 2016 campaign has heightened talk of Scotland’s first qualification for a major tournament since 1998, a route they can shuttle towards by beating Ireland at Parkhead.

Mark McGhee does not see any weaknesses in the Germany team but is optimistic about Scotland’s chances in their 2016 European Championship clash next Sunday.

They are the most scrutinised, most spoken about team in the country with everyone having an opinion on them.

Former captain Rio Ferdinand accepts a “naive” England did not deserve to stay in the World Cup, but is confident the young squad will grow stronger from the disappointment of Brazil 2014.

In Brazil, another generation of France’s mix of ‘black, blanc, beur’ (black, white, Arab) will try to unite the country through football, writes Eoin O’Callaghan.

Football pundit Stan Collymore has re-activated his Twitter account and announced police have spoken to two teenagers about abuse he received online.

David Beckham has said he expects his mother to cry when she watches a film about his time at Manchester United.

Whatever about the inclination, it is unlikely that Roy Keane will have the opportunity to stand over Alex Ferguson any time soon with a copy of his FAI contract.

Manchester United manager David Moyes singled out his young players for special praise after watching his side concluded their tour of the Far East and Australia with a 5-2 defeat of Kitchee FC in Hong Kong.

Bill Mott managed to win the first ever Dubai World Cup but he still has a little unfinished business with the richest horse race on the planet.

Michael Owen has admitted he was “guilty” of going down for both his World Cup penalties against Argentina when he could have stayed on his feet.

Ger Canning (RTÉ Commentator)

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has offered words of comfort to striker Luis Suarez, citing the example of David Beckham as proof of how quickly perceptions in football can change.

France coach Didier Deschamps has warned his players he will not tolerate misbehaviour.

Ex-Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy says Giovanni Trapattoni is right to be giving youth its fling in Belgrade next month.