This page contains affiliate links. When you purchase through the links provided, we may earn a commission.

+18 | Commercial Content | T&C's Apply | Play Responsibly | Publishing Principles

Champions League news

FBL-EUR-C1-LEVERKUSEN-ARSENAL

Who leaves? Arteta plans Arsenal sales after £267m splurge

Mikel Arteta is preparing a major summer clear-out at Arsenal to balance the books after last year’s unprecedented spending. Despite banking huge UEFA prize money during their current run to the Champions League final, the Gunners remain cautious of financial sustainability rules and must offload several senior players to fund further elite additions to their squad.

FC Bayern München v Paris Saint-Germain - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final Second Leg

Explained: Why PSG survived penalty shout against Bayern

Harry Kane and Bayern Munich were left fuming after a controversial handball shout was waved away during their Champions League semi-final against PSG. While the Bavarians felt aggrieved at the Allianz Arena, the decision to not award a penalty was rooted in a specific Law of the Game, as the referee’s call was backed by a technicality regarding team-mate deflections that ultimately saved the visitors.

Arsenal FC v Atletico de Madrid - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final Second Leg

Madrid mayor claims UEFA corruption in Atletico loss to Arsenal

Arsenal have secured their place in the Champions League final for the first time in two decades, but their victory over Atletico Madrid has been overshadowed by explosive allegations from the Spanish capital. Madrid mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida has sensationally claimed the contest was rigged, suggesting European football’s governing body conspired to ensure the Gunners progressed at the expense of Diego Simeone’s side.

Advertisement
FBL-POR-LIGA-GIL VICENTE-BENFICA

Prestianni's ban for homophobia extended worldwide by FIFA

FIFA have extended Gianluca Prestianni's ban for homophobic conduct globally, meaning he could now miss Argentina's first two games at the 2026 World Cup. The Benfica winger, who was sanctioned following a high-profile clash with Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, will now see his club-level suspension apply to international competitive fixtures.

Simeone-Calafiori

Simeone's furious son posts image of Calafiori

Giuliano Simeone has taken to social media to voice his anger following Atletico Madrid's heart-breaking Champions League exit at the hands of Arsenal. The forward, son of Atleti boss Diego Simeone, highlighted a controversial incident involving Gunners defender Riccardo Calafiori that he believes cost his side a vital lifeline.

FBL-EUR-C1-ARSENAL-ATLETICO

Arteta singles out 'very special' Saka & 'immense' Gyokeres after Atleti win

Mikel Arteta could not hide his pride as Arsenal secured their place in the Champions League final with a gritty 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid at the Emirates. The Gunners boss reserved special praise for match-winner Bukayo Saka and summer signing Viktor Gyokeres while opening up about the emotional conversations he held with his squad behind the scenes before kick-off in the second leg of the semi-final tie.

FBL-EUR-C1-ARSENAL-ATLETICO

Simeone hails Arsenal's 'incredible power' after Atleti's UCL exit

Diego Simeone has heaped praise on Arsenal’s "incredible power" after seeing his Atletico Madrid side knocked out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage. Despite a controversial penalty incident involving Antoine Griezmann, the Argentine tactician refused to blame the officials for his side's narrow second-leg defeat at the Emirates.

Arsenal Atletico Madrid W+Ls GFX

Arsenal's dominant defence now faces ultimate UCL final test

Arsenal are through to the Champions League final after a 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid at the Emirates on Tuesday. It wasn't pretty - it rarely is when Arsenal are involved. Mikel Arteta's men specialise in ugly wins. but there was unquestionably something beautiful about Bukayo Saka scoring the goal that decided a tedious tie 2-1 in the Gunners' favour.

Luis Diaz Bayern Munich GFX

Can signing of the season Diaz win the Ballon d'Or?

In the 44th minute of Bayern Munich's Bundesliga clash with St. Pauli on November 29, Luis Diaz ended up prone in the penalty area. However, while the winger had lost his balance, he'd not lost control of the ball - and somehow managed to flick it up off the floor and into the path of Joshua Kimmich to score. It was an extraordinary piece of skill - but Bayern boss Vincent Kompany wasn't in the least bit surprised by it.

Alvarez Giuliano Simeone Atletico GFX

Alvarez goes missing as shot-shy Atleti come up short

Atletico Madrid once again came up short in the Champions League as they suffered a 1-0 loss at Arsenal on Tuesday that meant they succumbed to a 2-1 aggregate defeat in their semi-final tie. Diego Simeone's side mustered just two shots on target in north London as their hopes of facing either Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest on May 30 went up in smoke.

Arsenal Atletico Madrid ratings GFX

Arsenal are in the UCL final! Saka on the spot to seal victory

Bukayo Saka scored the only goal of the game as Arsenal reached their first Champions League final in 20 years by defeating Atletico Madrid 1-0 in a tight and tense encounter on Tuesday to progress 2-1 on aggregate. The semi-final tie had been left perfectly poised after Viktor Gyokeres and Julian Alvarez had exchanged penalties at the Metropolitano last week, and there was once again little to choose between two attritional teams in the return clash at the Emirates.

FBL-ESP-LIGA-ATLETICO

Atletico president vows 'revenge' on Arsenal early lunch

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has jokingly threatened to make Arsenal wait for their food when they visit Spain. Speaking ahead of the crucial Champions League semi-final second leg, he was stunned by the early start to the traditional directors' lunch in London. Cerezo insists his team are ready to overcome the Gunners and secure a spot in the grand final.

Paris Saint-Germain v FC Bayern München - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final First Leg

Kvaratskhelia's 16-year-old brother set for Bayern Munich meeting

The Kvaratskhelia name is already a household one across Europe thanks to Khvicha’s exploits with Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain, but it appears another star from the same stable is beginning to emerge. Bayern Munich have reportedly registered their interest in Tornike Kvaratskhelia, the 16-year-old younger brother of the Georgian international.

Frequently asked questions

Since the Conference League's inception in 2021, three teams have lifted the trophy: Roma, West Ham United, and the current champions, Olympiacos.

The newest format, introduced ahead of the 2024-25 season, features 36 teams, four more than in the previous format.

Mainz 05 midfielder Hong Hyun-seok and Gent captain Sven Kums have made 39 appearances each in the Conference League, making them the players with the most appearances in the competition.

As for top goalscorers, Arthur Cabral leads the list with 21 goals to his name, including those scored in the qualifying phase. However, without taking into account goals scored in the qualifying phase, three players have scored the joint-most goals in Conference League with 12 each to their names: Arthur Cabral, Eran Zahavi, and Vangelis Pavlidis.

Darian Males, Gavriel Kanichowsky, and Cristiano Biraghi have the most assists in Conference League history, registering eight assists each.

Veteran Spanish goalkeeper Pepe Reina, while playing for Villarreal in 2023, became the oldest player to feature in the Conference League at 40 years and 175 days.

Lille wonderkid Ayyoub Bouaddi holds the record as the Conference League's youngest-ever player at the tender age of 16 years and 3 days.

Stars such as Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Tammy Abraham, Declan Rice, Harry Kane, Ollie Watkins,Co Mario Gotze, Kasper Schmeichel, Cody Gakpo, Stephan El Shaarawy, James Maddison, Jonathan David, and Edin Dzeko have played in the Conference League.

Manuel Pellegrini, Jose Mourinho, Unai Emery, David Moyes, and Ange Postecoglou are among the most famous managers to have managed in the Conference League.