Guimaraes (Portugal) (AFP) – England manager Gareth Southgate promised his side would learn from an error-strewn performance as the Netherlands progressed to the final of the Nations League by coming from behind to beat the Three Lions 3-1 on Thursday. Defeat means England's long wait for a trophy since 1966 goes on and the Dutch […]

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Brazil star Neymar will be reassessed by Paris Saint-Germain's medical team "within the next 72 hours", the club said Thursday, after the star striker sprained his ankle in a pre-Copa America friendly that has ruled him out of the tournament. The injury to the world's most expensive player is a […]

Guimaraes (Portugal) (AFP) – England's long wait for a trophy since 1966 goes on as the Netherlands set up a Nations League final meeting with Portugal on Sunday with a 3-1 win after extra-time in Guimaraes. Marcus Rashford's penalty gave the Three Lions a first-half lead against the run of play, but Matthijs de Ligt […]

Guimaraes (Portugal) (AFP) – England's Nations League semi-final against the Netherlands went to extra-time on Thursday as VAR denied the Three Lions a late winner in a 1-1 draw in Guimaraes. Marcus Rashford's first-half penalty was cancelled out by Matthijs de Ligt's towering header for the Dutch. Jesse Lingard thought he had sent England into […]

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Forced out of the Copa America by injury, star striker Neymar faces an uncertain playing future in Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil where he is engulfed in an alleged rape scandal. Neymar vehemently denies the accusation, which has dominated headlines and dogged Brazil's preparations for the Latin American tournament starting June […]

Paris (AFP) – France travel to Turkey on Saturday to take on a side rejuvenated under the guiding hand of returning coach Senol Gunes, as the qualifiers for Euro 2020 resume without some of the heavy hitters contesting the Nations League finals. Former Turkey goalkeeper Gunes took the reins of the national team for a […]

Guimaraes (Portugal) (AFP) – Raheem Sterling will captain England for the first time on his 50th cap in Thursday's Nations League semi-final against the Netherlands, with Harry Kane and Jordan Henderson left on the bench. Both Kane and Henderson were involved in Saturday's Champions League final as Liverpool beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 and England boss […]

Paris (AFP) – The president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Ahmad Ahmad was questioned Thursday by French investigators, a source close to the probe told AFP, reportedly concerning a breach of contract with Puma. The source confirmed reports by France Afrique magazine that Ahmad was being questioned by France's white collar crime investigation […]

Lausanne (AFP) – Manchester City have launched a legal bid to stop UEFA banning them from the 2020-2021 Champions League, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said on Monday. Abu Dhabi-owned City, who retained the Premier League title this season, are in danger of being kicked out of future editions of the Champions League […]

London (AFP) – Real Madrid have agreed a blockbuster deal to sign Chelsea winger Eden Hazard for a fee of up to £130 million ($165 million), according to British media reports on Thursday. Hazard is Real's top transfer target as the Spanish club rebuild after a dismal season and the Belgium star appears set to […]

Milan (AFP) – Italian-American media magnate Rocco Commisso on Thursday completed the takeover of Serie A team Fiorentina, the Italian club announced. Reported to be worth in the region of 170 million euros ($190 million), the deal brings an end to the 17-year ownership of the Della Valle family. The 69-year-old Commisso is chairman of […]

Porto (Portugal) (AFP) – Portugal will be without veteran centre-back Pepe as they aim to lift the first ever Nations League title on home soil on Sunday. The Porto defender fractured a shoulder blade as Cristiano Ronaldo's hat-trick secured a 3-1 semi-final win over Switzerland on Wednesday. Portugal will face England or the Netherlands in […]

Abuja (AFP) – Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr said he expects that after a demanding season in Europe, plus the heat in Egypt, will mean the fittest team will be crowned African champions. The Africa Cup of Nations will be played from June 21 to July 19 in Egypt. "We have to work hard," Franco-German coach […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Betis confirmed Rubi as their new coach on Thursday after the Spaniard left his position at Espanyol. Betis have given Rubi a three-year contract, having activated his release clause at Espanyol, reportedly set at 900,000 euros. Espanyol, who finished seventh under Rubi in La Liga last season and qualified for the […]

Paris (AFP) – A nightmare year for Brazil's troubled Neymar just got worse. A new injury has ruled him out of Brazil's team for the Copa America this month, meaning he has lost the chance to redeem a reputation damaged by controversy on and off the field for club and country. The Paris Saint-Germain star's […]