Milan (AFP) – Italian police are investigating after AS Roma supporters allegedly distributed anti-Semitic leaflets in the north of the city on Wednesday to coincide with the anniversary of bitter city rivals Lazio. The leaflets, signed by a group of Roma ultras, were posted overnight in the area where Lazio supporters gathered to celebrate their […]

London (AFP) – German international Antonio Rudiger admitted Chelsea team-mate Callum Hudson-Odoi has picked his brains over a move to the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich keen to sign the 18-year-old Englishman. Bayern's director of sport Hasan Salihamidzic confirmed on Wednesday that the German champions "definitely want to sign" Hudson-Odoi, who has just 18 months left […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde admitted on Wednesday the club could look to sign a new striker in January. Valverde confirmed the Spanish-Moroccan forward Munir El-Haddadi would likely be sold this month, leaving Barca short of cover up front. Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez already have 28 goals between them this season but […]

Al-Ain (United Arab Emirates) (AFP) – Yuya Osako's quickfire double spared Japan's blushes against lowly Turkmenistan at the Asian Cup on Wednesday, as 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar briefly lifted the clouds of the Gulf crisis with a 2-0 win over Lebanon. Uzbekistan left it late before seeing off Oman 2-1 but it was four-time […]

Paris (AFP) – South Africa-born Paul Willemse was one of five uncapped players named by Jacques Brunel Wednesday in the France squad for the two opening matches of the Six Nations. Ex-Bulls lock Willemse, 26, qualifies for his adoptive country on residency grounds having spent more than three years with Top 14 clubs Montpellier and […]

Al-Ain (United Arab Emirates) (AFP) – Yuya Osako's quickfire double spared Japan's blushes against lowly Turkmenistan as Uzbekistan's late winner saw off Oman at the Asian Cup on Wednesday. Arslan Amanov's first-half rocket raised the prospect of a titanic upset of the four-time champions but Osako's brace restored order before Ritsu Doan appeared to make […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has sustained a hip injury and could miss crunch La Liga games against Real Betis and Sevilla later this month. Madrid confirmed on Wednesday that Courtois has been diagnosed with a grade one injury, the least severe possible, and he was left out of the squad to […]

Milan (AFP) – AC Milan striker Gonzalo Higuain has "agreed terms" and is set for an imminent move to Premier League club Chelsea, Italian sports daily Gazzetta Dello Sport reported on Wednesday. Higuain joined Milan on a season-long loan from Juventus in July with an option to make the deal permanent, but he has struggled […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham have been derided as a soft touch for decades, but the sight of Eden Hazard being hounded into submission showed Mauricio Pochettino's side are finally shedding their nice-guy image. The perception of Tottenham as entertaining but ultimately flawed under-achievers has haunted a succession of managers at the north London club. But […]

Abu Dhabi (AFP) – Japan captain Maya Yoshida admitted the former champions had failed to do sufficient homework on Turkmenistan after coming from behind to win their Asian Cup opener 3-2 on Wednesday. A quickfire Yuya Osako double triggered Japan's fightback in the Abu Dhabi sunshine after they went into the halftime interval 1-0 down […]

Tokyo (AFP) – Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta has apologised after posting a photo on social media with two people in blackface as part of Epiphany celebrations. The 34-year-old superstar who currently plays at Japan's Vissel Kobe had no intention "to upset anyone by displaying that photo," according to a statement by his agency sent to […]

Abu Dhabi (AFP) – Yuya Osako netted a quickfire double as former champions Japan survived a scare to beat Turkmenistan 3-2 in their Asian Cup opener on Wednesday. The Blue Samurai reached the last 16 at last year's World Cup but had to fight back from a goal down at halftime in an absorbing Group […]

Milan (AFP) – AC Milan striker Gonzalo Higuain has "agreed terms" and is set for an imminent move to Premier League club Chelsea, Italian sports daily Gazzetta Dello Sport reported on Wednesday. Higuain joined Milan on a season-long loan from Juventus in July with an option to buy but has struggled to settle at the […]

Doha (AFP) – Bayern Munich, who are targeting young talent in the current transfer window, have confirmed their strong interest in English teenager Callum Hudson-Odoi amid reports the defending German champions have agreed a fee with Chelsea. "We definitely want to sign him – he has the qualities which would fit very well into our […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – As South Africa reeled Wednesday after a humiliating defeat by Egypt in a contest to decide the new 2019 Africa Cup of Nations hosts, the blame game began. South African football officials said the 16-1 vote in favour of Egypt in Senegal Tuesday was "political" without offering insight. Confederation of African Football […]