Bogota (AFP) – Colombia's President Ivan Duque on Friday appealed to South America's football federation over its decision to bar the country from hosting the Copa America tournament after social unrest swept the nation. CONMEBOL earlier in the week rejected a plea by the Colombian government to postpone the June 13-July 10 tournament that it was […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Enyimba coach Fatai Osho insists the Nigerian club can reach the CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals despite needing to overcome a three-goal deficit when they host Egyptian outfit Pyramids on Sunday. "This tie is not over," he told reporters. "Some shocking defending, tiredness and a lack of concentration cost us dearly in Cairo. […]

Paris (AFP) – A tight French title race culminates Sunday with table toppers Lille a win away from dethroning Neymar and Kylian Mbappe's Paris Saint-Germain as champions. Christophe Galtier's outfit have no major stars but are unbeaten away since November and travel to mid-table Angers, a team who have lost five of their last six […]

Lausanne (AFP) – FIFA on Friday launched an overhaul of the international football calendar beyond 2024, saying it is open to "everything" including the organisation of a World Cup every two years, despite opposition from wilting players and fears over a devalued product. The 71st FIFA Congress voted by a large majority to carry out […]

Lausanne (AFP) – FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Friday called for an overhaul of the international football calendar beyond 2024, insisting on a requirement to start with a "blank sheet of paper". "Let me be very clear: the starting point is not 'the calendar is full and so nothing changes'," he told the 71st FIFA […]

London (AFP) – Pep Guardiola hopes Sergio Aguero will be fit enough for one last appearance for Manchester City on Sunday as the Argentine forward bids farewell following a trophy-laden decade at the Premier League club. Aguero has scored a club-record 258 goals since joining from Atletico Madrid in 2011, winning five Premier League titles […]

Madrid (AFP) – Ronald Koeman said on Friday he "wants to continue" as Barcelona coach next season but acknowledges his fate lies in the hands of club president Joan Laporta. The Camp Nou axe appears to be hovering over the Dutch manager according to the Catalan press whose successes – including winning round Lionel Messi […]

Paris (AFP) – A French rapper chosen to produce the anthem for the national football team for this summer's Euros has come under fire from far-right politicians over his lyrics. Youssoupha, one of the biggest names in French hip hop, was unveiled by the national Football Federation on Wednesday as the voice of the track […]

Bogota (AFP) – Colombia will no longer co-host this year's Copa America after street protests and social unrest swept the country. South American football's governing body CONMEBOL on Thursday rejected a plea by Colombia to postpone the June 13-July 10 tournament that it was to share with Argentina. The Colombian government had pleaded with CONMEBOL to […]

Milan (AFP) – Claudio Ranieri announced on Friday he will not coach Serie A club Sampdoria next season. Ranieri, who memorably guided outsiders Leicester City to the 2016 English Premier League title, took over the Genoa side in October 2019. "I would like to close the soap opera of my contract," Ranieri said on the […]

Paris (AFP) – Memphis Depay will leave Lyon at the end of the season when his contract expires, the Dutch international striker told French daily L'Equipe in an interview published on Friday. The 27-year-old, who joined Lyon from Manchester United in January 2017, will make his final appearance for the club against Nice on Sunday in […]

London (AFP) – Leicester's Premier League title-winning captain Wes Morgan will retire when the final whistle blows on the season, the club announced on Friday. The 37-year-old skippered the Foxes to their shock title win in 2016 and helped them lift the FA Cup for the first time when he made a late substitute appearance […]

Berlin (AFP) – Hansi Flick admitted Friday there are only "minor details" left to finalise with the out-going Bayern Munich head coach poised to take charge of Germany after the Euro 2020 finals. Flick, who has won seven titles over the last 18 months at Bayern, takes charge of his final game at home to Augsburg […]

London (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool have their destiny "in our hands" as they seek to end a disappointing season on a high by finishing in the top four of the Premier League. The deposed champions are battling with Chelsea and Leicester for the two remaining slots in next season's Champions League, with Manchester […]

London (AFP) – Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo will leave the club after the final game of the season on Sunday, the Premier League team announced on Friday. Nuno led Wolves to promotion from the Championship and established them in the top-flight during his four seasons at Molineux. "Wolves can confirm head coach Nuno Espirito […]