Madrid (AFP) – Atletico Madrid have grown accustomed to slaying Europe's giants in the Champions League under Diego Simeone, but ending Leicester City's run may prove even tougher than ousting Barcelona or Bayern Munich, according to Filipe Luis. "We're not favourites. We don't believe that," said the Brazilian left-back on Monday despite the vast gulf […]

London (AFP) – Arsene Wenger's wretched season hit a new low as Arsenal crashed to a humiliating 3-0 defeat at lowly Crystal Palace that leaves their top four bid in tatters. Wenger has been under siege in recent weeks as angry Arsenal fans demanded his resignation and the calls for the Gunners boss to quit […]

Turin (Italy) (AFP) – Barcelona must try to stop prolific Juventus pair Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala when the sides meet in a mouthwatering Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday, admits defender Javier Mascherano. Juventus meet Barcelona for the first time since the 2015 final, when an early Ivan Rakitic strike left Massimiliano Allegri's […]

London (AFP) – Claudio Ranieri insisted on Monday his sacking only a few months after guiding unfashionable Leicester to the unlikeliest of Premier League title wins was not orchestrated by the players. The avuncular 65-year-old Italian — who took over from Nigel Pearson for the 2015/16 campaign tasked with preserving their elite status — told […]

Dortmund (Germany) (AFP) – Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim says the return of striker Radamel Falcao following his latest spell on the sidelines is a big boost to Monaco's chances in their Champions League quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund. French league leaders Monaco take on Dortmund in the first leg in Germany on Tuesday as they continue […]

London (AFP) – Everton midfielder Ross Barkley was the victim of an "unprovoked attack", his lawyers said on Monday, after CCTV footage emerged of him appearing to be punched in the face in a bar. "We can confirm that Ross was the victim of an unprovoked attack by a stranger who approached him on Sunday […]

New York (AFP) – The United States, Mexico and Canada announced a joint bid to stage the 2026 World Cup on Monday, aiming to become the first three-way co-hosts in the history of FIFA's showpiece tournament. The bid was announced at a press conference in New York attended by the head of CONCACAF, Victor Montagliani […]

Lausanne (AFP) – Sport's international tribunal on Monday backed FIFA's ban on third-party player ownership but softened a suspension against Belgians Seraing, who have been at the heart of a legal battle over the issue. FIFA banned third party ownership — where an individual investor or company owns a player's economic rights — in 2015, […]

Dortmund (Germany) (AFP) – Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel has personnel problems to resolve as they prepare to host free-scoring Monaco in Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg. "It's complicated. There are a lot of things we have to deal with," said Tuchel ahead of the clash at Dortmund's imposing Signal Iduna Park. The Dortmund […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich received a timely boost ahead of Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final home clash with Real Madrid as both Manuel Neuer and Thomas Mueller returned to training. The Germany duo took part in a full session on Monday, with Neuer expected to start in goal against the European champions after recovering from […]

London (AFP) – Dele Alli's goal-scoring feats with Tottenham Hotspur were put into perspective by an arresting statistic that emerged after he scored in his side's 4-0 victory over Watford. Having scored or set up 40 Premier League goals, Alli has had a hand in as many goals before turning 21 as Frank Lampard (15), […]

Rome (AFP) – Genoa sacked coach Andrea Mandorlini on Monday and swapped him with the man he took over from in only February, the Serie A strugglers said. Former Croatian international Ivan Juric takes over once more, having been in charge until February 20 after Genoa were hammered 5-0 by Pescara and he was dismissed. […]

Athens (AFP) – Greece's crisis-hit football federation spied on the national side's players and staff over several years using hidden cameras and listening devices, said a committee appointed by FIFA. Late last year world governing body FIFA appointed the normalisation committee to run the Greek federation (EPO) and to revise regulations to bring them into […]

London (AFP) – British police said Monday they were looking into CCTV footage appearing to show Everton midfielder Ross Barkley being punched in the face in a Liverpool bar. It comes after Everton manager Ronald Koeman warned the England star on Sunday that he will be sold if he refuses to sign a new contract […]

Madrid (AFP) – Former Arsenal and England captain Tony Adams was put in charge of La Liga strugglers Granada until the end of the season after Lucas Alcaraz was sacked on Monday. Adams has been working as an advisor at the Spanish club as part of his role with DDMC, a Chinese football management company […]