Paris (AFP) – Pele said on Tuesday he was "glad" England goalkeeper Gordon Banks saved his header at the 1970 World Cup because it was the start of a lasting friendship between the two men. Paying tribute to Banks who died on Monday at the age of 81, the Brazilian legend said that even now […]

London (AFP) – Gordon Banks, England's goalkeeper during their triumphant 1966 World Cup campaign, has died aged 81, his former club Stoke City announced on Tuesday. His family said the 73-times capped Banks, who lost an eye in a car crash in 1972, had passed away in his sleep. Geoff Hurst, who scored a hat-trick […]

London (AFP) – Mauricio Pochettino says Tottenham have shaken off the fatigue from their gruelling schedule as they prepare to face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday. Pochettino was frustrated that Tottenham had to play their Premier League match against Leicester on Sunday, while Dortmund were in action 24 hours earlier […]

Berlin (AFP) – Former Germany and Aston Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger was named the new sporting director of Bundesliga strugglers VfB Stuttgart on Tuesday. The 36-year-old, the first Germany international to come out as gay following his retirement in 2013, takes over after predecessor Michael Reschke was sacked as Sunday's 3-0 defeat at Fortuna Duesseldorf […]

London (AFP) – Jadon Sancho's sparkling displays for Borussia Dortmund are not a surprise to Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino, who has had him marked down as a "massive prospect" for the past few years. The 18-year-old winger's form for the German league leaders has earned him England caps and he will be a danger man […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bundesliga bottom side Nuremberg took the drastic step on Tuesday of sacking both sports director Andreas Bornemann and head coach Michael Koellner. With the club winless in their last 15 league games, the decision was taken in Monday night's crisis meeting. Ex-Slovakia international Marek Mintal, 41, who made more than 200 appearances […]

London (AFP) – Gordon Banks' immense standing in the game was reflected by the mass of tributes that flooded in on the announcement England's 1966 World Cup-winning goalkeeper had died aged 81, led by Bobby Charlton. Charlton, the driving force in the '66 team, led the praise, saying "I was proud to call him a […]

Berlin (AFP) – With top-scorer and chief playmaker Marco Reus out injured Borussia Dortmund will face Tottenham Hotspur without their best player, says Germany legend Lothar Matthaeus, ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash. Reus has scored 17 goals and created 11 more for the Bundesliga leaders this season, but is absent for the last 16, […]

London (AFP) – Gordon Banks, England's goalkeeper during their triumphant 1966 World Cup campaign, has died aged 81, his former club Stoke City announced on Tuesday. His family said the 73-times capped Banks, who lost an eye in a car crash in 1972, had passed away in his sleep. "It is with great sadness that […]

London (AFP) – It says much about the brilliance of Gordon Banks that the World Cup-winning England goalkeeper never rated his legendary save from Pele as the greatest stop of his glittering career. Banks, who has died aged 81, earned his place in the pantheon of England icons when he flung himself to his right […]

Amsterdam (AFP) – Real Madrid against Ajax would typically be a clash of stars against prodigies but when they face each other in the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday, the difference will be harder to distinguish. Ajax will have their latest crop of young gems at the Johan Cruyff Arena, where Frenkie de Jong […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Nkana FC of Zambia host Al Hilal of Sudan in the CAF Confederation Cup this Wednesday boosted by a record of never having lost at home in 56 African matches. The 40 victories and 16 draws came in the CAF Champions League, Confederation Cup and two now defunct competitions, the African Cup […]

Melbourne (AFP) – Refugee footballer Hakeem al-Araibi made a triumphant return to Australia Tuesday, ending a two month ordeal that saw him jailed in Thailand and threatened with forced return to his native Bahrain. A throng of well wishers decked in #SAVEHAKEEM T-shirts cheered and sang the football anthem "You'll Never Walk Alone" as they […]

Dortmund (Germany) (AFP) – Jadon Sancho has been bombarded by ticket requests from family and friends for his London return on Wednesday when Borussia Dortmund face Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley in the Champions League. The 18-year-old England winger says he has requested "about 30 tickets" from his German club for the plum last 16, first […]

London (AFP) – Mauricio Pochettino faces a defining moment in his Tottenham reign as the in-demand Argentine tries to keep his bid for a first major prize alive against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. Pochettino has taken to defending his failure to win silverware in almost five years at Tottenham by insisting he values […]