Berlin (AFP) – Unvaccinated Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich is one of five players in Germany's national football squad having to quarantine after one tested positive for coronavirus, the German federation (DFB) said Tuesday. The infected player, Niklas Suele, is fully vaccinated and currently asymptomatic, added the DFB. Fellow Bayern teammates Kimmich, Serge Gnabry and […]

Paris (AFP) – The first stage of European qualifying for next year's World Cup concludes over the next week with Portugal, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands among the nations facing crucial games in the quest to make it to Qatar. The 10 group winners will secure qualification for football's global showpiece which kicks off on […]

London (AFP) – Rio Ferdinand has called for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to hand over the Manchester United manager's "baton" after a string of damaging results left the club well off the pace in the Premier League. The Norwegian boss is under intense pressure after a 5-0 home thumping by Liverpool and a one-sided 2-0 defeat […]

Hong Kong (AFP) – Home support could prove decisive in Asian World Cup qualifying Thursday when Australia play on their own patch for the first time in two years while a full house will roar on Son Heung-min's South Korea. The coronavirus has played havoc with Asian qualifying for Qatar, forcing some teams to play […]

Barcelona (AFP) – When Claudia Riumallo Pineda wakes up, it does not take her long to know where she is. From her bedroom window she can see the Johan Cruyff Stadium inside Barcelona's Ciutat Esportiva training ground, where she dreams of one day playing for the women's first team. She is on the right track. […]

Stockholm (AFP) – Veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic said on Monday he felt great to be back from injury "at last" for Sweden's upcoming 2022 World Cup qualifiers after being ruled out of Euro 2020. The AC Milan forward retired from international football five years ago but announced a comeback ahead of the European Championship. He […]

London (AFP) – Arsenal forward Emile Smith Rowe on Monday received his first senior England call-up for World Cup qualifiers against Albania and San Marino. Smith Rowe had been scheduled to join up with England's Under-21s, but instead met up with Gareth Southgate's senior squad at St George's Park. The 21-year-old has been in impressive […]

London (AFP) – Eddie Howe will have untold riches at his disposal in his new job as Newcastle manager but he faces an enormous challenge just to keep the club in the Premier League. The former Bournemouth boss, who was not first choice to succeed Steve Bruce following last month's Saudi-led takeover, will have to […]

London (AFP) – Newcastle ended their long wait to hire a new manager on Monday, unveiling former Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe as the man to lead the Magpies into a new era under wealthy Saudi ownership. Howe, 43, takes charge of a side languishing second from bottom of the Premier League, five points adrift of […]

London (AFP) – Eddie Howe was confirmed as Newcastle's new manager on Monday, a month after a Saudi-led takeover at St James's Park. The former Bournemouth boss succeeds Steve Bruce, who left the Premier League club by "mutual consent" on October 20. "Newcastle United are delighted to confirm the appointment of Eddie Howe as the […]

Madrid (AFP) – Xavi Hernandez said Barcelona's players will have to play by his rules and raise their standards as the club's new coach laid down a firm message at his unveiling on Monday. Xavi was presented in front of almost 10,000 fans at Camp Nou before signing his contract on the pitch, alongside his […]

Paris (AFP) – As Xavi Hernandez confronts a huge job in front of him at Barcelona, Real Sociedad lead La Liga. Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho's star seems to be dwindling further in Rome but there is a new French superstar emerging in the Bundesliga. AFP Sport looks at some talking points from around Europe going into […]

Paris (AFP) – Ivory Coast forward Wilfried Zaha scored his fourth Premier League goal of the season to set up Crystal Palace for a 2-0 victory over Wolves, which lifted the London club to 10th in the table. Zaha was omitted from the national side's squad for World Cup qualifiers this month against Mozambique and […]

Paris (AFP) – As Xavi Hernandez confronts a huge job in front of him at Barcelona, Real Sociedad lead La Liga. Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho's star seems to be dwindling further in Rome but there is a new French superstar emerging in the Bundesliga. AFP Sport looks at some talking points from around Europe going into […]

Madrid (AFP) – Xavi Hernandez was unveiled as Barcelona’s new coach on Monday as thousands of fans welcomed the debt-ridden club’s legendary former midfielder back to Camp Nou. Xavi walked out to chants of "Xavi, Xavi" before signing his contract on the pitch, alongside his family and Barca president Joan Laporta. “I don’t want to […]