Berlin (AFP) – Marco Reus's 120th-minute penalty broke Union Berlin hearts and sent Borussia Dortmund stumbling into the third round of the German Cup with an epic 3-2 win on Wednesday. Sebastian Polter had twice brought Union back from behind, but the second division side's spirited resistance was ended in the final minute of extra […]

Doha (AFP) – Qatar Airways announced yet another football sponsorship deal on Wednesday by unveiling a four-and-a-half year agreement with CONMEBOL to become the South American football confederation's "official global airline partner". The sponsorship agreement will run until the end of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. "Qatar Airways is delighted to become the official […]

Dublin (AFP) – Irish fire chiefs have advised people to "do the #Neymar" if their Halloween costume catches fire, tweeting a video of the Brazil forward rolling around on the turf. Alongside various safety warnings about bonfires on their Twitter feed, the Dublin Fire Brigade opted for a GIF of Neymar to get their message […]

Bangkok (AFP) – The youngest son of Leicester City's late Thai owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha issued a heartfelt message of thanks Wednesday for the cascade of condolences that followed his father's death in a helicopter crash, vowing to "carry on his big vision". Vichai, 60, was Thailand's fifth-richest man when he died in the horrific accident […]

New York (AFP) – Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic, England's Wayne Rooney and Venezuelan striker Josef Martinez were among five finalists named Wednesday for Major League Soccer's 2018 Most Valuable Player Award. Hours before the North American league began its playoff championship run, the league announced finalists for its season awards, topped by the MVP race, which […]

London (AFP) – The threat of a touchline ban hanging over Jose Mourinho was removed Wednesday when a Football Association charge brought against the Manchester United manager for using foul language was declared "not proven". Television footage showed Mourinho saying something, apparently in his native Portuguese, while at one point looking into a camera, as […]

Bangkok (AFP) – The youngest son of Leicester City's Thai billionaire owner, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, issued a heartfelt message of thanks late Wednesday for the cascade of condolences that followed his father's death in a helicopter crash. Vichai, 60, was Thailand's fifth-richest man when he died in the horror crash after watching his beloved Leicester City […]

London (AFP) – Arsene Wenger has promised he will be back in football management at the start of 2019, but the Frenchman does not yet know at which club. The 69-year-old veteran boss ended his 22-year reign at Premier League side Arsenal at the end of last season but insisted at the time he was […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich expect to be without Thiago Alcantara for "a few weeks" — including their Bundesliga showdown at Borussia Dortmund — after the Spain midfielder injured his ankle in a narrow German Cup win. Bayern confirmed Wednesday that Thiago torn the outer ligament in his right ankle in a 2-1 win at […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said Wednesday he had enjoyed a "cool" time with the touring New Zealand rugby league team. The Kiwis visited the Premier League football giants Melwood training ground ahead of their second Test against England at Liverpool's Anfield ground on Sunday. Klopp, who spoke to New Zealand coach Michael […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich will discover on Wednesday the extent of Thiago Alcantara's ankle injury after the Spain midfielder had to be helped off in their narrow German Cup win. Despite starting with 11 internationals, Bayern scraped past fourth-tier Roedinghausen 2-1 in Tuesday's second round tie as Thiago was carried off late on. "I […]

Kuala Lumpur (AFP) – FIFA president Gianni Infantino said expanding the 2022 World Cup to 48 teams was "feasible" on Wednesday, as hosts Qatar pledged to come to a decision in the early part of next year. Infantino said "Why not?" bring forward the expansion from 32 teams to 48, which is currently due at […]

Beijing (AFP) – China's veteran head coach Marcello Lippi will not renew his contract with the national football team after it expires in January, state media reported. In an interview at a football awards ceremony in Monaco, Lippi said that he wants to return home to his family after working abroad for six years, CGTN […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Wayne Rooney has his sights set on postseason glory as D.C. United launch their MLS Cup campaign on Thursday with a home tie against Columbus Crew. Former Manchester United and England star Rooney has been the catalyst for a stunning transformation in United's fortunes this season, leading them from the bottom […]

London (AFP) – Wayne Rooney has urged Manchester United's under-achieving stars to show more respect for their troubled club. United are languishing in eighth place in the Premier League and have made a slow start to their Champions League campaign. Sunday's 2-1 win over Everton did little to lift the gloom around Old Trafford, with […]