Doha (AFP) – FIFA president Gianni Infantino said for the first time Thursday coronavirus containment measures could still be in place during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar but he insisted stadiums would be full. In an interview with AFP ahead of the Cup World Cup final he also suggested FIFA could "concretely" help travelling […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich forward Thomas Mueller is set to miss out on Thursday's Club World Cup final in Doha after testing positive for the coronavirus on Wednesday, according to German media reports. According to Sky Sports Germany and Bild newspaper, World Cup winner Mueller tested positive after Bayern's training session on Wednesday. A […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Coach Gavin Hunt must have hoped South African strugglers Kaizer Chiefs could have a gentler introduction to the CAF Champions League group stage than facing Wydad Casablanca in Morocco on Saturday. In the past five seasons, Wydad have won the marquee African club competition and also been runners-up once, semi-finalists twice and […]

Rome (AFP) – Zlatan Ibrahimovic rarely hesitates to harangue his young AC Milan teammates but "it's better than if he said nothing", says Algeria midfielder Ismael Bennacer. France-born Bennacer joined Milan from Empoli in 2019 and has, over the past two seasons, become one of the key members of the team who are currently leading […]

Paris (AFP) – Neymar walked off the pitch without waiting to be substituted after being on the receiving end of a series of fouls during Paris Saint-Germain's 1-0 French Cup win at second-tier Caen on Wednesday, with coach Mauricio Pochettino saying he had "pain in his thigh". The Brazil attacker, captaining PSG with Marquinhos and […]

London (AFP) – Everton upped the pressure on Jose Mourinho with a thrilling 5-4 victory over Tottenham after extra-time to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals, as Manchester City eased into the last eight by beating Swansea on Wednesday. Tottenham face a daunting trip to City in the Premier League on Saturday and defeat after a […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Celtic gained revenge for their first home defeat to St Mirren since 1990 last month with a 4-0 victory over the Buddies on Wednesday to narrow the gap on Scottish Premiership leaders Rangers. The Hoops still look destined to miss out on a historic 10th consecutive league title as they trail their […]

Madrid (AFP) – Barcelona's hopes of winning the Copa del Rey this season were left hanging by a thread on Wednesday after Sevilla won the first leg of their semi-final 2-0. Jules Kounde furthered his growing reputation as one of the world's most exciting central defenders by scoring a stunning goal at the Ramon Sanchez […]

Paris (AFP) – Neymar walked off the pitch without waiting to be substituted after being on the receiving end of a series of fouls during Paris Saint-Germain's 1-0 French Cup win at second-tier Caen on Wednesday. The Brazil attacker, captaining PSG with Marquinhos and Presnel Kimpembe absent, was fouled twice in the space of three […]

Milan (AFP) – Italy's Matteo Pessina scored twice as Atalanta beat holders Napoli 3-1 on aggregate on Wednesday to book a place in the Italian Cup final. Pessina's efforts, both set up by Duvan Zapata, were enough to secure a second final in three seasons, after the goalless first leg, where they will face Juventus. […]

Swansea (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester City broke the English football record for consecutive wins by a top-flight club by beating Swansea 3-1 on Wednesday to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals. Kyle Walker, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus were on target for the visitors, who extended their winning run in all competitions to 15 games. […]

Swansea (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester City continued their quest for a historic quadruple of trophies by easing into the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 3-1 win at Championship promotion challengers Swansea on Wednesday. Kyle Walker, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus were on target for the visitors, who extended their winning run in all competitions […]

Paris (AFP) – Crisis-hit Marseille claimed a "welcome" first victory since suspending coach Andre Villas-Boas by beating second-tier Auxerre 2-0 in the French Cup last 64 on Wednesday. Argentina striker Dario Benedetto, with his just his fifth goal in 29 games this season, and Ahmadou Dieng found the net for Marseille. "Qualification is welcome in […]

Al-Rayyan (Qatar) (AFP) – Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer says the European champions are wary of Tigres' veteran striker Andre-Pierre Gignac ahead of Thursday's Club World Cup final. Bayern face CONCACAF champions Tigres from Mexico at Al Rayyan, a host venue for the 2022 World Cup. If Bayern win, they will become the second club […]

London (AFP) – Thomas Tuchel dismissed on Wednesday fears that N'Golo Kante's spate of hamstring injuries could diminish the France World Cup winner's midfield dynamism, declaring himself a "huge fan". Kante will start Thursday's FA Cup fifth-round clash at Barnsley in a much-changed Blues line-up, with new boss Tuchel delighted by the 29-year-old's return to […]