Paris (AFP) – Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema lashed out at his former international teammate Mathieu Valbuena on Tuesday, laying the blame for the fallout of a sex tape scandal squarely on the shoulders of the alleged victim. Both men missed the Euro 2016 tournament on home soil after an investigation was launched into alleged […]

Lyon (AFP) – Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas said Tuesday he would allow star striker Alexandre Lacazette to leave and join "the club of his heart", but to that club and no other. The France striker is thought to be in advanced talks with Atletico Madrid, although the Spanish club are awaiting a Court of Arbitration […]

Lyon (AFP) – American star Alex Morgan faces a race against time to recover for the women's Champions League final on June 1 after suffering a thigh injury for Lyon at the weekend. The forward hurt herself in Saturday's 3-0 league victory over Paris Saint-Germain, the same team Lyon will face in a fortnight for […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu insisted Tuesday he would remain in his post despite his upcoming date with a judge concerning the Neymar transfer case. "To all those who have said that the management team or myself are thinking about resigning, I say we haven't the slightest intention of doing so," the […]

Vatican City (AFP) – Pope Francis on Tuesday received a group of footballers from Juventus and Lazio on the eve of their Italian Cup final clash. The 80-year-old pontiff, a keen player himself in his youth and a fan of Buenos Aires club San Lorenzo, told the players they had a "great responsibility towards youth." […]

Madrid (AFP) – Spanish prosecutors said Tuesday they had filed lawsuits against Colombian striker Radamel Falcao and Portuguese defender Fabio Coentrao for allegedly hiding millions of euros in income from the tax office. AS Monaco's Falcao is suspected of failing to correctly declare 5.6 million euros ($6.1 million) of income earned from image rights between […]

Athens (AFP) – Greek champions Olympiakos are in the dock over an alleged tunnel bust-up at half-time in a Super league match last month against Platanias. Olympiakos are charged by the Greek football federation's prosecutor of "violating a number of articles of the disciplinary code of the federation. Platanias players have lodged complaints claiming they […]

London (AFP) – Paul Pogba will miss Manchester United's game at Southampton on Wednesday after being granted compassionate leave following the death of his father, manager Jose Mourinho has revealed. "I don't think (he will be available)," Mourinho said, in comments published on the United website on Tuesday. "I think that his dad's funeral has […]

Lyon (AFP) – Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas on Tuesday defended under-fire coach Bruno Genesio while at the same time announcing the recruitment of a new sporting director. Lyon — Europa League semi-finalists — are fourth in Ligue 1 and have failed to qualify for the Champions League next season. "We're not planning on changing coach," […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham Hotspur left-back Danny Rose has undergone exploratory surgery on his left knee after a setback in his recovery, the Premier League club announced on Tuesday. The England international, 26, sustained medial ligament damage during Tottenham's 0-0 draw at Sunderland on January 31. He had been expected to return before the end […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid must hold their nerve in the La Liga title run-in coach Zinedine Zidane warned on Tuesday ahead of the catch up game against Celta Vigo. Real are level on 87 points with bitter rivals Barcelona but because Barca enjoy a better head-to-head record Zidane's charges need four points from their […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United predicted a record rise in annual revenue to between £560 million ($721.8 million, 652.4 million euros) and £570 million in their latest quarterly financial figures released on Tuesday. United had previously told investors to expect revenue of between £530 million and £540 million for the 2016-17 financial year. Broadcast revenue […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United and Manchester City will face off in a friendly in Houston, Texas in July in the first Manchester derby on foreign soil, the two clubs announced on Tuesday. Jose Mourinho's United and Pep Guardiola's City will meet at Houston's NRG Stadium on July 20 as part of the International Champions […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea manager Antonio Conte expects departing captain John Terry to play beyond the end of the season, despite the former England centre-back hinting he may retire. Speaking after scoring in Chelsea's 4-3 victory over Watford on Monday, their first outing since winning the Premier League, Terry said: "I still haven't ruled out […]

London (AFP) – Juan Mata believes it is imperative Manchester United win their final two Premier League games to make sure they are in peak condition for their Europa League final against Ajax. United's 2-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday means they can no longer finish in the top four and leaves the Europa […]