Vienna (AFP) – Austrian prosecutors said Wednesday they are investigating the country's national football federation head Leo Windtner over a payment made at the time of the disgraced Sepp Blatter's re-election as FIFA president in 2015. "We are investigating because of the suspicion of breach of trust and corruption," the public prosecution office for economic […]

Istanbul (AFP) – Turkish league leaders Istanbul Basaksehir are in talks with Barcelona to bring midfielder Arda Turan back to Turkey after a troubled Camp Nou spell, the Super Lig club said on Wednesday. Basaksehir, who have risen fast over the last two seasons to rival the established Istanbul triumvirate of Besiktas, Fenerbahce and Galatasaray, […]

Madrid (AFP) – Atletico Madrid booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey on Tuesday after seeing off third-tier Lleida, while new signing Luciano Vietto's hat-trick fired Valencia past Las Palmas. Playing in front of a sparsely populated Wanda Metropolitano, it took dominant Atletico until the 57th minute to extend their 4-0 […]

London (AFP) – Belgian international Romelu Lukaku gave his reason for rejecting Everton's offer of a reported £140,000 ($189,000) a week because of a voodoo message, the Premier League club's major shareholder Farhad Moshiri revealed on Tuesday. Moshiri told fellow shareholders at the club's AGM that the 24-year-old striker — who eventually joined Manchester United […]

Nice (France) (AFP) – Thomas Lemar scored as Monaco beat Cote d'Azur rivals Nice 2-1 at the Allianz Riviera on Tuesday to reach the French League Cup semi-finals. Lemar, who has been heavily linked with a move to England, nodded Monaco into an early lead, before Alassane Plea equalised after a video review. Monaco moved […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – A goal in stoppage time by Sergio Aguero saved Manchester City's blushes as it was enough to secure a 2-1 win over second-tier Bristol City in their League Cup semi-final first leg clash on Tuesday. The Argentinian's 19th goal of the season and a fine effort by Belgian international Kevin […]

Milan (AFP) – AC Milan insisted Tuesday they have no intention of moving away from the iconic San Siro stadium which they share with city rivals Inter after the mayor of Milan suggested a move was imminent. "AC Milan states that the club has never expressed the desire to leave San Siro," said AC Milan […]

Madrid (AFP) – Atletico Madrid booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey on Tuesday after seeing off third-tier Lleida 3-0 in the second leg of their last 16 clash and cruising to a 7-0 aggregate win. Playing in front of a sparsely populated Wanda Metropolitano, it took dominant Atletico until the […]

London (AFP) – Danish international Andreas Christensen's impressive performances for Chelsea this season were rewarded on Tuesday with a new long-term contract at the Premier League champions. The 21-year-old central defender — who has been with Chelsea since he was 15 — has signed a new four-and-a-half year contract after replacing David Luiz as a […]

London (AFP) – Newcastle great Peter Beardsley has agreed to a period of gardening leave whilst the club looks into accusations of racism and bullying levelled at him in his role as the club's Under-23 coach. The 56-year-old former England and Liverpool star — who made over 300 appearances for Newcastle in two spells at […]

Lausanne (AFP) – Former Chelsea winger Florent Malouda, who was given a two-match ban for playing for French Guiana at last year's CONCACAF Gold Cup, will appeal his suspension at the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Wednesday. The 37-year-old made 80 international appearances for France between 2004 and 2012, but became available for his […]

London (AFP) – Highly-regarded English manager Gary Rowett ended relegation-threatened Premier League club Stoke City's hopes of him taking over when he signed a new contract with second tier Derby County on Tuesday. The 43-year-old's stock has risen in his stewardship of two Championship sides, firstly with Birmingham City and then Derby. His departure from […]

Buenos Aires (AFP) – Carlos Tevez hopes to turn back the clock and use his return to Boca Juniors as a springboard to get back in the Argentina team for this year's World Cup in Russia. "I have a few years of football left, being in a World Cup for a player of my age […]

London (AFP) – Swansea midfielder Leroy Fer will be free to play in a crucial Premier League relegation battle with Newcastle on Saturday after winning his appeal against a three-match ban. An independent commission upheld the Dutchman's appeal against his red card for violent conduct in the FA Cup third round 0-0 draw with Wolves […]

London (AFP) – At least one candidate from a black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) background will be interviewed for future roles within the England set-up, the FA said Tuesday, laying out its response to issues thrown up by the Eni Aluko affair. Chief executive Martin Glenn revealed the Football Association will adopt its own […]