Los Angeles (AFP) – Former United States coach Jurgen Klinsmann believes he would have successfully taken the team to the World Cup had he not been sacked during the qualification campaign. In an interview with Sports Illustrated, the former Germany striker and coach was adamant that he could have turned around qualifying before he was […]

London (AFP) – Thibaut Courtois faces a defining period as the Chelsea goalkeeper juggles his bids for FA Cup and World Cup glory, while considering whether to commit his long-term future to the Blues. Courtois has one year to run on his current Chelsea contract and a new £200,000-per-week ($269,000) deal to extend his stay […]

Lyon (AFP) – Marseille's American owner Frank McCourt pledged there was more to come from the French giants following Wednesday's 3-0 Europa League final defeat by Atletico Madrid in Lyon. Marseille had been desperate to win the second European trophy in their history, on French soil, 25 years after beating AC Milan in the inaugural […]

London (AFP) – Alexis Sanchez heads to Wembley for Saturday's FA Cup final against Chelsea hoping the magic of the cup will again prove the inspiration needed for the Chilean to kickstart a slow start to his Manchester United career. Sanchez is no plucky underdog. He reportedly signed the most lucrative contract in Premier League […]

Lyon (AFP) – Antoine Griezmann said it was not the time to think about his future after leading Atletico Madrid to a 3-0 victory over Marseille in Wednesday's Europa League final in Lyon. "Now is not the time to talk about my future. I need to just enjoy this moment, having won a title, and […]

Lyon (AFP) – Atletico Madrid's 3-0 win over Marseille in Wednesday's Europa League final was a sore one for their opponents, but it does mean some good news for French sides ahead of next season's Champions League. The winners of the Europa League are awarded direct qualification for next season's Champions League group stage. However, […]

Lyon (AFP) – Antoine Griezmann was the hero for Atletico Madrid as the French striker scored twice in their 3-0 win over Marseille in Wednesday's Europa League final, allowing his club to win the trophy for the third time in nine seasons. It is Griezmann's first major title as an Atletico player, and a fitting […]

Buenos Aires (AFP) – Argentina's Football Association (AFA) apologised on Wednesday for issuing a World Cup handbook featuring a section on how to flirt with Russian women, admitting to an "unintentional error" following the outcry. Under a page entitled "How to stand a chance with a Russian girl?", the manual highlighted that "Russian women don't […]

Cairo (AFP) – Hardcore fans of Egyptian football giants Al Ahly announced Wednesday they are dismantling their group permanently, burning their banner on a video posted online. The move by the Ultras of Ahly was announced on their Facebook page, which had more than 1.3 million followers before it was deleted. Screen shots of the […]

London (AFP) – Trent Alexander-Arnold discovered he had been called up to England's World Cup squad when Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp broke the news as they prepared to board a plane to Spain. Alexander-Arnold, uncapped by England's senior side, was a surprise inclusion in Gareth Southgate's group for the forthcoming tournament in Russia. The 19-year-old […]

Lyon (AFP) – Marseille captain Dimitri Payet was in tears as he was forced off injured in the first half of Wednesday's Europa League final against Atletico Madrid. Payet needed to be comforted by his team-mates as he came off to be replaced by Maxime Lopez in the 32nd minute of the game in Lyon, […]

Lausanne (AFP) – Belgian world number 10 David Goffin will miss the ATP event in Geneva, which starts on Saturday, organisers announced Wednesday. The 27-year-old would have been the top seed in Switzerland, which is the final tournament before the start of the French Open on May 27, and is currently playing at the Italian […]

Rome (AFP) – Italy great Gianluigi Buffon's sister on Wednesday urged the Juventus goalkeeping star not to call time on his illustrious career. The 40-year-old is expected to announce his retirement at a press conference on Thursday, after captaining Juventus to a seventh straight Serie A title and fourth consecutive Italian Cup triumph this season. […]

London (AFP) – Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson is to be awarded the Freedom of the London Borough of Croydon. Croydon-born Hodgson took over from Frank De Boer in September following the Dutchman's sacking by Palace just four matches into the Premier League campaign. The Eagles failed to pick up a point until the eighth […]

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Brazil's star forward Neymar said Wednesday he feels "comfortable" back in training ahead of the World Cup, after more than two months out with a broken foot bone. Brazilian fans are crossing their fingers that the world's most expensive player will be 100 percent fit for their team's bid to […]