Brasília (AFP) – Twelve people from the Venezuelan national football team, including players and staff, have tested positive for Covid-19, officials said Saturday, a day before they play the opening match of the Copa America against hosts Brazil. In the latest in a cascade of bad news for the troubled South American championships, the health […]

Amsterdam (AFP) – Georginio Wijnaldum says he opted to sign for Paris Saint-Germain instead of Barcelona because the French club were quicker to make their move with the midfielder eager to sort out his future before starting Euro 2020 with the Netherlands. "Paris Saint-Germain were a bit better at making a decision, a bit quicker, […]

London (AFP) – David Moyes has been rewarded for guiding West Ham to sixth place in the Premier League with a new three year contract and says he is "really excited by the ambition" at the club. The 58-year-old Scot surpassed expectations in his second spell at the Hammers securing them a place in next […]

Zeist (Netherlands) (AFP) – The Netherlands will go into their first game of Euro 2020 against Ukraine on Sunday without Matthijs de Ligt as the Juventus defender recovers from a groin injury, coach Frank de Boer confirmed. "It is a bit too early so we don't want to take any risks with him and we […]

Baku (AFP) – Wales coach Robert Page named Gareth Bale on the left wing for Saturday's Euro 2020 Group A game with Switzerland in Baku. Real Madrid's Bale starts on the opposite flank to Manchester United winger Daniel James with Juventus playmaker Aaron Ramsey in midfield as both sides' make their Euro entrance. Page has […]

London (AFP) – Harry Maguire could play for England in their opening Euro 2020 clash with 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia on Sunday although manager Gareth Southgate says it "is a longshot." The 28-year-old central defender has not played since injuring ankle ligaments in Manchester United's Premier League defeat by Aston Villa on May 9. […]

Rome (AFP) – Italy capped a perfect night in the Stadio Olimpico with a Euro 2020 opening win over Turkey but coach Roberto Mancini warned that the road was long between Rome and Wembley. A 28-match unbeaten run has put Mancini two games short of Italy's two-time world Cup winning coach Vittorio Pozzo's record of […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Captain Riyad Mahrez scored as Algeria defeated Tunisia 2-0 in an international friendly this weekend to create a record 27-match unbeaten run by an African national team. An Ivory Coast side that included Yaya and Kolo Toure and Didier Drogba set a 26-match benchmark in 2013, and Algeria began their remarkable run […]

Amsterdam (AFP) – He is one of the leaders of a new-look Netherlands, but as they make their hotly-anticipated return to a major tournament the hope is that Frenkie de Jong has enough left in the tank to play a key role at Euro 2020. The Dutch, last seen at a major tournament at the […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Scotland are back at a major international tournament for the first time in 23 years as Steve Clarke's men attempt to rewrite the record books at Euro 2020. The Scots have never made it beyond the group stage of a World Cup or European Championship despite being regular qualifiers with richly talented […]

London (AFP) – England is preparing to host its biggest football party for a generation but home matches at Euro 2020 risk being overshadowed by a row over players taking the knee to highlight racial injustice. Manager Gareth Southgate says his England players will continue the kneeling gesture adopted in the Premier League, despite boos […]

London (AFP) – Harry Kane holds the key to England's bid to end 55 years of hurt as Gareth Southgate's side start their Euro 2020 campaign with a revenge mission against Croatia on Sunday. England have not won a major trophy since the 1966 World Cup and their under-achieving history is littered with heartache and […]

Paris (AFP) – Wales and the world's top-ranked team Belgium begin their Euro 2020 bids on Saturday after the delayed tournament finally kicked off with victory for an impressive Italy side on an emotional night in Rome. After a year of football played largely in empty stadiums due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Stadio Olimpico […]

Rome (AFP) – Italy got their Euro 2020 campaign off the mark with an impressive 3-0 win over Turkey in the curtain-raiser for the postponed continental tournament in front of their home fans in Rome on Friday. Playing their first major tournament in five years after failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, all […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City and England forward Raheem Sterling was on Friday named in Queen Elizabeth II's Birthday Honours list in recognition of his work to promote racial equality in sport. The 26-year-old, who has been heavily involved in anti-racism and anti-discrimination campaigns, has been made an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order […]