Versailles (France) (AFP) – French bailiffs have seized 230,000 euros ($260,000) from Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema over his conviction last year for complicity in a bid to blackmail former France team-mate Mathieu Valbuena with a sex tape, a source familiar with the case said Thursday. A court ordered Benzema in November to pay a […]

Saitama (Japan) (AFP) – Clinical Japan took a step closer to the World Cup in Qatar with a 2-0 win over China on Thursday for their fourth straight qualifying victory. Yuya Osako buried a first-half penalty to put the four-time Asian champions in control in Saitama, north of Tokyo, before Junya Ito doubled their lead […]

Yaoundé (AFP) – The Cameroonian government wants to "improve" access to the Olembe Stadium in Yaounde after the deadly stampede that killed eight people at the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday, its spokesman told state media on Thursday. A child and two women were among the victims, who were trampled by the crowd at […]

Saitama (Japan) (AFP) – Japan beat China 2-0 on Thursday to continue their resurgence in World Cup qualifying with their fourth straight win. Yuya Osako buried a first-half penalty to put the four-time Asian champions in control in Saitama, north of Tokyo, before Junya Ito doubled their lead after the break. The win meant Japan […]

Madrid (AFP) – Randy Nteka was about to hit the big time when the phone rang. "Don't forget where you came from," his dad said, with Nteka about to play his first game as a professional. "You worked hard to get here. This is the culmination of all that work." As if Nteka could forget, […]

Limbe (Cameroon) (AFP) – Santiago Eneme scored the decisive penalty as minnows Equatorial Guinea edged Mali 6-5 in a shoot-out after a drab 0-0 draw following extra time in Limbe on Wednesday to reach the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals. After France-based Eneme converted, Malian Falaye Sacko had a kick saved by Jesus Owono and […]

Limbe (Cameroon) (AFP) – Santiago Eneme scored the decisive penalty as minnows Equatorial Guinea edged Mali 6-5 in a shoot-out after a drab 0-0 draw following extra time in Limbe on Wednesday to reach the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals. An ultra-cagey last-16 match produced minimal excitement for the crowd with both teams managing just […]

Douala (AFP) – Mohamed Salah scored the decisive penalty as Egypt beat the Ivory Coast in a shoot-out on Wednesday to advance to the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals, while organisers of the troubled tournament moved two matches away from Douala to Cameroon's capital Yaounde. The Liverpool star smashed home his spot-kick with the Ivory […]

Douala (AFP) – Mohamed Salah scored the decisive spot-kick as record seven-time champions Egypt beat the Ivory Coast 5-4 on penalties after a 0-0 draw in Douala on Wednesday to reach the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals. The Liverpool star smashed home his penalty with the Ivory Coast's Eric Bailly the only player to fail […]

Douala (AFP) – Mohamed Salah scored the decisive spot-kick as record seven-time champions Egypt beat the Ivory Coast 5-4 on penalties after a 0-0 draw in Douala on Wednesday to reach the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals. The Liverpool star smashed home his penalty with the Ivory Coast's Eric Bailly the only player to fail […]

Strasbourg (France) (AFP) – FIFA president Gianni Infantino seemed to establish a link on Wednesday between his plan for a World Cup every two years and the tragedy of migrants in the Mediterranean who must be "given hope", before saying his remarks had been "misinterpreted". The head of world football told the Parliamentary Assembly of […]

Yaoundé (AFP) – Two Africa Cup of Nations matches will be relocated from Japoma Stadium in Douala to Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced Wednesday. One quarter-final and the February 2 semi-final will be moved to the Cameroonian capital because of concerns over the state of the pitch in […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Everton managerial candidate Vitor Pereira has defended his record amid fan protests at the prospect of the Portuguese taking charge of the club's battle to remain in the Premier League. Former England internationals Wayne Rooney, who enjoyed two spells at Goodison Park as a player, and Frank Lampard have also been linked […]

London (AFP) – Wolves have exercised their option to buy South Korea forward Hwang Hee-chan on a permanent deal when his loan from RB Leipzig expires at the end of this season. Hwang has scored four goals in 14 Premier League appearances since arriving at Molineux in August. The 26-year-old, who netted on his Wolves […]

London (AFP) – Former England boss Roy Hodgson said on Tuesday he believes he is capable of pulling off the "massive challenge" of keeping Watford in the Premier League given his impressive record in relegation battles. Hodgson was appointed as the Hornets' third manager this season following Claudio Ranieri's sacking 24 hours earlier. A 3-0 […]