San Diego (AFP) – Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio, who was slapped with a six-game ban by FIFA, has apologized for an outburst directed at officials during the recent Confederations Cup match in Russia. Speaking on Saturday night for the first time about the incident, which took place during a game against Portugal, the 56-year […]

New York (AFP) – The United States gave up an equalizer to draw 1-1 with Panama on Saturday to open Group B action in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in Nashville, Tennessee. English-born striker Dom Dwyer scored for the United States — his second goal in as many matches for his adopted country putting the US […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Wydad Casablanca of Morocco and Al Ahly of Egypt secured CAF Champions League quarter-finals places Saturday, increasing the number of north African qualifiers to four. A 68th-minute goal from Achraf Bencharki gave Wydad a 1-0 win over 10-man Zanaco of Zambia before a near-capacity crowd in an 80,000-seat Casablanca stadium. After his […]

Karachi (AFP) – Brazil's Ronaldinho and a host of other former top footballers played an exhibition match in Pakistan on Saturday in a push to encourage people in the cricket-mad nation to take up the game. Recently-retired Ronaldinho, who graced the Barcelona shirt in his prime, told reporters he wanted to "provide a good show" […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Manchester United-bound striker Romelu Lukaku is likely to have to spend a fraction of his extravagant salary on settling a fine in Beverly Hills after being arrested during a noisy party at his rented mansion. A Beverly Hills Police Department statement on Saturday said Lukaku was arrested at his temporary residence […]

Lille (France) (AFP) – Brazilian Thiago Mendes has signed a five-year deal with French club Lille from Sao Paulo, the Ligue 1 outfit announced Saturday. The 25-year-old midfielder, who had played for Sao Paulo since 2015, recently extended his contract until 2021. In 147 games he scored 12 goals and contributed 11 assists. At Marcelo […]

London (AFP) – New Crystal Palace manager Frank de Boer believes his disappointing spell as Inter Milan coach has prepared him ideally for the ultra competitive Premier League. The 47-year-old Dutch footballing great — who was capped 112 times and won the 1995 Champions League with the outstanding Ajax side under Louis van Gaal — […]

London (AFP) – Highly-rated Portugal Under-21 international Ruben Neves became second-tier English side Wolverhampton Wanderers' record signing on Saturday, joining the Chinese-owned team from Porto for a reported £15.8 million ($20.3m, 17.9m euros). The 20-year-old — who in 2015 became the youngest Champions League captain of all time in a match with Israeli outfit Maccabi […]

New York (AFP) – Teenage striker Alphonso Davies scored twice as Canada withstood a fightback from minnows French Guiana to open their CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign with a 4-2 victory in Group A on Friday. Vancouver Whitecaps forward Davies, 16, who was born in a refugee camp in Ghana in 2000 as his family fled […]

London (AFP) – The raids by the the British taxman on Premier League sides, West Ham and Newcastle, in late April are believed to have been inspired by non-payment of taxes on image rights. Indeed HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) showing an increased interest in football clubs could be a sign of things to come. […]

Paris (AFP) – Italian international midfielder Marco Verratti has apologised to Paris Saint-Germain officials and fans in a video posted by the Ligue 1 side over the furore whipped up by his desire to leave the club. "I've been here for five years, and if I've become a good player it's thanks to Paris Saint-Germain, […]

Rome (AFP) – AC Milan continued their summer spending spree on Friday with the signing of Italian right-back Andrea Conti from Serie A rivals Atalanta on a five-year deal. The Chinese-owned northern outfit described the Italian under-21 player as "one of the most interesting talents" in Serie A last season, when he helped Atalanta to […]

Toulouse (France) (AFP) – Former Arsenal striker Yaya Sanogo has signed a three-year deal with Toulouse, the Ligue 1 club announced on Friday. The 24-year-old French player became a free agent when he was released by the Gunners last week. Sanogo was much maligned in England as he scored just once in 20 appearances for […]

Lausanne (AFP) – Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio has been banned for six matches for insulting officials during the recent Confederations Cup which means the nation's Gold Cup title defense will be disrupted. "Mr. Osorio used insulting words towards the match officials while displaying an aggressive attitude towards them," FIFA said of heated words used […]

Madrid (AFP) – The entire Athletic Bilbao squad have shaved their heads in solidarity with teammate Yeray Alvarez, who is undergoing chemotherapy for testicular cancer. The team surprised the 22-year-old midfielder, who was forced to withdraw from the Spain Under-21 side last month after suffering a relapse, with their new look as he arrived at […]