Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Gabriel Jesus returns to Premier League action following a triumphant international outing with Brazil, uncertain over his starting place in a Manchester City side that could be just two games from clinching the title. The 20-year-old forward scored the only goal of the friendly between Brazil and world champions Germany […]

Sao Paulo (AFP) – Following in his father's footsteps, orthopaedic surgeon Rodrigo Lasmar's operation on superstar Neymar has proved crucial in preparing Brazil's billion-dollar team for their tilt at World Cup glory. Back in 1986, Neylor Lasmar was called upon to fix the knee of the star of the Brazilian team heading to Mexico and […]

Shanghai (AFP) – It was the 2015 Champions League and Paris Saint-Germain's chances took a hit even before their daunting quarter-final against Barcelona with the news that central defender David Luiz faced several weeks out. The Brazilian international looked sure to miss both legs against the eventual European champions with a serious hamstring tear. Luiz […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is sweating on the fitness of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and defender Andreas Christensen ahead of Sunday's crucial clash with Tottenham. Courtois did not feature for Belgium during the international break because of a hamstring problem, while defender Christensen was sent back by Denmark after struggling with muscle fatigue. […]

London (AFP) – Leicester forward Kelechi Iheanacho could feature against Brighton this weekend despite suffering a broken hand on international duty for Nigeria. Iheanacho sustained the injury while he was away with Nigeria. He started his country's victory in Poland last week but was absent from the squad for the 2-0 defeat to Serbia at […]

London (AFP) – Mark Hughes said he wants to capitalise on the negativity engulfing fellow Premier League strugglers West Ham when he takes Southampton to the troubled London Stadium on Saturday. West Ham's last home game, a 3-0 defeat by Burnley, was marred by pitch invasions and protests against owners David Sullivan and David Gold […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham striker Harry Kane could face Chelsea in a crucial Premier League encounter on Sunday after a quicker than expected recovery from an ankle ligament injury, Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino said. The 24-year-old England marksman, who has 31 goals to his credit this term, injured his ankle last month against Bournemouth and […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Lionel Messi returned to training with Barcelona on Thursday to offer the Catalans a boost with less than a week to go before their Champions League clash against Roma. Messi missed Argentina's two internationals over the last week due to a hamstring strain, although he did train between the 2-0 win over […]

Moscow (AFP) – A new racism scandal has rocked Russian football in the run-up to the World Cup — and anxious Moscow authorities are taking it seriously. The idea of fans targeting black players with monkey chants is haunting Russian football chiefs heading into the June 14 to July 15 celebration of the 'beautiful game'. […]

Milan (AFP) – AC Milan have confirmed that coach Gennaro Gattuso will be rewarded with a new contract this Easter. Gattuso, the club's former youth team coach, took over the seven-time European champions from Vincenzo Montella on a caretaker basis last November and has rekindled the club's season as they sit within the Europa League […]

Athens (AFP) – The owner of Greek club PAOK has been banned for three years after storming onto the pitch with a holstered gun on his belt, league organisers said. PAOK were also docked three points and fined for Ivan Savvidis' actions, meaning they drop to third place in a tight championship race with AEK […]

London (AFP) – England manager Gareth Southgate plans to name his 23-man World Cup squad early to help avoid unnecessary anxiety among his players. Tuesday's promising 1-1 draw in Italy was England's last match before Southgate names the travelling party for the June 14-July 15 finals in Russia. Southgate has until May 14 to register […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Zlatan Ibrahimovic's Major League Soccer debut for the Los Angeles Galaxy could come as soon as Saturday, said Galaxy manager Sigi Schmid who described the Swede as "not a normal, mortal human'. The Swedish star won't arrive in Southern California until Thursday night and is due to meet his new teammates […]

Rome (AFP) – As Roma sporting director Monchi conceded that Egyptian striker Mohamed Salah had been sold on the cheap to Liverpool for 40 million euros ($49 million) before "the Neymar effect" transformed the market. "To understand this sale you have to understand two things. Firstly, it was made before the Neymar effect which revolutionised […]

Brussels (AFP) – Belgian international Radja Nainggolan was banned from driving for a month on Wednesday and fined 1,600 euros after being found guilty of drink-driving last year, local media reported. However, the Roma star, who had fought the charge, said he plans to appeal, claiming it was his friend and former player Zinho Chergui […]