Tokyo (AFP) – Japan's Vissel Kobe have denied making a big-money offer to bring Barcelona star Andres Iniesta to the J-League, local media reported on Wednesday. Kobe sports director Atsuhiro Miura insisted that reports club president Hiroshi Mikitani had offered the Spanish World Cup winner a three-year deal and a salary of $30 million were […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Jose Mourinho says Manchester United are "very positive" that former manager Alex Ferguson will recover from the brain haemorrhage that has left him in intensive care. Ferguson, who won 38 trophies during an unrivalled 26-year reign at Old Trafford, needed emergency surgery last weekend after a fall at his home […]

Kashima (Japan) (AFP) – Japan's Kashima Antlers banished their continental phobia by humbling Shanghai SIPG 3-1 to take the edge in their Asian Champions League last 16 tie on Wednesday. Yuma Suzuki pounced from point-blank range just before halftime and Daigo Nishi added a carbon copy moments after the restart before a freak own goal […]

Berlin (AFP) – Manuel Neuer has poured serious doubt on his World Cup chances while his Bayern Munich coach on Wednesday says Germany's goalkeeper will not play again for the club this season. "I do not think it's imaginable that I go into such a tournament without match practice," Neuer said at an event on […]

London (AFP) – Mark Hughes refuses to accept Southampton are safe yet despite almost guaranteeing their Premier League future by winning at relegation rivals Swansea. Manolo Gabbiadini's 72nd-minute winner — four minutes after the Italian striker had come on as a substitute — pushed Swansea towards the Premier League trapdoor and confirmed West Brom's relegation. […]

London (AFP) – Yaya Toure ranks deposing bitter rivals Manchester United as one of the greatest achievements during his time at Manchester City as he prepares to leave the Premier League champions. City have won the league three times during the Ivorian's eight-year stint at the club as well as four domestic cups and have […]

Shanghai (AFP) – Fabio Cannavaro's Guangzhou Evergrande docked the pay of five backroom staff Wednesday for "damaging the club brand" after star defender Zhang Linpeng was forced to wear another player's shirt with the name and number covered by yellow tape. The incident happened during the first half of Tuesday's Asian Champions League last 16 […]

Sydney (AFP) – Australian football chiefs plan to contact the agent of Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta to sound him out about a move to the A-League, reports said Wednesday, as the domestic competition looks to recruit a marquee star. Spain's Sport website named the A-League as the World Cup-winner's "preferred destination" this week, although Japan's […]

Madrid (AFP) – Atletico Madrid chief Miguel Angel Gil Marin attacked Barcelona on Tuesday over their pursuit of highly-prized striker Antoine Griezmann, saying he was "fed up" with the Catalan club's attitude. Marin issued his strongly worded rebuke hours after a Spanish radio station reported that Barcelona were poised to pay the French international's 100 […]

London (AFP) – West Brom were relegated from the Premier League on Tuesday after Southampton took a huge step towards keeping their place in the English top flight by beating fellow strugglers Swansea. Darren Moore's West Brom needed a draw between the Saints and Swans in south Wales to take their fight to avoid relegation […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola has yet to conclude contract negotiations over a new deal with Premier League champions Manchester City but said on Tuesday there is no urgency to do so. The Catalan has led City to the title in his second season in charge at the Etihad and is now two-thirds […]

Paris (AFP) – Tiny Les Herbiers fell short of claiming one of the biggest upsets in football history but pushed the mighty Paris Saint-Germain most of the way before losing 2-0 in Tuesday's French Cup final. Giovani Lo Celso scored PSG's opening goal in the first half at the Stade de France, breaking the resistance […]

London (AFP) – West Brom were relegated from the Premier League on Tuesday following Southampton's 1-0 win over Swansea at the Liberty Stadium, joining Stoke in the Championship next season. Darren Moore's side needed a draw between the Saints and Swans in south Wales to take West Brom's fight to avoid relegation into the final […]

Washington (AFP) – Former England captain Wayne Rooney is in advanced talks to join D.C. United of Major League Soccer from his Premier League club Everton, the Washington Post reported Tuesday. The 32-year-old former Manchester United striker has a year remaining on his contract with Everton, but reportedly is frustrated with his role at his […]

Madrid (AFP) – Barcelona have informed Atletico Madrid they are preparing to pay Antoine Griezmann's 100 million-euro release clause, Spanish radio reported on Tuesday, as speculation over the French striker's future intensified. "Barcelona have told Atletico Madrid they are going to pay Antonie Griezmann's get out clause. And Atletico know the player will be leaving […]