Shanghai (AFP) – China will establish up to 18 "key cities" dedicated to football by 2025, its top sports body said, as it outlined plans to be among Asia's best by the end of the decade. A new policy paper from the General Administration of Sport said 16-18 cities should aspire to have two professional […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City and Chelsea head into Saturday's Champions League final as English football superpowers, but 35 years ago both clubs had endured such hard times that reaching the much-maligned Full Members' Cup final was cause for celebration. While City's showdown with Chelsea in Porto is a high-stakes clash, their first-ever meeting in […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Nike said Thursday it parted ways with Neymar last year after the superstar Brazil attacker "refused to cooperate in a good faith investigation" as the company probed an employee's claim that he sexually assaulted her. The apparel giant said in a statement that its investigation into the alleged 2016 incident — […]

Porto (Portugal) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola's Manchester City are 90 minutes away from the trophy they so desperately crave but a Chelsea side transformed in recent months stand in their way in Saturday's all-English Champions League final in Porto, the Portuguese city which was named as a last-minute host. It is the third final of […]

Porto (Portugal) (AFP) – Both were signed at the start of this season and both have gone on to play important roles in helping their clubs make it to Saturday's Champions League final in Porto. AFP Sport looks at the impact of Ruben Dias on Manchester City and his fellow centre-back Thiago Silva's importance to […]

London (AFP) – Brentford and Swansea will slug it out for promotion to the Premier League on Saturday as they meet in a Championship play-off final worth an estimated £180 million ($255 million). The Wembley showdown is often called the richest match in world football given the vast rewards on offer to the winners once […]

London (AFP) – Former US president Barack Obama has spoken with Manchester United forward and campaigner Marcus Rashford, praising him for the work he has done on social issues. England star Rashford met virtually with Obama in an online conversation organised by Penguin Books and discussed topics such as the positive impact of reading. Rashford, […]

Buenos Aires (AFP) – Argentina was waiting on Thursday to hear back from South American football's governing body to see if CONMEBOL will be able to follow strict coronavirus health protocols during the Copa America. "We need to know if CONMEBOL is able to comply with the requirement that we're putting in place," Santiago Cafiero, […]

Rome (AFP) – Antonio Conte hailed his "journey" as Inter Milan coach on Thursday, the day after he quit the newly-crowned Italian champions amid clashes with the club's cash-strapped Chinese owners. "What a journey during these two years! No excuses, no alibis, only work, work and work, with respect and courtesy," wrote Conte on his […]

Cagliari (Italy) (AFP) – Roberto Mancini was on Thursday optimistic that Marco Verratti would recover in time from his knee injury to take part in Euro 2020. Speaking before Friday's pre-Euro friendly with San Marino, Mancini said that Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Verratti is recovering from the knock "quicker than expected". "His situation has improved a […]

Madrid (AFP) – Zinedine Zidane has resigned as Real Madrid manager for the second time with immediate effect, the Spanish club said Thursday just days after they were beaten to the La Liga title by Atletico Madrid. The Frenchman's departure comes at the end of a disappointing campaign for the 13-time European champions, who also […]

Prague (AFP) – Czech defender Ondrej Kudela, banned for 10 matches for racism, will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after UEFA rejected his appeal, his lawyer Rene Cienciala said on Thursday. The Slavia Prague centre-back was suspended by European football's governing body for racially abusing Rangers player Glen Kamara in a […]

Rome (AFP) – French international goalkeeper Mike Maignan has signed a five-year contract with AC Milan, the Serie A club announced on Thursday. The 25-year-old, who is the third-choice goalkeeper for the French national team, will have the tough task of succeeding Italian first choice Gianluigi Donnarumma whose departure was made official on Wednesday. Maignan […]

London (AFP) – Sheffield United have appointed Slavisa Jokanovic as their new manager following their relegation from the Premier League. The former Watford and Fulham boss has signed a three-year contract with the Blades, succeeding Chris Wilder, who left the club in March after nearly five years in charge. Blades' Under-23 coach Paul Heckingbottom oversaw […]

Porto (Portugal) (AFP) – Portuguese police said on Thursday that they were preparing "an operation of great complexity" for the arrival of thousands of fans in Porto for the Champions League final between Manchester City and Chelsea. "The arrangement will involve many police officers in an operation of great complexity as required for a Champions […]