London (AFP) – Burnley's pre-season fixture against Hanover 96 was abandoned after hooligans went on the rampage at Turf Moor on Saturday. Trouble broke out in the section occupied by Hanover fans, with seats thrown and reports that knives were brandished at stewards trying to keep the thugs away from the Burnley supporters. A group […]

Enschede (Netherlands) (AFP) – When Denmark take on hosts Netherlands in Sunday's women's Euro final, it will be like Rocky Balboa fighting Apollo Creed for the second time, said Danish coach Nils Nielsen. Bracing for their first-ever Euro final in history, the two teams clashed in the group stage when the hosts won 1-0 owing […]

London (AFP) – Big-spending Wolves made a strong start to their promotion bid as Leo Bonatini's debut goal sealed a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough on the opening weekend of the Championship on Saturday. Brazilian striker Bonatini, signed on a season-long loan from Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, punished a mistake from Boro defender Daniel Ayala […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Leigh Griffiths struck twice as Celtic made a flying start to their Scottish Premiership title defence with a 4-1 thrashing of Hearts on Saturday. Griffiths opened the scoring in the 29th minute before Scott Sinclair made it two five minutes after the break at Parkhead. The Scotland striker's diving header added to […]

Enschede (Netherlands) (AFP) – Denmark women's coach Nils Nielsen slammed former Dutch international Arnold Muhren for remarks about the women's team on Saturday, on the eve of the Euro final between the two countries. One of the key players on the Dutch team that won the 1988 Euro, Muhren told the Dutch daily De Telegraaf […]

Paris (AFP) – Neymar's world record 222 million euro ($264 million) fee may look expensive, but the transfer will end up earning a great deal of money for Paris Saint-Germain, club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi insisted Saturday. Neymar, 25, is among the world's finest players and will help the ambitious Ligue 1 club gain the success […]

Paris (AFP) – Brazil superstar Neymar received a hero's welcome from the Paris Saint-Germain faithful on Saturday as he vowed to win "lots of trophies" following his world record transfer. The 25-year-old was presented to fans at the club's Parc des Princes stadium ahead of their opening Ligue 1 match of the new campaign against […]

Paris (AFP) – Brazilian superstar Neymar received a hero's welcome from Paris Saint-Germain fans at their Parc des Princes home on Saturday as he vowed to win "lots of trophies" following his world record transfer. The 25-year-old was presented to fans on the pitch ahead of their opening Ligue 1 match of the season at […]

Madrid (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo told a Spanish court he "would like to return to England" due to his tax troubles in Spain, Spanish radio station Cadena Ser reported on Saturday. The Real Madrid star was called to testify in court on Monday over accusations he evaded 14.7 million euros ($17.3 million) in tax on […]

Madrid (AFP) – Neymar's father and agent, Neymar Sr, has told Spanish radio that Barcelona lost his support to retain his son when they refused to pay a bonus for signing a new contract last year. The Brazilian joined Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday after the French side paid his 222 million euro ($264 million) buyout […]

Shanghai (AFP) – Andre Villas-Boas believes the heady days of big spending in the Chinese league are over, calling swingeing new regulations that stymied the transfer market "a big surprise". The Shanghai SIPG coach has the Brazilian stars Oscar and Hulk at the club after Chinese Super League (CSL) teams splashed the cash in the […]

Paris (AFP) – Neymar will watch from the stands as Paris Saint Germain open their season on Saturday, but the French club have already clawed back around a million euros on their world record investment thanks to selling a staggering 10,000 shirts bearing the Brazilian's name in just one day. The 25-year-old superstar, signed from […]

Breda (Netherlands) (AFP) – More than eleven years ago, defender Line Roddik embarked on a "crazy journey" ending, for now, in Sunday's women's Euro final against the Netherlands in Enschede. "I think it sounds pretty good, it's an amazing feeling at the moment, I think you don't really believe it at the same time, right?" […]

London (AFP) – Had the close season panned out as initially expected, Alexandre Lacazette and Alvaro Morata would not be lining up for Arsenal and Chelsea in Sunday's Community Shield at Wembley. After 14 years at Lyon, Lacazette decided it was time to move on and was reported to have agreed to join up with […]

London (AFP) – England striker Jamie Vardy struck twice as Leicester defeated Borussia Moenchengladbach 2-1 on Friday in a pre-season friendly but new £25 million striker Kelechi Iheanacho came off injured. Vardy scored in the 67th and 74th minutes after Thorgan Hazard had given the German side the lead with a fine finish from distance […]