Bangkok (AFP) – Former Australia football captain Craig Foster said on Friday a Bahraini refugee player held in Thailand is a 'test' for FIFA, as rights groups try to duplicate the asylum success story of a Saudi woman who avoided deportation from the country. Foster is in Bangkok helping with the fight to free Hakeem […]

Shanghai (AFP) – Wounded Chinese football was searching for a new national coach on Friday after an angry Marcello Lippi ended his reign with a humiliating exit at the Asian Cup. The 70-year-old Italian World Cup winner confirmed after Thursday's 3-0 quarter-final defeat to Iran in Abu Dhabi that he would not extend his contract. […]

Abu Dhabi (AFP) – South Korea defender Kim Min-jae's goal-scoring exploits at the Asian Cup have not gone unnoticed overseas, but team-mates are urging him to follow Son Heung-min to England rather than go to China. The 22-year-old centre-back, nicknamed "Monster", has burnished his reputation as one of the region's hottest prospects, scoring twice and […]

Milan (AFP) – Senegalese international Kalidou Koulibaly and Napoli return to the San Siro on Saturday, a month after racism and violence overshadowed the team's Boxing Day match against Inter Milan, for the first of a Serie A and Coppa Italia double-header against AC Milan. Carlo Ancelotti's side play an Italian league game against AC […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund resume their Bundesliga rivalry this weekend with both sides looking to avoid slipping up in the title race at home against relegation-threatened opposition. Dortmund, who are six points clear of defending champions Bayern, host second-from-bottom Hanover on Saturday while VfB Stuttgart, who are 16th and also in […]

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Hosts Brazil were handed a favorable group at the 2019 Copa America draw in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday but arch-rivals Argentina landed a tough appointment with Colombia. Eight-time winners Brazil, the top seeds in Group A, were given a pool with minnows Bolivia, Venezuela and Peru. They will kick-off […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri hopes victory on penalties over Tottenham to reach the League Cup final can prove a turning point in his first season in charge. Sarri had questioned the mental strength of his squad and demanded star forward Eden Hazard delivered more on his abundant potential in the wake of […]

Madrid (AFP) – Sergio Ramos scored twice to put Real Madrid on the brink of the Copa del Rey semi-finals as they came from behind to beat Girona 4-2 in a thrilling first leg on Thursday. Ramos' chipped penalty gave Madrid a 2-1 half-time lead at the Santiago Bernabeu after Lucas Vazquez had cancelled out […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Paul Pogba has the qualities to be captain of Manchester United, according to caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has overseen a dramatic return to form for the World Cup winner. The France midfielder was told in September by then-manager Jose Mourinho that he would never captain the club again, […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea provided the perfect response to manager Maurizio Sarri's public criticism to progress to the League Cup final by beating Tottenham 4-2 on penalties in a thrilling semi-final, second leg on Thursday. First-half goals from N'Golo Kante and Eden Hazard handed Chelsea a 2-1 win on the night to overturn a 1-0 […]

Monaco (AFP) – Thierry Henry was suspended from his role as coach of struggling Ligue 1 side Monaco on Thursday with the former French international striker expected to be quickly axed. "Henry has been suspended until a definitive decision is made," Monaco said in a statement, adding assistant coach Franck Passi would oversee training on […]

London (AFP) – Brighton manager Chris Hughton believes a racism row involving Gaetan Bong and Jay Rodriguez will have no part to play when his side face West Brom in the the FA Cup on Saturday. Seagulls full-back Bong alleged he had been racially abused by West Brom striker Rodriguez during a Premier League match […]

Paris (AFP) – After a stellar playing career that saw him win countless club and international honours, Thierry Henry's hopes of enjoying a managerial golden touch suffered an ignominious start after his suspension on Thursday as Monaco coach. Henry was removed from his coaching duties after he failed to spark a change in fortunes at […]

Abu Dhabi (AFP) – Iran coach Carlos Queiroz warned of the Asian Cup's apex predators Thursday after his title chasers ruthlessly dispatched China 3-0 to set up a semi-final against Japan. Ritsu Doan scored from the spot in Japan's 1-0 win over Vietnam earlier in the day as the video assistant referee system marked its […]

Monaco (AFP) – Thierry Henry has been suspended from his role as coach of struggling Ligue 1 side Monaco as they prepare for a key relegation clash this weekend, the club announced on Thursday. "Henry has been suspended until a definitive decision is made," the club said in a statement, adding assistant coach Franck Passi […]