London (AFP) – Marco Silva can spearhead a welcome period of stability for English Premier League side Everton after they went through five managers in the past five years, according to the club's chief executive. Denise Barrett-Baxendale — who stepped into the role of chief executive the day Silva's predecessor as manager Sam Allardyce was […]

Shanghai (AFP) – Shanghai Shenhua and Shanghai SIPG urged calm on the eve of their combustible football derby on Saturday, telling fans to be "rational" about the result — and clear up their rubbish. The city rivals clash in the Chinese Super League (CSL) and feelings will be running high for one of the biggest […]

Paris (AFP) – Neymar left Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain 12 months ago in a bid to move out of Lionel Messi's shadow and confirm his status as one of the world's best players, but the Brazilian may have to share the mantle of talisman with teenage prodigy Kylian Mbappe this season. The French champions start […]

London (AFP) – Fans have a chance of investing in an agency discovering young football talent in what is a "revolutionary" moment for the sport, Diego Maradona's former agent Jon Smith told AFP. Smith — who is widely regarded as the first super-agent in football dealing with the likes of Maradona and Ruud Gullit — […]

Paris (AFP) – A linesman suffered a head injury when an object was thrown at him during Thursday's Europa League clash between Sturm Graz of Austria and AEK Larnaca from Cyprus, the Austrian club said as it condemned the attack. "This behaviour is completely unacceptable and damages the reputation of football and of our club," […]

London (AFP) – Vincent Kompany has warned Manchester City's rivals that the Premier League champions won't rest on their laurels as they aim to follow their record-breaking season with another title triumph. Pep Guardiola's side swept to the title last term with a record 100 points, amassing more wins and scoring more goals than any […]

London (AFP) – With the Premier League's transfer window closing on Thursday, the top title contenders have completed their squad building until January. Here AFP Sport looks at how the division's elite teams fared in the transfer market and what their prospects are for the coming season: Manchester City After sweeping to the title with […]

Newcastle (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Mauricio Pochettino insists he not unhappy at Tottenham's inaction during the transfer window, but the true test of his club's decision not to make a single signing will come as the new Premier League season unfolds. The north London club have often done things differently when it comes to buying […]

Huddersfield (United Kingdom) (AFP) – A frantic 48 hours in the transfer market provided Chelsea with a timely lift after last weekend's Community Shield defeat to Manchester City. The 2-0 loss left new Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri to rue the difference between the two teams, with Pep Guardiola's champions looking sharper and fitter than the […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Jose Mourinho insists Paul Pogba remains happy and motivated at Manchester United despite reports claiming the France star is unsettled and wants to join Barcelona. Following a successful summer in which he helped France to win the World Cup, Pogba's future at United has been the subject of speculation over […]

London (AFP) – Southampton have landed Liverpool striker Danny Ings on a season-long loan with an agreement to sign him permanently at the end of the campaign. It is reported that, once the loan is completed, Southampton will then pay £18 million for Ings, with a further £2 million due based on the number of […]

Rome (AFP) – Parma's five-point penalty, which was imposed as punishment in a match-fix row which sealed their promotion to Serie A, was lifted on appeal by the Italian football federation (FIGC) on Thursday. Striker Emanuele Calaio's two-year ban, which was imposed as part of the same investigation, has also been reduced to four months. […]

London (AFP) – Kepa Arrizabalaga believes goalkeepers are finally getting the credit they deserve after Chelsea paid a world record 80-million-euro fee for a 'keeper to Athletic Bilbao for his services. The Spaniard's move came just weeks after Liverpool broke the record in a 72.5-million-euro move for Brazilian international Alisson Becker from Roma. In a […]

London (AFP) – Leicester City tied down England striker Jamie Vardy to a new four-year contract on Thursday after bolstering their defensive options with the signings of Croatian Filip Benkovic and Turkish international Caglar Soyuncu. Despite adding two centre-backs on deadline day for Premier League clubs, Leicester also resisted interest from Manchester United for England […]

London (AFP) – Leicester City bolstered their defensive options on Thursday with the signings of Croatian Filip Benkovic and Turkish international Caglar Soyuncu. Despite adding two centre-backs on deadline day for Premier League clubs, Leicester resisted interest from Manchester United for England international Harry Maguire. The two sides meet on Friday in the opening game […]