Sao Paulo (AFP) – Brazil coach Tite said "not everything is allowed" in football in reference to Sunday's World Cup qualifier aborted minutes after kick-off over alleged Covid-19 quarantine breaches by Argentina. "The justice system, laws, respect and social order exists; in football not everything is allowed, there are rules," said Tite, without explicitly mentioning Argentina, […]

Tokyo (AFP) – The Japanese Football Association (JFA) said on Thursday it had pulled out of holding this year's Club World Cup due to coronavirus restrictions. The annual football tournament, at which the champions from the six global confederations compete along with the host nation's top team, was due to be held there in December. […]

London (AFP) – Mikel Arteta admitted Arsenal's Premier League match against Norwich on Saturday is a "must-win" game after their worst start to a league season for 67 years. The Gunners have failed to score and conceded nine goals in demoralising defeats to Brentford, Chelsea and Manchester City. Arteta's position as manager is under increasing […]

Paris (AFP) – The body representing professional competitions in Europe, European Leagues, said on Thursday it was against FIFA's proposal of staging a World Cup every two years. On Wednesday, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the extensive shake-up would cut out "too many meaningless matches". European Leagues, whose board of directors included members from La […]

Brasília (AFP) – Brazil's Health Regulatory Agency, ANVISA, was a victim of a cyber attack on Wednesday which included an Argentina flag and a provocative message after last weekend's World Cup qualifier in Sao Paulo between the two countries was abandoned. Sunday's fixture was halted after seven minutes as Brazilian health officials stormed the pitch […]

Munich (Germany) (AFP) – German 2014 World Cup winner Jerome Boateng appeared in court in Munich Thursday to answer allegations he assaulted the mother of his twin daughters in 2018. Wearing a dark suit and white shirt, the 33-year-old walked into Munich regional court just before 1000 local time (0800GMT). After 10 successful years at […]

Sao Paulo (AFP) – Brazilian football legend Pele said Wednesday he is doing well after undergoing surgery for a suspected colon tumor. "I am recovering well," Pele, 80, said in a message posted on social media. The surgery was carried out Saturday in Sao Paulo. The hospital treating him said Monday the former footballer was […]

Warsaw (AFP) – Gareth Southgate admitted England still have work to do to reach the 2022 World Cup after Damian Szymanski's stoppage-time equaliser earned Poland a 1-1 draw in Warsaw on Wednesday. The Three Lions are still well-placed to secure their place in Qatar as winners of Group I of European qualifying with a four-point lead […]

London (AFP) – A football fan was handed a suspended jail term in Britain on Wednesday for posting racist comments on social media blaming three black players for England's Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy. Scott McCluskey, 43, from Runcorn, northwest England, singled out Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho in an abusive Facebook […]

Paris (AFP) – Moise Kean grabbed his first international goals since March 2019 as Italy thrashed Lithuania 5-0 in World Cup qualifying on Wednesday, as Damian Szymanski's late header forced England to settle for a draw in Poland. Italy had drawn their previous two qualifiers to slip into a battle with Switzerland for automatic qualification […]

Reggio Emilia (Italy) (AFP) – Impressive Italy eased past Lithuania 5-0 in their World Cup qualifier on Wednesday to extend their record unbeaten run to 37. Roberto Mancini's European champions became the first Italian side to reach the half-hour mark four goals to the good. Juventus's young Everton recruit Moise Kean got the Group C […]

Warsaw (AFP) – England's 100 percent record in World Cup qualifying was ended in dramatic fashion by Sebastian Szymanski's stoppage-time equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Poland in Warsaw on Wednesday. A game short on goalmouth action looked to be meandering towards a stalemate until Harry Kane's long-range strike 18 minutes from time deceived Wojciech Szczesny. […]

Reykjavik (AFP) – Serge Gnabry scored his third international goal in three days as Germany swept past Iceland 4-0 in Reykjavik on Wednesday to consolidate first place in their World Cup qualifying group. The Germans asserted themselves in front of 3,600 fans at the Laugardalsvollur stadium with first-half goals by Gnabry and Antonio Ruediger before […]

Paris (AFP) – FIFA president Gianni Infantino promised Wednesday "decisions by the end of the year" on the controversial proposal of staging a World Cup every two years. The plan, backed by former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who is now director of development at world football's governing body FIFA, would be part of an extensive […]

Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain rebuked La Liga chief Javier Tebas on Wednesday after he accused the Qatari-owned French club of being "as dangerous as the Super League". Tebas renewed his criticism of what he called "club-states" after PSG signed Lionel Messi and a host of stars in the transfer window. "Time after time, you […]