Zurich (AFP) – World sport powerbroker Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad al-Sabah announced his resignation Sunday from the FIFA council, saying he did not want to be a distraction while fighting corruption allegations. Aside from serving on FIFA's top body, the Kuwaiti heads the influential Association of National Olympic Committees, the Olympic Council of Asia and other […]

Milan (AFP) – Keita Balde struck twice as Lazio ruined Francesco Totti's final derby as a player on Sunday with a thrilling 3-1 win over Roma that could also jeopardise their push for a top-two finish in Serie A. Roma hosted their city rivals looking to maintain their fading title challenge to leaders Juventus after […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Paul Pogba will alleviate the pressure on Manchester United's injury-depleted squad in returning for the Europa League semi-final against Celta Vigo on Thursday, manager Jose Mourinho said Sunday. The French international midfielder — the world's most expensive player — has not been in action since limping out of last Sunday's […]

Miami (AFP) – Former Brazilian star Kaka didn't disappoint in his return from injury, scoring in injury time to punctuate Orlando City's 2-0 Major League Soccer win over the Colorado Rapids on Saturday. Carlos Rivas and Kaka both entered the contest in the 60th minute. Rivas broke a scoreless deadlock in the 70th minute with […]

West Bromwich (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Craig Shakespeare insisted Leicester City's season is not at an end despite the champions reaching 40 points and so all but avoiding relegation from the Premier League. Jamie Vardy's goal secured a 1-0 win for the Foxes at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday that took them to 40 points […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has encouraged his team to relish the battle for Champions League qualification as they look to preserve their top-four place at Watford on Monday. Liverpool topped the Premier League table in November and looked poised to mount a title tilt, but a top-four finish is now the only […]

Madrid (AFP) – Barcelona and Real Madrid remain locked together on 81 points at the top of La Liga after seeing off Espanyol and Valencia respectively on Saturday. Madrid maintain the edge as they have a game in hand but needed a winner four minutes from time from Marcelo to see off Valencia 2-1. Luis […]

Madrid (AFP) – Atletico Madrid could be without a fit right-back for Tuesday's Champions League semi-final, first leg against Real Madrid after Jose Maria Gimenez suffered a groin injury in Saturday's 5-0 win at Las Palmas. Gimenez is naturally at centre-back, but has deputised at right-back in recent matches with both Sime Vrsaljko and Juanfran […]

London (AFP) – Burnley's first away league win of the season left them within touching distance of Premier League survival after they saw off Crystal Palace 2-0 on Saturday. Goals at either end of the match from Ashley Barnes and Andre Gray secured victory at Selhurst Park as the Clarets finally savoured winning all three […]

Paris (AFP) – Kylian Mbappe delivered another crucial goal for Monaco as the Ligue 1 leaders fought back to defeat Toulouse 3-1 on Saturday and move three points clear at the top. Ola Toivonen struck immediately after half time as Toulouse threatened to derail Monaco's title hopes at the Stade Louis II, but Kamil Glik […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich were crowned Bundesliga champions for the fifth straight season on Saturday after Robert Lewandowski scored twice in a 6-0 thrashing of 10-man Wolfsburg. After second-placed RB Leipzig were held to a goalless draw by Ingolstadt, Bayern wrapped up the title with a thumping away victory that left them 10 points […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid needed another late winner to edge closer to the La Liga title as Marcelo was the hero in a 2-1 home victory over Valencia on Saturday. Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring midway through the first half but also saw a penalty saved by spot-kick specialist Diego Alves early in the […]

West Bromwich (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Jamie Vardy scored the goal that effectively ensured Leicester City would remain in the Premier League as the outgoing champions won 1-0 away to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. England striker Vardy's first-half goal, his third in as many seasons at The Hawthorns, gave the Foxes their first win […]

Southampton (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Eldin Jakupovic saved an injury-time penalty as Hull City inched closer to Premier League safety and condemned Sunderland to relegation by drawing 0-0 at Southampton on Saturday. Southampton were given an opportunity to claim victory when Alfred N'Diaye was penalised for wrestling with Maya Yoshida, but Jakupovic plunged to his […]

Stoke-on-Trent (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Stoke City had goalkeeper Jack Butland to thank for keeping them in the game in a 0-0 home draw with West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday. Stoke were virtually safe from relegation despite a dreadful run of five defeats in six games going into the match, but […]