JAMES ELLINGWORTH

AP Sports Writer
Leverkusen's head coach Xabi Alonso attends a training session ahead of the Europa League quarter final first leg soccer match between Bayer Leverkusern and West Ham in Leverkusen, Wednesday, April 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Just one more win needed for Alonso’s Leverkusen to end Bayern’s 11-year reign in Bundesliga
One more win. That’s all that separates Xabi Alonso and Bayer Leverkusen from the German title. Leverkusen is ready to shed the tag of “Neverkusen” from five previous runner-up finishes and overcome the talent and financial might of Bayern Munich.
 
FILE - Lamont Marcell Jacobs, of Italy poses with his gold medal following the men's 100-meters final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, in Tokyo. Track and field is set to become the first sport to introduce prize money at the Olympics, with World Athletics saying Wednesday, April 10, 2024, it would pay $50,000 to gold medalists in Paris. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, File)
Track and field becomes first sport to pay prize money at Olympics. Paris gold medalists get $50,000
Track and field is set to become the first sport to introduce prize money at the Olympics, with World Athletics saying Wednesday it would pay $50,000 to gold medalists in Paris.
 
FILE - Bosnia and Herzegovina players argue with referee Halil Umut Meler during the qualifying soccer match between Bosnia-Herzegovina and Portugal, at the Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. UEFA's top referee has vowed to crack down on players arguing with referees and “mobbing” them on the field at the upcoming European Championship in Germany. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut, File)
UEFA set to crack down on players intimidating referees at Euro 2024
UEFA’s top referee has vowed to crack down on players arguing with referees and “mobbing” them on the field at the upcoming European Championship in Germany.
 
FILE - Rudi Voeller, left, director of the Germany national soccer team and Germany's head coach Julian Nagelsmann, right, arrive for the draw for the UEFA Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Hamburg, Germany, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. Rudi Völler is set to stay on as sporting director of the German men’s national soccer team through to the 2026 World Cup. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)
Germany coach Nagelsmann hails a ‘good signal’ as sporting director Völler extends contract
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann calls it a “good signal” that team sporting director Rudi Völler has signed a contract extension through 2026. But Nagelsmann indicates it won’t decide whether he too stays after the European Championship.
 
Leverkusen's Granit Xhaka celebrates with team mates after the German soccer cup match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Fortuna Duesseldorf in Leverkusen, Germany, April 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
40 games unbeaten, 3 trophies in play. Leverkusen is at the business end of its season
Bayer Leverkusen and Xabi Alonso are 40 games unbeaten and a historic treble is still on in their remarkable season.
 
Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso stands before the Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and SC Freiburg at the Europa-Park Stadium in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany, Sunday March 17, 2024. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP)
Alonso says he is staying with Bayer Leverkusen. Announcement ends Liverpool and Bayern speculation
Xabi Alonso will stay as coach of Bayer Leverkusen. That ends speculation linking him with the soon-to-be vacant Liverpool and Bayern Munich jobs. Alonso says “this is the right place for me to be, to develop as a coach.”
 
Bayern's Harry Kane celebrates after he scored his side's second goal during a German Bundesliga soccer match between SV Darmstadt 98 and Bayern Munich in Darmstadt, Germany, Saturday, March 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
Bayern waits on Kane’s and Neuer’s fitness for ‘Klassiker’ against Dortmund
Bayern Munich’s slim title chances might depend on a win over Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga “Klassiker.” Dortmund isn’t the real threat. Bayer Leverkusen is still soaring 10 points clear and there are just eight games to go.
 
Ukraine's Mykhailo Mudryk controls the ball besides Bosnia's Gojko Cimirot during the Euro 2024 playoff soccer match between Bosnia and Ukraine in Zenica, Bosnia, Thursday, March 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)
Mudryk aims to lift Ukraine past Iceland in Euro 2024 qualifying for first tournament since invasion
More than two years since Russia’s invasion turned their lives upside down, the Ukrainian national soccer team is one game away from reaching the European Championship.
 
FILE - Georgia's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, right, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Euro 2024 group A qualifying soccer match between Georgia and Scotland at the Boris Paichadze National Stadium in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Nov. 16, 2023. The country of Georgia is preparing for the biggest soccer match in its history. Having its best player back should help. Napoli forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had to sit out Thursday March 21, 2024 Euro 2024 qualifying playoff game against Luxembourg because of a one-game suspension. It didn't matter as his teammate Budu Zivzivadze stepped up to score both goals in a 2-0 win after a crucial red card for Luxembourg. (AP Photo/Tamuna Kulumbegashvili, File)
Kvaratskhelia set to return as Georgia chases Euro 2024 dream against Greece
The country of Georgia is preparing for the biggest soccer match in its history. Having its best player back should help.
 
Munich's Harry Kane, center, vies for the ball with Mainz's Andreas Hanche Olsen, right and goalkeeper Robin Zentner, during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and Mainz, at the Allianz Arena stadium, in Munich, Germany, Saturday, March 9, 2024. (Sven Hoppe/dpa via AP)
Kane edges closer to Bundesliga scoring record that may not matter for Bayern
Harry Kane is closing in on a Bundesliga scoring record that was meant to stand for decades. It probably won’t make any difference to Bayern Munich’s season. Kane has 30 goals in 25 German league games for Bayern.
 
Ferrari driver Oliver Bearman of Britain waits in the Ferrari garage prior to the start of the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, in Jedda, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, March 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Ferrari teen stand-in Oliver Bearman scores F1 points on dream debut at age 18
Eighteen-year-old British driver Oliver Bearman stole the show with seventh place for Ferrari at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. It was one day after he was given an unexpected debut.
 
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, in Jedda, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, March 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Max Verstappen cruises to victory at Saudi Arabian GP to extend dominant start to F1 title defense
Max Verstappen stayed firmly on course for another season of dominance in Formula 1 by winning the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
 
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands celebrates after setting the pole position in the qualifying session ahead of the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Friday, March 8, 2024. Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen on pole for Saudi Arabian GP. Ferrari teen stand-in Oliver Bearman 11th
Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen has qualified on pole position for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. It extends his strong start to the season amid turmoil at the Red Bull team. Verstappen was fastest by 0.319 seconds from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
 
Ferrari driver Oliver Bearman of Britain watches at pits during qualifying session ahead of the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, in Jedda, Saudi Arabia, Friday, March 8, 2024. Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Giuseppe Cacace/Pool)
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. out of Saudi GP with appendicitis. Oliver Bearman steps up at age 18
Carlos Sainz Jr. has been ruled out of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix with appendicitis. Ferrari handed 18-year-old Oliver Bearman his Formula 1 debut hours before qualifying and he placed 11th.
 
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner speaks during a news conference after the first practice session at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, March 7, 2024. The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Red Bull F1 employee who accused team boss Horner of misconduct has been suspended, AP source says
A person with information on the matter has told The Associated Press that the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 employee whose complaint sparked an investigation into alleged misconduct by team principal Christian Horner has been suspended.
 
Bayern Munich players celebrate end of the Champions League round of 16 second leg soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Lazio at the Allianz Arena stadium in Munich, Germany, Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Bayern Munich won 3-0. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Bayern Munich seeks consistency to make Lazio win the start of a turnaround
Harry Kane and Bayern Munich did well to beat Lazio in the Champions League midweek despite losing the first leg. Now the task for manager Thomas Tuchel and his team is to make that the start of a consistent turnaround.
 
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, left, speaks with Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands in the team's pit garage before the first practice session ahead of the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, March 7, 2024. The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Drama at Red Bull and the FIA dominates F1 ahead of Saudi Arabian GP
Formula 1 heads to the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah for its first street race of the season on Saturday dogged by unresolved tension and open conflict.
 
Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz of Spain and Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco steer their cars during the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Saturday, March 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Sainz enjoys racing again in his last F1 season with Ferrari after overtaking his teammate Leclerc
Carlos Sainz Jr. is having fun driving for Ferrari again. Sainz says he was relieved to be able to tap into his aggressive side with a series of overtakes at the Bahrain Grand Prix. That included two close moves on teammate Charles Leclerc.
 
The checkered flag is waved as Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands crosses the finish line to take first place during the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Saturday, March 2, 2024. (Ali Haider, Pool Photo via AP)
F1 champion Max Verstappen wins season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix amid Red Bull turmoil
Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen has eased to victory in the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix despite the turmoil surrounding his Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.
 
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during qualification ahead of the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Friday, March 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Verstappen on pole for F1 season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix overshadowed by scrutiny of team boss
Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen has qualified on the pole for the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix as scrutiny of Red Bull’s boss overshadows the start of the new season.
 
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner during the first practice session ahead of the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Red Bull’s Horner dismisses ‘anonymous speculation,’ denies misconduct after alleged evidence dump
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is dismissing “anonymous speculation” after alleged evidence in his misconduct investigation was widely distributed from a generic email account. The material has not been verified by The Associated Press.
 
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during the first practice session ahead of the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Practice in Bahrain starts marathon F1 year after a dramatic offseason
After the most dramatic offseason in recent Formula 1 history comes its longest ever season. Thursday practice for the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix begins the first of 24 race weekends this season.
 
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner sits in the paddock during Formula One pre season testings at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Red Bull F1 team boss Christian Horner stays in charge after complaint dismissed
Red Bull has dismissed the allegations of misconduct against team principal Christian Horner, closing an investigation that has overshadowed the start of the Formula 1 season.
 
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, left, and Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands are in the garage during Formula One pre season testings at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Investigation into Red Bull boss overshadows new F1 season as Verstappen aims for fourth title
A still-unresolved investigation into the boss of Formula 1’s champion team is overshadowing the start of the new season this week at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
 
Real Madrid's Toni Kroos warming up prior the Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between RB Leipzig and Real Madrid at the Red Bull arena stadium in Leipzig, Germany, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Real Madrid midfielder Kroos agrees to play for Germany ahead of home Euro 2024
Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has agreed to play for Germany again after a request from coach Julian Nagelsmann ahead of the home European Championship.
 
FILE - Bayern's head coach Thomas Tuchel passes the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and 1899 Hoffenheim, at the Allianz Arena stadium in Munich, Germany, Saturday, April 15, 2023. Tuchel will leave the club at the end of the season after a run of three straight losses raised the prospect of the club’s first season without a trophy in 12 years. Tuchel joined Bayern in March as the replacement for Julian Nagelsmann. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
Beginning of the end for Tuchel at Bayern as Leipzig game looms
It’s the beginning of the end for Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich. After Bayern confirmed Tuchel will leave the club at the end of the season, the team faces a tough task to salvage what it can from the remaining Bundesliga and Champions League games.
 
Bayern supporters protest with a banner reading "No to investors!" during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich in Leverkusen, Germany, Saturday Feb. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
German soccer league abandons investment deal after fan protests disrupt games
The German soccer league is abandoning plans to sell a stake in its media rights income to an outside investor after months of increasingly disruptive protests by fans. The league says its board decided Wednesday not to proceed with the deal.
 
FILE - Bayern's head coach Thomas Tuchel greets fans prior the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and Stuttgart in Munich, Germany, Sunday, Dec.17, 2023. Tuchel will leave the club at the end of the season after a run of three straight losses raised the prospect of the club’s first season without a trophy in 12 years. Tuchel joined Bayern in March as the replacement for Julian Nagelsmann. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
Coach Thomas Tuchel to leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season
Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel will leave the club at the end of the season after a run of three straight losses raised the prospect of the club’s first season without a trophy in 12 years.
 
Dortmund's goalkeeper Gregor Kobel kicks tennis balls thrown on the field by protesting supporters during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and SC Freiburg in Dortmund, Germany, Friday, Feb. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Fan protests in Germany against investor deal threaten to overshadow Bundesliga action
German soccer fans are throwing objects from the stands to halt games in order to show their unhappiness with the league’s plan to sell a stake of future revenue to a private equity investor.
 
Bayern's Harry Kane reacts during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Bayern Munich at the BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Harry Kane and Bayern head to Lazio needing to bounce back after Leverkusen loss
This was meant to be the year that Harry Kane finally won a trophy. The Champions League might be his best chance now.
 
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