London (AFP) – Liverpool and Manchester City are among Premier League clubs who could be deprived of Brazilian internationals this weekend after they refused to release players for international duty over strict coronavirus rules. The Brazilian football association (CBF) confirmed to AFP it had asked global governing body FIFA to invoke regulations that bar players […]

New Delhi (AFP) – East Bengal football club has parted ways with English coach Robbie Fowler, the team said Wednesday, after a dismal first season in the Indian Super League. Fowler, 46, has been replaced by Spain's Manuel 'Manolo' Diaz ahead of the upcoming ISL season starting in November. The former Liverpool striker joined the […]

Cairo (AFP) – Carlos Queiroz was appointed Wednesday as Egypt's new coach following the sacking of Hossam El-Badry after an unconvincing start to qualifying for the 2022 World Cup. The Egyptian football federation said Queiroz, a former Manchester United assistant and Real Madrid manager, would be supported by Diaa El-Sayed and long-time former national team […]

Berlin (AFP) – German 2014 World Cup winner Jerome Boateng is expected to appear in court in Munich on Thursday to answer accusations he assaulted the mother of his twin daughters in 2018. After 10 successful years at Bayern Munich, the 33-year-old defender joined French Ligue 1 side Lyon last week on a free transfer, […]

Stockholm (AFP) – Sweden Football Association (SVFF) said on Wednesday they had pulled put of January's training camp in Qatar due to concerns over migrant workers rights involved in the preparations for the 2022 World Cup. The decision to withdraw came after discussions between the SVFF and Swedish domestic outfits late on Tuesday. "It is […]

Paris (AFP) – Supporters groups from across the globe said on Tuesday they were against proposed plans to hold a World Cup every two years. Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who is now director of development at world governing body FIFA, has called for football's showpiece competition to become a biennial event. "The overwhelming majority […]

Tokyo (AFP) – Japan will not host the FIFA Club World Cup later this year because of virus restrictions that could cap spectator numbers, a report said Wednesday. 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 […]

Paris (AFP) – Reigning champions France beat Finland 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday thanks to Antoine Griezmann's double strike to snap a five-game winless streak while Scotland kept their hopes alive with a 1-0 win in Austria. In other action, Portugal and the Netherlands stayed on track to reach the finals in […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Liverpool star Sadio Mane was among the goals for Senegal who, along with Nigeria and Tunisia, took significant steps on Tuesday toward qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. All three nations are seeded first in mini-leagues and have a maximum six points after two rounds having started with home victories […]

Dublin (AFP) – Serbia's bid to qualify for the World Cup suffered a blow as Nikola Milenkovic's late own goal and a superb display from teenage goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu gave the Republic of Ireland a 1-1 draw on Tuesday. Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic put Serbia ahead in the first half in Dublin. But Dragan Stojkovic's […]

Vienna (AFP) – Scotland's hopes of reaching a first World Cup since 1998 were given a huge boost as Lyndon Dykes' penalty secured a hard-fought 1-0 over Austria in Vienna. Automatic quailification still looks to be too big an ask for Steve Clarke's men with Denmark romping away at the top of the Group F […]

Lyon (AFP) – Antoine Griezmann's double gave France a 2-0 victory over Finland in their 2022 World Cup qualifier on Tuesday and ended a run of five games without a win for the World Cup holders. The 30-year-old Atletico Madrid striker's brace took him level with Michel Platini on 41 goals for his country — […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Namibia goalkeeper Virgil Vries and Slovakia forward Pavol Safranko were among the stars in the first legs of the South African MTN 8 semi-finals this weekend. Vries made numerous excellent saves on Sunday for Soweto club Swallows as they forced a 0-0 draw at Cape Town City. Safranko scored his first goal […]

Milan (AFP) – Joaquin Correa hailed a dream Inter Milan debut on Friday after he scored twice to help the Serie A champions come from behind and win 3-1 at Hellas Verona. Correa completed his move to Inter from Lazio on Thursday and came off the bench to snatch the points for Simone Inzaghi's side, […]

Milan (AFP) – Joaquin Correa made an immediate impact on his Inter Milan debut by scoring twice as the Serie A champions came from behind to win 3-1 at Hellas Verona on Friday. Correa completed his move to Inter from Lazio on Thursday and came off the bench to snatch the points for Simone Inzaghi's […]