Shanghai (AFP) – Coach Marcello Lippi is already planning for the future and will call up a number of young players for a qualifier against Uzbekistan with China's World Cup hopes effectively over. China host Uzbekistan on August 31 but are on a run of one win in eight games in the latest qualifying round […]

Paris (AFP) – After a summer dominated by talk of Neymar's possible arrival and the potential departure of Kylian Mbappe, the new French season begins this weekend with Monaco the defending champions but Paris Saint-Germain again favourites. Ligue 1 has long suffered in comparison with Europe's other leading domestic leagues, while its clubs have often […]

Zeist (Netherlands) (AFP) – An equestrian rider as a child, Millie Bright opted for football before becoming the rock of England's back four at the women's Euro in the Netherlands. Her hard tackling style has helped England to three clean sheets in four games so far with the Lionesses' eyes on a historic success as […]

Miami (AFP) – David Beckham is "at the finish line" in his quest to obtain approval for a Major League Soccer expansion club in Miami, MLS commissioner Don Garber told the Miami Herald. Beckham's expansion bid is on the agenda at an MLS owners meeting on Wednesday in Chicago. They could vote to approve the […]

Paris (AFP) – Brazilian superstar Neymar landed back in Barcelona on Tuesday evening, avoiding making any comment on the ongoing speculation about a possible world record transfer to Paris Saint-Germain. The 25-year-old Barcelona forward was travelling back from China and had earlier posted a video on social media apparently from Dubai airport, amid suggestions that […]

Lisbon (AFP) – Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo said Tuesday his "brilliance" annoys people, a day after he was quizzed by a Spanish judge investigating whether he evaded paying millions of euros in taxes. "What bothers people is my brilliance, insects only attack lamps that shine!!!!" the Portuguese wrote in an Instagram message that received […]

London (AFP) – Alexis Sanchez finally returned to training with Arsenal on Tuesday amid persistent speculation the Chile forward is keen to leave the Gunners. Sanchez missed Arsenal's pre-season tour of Australia and China, as well as last weekend's Emirates Cup tournament, as he rested following international duty at the Confederations Cup. The 28-year-old was […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City sent three young stars on loan to La Liga newcomers Girona on Tuesday. Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz, Colombian winger Marlos Moreno and Spanish midfielder Aleix Garcia will all spend the forthcoming season with Girona as City strengthen their links with the club. City had already sent Pablo Maffeo on loan […]

Madrid (AFP) – Spanish international winger Jesus Navas returned to Sevilla on Tuesday, the La Liga club announced on their website. Navas had been a free agent since being released by Manchester City at the end of last season. "Sevilla FC have reached an agreement with Jesus Navas, with the player signing a deal on […]

Paris (AFP) – Brazil's Neymar triggered a guessing game on his return from China on Tuesday, posting a video on social media apparently from Dubai but leaving his final destination — Paris or Barcelona — a mystery. As speculation mounts of an imminent record-busting transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain, Neymar's video appeared to be […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Barcelona have blocked payment of a 26-million-euro ($31-million) bonus for star attacker Neymar as speculation mounts that he will move to Paris Saint-Germain, a source at the club said Tuesday. The Brazilian football star, who is due to come back for training on Wednesday morning, is at the centre of an apparent […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City have made the unusual decision to travel to Spain for a training camp less than a day after their opening Premier League fixture, the club have announced. City manager Pep Guardiola and his squad will fly to Girona for a four-day trip just hours after visiting promoted Brighton and Hove […]

Chicago (AFP) – Veteran goalkeeper Tim Howard says top North American club players should expect "cut-throat" competition from Spanish giants Real Madrid in Wednesday's Major League Soccer All-Star Game. The All-Star match at Soldier Field, home of the NFL's Chicago Bears, marks the end of a four-match, 11-day pre-season US tour for Real Madrid that […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich on Monday named former Bosnian international Hasan Salihamidzic as their new sporting director, filling a role that has gone vacant for over a year. Salihamidzic has signed a three-year contract, taking over the post after Matthias Sammer quit last July due to ill health. "He will be the responsible man […]

London (AFP) – Serbian international midfielder Nemanja Matic signed for Manchester United on Monday from Premier League champions Chelsea, the buying club announced, for a reported fee of £40 million ($52.7m, 44.7m euros). It is the second time United manager Jose Mourinho has invested in the 28-year-old's talents having brought him back to Chelsea in […]