“The FA strongly condemns the use of the term “rent boy” and we are determined to drive it out of our game,” said an FA spokesperson.

The A-Junior Bundesliga West is set for a heart-stopping final day. BVB (34 points) will head into the last matchday in the best position, ahead of 1. FC Cologne (32) and FC Schalke 04 (31). Cologne will be away to already relegated VfB Hilden, with Schalke visiting an ambitious Borussia Mönchengladbach in fourth place. “We have everything in our hands and are not looking elsewhere,” declared Mike Tullberg, who is not yet turning his thoughts to the UEFA Youth League quarter-final against Hajduk Split on Tuesday (18:30 CET at Stadion Niederrhein in Oberhausen) and clarified: “The West German Championship would mean a lot to me and the boys because it’s the reward for a full year’s work.”

The German Football League (DFL) have informed SV Werder Bremen that they have received a licence for the 2023/24 season. Like last season, the Green-Whites have once again received a licence for both the Bundesliga and the 2. Bundesliga without any special conditions.

The upcoming fixture leads us to our direct league rivals! On Sunday VfL will be playing away against Europa League competitors Eintracht Frankfurt. The team from the river Main was able to pick up courage during the season and has now a fair chance to reach the Europa League quarter finals. But in the league, they need to get things going in order to qualify for an international tournament.

Ermedin Demirović: “We fought until the end and earned this important point. We discussed the things which weren’t right at the start very clearly at half time, and showed our team spirit. Ruben [Vargas] set me up like the way he did today in training, so it’s even better that it worked out in-game.”

“For me, it is emotional to be here,” Gosens said in his pre-game press conference for Tuesday’s Bayern Munich match (via @iMiaSanMia). “I played in the Euros here with Germany, one of the best things I have ever experienced. I scored in this stadium against Portugal, in a game that perhaps changed my career.”

That is the main aim for SC on Thursday evening under the lights with their home fans behind them. “The atmosphere at the ground will be electric and we will give everything to take that final step,” said captain Christian Günter, sharing the same sense of anticipation as his goalkeeper. Head coach Christian Streich spoke similarly ahead of the game: “We have worked hard to get into this particular position. We are playing at home, are feeling good, are looking forward to it and are ready for the game. We are unbelievably ambitious about having a good game. This team will run through walls for each other.”

The international break has come to an end for the five Hertha players who were away representing their countries. Most players had reason to celebrate, with Dodi Lukébakio and Belgium enjoying particularly good performances. After his two assists earned him the “Devil of the Match” award against Sweden, Lukébakio started in his country’s 3-2 win over Germany on Tuesday evening, playing almost 60 minutes. Despite no direct goal involvements in his second game, the Hertha number 14 can be pleased with his first international break of the season.

Hertha BSC face their longest away trip of the season on Saturday, when Sandro Schwarz and his team travel around 800km to take on SC Freiburg. Ahead of the game, the head coach spoke to the media and discussed the important keys to victory on the weekend. “We need to be effective in defence, avoid making individual errors and be brave and active when we have the ball,” said Schwarz. “We have to go out and play as a team and take the qualities from our recent home games and show them on the pitch in Freiburg.” Here’s what Schwarz had to say on…

TSG have been able to count on your support in recent weeks – but the goal has not yet been reached. The team still needs your help in the fight against relegation. The ZAMMEHALDE PAKET gives you the option to support our team for the rest of the season at discounted prices. Make your seat in the PreZero Arena your regular seat. Discounted tickets are available in all categories.