Rome (AFP) – Former AC Milan and Real Madrid striker Robinho was sentenced to nine years in prison in Italy on Thursday after he was convicted of gang rape, according to local media reports. The alleged incident occurred in January 2013, when Robinho was playing for Milan in Serie A. He was found guilty in […]

Munich (Germany) (AFP) – Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben suggested on Thursday he could retire at the end of the season when his contract with the Bundesliga champions expires. The Dutchman called time on his international career last month after the Netherlands failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, but the 33-year-old remains a […]

Madrid (AFP) – Fernando Hierro returned as the Spanish football federation's sporting director on Thursday six years after leaving the role to pursue a coaching career. The Real Madrid great, who ended his playing career with Bolton Wanderers, played his part in Spain's most successful ever era as sporting director between 2007 and 2011 as […]

London (AFP) – Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson said Thursday he feels vindicated by the two-match ban handed to Everton striker Oumar Niasse for diving and hopes that it deters others. The Senegalese striker became the first Premier League player to be punished under new Football Association rules that allow retrospective action for diving. The […]

Jerusalem (AFP) – Palestine's football team achieved its highest ranking in history Thursday, rising above Israel in the FIFA world rankings for the first time. The head of the Palestinian football association labelled it an "historic achievement" as the team rose two spots to 82nd in FIFA's latest rankings. Israel fell 16 places to 98th […]

London (AFP) – New West Ham manager David Moyes said Thursday the club need to make a habit of winning at the former Olympic Stadium to ease fan discontent over the move from Upton Park. Supporters of the club, rooted in the Premier League relegation zone, vented their anger at the West Ham hierarchy during […]

London (AFP) – Juan Mata wants to follow in the footsteps of Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs and play into his forties at Old Trafford. Manager Jose Mourinho's arrival in 2016 sparked talk that the 29-year-old could be surplus to requirements because the Portuguese had let him leave Chelsea in January 2014. However, the Spanish […]

Turin (Italy) (AFP) – Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri praised his side's attitude against Barcelona despite a 0-0 draw in Turin stalling last year's finalists' path to the Champions League last 16. Five-time European champions Barcelona advanced to the knockout rounds and clinched top spot in Group D after the Turin stalemate. But Juventus remain second […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino insists he has no problem with Danny Rose's angry response to being dropped for the north London derby, but he warned the England left-back he isn't afraid to make more big selection decisions. Rose admitted he was "fuming" at being left out of the squad for Tottenham's 2-0 […]

London (AFP) – In danger of losing Antonio Conte's trust after a disappointing start to the season, Willian may have forced his way back into his manager's plans with a dynamic display in Chelsea's Champions League rout of Qarabag. When Willian boarded the Chelsea plane for their flight to Azerbaijan this week, the Brazil winger […]

Madrid (AFP) – Diego Simeone refused to be downhearted by Atletico Madrid's slim chances of making the Champions League last 16 after Antoine Griezmann returned to form with a stunning overhead kick and assist for Kevin Gameiro to beat Roma 2-0 on Wednesday. Twice finalists in the past four seasons, Simeone's men still need a […]

Porto Alegre (Brazil) (AFP) – Substitute Cicero scored the only goal as Brazilian side Gremio defeated Argentina's Lanus 1-0 in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores final on Wednesday. A stormy encounter in Porto Alegre was settled seven minutes from time when Cicero pounced on a headed knockdown by Jael. Cicero, who had replaced […]

Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery urged his team to stay focused on completing an impressive Champions League group campaign after an "extraordinary" Neymar led a record-breaking win over Celtic on Wednesday. PSG came from behind to slaughter the Scottish side 7-1 at a Parc des Princes in thrall to the Brazilian, who […]

Wellington (AFP) – New Zealand coach Anthony Hudson announced his resignation Thursday in the wake of the All Whites' failure to reach next year's World Cup. Hudson's men fell at the last qualification hurdle when Peru beat them 2-0 in Lima last week to seal victory in a two-legged intercontinental play-off for a spot at […]

Paris (AFP) – Barcelona and Chelsea progressed to the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday, but Jose Mourinho's Manchester United must wait to seal their spot after a last-gasp 1-0 defeat in Basel. Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde rested Argentina star Lionel Messi in Turin, later introducing him as a second-half substitute as a 0-0 draw […]