Paris (AFP) – Ivorian Wilfried Zaha scored for Crystal Palace in a stunning 2-0 Premier League triumph over Manchester City at the weekend, then endured online racist abuse. "I do not mind abuse because nowadays it comes with doing the job, even though it is not an excuse. I will always be black and proud," […]

Madrid (AFP) – Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi says he has not given any thought about retiring after next year's World Cup adding he would love to be Barcelona sporting director when he does finally hang up his boots. The six-time Ballon D'Or winner will be 35 by the time the World Cup — a […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham announced on Monday they had sacked manager Nuno Espirito Santo and his coaching staff after a stuttering start to the Premier League season. Spurs were defeated 3-0 at home by Manchester United on Saturday — their fifth league defeat in 10 matches — with fans booing and chanting "You don't know […]

Bartalla (Iraq) (AFP) – Spurred on by their coach, Christian girls kick the ball around a field in Iraq's Bartalla, a former jihadist stronghold where football is helping them dream of a better future. In 2014, the Islamic State group seized control of the town in its sweep through the northern province of Nineveh, before […]

Berlin (AFP) – Thomas Mueller says Bayern Munich must use the criticism from their shock German Cup disaster to help them secure a spot in the Champions League knockout phase by beating Benfica on Tuesday. "When FC Bayern crashes out of the cup with a 5-0 defeat, it's clear that one or two comments are […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United's re-signing of Cristiano Ronaldo appeared to be a no-brainer — the galvanising return of a club great with the swagger of a proven winner and guaranteed goals. But is it more complicated than that? Is the presence of the Portuguese superstar at the fulcrum of the attack helping or hindering […]

Milan (AFP) – Zlatan Ibrahimovic described his 150th Serie A goal from a free-kick as an "old age" shot as AC Milan beat Jose Mourinho's Roma 2-1 on Sunday to remain second on goal difference in the table behind Napoli. The Sweden striker, who turned 40 earlier this month, also thought he had scored his […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Sociedad returned to the top of La Liga on Sunday but their joy was tempered by having to share the points after an injury-time strike for Basque rivals Athletic Bilbao in a 1-1 draw. Alexander Isak gave Sociedad a 58th-minute lead from the penalty spot. But just as they were contemplating […]

Milan (AFP) – Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored his 150th Serie A goal as AC Milan beat Jose Mourinho's Roma 2-1 on Sunday to remain second on goal difference in the table behind Napoli. The Sweden striker, who turned 40 earlier this month, also thought he had scored his 400th goal in domestic leagues but was denied […]

Milan (AFP) – Poland midfielder Piotr Zielinski scored as Serie A leaders Napoli overcame lowly Salernitana 1-0 away from home on Sunday. Zielinski claimed his second goal of the season with half an hour left at the Arechi Stadium as both sides finished with 10 men. Napoli moved three points clear of second-placed AC Milan […]

Paris (AFP) – Andy Delort smashed home a last-gasp volley to snatch a 2-1 victory for Nice away to Angers as Christophe Galtier's side moved up to second in Ligue 1 on Sunday. Sofiane Boufal won and converted a penalty to give Angers the lead in the first half, minutes after Delort headed against the […]

Birmingham (United Kingdom) (AFP) – West Ham underlined their Premier League top-four credentials with a 4-1 win against 10-man Aston Villa on Sunday. Ben Johnson scored early for the visitors only to see Ollie Watkins equalise but the Hammers reclaimed the lead before half-time through Declan Rice. Villa's task was made all the harder early […]

Madrid (AFP) – Yannick Carrasco's blistering strike set Atletico Madrid on the way to a 3-0 victory over Real Betis in La Liga on Sunday, keeping the reigning champions within two points of the leaders. Belgium's Carrasco hammered in the opening goal at the Wanda Metropolitano on 26 minutes before Betis defender German Pezzella bizarrely […]

Milan (AFP) – Joaquin Correa's slick second-half double earned Inter Milan a 2-0 win over Udinese in Serie A on Sunday to consolidate the defending champion's hold on third place. The Argentina international joined Inter on loan from Lazio in August and made an immediate impact, scoring twice on his debut against Verona. And he […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Barcelona centre-back Gerard Pique will miss Tuesday's crucial Champions League clash against Dynamo Kiev with a calf injury, the club said on Sunday. "Tests this morning confirmed first-team player Gerard Pique has a right calf strain and will be out for the forseeable future," the club said on their web site. The statement […]