Milan (AFP) – Paulo Dybala has regained his goal scoring form just in time as champions Juventus tackle rivals AS Roma for top spot at Christmas in a clash which could prove decisive in the Serie A title race. A slim four-point margin separates the leading quartet in the Italian championship with Napoli top with […]

London (AFP) – Swansea City's decision to sack manager Paul Clement reflected the mounting anxiety in the Premier League's lower reaches as the frenetic festive period begins. Clement was dismissed on Wednesday with Swansea four points adrift of safety at the foot of the table, becoming the sixth manager to have lost his job in […]

London (AFP) – The English Football Association said Thursday that Jose Mourinho will face no sanctions following an investigation of comments he made before the recent Manchester derby. The FA said it has decided to take "no formal action" after reviewing evidence provided by Mourinho's club Manchester United, understood to be relating to suggestions that […]

The Hague (AFP) – Dutch giants Ajax sacked manager Marcel Keizer and assistant coach Dennis Bergkamp on Thursday, saying the club had "lost confidence in their abilities" after a string of poor performances. "Ajax has suspended Marcel Keizer, assistant coach Hennie Spijkerman and Dennis Bergkamp and management will meet them to discuss ending their contracts," […]

Doha (AFP) – Neymar believes Paris Saint-Germain can "make history" by eliminating holders and record 12-time winners Real Madrid when the two clubs meet in the last 16 of the Champions League. French league leaders PSG were paired with Cristiano Ronaldo's Real in the tie of the round, and big-spending PSG are looking for a […]

Chicago (AFP) – Defending champion France, top-ranked United States, world number two Germany and third-ranked England will meet in the third SheBelieves Cup women's football tournament next March, host US Soccer announced Thursday. Three double-headers will be staged over a week in the event, which saw the Americans win the inaugural 2016 edition and the […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs has ruled himself out of the running for the vacant manager's job at Premier League strugglers Swansea following the dismissal of Paul Clement. With the Swans looking for a third boss in less than 12 months, Giggs had been talked about in relation with the role along […]

Madrid (AFP) – Paco Jemez was on Thursday appointed the new coach of Las Palmas, the struggling La Liga side announced. Jemez is the club's third manager this season and the 47-year-old inherits a team that has won just one of their last 13 Liga outings and only three in all. That poor run of […]

Luque (Paraguay) (AFP) – Argentinian giants Independiente will face another test against Brazilian opposition after being drawn against Sao Paulo side Corinthians in the group stage of the 2018 Copa Libertadores here Wednesday. Independiente sealed their place in the Libertadores draw last week after lifting the Copa Sudamericana following a 3-2 aggregate victory over Flamengo […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers praised his players for a perfect response as the Scottish champions returned to winning ways against Partick Thistle. The Hoops' record-breaking 69-match unbeaten domestic run came to a stunning end last Sunday when the Glasgow giants were hammered 4-0 by Hearts. But the Parkhead club bounced back on […]

London (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp has risked Arsene Wenger's wrath ahead of Liverpool's visit to the Emirates Stadium by claiming the Arsenal manager failed to get the best out of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Oxlade-Chamberlain joined Liverpool in August after Wenger decided to cash in before the England midfielder's contract expired. The 24-year-old never quite lived up […]

Madrid (AFP) – "The expectations of Real Madrid are to have the best," they could easily be the words of world famous player or coach, but it is the club's English groundsman Paul Burgess who is reflecting on the demanding culture at the Spanish giants. Burgess's work will be seen by an estimated television audience […]

Paris (AFP) – Kylian Mbappe celebrated his 19th birthday on Wednesday with a goal and an assist as Paris Saint-Germain cruised to a 3-1 victory over Caen in Ligue 1. The French teenager has enjoyed a stratoshperic rise in 2017 and rounded out a memorable year in style by setting up Edinson Cavani to fire […]

Madrid (AFP) – Sevilla missed the chance to leapfrog Real Madrid into La Liga's top four as Carlos Vela waved goodbye to Real Sociedad with a goal in a 3-1 win for the Basques on Wednesday. Vela will join new Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC in January after 250 appearances for Sociedad. The […]

London (AFP) – Championship side Bristol City dumped Manchester United out of the League Cup on Wednesday, scoring with seconds remaining to beat the holders 2-1. In the other quarter-final, Chelsea beat Bournemouth 2-1 with goals from Willian and a late strike from Alvaro Morata. United, second in the Premier League, made 10 changes from […]