London (AFP) – Frustrated by Chelsea's transfer miscues and under pressure from big-spending rivals, Antonio Conte admits this season will be the toughest of his career. Just three months ago, Conte was all smiles as he soaked up the acclaim of Stamford Bridge at the climax of Chelsea's Premier League title triumph. But those blissful […]

Paris (AFP) – Neymar started repaying his mammoth transfer fee on the day he was introduced as Paris Saint-Germain's marquee summer signing with the club selling more than 10,000 shirts bearing his name on Friday. The 25-year-old Brazilian was signed from Barcelona for a world record 222-million euros ($264m) but with shirts emblazoned with his […]

Paris (AFP) – Brazilian Neymar may dominate the headlines and bring renewed hope to Paris Saint-Germain but Monaco showed they won't be giving up their Ligue 1 crown easily with a 3-2 win over Toulouse on Friday. PSG will expect 222-million-euro man Neymar to fire them not just to domestic glory but also European success […]

Paris (AFP) – Neymar was unveiled as a Paris Saint-Germain player on Friday following his sensational world record transfer saying he had left Barcelona not for money but a "bigger challenge" in France. The 25-year-old Brazilian superstar flew into Le Bourget airport, north-east of Paris, in a private jet on Friday morning before heading into […]

Hebron (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – Shabaab of Rafah became the first Gazan team to win football's Palestine Cup in more than a decade Friday, despite Israeli restrictions keeping 10 of its players off the pitch. Rafah and Ahly al-Khalil from the southern West Bank city of Hebron which hosted the game ended the second leg […]

De Lutte (Netherlands) (AFP) – The women's Euro semi-final rout of England sparked new confidence in the Netherlands team as it braces for Sunday's final against Denmark, said striker Lieke Martens. A crowd of more than 27,000 people watched the hosts sweep England 3-0 at Enschede on Thursday on the way to their first-ever Euro […]

Nantes (France) (AFP) – Claudio Ranieri admitted that his Nantes side are "not ready" for the start of the new season, as the Italian prepares to make his Ligue 1 bow on Sunday at Lille. "We are not ready, but I've never known a team that's been ready for the first day (of a season)," […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool will be without midfielder Adam Lallana for "a couple of months" due to a thigh injury, the Premier League club announced on Friday. The England international, 29, sustained the injury during Liverpool's friendly match against Atletico Madrid in Munich on Wednesday. "This is certainly not news we would have wanted," manager […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United attacking midfielder Juan Mata vowed on Friday to donate one percent of his salary to charity and called on other professional footballers to follow suit. The Spain international, 29, has signed up to a scheme called Common Goal created by streetfootballworld, a group of 120 charities from 80 countries. "What […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he had a feeling his side would draw German opposition after they were paired with Hoffenheim in the Champions League play-off round on Friday. Liverpool will travel to Klopp's homeland for the first leg on August 15 before Hoffenheim visit Anfield the following week, with a place […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Barcelona won't pay a 26 million euro ($30.8 million) bonus to Neymar for renewing his contract with the Catalan giants in 2016, a club spokesman said on Friday after his decision to join Paris Saint-Germain for a world record transfer fee. Josep Vives admitted Barca had been left irritated by the Brazilian's […]

Paris (AFP) – Neymar was unveiled as a Paris Saint-Germain player on Friday following his sensational world record transfer saying he had left Barcelona not for money but a "bigger challenge" in France. The 25-year-old Brazilian superstar flew into Le Bourget airport, north-east of Paris, in a private jet on Friday morning before heading into […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has told Barcelona there is no chance he will allow Eden Hazard to join the Spanish club as a replacement for Neymar. Neymar completed his world record transfer to Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday, when the Brazil striker signed a five-year deal with the French club after paying 222 […]

London (AFP) – Antonio Conte insisted Friday that Diego Costa has no grounds for complaint after a lawyer for the exiled Chelsea striker claimed the Blues boss had made it impossible for his client to remain with the Premier League champions. Costa was left out of Chelsea's pre-season tour of Asia and has been training […]

Paris (AFP) – Neymar said Friday joining Paris Saint-Germain in a world record transfer was "one of the most difficult decisions" he has had to make as he looked forward to the challenges ahead with his new club. "In Barcelona I had adapted well to the city and the team. I had friends there and […]