Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer claims Manchester United are being given less penalties since Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp questioned the number of spot-kicks awarded to the Old Trafford outfit. Solskjaer was furious after Cristiano Ronaldo was denied two strong appeals for a spot-kick in a 2-1 win at West Ham in the […]

Paris (AFP) – Lionel Messi will again be sidelined for Paris Saint-Germain for Saturday's game against Montpellier as he continues to nurse a knee injury, his club said. PSG said Messi had started running again and that a new update would come on Sunday, raising hope that he will be able to return for the […]

Lausanne (AFP) – The European Club Association has said it is willing to "engage" with FIFA over potential changes to the international calendar but has hit out at world football's governing body for its attempts to introduce a biennial World Cup. The ECA, which has nearly 250 members from across Europe with Paris Saint-Germain's Nasser […]

Madrid (AFP) – "The gunman is back," read the headline in Marca and Atletico Madrid fans will hope the team is too. Luis Suarez scored twice, including a 90th-minute winner, to complete a late turnaround against Getafe on Tuesday and return the reigning champions to the top of the La Liga table. They would quickly […]

Paris (AFP) – After a year of football in empty stadiums the return of supporters this season should have been a cause for celebration, but France is reeling from a series of incidents involving fans in and around Ligue 1 games. The latest came on Wednesday when supporters invaded the pitch and flares were thrown […]

Madrid (AFP) – Barcelona made it three games without a victory on Thursday as a goalless draw with Cadiz further weakened Ronald Koeman's position as coach. Frenkie de Jong was sent off in the 65th minute at the Ramon de Carranza stadium but holding on for a draw will earn little credit for Koeman, who […]

London (AFP) – Arsene Wenger has criticised the "emotional" response to his controversial proposal to hold the World Cup every two years. Former Arsenal manager Wenger, now working as FIFA's head of global development, caused dismay in many quarters by suggesting the World Cup should be played more often. The tournament is currently held every […]

Milan (AFP) – Victor Osimhen scored twice as Napoli crushed Sampdoria, 4-0, on Thursday to remain perfect in Serie A and return to the top of the table. Visiting Napoli rode their luck in the first 35 minutes in Genoa. After 11 minutes home goalkeeper Emil Audero was fooled when Osimhen mishit a close range […]

Rome (AFP) – A man suspected of shouting racist abuse at AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan before Sunday's match against Juventus in Turin has been identified and will face charges of inciting hatred, police said Thursday. The suspect belonged to a Juventus fan club in the Verona area. He was identified by Juventus and the […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich may have accumulated 31 German titles and six European crowns in their glorious history but Friday's modest opponents Greuther Fuerth can at least boast the support of the former right-hand man of two US presidents, Henry Kissinger. "It's definitely the biggest challenge, but we want to approach it with a […]

Paris (AFP) – French police made arrests on Thursday and football authorities held an emergency meeting after a series of violent incidents involving supporters during midweek Ligue 1 matches. A bus carrying Bordeaux supporters to Wednesday's game against Montpellier in southern France was attacked with stones as it drove from the airport, leaving 16 people […]

London (AFP) – Wayne Rooney has vowed to stay with troubled Derby County after the Championship club were hit with a 12-point penalty for going into administration. Derby boss Rooney faces a gruelling battle to keep his team in the English second tier following the points deduction that left them rooted to the bottom of […]

London (AFP) – Romelu Lukaku says football must take "stronger" action in the fight against racism, questioning the impact of players taking the knee before Premier League matches. Lukaku's Chelsea team-mate Marcos Alonso this week explained his decision to stop making the gesture, deciding instead to stand and point to the "No To Racism" badge […]

Berlin (AFP) – France winger Kingsley Coman returned to training with Bayern Munich on Thursday just days after undergoing heart surgery, the Bundesliga leaders confirmed Thursday. "'King' (Coman) has been running again. We are happy that he was back on the pitch," Bayern head coach Julian Nagelsmann said ahead of Friday's Bundesliga game at bottom […]

Milan (AFP) – Genoa announced on Thursday they have been bought by American private equity fund 777 Partners for a reported 150 million euros ($175 million) as Italian businessman Enrico Preziosi ends his 18-year ownership of Italy's oldest football club. "The new owner group, which will acquire 99.9 per cent of Genoa's share capital, will […]