Paris (AFP) – Gianni Infantino reiterated that FIFA will decide in March whether the 2022 World Cup could be extended to include 48 teams but conceded it was not a simple decision. Thirty-two teams contested this year's World Cup in Russia, widely feted as one of the most entertaining editions of the modern era. Although […]

Milan (AFP) – Duvan Zapata got Atalanta back winning ways in Serie A after consecutive losses with hat-trick against former club Udinese on Sunday that brought them to within touching distance of the Champions League places. Colombian striker Zapata's goals put Gian Piero Gasperini's side seventh, just four points away from fourth place and the […]

Madrid (AFP) – Gareth Bale ended a run of 802 minutes without a goal in La Liga as Real Madrid won 1-0 at bottom side Huesca on Sunday to climb back to within five points of leaders Barcelona. The Welshman struck his first goal in the league since the start of September to lift Real […]

Milan (AFP) – On-loan Everton winger Kevin Mirallas struck six minutes into injury time to snatch a point for Fiorentina in a dramatic 3-3 draw with Sassuolo on Sunday that saw both teams finish with ten men. Mirallas, who joined the Tuscany side on a season-long loan after falling out of favour at Goodison Park, […]

Madrid (AFP) – The violence-hit Copa Libertadores final between Boca Juniors and River Plate will finally conclude in Madrid on Sunday, thousands of miles away from Argentina and 15 days later than planned. After postponements, bitter rows and court action that have tarnished the reputation of South American football, Argentina's two greatest football rivals will […]

London (AFP) – Juan Mata says Manchester United's "complete performance" against Fulham was just the tonic for a team that has endured a frustrating start to the season. United started Saturday's game on a four-match winless streak, leaving them well behind in the race for a top-four Premier League finish, but overpowered bottom club Fulham […]

Milan (AFP) – Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paqueta has arrived in Italy ahead of completing a record transfer move to AC Milan, Italian media reported on Sunday. "I'm very happy to be here, I chose Milan because of their history," Paqueta told journalists at the airport. The Serie A giants are reported to have agreed a 35 […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City — Premier League champions-elect in the eyes of many — now know they are in a real scrap after Liverpool leapfrogged them to the top of the table on a telling day in the title race. Both sides started Saturday unbeaten after 15 matches with an impressive 25 wins between […]

London (AFP) – Raheem Sterling has accused British newspapers of helping to "fuel racism" with the way they portray young black footballers after he suffered alleged abuse during Manchester City's defeat at Chelsea. Chelsea and the police are investigating the incident at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, which was highlighted on social media. Sterling, 24, posted […]

Kabul (AFP) – Afghanistan has suspended five officials including the president of the country's football federation over allegations of sexual and physical abuse against the national women's team, officials said Sunday. The decision comes days after President Ashraf Ghani ordered the attorney general to conduct a "thorough investigation" into what he called "shocking" claims of abuse […]

Sydney (AFP) – A former Bahrain national footballer held in Thailand on an extradition request and who has refugee status in Australia should be allowed to return home, Foreign Minister Marise Payne said Sunday. Hakeem Alaraibi, who plays for a semi-professional football club in Melbourne, was stopped by Thai immigration on November 27 after arriving […]

Boulogne-Billancourt (France) (AFP) – England manager Phil Neville admitted that a "great generation" of Japan players will pose a major threat to his team at the 2019 women's World Cup after Saturday's draw for the tournament placed them in the same group. England have aspirations of winning the World Cup after reaching the semi-finals in […]

Leicester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Mauricio Pochettino challenged his Tottenham squad to fight for silverware on two fronts after seeing his team thrust themselves back into the Premier League title race with a 2-0 victory at Leicester City ahead of a Champions League trip to Barcelona in midweek. The Tottenham manager saw his side brush […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea and the Metropolitan Police confirmed they are investigating an incident of alleged racist abuse aimed at Manchester City's Raheem Sterling during Chelsea's 2-0 win on Saturday. Twitter users highlighted a first-half incident when a supporter appeared to abuse Sterling as he retrieved the ball near Chelsea supporters. A Chelsea spokesman said: […]

Madrid (AFP) – Lionel Messi stole the show with two free-kick goals in a blistering display as Barcelona maintained their lead at the top of La Liga with a thumping 4-0 derby win over Catalan rivals Espanyol. The Argentine superstar curled hom two sensational set-pieces and set up another goal as he and his teammates […]