Paris (AFP) – Former Tottenham midfield Mousa Dembele, best known for his time in north London and in his World Cup campaigns with Belgium, announced on Tuesday he will retire at the end of the season. The 34-year-old is currently playing for Guangzhou City in China, and was widely praised for his rampaging box-to-box role […]

Abu Dhabi (AFP) – Chelsea assistant Zsolt Low said Tuesday the absence of Covid-hit Thomas Tuchel presents a "big challenge" for the European champions at the Club World Cup. Tuchel missed Saturday's FA Cup win over Plymouth after testing positive for the virus and has been unable to fly to Abu Dhabi ahead of the […]

London (AFP) – Britain's head of football policing has warned that coordinated action must be taken to stop fan violence spiralling out of control after a significant rise in disorder and arrests this season. Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger and Aston Villa pair Matty Cash and Lucas Digne were hit by missiles thrown by fans during […]

Abu Dhabi (AFP) – Al Hilal coach Leonardo Jardim has urged FIFA to reconsider the Club World Cup format that sees the European and South American champions play fewer matches than their rivals. Jardim, whose team face Chelsea in the semi-finals at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium on Wednesday, said the odds are further stacked against […]

Madrid (AFP) – Barcelona chief executive Ferran Reverter has resigned after only seven months in the role for what the club described on Tuesday as "personal and family reasons". Reverter has played a key role in the attempt to reduce Barca's debts of 1.35 billion euros ($1.5 billion) and has been at the centre of […]

London (AFP) – Christian Eriksen says he knew he would play football again just two days after suffering a cardiac arrest at last year's Euro 2020 as he starts a new chapter of his career with Brentford. The Denmark playmaker collapsed on the pitch against Finland in June and on the way to hospital in […]

London (AFP) – West Ham and France defender Kurt Zouma has apologised after a disturbing video surfaced of him kicking and slapping a cat, with the Premier League club publicly condemning the footage. Zouma is seen in the clip dropping, kicking and slapping the animal, while laughter can be heard in the background. The 27-year-old […]

Beijing (AFP) – The dramatic triumph of China's women footballers at the Asian Cup has sparked calls on social media for equal pay, with commenters contrasting their performance with the dismal men's side. Xiao Yuyi's stoppage-time goal clinched a remarkable 3-2 comeback win over South Korea in the final, sealing a record ninth Asian title […]

London (AFP) – New-look Newcastle take on Frank Lampard's Everton on Tuesday after splashing the cash in the January transfer window as the Premier League gears up for a first full programme of matches after the winter break. Bottom-club Burnley host Manchester United while Manchester City will seek to return to winning ways against Brentford […]

Dakar (AFP) – Thousands of Senegalese supporters are celebrating their country's maiden Africa Cup of Nations win on Monday, feting coach Aliou Cisse, who only a month ago was battered by criticism over his tactical choices. Fans hailing global stars such as Liverpool's Sadio Mane and Chelsea's Edouard Mendy were also chanting the name of […]

Dakar (AFP) – Senegal arrived home on Monday after winning the Africa Cup of Nations, to hundreds of thousands of ecstatic and chanting fans, AFP journalists saw. Massive crowds of supporters descended on a military airport in the West African country's capital Dakar, blowing vuvuzelas and waving flags, to celebrate the victory. President Macky Sall […]

London (AFP) – US sportswear giant Nike said Monday it had terminated its endorsement deal with Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood following his arrest on suspicion of rape. Greenwood was released on bail last week after being questioned over the alleged rape and assault of a young woman. The 20-year-old had been arrested after images […]

London (AFP) – Everton manager Frank Lampard says it would be detrimental to "handcuff" individual personalities such as Dele Alli after his new signing was criticised over his appearance during his presentation to fans. Former England boss Glenn Hoddle said the player looked like he had been "dragged off the street" when he was introduced […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick said on Monday there were no issues between himself and Jesse Lingard, after the two men appeared to be at loggerheads last week over the midfielder's availability. Rangnick said Lingard had asked for time off after failing to secure a loan move ahead of United's FA […]

Berlin (AFP) – Borussia Dortmund confirmed Monday the signing of Germany defender Niklas Suele on a free transfer from rivals and Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich for next season. "We are pleased that we were able to sign a German national player in Niklas Suele and retain him for four years," Dortmund sports director Michael Zorc […]