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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Champions League final highlights Al-Khelaïfi ties to PSG, UEFA, beIN and Qatar
FILE -Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Paris Saint Germain's President Nasser al-Khelaifi attend the League One soccer match between Paris Saint Germain and Nice, at Parc des Princes stadium, Nov. 29, 2014. (AP Photo/Francois Mori), File) FILE -President of French club Paris Saint-Germain Nasser Al-Khelaifi walks on the podium at the 49th ordinary UEFA congress, in Belgrade, Serbia, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic, File) FILE -PSG striker Kylian Mbappe shows his jersey with PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi during a press conference,May 23, 2022 at the Paris des Princes stadium in Paris. (AP Photo/Michel Spingler, File) FILE -PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi, celebrates after the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File) FILE -PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi, celebrates after the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File) FILE -Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Paris Saint Germain's President Nasser al-Khelaifi attend the League One soccer match between Paris Saint Germain and Nice, at Parc des Princes stadium, Nov. 29, 2014. (AP Photo/Francois Mori), File) FILE -President of French club Paris Saint-Germain Nasser Al-Khelaifi walks on the podium at the 49th ordinary UEFA congress, in Belgrade, Serbia, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic, File) FILE -PSG striker Kylian Mbappe shows his jersey with PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi during a press conference,May 23, 2022 at the Paris des Princes stadium in Paris. (AP Photo/Michel Spingler, File) FILE -PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi, celebrates after the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File) The Champions League final on Saturday will be an especially busy one for Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, perhaps the most multi-tasked official in world soccer. As president of Qatar-owned Paris Saint-Germain since 2011, Al-Khelaïfi's main goal is seeing his team become champion of Europe for the first time against Inter Milan in Munich. Advertisement As chairman of the influential European Club Association, he leads 700 member teams increasingly taking over from UEFA in shaping sporting and commercial decisions for the Champions League. It also puts him on UEFA's strategy-setting executive committee. As chairman of Qatari broadcaster beIN Media Group, Al-Khelaïfi controls exclusive Champions League rights to air the final in the Middle East, North Africa and much of South-East Asia. 'Nasser Al-Khelaïfi is considered a visionary leader in the media industry,' beIN says on its website, adding that in 2016 he 'also acquired the Hollywood film studio Miramax.' He also is a minister in Qatar's government, a director of its sovereign wealth fund Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and chairman of Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) that owns PSG. Advertisement QSI and Al-Khelaïfi — a former tennis professional — also are key in the fast-emerging racket sport padel which has ambitions to be an Olympic sport, maybe in time for the 2036 Summer Games that Qatar and its tennis-loving Emir want to host. Among the invited VIP guests in Munich is Thomas Bach, the outgoing though still influential president of the International Olympic Committee. Saturday can be a peak of Al-Khelaïfi's 14-year career in international soccer that has fueled talk — despite ongoing investigations of his sports career by French authorities — he could be a future FIFA president. Al-Khelaïfi declined comment to The Associated Press after a recent UEFA meeting in Bilbao, Spain. Advertisement In a statement, PSG said he 'doesn't want to be a distraction and wants humble focus for the team.' From tennis to soccer Now aged 51, Al-Khelaïfi was a tennis pro who played for Qatar in the Davis Cup, bringing him into contact with the future Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Al-Khelaïfi's ATP biography shows his ranking peaked at No. 995 and he played two matches on tour. The first in 1996 was against world No. 2 Thomas Muster in Austria. Brief footage shows a good-natured exchange of shots with Muster in a 6-0, 6-1 mismatch. Al-Khelaïfi's career ended in 2003 and he joined the start-up Al Jazeera Sport as 'Director of Rights Acquisitions,' according to beIN. Advertisement Qatar stunned soccer in 2010, when FIFA awarded it 2022 World Cup hosting rights, and PSG was bought within months. Rising in soccer The rise of ambitious clubs fueled by Middle East sovereign cash — Qatar and PSG, Abu Dhabi and Manchester City — concerned the storied elite. The ECA helped UEFA introduce financial control rules for European competitions that saw both clubs deducted 20 million euros ($22.7 million) of Champions League prize money in 2014. Still, while Man City did not get on the ECA board, Al-Khelaïfi was elected in 2016. Three years later he got one of two seats reserved for clubs on the UEFA executive committee (ExCo) — despite in-house cautioning about conflicts of interest. Advertisement Conflicted interests? On election day in 2019 in Rome, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin was asked about potential conflicts of interest around Al-Khelaïfi. BeIN was, and still is, among UEFA's main clients also owning extensive European Championship rights. Ceferin's narrowly focused answer was that ExCo members are not involved in approving commercial deals. Any conflict worked in UEFA's favor in 2021 when ECA leaders launched the Super League project designed to rival and replace the Champions League, which beIN broadcasts. PSG's refusal to join rebel clubs from Spain, Italy and England helped to undermine the breakaway that ultimately failed amid a fan backlash and British government threats of legislation. Advertisement In the fallout, Al-Khelaïfi took over leading the ECA and quickly repaired relations with UEFA and Ceferin. One year later, UEFA opened a disciplinary case into claims the PSG president confronted the match referee after losing in the Champions League at Real Madrid. When UEFA published the verdict Al-Khelaïfi was no longer cited and blame was put on sporting director Leonardo, who PSG had fired weeks earlier. Challenges in France Al-Khelaïfi is not always popular in France where PSG has won 11 of 14 league titles during Qatari ownership. His powerful role has attracted criticism, particularly from John Textor, the American owner at Lyon, including that PSG's funding model involving Qatari money allegedly breaks European Union laws. Advertisement The pair have argued about poor management of the league's TV rights. In leaked footage from a 2024 meeting of Ligue 1 club owners, Al-Khelaïfi called Textor a cowboy. Textor described his rival as a bully with a conflict of interest given his role at beIN. Al-Khelaïfi's legal challenges in France include some not related to PSG. The recent preliminary charges about possible alleged corruption relate to his links to a French businessman. Proceedings were dropped in relation to Qatari bids to host track and field's world championships, which Doha staged in 2019. In Switzerland, Al-Khelaïfi stood trial twice and was acquitted both times on charges of inciting a top FIFA official to commit aggravated criminal mismanagement from 2013-15. Advertisement His lawyers said after the second acquittal in 2022 that "years of baseless allegations, fictitious charges and constant smears have been proven to be completely and wholly unsubstantiated — twice.' ___ AP Sports Writer Tales Azzoni contributed from Bilbao, Spain ___ AP soccer:
Winnipeg Free Press
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Gunners a classic underdog story
If Arsenal hope to leave Lisbon with the Women's Champions League trophy this weekend, they should get in touch with the city's 3rd Criminal Investigation Squad. They wouldn't be reaching out for security purposes — although some extra vigilance might be helpful — but rather to connect with the trio of 20-somethings who broke into Estadio Jose Alvalade last Sunday morning, stole the trophy from the garage and took it on a three-hour bus ride to Porto. The English club could use a few pointers, because thievery might be the only way to take the 10 kilogram piece of sterling silver from the possessive clutches of Barcelona, who basically own it. Thibault Camus / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Arsenal goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar (centre) celebrates with teammates after the Gunners won the women's Champions League semifinals second leg 4-1 against OL Lyonnes in April. Almost exactly a year ago, Barça Feminí beat OL Lyonnes 2-0 to retain the European crown. Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas, winners of the last four Ballons D'Or, scored the goals that decided the Final in Bilbao. The year before that, Bonmatí inspired a second-half comeback to topple VfL Wolfsburg in Eindhoven. In 2021, both she and Putellas tallied in a famous 4-0 dismantling of Chelsea in Gothenburg. That was the last Final to feature an English team, and first since Arsenal's 2007 triumph in the old two-legged format. They beat Umeå that April, winning 1-0 in front of 6,200 fans in Sweden and drawing 0-0 back home with not quite 3,500 in attendance. It might as well have been a different world. Today, a capacity crowd of about 50,000 will watch the Champions League Final in the Portuguese capital (11:00 a.m., DAZN) with millions more tuning in via TV and streaming services. The Gunners have simply never played on this grand a stage, and not much is expected of them. Which suits them down to the ground. Having lost 2-0 to Real Madrid in the first leg of their quarterfinal, they roared back with three second-half goals in the return match. Then, in last month's semifinal against OL Lyonnes, they were beaten 2-1 at home before an astonishing performance saw them win 4-1 in France. In other words, they are the classic underdog story. They don't seem to know when they're supposed to lose. Maybe it's down to experience. Led by 34-year-old Scottish midfielder Kim Little, Arsenal are a mostly veteran group that includes defender and Gunners lifer Leah Williamson, Ireland captain Katie McCabe, Manchester City loanee Chloe Kelly and now-substitute striker Beth Mead, who is England's highest active goal-scorer. Surrounded by this leadership core, the explosive Alessia Russo, versatile Frida Maanum and creative Mariona Caldentey have been able to produce the counter-attacks and difference-making moments that have taken Arsenal further than they should probably be. And as they're unlikely to see much of the ball in Lisbon, those little moments will take on even greater importance. Facing them will be the best Barcelona squad yet, and that's saying something. Put prime Bonmatí and a Putellas with injury problems behind her in the same team and it will always be an elite XI. Add commanding midfielder Patri, legendary Norway striker Caroline Graham Hansen and electrifying 23-year-old Clàudia Pina to the lineup and you get a side that dispatches knockout opponents Wolfsburg and Chelsea by a combined score of 18-4. Framed another way, Salma Paralluelo, who has twice finished third in Ballon d'Or voting, is often a sub. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. It helps — as if they needed any more of it — that Barcelona typically start as many as eight Spain internationals, teammates who have won the World Cup and Nations League and are favoured to win the European Championship this summer. They like to win, and to win big. It's also expected of them. That Champions League trophy might as well have merely stopped in Lisbon on its delivery route to Catalonia. For Arsenal to get their hands on it, their best bet might be to park the bus at the stadium, sneak it in with their luggage and hightail it back to London. jerradpeters@ @
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Soccer clubs group asks UEFA for 5% of European competition money to reward nurturing players
Burnley manager Scott Parker, center and players celebrate with the English Football League Championship runner-up trophy following victory against Millwall, at Turf Moor, Burnley, England, Saturday May 3, 2025. (Steve Welsh/PA via AP) PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi, celebrates after the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi, celebrates after the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) Burnley manager Scott Parker, center and players celebrate with the English Football League Championship runner-up trophy following victory against Millwall, at Turf Moor, Burnley, England, Saturday May 3, 2025. (Steve Welsh/PA via AP) PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi, celebrates after the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) GENEVA (AP) — A proposal to share hundreds of millions of euros in UEFA prize money along low-ranked soccer clubs that developed future star players was made Monday by a European group representing them. The Union of European Clubs wants to help close the growing wealth gap in soccer if UEFA would allocate at least 5% of broadcast and commercial revenue from the Champions League and other competitions to clubs that did not take part yet had nurtured those players early in their careers. Advertisement Gross revenue this season for the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League is at least 4.4 billion euros ($4.88 billion) and 5% would be 220 million euros ($244 million). Only clubs which did not advance to play in the league phase of the three competitions would be eligible for payments, the UEC said in a statement. The idea is 'a pragmatic, merit-based approach to restoring fairness and balance in the football ecosystem,' said the 140-member group, which estimated its idea could have earned at least 400,000 euros ($444,000) to each of 400 clubs across Europe in recent years. The UEC said 'the core principle is clear — clubs that invest in player development should be fairly rewarded when those players contribute to the success of European competitions.' Advertisement It is unclear why UEFA and the influential European Club Association — which has a key say over commercial and sporting decisions in the Champions League — would agree to a proposal from a non-recognized group effectively taking money from its members. The ECA, led by Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser al-Khelaifi, has a working agreement with UEFA that recognizes the group 'as the sole body representing the interests of European clubs at European and global level.' UEFA and the ECA, both based in Nyon, Switzerland, were approached for comment. The UEC was formally launched in 2023 by officials who saw the ECA as too focused on representing a storied and wealthy group of elite clubs. Before al-Khelaifi, the ECA had been led since 2008 by Bayern Munich's Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Andrea Agnelli from Juventus, who used the platform to launch the failed Super League project in 2021. Advertisement Current UEC members include Belgian league leader Union Saint-Gilloise, which is on track to play in the Champions League for the first time, and Burnley, which returns to the English Premier League next season. Its proposal, called the Player Development Reward, was shared with European Union officials in Brussels, the UEC said in a statement. EU institutions such as the European Commission and the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg are increasingly seen as the most effective way to force change in how soccer is run by international bodies like FIFA and UEFA. The formula to calculate payments, the UEC said would be 'based on the minutes played in UEFA competitions and prize money earned by players they have trained and developed.' ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
PSG vs. Inter Milan in the Champions League final? Few expected that
PSG's head coach Luis Enrique celebrates after the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi, celebrates after the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) PSG's Achraf Hakimi, left, celebrates with teammates after scoring his sides second goal during the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) Inter Milan's head coach Simone Inzaghi, right, celebrates with Inter Milan's Francesco Acerbi at the end of the Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match between Inter Milan and Barcelona at San Siro stadium in Milan , Italy, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) Inter Milan players celebrate at the end of the Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match between Inter Milan and Barcelona at San Siro stadium in Milan , Italy, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) Inter Milan players celebrate at the end of the Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match between Inter Milan and Barcelona at San Siro stadium in Milan , Italy, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) PSG's head coach Luis Enrique celebrates after the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi, celebrates after the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) PSG's Achraf Hakimi, left, celebrates with teammates after scoring his sides second goal during the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) Inter Milan's head coach Simone Inzaghi, right, celebrates with Inter Milan's Francesco Acerbi at the end of the Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match between Inter Milan and Barcelona at San Siro stadium in Milan , Italy, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) Inter Milan players celebrate at the end of the Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match between Inter Milan and Barcelona at San Siro stadium in Milan , Italy, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) It's a Champions League final few could have predicted. No Real Madrid. No team from the mega-rich Premier League. No rejuvenated Barcelona. And no Harry Kane-inspired Bayern Munich. Instead, it will be Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan facing off to be a somewhat unlikely winner of the biggest prize in club soccer. Advertisement Neither club was among the favorites when the new-look, 36-team league phase of the competition rolled out in September. Indeed, PSG — without Kylian Mbappé and at the start of the post-galacticos era — guaranteed its place in the knockout stage only by winning its final game of the league phase. Months later, however, PSG has been widely admired as perhaps the most stylish team in the competition after ending the title hopes of a succession of English opponents in its latest bid for its first European title. Meanwhile, three-time champion Inter, another team lacking superstars but well-coached and with a never-say-die spirit, has gone under the radar once again like it did when reaching the final in 2023 and losing to Manchester City. Advertisement Here's a closer look at the details of the final, the teams and their route to the title match: Where and when is the final? Munich's Allianz Arena will host the final on May 31. It's the fifth time the German city has staged the European Cup's title match. The first three — 1979, 1993, 1997 — were at Munich's previous home, Olympiastadion. The Allianz Arena was the host for Chelsea beating Bayern in a penalty shootout in 2012. American rock band Linkin Park will play the pre-match show. Prize money Real Madrid earned almost 139 million euros ($154 million) from its title-winning campaign in the Champions League last season and this season's winner should get more. Advertisement Last year's prize fund of more than 2 billion euros ($2.22 billion) rose by 25% this season in the expanded format featuring more teams (36, up from 32) and more games (eight instead of six in the first stage). So expect PSG or Inter earn at least 150 million euros ($170 million) if the team winds up as champion. These coffers can be further boosted across June and July, when both teams will be in the United States for the expanded 32-team Club World Cup. Winning that competition could net PSG or Inter more than $100 million from the $1 billion prize money fund. Previous meetings The finalists have never met in the Champions League. Advertisement That's a refreshing rarity for two big clubs who regularly compete in Europe. Route to the final PSG became the third French team to reach the European Cup final on two occasions, after Reims (1956 and '59) and Marseille (1991 and '93). PSG's other time was in 2020, when losing to Bayern Munich 1-0 in Lisbon. PSG's road to Munich has gone mostly through England. After seeing off fellow French club Brest in the playoffs, PSG has beaten Liverpool, Aston Villa and lastly Arsenal in successive rounds in the knockout stage — having also defeated then-Premier League champion Manchester City in a key victory in the next-to-last round of the league stage. Qualification was in the balance at that stage, with PSG having won just one of its first five league games only to win its last three. Advertisement Inter was a two-time European champion before PSG was even founded in 1970, after titles in 1964 and 1965, while the Italian team added a third European crown in 2010. Unlike PSG, Inter qualified directly to the last 16 after finishing in fourth place, conceding just one goal in its eight league games. In the knockout stage, Simone Inzaghi's team overcame Feyenoord in the round of 16, Bayern in the quarterfinals and Lamine Yamal and Barcelona in a pair of epic legs in the semifinals. Contrasting ownerships PSG's relatively brief history was underwhelming until the club was bought in 2011 by Qatar Sports Investments. Advertisement Then came the soccer boom in the capital and the arrival of trophy after trophy — well, at domestic level anyway. PSG has won 11 of the last 13 Ligue 1 titles but now the hardware the Qatari owners want is the Champions League. There will be extra satisfaction if it happens after a change in approach that has seen the club shed the superstars — Lionel Messi, Neymar and Mbappé — and rely on mostly young and hungry replacements, such as midfielder João Neves and forward Désiré Doué. It has been a more financially turbulent story at Inter, which has been owned by U.S. investment fund Oaktree since May last year after the eight-year tenure of Chinese retail giant Suning came to an end amid mounting debts. For three years before that, Inter was owned by a consortium led by Indonesian businessman Erick Thohir, which bought out Massimo Moratti. Advertisement PSG has already clinched another French league this season, while Inter is still in a fight with Napoli to retain the Serie A title. ___ Steve Douglas is at ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
AP PHOTOS: PSG overpowers Arsenal to reach Champions League final
PSG players celebrate after the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) PSG fans celebrate after the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) Players react after the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) PSG players celebrate after the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) PSG players celebrate after the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) PSG's Lucas Hernandez, left, and PSG's Fabian Ruiz celebrate after the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) PSG's Achraf Hakimi runs to celebrate after scoring his sides second goal during the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) PSG's Achraf Hakimi shoots to score his sides second goal during the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) PSG's Fabian Ruiz, right, celebrates with team mate Achraf Hakimi after scoring his side's opening goal the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) Arsenal's Declan Rice controls the ball during the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) PSG's Bradley Barcola watches the ball during the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) PSG supporters gather in a bar to watch the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal being played at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thomas Padilla) Arsenal's Declan Rice, right, and PSG's Vitinha challenge for the ball during the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) PSG's head coach Luis Enrique gestures during the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) Arsenal's goalkeeper David Raya saves a penalty by PSG's Vitinha during the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) PSG's Desire Doue holds the ball during the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) PSG's Joao Neves, right, challenges Arsenal's Declan Rice during the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) PSG's Achraf Hakimi, left, celebrates with teammates after scoring his sides second goal during the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) PSG's Marquinhos, left, and Arsenal's Leandro Trossard challenge for the ball during the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) Arsenal's Bukayo Saka reacts during the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) PSG fans cheer their team during the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) Arsenal's William Saliba, left, challenges PSG's goalkeeper PSG's Ousmane Dembele during the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta gestures during the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) PSG's Fabian Ruiz, right, celebrates with team mate Achraf Hakimi after scoring his side's opening goal the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) PSG's Fabian Ruiz, left, challenges Arsenal's Thomas Partey during the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) Arsenal's Declan Rice reacts after the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) PSG fans celebrate after the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) PSG's Fabian Ruiz celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) PSG's Fabian Ruiz celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) PSG players celebrate after the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) PSG fans celebrate after the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) Players react after the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) PSG players celebrate after the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) PSG players celebrate after the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) PSG's Lucas Hernandez, left, and PSG's Fabian Ruiz celebrate after the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) PSG's Achraf Hakimi runs to celebrate after scoring his sides second goal during the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) PSG's Achraf Hakimi shoots to score his sides second goal during the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) PSG's Fabian Ruiz, right, celebrates with team mate Achraf Hakimi after scoring his side's opening goal the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) Arsenal's Declan Rice controls the ball during the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) PSG's Bradley Barcola watches the ball during the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) PSG supporters gather in a bar to watch the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal being played at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thomas Padilla) Arsenal's Declan Rice, right, and PSG's Vitinha challenge for the ball during the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) PSG's head coach Luis Enrique gestures during the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) Arsenal's goalkeeper David Raya saves a penalty by PSG's Vitinha during the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) PSG's Desire Doue holds the ball during the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) PSG's Joao Neves, right, challenges Arsenal's Declan Rice during the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) PSG's Achraf Hakimi, left, celebrates with teammates after scoring his sides second goal during the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) PSG's Marquinhos, left, and Arsenal's Leandro Trossard challenge for the ball during the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) Arsenal's Bukayo Saka reacts during the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) PSG fans cheer their team during the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) Arsenal's William Saliba, left, challenges PSG's goalkeeper PSG's Ousmane Dembele during the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta gestures during the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) PSG's Fabian Ruiz, right, celebrates with team mate Achraf Hakimi after scoring his side's opening goal the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) PSG's Fabian Ruiz, left, challenges Arsenal's Thomas Partey during the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) Arsenal's Declan Rice reacts after the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) PSG fans celebrate after the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) PSG's Fabian Ruiz celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) PARIS (AP) — PSG overcame an inspired Arsenal to reach the Champions League final for the second time in its history. The Parisian club will face Inter Milan. This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors. ___ AP soccer:
