Moscow (AFP) – You might have trouble buying a beer on match day in Russia but World Cup fans may still snort cocaine at the stadium — provided they have a doctor's note. Some peculiar Russian rules are coming to light as the June 14-July 15 football extravaganza draws nearer. One was spotted by intrepid […]

Berlin (AFP) – Jerome Boateng could miss the World Cup for Germany after suffering a thigh injury in Bayern Munich's Champions League defeat to Real Madrid, according to a report on Thursday. The world champions' goalkeeper Manuel Neuer meanwhile appears to be losing his battle to regain fitness in time for the finals in Russia, […]

Munich (Germany) (AFP) – Thomas Mueller admits Bayern Munich's treble dreams received a rough reality check at the hands of Real Madrid in the Champions League. Bayern left themselves with everything to do in the second-leg in Madrid on Tuesday after losing their home semi-final 2-1 at the Allianz Arena. Bayern have only rarely being […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid were unspectacular and even unconvincing in their 2-1 win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday but there was nothing lucky about a victory that should ensure a fourth Champions League final in five years. Zinedine Zidane has watched his side suffer through games away to Munich, the German champions, Paris Saint-Germain, […]

London (AFP) – Two Italian men were charged on Thursday in connection with an assault which left a 53-year-old Liverpool fan in a critical condition before Tuesday's Champions League clash with AS Roma. Filippo Lombardi, 20, has been charged with violent disorder and wounding and inflicting grievous bodily harm, Merseyside Police said in a statement. […]

London (AFP) – Arsene Wenger and Arsenal have been ridiculed in the British media after the Premier League giants issued two statements late Wednesday clarifying remarks by the long-serving manager about his departure. The Gunners initially issued a statement explaining that when Wenger said earlier in the day that the timing had not been his, […]

Munich (Germany) (AFP) – Zinedine Zidane says Real Madrid must heed the lessons from their Juventus scare in order to finish off Bayern Munich in next Tuesday's Champions League semi-final, return leg. Real took a step closer to a third straight European title after Marco Asensio hit the winner in a 2-1 first-leg come-back victory […]

Buenos Aires (AFP) – There is no question that football is a sort of religion in Argentina. And one of the football-mad country's brightest stars, Diego Maradona, is known for his infamous "Hand of God" goal against England in the 1986 World Cup. Now, on the ceiling of one club in Buenos Aires, in a […]

Munich (Germany) (AFP) – Real Madrid moved a step closer to a third straight Champions League title after substitute Marco Asensio hit the winner in a 2-1 semi-final, first-leg victory at Bayern Munich on Wednesday. The 22-year-old came off the bench to finish a counter-attack and complete the holders' comeback win, giving Real the advantage […]

Munich (Germany) (AFP) – Marco Asensio came off the bench to score the winner as Real Madrid claimed a 2-1 first-leg lead over Bayern Munich in their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday. Here are five things we learned from the first leg at the Allianz Arena: Real have measure of Bayern Real Madrid have had […]

London (AFP) – England midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain said on Wednesday he was "devastated" to be ruled out of the World Cup with a knee injury, but that it "pales in comparison" to the attack on a Liverpool fan before Tuesday's Champions League clash with Roma. Oxlade-Chamberlain was carried off on a stretcher midway through the […]

London (AFP) – Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone confirmed Diego Costa will be fit to resume his rivalry with Arsenal in a Europa League semi-final, first leg on Thursday of huge significance for the English side. Arsenal are hoping to bid farewell to outgoing manager Arsene Wenger after 22 years in charge by winning the […]

London (AFP) – England midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will miss the World Cup after he suffered a knee ligament injury in Liverpool's Champions League semi-final clash with Roma, the club said on Wednesday. Oxlade-Chamberlain was carried off on a stretcher midway through the first half of the 5-2 first-leg victory over Roma on Tuesday. He underwent […]

Istanbul (AFP) – The Turkish Cup semi-final second leg between Besiktas and Fenerbahce will resume behind closed doors next week after violence forced the Istanbul rivals to abandon their ill-tempered encounter on April 20. Fenerbahce were at home when last Friday's match was stopped in the 57th minute after Besiktas coach Senol Gunes was struck […]

Moscow (AFP) – Russia's defending champions Spartak Moscow received a partial stadium ban Wednesday for monkey chants directed at Cape Verdean midfielder Nuno Rocha but a top official said the World Cup hosts are being unfairly singled out. The football federation also fined Zenit Saint Petersburg $1,600 (1,300 euros) for "Nazi slogans" heard during a […]