London (AFP) – Anfield's Centenary Stand is to be renamed in honour of Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish, the club announced on Wednesday. Dalglish, 66, won eight league titles, three European Cups, two FA Cups and five League Cups during a glittering 13-year stint as a player and two managerial tenures. The Kenny Dalglish Stand will […]

Madrid (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo is human after all, or so he claims, despite sealing another "special" Champions League night with a hat-trick to put Real Madrid on the verge of the final once more. Ronaldo's treble sealed a commanding 3-0 semi-final, first leg lead over Atletico Madrid and extended his advantage as the top […]

Monaco (AFP) – Veteran Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is hopeful the experience in the Italian team's ranks can give them the edge in their Champions League semi-final against a youthful Monaco. The sides meet at the Stade Louis II in the first leg on Wednesday in a fascinating clash of styles — on the one […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United will travel to Norway as part of their 2017-18 pre-season tour, the Premier League giants announced on Wednesday. Jose Mourinho's side will play Valerenga IF at Oslo's Ullevaal Stadium on July 30. United had already announced a tour of the United States in July, when they will play LA Galaxy, […]

Prague (AFP) – A dark-haired girl kicks a white football gently towards a black eight ball, then wrings her hands in despair as she fails to sink it in the corner pocket for a win. Katerina Ziegelova, a 26-year-old clerk, is one of the pioneers of footballpool, the latest addition to the hybrid sports family. […]

London (AFP) – Everton and former England midfielder Aaron Lennon has been detained by police under the Mental Health Act and is receiving treatment for a "stress-related illness," the club confirmed on Tuesday. The 30-year-old, who has not played for the English Premier League club since February 11, was taken to hospital on Sunday after […]

Madrid (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo proved Atletico Madrid's Champions League dream destroyer once more with a hat-trick as Real Madrid took a commanding 3-0 semi-final, first leg lead on Tuesday. Ronaldo extended his lead as the all-time top scorer in Madrid derby matches by taking his tally to 21 and put Real firmly on course […]

Rome (AFP) – Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman received a two-match ban for diving on Tuesday after winning a controversial penalty in Sunday's 3-1 Rome derby defeat by Lazio. The Dutch international earned his side a penalty late in the first half, but television replays quickly showed there was no contact between Strootman and Lazio's Brazilian […]

The Hague (AFP) – World players' union FIFPro urged Italian football powers Tuesday to quash Sully Muntari's yellow card for leaving the pitch over the weekend, after fans hurled racial abused at the Ghanaian player. The former AC Milan and Inter midfielder dramatically left the field Sunday while playing for Pescara at Cagliari after he […]

Monaco (AFP) – Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim has expressed hope that captain Radamel Falcao will stay at the club for next season and beyond after relaunching his career in spectacular style in the principality. "Of course everyone wants the best players to stay in Monaco and Falcao is a great player," Jardim told reporters at […]

Monaco (AFP) – Veteran Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is hopeful the experience in the Italian team's ranks can give them the edge in their Champions League semi-final against a youthful Monaco. The sides meet at the Stade Louis II in the first leg on Wednesday in a fascinating clash of styles — on the one […]

The Hague (AFP) – World football players' union FIFPro urged Italian football powers Tuesday to quash Sulley Muntari's yellow card for leaving the pitch over the weekend, after fans hurled racial abused at the Ghanian player. The former AC Milan and Inter midfielder dramatically left the field Sunday while playing for Pescara at Cagliari after […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – The Boston Red Sox apologized on Tuesday after fans at Fenway Park hurled racist abuse at Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones. Jones, who is black, said he was subjected to racial epithets and had objects thrown at him during the Orioles-Red Sox game on Monday night. The incident sent the Red […]

Monaco (AFP) – Rampaging Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, who has less than a year to run on his contract, has not held talks with Paris Saint-Germain, his agent said Tuesday. The 22-year-old whose late last-16 header sent Manchester City out of the Champions League is expected to be one of several players to leave Monaco […]

Madrid (AFP) – Atletico Madrid captain Gabi insisted on Monday it is winning the Champions League not gaining revenge on Real Madrid that motivates him as the Spanish giants face off once more in Tuesday's semi-final, first leg. Real have beaten Atletico in each of the past three seasons in the Champions League, including twice […]