Lausanne (AFP) – UEFA on Thursday demanded that Ukraine make changes to their jersey for Euro 2020 to remove a "political" slogan that sparked protests from Russia. European football's governing body said the message "Glory to our Heroes", a rallying cry during the 2014 anti-Russia protests in Ukraine that is featured inside the shirt, was […]

Rome (AFP) – Lorenzo Pellegrini on Thursday joined Italy's injury list on the eve of their Euro 2020 opener against Turkey, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) confirmed. Italy have submitted a request to UEFA to bring in Fiorentina's Gaetano Castrovilli in their 26-man squad after Roma midfielder Pellegrini pulled up with a muscular problem in […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Former Australia national coach Ange Postecoglou has been appointed manager of Scottish giants Celtic, the club announced on Thursday. The 55-year-old Australian signed a 12-month rolling contract and fills the vacancy on a permanent basis left open when Neil Lennon resigned in late February. "Celtic Football Club is delighted to announce that […]

London (AFP) – Twenty-five years after England's dramatic Euro 96 campaign revived the nation's love affair with football, Gareth Southgate's side aim to emulate the golden summer when football came home. England manager Southgate leads his team into their opening match of the European Championship against Croatia at Wembley on Sunday. It should be a […]

London (AFP) – Euro 2020 finally kicks off on Friday as Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal prepare to defend their title and world champions France seek a rare double a year after the tournament was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. France's fearsome forward line makes them favourites to win a third European crown at the pan-continental event, […]

Rome (AFP) – Top Italy striker Ciro Immobile will be looking to shake off the demons of World Cup failure as the 'Azzurri' return to the big stage in Friday's European Championship opener against Turkey in Rome. Roberto Mancini's resurgent four-time world champions are being touted as possible dark horses after failing to qualify for […]

Sao Paulo (AFP) – The Copa America has been rocked by one surprise after another, but there were none Wednesday as Brazil coach Tite named his squad for the troubled tournament, led by superstar Neymar. The defending South American champions will keep a roster nearly identical to the one that beat both Ecuador and Paraguay […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Lionel Messi could move to Inter Miami as part of a new 10-year deal the Argentinian superstar is negotiating with Barcelona, the owner of the Major League Soccer side said Wednesday. The Miami Herald newspaper reported that Inter owner Jorge Mas and co-owner David Beckham have had "serious talks" with Messi […]

Lisbon (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo was on the score-sheet as European champions Portugal beat Israel 4-0 on Wednesday in their final warm up for the defence of their title. Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes bagged twice as Ronaldo and Joao Cancelo added for a comfortable win in Lisbon. Ronaldo's 44th minute strike was his 104th […]

Madrid (AFP) – Spain's Euro 2020 squad is to be vaccinated against Covid-19 just days before the start of the tournament, the Health Minister Carolina Darias said Wednesday after two players tested positive. "We are going to vaccinate all the players in the Spanish squad" with the (two dose) Pfizer vaccine administered by "the armed […]

Burton-on-Trent (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Jack Grealish believes a heart-to-heart with England manager Gareth Southgate at the start of the season was the inspiration he needed to seal a place in the Three Lions' squad for Euro 2020. The Aston Villa captain has shone in the Premier League this season, sparking rumours he could be […]

Rome (AFP) – After teasing the news with a cryptic tweet, Lazio on Wednesday announced they had hired former Chelsea and Juventus boss Maurizio Sarri. "Maurizio Sarri is the new coach," posted the Serie A club on social media. Earlier Lazio sent out a tweet showing a hand holding a lit cigarette, track suit tops […]

London (AFP) – The six rebel English clubs that signed up to the European Super League have reached a financial settlement with the Premier League worth a combined £22 million ($31 million), the league said on Wednesday. Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham announced themselves as founder members of the competition in […]

Herzogenaurach (Germany) (AFP) – As he prepares for his final tournament after 15 years as Germany's head coach, Joachim Loew insists he sees signs that his squad can put recent failures behind them. In an interview with AFP's German sister agency SID at his squad's training base in Herzogenaurach, Loew balanced confidence in the coaching […]

Madrid (AFP) – Spain's Euro 2020 squad is to be vaccinated against Covid-19 just days before the start of the tournament, the health ministry said Wednesday after two players tested positive. The announcement came just hours after the team's management said it had set up a "parallel" squad of 17 reserves who may have to […]