Cobham (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Chelsea defender David Luiz admits he took a risk leaving Paris St Germain to come 'home' but as he prepares for the FA Cup final, having already won the Premier League, it's a gamble which he believes has reaped dividends. The 30-year-old Brazilian was a firm favourite in Paris, an […]

London (AFP) – Alexis Sanchez's future at Arsenal is in doubt with rumours about a move to Bayern Munich but few Gunners' fans would begrudge him bowing out with a second FA Cup winners medal. The 28-year-old Chilean — known as the 'Wonder Kid' — has at times this season cut a disgruntled figure venting […]

London (AFP) – Never far from the headlines, Diego Costa will look to bring a turbulent season to a doubly triumphant conclusion when Chelsea tackle Arsenal in Saturday's FA Cup final at Wembley. The quarrelsome Spain international looked to be on the brink of leaving Chelsea for the Chinese Super League in January, but stayed […]

London (AFP) – Bruised but unbowed, Arsene Wenger hopes to end the most painful season of his long tenure as Arsenal manager with a record-breaking FA Cup final victory over Double-chasing Chelsea. Though he has been barracked by his own fans and failed to secure Champions League qualification for the first time in 20 years, […]

Berlin (AFP) – Wolfsburg struck the opening blow in their battle to remain in the Bundesliga on Thursday when they defeated neighbours Eintracht Brunswick 1-0 in the first leg of a promotion/relegation play-off. A Mario Gomez penalty after 35 minutes proved the difference between the two sides who meet in the second leg on Monday. […]

London (AFP) – Marco Silva resigned as manager of relegated Premier League side Hull on Thursday, the club announced. The 39-year-old Portuguese — who Jose Mourinho once described as his 'kid friend' — impressed during his stay reviving the club's hopes of preserving their top-flight status after taking over in January with them in a […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Spanish international winger Jesus Navas, and experienced French defender Gael Clichy on Thursday headed a quartet of players to be released by Manchester City in the promised close season clearout. City announced later Thursday reserve goalkeeper Willy Caballero, who famously saved three penalties in the shootout win over Liverpool in the […]

Stockholm (AFP) – England and Manchester United's record goalscorer Wayne Rooney says he is just weeks away from revealing where he will be playing next season. The 31-year-old's future at the club, where he has spent the past 13 years, and his country, is the subject of intense debate which intensified on Thursday when he […]

Soweto (South Africa) (AFP) – A predicted shake-up by new South Africa coach Stuart Baxter did not materialise Thursday when the squad was named for a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Nigeria. The 63-year-old Englishman had hinted in the media at a more physical approach for the June 10 clash in Uyo, […]

Madrid (AFP) – Former Barcelona president Sandro Rosell will remain in prison whilst being investigated for money laundering related to the sale of the Brazilian national football team's television rights after being denied bail on Thursday. After hearing Rosell's testimony before Spain's National Court on Thursday, Judge Carmen Lamela Diaz considered, in a decision made […]

London (AFP) – Wayne Rooney's international career looks over after England's all-time top-scorer was Thursday left out of the squad for next month's World Cup qualifier against Scotland and a friendly in France. The 31-year-old striker has lost his place at Manchester United and was similarly omitted from Gareth Southgate's England squad announced in March, […]

ortisei (Italy) (AFP) – Roma icon Francesco Totti on Thursday left fans guessing over his impending retirement after declaring he is ready to embrace a "new challenge" after playing his final game with the Serie A club on Sunday. Totti, 40, confirmed earlier this month that this season, his 25th with the capital club, would […]

London (AFP) – Garry Monk quit as Leeds United manager on Thursday after a promising first season in charge where they narrowly missed out on the Championship play-offs. The 38-year-old Englishman, who impressed when he took over initially at Swansea before being sacked when they slumped in his second season in charge, had been told […]

London (AFP) – Wayne Rooney's international career looks over after England's all-time top-scorer was Thursday left out of the squad for next month's World Cup qualifier against Scotland and a friendly in France. The 31-year-old striker has lost his place at Manchester United and was similarly omitted from Gareth Southgate's England squad announced in March, […]

Hong Kong (AFP) – Liverpool and Leicester City will compete for the Premier League Asia Trophy along with Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion in Hong Kong in July, organisers said on Thursday. The biennial pre-season tournament will feature four Premier League teams for the first time, including Leicester, last year's English champions, and Jurgen […]