Tokyo (AFP) – North Korea will not be entitled to any prize money at this month's East Asian football championships due to economic sanctions imposed on Pyongyang, tournament organisers have said. Visiting North Korea kick off the men's competition against hosts Japan in Tokyo on Saturday in a politically charged clash played against the backdrop […]

Tokyo (AFP) – As Japan's Urawa Reds aim to tackle the likes of Real Madrid in the World Club Cup, they will look again to Brazilian sharp-shooter Rafael Silva, whose goals got them to such lofty heights. The 25-year-old Sao Paulo native smashed a superb last-minute winner last month against Al Hilal to sweep the […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Clint Dempsey is looking forward to playing a leading role as the Seattle Sounders prepare to revisit history in a repeat Major League Soccer Cup final showdown against Toronto FC on Saturday. Twelve months after stunning Toronto in a penalty shoot-out to lift the MLS crown for the first time, Seattle […]

London (AFP) – The bulging wallets of Amazon and Facebook could drive up the cost of TV rights for the next English Premier League deal as sport braces for a global broadcasting revolution. Sky and BT shelled out more than £5 billion ($6.7 billion) for the privilege of keeping the jewel in the crown of […]

Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain will be without Neymar as they look to end their worst week of the season with a win at home to managerless strugglers Lille in Ligue 1 on Saturday. The world's most expensive player is suspended for the game at the Parc des Princes, where anything other than a victory […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich will be out to extend their formidable lead at the top of the Bundesliga when they face Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday, with veteran Franck Ribery leading the way. After two months out injured, the 34-year-old Frenchman captained Bayern to a 3-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, making him the […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid will have to overcome a mounting list of injuries and suspensions if they are to keep themselves in the La Liga title race when Sevilla visit the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday. Win and the European champions can close to within five points of leaders Barcelona, who themselves face a tough […]

Milan (AFP) – After expertly dealing with flamboyant Napoli last Friday and securing a spot in the Champions League last 16, Juventus can make it a perfect week by denting Serie A leaders Inter Milan's title credentials on Saturday. Massimiliano Allegri's defending champions choked Napoli as they ran out 1-0 winners at the San Paolo […]

London (AFP) – Mauricio Pochettino will hope Tottenham Hotspur's success in topping their Champions League group will fire up a faltering Premier League campaign. The 3-0 victory over Apoel Nicosia on Wednesday ensured Pochettino’s side ended the group stage three points clear of Real Madrid. By contrast, their efforts to improve on their domestic title […]

London (AFP) – Willian says Chelsea have no margin for error if the reigning champions are to maintain their Premier League title challenge at West Ham United this weekend. Antonio Conte's side fell short in their bid to wrap up the opening stage of their Champions League campaign as group winners following a 1-1 draw […]

London (AFP) – Pep Guardiola's Manchester City travel to Old Trafford for the toughest test of their Premier League title credentials so far, while new Everton boss Sam Allardyce bids to defy Liverpool's "Fab Four" as the northwest derbies take centre stage on Sunday. City are eight points clear at the top of the table […]

New York (AFP) – Boy band star Kevin Jonas testified Thursday as a surprise witness for the prosecution at the FIFA corruption trial. The member of the Jonas Brothers, dressed all in black, took the stand for less than three minutes to confirm that a concert allegedly attended by one of the suspects had actually […]

Paris (AFP) – Jack Wilshere starred as Arsenal romped to a 6-0 thrashing of BATE Borisov at a half-empty Emirates Stadium in their final Europa League group game on Thursday, while Marseille booked their place in the last 32. Arsene Wenger made 11 changes to the team that were beaten by Manchester United at the […]

Paris (AFP) – Andrea Petagna's early strike saw Atalanta complete an unbeaten Europa League group-stage campaign with a 1-0 win over Lyon on Thursday, while AC Milan were beaten by Rijeka in Croatia. Atalanta, coming off the back of a stunning 5-1 win at Everton a fortnight ago, edged out in-form Lyon to finish top […]

Paris (AFP) – For much of Cristiano Ronaldo's career he has been in direct competition with Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi, both for club and individual honours, so it's fitting that the Real Madrid superstar has the same number of Ballon d'Or awards. Ronaldo beat Messi and seven of his Champions League-winning Real teammates on Thursday […]