Canada, which is co-hosting the June 11 to July 19 World Cup with the U.S. and Mexico, said it refused entry to Taj last week because of his links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Apart from the two players, seven members of the coaching staff and media officials were also unable to travel with the team after failing to receive Thai visas in time.

The very group of The Daily Star journos, who routinely criticise professional footballers for complacency, ended up producing a masterclass in exactly that at the BFF Artificial Turf today.

After their epic 5-4 victory in the first leg of their semi-final, when the attacking quality of both sides made for one of the greatest games in the competition's history, PSG got the job done in the return at the Allianz Arena thanks to a brilliant early goal followed by a heroic rearguard action.

An open letter sent to the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) from campaign group Irish Sport for Palestine accuses Israel of engaging in "genocide" in the war in Gaza and of breaching UEFA and FIFA statutes by allowing teams to play on occupied Palestinian land.

Some say true magic cannot be seen, only felt. By the time you realise something extraordinary has happened, it has already slipped into the past. You cannot catch it by reaching out, nor can you see it by closing your eyes. All that remains is a strange emptiness in your chest -- as if you witnessed something, yet cannot quite name it.

PSG coach Luis Enrique praised his side's spirit against Bayern, who desperately tried to force their way back into the tie but could not break through.

"The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has decided to extend the six-match ban imposed by UEFA ... to have worldwide effect," FIFA said in a statement.

Holders Paris Saint-Germain set up a Champions League final against Arsenal after a 1-1 second-leg draw at Bayern Munich secured a 6-5 aggregate victory on Wednesday.

Many players came from thousands of miles away, deep in the Amazon rainforest, to join Originarios.

Across club football, he played 710 matches and scored 335 goals. In international football, he netted 31 times in 75 appearances for Argentina in their iconic sky-blue and white jersey. The one behind the numbers is Gonzalo Higuain, who lit up the pitch for European heavyweights like Real Madrid, Napoli, Juventus, Chelsea and AC Milan for years.

Bangladesh head coach Peter Butler on Wednesday announced a 23-member final squad for the upcoming SAFF Women’s Championship, set to be held in India from May 25, including two new faces -- defender Arpita Biswas and midfielder Momita Khatun -- while leaving out several experienced players.

An impenetrable goalkeeper, needless shouting among teammates, shootout nerves of steel, and a caution from the referee -- The Daily Star once again followed their now well-worn script, with all the familiar themes returning in a 4-2 penalty shootout win over Cricfrenzy to reach the semifinals of the Kool BSJA Media Cup today.

Swathes of football-mad Asia from China and India to Malaysia and Thailand are yet to confirm broadcast rights for the biggest-ever World Cup with kick-off barely one month away.

Manchester United midfielder Casemiro says Michael Carrick has already shown he has all the qualities to be a great manager at the club and backed calls for the former England international to be given the role on a permanent basis.

“The system itself is unsystematic” — that is how Rahmatganj coach Kamal Babu summed up the lack of venue preparedness in a conversation with The Daily Star a week ago.

PSG and Bayern are the top scorers in this season's UEFA Champions League with 43 and 42 goals respectively.

Eighty percent of respondents reported hotel bookings were tracking below initial forecasts. And around 65 percent of the total respondents cited visa barriers and broader geopolitical concerns as issues suppressing demand.

A tap-in from captain Bukayo Saka just before halftime and a ninth clean sheet in this season's competition gave Arsenal a 2-1 aggregate semi-final victory over Atletico Madrid.

FIFA has faced searing criticism over the cost of World Cup tickets, with fan organization Football Supporters Europe (FSE) branding the pricing structure "extortionate" and a "monumental betrayal".