London (AFP) – Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal are no longer so vulnerable when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is sidelined. Gunners captain Aubameyang missed their last two matches, both against Southampton, and revealed on social media that his absence was due to his mother suffering from "health issues". The Gabon forward is not expected to return for Arsenal's […]

London (AFP) – England's Premier League has urged social media organisations to do more to combat racism following online abuse directed at the Manchester United duo of Axel Tuanzebe and Anthony Martial and West Brom's Romaine Sawyers this week. West Brom contacted police after Sawyers was sent a racist message during Tuesday's 5-0 loss to […]

Limbe (Cameroon) (AFP) – A stone's throw from the Mungo River which partly marks the dividing line between Cameroon's anglophone and francophone regions stand armoured vehicles and trucks filled with soldiers. They have been there on careful watch since the African Nations Championship (CHAN) got underway on January 16 with the home side's 1-0 win […]

London (AFP) – The Premier League will trial the use of concussion substitutes from February 6 in response to growing concerns about the damage caused by head injuries in football, it was announced on Friday. Premier League and Football Association chiefs have agreed that teams will be able to make two permanent concussion substitutes even […]

London (AFP) – Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti refused to confirm whether Jordan Pickford would start against Newcastle this weekend after another high-profile error but said he had "no doubt" about the England goalkeeper's quality. Pickford was at fault for Leicester's equaliser in a midweek 1-1 draw, failing to keep out Youri Tielemans' shot with England […]

Berlin (AFP) – New Zealand midfielder Sarpreet Singh returned to European champions Bayern Munich on Friday after his loan spell at German second division club Nuremberg was cut short. Last season, the 21-year-old attacking midfielder, whose parents are from India, became the first player of Indian descent to play in the Bundesliga. The Auckland-born midfielder […]

Berlin (AFP) – German radio broadcaster ARD announced Friday that they will use female commentators for the first time to cover the men's final matches of Euro 2020 and next year's World Cup following remarks made by a retiring reporter who feared the trade's 'glass ceiling' would never be shattered. Last week, veteran radio commentator […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has ruled out using Gareth Bale as a striker as he prepares for a spell without the "irreplaceable" Harry Kane. Kane suffered injuries to both ankles in the first half of Tottenham's 3-1 defeat against Liverpool on Thursday and did not appear after half-time. Spurs were nervously waiting […]

London (AFP) – Pep Guardiola says a return to a tried-and-tested formula has helped propel Manchester City back to the Premier League summit. City, who lead city rivals Manchester United by a point with a game in hand, are strong favourites to win a third English top-flight title in four years. Guardiola's men, who host […]

Rome (AFP) – Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo said Friday it had nothing to do with him if star player Cristiano Ronaldo broke coronavirus rules with a visit to a mountain resort. "Ronaldo had the day off, he can do what he wants in his private life," Pirlo said, after Italian media reported the striker defied […]

London (AFP) – Newcastle manager Steve Bruce says he is not "bullet-proof" as he battles to pull Newcastle out of their Premier League nosedive. The Magpies, who have lost their past five league matches and are without a win in nine games, have slipped to 16th place in the table, just six points clear of […]

London (AFP) – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said racist abuse aimed at Anthony Martial and Axel Tuanzebe following Manchester United's shock defeat against Sheffield United this week was "unacceptable and disgusting". Both players were attacked on social media following Wednesday's 2-1 home defeat by the Premier League's bottom side, which prevented the Red Devils reclaiming top […]

London (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool are trying to buy a central defender as they wrestle with a defensive injury crisis but accepts no club are prepared to sell him an "£80 million centre-back" in the final days of the transfer window. Liverpool beat Tottenham 3-1 on Thursday for their first win in six […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich midfielders Leon Goretzka and Javi Martinez have both tested positive for Covid-19, the European champions announced Friday. The pair miss Saturday's home game against Hoffenheim at the Allianz Arena with Bayern seven points clear in the Bundesliga table. "Leon and Javi are in quarantine and will be out for the […]

Marseille (AFP) – Andre Villas-Boas said Friday a poor second season at the helm of Marseille means he is likely to leave in June as a contract extension would only materialise with a dramatic turn of form. The former Spurs and Chelsea chief described Marseille's recent run as "disastrous" after being dumped out of the […]