Stoke-on-Trent (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Hundreds of football fans lined the streets to pay tribute to Gordon Banks on Monday as his funeral cortege was driven through Stoke, with former England teammate Geoff Hurst hailing him as a "superstar". A five-car funeral cortege carrying the body of the World Cup-winning goalkeeper passed through Stoke's stadium, stopping […]

London (AFP) – Gareth Bale's agent on Monday branded Real Madrid fans' treatment of the Welsh international "a disgrace" after he was booed during the defeat by Barcelona. Real boss Santiago Solari has consistently relegated Bale to the bench in recent weeks while offering only tepid support in the face of heavy criticism in the […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid "has always been more courted than Julia Roberts", said coach Santiago Solari on Monday about rumours of a possible return of Jose Mourinho. Solari took over earlier this season and has a contract until 2021, but has just lost two Clasicos at home. He was speaking at a press conference […]

Dortmund (Germany) (AFP) – Marco Reus has called on Borussia Dortmund to write history on Tuesday as the Bundesliga leaders attempt to turn around their Champions League tie at home to Tottenham Hotspur. After losing 3-0 to Spurs at Wembley in the first leg of the last 16, Dortmund face a monumental task against Mauricio […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Former Manchester United star Ryan Giggs backed acting boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Monday to permanently take the Old Trafford top job but called their upcoming Champions League fixture against PSG a "big ask". "I can't see anyone past Ole at the moment. The record they've had in the league has been phenomenal," […]

London (AFP) – Ashley Young has warned that Manchester United should not be written off as they attempt to mount an improbable comeback against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last 16. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men head to France for the second leg of their last-16 tie on Wednesday trailing 2-0 after a humbling experience […]

London (AFP) – Captain Jordan Henderson says Liverpool must answer critics who claim they are faltering at the crucial moment in their Premier League title bid by improving their performances on the pitch. A goalless draw in Sunday's derby at Everton left Jurgen Klopp's side a point behind Manchester City, with their destiny no longer […]

London (AFP) – Pep Guardiola says Manchester City are playing "much better" than during last year's record-breaking campaign and his players should not be regarded as losers even if Liverpool pip them to the Premier League title. City are favourites to retain their crown after Saturday's 1-0 win at Bournemouth and Sunday's goalless Merseyside derby […]

London (AFP) – Harry Kane says Tottenham Hotspur need to start delivering when the pressure is at its most intense if they are to take the final step and become trophy winners. Mauricio Pochettino has led Spurs towards the top of the English game, challenging for league titles and domestic cups during his spell of […]

London (AFP) – Harry Kane insists Tottenham will shake off their Premier League collapse as the England star looks to fire his team into the Champions League quarter-finals against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday. In the space of seven days, Tottenham's hopes of winning the Premier League have been shattered by defeats at Burnley and Chelsea […]

Dortmund (Germany) (AFP) – Borussia Dortmund must remedy glaring defensive errors to have any chance of overturning a 3-0 first leg deficit when they host Tottenham in the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday. "This is a phase we need to stabilise quickly or things will get very tight," said Dortmund captain Marco […]

Madrid (AFP) – Santiago Solari's future is likely to hinge on Real Madrid again winning the Champions League but two defeats by Barcelona in four days have brought old problems back to the surface. After being knocked out of the Copa del Rey and effectively deemed irrelevant in the title race, a third loss in […]

Rome (AFP) – Juventus closed all talk of a challenge to their Serie A dominance after coming through a second-half onslaught at Napoli to win 2-1 in an engrossing match that saw each side have a man sent off and stretch their lead at the top to a huge 16 points. Massimiliano Allegri's unbeaten leaders […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Kenyan club Gor Mahia were denied what appeared a legitimate goal when losing 1-0 away to Algerians NA Hussein Dey Sunday in a CAF Confederation Cup matchday 4 clash. Ugandan defender Shafik Batambuze soared to nod a corner into the net on 59 minutes and turned to celebrate what the visiting […]

Paris (AFP) – Mario Balotelli showed off a new goal celebration on Sunday as he took a selfie video with his Marseille teammates and posted it on social media during their 2-0 win over Saint-Etienne. The Italian scored his fourth goal in six Ligue 1 games since joining Marseille from Nice in January by hooking […]