German national team forced to stay inside Stade de France overnight after terrorist attacks in Paris

Germany’s national football team were forced to stay inside the Stade de France overnight following the deadly terrorist attacks across Paris.

A number of explosions were heard inside France's national stadium during Friday night's friendly between France and Germany as a series of attacks across Paris claimed at least 128 lives.

The game continued until its conclusion but news quickly emerged that two suicide attacks and one bombing had occurred near the stadium, killing three people.

Fans were forced to remain at the ground before eventually being allowed to leave the arena but the German team and backroom staff decided to remain in their dressing room overnight.

Joachim Loew and his players had earlier been evacuated from their hotel in Paris due to a bomb threat.

They departed directly for Charles de Gaulle airport from the stadium early on Saturday morning, escorted by police, and are expected to land back in Frankfurt by noon.

"We are all in shock," said Germany coach Loew after the match, which France won 2-0. "The game and the goals move into the background on a day like this.

"We were told in the changing rooms what had happened. All of us on the bench were a bit scared because of a bomb threat earlier today when we spent three hours outside (our hotel)."

England v France at Wembley will go ahead announced French Football Federation

England's friendly with France WILL go ahead at Wembley on Tuesday night, the French Football Federation have confirmed.

The terrorist attacks across Paris on Friday, which claimed the lives of more than 128 people, had left the match in severe doubt.

The English FA announced late on Friday that they would hold discussions with their French counterparts over whether to cancel their Euro 2016 warm-up clash next week.

But the FFF have decided that, in a show of defiance, the match should still be played.

"President Noel Le Graet confirmed on Saturday that the match between England and France scheduled for Tuesday November 17 (8pm local time) at Wembley will still take place," read an FFF statement.

Three of the victims of the terrorist attacks across the French capital were killed in explosions outside the Stade de France during France's friendly with Germany.

President Francois Hollande was among thousands of football fans watching the match, which continued to its conclusion.

A total of six locations were attacked in and just outside Paris, with at least 128 feared dead.

UEFA issued a brief statement on Saturday morning regarding the attacks.

It read: "UEFA is deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic events which occurred in Paris last night and wishes to express its support and solidarity to France and to those affected by these horrible acts."

Vitaly Mutko: British anti-doping system worse than ours

Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko on Wednesday pledged his country would adopt new measures to clamp down on doping including devising new testing methods and possibly opening criminal cases against athletes suspected of cheating.

Mutko was speaking after an independent commission established by the World Anti-Doping Commission (WADA) accused Russian athletes, aided by officials, of engaging in systematic and widespread doping.

Mutko was reacting to a report by WADA which accused Russia of "sabotaging" the London Olympics in 2012, and appeared to hit out at the UK for attempting to take the moral high ground.

"We're hearing that medals won by our athletes in London must be taken away. But it's the British system of doping control that operated there, " said Mutko.

"It was Britain's anti-doping organisation under the leadership of the International Olympic Committee.

"Each medal winner was tested for doping and received their medal only after having tested negative."

A spokesperson for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said of the UK system: "It is highly valued by Britain's sports governing bodies and our clean athletes."

Sepp Blatter Hospitalised , recovering and adamant he is 'still president'

Suspended FIFA President Sepp Blatter was admitted into hospital in Switzerland due to a 'stress-related illness' but is apparently in a bullish mood, according to reports.

Confidant Klaus Stoehlke told Reuters by telephone the 79-year-old, who was last month suspended for 90 days by the Ethics Committee of soccer's governing body, still considers himself FIFA president - a position he was first elected to in 1998.

"I think his personal condition is fine, he will relax for a few days more, and then I think perhaps over the weekend, or on Monday, (he will leave hospital)," he said.

"When I phoned him in the hospital this morning, he we had a nice chat...he seemed relaxed, he said his brain and heart are working."

Blatter has been in hospital since Friday when his US based lawyer Richard Cullen issued a statement saying that the Swiss national had been admitted for a checkup.

Stoehlke said Blatter had felt faint at an event in his native canton of Valais and "felt that his body was not working as it should be."

He had received "many visitors, but I am not allowed to give names because it is also highly political," Stoehlke said.

"He said to me: 'I'm the elected president of FIFA, the Congress with its 209 member associations elected me for president and no Ethics Committee can change that.'"

Under the terms of the suspension, Blatter is not allowed into the FIFA headquarters or any football stadium in an official capacity.

FIFA has been in turmoil since 14 soccer officials and sports marketing executives, including two FIFA vice-presidents, were indicted by the United States in May.

Blatter won a fifth mandate in May just after the corruption scandal erupted with police raids on a hotel used by top FIFA officials. Four days later, as pressure mounted, he called a new Congress, in Zurich in February, to choose his successor.

In September, the Swiss attorney general's office initiated criminal proceedings against Blatter over a 2 million Swiss franc ($2.1 million) payment from FIFA to UEFA president Michel Platini.

Both men have denied any wrongdoing. Blatter has said he still hopes to take part in the Congress in February and Platini still intends to be a candidate in the presidential election.

The suspended FIFA chief's spokesman said Mr Blatter told him: "My brain and heart are fine, but my body is letting me down."

Paul Lambert to return to management with Blackburn Rovers

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Paul Lambert has agreed to become the new Blackburn boss, talkSPORT understands.

Lambert will succeed Gary Bowyer, who was axed by the Championship club on Tuesday.

Rovers chiefs moved quickly to secure the Scot's signature as they feared losing out to Fulham, who are also on the hunt for a new boss after the departure of Kit Symons.

Lambert sees rebuilding Rovers as the ideal challenge as he looks to restore his reputation following a difficult three-year spell at Aston Villa.

The 46-year-old, who has been out of work since leaving Villa in February, takes over a side sitting 16th in the Championship, having won just three of their 16 games this season.

Lambert led Norwich to promotion from the Championship in 2011 and the Venky family, Blackburn's owners, view his appointment as a major coup.

Patrick Vieira leaves Manchester City to become New York City FC boss

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Patrick Vieira has been appointed head coach of Manchester City's sister club New York City FC.

The former Arsenal star has signed a three-year contract with the MLS side and will officially take up the role on January 1.

Vieira has departed his post as head of the elite development squad at Manchester City as he prepares to take on his first managerial job.

He had been in the position since June 2013, while he previously served City as their football development executive for two years.

Vieira will replace Jason Kreis at the helm of New York City FC and takes over a star-studded squad, which includes Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo and David Villa.

The 39-year-old will travel to New York on Tuesday to meet his playing squad and to hold talks with sporting director Claudio Reyna and goalkeeping coach Rob Vartughian.

“I am delighted to take up the role of Head Coach of New York City FC," said Vieira.

"To work with this squad, with Claudio Reyna and Rob Vartughian and the fantastic support team that is in place is an exciting prospect for any coach. 

“I would also like to thank everyone at Manchester City and most of all Brian Marwood, my coaching and support team and of course the wonderful young men who make up the Elite Development Squad, for all of their support and commitment and for making my time here so stimulating and enjoyable. 

"They are good footballers and good people and I know that they will continue to go from strength to strength in their careers.”

David Moyes sacked by Real Sociedad

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David Moyes has been sacked as manager of Real Sociedad, the club have confirmed.

The Scot has been shown the door almost a year to the day of his appointment at the San Sebastian club.

He had enjoyed a promising start to his reign but the team have struggled this season, winning just two of their 11 La Liga games.

Friday night's defeat to lowly Las Palmas proved to be the final straw for Sociedad's president Jokin Aperribay.

Moyes discovered he was being axed on Sunday evening, according to Graham Hunter, while he was back in England for a short break.

He returned to Spain on Monday and is understood to have met Aperribay for talks before his departure was officially confirmed.

A Sociedad statement read: "Real Sociedad has taken the decision to rescind the contract of first team coach David Moyes. His assistant, Billy McKinlay, has also been relieved from his position at the club. 

"Real Sociedad would like to thank David Moyes and Billy McKinlay for the professional conduct, commitment and dedication which they showed during their roles in the running of the first team; at the same time, we would like to wish them all the best in their future ventures, both professional and personal."

Moyes had been hoping to rebuild his reputation at Real Sociedad after a disastrous spell in charge of Manchester United.

The 52-year-old was axed by United in April 2014, just ten months into a six-year contract.

He previously enjoyed 11 years at Everton, where he had established himself as one of the Premier League's most respected bosses.

Graham Hunter: Moyes is done with Real Sociedad

Graham Hunter has told Sports Arena that David Moyes' Real Sociedad tenure is OVER.

The Spanish football expert spoke to Moyes on Sunday evening and the ex-Everton and Manchester United boss confirmed his departure.

Sociedad, who are 16th in La Liga following Friday night's defeat to lowly Las Palmas, have yet to announce the news.

But Hunter, speaking on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast on Monday, said: "He is done for. I spoke to him at length last night."

Hunter went on to criticise the Spanish club's handling of Moyes' departure, claiming it has been a "comedy of errors".

News emerged of the Scot's sacking on Sunday evening but he was not informed in person as his flight back to Spain, following a brief trip to England, was delayed.

Moyes is expected to meet the San Sebastian club's president Jokin Aperribay on Monday before his sacking is officially confirmed.

"While it is difficult to defend the numbers, what he is going to leave behind is a cowardly club," said Hunter.

"It is a really embarrassing and dishonourable way for the club to do this to a guy who had the solutions to this weak, self-indulgent squad's problems.