London (AFP) – Former Wales rugby captain Gareth Thomas teamed up with a senior British MP on Monday in a bid to make homophobic abuse illegal in football stadiums. Thomas, who came out as gay in 2009, joined forces with Conservative MP Damian Collins to launch a draft bill aimed at outlawing homophobic chanting in […]

Moscow (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal and 2010 winners Spain can lock down spots in the World Cup last 16 on Monday, as hosts Russia ride a wave of national euphoria into their clash with Uruguay. Spain crashed out in spectacular fashion in the group stage four years ago in Brazil but are on course […]

Yekaterinburg (Russia) (AFP) – Attack-minded Japan have defied sceptics who said they would flop at the World Cup and instead go into their final group game on Thursday needing just a draw to reach the last 16. Japan sacked their coach just two months before the World Cup, throwing their preparations for Russia into chaos. […]

Amman (AFP) – As England thrashed Panama 6-1 on Sunday Prince William, the president of the Football Association, was flying into Jordan for a historic Middle East tour. The Duke of Cambridge missed the momentous game that helped England ease into the World Cup last 16 but caught a replay at the home of his […]

Moscow (AFP) – Latin American countries have sprung a World Cup surprise by filling Russia's 11 host cities with tens of thousands of fans from Mexico and Colombia to Peru and Argentina. And some of the Europeans who did show up said their friends back home told them they were crazy to go. The contrasting […]

Kazan Arena (Russia) (AFP) – Colombia coach Jose Pekerman has tipped Radamel Falcao for more success after the joy of seeing his star striker bag his maiden World Cup goal in a 3-0 win over Poland on Sunday. "I think this is one of the greatest joys we experienced tonight," Pekerman said when asked how […]

Volgograd (Russia) (AFP) – The 2017-18 season has been the best of times, and the worst of times for Mohamed Salah. After a stunning debut season for Liverpool, Salah was elevated to Ballon D'Or contention, now all he has left to play for is a chance to avoid a World Cup wooden spoon. His long […]

Saint Petersburg (AFP) – Held by Iceland and humiliated by Croatia, Argentina's World Cup could already have been all but over, but Lionel Messi and the rest of Jorge Sampaoli's troubled squad have one final shot at redemption against Nigeria on Tuesday. Victory against the Africans, who Argentina have beaten in all four previous World […]

Moscow (AFP) – World Cup contenders France are waiting for star striker Antoine Griezmann to hit his stride as they aim to secure top spot in Group C against Denmark on Tuesday. Griezmann signed an extension with Atletico Madrid through to 2023 last week despite strong interest from Barcelona, but the 27-year-old has yet to […]

Kaliningrad (Russia) (AFP) – Spain coach Fernando Hierro said Sunday his players would not make the mistake of underestimating a Morocco side playing for pride in their World Cup Group B decider in Kaliningrad. Spain need a result from Monday's encounter and Hierro vowed his players would not take the North Africans lightly. "We know […]

Saransk (Russia) (AFP) – Portugal boss Fernando Santos predicts a "tough battle" in Monday's decisive World Cup group game against Iran as both countries chase a place in the last 16. European champions Portugal are level with Spain on four points at the top of Group B and need a draw to guarantee qualification. Iran, […]

Nizhniy Novgorod (Russia) (AFP) – Harry Kane struck a hat-trick as England thrashed Panama 6-1 on Sunday to ease into the World Cup last 16 alongside group rivals Belgium. Kane now has five goals in Russia, leapfrogging Cristiano Ronaldo and Romelu Lukaku in the race for the Golden Boot as the Central Americans were sent […]

Kazan Arena (Russia) (AFP) – Radamel Falcao, Yerry Mina and Juan Cuadrado scored as stylish Colombia boosted their World Cup last 16 hopes with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Poland on Sunday. In a match destined to see the loser sent home after the group stages, Colombia overcame a nervous start against Adam Nawalka's men […]

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Neymar's father called Sunday on supporters of the Brazilian star not to get into online disputes with the many critics of his performance so far at the World Cup. "Guys, cool down on social media. Avoid insulting anyone. If you want to support Juninho (Neymar), do it positively," Neymar Sr […]

Lisbon (AFP) – Bruno de Carvalho, the president of crisis-hit Sporting Lisbon, said Sunday that he was standing down after supporters voted that he should resign. "For me it's over," De Carvalho said in a long post on Facebook on Sunday. "I quit the club forever." A general meeting attended by 9,400 members on Saturday […]