Kompany taken to hospital after collapsing at training

Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany was taken to hospital after collapsing as he watched the club’s second team train on Friday.

The 40-year-old had been unwell with a virus and missed the pre-match news conference on Tuesday prior to Bayern’s Champions League game against Arsenal.

The former Manchester City and Belgium defender was subsequently on the touchline for the match on Wednesday.

“Vincent Kompany had to seek medical treatment on Friday after collapsing during training for FC Bayern’s amateurs,” said a statement from the Bundesliga club.

“The first-team coach had been watching the second team’s session.

“Kompany will undergo thorough examination in the hospital and remain in medical care.

“For the time being, his coaching staff will manage training and match operations.”

Bayern’s next game is against Freiburg in the German top flight on Sunday.

“Vincent Kompany’s health is our top priority. We at FC Bayern will do everything we can to ensure his speedy recovery,” said Bayern sporting director Max Eberl.

“Vinnie will receive all the necessary medical care and support, and all the time he needs.

“His coaching team, in whom we have complete confidence, will take over his duties. Everyone at FC Bayern wishes Vinnie a speedy recovery.”

Aaron Danks, one of Kompany’s assistants, took the pre-match news conference for Bayern before the Arsenal game.

German football journalist Taufig Khalil told BBC Radio 5 Live that Kompany had been “suffering with the virus for about a week”.

He added: “The thing started last weekend on Saturday against Leipzig, and that’s the first time we saw Vincent Kompany [when] he didn’t look very well.

“He didn’t do the press conference after, and Max Eberl told us that he’s suffering with a virus.

“Everybody was really surprised that Vincent Kompany was standing there with his black jacket in the pouring rain of Munich on Wednesday night against Arsenal. Everybody expected Aaron Danks to be there.

“The problem was that maybe you couldn’t bench Vincent Kompany, the game was too important for him.

“Bayern Munich just told us that he’s in stable conditions. There was a helicopter involved in the whole thing, which landed on the training ground at Bayern Munich, but he was not brought into the hospital by helicopter. They brought him with a medical car and he will be now there.”

Kompany left his role as Burnley manager to take over at Bayern in May 2024, succeeding current England manager Thomas Tuchel.

He had won the Championship with Burnley in 2022-23 and, despite the Clarets being relegated from the Premier League under him the following season, Kompany was appointed by the Bundesliga club.

He has led Bayern to the German top-flight title in the past two seasons and reached the 2025-26 Champions League semi-finals before being beaten by eventual winners Paris St-Germain.

Kompany spent 11 years at Manchester City as a player, winning four Premier League titles, two FA Cups and four League Cups.

“Everyone at Manchester City is wishing a speedy recovery to our former captain and club legend, Vincent Kompany,” said City in a post on social media. “Get well soon, Vinny.”

“Everyone here at Burnley FC sends our best wishes to Vincent and we wish him a speedy recovery,” said a Burnley statement.

Paterson signs for League Two club Rochdale

League Two club Rochdale have signed experienced attacking player Jamie Paterson on deal until the end of the season.

The 34-year-old, who played second-tier football for Nottingham Forest, Huddersfield, Bristol City, Derby, Swansea and Coventry, was a free agent after being released by League One side Plymouth Argyle at the end of last season.

The Manchester United youth product made his senior debut for Walsall in League One in 2010 and was picked up by Forest after impressing for the Saddlers.

He memorably scored a hat-trick as Forest beat Premier League side West Ham United in the FA Cup third round in 2014.

Dale boss Ian Watson said: “Jamie is an amazing signing for us. His career speaks for itself and he suits us technically for what we’re looking for in a player.”

PSG v Lyon moved as Paris prepares for more protests

Paris St-Germain’s Ligue 1 match against Lyon has been pushed back 24 hours to Monday as the French capital prepares for another weekend of protests.

The fixture at the Parc des Princes in Paris had been scheduled to kick off at 19:45 GMT on Sunday but will instead take place at 20:30 on Monday.

The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) announced the postponement in a statement on Friday after French police prohibited the fixture from taking place on its original date.

French authorities are preparing a major security operation for demonstrations planned for Saturday.

Around 550,000 people took part in demonstrations last Saturday to protest rising fuel prices, education standards and the cost of living, which have escalated after weeks of student protests.

Marches took place in several major French cities, including Paris, backed by unions and student groups, and were marred by some incidents of violence, looting and destruction.

The security challenge is further complicated by Sunday’s NFL match between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints at the Stade de France, an event expected to require a significant police deployment.

The game will be played in Saint-Denis, about 10km from Place de la Bastille, where the protests are expected to begin.

The disruptions have already affected France’s domestic football schedule with Toulouse’s Ligue 1 home game against Troyes moved from Saturday to Sunday at the request of authorities.

Reigning French and European champions PSG are second in the standings after seven matches, while Lyon lead the table on 14 points, ahead of the holders on goal difference.

The match will also now be played on the same day as the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London.

Injured PSG pair Ousmane Dembele, the 2025 winner, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are among the contenders for the award.

Rotherham sign Williams on short-term deal

Former Manchester United full-back Brandon Williams has signed a three-month contract at Rotherham United.

The 26-year-old has had an “extended trial period” with the Millers after leaving Hull City by mutual consent in February.

The England Under-21 international played more than 50 games for the Red Devils and had loan spells with Norwich and Ipswich before eventually joining Hull on a one-year deal last season.

In May 2025, he received a suspended prison sentence for dangerous driving and had spent 20 months out of the game when he joined Hull, then a Championship club, three months later.

He has signed for a Rotherham side which is one point above the relegation zone, with just two wins from 12 League Two matches this season.

Millers manager Alex Bruce told BBC Radio Sheffield: “He deserves the contract. He’s worked really hard with us since pre-season, has shown a great attitude every day and an appetite and hunger just to play.

“He’s had a tough few years. Not that you want to give contracts out willy-nilly, but when someone has showed the appetite, desire and hunger to come in every day and not get paid, like he has done - and let’s not lose sight of where he’s been and what kind of career he has had - I’m really pleased to give him the opportunity to give his career a kick-start.

“He looks a hell of a lot better than he did when he first arrived for pre-season. Let’s hope he can kick on and be an asset for the football club.”

The signing of Williams comes after fellow left-sided defender Ewan Otoo sustained a thigh injury last month.

Solihull sign Halifax goalkeeper Johnson on loan

National League strugglers Solihull Moors have signed FC Halifax Town goalkeeper Sam Johnson on loan until 3 January.

The 33-year-old Halifax club captain, who has made over 400 appearances for the Shaymen, is yet to make an appearance this season.

Moors boss Chris Millington worked with him when he was manager of Halifax and he will now link up with several other former team-mates including Scott High, Jevon Mills, Nat Ford, Tyrell Warren, and Florent Hoti.

Solihull sit 23rd in the National League table following their most recent of this season’s 10 defeats - the 5-0 reverse at Worthing on 10 October when keeper Max Metcalfe had to be substituted at half-time.

Moors, who have won just two and drawn one of their 13 league games in 2026-27, host Carlisle United on Saturday at Damson Park (15:00 BST).