Washington (AFP) – President Donald Trump called on Nigeria and other African countries Monday to endorse the US-Canada-Mexico joint bid for the World Cup in 2026, tying it to US support for them. "I hope all African countries and countries throughout the world, that we also will be supporting you, and that they will likewise […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Thousands of Barcelona fans lined the streets of the city Monday to celebrate the club's La Liga and Copa del Rey double, although the pain of an early Champions League exit was omnipresent. Wearing the club's trademark blue and claret-coloured shirts, fans cheered as an open-top bus passed by carrying Lionel Messi, […]

Moscow (AFP) – Russian football's anti-racism chief wants the World Cup hosts to start using fan ID cards at league matches to combat monkey chants. Ape noises have turned into one of the most serious dilemmas facing Russia in the run-up to the June 14-July 15 showpiece. The incidents have blighted some of the biggest […]

Milan (AFP) – Roberto Mancini said Monday he would be proud to coach Italy but insisted he had not yet had any contact with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). Zenit Saint Petersburg coach Mancini is seen as the favourite to take over the four-time world champions after Carlo Ancelotti reportedly turned down the job offer. […]

Milan (AFP) – Juventus have one hand on a seventh straight Serie A title after Napoli's title hopes unravelled with a shock 3-0 defeat at Fiorentina. Kalidou Koulibaly's sending off and a hat-trick by Fiorentina's Giovanni Simeone mean Juventus have a four-point lead on Napoli and can wrap up yet another 'Scudetto' next weekend. Here […]

Milan (AFP) – Italian international striker Mario Balotelli said on Monday he wants to return to play in Italy after two years in France with Nice. Balotelli has scored 39 goals since arriving at the Ligue outfit on a free transfer in August 2016 following dismal spells at Liverpool and AC Milan. "I'd like to […]

Madrid (AFP) – The possibility of reaching a third straight Champions League final is "galvanising" Real Madrid for their semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich, Zinedine Zidane told a press conference on Monday. "It's an extra motivation," the Real Madrid coach said. "What drives this club is to try to do the maximum, all of […]

London (AFP) – The Football Association has condemned the Burnley fans who taunted Brighton defender Gaetan Bong during Saturday's goalless draw at Turf Moor. Cameroon international Bong accused West Bromwich Albion forward Jay Rodriguez, a former Burnley player, of racially abusing him during a match in January. That charge was found not proven but the […]

Milan (AFP) – Liverpool defensive midfielder Emre Can has agreed a five-year contract with Italian champions Juventus, according to reports in Italy on Monday. The 24-year-old German international, who is sidelined with a back injury, will sign with the six-time Italian champions as early as this week, Gazzetta dello Sport reported. The midfielder can leave […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich need "cool heads and hot hearts" if they are to learn from Juventus and pull off an unlikely Champions League victory at Real Madrid, says chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. Bayern face an uphill task in Tuesday's semi-final, second leg, at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium after losing 2-1 in Munich last Wednesday […]

Cairo (AFP) – An image rights storm that has seen star Mohamed Salah lash out at Egyptian football authorities is on the way to being settled, the Liverpool playmaker has signalled. "We were promised a solution and God willing the issue is on its way to being resolved," the midfield maestro tweeted late Sunday, while […]

London (AFP) – Mauricio Pochettino says Tottenham are victims of their own success as they scramble to finish in the top four of the Premier League ahead of deposed champions Chelsea. Fourth-placed Spurs, who host Watford on Monday, have stumbled in the league in recent weeks and crashed to their eighth successive FA Cup semi-final […]

Madrid (AFP) – Zinedine Zidane may have won two consecutive Champions League titles but he refuses to admit a third would brand this his very own era at Real Madrid. Real stand on the brink of a trio of finals ahead of their second leg against Bayern Munich in the last four on Tuesday, when […]

Berlin (AFP) – Franck Ribery has issued a battle cry before Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second leg at Real Madrid where Bayern Munich know they must be ruthless in front of goal to stage an unlikely comeback. Bayern have it all to do at the Santiago Bernabeu after wasting several chances in last week's 2-1 […]

Milan (AFP) – Roma coach Eusebio Di Francesco insisted Sunday his side firmly believe in their ability to pull off another Champions League comeback despite trailing Liverpool 5-2 after the semi-final first leg. "We've done something extraordinary in the Champions League this season," Di Francesco told Italian television on Sunday. "I also came here to […]