Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Brazil's star striker Neymar admits "fear" ahead of his return for the World Cup after a lengthy layoff following surgery for a broken bone in his foot. In an interview published Friday on former Brazil legend Zico's YouTube channel, Neymar said he is in a race against time to get […]

Paris (AFP) – Florian Thauvin snatched 10-man Marseille a thrilling 3-3 draw at Guingamp on Friday to keep their hopes of reaching the Champions League with a top-three finish in France alive. The Europa League finalists are behind Monaco, who occupy third, on goal difference and are one point adrift of second-placed Lyon, who can […]

Berlin (AFP) – German journalist Hajo Seppelt, the man who broke the Russian state doping story which sent shockwaves through the Olympics, has been refused a visa to attend the World Cup in Russia, AFP's subsidiary SID reported Friday. "Obviously, the discovery of a state doping system is so far-reaching that Russia thinks it's necessary […]

Paris (AFP) – Neymar's doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said on Friday that the injured Brazilian star could return to training as early as next week if he responds well to scheduled tests on Saturday. The 26-year-old has been out of action since breaking a bone in his right foot on February 25 and had surgery the […]

Washington (AFP) – DC United coach Ben Olsen confirmed the club is interested in bringing Wayne Rooney to Major League Soccer, but says the deal "is not done". "Certainly the deal is not done, but obviously there's some interest from our end," said Olsen, who seemed surprised to be tackled on the topic by celebrity […]

Moscow (AFP) – Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov handed youngsters Fyodor Chalov and Alexander Tashayev their first-ever call-ups as he named an initial 28-man squad for his country's home World Cup. The 20-year-old Chalov has scored six goals in just nine league starts this season for CSKA Moscow, while Tashayev, 23, has had a breakthrough season […]

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Brazil right-back Dani Alves was ruled out of the World Cup on Friday after suffering a knee injury playing for French champions Paris Saint-Germain, the Brazilian football federation (CBF) said. "All possibilities for his recovery being exhausted, it will be impossible to select Daniel Alves... for the World Cup," said […]

Paris (AFP) – Convalescing superstar Neymar returns to the Parc Des Princes Saturday as Paris Saint-Germain play their last home game of the season against Rennes, before being presented with the Ligue 1 trophy. PSG sealed the domestic treble on Tuesday adding the French Cup to their Ligue 1 and League Cup titles and Neymar's […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes said Friday he is "optimistic" about the chances of Manuel Neuer being part of Germany's World Cup defence despite eight months sidelined by injury. "I am very optimistic that Manuel Neuer will go into camp with the national team," said Heynckes. Last September, Neuer fractured his foot […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola does not want Sergio Aguero to leave Manchester City and has told the Argentina striker he can remain with the Premier League champions for as long as he wants. Reports from Spain suggest Aguero's former club Atletico Madrid are keen to re-sign him before next season. Aguero's relationship with […]

London (AFP) – Carlos Carvalhal admitted he was not in a "nice situation" as he prepared Friday for what is set to be his final game as Swansea manager, with the club facing almost certain relegation from the Premier League. The Welsh club are not expected to take up the option of extending Carvalhal's contract, […]

London (AFP) – Gareth Southgate will name his England squad for the World Cup in Russia on May 16. Southgate will reveal his 23-man group for the finals on Wednesday and is scheduled to discuss his selection in a press conference at Wembley the following day. World governing body FIFA has set June 4 as […]

Mandalay (Myanmar) (AFP) – Leeds United beat Myanmar's national side 2-0 on Friday, ending on a positive footballing note after a controversial visit to the Southeast Asian country facing criticism over its treatment of the Rohingya minority. The English Championship football side went into the hot and rainy evening looking to wrap up their friendly […]

London (AFP) – Antonio Conte claims he shouldn't be criticised if Chelsea fail to qualify for the Champions League because they fared even worse under Jose Mourinho only three seasons ago. Conte's side are fifth in the Premier League and even if they win Sunday's final game of the season at Newcastle, the Blues will […]

London (AFP) – Mauricio Pochettino says he will celebrate Tottenham's Champions League qualification but admits the fans "deserve a trophy" after a decade-long drought. Spurs booked a third successive year in Europe's elite club competition despite playing in their temporary home of Wembley and being outspent by their main rivals. They could finish third if […]