Moscow (AFP) – Russia has issued a security guarantee to Arsenal fans who will visit Moscow for a Europa League clash in the heat of a diplomatic crisis over an ex-double agent's poisoning. Moscow on Saturday announced the expulsion of 23 British diplomats in a tit-for-tar response to London's "provocative" measures over the nerve agent […]

Bogota (AFP) – Video assistant referee technology (VAR) will make its debut at the World Cup in Russia this summer despite lingering opposition from within and outside football, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Friday. "We are going to have in 2018, for the first time, a World Cup with VAR," said Infantino after a meeting […]

Bogota (AFP) – FIFA lifted its three-decade ban on Iraq hosting international football on Friday with the cities of Arbil, Basra and Karbala given the go-ahead to stage official matches. "We are allowing international matches to be staged in the cities of Arbil, Basra and Karbala," FIFA president Gianni Infantino told reporters after a meeting […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Jose Mourinho has warned Manchester United's under-performing stars that they need to "grow up" in the wake of the team's tame exit from the Champions League. The fall-out from United's shock failure in a 2-1 home defeat against Sevilla is still being felt at Old Trafford, with Mourinho launching an […]

Rome (AFP) – Zenit St Petersburg coach Roberto Mancini has revealed in an emotional interview how coaching his native Italy would be "extraordinary". Mancini, 53, is among the favourites to lead the four-time World Cup winners, with Chelsea manager Antonio Conte and former Bayern Munich coach Carlo Ancelotti also being touted as candidates. "When you're […]

Paris (AFP) – The in-form Stevan Jovetic came off the bench to give Monaco a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over struggling Lille on Friday, strengthening his side's position in the Ligue 1 top three. The reigning champions are 14 points adrift of leaders Paris Saint-Germain, but more importantly, 12 points clear of fourth-placed Lyon, who meet […]

Bogota (AFP) – Video assistant referee technology (VAR) will make its debut at the World Cup in Russia this summer despite lingering opposition from within and outside football, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Friday. "We are going to have in 2018, for the first time, a World Cup with VAR," said Infantino after a meeting […]

Bogota (AFP) – Video assistant referee technology (VAR) will make its debut at the World Cup in Russia this summer despite lingering opposition from within and outside football, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Friday. "We are going to have in 2018, for the first time, a World Cup with VAR," said Infantino after a meeting […]

London (AFP) – Arsenal have promised to make supporter safety their top priority when the Premier League club face CSKA Moscow in the Europa League quarter-finals at a time of strained relations between Britain and Russia. British Prime Minister Theresa May this week expelled 23 Russian diplomats over the nerve agent poisoning of a former […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Botswana, Kenya, Swaziland, Togo and Uganda could have representatives in the CAF Champions League group stage for the first time after the last-32 second legs this weekend. Township Rollers of Botswana and Mbabane Swallows of Swaziland play at home holding 2-1 leads while Port of Togo travel with a 2-0 advantage. KCCA […]

Nyon (Switzerland) (AFP) – Arsenal will take on CSKA Moscow after the clubs were drawn together in a Europa League quarter-final in Nyon on Friday at a time of strained relations between Britain and Russia. British Prime Minister Theresa May this week expelled 23 Russian diplomats over the nerve agent poisoning of a former spy, […]

London (AFP) – New Southampton boss Mark Hughes has challenged his under-achieving players to raise their game as they battle to ensure Premier League survival, saying they do not have the luxury of time. The Welshman, 54, was this week appointed until the end of the season to replace the sacked Mauricio Pellegrino and been […]

Berlin (AFP) – Mario Goetze, who scored the winner in the last World Cup final, and Dortmund teammate Marco Reus have been unable to force their way into the Germany squad for two upcoming World Cup warm up matches. "In some positions we have an extremely large choice, in others not," said Loew. "That's why […]

London (AFP) – Antonio Conte has set his sights on winning the FA Cup and qualifying for the Champions League as Chelsea bid to bounce back from their disappointment in Barcelona. Conte's side were knocked out of the Champions League on Wednesday as Lionel Messi-inspired Barcelona won 3-0 in their last 16 second leg clash […]

London (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp says Manchester City won't be happy to have been drawn against Liverpool in a Champions League quarter-final showdown of Premier League rivals. Klopp's side were paired with Premier League leaders City in Friday's draw and the Reds boss is certain Pep Guardiola's side will be feeling a little nervous about […]