Sydney (AFP) – In-form striker Jamie Maclaren has joined Australia's World Cup training camp in Turkey as injury cover after being a surprise omission from the squad, Football Federation Australia said Monday. The Germany-based player was selected in coach Bert van Marwijk's 32-player preliminary squad before being axed when it was reduced to 26, despite […]

Milan (AFP) – Italy captain Leonardo Bonucci said Sunday be believes that Mario Balotelli has matured as the Nice striker prepares to make his first appearance for the Azzurri in four years. New Italy coach Roberto Mancini will oversee his first game in charge of the four-time world champions against World Cup-bound Saudi Arabia in […]

Paris (AFP) – Toulouse retained their Ligue 1 status on Sunday, beating Ajaccio 1-0 in the second leg of a relegation/promotion play-off. Toulouse secured their 16th successive season in the French topflight courtesy of Jimmy Durmaz's 88th minute goal which ended the Ligue 1 dream of Ajaccio, the team that finished third in the second […]

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Neymar acknowledged on Sunday that he was "not yet at 100 percent" after surgery on his fractured right foot, but the Brazil forward said he was ready to play for his country at the World Cup. "I'm not yet at 100 percent. That will come with time. I'm still a […]

Madrid (AFP) – Tens of thousands of ecstatic fans lined the streets of the Spanish capital to greet Real Madrid's players as they returned home Sunday after winning their third Champions League title in a row in Kiev. Real supporters cheered and waved club scarves as a bus carrying Cristiano Ronaldo and the rest of […]

London (AFP) – Egypt's Mohamed Salah is "confident" of being fit for the World Cup despite suffering a shoulder injury in Liverpool's Champions League final defeat against Real Madrid. Salah was forced off in tears during the first half of the 3-1 loss in Kiev on Saturday, sparking fears he wouldn't make it to next […]

London (AFP) – Bundesliga club Hannover have signed Austria defender Kevin Wimmer on a season-long loan deal from Stoke. Wimmer only joined Stoke from Tottenham in an £18 million ($24 million, 20.5 million euros) move in August 2017. But the 25-year-old made just 19 appearances in all competitions as Stoke were relegated from the Premier […]

London (AFP) – Police are investigating after Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius was subjected to death threats and vile abuse on social media after his costly mistakes condemned his side to a painful Champions League final defeat against Real Madrid. Karius was responsible for two of Real's goals in their 3-1 victory over Liverpool in Kiev […]

Madrid (Spain) (AFP) – Gareth Bale will hold talks with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez as early as next week as he is eager to make a decision on his future at the club. Bale inspired Real to a 3-1 victory over Liverpool in the Champions League final on Saturday by coming off the bench […]

Kiev (AFP) – Considered one of the all-time greats as a player, Zinedine Zidane was lauded with similar respect as a manager on Sunday after making more Champions League history with Real Madrid. The Spanish giants' 3-1 win over Liverpool on a dramatic evening in Kiev allowed Zidane to become the first coach ever to […]

Cairo (AFP) – Egyptians held their breath Sunday amid fears star striker Mohamed Salah could miss the World Cup after suffering an injury when wrestled to the ground by Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos in the Champions League final. Ramos, who locked arms with Salah before falling on top of the forward's shoulder, became an […]

Milan (AFP) – Inter Milan coach Luciano Spalletti conceded Sunday he could be powerless to stop Mauro Icardi from being poached by a major European club, despite assurances from the Argentinian star that he is going nowhere. The 25-year-old Inter captain — who has a 110 million euro ($128 million dollars) release clause in his […]

Milan (AFP) – Napoli captain Marek Hamsik has confirmed he is tempted by a move to China amid reports he has received offers from three Chinese clubs. The 30-year-old midfielder overtook Diego Maradona as the club's record goalscorer this season as the side from Naples finished second in Serie A behind Juventus. "I confess I'm […]

Madrid (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo won the Champions League for a fifth time on Saturday but the striker's petulant posturing over his future has left a sour taste at Real Madrid. While his team-mates were celebrating a record-stretching 13th European crown, earned after a gutsy 3-1 victory over Liverpool, Ronaldo was casting doubt over his […]

London (AFP) – Slavisa Jokanovic admits Fulham will need to make major investment in their promotion-winning team to ensure they survive in the Premier League next season. Jokanovic led Fulham back to the top-flight after a four-year exile as Tom Cairney's goal sealed a 1-0 win over Aston Villa in the Championship play-off final at […]