Frankfurt am Main (AFP) – German airline Lufthansa apologised on Monday over a promotional video for the World Cup in Russia that was actually filmed in neighbouring Ukraine, which is locked in a tense dispute with Moscow. The clip, which has been removed from Lufthansa's websites but can still be viewed elsewhere online, shows two […]

Moscow (Russia) (AFP) – World football's governing body FIFA admitted on Monday it will have to redo a fancy TV spot for the finals Russia will be hosting for the first time from June 14. The 45-second ad features artsy graphics and suitably momentous music to get fans in the mood. Billions of people will […]

Paris (AFP) – It is 20 years since the night France won their World Cup at the Stade de France and a powerful myth was born on the streets of Paris. The team representing the famous blue, white and red tricolour flag was also multi-hued. The shirts were "Bleu, Blanc, Rouge," and the squad that […]

Paris (AFP) – Midfielder Yaya Toure accused Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola of having "problems with Africans" in an interview to be published on Tuesday by France Football magazine. "He insists he has no problems with black players, because he is too intelligent to be caught out," Toure said. "But when you realise that he has […]

Geneva (AFP) – Swiss coach Vladimir Petkovic said Monday his World Cup squad might not be the best individuals, but who complemented each other best as he unveiled his final 23. Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, defender Silvan Widmer and midfielder Edimilson Fernandes were cut from an original 26-man squad. "The list is not composed of the […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will start the English champions' quest for a first Champions League title from the stands next season after being hit with a two-game touchline ban by UEFA on Monday. Liverpool were also fined 20,000 euros (£17,567) by UEFA for the damage caused to City's team bus on […]

Warsaw (AFP) – Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski headlined the 23-man Poland squad for the World Cup in Russia, but an injury to defender Kamil Glik handed manager Adam Nawalka a last-minute worry. The 30-year-old Glik, a stalwart of the Polish defence, injured a shoulder a little after the FIFA deadline for naming the final […]

Paris (AFP) – Midfielder Yaya Toure accused Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola of having "problems with Africans" in an interview to be published on Tuesday by France Football magazine. "He insists he has no problems with black players, because he is too intelligent to be caught out," Toure said. "But when you realise that he has […]

London (AFP) – New Everton manager Marco Silva made clear on Monday that it will be Wayne Rooney's decision should he choose to leave his boyhood club for Major League Soccer side DC United. Rooney, 32, has already held talks with the Washington franchise over a reported $17 million (£13 million or 14.5 million euros) […]

Rennes (France) (AFP) – French top flight outfit Rennes have signed Sweden's injured World Cup hero Jakob Johansson from Greek champions AEK Athens, the Brittany club said on Monday. Johansson is the man who sent Sweden to the World Cup finals in Russia by scoring the winning goal in a play-off with Italy in November. […]

Rabat (AFP) – Coach Herve Renard made one switch to his provisional squad on Monday when he brought Malaga striker Youssef En-Nesyri into Morocco's final World Cup 23. The 21-year-old Malaga forward was a backup on the original list but he has taken the place of Badr Benoun, a 24-year-old defender with Raja de Casablanca. […]

Lagos (AFP) – Football fans will cheer on their teams at the World Cup finals in Russia later this month but researchers suggest the passions involved can be put to good use even off the pitch. The emotional effects of victory and even qualification for a major tournament may help strengthen national identity in countries […]

The Hague (AFP) – The family of Ajax midfielder Abdelhak Nouri, who suffered permanent brain damage after collapsing at a friendly last year, are seeking compensation to pay for life-long care, Dutch media said Monday. The 21-year-old, dubbed Appie, "will never be able to live as normal again, and will be dependant on care and […]

Paris (AFP) – France formally submitted their 23-man squad for the World Cup on Monday, making no changes from the group named in mid-May. None of the original 23 have been replaced by anyone on Didier Deschamps' stand by list. Several top stars failed to make the cut at all, with Manchester United's Anthony Martial, […]

Zagreb (AFP) – Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic, who had named one extra player for his provisional World Cup squad, on Monday announced that defender Matej Mitovic was the man being dropped. Mitrovic had not played for Belgian champions Club Brugge since April 19 and Dalic said that was one of the reasons the defender was […]