Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 119th Manchester United goal and first for 12 years to open the scoring against Newcastle on Saturday to get his second spell with the Red Devils off to a flying start. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner tapped home in first-half stoppage time after Newcastle goalkeeper Freddie […]

Alcañiz (Spain) (AFP) – Italian rider Francesco Bagnaia took pole in record style for the Aragon MotoGP in qualifying on Saturday ahead of his Ducati teammate Jack Miller. The front row is completed by Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha's championship leader. Bagnaia claimed top spot with a new fastest lap at the Motorland circuit. His pole clinching […]

London (AFP) – Crystal Palace ended 10-man Tottenham's perfect start to the Premier League season as Wilfried Zaha's penalty and a late double from Odsonne Edouard sealed a 3-0 win over the woeful leaders on Saturday. Nuno Espirito Santo's side had Japhet Tanganga sent off for two bookings in quick succession in the second half […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo is set to receive a hero's welcome at Old Trafford as he was named in the Manchester United starting line-up for Saturday's Premier League clash against Newcastle. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner, who left United to join Real Madrid in 2009, returned to the club where he made […]

London (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo is set to receive a hero's welcome at Old Trafford on Saturday when he makes his second debut for Manchester United against Newcastle on his return to the Premier League. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner, who left United to join Real Madrid in 2009, returned to the club in a […]

Paris (AFP) – England-based South American players will be able to line up for their clubs this weekend after their countries dropped complaints about their failure to report for international duty, FIFA said on Saturday. Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City as well as Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Leeds refused to release players for […]

Paris (AFP) – Nigeria forward Terem Moffi's late goal sealed Lorient a 2-1 win over French champions Lille in Ligue 1 on Friday. The loss left Lille in 10th place ahead of hosting German Bundesliga highflyers Wolfsburg in their Champions League opener next week. It also ended their fine 10-month run without a loss on […]

Sao Paulo (AFP) – Brazilian side Sao Paulo have parted company with Dani Alves after the veteran defender skipped training on Friday in protest over unpaid wages. "We have made the decision and we have informed (manager) Hernan Crespo, that Daniel Alves will no longer be part of the team," the side's sporting director Carlos […]

Chester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy, who is accused of four counts of rape and one of sexual assault, will stand trial next year, a British court was told on Friday. The 27-year-old former French international appeared at Chester Crown Court in northwest England alongside co-accused Louis Saha Matturie and was […]

Lausanne (AFP) – FIFA risks plunging the world of football into a new conflict with its proposal to hold the World Cup every two years instead of four, raising the possibility of a divorce with leading clubs and the powerful European leagues. The proposal, first floated in the 1990s, was revived in March by former […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp claimed FIFA's proposal to stage a World Cup every two years is "all about money" as former France star Patrick Vieira warned it would damage the standing of the competition. The World Cup is currently played every four years, with the next edition scheduled for Qatar in 2022. […]

London (AFP) – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed Cristiano Ronaldo will make his first Manchester United appearance since his blockbuster move from Juventus when Newcastle visit Old Trafford on Saturday. Portugal superstar Ronaldo returned to United in a shock transfer just before the transfer deadline. The 36-year-old striker, who left United to join Real Madrid […]

London (AFP) – Premier League managers said Friday they did not know whether they could select their Brazilian players for matches this weekend as a "senseless" club versus country row threatens to disrupt plans. English top-flight clubs refused to release players for international duty in countries on the UK government's red list, including Brazil and […]

Berlin (AFP) – Munich prosecutors are considering whether to appeal the verdict against Germany defender Jerome Boateng, who was fined 1.8 million euros ($2 million) after being found guilty of assault. The 33-year-old former Bayern Munich star signed for French club Lyon last week. He was sentenced in Munich regional court on Thursday for assaulting […]

London (AFP) – Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi will be sidelined for "at least three to four weeks" after the Japan star suffered a knee injury. Furuhashi had made a flying start to life with the Scottish Premiership club, scoring seven times in nine games since joining from Vissel Kobe in July. But the 26-year-old could […]