Geneva (AFP) – Switzerland's attorney general Michael Lauber committed professional misconduct in his handling of the massive corruption investigation targeting FIFA and must recuse himself from the case, a Swiss court said Tuesday. Regulators opened a disciplinary investigation last month looking into a series of meetings that Lauber had with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who […]

Kashima (Japan) (AFP) – A bizarre own goal 10 minutes from time gave two-time champions Guangzhou Evergrande a 2-1 win over Shandong Luneng, while title holders Kashima Antlers edged Sanfrecce Hiroshima 1-0 as the AFC Champions League last 16 kicked off on Tuesday. Shandong looked like they had snatched a draw against Fabio Cannavaro's injury-depleted […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid's new signing Rodrygo has said he models his game on Neymar and Robinho as the 18-year-old on Tuesday became the latest arrival unveiled at the Santiago Bernabeu. Madrid completed a 45-million-euro ($50.3 million) deal for Rodrygo Silva de Goes in June last year but agreed to let the Brazilian striker […]

Paris (AFP) – The banned ex-UEFA chief Michel Platini was held for questioning Tuesday in connection with a criminal investigation into the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar. The French football legend who led European football's governing body from 2007 to 2015 was taken into custody by French anti-corruption police investigating alleged corruption […]

London (AFP) – Celtic's quest to reach the Champions League group stages will start against Bosnian champions FK Sarajevo. Neil Lennon's men will host the first leg on July 9 or 10th with the return a week later on July 16 or 17. Celtic will need to navigate four qualifying rounds to make it to […]

Kashima (Japan) (AFP) – Defending Asian champions Kashima Antlers will take a slender advantage into next week's second leg of their AFC Champions League last 16 clash after edging Sanfrecce Hiroshima 1-0 at home on Tuesday. Sanfrecce, who finished with 10 men after Sho Inagaki received a second yellow card in the 86th minute, enjoyed […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Cameroon coach Clarence Seedorf has a message for Group F opponents at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt this month: "no one is going to have an easy time against us." He says the surprise winners of the last edition are "in good shape and positive" ahead of matches with Guinea-Bissau, […]

Berlin (AFP) – Borussia Dortmund coach Lucien Favre has extended his contract until the end of 2020/21, the Bundesliga club confirmed on Tuesday. Favre, 61, took the reins at Dortmund at the beginning of last season and led the club to a second-place Bundesliga finish behind perennial title winners Bayern Munich in his first year […]

Paris (AFP) – The banned ex-UEFA chief Michel Platini was arrested Tuesday in connection with a criminal investigation into the award of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar. The French football legend elected to lead European football's governing body in 2007 was taken into custody by French anti-corruption police investigating the awarding of the 2022 […]

Kingston (Jamaica) (AFP) – Turkey-based striker Dever Orgill scored twice as Jamaica opened their CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign with a 3-2 victory over Honduras on Monday. Orgill, who plays for Turkish Super Lig Club Ankaragucu, pounced in the 15th and 41st minutes to set the "Reggae Boyz" on the path to victory at Independence Park […]

Jakarta (AFP) – Bali United soared on its stock market debut in Jakarta Monday, marking the first time that a Southeast Asian football club has gone public. The listing puts the team among top clubs Manchester United, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund which have also previously offered their shares. The Bali side's parent company jumped nearly […]

Paris (AFP) – They are colleagues at club level in the team that dominates European women's football, but Saki Kumagai and Lucy Bronze will be coming up against one another at a second consecutive World Cup when Japan and England clash on Wednesday. In 2015, it was Kumagai's Japan who emerged victorious in the semi-finals […]

Sao Paulo (AFP) – Eduardo Vargas scored twice as Chile launched the defence of their Copa America crown with an emphatic 4-0 defeat of Japan in Sao Paulo on Monday. Vargas, who plays for Mexico club Tigres UANL, netted twice in the second half as Chile gradually overpowered a skillful but limited Japan, who are […]

Reims (France) (AFP) – Surprise package Italy are aiming to emulate Germany and France by topping their group when they face Brazil on Tuesday in an encounter that evokes classic World Cup memories. Milena Bertolini's side have a perfect six points after scoring seven times in their opening two matches, including a shock opening win […]

Reims (France) (AFP) – Norway went through to the last 16 of the Women's World Cup alongside China and Spain on Monday after beating South Korea 2-1, while France and Germany topped their groups with wins over Nigeria and South Africa. Caroline Graham Hansen gave Norway an early lead from the spot after Cho So-hyun […]