Jos (Nigeria) (AFP) – For years, the central Nigerian city of Jos was a flashpoint for ethnic strife pitting Christian and Muslim youths against each other in clashes in rival neighbourhoods. Neighbour turned against neighbour as Muslims dared not cross into Christian districts, and Christians steered clear of Muslim dominated quarters. But community leaders have […]

Milan (AFP) – Antonio Conte's future with Inter Milan is in doubt despite leading the club to the Serie A title for the first time in over a decade, according to reports in Italy on Wednesday. "Inter-Conte, divorce!," headlined the daily Gazzetta Dello Sport, reporting that the "final farewell could arrive in the next 48 […]

London (AFP) – Phil Foden already has eight major trophies to his name before his 21st birthday on Friday. The following day he may have the perfect present in Manchester City's first Champions League crown. Born and raised in Stockport, just six miles (10 kilometres) from the club's Etihad Stadium, Foden is the homegrown hero […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Portland Timbers midfielder Andy Polo will miss the rest of the season as a result of injuries suffered in a red-card tackle against the Los Angeles Galaxy, the Major League Soccer club said Tuesday. The Timbers said in a statement Peruvian international midfielder Polo had suffered a ruptured quadriceps muscle and […]

Gdansk (Poland) (AFP) – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the hero of one of Manchester United's greatest European nights, will aim to guide the club to a first title in four years Wednesday against a Villarreal side coached by Europa League specialist Unai Emery. United's last trophy came in the 2016-17 Europa League under Jose Mourinho, when […]

Rome (AFP) – Lille's French international goalkeeper Mike Maignan underwent an AC Milan medical on Tuesday as he prepared to sign for the Serie A club. After the medical Maignan, who helped Lille win the French league title on Sunday, was shown on Italian TV entering AC Milan club's headquarters. An official announcement of the […]

Paris (AFP) – Coach Christophe Galtier told L'Equipe on Tuesday he was stepping down as coach of Lille two days after winning the Ligue 1 title. "I simply have the deep belief that my time is up here," he told the French sports daily. Galtier, who was appointed in 2017, says he has received job […]

Gdansk (Poland) (AFP) – Manchester United captain Harry Maguire is a major doubt for Wednesday's Europa League final against Villarreal after sitting out his side's training session in Gdansk on Tuesday. Maguire was included in England's provisional 33-man squad for Euro 2020 on Tuesday despite suffering ankle ligament damage against Aston Villa earlier this month. […]

Rome (AFP) – Gennaro Gattuso was appointed Fiorentina coach on Tuesday, less than 48 hours after announcing he was leaving Napoli. "Gennaro Gattuso will be the new coach of Fiorentina," president Rocco Commisso announced on the Tuscan club's website, which added that the new coach would take up his position on July 1. Gattuso succeeds […]

Rome (AFP) – One week before manager Roberto Mancini has to name his final 26-man squad, Italy remain hopeful that midfielder Marco Verratti could play a part in Euro 2020 despite a knee injury. The 28-year-old was ruled out for "four to six weeks" by his club Paris Saint-Germain two weeks ago and is unlikely […]

London (AFP) – England manager Gareth Southgate said the number of his players involved in European finals this week and injury doubts forced him to delay naming a final squad for Euro 2020 until June 1. Southgate selected a provisional 33-man squad on Tuesday that included uncapped defenders Ben Godfrey and Ben White. Manchester United […]

Berlin (AFP) – Outgoing Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick will succeed his former boss Joachim Loew in the Germany dugout after Euro 2020, the German Football Association (DFB) announced on Tuesday, heralding a new era for an ailing giant of world football. "It's all gone surprisingly quickly, but I am very happy to be Germany […]

London (AFP) – Uncapped defenders Ben Godfrey and Ben White were among the provisional 33-man squad for Euro 2020 named by England manager Gareth Southgate on Tuesday. Southgate has a week before he has to trim his squad to 26 for the finals which start on June 11. The England boss will hope to avoid […]

Berlin (AFP) – Outgoing Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick will succeed his former boss Joachim Loew in the Germany dugout after Euro 2020, the German Football Association (DFB) announced on Tuesday. "It's all gone surprisingly quickly, but I am very happy to be Germany coach from the autumn," said Flick, 56, after signing a three-year […]

Madrid (AFP) – Lionel Messi's friend and former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez has urged the Argentinian not to leave the Catalan club, telling Cope radio on Tuesday he would be "delighted if Messi remains". Messi, 33, joined Barcelona as a 13-year-old but is out of contract at the end of June. Negotiations are reported to […]