Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Brazilian golden boy Neymar is riding high on a wave of unprecedented popularity at home where a year ahead of the World Cup news of his possible transfer has become an issue of national debate. Reportedly pondering a 222-million euro ($256.8 million) move to Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona, the Brazil […]

Miami (AFP) – The new La Liga season is still weeks away, but try telling Miami that Saturday night's El Clasico at a sold-out Hard Rock Stadium is meaningless. For the first time in over 35 years, Barcelona and Real Madrid will meet on foreign soil. It's also the first encounter between the two sides […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – The Los Angeles Galaxy, mired in a five-game Major League Soccer losing streak, on Thursday announced the signing of Mexico international Jonathan Dos Santos. Dos Santos' move from Spain's Villarreal had been rumored for several days. The official announcement came hours after the Galaxy announced they had sacked coach Curt Onalfo […]

Hong Kong (AFP) – Kenedy's offensive social media posts about China sparked calls for his club Chelsea to be banned from the country and were a spectacular own goal in a lucrative market. Experts say that while the controversy will have only limited impact on Chelsea's popularity in China, it serves as a warning to […]

Wageningen (Netherlands) (AFP) – Newcomers Austria have comfortably sailed into the women's Euro quarter-finals past France, Iceland and Switzerland, turning women's football into a top interest in their country which was fairly indifferent a month ago. "That's insane, incredible," said midfielder Sarah Zadrazil, who scored Austria's first in a 3-0 rout of Iceland on Wednesday […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Wayne Rooney made his second competitive 'debut' for his boyhood club Everton on Thursday, as Leighton Baines grabbed a 1-0 Europa League third-round qualifying victory over Slovakian side MFK Ruzomberok. The former Manchester United and England captain had revealed in the build-up to the match at Goodison Park that it had been […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Wayne Rooney basked in a successful and emotional homecoming with Everton on Thursday but admitted that he is glad the occasion is now behind him. The former England and Manchester United captain made his second debut for his boyhood club in their laboured 1-0 Europa League qualifying first leg tie against the […]

Deventer (Netherlands) (AFP) – Toni Duggan and Nikita Parris gave England a 2-1 win over Portugal, sending the Lionesses to the women's Euro quarter-finals alongside Spain who lost 1-0 to Scotland on Thursday. Duggan opened the score in Tilburg on seven minutes following a howler by Portuguese keeper Patricia Morais, who sent her clearance to […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Bob Bradley will return to the Major League Soccer as the first coach of the expansion Los Angeles FC, which is set to debut in the North American league in 2018. The 59-year-old Bradley hasn't coached in MLS since leaving Chivas USA to become head coach of the United States in […]

London (AFP) – Amid persistent reports that Alexis Sanchez wants to leave Arsenal, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger says the Chile forward will return to training on Sunday. Sanchez missed Arsenal's pre-season tour to Australia and China while he rested after playing for his country at the Confederations Cup. The former Barcelona star's absence couldn't quell […]

Singapore (AFP) – Eder scored two headers to lead Inter Milan to a 2-0 victory against a lacklustre Bayern Munich on Thursday in a preseason friendly game in Singapore. There was a scare for the German champions when Franck Ribery limped off towards the end of the first half, but coach Carlo Ancelotti said later he suffered […]

Lausanne (AFP) – Deposed Spanish football boss Angel Maria Villar, in custody on corruption charges, has resigned as vice-president of both FIFA and UEFA, the two governing bodies announced on Thursday. The 67-year-old's near three-decade tenure as head of the Spanish federation ended this week when he was suspended following his arrest on July 18. […]

London (AFP) – Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes signed a two-year contract extension with the Premier League club on Thursday. Gomes's deal was given the green light by new Watford manager Marco Silva and will keep the Brazilian at Vicarage Road until June 2019. "Watford FC is delighted to announce that goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes has signed […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Ederson will reap the rewards from thwarting European football’s most potent attacking force, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola believes. City romped to a 4-1 win over Champions League holders Real Madrid in Los Angeles on Wednesday, after a second half blitz saw Guardiola's side secure a first pre-season victory. However, prior […]

London (AFP) – Football shirts are not just symbols of team allegiance: the colours, designs and styles are being reappraised as icons of sartorial cool at an exhibition in London. "The Art of the Football Shirt" takes visitors through 180 different football shirts, from instantly recognisable classics to strange strips that pushed the boundaries, and […]