Rome (AFP) – Neo-fascists believed to be hardcore fans of Serie A side Lazio held a far-right flash mob ahead of Wednesday's Coppa Italia semi-final second leg against AC Milan, according to media reports. Their faces masked by a long banner reading "Honour to Benito Mussolini", the group sang fascist songs and performed the Nazi […]

Seoul (AFP) – Reigning Asian champions Kashima Antlers slumped to a shock 1-0 home defeat by Gyeongnam FC Wednesday on a great night for South Korean sides against Japanese opposition the AFC Champions League. Kashima looked a shadow of the side that became Asian champions last year as they relinquished control in Group E to […]

London (AFP) – A manifesto signed by England star Raheem Sterling and fellow footballers to combat racism in the sport received a positive response from English football's governing body on Wednesday. However, the Football Association (FA) recommended that if players are racially abused and want to walk off the pitch in protest — as some […]

Madrid (AFP) – Zinedine Zidane said on Wednesday La Liga will be Real Madrid's top priority next season after they were mathematically ruled out of the title race with five games left. Barcelona's victory over Alaves confirmed that Madrid cannot be crowned champions given they sit 16 points behind the Catalans with only 15 still […]

London (AFP) – The winners of next month's FA Cup final between Manchester City and Watford will for the first time celebrate with non-alcoholic champagne to accomodate those who do not drink. The FA said in a statement that they had taken note of those players who do not drink for religious reasons, are tee-total […]

Seoul (AFP) – A thumping finish and an assist from man-of-the-match Ricardo Lopes put Jeonbuk Motors on the verge of the last 16 of the AFC Champions League on Wednesday. But reigning Asian champions Kashima Antlers slumped to a shock 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Gyeongnam FC on a great night for South […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery has pulled out of his side's German Cup semi-final with Werder Bremen with a muscle problem, the Bundesliga club confirmed on Wednesday. Ribery, 36, decided at short notice not to travel to Bremen for Wednesday's clash after complaining of "muscular problems", the club announced on their website. […]

London (AFP) – Paraguayan midfielder Miguel Almiron could be a doubt for his country's Copa America campaign after Newcastle revealed he will miss their final three Premier League matches due to a hamstring injury. The 25-year-old, bought for a reported club record fee of £20 million ($26 million) from MLS Cup winners Atlanta United in […]

Madrid (AFP) – A Spanish court on Wednesday acquitted former Barcelona president Sandro Rosell, who spent nearly two years in pre-trial custody, of money laundering. Rosell, his wife and four others, were accused of "large-scale money laundering" of close to 20 million euros ($23 million) since 2006, relating to television rights and sponsorship deals in […]

Shanghai (AFP) – Chinese teams and media heaped praise Wednesday on the diminutive Argentine who put Chinese football on the map with a record-breaking move in 2011, paving the way for the arrivals of Didier Drogba, Oscar and Hulk. Attacking midfielder Dario Conca announced his retirement from the game on Tuesday, just over two weeks […]

Tokyo (AFP) – Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta has been handed the captain's armband at J-League outfit Vissel Kobe, the club announced, part of a shake-up following the sacking of their manager last week. The club tweeted a picture of Iniesta holding the armband announcing him as the new captain, with Japan international defender Daigo Nishi […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Zambia goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene made a brilliant late save to ensure Mamelodi Sundowns held on for a 3-2 win over Chippa United on Tuesday and a share of the South African Premiership lead. Defending champions Sundowns joined Orlando Pirates on 50 points with three rounds remaining and the latter occupy first place […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Barcelona will win La Liga on Wednesday if Atletico Madrid lose to Valencia after a 2-0 victory over Alaves gave them a 12-point lead at the top of the table. Lionel Messi started on the bench at Mendizorrotza on Tuesday in a move that made clear just how comfortable Barca are in […]

Watford (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Southampton striker Shane Long scored the fastest goal in Premier League history on Tuesday after netting just 7.69 seconds into his side's 1-1 draw at Watford, who snatched a point thanks to Andre Gray's late equaliser. Long's record-breaking goal came immediately after the kick-off when he blocked a clearance from […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola has slammed suggestions from Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that Manchester City are guilty of "tactical" fouling in an attempt to stop rivals from counter-attacking. Solskjaer, talking before the crucial Manchester derby between the sides at Old Trafford on Wednesday, made reference to City's supposed habit of […]