Breda (Netherlands) (AFP) – Holders Germany were held to a goalless draw by Sweden while underdogs Russia stunned Italy as Group B opened at the women's Euro tournament in the Netherlands on Monday. In Breda, Sweden picked up their first point in 12 competitive encounters with Germany, who have won the European title six times […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Barcelona announced Monday record income of 708 million euros ($812.8m) for 2016/2017 with an after-tax profit of 18m euros. The Spanish giants said the healthy revenue was up 13m on the forecast figure in their budget for the period. A statement following the approval of the accounts at a board meeting disclosed […]

Breda (Netherlands) (AFP) – First-half goals from Elena Danilova and Elena Morozova handed Russia a surprise 2-1 win over Italy in the Group B opener at the women's Euro in the Netherlands on Monday. Danilova struck nine minutes into the game with a low shot from outside the box that took Italian keeper Chiara Marchitelli by […]

Rome (AFP) – Roma legend Francesco Totti confirmed his retirement on Monday and will take a directorship role at the Serie A club. The 40-year-old played his final game for Roma in May after 24 years with the capital-city side. He had been linked with a possible move to either Japan or Major League Soccer, […]

Dakar (AFP) – Senegalese prosecutors on Monday announced the opening of a judicial enquiry into a stadium tragedy, as a local team whose fans were accused of triggering a deadly stampede were suspended from the country's football federation. Multiple witnesses told AFP that US Ouakam fans threw stones and other objects at Stade de Mbour […]

London (AFP) – Everton's busy transfer window shows no signs of letting up after they announced the signing of defender Cuco Martina from Southampton on a free transfer on Monday. The 27-year-old has signed a three-year-deal at Goodison Park and again links up with manager Ronald Koeman, who coached him at the south-coast club. Netherlands-born […]

Doha (AFP) – A second stadium being built for the football World Cup 2022 in Qatar will be ready on schedule next year despite sanctions imposed by Gulf neighbours, an official said on Monday Al-Wakrah 40,000-seat stadium, designed in the shape of a boat by the late award-winning architect Zaha Hadid, will come in line […]

London (AFP) – Newcastle United have moved a step closer to signing long-term transfer target Jacob Murphy, after agreeing a fee for the winger with Norwich City, according to British media reports on Monday. The Magpies have endured a largely frustrating transfer window, with French defender Florian Lejeune and Ghanaian forward Christian Atsu the only […]

Lausanne (AFP) – UEFA have opened disciplinary proceedings against Celtic and Linfield over incidents at last week's Champions League tie, European football's governing body announced on Monday. Celtic's Leigh Griffiths is charged by UEFA with "provoking spectators after the end of the match", while Linfield are in the dock over objects thrown on the pitch […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – New-look Africa Cup of Nations and CAF Champions League competitions could emerge this week from discussions in Morocco that will include FIFA president Gianni Infantino. A two-day CAF symposium begins Tuesday in Rabat and officials, coaches and former stars have been tasked with plotting the future of the popular sport in the […]

Tokyo (AFP) – Japan's Tokyo Verdy have called off their bid to sign Italian superstar Francesco Totti after his wife turned her nose up at a move to the Far East, local media said Monday. "Ultimately he was unable to get his family's blessing," Verdy president Hideaki Hanyu told Japan's Nikkan Sports newspaper, claiming Totti's […]

Barcelona (AFP) – New Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde laughed off the idea of bringing in new players on Monday saying the best signings were the players already in the dressing room. "I'm more than happy with the way things stand," said Valverde when pressed on the potential signing of Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti. "Happy […]

Lausanne (AFP) – Marseille are in the hunt for an extra striker and coach Rudi Garcia said he is looking to snag a last minute bargain before the transfer window snaps shut. Former Roma coach Garcia who won the French title with Lille in 2011 was brought in last season by ambitious new American owner […]

Dakar (AFP) – Senegal's US Ouakam team was suspended from the country's football federation on Monday after accusations its supporters threw projectiles at rival fans triggering a stampede that left eight dead. Multiple witnesses told AFP that Ouakam fans threw stones and other objects at Stade de Mbour supporters when Mbour scored a goal to […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich boss Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has confirmed they have dropped their interest in signing Arsenal striker Alexis Sanchez for next season. After head coach Carlo Ancelotti last week had his wish granted to sign Colombia's James Rodriguez on loan from Real Madrid, Bayern have called off their bid to poach Chile's hot-shot […]