Munich (Germany) (AFP) – France coach Didier Deschamps says the world champions cannot afford any drop in standards as they prepare to launch their UEFA Nations League campaign away to Germany on Thursday. Les Bleus return to action for the first time since lifting the World Cup trophy in Russia when they take on Joachim […]

Paris (AFP) – French teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe has been suspended for three matches after his red card against Nimes last weekend, the French league announced on Wednesday. The 19-year-old, who also scored in the 4-2 win, was sent off for pushing over Teji Savanier after the Nimes player hacked him to the ground. The […]

Miami (AFP) – David Beckham's new Major League Soccer franchise will be known as Inter Miami, it was confirmed Wednesday. A statement said Beckham's team, which is due to join the league in 2020, would be officially named Club Internacional de Futbol Miami. The name, which mirrors Serie A giants Inter Milan, was chosen to […]

London (AFP) – Gareth Southgate has slammed the door on England's old guard as he looks to build on his emerging side's impressive World Cup campaign. Just eight weeks after their first appearance in the World Cup semi-finals since 1990, England manager Southgate will be back on the touchline for Saturday's UEFA Nations League opener […]

Bordeaux (AFP) – French Ligue 1 outfit Bordeaux ended their search for a manager on Wednesday by rehiring Brazilian Ricardo Gomes from Santos. The 53-year-old enjoyed success at a previous stint at Bordeaux from 2005-2007 with a second place finish in the league and a League Cup win. Ricardo, a central defender, played 45 times […]

Munich (Germany) (AFP) – Germany coach Joachim Loew has confirmed there is no chance of Mesut Ozil returning to the squad in the wake of the player's bombshell retirement from international duty in July. "I think everything has been said about this. When a player announces his resignation like that, you don't pick him for […]

Paris (AFP) – France star Antoine Griezmann insists he deserves to be on the podium for this year's Ballon d'Or after winning the World Cup and major silverware with Atletico Madrid. Griezmann came third in 2016 in the voting behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi for the most prestigious individual award in football, despite not […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Luis Suarez believes Paul Pogba should be challenging for more trophies than he is at Manchester United and would always be welcome at Barcelona. Pogba has endured a turbulent two years since returning to Old Trafford for a then world-record fee of 105 million euros ($121.7) and his relationship with coach Jose […]

Shanghai (AFP) – Anthony Modeste has been left in limbo after the French striker failed to secure a move away from Tianjin Quanjian during the transfer window and now faces possible legal action. The 30-year-old has not featured in the Chinese Super League (CSL) since August 4 and appears determined to quit the country, with […]

Zagreb (AFP) – Still riding the wave of their historic World Cup run, Croatia are heading for a potential reality check as their new season starts with a friendly against Portugal in Faro on Thursday. It will be the tiny Balkan nation's first match since the side led by star midfielder Luka Modric succumbed to […]

Burton-on-Trent (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Luke Shaw considered retiring after a horrific injury that could have seen his right leg amputated three years ago, but the Manchester United left-back believes he is finally fully fit and ready to deliver on his potential after earning an England recall. Shaw was the world's most expensive teenager when […]

Porto-Novo (Benin) (AFP) – Former Benin football federation president Anjorin Moucharafou has been arrested on suspicion of theft, judicial sources said on Tuesday. Musharraf was "arrested by members of the police" for a case under investigation and relating to a theft of sports equipment, a judicial source told AFP. It has been a week of […]

Bogota (AFP) – Argentine Jose Pekerman stepped down as Colombia coach on Tuesday, less than two months after leading the side into the knock-out stages of the World Cup in Russia. The 69-year-old had been in the job since 2012 and led Colombia to successive World Cup finals appearances. A Yerry Mina goal deep into […]

Burton-on-Trent (United Kingdom) (AFP) – England's Luke Shaw admitted watching the World Cup from afar provided the motivation he needed to grow up and start delivering on his potential for Manchester United. Shaw was the world's most expensive teenager when he signed for United from Southampton for a reported £27 million in 2014, weeks after […]

Madrid (AFP) – Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is set to admit to a Spanish court investigating him that he evaded 3.3 million euros ($3.8 million) in tax while coaching Real Madrid, Spanish daily El Mundo reported Tuesday. The 55-year-old Portuguese is accused of committing tax fraud in 2011 and 2012, prosecutors said last year. […]