London (AFP) – England manager Gareth Southgate believes more must be done to eradicate racism in football closer to home before criticising World Cup hosts Russia's willingness to tackle the problem. Southgate cited a host of racist comments left on social media targeting several black players featuring in an England under-16 side as an example […]

London (AFP) – South Korea's Son Heung-min is already staking a claim to be considered the greatest player Asia has ever produced thanks to his stunning form for Tottenham Hotspur. The free-scoring Son, 25, already has 18 goals in all competitions this season, including seven in his last five games, and is well on course […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon insisted Thursday that he still has a role to play in Italy's future despite already having passed his 40th birthday. The Juventus star quit international football after Italy stunningly failed to qualify for the World Cup finals. However, he has since reversed his decision and will […]

Buenos Aires (AFP) – Argentine World Cup winner Rene "Loco" Houseman died of tongue cancer at the age of 64 on Thursday. Houseman was a tricky right winger in his day who drew comparisons to Brazilian great Garrincha. He scored 12 goals in 53 Argentina appearances and helped the side win the 1978 World Cup […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Zlatan Ibrahimovic has signed for the Los Angeles Galaxy and could make his debut for the Major League Soccer side this month, US media reported on Thursday. The Los Angeles Times and Sports Illustrated both reported Ibrahimovic had inked a deal with the Galaxy shortly before Premier League giants Manchester United […]

Abidjan (AFP) – Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure said on Thursday he won't play for the Ivory Coast during the international break due to "family reasons". The 34-year-old will miss Friday's friendly with Togo and the game against Moldova on Monday in France despite having come out of international retirement last December. "Sadly, I will […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Costa Rica manager Oscar Ramirez will hope to repeat the success he enjoyed as a player when his side face Scotland in a Hampden Park friendly on Friday. Ramirez was in the Costa Rica side that beat Scotland 1-0 in their opening group match of the 1990 World Cup in Italy. Scotland […]

Düsseldorf (Germany) (AFP) – Spain coach Julen Lopetegui will use Friday's high-profile friendly against world champions Germany to test his team against a high-level opponent which "has never stopped progressing" under Joachim Loew. "This is an important test for us," Lopetegui said in Duesseldorf on Thursday. "We are aware of the opportunity that this international […]

Berlin (AFP) – Germany's Bundesliga clubs on Thursday voted to keep using the video assistant referee (VAR) next season and to retain the hotly-debated '50+1' rule — essentially curbing outside investment. Despite considerable teething problems — confusion about why decisions are made and lengthy delays — Germany's top 18 clubs unanimously voted to keep the […]

London (AFP) – England manager Gareth Southgate said on Thursday he has "little interest" in British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson's opinion on Russia hosting this summer's World Cup. Johnson agreed on Wednesday with a fellow member of parliament's assertion that Russian president Vladimir Putin would exploit the World Cup as Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler had […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Zlatan Ibrahimovic has signed for the Los Angeles Galaxy and could make his debut for the Major League Soccer side this month, US media reported on Thursday. The Los Angeles Times and Sports Illustrated both reported Ibrahimovic had inked a deal with the Galaxy shortly before Manchester United confirmed the Swedish […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United released Zlatan Ibrahimovic from the remainder of his contract on Thursday, freeing up the 36-year-old Swedish striker to complete an expected move to American side LA Galaxy. "Manchester United confirms that it has agreed to the termination of Zlatan Ibrahimovic's contract with immediate effect," United said in a statement. "Everyone […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli accepted on Thursday the two-time world champions' chances at the World Cup in Russia will depend far more on Lionel Messi than his own influence. Sampaoli was drafted in for Argentina's final four matches of a faltering qualifying campaign, but it was Messi's brilliant hat-trick in […]

London (AFP) – Jose Mourinho has launched a defiant defence of his Manchester United reign, insisting "people with a brain" should understand his team are going through a rebuilding period. United have endured a difficult season and trail 16 points behind runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City. Mourinho's side crashed out of the Champions League […]

Berlin (AFP) – Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has been linked to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich as a possible replacement for Jupp Heynckes next season. According to reports, Bayern's director of sport Hasan Salihamidzic has recommended Pochettino to club bosses Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Uli Hoeness. Current head coach Heynckes, 72, has implied he will leave […]