Monaco (AFP) – Max Verstappen learned a brutal lesson on Saturday when he crashed in final practice and missed out on qualifying for Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix, according to Red Bull team boss Christian Horner. The young Dutch tyro was the fastest driver on track at the time he lost control of his car at […]

Monaco (AFP) – Daniel Ricciardo took pole position for Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix with another sensational record-breaking performance for Red Bull in a dramatic qualifying on Saturday. But his team’s hopes of an all-Red Bull front row were wrecked as team-mate Max Verstappen failed to take part in the session after a big crash in […]

Kiev (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has challenged his players to stop Real Madrid lifting a third consecutive Champions League trophy on Saturday and show fans that winning "big things" is still in the club's DNA. With a record 12 titles to their name and winners of the past two editions, Real go into […]

London (AFP) – The pressure on the latest England squad to carry the nation's hopes at the World Cup is already high enough — and the fans' choice of the slogan for the bus only adds to it. The tub-thumping "Send us victorious" emerged the winner after supporters were asked to vote online. The winner […]

Paris (AFP) – Former UEFA president Michel Platini said Saturday he hoped FIFA would lift his ban over a controversial 1.8-million-euro payment after Swiss prosecutors said they had found no evidence so far to incriminate him. "I hope that FIFA will have the courage and the decency to lift my suspension," Platini told AFP in […]

London (AFP) – Mark Hughes, described as the 'perfect fit' by Southampton chairman Ralph Krueger earlier this month, said he was thrilled to have signed a three-year contract with the club after preserving their Premier League status. The 54-year-old former Manchester United and Barcelona striker — who numbers Wales and Manchester City amongst the teams […]

Kobe (Japan) (AFP) – Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta on Saturday made his first appearance at Vissel Kobe since signing for the Japanese side, greeting thousands of fans and vowing to make his new club the biggest in Asia. Wearing the number eight shirt — like he did at Barcelona — the 34-year-old World Cup winner […]

Kiev (AFP) – Liverpool will attempt to end Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid's recent dominance in the Champions League when the sides meet in Saturday's final in Kiev, with Reds manager Jurgen Klopp insisting experience is not everything. The goals of Mohamed Salah have helped the English side reach their first final in 11 years, […]

Kiev (AFP) – The two highest scoring sides in this season's Champions League face off for the title when defending champions Real Madrid and Liverpool go head-to-head in Kiev on Saturday (1845GMT). With goals seemingly guaranteed in the Ukrainian capital, AFP Sports looks at the key matchups where the game could be won and lost. […]

Lima (AFP) – Peru captain Paolo Guerrero made a last-ditch appeal to a Swiss court Friday to overturn a ban on him playing at the World Cup imposed for doping, the Peruvian Football Federation said. The move is the last legal option for Guerrero, who has received the backing of the Peruvian Football Federation in […]

Paris (AFP) – Former UEFA president Michel Platini, who was banned from football activities over a two million Swiss francs (1.8 million euros, $2 million) payment from FIFA, has been cleared by a Swiss prosecutor, French daily Le monde reported on Friday. Le Monde base their report on a letter dated May 24 by Cedric […]

Kiev (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp expressed his admiration for Zinedine Zidane a day before he leads Liverpool into the Champions League final hoping to stop the French legend's Real Madrid side from winning the trophy for a third year in succession. Zidane has led Real to victory in each of the last two campaigns, and […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool's mayor said his bid to get stranded football fans to Kiev for the Champions League final against Real Madrid failed on Friday after he was unable to find crew for back-up planes. "We regret to say that we have been unable to achieve a resolution that will satisfy everyone. We now […]

Kiev (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo is fit and ready to shine again in a Champions League final, believes Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane as the Spanish giants go for a third straight European Cup against Liverpool on Saturday. Ronaldo can join an elite group of just 10 other players to win five European Cups should […]

Kiev (AFP) – Kiev has attracted a wave of negative publicity due to the problems faced by supporters wanting to get there for Saturday's Champions League final, but Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos insists it will always have a place in his heart. Fans of Madrid and Liverpool have had their plans for attending the […]