Berlin (AFP) – The recall of Mats Hummels to the heart of the Germany defence will strengthen their back four at the Euro 2020 finals, based on his impressive performances this season for Borussia Dortmund. Two years after both Hummels, 32, and Thomas Mueller, 31, were axed by Joachim Loew from the Germany squad, the […]

London (AFP) – Steve Clarke named uncapped trio Billy Gilmour, Nathan Patterson and David Turnbull in his Euro 2020 squad for Scotland's first major international tournament in 23 years on Wednesday. Nineteen-year-old's Gilmour and Patterson plus PFA Scotland young player of the year Turnbull, 21, have made the cut after being named in Clarke's 26-man […]

Berlin (AFP) – Germany head coach Joachim Loew on Wednesday named Thomas Mueller and Mats Hummels in the 26-man provisional German squad for the Euro 2020 finals, ending the pair's two-year exile. Dortmund defender Hummels, 32, and Bayern Munich forward Mueller, 31, were both axed by Loew in March 2019, but the 2014 World Cup […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday named Swiss Gerardo Seoane as their new head coach for next season. The 42-year-old has signed a three-year deal having just won a third-straight Swiss league title with Young Boys Bern and replaces caretaker coach Hannes Wolf. "In the professional and ambitious environment at Bayer, I […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer defended Paul Pogba and Amad Diallo for holding up a Palestine flag after Tuesday's match with Fulham, saying they have a "right to have a different view." United midfielder Pogba appeared to be given the flag by a fan as the players made their way around […]

Shanghai (AFP) – China's football team warmed up for a set of crucial World Cup qualifiers by receiving "patriotic education" and learning about the history of the ruling Communist Party. President Xi Jinping has grand ambitions for China to host and even win a football World Cup, but the national side is currently ranked 77th […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea avenged their FA Cup final defeat by Leicester to move above the Foxes into third in the Premier League with a 2-1 win in front of 8,000 fans at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday. Antonio Rudiger and Jorginho, from the penalty spot, scored the goals for Thomas Tuchel's men to keep a […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea are on course to qualify for the Champions League after a crucial 2-1 win against top-four rivals Leicester, while Brighton staged a superb fightback to beat champions Manchester City as fans returned to the Premier League on Tuesday. Supporters have been allowed back into Premier League matches this week for the […]

Paris (AFP) – Karim Benzema was named in France's provisional Euro 2020 squad by Didier Deschamps on Tuesday, giving the Real Madrid striker a shock international recall after years in the wilderness over his alleged role in a blackmail plot. The 33-year-old has not played for France since October 2015, but is now set to […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Paul Pogba and Manchester United team-mate Amad Diallo held up a Palestine flag on the Old Trafford pitch after Tuesday's 1-1 draw against Fulham. United midfielder Pogba appeared to be given the flag by a fan as the players made their way around the pitch during the traditional lap of […]

Rome (AFP) – Defender Leandro Bonucci will miss this week's Italian Cup final against Atalanta due to injury, Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo said on Tuesday. Bonucci, 34, will be sidelined for Wednesday's game in Reggio Emilia but is expected to join the Italy squad for next week's pre-Euro 2020 camp. "Bonucci had a problem with […]

Berlin (AFP) – Borussia Dortmund captain Marco Reus has made himself unavailable for the Euro 2020 finals with the Germany squad to be announced Wednesday. The 31-year-old says he needs the summer to recover after a taxing season and will sit out the European Championship from June 11 until July 11. After Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre […]

Paris (AFP) – Karim Benzema was named in France's provisional Euro 2020 squad by Didier Deschamps on Tuesday, giving the Real Madrid striker an international recall after a five-and-a-half year absence over his alleged role in a blackmail plot. The 33-year-old has not played for France since October 2015, but is now set to line […]

Paris (AFP) – Karim Benzema last played for France over five years ago, but on Tuesday at the age of 33 and facing trial for his role in a blackmail plot, he was handed a surprise recall to the provisional France squad for the European Championships. The Real Madrid forward had not been selected since […]

Paris (AFP) – Karim Benzema was named in France's provisional Euro 2020 squad by Didier Deschamps on Tuesday, giving the Real Madrid striker an international recall after a five-and-a-half year absence over his alleged role in a blackmail plot. The 33-year-old has not played for France since October 2015, but is now set to line […]