Glasgow (AFP) – Slavia Prague defender Ondrej Kudela could face a court case in Scotland over allegations he racially abused Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara after Scottish police confirmed Thursday they had sent a report to the national prosecution service. Kudela received a 10-match ban from UEFA on Wednesday but risks up to six months in […]

London (AFP) – Marcelo Bielsa pushed back on Thursday on a report from his native Argentina last weekend he is "very close" to signing a new two-year contract with Leeds United. The 65-year-old former Argentina national coach has earned plaudits for the style of football the historic club have played on their return to the […]

Paris (AFP) – Trials using permanent concussion substitutes in English football have sometimes "fallen short of their objective" and "jeopardised player health", putting unfair pressure on medical staff, the global players' union FIFPRO and England's Professional Footballers' Association have said. In a joint letter sent to the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which determines the […]

Dortmund (Germany) (AFP) – After losing to Manchester City in Europe, Borussia Dortmund must now focus on keeping together a young squad which includes striker Erling Haaland and Champions League history-maker Jude Bellingham. Phil Foden's thunderbolt shot at Signal Iduna Park on Wednesday sealed Man City's 2-1 comeback win in the quarter-final, return leg. The […]

Paris (AFP) – UEFA is set to announce major changes to the Champions League next week but the make-up of this season's semi-finalists confirms the extent to which elite club football in Europe has already been transformed over the last decade. Manchester City have gone beyond the quarter-finals for the first time since Pep Guardiola's […]

Prague (AFP) – The Czech president's office said Thursday it had complained to UEFA over the 10-match ban for Slavia Prague defender Ondrej Kudela for racially abusing Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara. Kudela cupped his hand when he made the remark to Finnish player Kamara at the end of a Europa League last 16 game at […]

Berlin (AFP) – Hertha Berlin's Hungarian coach Pal Dardai, assistant coach Admir Hamzagic and Belgium striker Dodi Lukebakio have tested positive for Covid-19 and the team has been ordered into isolation, the Bundesliga club said Thursday. Hertha says the trio, who are symptom free, are quarantined at home. The rest of the squad and staff […]

London (AFP) – At the fifth time of asking, Pep Guardiola has guided Manchester City to a Champions League semi-final as they saw off Borussia Dortmund and the demons of previous quarter-final disappointments on Wednesday. Attention will now turn to a semi-final clash with Qatari-owned Paris Saint-Germain that will be a meeting of two projects […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Major League Soccer's 2021 season kicks off on Friday with league chiefs believing the competition has emerged stronger than ever after the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Just over a year after MLS chiefs called a halt to the 2020 season as the coronavirus swept across North America, the 2021 […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admitted his side have to quickly bounce back from the disappointment of Champions League elimination at the hands of Real Madrid to ensure they do not miss out on the competition next season. Despite enjoying a host of chances, Liverpool fluffed their lines in front of goal as […]

Dortmund (Germany) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola says his Manchester City "want more" as they marched into the Champions League semi-finals with the Premier League leaders on course to win four titles this season. Phil Foden's second-half winner at Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday sealed a 2-1 away win in the quarter-final, second leg to claim a […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp bemoaned Liverpool's inability to turn dominance into goals as Real Madrid held out for a 0-0 draw at Anfield on Wednesday to progress to the semi-finals of the Champions League 3-1 on aggregate. Mohamed Salah and Georginio Wijnaldum were guilty of wasting glorious opportunities to get Klopp's men back into […]

Dortmund (Germany) (AFP) – Manchester City set up a blockbuster Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain as Phil Foden's second-half winner sealed a 2-1 victory at Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday to send the Premier League leaders through 4-2 on aggregate. England midfielder Jude Bellingham gave Dortmund an early lead, but a second-half Riyad Mahrez penalty […]

Dortmund (Germany) (AFP) – Manchester City set up a blockbuster Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain as Phil Foden's second-half winner sealed a 2-1 victory at Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday to send the Premier League leaders through 4-2 on aggregate. England midfielder Jude Bellingham gave Dortmund an early lead, but a second-half Riyad Mahrez penalty […]

Dortmund (Germany) (AFP) – Jude Bellingham became the second-youngest scorer in the history of the Champions League knockout stages with the opening goal in Wednesday's quarter-final second leg with Manchester City. Englishman Bellingham, who is 17 years and 289 days old, curled a superb 15th-minute strike into the top corner in Dortmund to level the […]