Tokyo (AFP) – Japan named Olympic coach Hajime Moriyasu as their new national football boss on Thursday. The 49-year-old replaces Akira Nishino, who led the Blue Samurai to the last 16 of the World Cup in Russia in his two-month spell as caretaker coach. Former Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann had been linked to the job, […]

London (AFP) – Newcastle United announced on Thursday the signing of Switzerland defender Fabian Schaer from Deportivo La Coruna. Schaer played in three of Switzerland's four games at the World Cup in Russia, helping the Swiss to progress from Group E – along with Brazil – before missing their last-16 defeat by Sweden through suspension. […]

Madrid (AFP) – hahahaSorrySpain's taxman wants Bayern Munich's Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez to pay 11.65 million euros ($13.64m) for evading taxes when he played at Real Madrid, the El Mundo daily reported Thursday. James, who moved to Bayern Munich last year, is accused of having evaded 6.35 million euros in taxes, mainly linked to his […]

Berlin (AFP) – The chief of the German Football Association (DFB) on Thursday rejected accusations of racism by Mesut Ozil, but admitted he should have done more to protect the midfielder against discriminatory abuse. In a four-page statement announcing his decision to quit playing football for Germany on Sunday, Ozil singled out football federation (DFB) […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea announced Thursday the signing of former England goalkeeper Robert Green on a one-year contract, to provide backup for Thibaut Courtois and Willy Caballero. The 38-year-old was a free agent after leaving Huddersfield at the end of last season. Green won 12 England caps between 2005 and 2012 and played at the […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Alexis Sanchez was on target as Manchester United defeated AC Milan on penalties in their International Champions Cup friendly on Wednesday. Chilean international Sanchez was United's best performer in a low-key game at Carson's StubHub Center which finished 1-1. Sanchez fired United into the lead with a well-taken goal on 12 […]

San Diego (AFP) – Mauricio Pochettino insists he will "adapt" to the loss of Tottenham's World Cup absentees, despite the impact on the club's preparations for the new Premier League campaign. Spurs thrashed Roma 4-1 in their opening game in the International Champions Cup pre-season tournament on Wednesday after doubles from Fernando Llorente and Lucas […]

Singapore (AFP) – Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey says he is excited about playing under new boss Unai Emery and expects movement on a fresh contract "in the next few weeks". Ramsey is considered key to Emery's rebuilding project at the London club after the 22-year Arsene Wenger era but, with his contract expiring next year, the […]

East Rutherford (United States) (AFP) – Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane made an instant impact as Liverpool came from behind to beat Premier League champions Manchester City 2-1 in their International Champions Cup friendly match on Wednesday. Mane stroked home Liverpool's winner from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time to give Jurgen Klopp's men […]

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Tite was handed a new contract to remain as coach of the Brazil national team until 2022 on Wednesday despite their traumatic World Cup quarter-final exit in Russia, the Brazilian football federation (CBF) said. "The CBF has renewed the contract with coach Tite until the end of the 2022 World […]

Paris (AFP) – French giants Marseille were warned Wednesday they could be kicked out of European competition if their fans continue to wreak havoc. After numerous incidents in last season's Europa League in games against RB Leipzig, Salzburg and even in the final with Atletico Madrid, governing body UEFA have put the club on a […]

London (AFP) – Germany winger and 2014 World Cup winner Andre Schuerrle on Wednesday agreed to join Fulham of the Premier League on a two-year loan from Borussia Dortmund. It will be a second stint in the English top flight for the 27-year-old who played at nearby Chelsea from 2013-2015. "I'm so happy to be […]

Rome (AFP) – AC Milan announced the appointment of former Brazilian World Cup winner Leonardo as the club's sporting director on Wednesday. The 48-year-old had two spells as a player at the San Siro, before an ill-fated stint as Milan head coach during the 2009-2010 season. "Leonardo's story at AC Milan is unique, having contributed […]

Madrid (AFP) – Spanish prosecutors said Wednesday they want former Barcelona president Sandro Rosell to be jailed for 11 years and fined 59 million euros ($69 million) for alleged money laundering related to television rights and sponsorship in Brazil. The prosecutors at the Madrid-based National Court, which deals with major corruption cases, accuse Rosell, his […]

Paris (AFP) – France right-back Benjamin Pavard has won the 2018 World Cup goal of the tournament award for his stunning strike against Argentina, FIFA announced on Wednesday. The 22-year-old Stuttgart defender ran onto a left-wing cross from Lucas Hernandez and sent a right-footed half-volley spinning into the top corner to level eventual champions France's […]