Copenhagen (AFP) – For Nikolaj Christensen, Danish footballer Christian Eriksen's cardiac arrest on the pitch during the Euros was "a shock" that inspired him, and thousands of other Danes, to join the 'heart runners', a volunteer rescue programme. What was supposed to be a fun night of watching football on television on June 12, 2021 […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Portland Timbers wing Andy Polo has been suspended by Major League Soccer following allegations of domestic violence, the club announced Wednesday. Polo, a 27-year-old striker for the Peruvian national team, will be banned from all team activities pending the results of an MLS investigation into the matter, the team said in a […]

Vallecas (Spain) (AFP) – William Carvalho's brilliant goal edged Real Betis one step closer to the Copa del Rey final on Wednesday as they beat Rayo Vallecano 2-1 in the first leg at Vallecas. Rayo, who have never reached the final, took an early lead through Alvaro Garcia but Betis came storming back, Borja Iglesias […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Celtic hit back after blowing a two-goal lead to beat Aberdeen 3-2 on Wednesday and maintain a slender one-point advantage over Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership. Jota and Matt O'Riley's deflected effort had Ange Postecoglou's men cruising towards an eighth consecutive victory. But the visitors were stunned as Aberdeen […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola warned many hurdles still lie in the way of Manchester City and a fourth Premier League title in five years after sweeping aside Brentford 2-0 to go 12 points clear at the top of the table. Liverpool have two games in hand to try and cut that gap, […]

Paris (AFP) – Justin Kluivert scored twice as Nice came from behind to beat south coast rivals Marseille 4-1 in a pulsating French Cup quarter-final on Wednesday. Nice join Monaco and fourth division Versailles in the draw for the semis with Nantes taking on Bastia on Thursday. Nice and Marseille was the pick of the […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City surged 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 win against Brentford, while Tottenham's top four bid suffered a blow in a dramatic 3-2 defeat against Southampton on Wednesday. Pep Guardiola's side extended their unbeaten run in the league to 14 matches thanks to Riyad […]

Abu Dhabi (AFP) – Romelu Lukaku scored a much-needed goal as Chelsea beat Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal 1-0 on Wednesday to advance to the Club World Cup final against South American champions Palmeiras. Chelsea's club-record signing had failed to score in five games before arriving in Abu Dhabi, and the Blues are looking for the […]

Chicago (AFP) – Swiss international midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri has been acquired by Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire in a transfer from France's Lyon, the American club announced Wednesday. The deal will keep 30-year-old Shaqiri with Chicago through the 2024 MLS campaign. "We're extremely pleased to formally welcome Xherdan Shaqiri to the Fire," club sporting director Georg […]

London (AFP) – West Ham on Wednesday fined Kurt Zouma the "maximum amount possible" for mistreating his cat as the RSPCA charity said it had taken two animals belonging to the France defender into care. The 27-year-old has also lost his deal with sportswear giant Adidas over the disturbing video showing him dropping, kicking and […]

London (AFP) – West Ham on Wednesday fined Kurt Zouma the "maximum amount possible" for mistreating his pet cat as the RSPCA charity said it had taken two animals belonging to the France defender into care. The 27-year-old, who played against Watford in the Premier League on Tuesday, has been widely condemned after a video […]

London (AFP) – West Ham on Wednesday fined defender Kurt Zouma the "maximum amount possible" for mistreating his pet cat as the RSPCA charity said it had taken two animals belonging to the France international into care. The 27-year-old, who played against Watford in the Premier League on Tuesday, has been widely condemned after a […]

Abu Dhabi (AFP) – FIFA hopes the rolling out of its semi-automated offside technology being trialled at the Club World Cup will not only speed up decision-making but offer increased clarity for football supporters. The optical tracking system was first tested at last year's Arab Cup in Qatar, and the ultimate goal is for it […]

London (AFP) – Antonio Conte has opened the door to a possible Tottenham return for Christian Eriksen after saying it would be a "good opportunity" to work with the Denmark international again. Eriksen last week joined fellow Premier League side Brentford on a short-term deal after completing a remarkable recovery following a cardiac arrest during […]

London (AFP) – Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said on Wednesday he was the "solution, not the problem" following former captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's departure from the club after a series of disciplinary problems. Aubameyang left the Emirates Stadium for Barcelona last week after agreeing a contract termination with the English side, allowing him to sign for […]