Dubai (AFP) – Defending champions Australia were handed an intriguing draw for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup during a gala ceremony at the world's tallest building — the Burj Khalifa — here on Friday. The Socceroos, who beat South Korea 2-1 in the final of the 2015 edition as hosts, have been drawn in Group […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – African giants Al Ahly of Egypt and Esperance of Tunisia drew Friday when the CAF Champions League group phase began, allowing minnows Township Rollers of Botswana to lead Group A. Ahly and Esperance fought a 0-0 draw in Alexandria while a Lemponye Tshireletso goal gave surprise qualifiers Rollers a 1-0 win over […]

Brighton (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho took aim at his players for not having the required desire in a 1-0 defeat to Brighton on Friday that secured the Seagulls' place in the Premier League next season. Just over two weeks ahead of the FA Cup final against his old club Chelsea, […]

Paris (AFP) – Moussa Konate scored both goals as Amiens twice fought back to hold French champions Paris Saint-Germain to a 2-2 draw on Friday and guarantee their place in Ligue 1 next season. Hours after Neymar returned to the French capital to continue his recovery from a broken foot following a two-month stay in […]

Berlin (AFP) – Manuel Neuer has just one possible match left to prove his fitness following a foot fracture before Germany name their World Cup squad in a fortnight. The Germany goalkeeper has been sidelined since September and although he is back in training with Bayern Munich, head coach Jupp Heynckes has again left him […]

Chicago (AFP) – Abby Dahlkemper, a defender for reigning Women's World Cup champion United States, was issued a public warning Friday by the US Anti-Doping Agency for not obtaining a therapeutic-use exemption (TUE) for a banned medication. The 24-year-old has played 18 matches for the American side, most recently last month against Mexico, and plays […]

Lausanne (AFP) – Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone will be forced to watch the Europa League final against Marseille from the stands after receiving a four-match European ban for insulting a referee, UEFA said on Friday. Simeone was ordered from the touchline during last week's 1-1 draw in the first leg of their semi-final with […]

Hamburg (AFP) – A clock ticks in Hamburg's stadium, proudly displaying how long the club has been in the Bundesliga, yet time is running out to avoid the relegation which would stop it. Hamburg are the only club to have played in each season since the Bundesliga was founded in 1963 — when even Bayern […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea manager Antonio Conte hopes his side can benefit from any lessening of intensity in Liverpool's play after their Champions League semi-final triumph when they face the Reds in the Premier League on Sunday. Liverpool lost 4-2 to Roma at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday but still went through 7-6 on aggregate […]

London (AFP) – Rangers' search for a saviour to end Celtic's run of seven consecutive Scottish league titles has led them to Steven Gerrard — a global figure but a managerial novice. The former Liverpool and England captain must now cut his teeth as a coach under the intense spotlight that pursues managers on either side […]

London (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp believes Liverpool's run to the Champions League final will encourage the club's transfer targets to sign for the Reds ahead of the new season. The Liverpool manager is confident that, with his side facing Real Madrid in the showpiece match in Kiev and also on the cusp of securing a […]

Le Bourget (France) (AFP) – Brazil star Neymar flew back into France on Friday to rejoin his club Paris Saint-Germain after an operation on a broken foot bone in March. Neymar, who arrived by private jet at an airport outside Paris, is continuing his rehabilitation following the operation and his focus is firmly set on […]

London (AFP) – Leicester boss Claude Puel said the former Premier League champions must suffer short-term pain for long-term gain after receiving the backing of the club's Thai owners on Friday. The Frenchman, at the centre of speculation over his future following a poor run, met with chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and son Top with the […]

London (AFP) – Southampton manager Mark Hughes has insisted there is no danger of complacency setting in as the club continue their battle against relegation from the Premier League away to Everton on Saturday. Victory over south coast rivals Bournemouth last weekend left the Saints just one point shy of safety with three league games […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Rangers unveiled former Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard as their new manager on Friday, handing the rookie boss the daunting task of ending Celtic's domination of the Scottish Premiership. Gerrard, who has previously only worked with Liverpool's Under-18s, takes the helm of the giant club who have fallen on hard times […]