London (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists he doesn't harbour any grudges against Sam Allardyce despite his past clashes with the new Everton boss. Klopp rowed with Allardyce after the then Sunderland manager branded him a "soft German" two seasons ago. Klopp was so furious with a tackle by Sunderland's Jeremain Lens on Liverpool's […]

Moscow (AFP) – England manager Gareth Southgate refused to get carried away with what appeared to be a hugely favourable draw on Friday for his team at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The draw in Moscow saw England given games against Belgium, Panama and Tunisia in Group G. It meant England, who have not […]

London (AFP) – England's odds of winning next year's World Cup in Russia were cut Friday after Gareth Southgate's side were given a favourable draw in Moscow. The draw saw England chosen to face European rivals Belgium together with outsiders Panama and Tunisia in Group G. England have not won a major international football tournament […]

Moscow (AFP) – Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov expressed his relief at avoiding 2010 champions Spain in Friday's draw for next year's World Cup. Hosts Russia, the lowest ranked nation in the 32-team tournament, were placed alongside Uruguay, Egypt and Saudi Arabia in Group A. They were among the eight top seeds in pot one as […]

Leipzig (Germany) (AFP) – German international centre forward Timo Werner will not be leaving RB Leipzig for Real Madrid in the next year, the Bundesliga club's sports director Ralf Rangnick said on Friday. Asked about persistent rumours surrounding the 21-year-old, Rangnick replied: "Not this winter nor next summer. We will keep Timo Werner here. We […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea coach Antonio Conte said Friday he intends to accept a Football Association charge of misconduct after he was sent off against Swansea City. The Italian was ordered off the touchline and into the stands by referee Neil Swarbrick towards the end of the first half of Chelsea's eventual 1-0 victory at […]

Moscow (AFP) – FIFA President Gianni Infantino denied Friday that doping was a problem in football shortly before the draw for the 2018 World Cup in Russia took place in the Kremlin. President Vladimir Putin is expected to address the footballing world that has descended upon Moscow, in the midst of a freezing winter, to […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola has admitted he regrets his extraordinary post-match exchange with Southampton's Nathan Redmond that has brought him to the attention of the disciplinary department of the Football Association. The FA have asked Guardiola for his observations after he was pictured in what looked like an angry exchange with the […]

Moscow (AFP) – FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Friday sought to distance football from any suspicions of the widespread doping in other sports that has cast a cloud over World Cup hosts Russia. Russia have been stripped of a third of the medals they won as hosts of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi and […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany says the Premier League frontrunners have taken a leaf out of their arch rival's book and will never stop believing they can win games even in the dying seconds. City have maintained an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League with last-gasp 2-1 victories over […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Clint Dempsey got on the scoresheet as the Seattle Sounders defeated Houston Dynamo 3-0 to set up a repeat MLS Cup final showdown with Toronto FC on Thursday. Veteran striker Dempsey rammed in Seattle's second goal of the night as the defending champions completed an emphatic 5-0 aggregate victory to advance. […]

Madrid (AFP) – They may not be a top seed for Friday's World Cup draw in Moscow, but the fresh blood added by coach Julen Lopetegui has put Spain back among the favourites for glory next July. Early exits at the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016 appeared to show the sun was setting on […]

Paris (AFP) – With a potent attack featuring teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe and Atletico Madrid hotshot Antoine Griezmann and a midfield stuffed with talent, France should be among the World Cup favourites. With Alexandre Lacazette offering yet another attacking threat, a top-class goalkeeper in Hugo Lloris and depth at virtually every position, France coach Didier […]

Shanghai (AFP) – Felix Magath on Friday became the latest foreign coach in a matter of weeks to leave his post in the Chinese Super League (CSL), following Andre Villas-Boas and Luiz Felipe Scolari out the exit door. Villas-Boas on Thursday departed as coach of Shanghai SIPG and the veteran Magath followed suit less than […]

London (AFP) – Though untroubled in qualifying, England approach Friday's 2018 World Cup draw harbouring the same eternal doubts about whether they will crack under pressure once the tournament comes around. England have picked up the pieces impressively under Gareth Southgate since their humiliation by Iceland at Euro 2016, finishing unbeaten and eight points clear […]