London (AFP) – Jack Wilshere says Arsenal can take confidence from their Europa League semi-final draw against Atletico Madrid, despite the frustration of conceding a late away goal. With the visitors on the back foot for much of Thursday's first-leg contest at the Emirates Stadium following Sime Vrsaljko's early dismissal, the Gunners dominated the game […]

Washington (AFP) – US President Donald Trump tweeted support for the North American FIFA World Cup bid Thursday, and hinted nations who oppose it could face political repercussions. "The U.S. has put together a STRONG bid w/ Canada & Mexico for the 2026 World Cup," Trump tweeted. "It would be a shame if countries that […]

London (AFP) – Arsenal's hopes of sending outgoing manager Arsene Wenger off with a trophy suffered a major blow as they could only draw 1-1 with 10-man Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday. The Gunners played with an extra man for over 80 minutes at the Emirates Stadium, […]

Marseille (AFP) – Florian Thauvin and substitute Clinton Njie netted to give Marseille a 2-0 win over Salzburg in their Europa League semi-final first leg on Thursday, keeping the French club's dreams of European glory alive. Dimitri Payet set up both goals for OM at a packed Velodrome, as more than 62,000 fans saw Thauvin […]

London (AFP) – The Football Association have received an offer to buy iconic Wembley stadium in a shock move that increases the chances of an NFL team taking up permanent residence in London. Shahid Khan, who owns Championship club Fulham and the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars, is behind the £500 million ($698 million) bid to buy […]

Istanbul (AFP) – Istanbul club Besiktas said on Thursday it would not take part in next week's resumption of the Turkish Cup semi-final game against rival Fenerbahce abandoned after violence. "We have taken the decision not to take part in the match to be played on Thursday, May 3," the club said in a statement. […]

Berlin (AFP) – Jerome Boateng has vowed to fight for his World Cup place with Germany after suffering a groin injury in Bayern Munich's Champions League defeat to Real Madrid. Defensive lynchpin Boateng pulled up after a sprint in the first half of Wednesday's 2-1 semi-final first leg defeat and had to be helped off […]

London (AFP) – Two Italian men were remanded in custody on Thursday in connection with an assault on a Liverpool fan before the Champions League tie against Roma as the club sought assurances over the safety of supporters for the return leg. Filippo Lombardi, 20, and Daniele Sciusco, 29, appeared at a magistrates court in […]

Stockholm (AFP) – Ending weeks of speculation, the Swedish football federation announced Thursday that star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who quit the national squad in 2016, will not make a comeback for the World Cup in Russia. "I spoke with Zlatan on Tuesday. He said that he has not changed his mind regarding the national squad," […]

London (AFP) – The Football Association said Thursday they have received an offer to buy iconic Wembley stadium in a shock move that increases the chances of an NFL team taking up permanent residence in London. Shahid Khan, who owns Championship club Fulham and the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars, is behind the £500 million ($698 million) […]

London (AFP) – Former Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard is in contention for his first managerial post having made the short list for the role at Scottish giants Rangers, British media reported Thursday. The 37-year-old — capped 114 times and a member of the Liverpool side that won the 2005 Champions League — is […]

Brussels (AFP) – Lionel Messi, the world's top earning footballer, won a legal battle Thursday to register his name as a trademark to sell sports goods after an EU court ruled that he is too famous to be confused with other businesses. The Barcelona and Argentina attacker rode out a seven-year challenge by a Spanish cycling […]

Stockholm (AFP) – Star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who quit the Swedish national squad in 2016, will not make a comeback for the World Cup in Russia, the Swedish football federation said Thursday. "I spoke with Zlatan on Tuesday. He said that he has not changed his mind regarding the national squad," the managing director of […]

Tokyo (AFP) – More than two weeks after he was unceremoniously fired as Japan's national football coach, Vahid Halilhodzic says he is still in "shock" and weighing legal action. "Even in my worst nightmares I couldn't have imagined that one day something like this could happen," he told AFP in Tokyo. With just two months […]

London (AFP) – The Football Association revealed on Thursday that they have received an offer to buy iconic Wembley stadium. The London Evening Standard reported that Shahid Khan, who owns Championship club Fulham and the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars, is behind the £500 million ($698 million) bid to buy the national stadium. "We can confirm that […]