London (AFP) – Arsenal's chances of a top-four finish in the Premier League look forlorn after Granit Xhaka's error gifted Burnley a 1-1 draw on Saturday, while Southampton ended a nine-game winless run by beating Sheffield United 2-0. The Gunners' best hope of a return to the Champions League for the first time in five […]

Berlin (AFP) – RB Leipzig went top of the Bundesliga on Saturday with a 3-0 romp at Freiburg to usurp previous leaders Bayern Munich, who later host Dortmund in Germany's 'Klassiker'. Christopher Nkunku, Alexander Sorloth and Emil Forsberg scored the goals in Freiburg which lifted Leipzig one point ahead of Bayern, who are at home […]

Burnley (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta refused to condemn Granit Xhaka after the midfielder's embarrassing mistake gifted Burnley a 1-1 draw on Saturday. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang put Arsenal ahead early on at Turf Moor, but Xhaka's farcical howler allowed Chris Wood to equalise before half-time. Xhaka foolishly tried to pass the ball out […]

Saint-Ouen (France) (AFP) – Red Star, a five-time winner of the competition now languishing in the French third tier, scored twice in the last seven minutes to spring a French Cup upset on Saturday, eliminating Ligue 1 Lens, 3-2. "In the French Cup, everything is possible," said Alan Dzabana who hit the 90th minute winner […]

Madrid (AFP) – Karim Benzema will be fit to play some part in Sunday's derby between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, Zinedine Zidane said on Friday. Benzema has missed Real Madrid's last three games with a groin injury but Zidane said the Frenchman will return at the Wanda Metropolitano, although would not say if he […]

Burnley (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka compromised his side's faint hopes of a top four finish in the Premier League as the Swiss midfielder's embarrassing mistake gifted Burnley a 1-1 draw on Saturday. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang put Arsenal ahead early on at Turf Moor, but Xhaka's farcical howler allowed Chris Wood to equalise […]

Milan (AFP) – Stefano Pioli said Saturday he would like to be 30 years younger to take to the pitch for AC Milan as his injury-hit side push to keep touch with Inter in the Serie A title chase. Second-placed Milan head for Hellas Verona on Sunday with star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic among the injuries […]

Stockholm (AFP) – Zlatan Ibrahimovic will return to international football at the age of 39, Swedish media reported on Saturday. Sweden, coached by Janne Andersson, have qualified for the Euros and kick off their campaign against Spain in Bilbao on June 14. The return has been under discussion for several months, according to reports, but […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City have history in their sights as the runaway leaders bid to take a huge step towards the Premier League title in Sunday's showdown with fading challengers Manchester United. City are 14 points clear of United with 11 games left and victory in the derby would effectively end their second placed […]

Abidjan (AFP) – Jacques Anouma of the Ivory Coast pulled out of the race to become the next president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), throwing his weight behind South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe. "After several reflections and consultations, I decided to give up my candidacy for the election to the presidency of CAF," […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bundesliga bottom side Schalke were held to a goalless draw at home to fellow strugglers Mainz on Friday as the hosts' new coach Dimitrios Grammozis earned a point in his first game. Grammozis was named Schalke's fifth head coach this season on Tuesday and his contract until June 2022. However, the second […]

Sao Paulo (AFP) – Brazilian club Atletico Mineiro triggered controversy Friday by naming Alexi "Cuca" Stival as their new coach, despite his conviction for sexually assaulting a minor 34 years ago. Cuca, 57, will replace Jorge Sampaoli, who quit the team last week to take the reins at French club Marseille. It marks the second […]

Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino called on Friday for a "fair and just" solution to the issue of players who could be forced to quarantine upon their return from international duty later this month. The French champions risk losing the likes of Neymar, Marquinhos and Angel Di Maria for a game against […]

Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino on Friday called for a "fair and just" solution for players facing quarantine upon their return from international duty, an issue which prompted Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola to threaten to ground his jet-setting stars. French champions PSG risk losing Neymar, Marquinhos and Angel Di Maria for […]

New York (AFP) – Major League Soccer is investigating Inter Miami's signing of French international Blaise Matuidi last year for possible violations of league salary budget and roster rules, the league announced Friday. Matuidi, a midfielder who turns 34 next month, helped France to a 2018 World Cup title in Russia. The long-time Paris Saint-Germain […]