Naples (Italy) (AFP) – While the eye-popping investments from their Qatari owners continue to raise questions about Financial Fair Play, the reality is that Paris Saint-Germain are in genuine danger of early elimination from the Champions League before taking on Napoli on Tuesday. New coach Thomas Tuchel has overseen a record-breaking start to the French […]

Milan (AFP) – Serie A strugglers Empoli confirmed Monday they have sacked coach Aurelio Andreazzoli after last weekend's 5-1 defeat to Napoli. Andreazzoli — a former Roma and Udinese assistant coach — took over the Tuscany club last December. The 65-year-old led them to promotion, but they have not won a match since their opening […]

Milan (AFP) – Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde said Monday that Lionel Messi could play in Tuesday's Champions League clash at Inter Milan, but he would take "no risks" with the superstar attacker as he recovers from a broken arm. "He could play, but we have to wait until after training and see how he feels. […]

Naples (Italy) (AFP) – Carlo Ancelotti was looking forward to meeting up again with his old friend Gianluigi Buffon on Monday ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash with 'unpredictable' former club Paris Saint-Germain. "It's always a pleasure to meet him again, to see that he is motivated despite his age, I have great respect for […]

Naples (Italy) (AFP) – While the eye-watering investments from their Qatari owners continue to raise questions about Financial Fair Play, the reality is that Paris Saint-Germain face the genuine danger of an early elimination from the Champions League before taking on Napoli on Tuesday. New coach Thomas Tuchel has overseen a record-breaking start to the […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic says he cannot wear a red poppy to remember Britain's war dead because it reminds him of the trauma of a NATO bombing campaign on his home country when he was a young child. The 30-year-old Serbian said he had worn the symbol in the past but […]

Berlin (AFP) – With both their strikers having ended goal droughts, Schalke are eyeing a Champions League win at home against Galatasaray on Tuesday to edge them closer to a place in the last 16. Despite losing their first five games this season in the Bundesliga, Schalke have showed far better form in Europe and […]

London (AFP) – Real Madrid star Gareth Bale is back in the Wales squad for a crucial Nations League group clash with Denmark after missing last month's international matches. The 29-year-old winger — who was unavailable for the friendly against Spain and the Nations League win over Ireland because of muscle fatigue — is fit […]

Paris (AFP) – Monaco have denied claims that they tried to bypass UEFA's Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules by agreeing to enter a partnership to generate revenues from an offshore firm registered in Hong Kong. Documents released on Monday by French investigative website Mediapart, part of the Football Leaks investigation, also indicated that European football's […]

Milan (AFP) – Lionel Messi is the icing on Barcelona's cake, Inter Milan coach Luciano Spalletti said on Monday on the eve of the Champions League Group B game between the two teams. Messi could make an earlier return than expected against Inter Milan in the San Siro on Tuesday after breaking his arm on […]

Munich (Germany) (AFP) – Niko Kovac is in danger of losing the dressing room at Bayern Munich, according to Germany legend Lothar Matthaeus, who believes the coach does not have the support of several stars. Bayern can reach the knockout stages of the Champions League if they beat reigning Greek side AEK at home on […]

London (AFP) – Raheem Sterling hopes to give Manchester City fans plenty more reason to chant his name after starring in Sunday's demolition of Southampton. Sterling scored two goals and provided two assists as City swatted aside Southampton 6-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. City manager Pep Guardiola praised the performance of the England […]

Manila (AFP) – The Philippines' freshly named head coach, ex-England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, said Monday he plans to stick around longer than his predecessor Terry Butcher, who quit before taking charge of a single game. The Azkals, who are gearing up for their first Asian Cup berth, announced Eriksson's appointment last week after the surprise […]

London (AFP) – Xherdan Shaqiri has been left out of Liverpool's travelling squad for Tuesday's Champions League match against Red Star Belgrade, the Premier League club have announced. The midfielder was at the centre of controversy along with Switzerland teammate Granit Xhaka when they celebrated goals with a pro-Kosovo "double eagle" gesture that represents the […]

London (AFP) – Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel says the helicopter crash that killed the club's revered Thai owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha will haunt him forever after he witnessed the tragedy. The 32-year-old Danish international — speaking after Leicester had beaten Cardiff on Saturday in their first match since the crash, which also killed four others — […]