Versailles (France) (AFP) – The alleged mastermind of the attempt to blackmail French footballer Mathieu Valbuena with a sex tape, over which Real Madrid star Karim Benzema is on trial, on Thursday apologised to Valbuena for the incident which damaged his career. Benzema is accused of complicity in an attempt to extort money from his […]

Milan (AFP) – The handler of Lazio's eagle mascot has praised dictators Benito Mussolini and Francisco Franco after being suspended by the Serie A club for performing a fascist salute at the end of last weekend's win over Inter Milan. Juan Bernabe was filmed by fans at Rome's Stadio Olimpico making the gesture and chanting […]

London (AFP) – Mikel Arteta believes Alexandre Lacazette's attitude to playing for Arsenal will be unaffected by the doubts surrounding the France striker's future at the Premier League club. Lacazette's contract expires at the end of the current campaign, with Arteta saying Thursday "anything is possible" when it comes to the 30-year-old forward signing a […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer became the latest high profile football figure to criticise FIFA's idea of staging a World Cup finals every two years saying "you must never sacrifice football on the altar of financial interests." "Players, coaches, everyone who bears responsibility in the clubs groan and moan about too many […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich confirmed Thursday that head coach Julian Nagelsmann has tested positive for Covid-19 – even though he is fully vaccinated – having already sat out their Champions League win at Benfica with illness. "Julian Nagelsmann has tested positive for the coronavirus despite being fully vaccinated," the German giants said in a […]

Lyon (AFP) – Lyon star and former Ballon d'Or winner Ada Hegerberg said she "never doubted" her ability to return from a severe knee injury, and is "making the most of every moment" after being sidelined for 20 months. The Norwegian had been out since January 2020 before coming off the bench for the final […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo's second coming at Manchester United has already produced two memorable moments with late winners against Villarreal and Atalanta to edge the Red Devils towards the last 16 of the Champions League. However, Ronaldo's return has also come at a cost with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men increasingly looking like […]

Berlin (AFP) – Leroy Sane struck twice in the second half to inspire Bayern Munich to a 4-0 win at Benfica on Wednesday, as the German giants maintained their perfect record in the Champions League group stage this season. Bayern have now won three games in three without conceding a goal and have one foot […]

Saint Petersburg (AFP) – Dejan Kulusevski struck with the decisive late goal to give Juventus a 1-0 win at Zenit Saint Petersburg on Wednesday which puts them within touching distance of the Champions League last 16. Sweden attacker Kulusevski headed home Mattia De Sciglio's cross with four minutes remaining of a largely dull contest to […]

Berlin (AFP) – Leroy Sane struck twice in the second half to inspire Bayern Munich to a 4-0 win at Benfica on Wednesday, as the German giants maintained their perfect record in the Champions League group stage this season. Bayern have now won three games in three without conceding a goal and have one foot […]

Bern (Switzerland) (AFP) – Yeremi Pino and Gerard Moreno scored as Villarreal defeated Young Boys 4-1 in Switzerland on Wednesday to record their first Champions League group stage victory in 13 years. Pino celebrated his 19th birthday by heading Villarreal ahead on six minutes at the Wankdorf Stadium and Gerard Moreno nodded in a second […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester United needed another Champions League fightback finished off by Cristiano Ronaldo as they came from two goals down to beat Atalanta 3-2 at Old Trafford on Wednesday. Goals from Mario Pasalic and Merih Demiral had Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men on course for a fifth defeat in eight games. However, […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Ansu Fati has extended his contract with Barcelona until 2027, the club announced on Wednesday, shortly after their 1-0 victory over Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League. Fati, who has recently returned after almost a year out with a knee injury, will have a release clause in his new deal set at […]

London (AFP) – Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin faces an extended spell on the sidelines after the club said Wednesday his recovery from a thigh injury was taking longer than hoped. The England international has not featured since August 28 because of a quadriceps problem and his rehabilitation has hit a stumbling block, with Everton saying […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Gerard Pique sparked Barcelona's flailing Champions League campaign into life on Wednesday by scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win over Dynamo Kiev, a victory that was witnessed by a half-empty Camp Nou. The attendance was recorded at 45,968, with several blocks of seating filled by only a handful of supporters […]