Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel said on Monday he hopes Neymar will return to training after the Champions League last-16 second leg against Manchester United on March 6. The world's most expensive player has been sidelined since January 23 with a foot injury he sustained in a French Cup win over Strasbourg […]

London (AFP) – Claude Puel has spoken of his "honour" at being given the opportunity to manage Leicester following his sacking at the weekend. The 57-year-old Frenchman's 16-month reign came to an end after Saturday's 4-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace, Leicester's sixth defeat in seven matches. During that run the club have been knocked […]

Madrid (AFP) – Even Gareth Bale's match-winning goal against Levante only served to reignite the debate about his problems at Real Madrid. After coming off the bench, yet again, Bale converted a controversial penalty to secure a barely deserved 2-1 league victory on Sunday. Bale refused to celebrate his 78th minute winner. Stony faced, he […]

Paris (AFP) – Wilfried Zaha was the stand-out African in Europe at the weekend, scoring twice as Crystal Palace triumphed 4-1 at Leicester City to all but end fears of relegation. It was the first time the jet-heeled 26-year-old Ivory Coast attacker has scored in three consecutive English Premier League matches. On a profitable weekend […]

London (AFP) – Kepa Arrizabalaga's extraordinary refusal to be substituted by Maurizio Sarri in Sunday's League Cup final heaps the pressure on the beleaguered Chelsea boss as he desperately seeks consistency. The Spaniard twice required treatment late in extra-time against Manchester City at Wembley, with the match heading for penalties, so the Italian boss planned […]

Lisbon (AFP) – Only launched at the beginning of this season, the Benfica women's team have enjoyed a stunning start to life in the Portuguese league, terrifying opponents as they advance at an average of 17 goals a game. Indeed, 17-0 was the scoreline when Benfica went to Damaiense back in November. It was only […]

Dortmund (Germany) (AFP) – Borussia Dortmund captain Marco Reus returned to training with the Bundesliga leaders on Monday after a three-week absence with a thigh injury. The 29-year-old is expected to be back in action for Dortmund's game against Augsburg on Friday. Coach Lucien Favre will be delighted to have his team's leading goalscorer back […]

London (AFP) – David Luiz says Kepa Arrizabalaga's refusal to be substituted during the League Cup final against Manchester City does not show that Maurizio Sarri has lost the respect of his Chelsea players. Sarri's position is precarious after a run of poor results but his team put in a valiant performance in Sunday's match […]

London (AFP) – Kevin De Bruyne has played down Manchester City's quadruple prospects after they beat Chelsea in the League Cup final but admitted such an achievement would make them the "best team ever". With Liverpool also missing the chance to move three points clear at the top of the Premier League after being held […]

Shanghai (AFP) – Mousa Dembele is relishing facing former Tottenham Hotspur team-mate Paulinho when the duo go head to head in the Guangzhou derby in China. The 31-year-old Belgian international Dembele revealed that he turned down offers from other Chinese teams to sign for Guangzhou R&F last month after six and a half years at […]

Oslo (AFP) – She first took to the pitch as a pesky little girl who followed her big sister everywhere. Today she is the top female footballer in the world, crowned with the first women's Ballon d'Or. Ada Hegerberg has captivated the football world, a "serial scorer" averaging almost 1.3 goals per match with her […]

Lyon (AFP) – Having been recognised as the top women's footballer on the planet, Ada Hegerberg is revelling in her status as a role model for aspiring young talents as she thrives at Europe's top club. It was the 23-year-old's prolific form in front of goal for Lyon, the Champions League holders and serial French […]

Rome (AFP) – They missed out on the men's World Cup in Russia last year, but the good news for fans in countries from Italy to China and Scotland is that they will be present at the women's tournament in France in June and July. In football-mad Italy, who hadn't missed the men's tournament since […]

Milan (AFP) – Juventus maintained their 13-point lead at the top of Serie A on Sunday after Paulo Dybala hit the winner in a 1-0 victory at Bologna to keep the champions ahead of Napoli who easily saw off Parma 4-0. But there was drama in Tuscany as Jordan Veretout converted a 101st-minute penalty to […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – African club giants Raja Casablanca and Zamalek suffered huge setbacks Sunday as they seek CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals places. Raja crashed 4-2 at home to Renaissance Berkane in an all-Moroccan clash while Egyptian outfit Zamalek snatched a last-gasp 1-1 draw with Angolan visitors Petro Atletico. On a bad day for most top […]