Manama (AFP) – Vassilios Skouris of Greece, a former president of the European Court of Justice, was elected head of FIFA's ethics committee on Thursday. Taking over from German Hans-Joachim Eckert, who was instrumental in bringing down ex-FIFA president Sepp Blatter and UEFA chief Michel Platini, Skouris will serve a four-year mandate. Colombia's Maria Claudia […]

Manama (AFP) – Football fans heading to next year's World Cup in Russia will receive a "hospitable" welcome, the head of the body organising the tournament told the annual FIFA Congress in Bahrain on Thursday. Shrugging off fears of potential hooliganism surrounding the tournament, Alexei Sorokin insisted the event would be a success. "We will […]

Madrid (AFP) – Despite a brave performance and a 2-1 second leg victory, Atletico Madrid's attempt to overturn a 3-0 first leg deficit from their Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid fell short. It is the fourth straight season Atletico have been knocked out of the competition by their local rivals. Here, AFP sports looks […]

Kuala Lumpur (AFP) – Malaysia's football chief on Thursday said he was worried about players being deliberately poisoned if their controversial Asian Cup qualifier goes ahead in North Korea's Pyongyang. Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim called for the game to be moved to a neutral venue, saying he was concerned […]

West Bromwich (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Defender Gary Cahill admits there was a party atmosphere at Chelsea this week with the Premier League leaders 90 minutes away from clinching a second title in three years. A "buzzing" Chelsea head to The Hawthorns to face West Bromwich Albion on Friday knowing victory will deliver the championship in […]

Southampton (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Arsene Wenger hailed Alexis Sanchez's unique qualities after the Chilean opened the scoring in Arsenal's 2-0 victory at Southampton and then created a second goal for substitute Olivier Giroud. Wednesday's victory took Arsenal to within three points of the Premier League top four and keeps alive the possibility of a […]

Southampton (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Alexis Sanchez scored his 20th goal of the Premier League campaign as Arsenal won 2-0 at Southampton on Wednesday to keep their hopes of a top-four finish alive. Sanchez opened the scoring on the hour at St Mary's before substitute Olivier Giroud made the game safe with a header seven […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid inflicted a fourth Champions League elimination on Atletico Madrid in as many years on Wednesday, losing their semi-final second leg 2-1 but progressing to the final 4-2 on aggregate. Atletico had threatened an incredible comeback, Saul Niguez's powerful header and Antoine Griezmann's penalty inside 16 minutes cutting Real's aggregate lead […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid secured their place in the Champions League final on Wednesday despite losing 2-1 away to Atletico Madrid in their semi-final second leg. Real's 3-0 win in the first leg proved too much for Atletico to overcome as the reigning European champions progressed 4-2 on aggregate. Early goals from Saul Niguez […]

Madrid (AFP) – A total of 20 supporters and five police officers suffered minor injuries in scuffles outside the Vicente Calderon stadium prior to Wednesday's Champions League semi-final second leg between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid. A spokesperson for the Spanish capital's emergency services said the 25 people had been treated for "cuts and bruises, […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Celta Vigo will draw inspiration from Athletic Bilbao's 2012 victory over Manchester United when they face Jose Mourinho's side in the Europa League semi-finals on Thursday, says coach Eduardo Berizzo. A Bilbao side coached by Marcelo Bielsa defeated a United team who had reached the Champions League final the season […]

Berlin (AFP) – Marc Bartra returned to training on Wednesday, almost exactly a month after his wrist was fractured in a bomb attack on the Borussia Dortmund team bus. "There's good news," proclaimed Dortmund in a statement. "Central defender Marc Bartra is back in team training exactly 29 days after undergoing an operation on his […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney wants to remain at Old Trafford next season despite his lack of playing time under manager Jose Mourinho, he said on Wednesday. Rooney, 31, has made only 22 starts across all competitions this season and has been linked with a move to either the Chinese […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has not gambled with the club's season by prioritising Europa League success over a top-four finish in the Premier League, he said on Wednesday. Mourinho has given up on United's hopes of securing Champions League qualification via the league and fielded a weakened team in […]

Chicago (AFP) – Reigning Women's World Cup champion United States will host top-10 rivals Australia, Japan and Brazil in a new tournament this year and next, the US Soccer Federation said Wednesday. The first Tournament of Nations will be staged July 27 to August 3 in Seattle, San Diego and suburban Los Angeles with a second […]