Lisbon (AFP) – The creation of a 'Liga Iberica' involving top clubs from Spain and Portugal has been targeted for 2019, the Portuguese League said on Wednesday. The Liga Iberica would allow Benfica, Sporting Lisbon, Porto and the likes to measure up against Spanish giants like Real Madrid and Barcelona. "We are aiming to set […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Boosted by Neymar's world record move to Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona are set to smash the record turnover for a football club with a 897-million-euro ($1.07 billion) income for the 2017/18 season, the club announced on Wednesday. "The board have approved a budget for the 2017/18 season that reflects an expected record income […]

Saitama (Japan) (AFP) – Urawa Reds scored three goals in a 15-minute blitz to floor Japanese rivals Kawasaki Frontale 4-1 in a fiery encounter Wednesday and reach the Asian Champions League semi-finals. Slovenian Zlatan Ljubijankic, Brazilian Rafael Silva and Toshiyuki Takagi all scored late goals against 10-man Kawasaki as the home side overturned a two-goal deficit […]

Berlin (AFP) – Amidst rising tension in Bayern Munich's ranks, Carlo Ancelotti reacted calmly on Wednesday to Hoffenheim boss Julian Nagelsmann's comments that he wants to eventually coach the Bavarians. "It's quite normal that a young and good coach such as Julian dreams of training a very high level club," Bayern manager Ancelotti told broadcaster […]

London (AFP) – Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud admitted on Wednesday that he came close to leaving the club in the close season before deciding to stay because his "story is not over". The France international has fallen behind club-record signing and compatriot Alexandre Lacazette in the pecking order this season but has come off the […]

London (AFP) – A governance expert fired by FIFA on Wednesday accused the leadership of world football's governing body of interfering with his work, ignoring rules and removing him in order to stay in power. Speaking to MPs on Britain's Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Miguel Maduro gave a devastating indictment of FIFA president […]

Berlin (AFP) – Germany legend Lothar Matthaeus has criticised Franck Ribery for defiantly throwing off his Bayern Munich shirt after being substituted in Tuesday's Champions League win over Anderlecht, prompting a passionate response from the Frenchman. Having picked up an early booking for arguing with the referee in the 3-0 home victory, Ribery was taken […]

Shanghai (AFP) – Handsomely paid Carlos Tevez is overweight and will not play again for Shanghai Shenhua until he gets fit, the Chinese club's new coach has warned. The 33-year-old Tevez is one of the best-paid players on the planet on reported weekly wages of about 730,000 euros (US$870,000) but has scored just twice this […]

Berlin (AFP) – The Bundesliga looks set to follow the example of England's Premier League by voting to shorten the transfer window, with German Football League (DFL) chief Reinhard Rauball proposing changes. Germany's 36 professional clubs are set to hold a vote at their general assembly in December and Rauball wants the Bundesliga clubs to […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid vice-captain Marcelo extended his 11-year stay with the Spanish giants by signing a new contract until 2022, the club announced on Wednesday. The Brazilian, 29, has won three Champions League and four La Liga titles in over 400 appearances since joining from Fluminense in 2006. "Real Madrid and Marcelo have […]

Berlin (AFP) – Timo Werner has admitted he wants to join a "big club" amidst reports Real Madrid are interesting in signing the Germany striker, who makes his Champions League debut on Wednesday. Werner will play the first Champions League match of his career at Leipzig's Red Bull Arena when RB make their debut in […]

London (AFP) – European football's governing body UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Celtic following a pitch invasion during their Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain. A supporter raced onto the Parkhead pitch late in the first half on Tuesday with the hosts 3-0 down and darted towards 18-year-old superstar Kylian Mbappe. He aimed a […]

Shanghai (AFP) – Carlos Tevez is overweight and will not play again for Shanghai Shenhua until he gets fit, the Chinese club's new coach has warned. The 33-year-old Tevez is one of the best-paid players on the planet on reported weekly wages of about 730,000 euros but has scored just twice this season and already […]

Berlin (AFP) – Germany legend Lothar Matthaeus has criticised France winger Franck Ribery for throwing his Bayern Munich shirt in temper after being substituted late in the Champions League win over Anderlecht. Having picked up an early booking for arguing with the referee in Tuesday's 3-0 victory over the Belgian side, Ribery was taken off […]

London (AFP) – Mauricio Pochettino has warned his Tottenham Hotspur stars that they must make a fast start to their Champions League campaign or risk another early exit. Pochettino's side failed to make it past the group stage of Europe's elite club competition last season. Tottenham's downfall was triggered by poor results in their home […]