Melbourne (AFP) – Marouane Fellaini made his AFC Champions League debut for China's Shandong Luneng on Tuesday but the former Manchester United midfielder was outshone by teammate Graziano Pelle, who scored both goals in a 2-2 draw at Gyeongnam FC. Meanwhile Melbourne Victory slumped to their first home group stage defeat in eight years as […]

Stockholm (AFP) – A court in Sweden on Tuesday fined a 17-year-old for threatening Swedish footballer Jimmy Durmaz during the World Cup after he committed a foul that paved the way for a German victory. Durmaz was subjected to thousands of abusive comments on his Instagram account after his foul led to a free kick […]

Melbourne (AFP) – Brazilian striker Cesinha inspired a dream debut for Daegu FC in the AFC Champions League Tuesday while 2018 winners Kashima Antlers got their new campaign off to a winning start. Cesinha scored a spectacular equaliser and had a hand in two more as the South Korean side came from behind in their […]

Budapest (AFP) – A Hungarian court approved the extradition Tuesday of a hacker linked to the Football Leaks website that has exposed alleged corruption, sparking investigations in several European countries. Rui Pinto, 30, was detained on a European arrest warrant issued by his native Portugal on January 16 in the Hungarian capital where he lives. "The extradition request cannot […]

Berlin (AFP) – Germany winger Serge Gnabry has extended his Bayern Munich contract until 2023, adding three more years to his deal, as the defending Bundesliga champions continue to rejuvenate their squad. The 23-year-old is being groomed to replace Bayern's ageing wingers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery, who are both 35 and out of contract […]

Paris (AFP) – Injury deprived him of what looked like a last chance at World Cup glory last year, but Dani Alves is now spurred on by the dream of lifting the trophy with Brazil in Qatar in 2022. "I don't have an expiry date. My body is my answer — when I see that […]

Melbourne (AFP) – Brazilian striker Cesinha inspired South Korea's Daegu FC to come from behind on their AFC Champions League debut Tuesday and record a stunning 3-1 win at Melbourne Victory. After a cagey start at Aami Park, the opening Group F encounter burst into life just before the half-hour mark when the home side […]

Budapest (AFP) – A Budapest court is set to decide on Tuesday on the extradition of a hacker linked to the Football Leaks whistleblower website that has exposed alleged corruption, sparking investigations in several European countries. Rui Pinto, 30, was detained on a European arrest warrant issued by his native Portugal on January 16 in the Hungarian capital where he […]

Doha (AFP) – Emirati club Al Wasl recorded their first Asian Champions League win in more than a decade when Fabio de Lima’s 62nd minute penalty helped them beat Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr 1-0 in Dubai on Tuesday. The hosts were awarded the spot kick when striker Yousef Ahmed was brought down by Abdullah Madu […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United’s solitary defeat 16 games in to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s caretaker reign in charge against Paris Saint-Germain exposed the gulf the English giants still have to bridge to become a European powerhouse once more. But that the Red Devils travel to Paris on Wednesday trailing only 2-0 from the first leg […]

Warri (Nigeria) (AFP) – The mother of Bordeaux and Nigeria winger Samuel Kalu has been kidnapped and a ransom demanded for her safe return, Police in the south-west on Nigeria reported on Monday. "The incident happened on the 27th of February," Abia State police communications officer Godfrey Ogbona told AFP. "No arrest has been made […]

Paris (AFP) – The FIFA Referees Committee has recommended the use of video refereeing technology (VAR) for the 2019 Women's World Cup, the sport's governing body said on Monday. A decision on VAR being used at the event staged in France between June and July this year would be made at their next meeting it […]

Doha (AFP) – Emirati club Al Wasl recorded their first Asian Champions League win in more than a decade when Fabio de Lima’s 62nd minute penalty helped them beat Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr 1-0 in Dubai on Tuesday. The hosts were awarded the spot kick when striker Yousef Ahmed was brought down by Abdullah Madu […]

Dortmund (Germany) (AFP) – Mauricio Pochettino has appealed to the FA and Premier League to help English clubs in the Champions League after complaining about Tottenham Hotspur's limited recuperation time before facing Borussia Dortmund. Spurs play Dortmund away in Germany on Tuesday in their last 16, return leg after thumping the Germans 3-0 in the […]

Paris (AFP) – Dani Alves jokes that Paris Saint-Germain are still Champions League "virgins", but the presence of players like the decorated Brazilian only helps make them more credible contenders to win the coveted trophy. In a glittering career, Alves has won the Champions League three times with Barcelona and reached another final with Juventus. […]