Décines-Charpieu (France) (AFP) – France coach Didier Deschamps sprang to the defence of star midfielder Paul Pogba ahead of Saturday's final World Cup warm-up against the United States. Speaking to France Football, Pogba had said he feels unfairly judged after he was jeered by French fans during the 3-1 victory over Italy a week ago. […]

Leverkusen (Germany) (AFP) – Joachim Loew has slammed Germany fans who booed Manchester City star Ilkay Gundogan during Friday's 2-1 World Cup warm-up victory over Saudi Arabia. The Germans broke a five-match winless streak as striker Timo Werner scored and Omar Hawsawi netted an own goal before Taisir Al-Jassim banged home a saved penalty attempt […]

Accra (AFP) – Ghanian Football Association (GFA) president Kwesi Nyantakyi resigned on Friday just hours after world football governing body FIFA hit him with a 90-day suspension over corruption claims. In a statement carried on the GFA website, Nyantakyi apologised "unreservedly" for "a series of errors of indiscretion" after FIFA launched an ethics investigation into […]

Leverkusen (Germany) (AFP) – Timo Werner impressed as Germany gave themselves a pre-World Cup boost on Friday by breaking their five-match winless streak with a nervy 2-1 victory over Saudi Arabia in their final warm-up game. First-half scores by striker Werner and an Omar Hawsawi own goal sealed the win as Germany were only rarely […]

Rome (AFP) – Juventus have moved to replace goalkeeping great Gianluigi Buffon with the acquisition of Mattia Perin from Genoa, the Italian champions announced on Friday. The 25-year-old Perin has signed a four-year deal and will cost Juve 12 million euros ($14.1 million) over three instalments. The Italy international will provide competition for Poland's Wojciech […]

Moscow (AFP) – Neymar's acclaimed return ahead of the World Cup supplied Brazil with an immeasurable boost, but holders Germany and Argentina arrive at the tournament battling inconsistent form and disrupted preparations. The Paris Saint-Germain superstar's swashbuckling display in a 45-minute appearance against Croatia last weekend largely dismissed lingering concerns over his fitness after more […]

London (AFP) – England captain Harry Kane gave a huge boost to Tottenham Hotspur on Friday by signing a new six year contract through to 2024 with the Premier League club. The 24-year-old striker scored a personal best 41 goals this season and had been mentioned as a possible target for European champions Real Madrid […]

London (AFP) – England's Premier League has agreed to introduce a winter break in a historic move to give players a rest during an increasingly crowded season, the Football Association (FA) announced Friday. The break — which falls well short of those taken in mainland European leagues — will give the 20 Premier League teams […]

Rome (AFP) – Rising Atalanta midfielder Bryan Cristante has joined Roma in a loan-purchase five-year deal that could eventually cost up to 30 million euros, Roma said on Friday. The complicated deal includes an initial one-year loan for five million euros, a compulsory purchase for another 15 million with a possible ten million more in […]

Moscow (AFP) – Construction of the World Cup fan zone outside Moscow's top university is fuelling a rare protest in Russia as students worry thousands of partying football fans will destroy one of the capital's few green spaces. The row pits students at Moscow State University against a recently re-elected President Vladimir Putin whose administration […]

Moscow (AFP) – Keen to prevent a repeat of ugly scenes from previous tournaments, authorities in Russia have imposed draconian measures during the World Cup, cracking down on everything from alcohol to kebabs. Here are some of the new restrictions that affect Russians as well as international fans during the tournament, which runs from June […]

London (AFP) – An obscure team of ethnic Hungarians is one win away from the alternative World Football Cup title following an eye-catching run to the final — just weeks after being called up as a late replacement. Karpatalja, representing ethnic Hungarians in modern-day Ukraine, will take on Northern Cyprus in Saturday's final at the […]

Sydney (AFP) – Head coach Bert van Marwijk will personally pay the salaries of eight assistant coaches and analysts to help Australia prepare the way for this month's World Cup in Russia, local media reported Friday. Dutchman Van Marwijk is reportedly on a short-term contract worth more than Aus$1 million ($760,000) to guide Australia through […]

London (AFP) – Lyon captain Nabil Fekir is set to become Liverpool's latest signing in a £53 million ($71 million, 60 million euro) deal, according to British press reports on Thursday. Looking to bounce back from the disappointment of losing the Champions League final last month, Liverpool have already bolstered their midfield options for next […]

London (AFP) – The safety of England fans in Russia, especially homosexuals and those with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, at the World Cup finals is a concern, a parliamentary committee said on Friday. An estimated 10,000 fans are expected to travel to Russia to watch England — who have been drawn against […]