Paris (AFP) – With huge revenues, a colossal audience on social media, sponsors queuing up, and his brand on products from hotels to underwear, Cristiano Ronaldo has long been more than just a football player. But CR7's global brand may be tarnished by an accusation of rape in the United States, a complaint that dates […]

Bilbao (Spain) (AFP) – 'El Clasico sin argumentos' is how one supporter described it and for more than a century it largely has been, save the odd spat here and there. Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad first met in 1909 and the trajectories of two of Spain's most historic clubs have been interwoven ever since. […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Jose Mourinho insisted he was still the man to turn Manchester United's ailing season around as Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper reported he would be sacked regardless of Saturday's result against Newcastle at Old Trafford. United are struggling in 10th place in the Premier League, without a home win in any […]

Brighton (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Glenn Murray scored his 99th goal for Brighton as they won 1-0 at home to West Ham on Friday and so climbed above the Hammers in the Premier League table. Victory saw the Seagulls soar into 12th place ahead of the bulk of this weekend's fixtures, with West Ham dropping […]

Paris (AFP) – The governing body of world football, FIFA, on Friday suspended the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) because of government interference. The decision came after the country's anti-corruption commission sacked the SLFA president Isha Johansen and general secretary Christopher Kamara because of an ongoing investigation. FIFA said in a statement that it had […]

Milan (AFP) – US sportswear giant Nike says it is "deeply concerned" by rape allegations against star client Cristiano Ronaldo while shares in his club Juventus fell almost 10 percent on the Italian stock exchange on Friday. Ronaldo's coach at Juventus, Massimiliano Allegri, said the striker is "doing well" and is "ready to play" when […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reckons a midweek Champions League defeat by Napoli could inspire his side when they face Premier League leaders Manchester City in a top-of-the-table clash at Anfield on Sunday. Liverpool are currently second to City on goal difference alone but, for all the praise they've received so far this […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino on Friday backed under-fire goalkeeper Hugo Lloris after his costly error against Barcelona in the Champions League. The French World Cup winner returned to the side for the first time since August on Wednesday but made a rash decision in the build-up to Barcelona's opening goal in the 4-2 […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has insisted he will stay true to his attacking beliefs when the English champions visit Liverpool on Sunday despite several defeats by the Reds last season. Guardiola saw his team beaten three times by Jurgen Klopp's men during the 2017/18 campaign, although his side did […]

Rome (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti returned to the fold but there was no place for misfiring striker Mario Balotelli as Italy coach Roberto Mancini unveiled a 28-man squad Friday. Italy, who missed out on last summer's World Cup, host Ukraine on October 10 before meeting Poland in the Nations League in Chorzow […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui has confirmed Gareth Bale is fit and ready to play as Real Madrid look to end their goal drought against Alaves on Saturday. Madrid have gone three games without scoring, after their surprise Champions League loss to CSKA Moscow on Tuesday followed a draw against Atletico Madrid […]

Milan (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo is ready to play for Juventus against Udinese this weekend despite the rape claims made against him, coach Massimiliano Allegri said on Friday as the Italian champions try to maintain their perfect start to the Serie A season. "Ronaldo is doing well, he is ready to play. His professionalism and […]

London (AFP) – Paul Scholes believes Manchester United should stick with under-fire manager Jose Mourinho but says he is "sick of him moaning" about what he is lacking at the club. Pressure is mounting on the 55-year-old after a four-game winless streak that has seen them bow out of the League Cup and made this […]

Milan (AFP) – US sportswear giant Nike says it is "deeply concerned" by rape allegations against Cristiano Ronaldo and shares in Italian champions Juventus fell over five percent on the Italian stock exchange on Friday. Portuguese star Ronaldo is one of the world's top athletes and boasts a number of lucrative sponsorship contracts. But his […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Jose Mourinho acknowledged on Friday Manchester United's current run of form is unacceptable as he battles to turn around their season. The 55-year-old Portuguese is under enormous pressure, with United in their worst position after seven league matches since 1989 — they are 10th, nine points adrift of the top […]