Johannesburg (AFP) – Moroccan and Tunisian clubs dodged each other in the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals draw in Cairo on Wednesday as they seek a continuation of their dominance in the competition. The two north African countries have won nine of the 15 finals between them in the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Guinean club Horoya, who reacted to reaching the CAF Champions League knockout phase by dumping French coach Patrice Neveu, were drawn against Moroccans Wydad Casablanca in the quarter-finals Wednesday. The Conakry club have offered no explanation for the shock move after widely experienced Neveu masterminded a largely impressive group campaign. Horoya […]

Paris (AFP) – Reigning champions Lyon beat three-time former winners Wolfsburg 2-1 in the Champions League quarter-finals first leg on Wednesday. France forward Eugenie Le Sommer and club captain Wendie Renard scored in the first half for the home side at the Groupama Stadium before Nilla Fischer clawed one back for the Germans in final […]

Berlin (AFP) – Leon Goretzka spared coach Joachim Loew a humiliating defeat with a second-half equaliser as a new-look Germany side were held to a 1-1 draw in Wednesday's friendly against Serbia. Having controversially dropped veterans Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels and Thomas Mueller from the national squad two weeks ago, coach Loew had announced the […]

Buenos Aires (AFP) – Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay relaunched their bid to host the 2030 World Cup following a meeting of their presidents in Buenos Aires on Wednesday. The four national presidents committed to creating a local organizing committee with a representative from each country to coordinate with CONMEBOL, South American football's governing body. […]

Wrexham (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Gareth Bale was omitted from Wales' side for their international friendly against Trinidad and Tobago in Wrexham on Wednesday. The Real Madrid forward was one of several senior players left out by coach Ryan Giggs ahead of their opening Euro 2020 qualifier against Slovakia in Cardiff on Sunday. Bale, Wales' […]

Chicago (AFP) – US national team head coach Gregg Berhalter will see how top European-based players and Major League Soccer talent from his January camp mix when the Americans host friendlies against Ecuador and Chile. Berhalter, tasked with guiding the US squad back to the World Cup in 2022 after a flop in 2018 qualifying, […]

London (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo signing for Juventus last year was a shot in the arm for Serie A and bolstered the impression that the league is undergoing a renaissance Italy and AC Milan legend Franco Baresi told AFP. Baresi, widely considered to be one of the greatest ever defenders, said that Ronaldo's arrival in […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea Women's manager Emma Hayes says Barclays' multi-million pound sponsorship of England's Women's Super League is a watershed moment for the game. Barclays Bank was announced as the first title sponsor of the Women's Super League on Wednesday in a deal understood to be worth more than £10 million ($13 million). The […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has withdrawn from the England squad for their Euro 2020 qualifiers due to a back injury. Alexander-Arnold had been struggling with the problem before linking up with England and on Wednesday it was decided the right-back wouldn't recover in time to feature against the Czech Republic and Montenegro. […]

Cali (Colombia) (AFP) – Former Colombia international Jhon Viafara has been arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking and could be extradited to face charges in the United States, the public prosecutor's office said on Wednesday. The 40-year-old former midfielder was one of five people detained on Tuesday in the western city of Jamundi and Medellin, […]

Miami (AFP) – Former England star David Beckham's Inter Miami expansion team in Major League Soccer has won a key vote from city lawmakers in the suburban site where they plan a training complex. Fort Lauderdale City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to continue negotiations on Inter Miami's $60 million (52.8 million euros) redevelopment proposal for […]

Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines (France) (AFP) – "The present has arrived," said Paul Pogba on Wednesday, confirming he had given all his France team-mates world champion rings modelled on those in many American sports. "We handed them out to the players, the reaction was good, they thanked me," Pogba told a press conference at France's training centre. "It's […]

Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines (France) (AFP) – Paul Pogba said on Wednesday he is "happy" at Manchester United but that Real Madrid, "is a dream club." Playing for Real, "is a dream for every kid, for every football player," the midfielder told a press conference at France's training base. "It's one of the biggest clubs in the world. I've […]

Abu Dhabi (AFP) – Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk has been named the new United Arab Emirates coach, the country's football association announced on Wednesday. The 66-year-old, who led the Netherlands national side to the 2010 World Cup final, last coached Australia. He previously worked in Asia with Saudi Arabia, but quit after failing to […]