Zurich (AFP) – FIFA on Friday announced a $369 million loss for 2016, a second straight annual deficit, as it recovers from scandals that have rocked world football and acknowledged it had to use hundreds of millions of dollars of its reserves. The game's world governing body blamed the cost of investigating the scandals, bad […]

Milan (AFP) – Inter Milan's international defender Danilo D'Ambrosio has signed a contract extension that will see him remain with the Serie A giants until 2021. "I'm very proud to be part of this family, I want to thank the club, the coach Stefano Pioli and above all my teammates," said 28-year-old D'Ambrosio, who has […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane knows a hitherto successful season will be quickly forgotten if his side blow their chances at a La Liga and Champions League double in the next two weeks. Zidane's men kick off a daunting 15-day stretch with the visit of Atletico Madrid on Saturday with Barcelona also […]

London (AFP) – Arsene Wenger believes Alexis Sanchez wants to stay at Arsenal, despite reports the striker could leave the London club if they fail to qualify for the Champions League. Veteran French manager Wenger, in charge of Arsenal since September 1996, has yet to announce if he will stay with the club when his […]

London (AFP) – Former England striker Andrew Cole has had a kidney transplant, it was announced Friday. The news was made public by Manchester United, one of his former clubs where the 45-year-old Cole is now an ambassador. "Manchester United ambassador Andrew Cole has undergone a kidney transplant operation at Manchester Royal Infirmary as part […]

Pyongyang (AFP) – South Korea's flag flew and its anthem sounded in Pyongyang on Friday as its women's football team played out a 1-1 draw with their neighbours, in the first ever competitive soccer match between the two countries hosted by the North. A packed crowd at the 40,000-plus capacity Kim Il-Sung stadium stood to […]

Melbourne (AFP) – Former England manager Roy Hodgson is in Australia to work with faltering A-League club Melbourne City over the next month, the team said. The 69-year-old, who was in charge of England for 56 internationals up to last year, arrived on Wednesday and will spend time mentoring and consulting with coach Michael Valkanis […]

Paris (AFP) – Following a bruising League Cup final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, Monaco resume their battle against the capital club for the Ligue 1 title with a trip to face the physical might of Angers on Saturday. The principality club's 4-1 loss to PSG in Lyon ended their prospects of a domestic treble but […]

London (AFP) – Jan Vertonghen believes Tottenham have demonstrated their title credentials as they battle to overhaul Premier League leaders Chelsea. Mauricio Pochettino's side face Watford on Saturday after staging a dramatic fightback in a 3-1 midweek win at Swansea that kept alive their hopes of overhauling Chelsea's seven point lead. Tottenham looked set for […]

Milan (AFP) – Highly-rated Serbian Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has pledged his faith in Lazio as they prepare to host Napoli Sunday in a Serie A clash crucial to their chances of an unlikely Champions League spot. A string of fine performances for Simone Inzaghi's men has sparked interest in the powerfully-built Lazio front man from several […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester City's season has hit a bump at a bad time, and a victory at home to Hull City on Saturday will help bolster their bid to play Champions League football. City’s 2-1 defeat at leaders Chelsea on Wednesday means they have now gone more than a month without a […]

Stoke-on-Trent (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Divock Origi insists Liverpool remain firmly on course for the Champions League as they head to Stoke looking to hit back from a frustrating draw with Bournemouth. Despite Sadio Mane's absence with a knee injury that could keep the Senegal forward out for several weeks, Liverpool's attack still looked potent […]

Bournemouth (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Thibaut Courtois believes keeping Eden Hazard is key to Chelsea hopes of building on this season's dominance of the Premier League title race. Hazard confirmed his importance to Antonio Conte's side with both goals in the 2-1 victory over Manchester City on Wednesday that moved Chelsea one step closer to […]

Marseille (AFP) – A tireless worker who is constantly making progress, Japan's Hiroki Sakai has won over hearts and minds at Marseille where he is seen as an ambassador of his homeland. "In France there's just the two of us Japanese players here so I feel a major responsibility," the right-back told AFP. "I'm always […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha says his side won't deserve to finish second in the Scottish Premiership if they don't claim victory against in-form Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Sunday. When the 46-year-old Portuguese signed a three-year contract to replace Mark Warburton last month he set himself the ambitious but "realistic" target of winning […]