Marseille (AFP) – Women's football has fought a long battle for recognition — but after several false starts the women's game has grown and grown in popularity and this year's World Cup in France promises to be the most-watched in history. The women's game first emerged in Britain after World War I and found a […]

Berlin (AFP) – Germany coach Joachim Loew hopes to prove his critics wrong and open 2019 with a win when his new-look team host Serbia in a friendly in Wolfsburg on Wednesday. Loew, who arrived in Wolfsburg later than expected due to a dental operation this week, is hoping to bounce back from a painful […]

Madrid (AFP) – Rayo Vallecano on Monday sacked coach Miguel Angel Sánchez Munoz, known as Michel, after a desperate run of seven straight La Liga defeats which has them staring relegation from in the face. "Rayo Vallecano have taken the decision to dismiss Míchel as coach of the first team," the club said in a […]

Prague (AFP) – Players from Europa League sensation Slavia Prague form the backbone of a Czech Republic team facing England and Brazil later this month, a final nomination showed Monday. The Czechs will take on England in a Euro 2020 qualifier at Wembley on Friday before hosting Brazil in a friendly in Prague on March […]

Milan (AFP) – Napoli goalkeeper David Ospina has been discharged from hospital and is recovering from his frightening collapse after a knock to the head at the weekend, the Serie A club announced on Monday. The 30-year-old, who is on loan from Arsenal, will miss Colombia's international friendlies against Japan on March 22 and South […]

Milan (AFP) – Roma president James Pallotta hit back at former sporting director Monchi on Monday after the Spaniard blamed differences with the American for his departure from the Serie A club earlier this month. Pallotta told his club's official website that he was surprised Monchi, full name Ramon Rodriguez Verdejo, told reporters in Spain […]

Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines (France) (AFP) – Didier Deschamps expects unfancied Moldova to make life difficult for world champions France when they begin Euro 2020 qualifying in Chisinau on Friday. France, who finished second to the Netherlands in their UEFA Nations League section, will be heavily favoured to finish top of Group H which also includes Iceland, Turkey, […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea teenager Callum Hudson-Odoi was called up by England for the first time, while Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse was also drafted into Gareth Southgate's squad on Monday amid a series of withdrawals due to injury. Fabian Delph, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, John Stones and Luke Shaw have pulled out for Euro 2020 qualifiers against […]

Milan (AFP) – Italy coach Roberto Mancini said Monday he overlooked Mario Balotelli for upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers because the Marseille player lacked fitness. Italy begin their campaign to reach the European finals playing Finland on Saturday in Udine after they failed to qualify for the World Cup last year for the first time in […]

London (AFP) – David Beckham has admitted driving his Bentley in London while using a mobile phone, police said on Monday. The former England captain was charged after a member of the public told police they saw the 43-year-old on the phone while at the wheel of the car. "The Met (Metropolitan Police) understands a […]

Berlin (AFP) – James Rodriguez says he is happy at Bayern Munich after another brilliant performance from the on-loan Colombian over the weekend raised further questions about his immediate future. Midfielder Rodriguez scored a stunning hat-trick in Bayern's 6-0 thrashing of Mainz on Sunday, prompting a wave of speculation about whether the German champions will […]

Milan (AFP) – Napoli goalkeeper David Ospina remains under observation in hospital but is improving after his frightening collapse following a knock to the head in an Italian league game at the weekend, his father Hernan said on Monday. The Colombia international had received treatment after colliding with striker Ignacio Pussetto minutes into the game […]

Paris (AFP) – Sadio Mane starred and Mohamed Salah struggled for Liverpool at the weekend as the contrasting fortunes of the highest profile African stars in Europe continued. Senegalese Mane scored the first goal and a foul on him led to the penalty that gave the Reds a 2-1 win at Fulham and first place, […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea said on Monday they have lodged a formal complaint with UEFA over alleged racist abuse aimed at one of their players during the closing stages of the 5-0 Europa League win away to Dynamo Kiev last week. "We can confirm a report of racist abuse directed at one of our players […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea's latest Premier League away-day collapse at Everton leaves Maurizio Sarri's side facing an uphill task to finish in the top four and secure much-needed Champions League qualification. Languishing in sixth, the Blues trail fourth-placed Arsenal by just three points but face a much tougher run-in than the Gunners in the remaining […]