Moscow (Russia) (AFP) – Russia's inside-out World Cup arena with soaring temporary stands shooting up into the sky has passed its first formal test: it doesn't sway in the wind when filled with fans. The peculiar venue in the industrial city of Yekaterinburg has attracted its fair share of fascination — and some ridicule — […]

Berlin (AFP) – Rock-bottom Bundesliga side Cologne named Markus Anfang as head coach on Tuesday as they prepare for life in Germany's second division. Cologne, nine points from safety with four games left, signed the 43-year-old Anfang on a three-year deal as he continues his fight to steer second division side Holstein Kiel into the […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero is recovering from minor surgery on his knee but said on Tuesday that he is "motivated" to get back on the pitch soon. Aguero missed Saturday's win at Tottenham after suffering an injury setback but manager Pep Guardiola said last week he remained hopeful the 29-year-old would […]

The Hague (AFP) – Dutch striker Bas Dost said in an interview published on Tuesday that he won't play for the Netherlands again. The 28-year-old has scored 59 goals in 57 games in two seasons with Sporting Lisbon, but has not sparkled for the Oranje, scoring just once in 18 appearances, although only four of […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea's Marcos Alonso has been charged with violent conduct by the Football Association after an incident during the Premier League match against relegation-threatened Southampton. The left wing-back appeared to stand on the back of Southampton striker Shane Long's leg during Saturday's game but the incident went unpunished by referee Mike Dean. However, […]

Hong Kong (AFP) – Fabio Cannavaro's Guangzhou Evergrande cruised into the last 16 of the AFC Champions League on Tuesday after completing an unbeaten group campaign with a 3-1 win against Cerezo Osaka. The Chinese Super League champions will be joined in the knockout phase by Thailand's surprise package Buriram United, who secured second place […]

Madrid (AFP) – Zinedine Zidane insists he has no problem with Gareth Bale despite substituting him at half-time during Real Madrid´s Champions League clash against Juventus last week. Sources have told AFP that Bale was surprised and angry at Zidane´s decision to take him off at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Real trailing 2-0 in a […]

London (AFP) – A "sea change" in perceptions is needed to convince girls they can play any sport they want, says a Football Association official as interest in women's sport soars. England's women footballers reached the 2015 World Cup semi-finals and the same stage at last year's European Championship — attracting a peak TV audience […]

London (AFP) – Rangers suspended former Scotland striker Kenny Miller and club captain Lee Wallace on Tuesday after a disciplinary meeting following the club's 4-0 defeat by Old Firm rivals Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-final. The pair were called to a meeting at Ibrox amid claims they undermined manager Graeme Murty during a heated […]

Hong Kong (AFP) – Dejan Damjanovic's first-half goal on Tuesday secured a place for Suwon Samsung Bluewings in the last 16 of the AFC Champions League with a 1-0 win against Kashima Antlers, who have already qualified. The win meant the South Korean side qualified for the knockout phase as winners of Group H ahead […]

Paris (AFP) – FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against World Cup hosts Russia over monkey chants heard during a friendly international against France, a spokesman told AFP on Tuesday. Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba and Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele were allegedly targeted by racist chanting during the match in Saint Petersburg last month. "We have […]

Zhuhai (China) (AFP) – China's Lander Sports, whose boss bought a stake in English club Southampton last year, believes Beijing's curbs on overseas sporting acquisitions are temporary and that "huge" outbound investments will resume, an executive said Tuesday. The listed Chinese builder of stadiums and other athletic complexes also plans to develop 10 "sports towns" […]

London (AFP) – Mauricio Pochettino says he is proud that Tottenham have closed the gap on the Premier League's top clubs as he targets Champions League qualification for a third successive season. Spurs, who face Brighton on Tuesday, are fourth in the table despite a lower financial outlay than their rivals and playing at Wembley […]

Aden (AFP) – A "miracle" winning streak has propelled Yemen's senior and youth football teams to the Asian Cup, catching the war-torn nation's attention and offering a common goal to a divided country. Qualification is a first ever for the senior team, currently based in Qatar, and a rare achievement for the under-16s who still […]

Milan (AFP) – Napoli's dwindling Serie A title hopes are hanging on a win over Udinese on Wednesday before this weekend's top-of-the-table clash against Juventus which could seal a seventh-straight title for the champions. The Italian league is approaching its epilogue with two rounds of matches this week but the final word on who will […]