Milan (AFP) – Coach Luciano Spalletti blasted Inter Milan's "sloppy and careless" performance as the fallen Serie A giants hopes of capturing this year's title faded with a 1-0 loss to Juventus on Friday. Chinese-owned Inter, who finished fourth last season, had looked a serious rival to reigning seven-time champions Juventus with summer signings such […]

Madrid (AFP) – Six thousand miles away and 15 days later than planned, the Copa Libertadores final between Boca Juniors and River Plate will be concluded. There have been refusals, complaints and threats to go to court, but the players of Boca and River, Argentina's two greatest football rivals, landed in Madrid and all indications […]

Atlanta (AFP) – Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber hailed 2018 as its "most competitive season" as he assessed the state of the North American league on the eve of the MLS Cup final. Garber lauded MLS Cup finalists Atlanta United and the Portland Timbers while touching on topics including league expansion, the global transfer […]

Lima (AFP) – Prosecutors on Friday ordered Peru's Football Federation chief Edwin Oviedo held for 18 months preventive detention in a graft case. The news came after Oviedo, 47, was detained on suspicion of involvement in a "corruption network" involving judges and businessmen. Meanwhile, a court in Lima was expected to rule soon on a […]

Milan (AFP) – Mario Mandzukic scored the only goal as Juventus killed off Inter Milan's challenge to move 11 points clear in Serie A on Friday. Luciano Spalletti's third-placed Inter fall 14 points adrift of the leaders with the Derby d'Italia defeat a grave blow to their hopes of challenging for a first title since […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola is confident that Manchester City will not be banned from the Champions League at the end of an ongoing Financial Fair Play investigation after speaking with the club's senior figures. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has promised that there will be action "very soon" regarding its assessment of allegations […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Jose Mourinho says it is vital that UEFA clamps down on Financial Fair Play infringements to level the playing field and enable Manchester United to become serious Premier League title contenders again. Mourinho's comments appear to be aimed at Manchester City, who are the subject of an ongoing investigation by […]

Paris (AFP) – Congo Brazzaville has emerged as a strong contender to host next year's rearranged Africa Cup of Nations, according to a senior official in the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Constant Omari, a vice-president of CAF, also said that the dossier of Guinea, hosts-designate of the 2023 edition, does not exist. "Congo Brazzaville […]

Milan (AFP) – Former Italian international footballer and coach Luigi Radice, who led Torino to their last Serie A title 42 years ago, has died at the age of 83 after a long illness, the club confirmed on Friday. "Football loses an extraordinary professional, Torino weeps for a friend. Ciao Gigi, we'll never forget you," […]

Santiago (AFP) – Chile will become the latest country to boast a female referee in men's professional football, following the announcement by the league (ANFP) that Maria Belen Carvajal will take charge of a second division match this weekend. The 35-year-old, who was officiating at the recent Under-17 Women's World Cup in Uruguay, will referee […]

London (AFP) – Jose Mourinho is "very happy" at Manchester United despite the club's Premier League struggles, his agent Jorge Mendes said on Friday. The statement followed reports that the club are considering bringing in Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino to succeed the Portuguese and other reports linking him with a return to Real Madrid. United […]

London (AFP) – Mauricio Pochettino says Wembley is the "best place in the world" to play football despite the frustrations of Tottenham's long wait to move into their new stadium. Spurs full-back Danny Rose this week voiced his frustration at the club's extended tenure at the national stadium and many Tottenham fans seem to agree, […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola has warned his Manchester City players that complacency is the biggest threat to their push for domestic and European domination. Guardiola's unbeaten Premier League leaders visit Chelsea on Saturday sitting two points clear of closest challengers Liverpool. City are well on course to defend the title they won […]

London (AFP) – Arsenal defender Rob Holding is set to miss the rest of the season after the Premier League club on Friday announced he had sustained cruciate ligament damage. The 23-year-old suffered the knee injury during the first half of Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford, which left Unai Emery's side […]

London (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp does not believe Premier League leaders Manchester City are feeling the pressure of Liverpool's pursuit — even if his side go top of the table. An early start at Bournemouth on Saturday means Liverpool could overtake their rivals, who have an evening kick-off at fourth-placed Chelsea, but the German does […]