Dubai (AFP) – World Cup 2022 host Qatar must urgently introduce laws to protect up to 800,000 migrant construction labourers at risk working in scorching temperatures, Human Rights Watch said Wednesday. The New York-based organisation also called on the Gulf state to investigate workers' deaths, their cause, and make those findings public. "The Qatari authorities' […]

Rome (AFP) – AS Roma legend Francesco Totti on Wednesday thanked his fans for their support in his post-playing career as he celebrated his 41st birthday four months after retiring. Totti retired after 24 years with Roma at the end of last season, swapping his jersey for a director's suit, and has also started a […]

Shanghai (AFP) – Brazilian striker Hulk hit his ninth goal in the Asian Champions League this season but Shanghai SIPG failed to take their chances in a 1-1 semi-final stalemate with Urawa Red Diamonds on Wednesday. Andre Villas-Boas' side will travel to Japan for the second leg on October 18 still very much in the […]

Madrid (AFP) – Raphael Varane joined a host of his Real Madrid teammates in recent weeks by signing a five-year contract extension to 2022 on Wednesday. "Real Madrid C. F. and Varane have agreed to extend the player's contract, which will see him remain at the club until 30 June 2022," the Spanish giants said in […]

London (AFP) – The Football Association charged West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday for failing to control their players during their Premier League clash at the weekend. Spurs won Saturday's derby at the London Stadium 3-2 but almost squandered a three-goal lead. The Hammers were pressing for an equaliser in stoppage time when tempers […]

Sydney (AFP) – Injured captain Mile Jedinak was Wednesday ruled out of Australia's crunch World Cup play-offs against Syria, as coach Ange Postecoglou included a host of fresh faces in the push to make Russia. The Aston Villa star missed the Socceroos' final qualifiers with a groin problem and was not used by club manager […]

Turin (Italy) (AFP) – Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri insists he has "no problem" with Gonzalo Higuain despite uncertainty over whether the Argentina striker will play in Wednesday's Champions League match against Greek side Olympiakos. Higuain was dropped for Juventus's 4-0 Serie A win over Torino last weekend after scoring just twice in the first five […]

Moscow (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes his team remain on track to qualify for the knockout phase of the Champions League despite drawing both of their opening games. After a 2-2 draw with Sevilla in their Group E opener, Liverpool drew 1-1 away to Spartak Moscow on Tuesday, with Fernando's free-kick for the […]

Paris (AFP) – Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said he will field a strong side for Thursday's Europa League visit to BATE Borisov, despite a 4000km round trip in the middle of a spell of three games in seven days. The second round of group-stage matches also sees AC Milan visit Croatia's Rijeka, Everton host Cypriots […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola fears French full-back Benjamin Mendy faces months on the sidelines with injury and compared his situation to Ilkay Gundogan's nine-month lay-off. Mendy, signed for £50 million ($67 million) from Monaco in the summer, injured his knee during City's weekend win over Crystal Palace and will […]

Paris (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice on his 400th Real Madrid appearance as the Champions League holders defeated Borussia Dortmund 3-1, while Harry Kane grabbed a hat-trick in Tottenham Hotspur's 3-0 win at APOEL Nicosia on Tuesday. Gareth Bale struck an exquisite volley as the record 12-time European champions secured an 18th-minute lead at […]

Dortmund (Germany) (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo marked his 150th European game with two goals as Real Madrid sealed a 3-1 victory at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday to top their Champions League group. Ronaldo claimed two second-half goals after Gareth Bale's stunning early volley gave Real the lead at Dortmund's Signal Iduna Park The Germans fought […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Kevin De Bruyne's superb strike and a late Raheem Sterling goal maintained Manchester City's impressive form in a 2-0 Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday. De Bruyne struck in the 49th minute with a magnificent 20-yard strike into the top right-hand corner of the Shakhtar goal after David […]

Seville (Spain) (AFP) – French forward Wissam Ben Yedder hit a hat-trick as Sevilla soared to the top of Champions League Group E by cruising to a 3-0 win over Slovenian champions Maribor on Tuesday. Ben Yedder produced clinical finishes from close range twice in 11 first-half minutes to put the hosts well on course […]

Moscow (AFP) – A sparkling Philippe Coutinho goal was not enough to earn Liverpool victory as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Spartak Moscow in the Champions League on Tuesday. Coutinho cancelled out Fernando's free-kick in the 31st minute, but Liverpool's quest for a winner came to nothing, leaving them still without a […]