Budapest (AFP) – Thomas Tuchel's abrupt sacking by French champions Paris Saint-Germain came as a "shock" despite signs it was inevitable, according to the German manager's former Hungarian assistant Zsolt Low. "Let's be honest, this situation was not sustainable in the long run," Low said in an interview Saturday with the Hungarian newspaper Nemzeti Sport. […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City have launched an investigation into reports France defender Benjamin Mendy flouted coronavirus rules by hosting a gathering at his house on New Year's Eve. Mendy, 26, allowed a chef and two friends of his partner to visit his Cheshire home, according to a report in The Sun. Regulations currently prevent […]

Madrid (AFP) – FIFA has suspended Kieran Trippier's 10-week ban for breaching betting rules, freeing the England international to play for his club Atletico Madrid pending appeal. The 30-year-old was barred from any football activity by the English Football Association last week, ruling him out for at least 13 matches for the Spanish league highflyers. […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Uganda drew 1-1 with host country Cameroon in a fiery African Nations Championship (CHAN) warm-up match despite having a player sent off after only 12 minutes. Ben Ocen was shown a straight red card following his reckless challenge on Alfred Meyong at Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo, the 42,500-capacity national stadium in Yaounde. Cameroon […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid jumped to the top of La Liga on Saturday with a 2-0 home victory over in-form Celta Vigo. Lucas Vazquez headed in a cross from Marco Asensio at the far post in the sixth minute, barely a minute after Real centre back Nacho had cleared a shot by Celta striker […]

West Bromwich (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Mikel Arteta said the prospects for Arsenal's season are "completely different" after thrashing West Brom 4-0 to complete three Premier League wins in eight days. Prior to last weekend, the Gunners had gone eight league games without a win to find themselves battling at the bottom end of the […]

Berlin (AFP) – Schalke 04 are now winless in their last 30 league games – one match short of the Bundesliga's record for the longest winless streak, which near-forgotten minnows Tasmania Berlin are desperate to keep. Placards reading "That is our record! Ra-Ra-Ra Tasmania (The Original)" and "Save the record for Tas!" were laid out […]

West Bromwich (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Alexandre Lacazette scored twice as Arsenal further eased their early season struggles by thrashing West Brom 4-0 at a snow covered Hawthorns on Saturday. After seven Premier League games without a win, the Gunners have now won three in a week to dampen talk of a relegation fight and […]

Berlin (AFP) – RB Leipzig dislodged Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga table Saturday as Dani Olmo's second-half goal was enough to seal a 1-0 win at Stuttgart. With European champions Bayern at home to strugglers Mainz on Sunday, Leipzig took the chance to go a point ahead as Olmo fired through the […]

London (AFP) – Harry Kane and Son Heung-min were again Tottenham's talismen in a 3-0 win over Leeds to revitalise their title challenge on Saturday but a third Premier League game this week was postponed due to coronavirus outbreaks. Burnley's clash with Fulham, scheduled for Sunday, was called off due to a number of positive […]

Paris (AFP) – Mauricio Pochettino was officially named the new coach of French champions Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday following the sacking of Thomas Tuchel and immediately vowed "to win with style". PSG announced on its website that former Tottenham manager Pochettino had signed a contract until June 30, 2022 with an option for an additional […]

Berlin (AFP) – Second-placed Bayer Leverkusen blew the chance to top the Bundesliga Saturday after stumbling to a 2-1 defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt following a second-half own goal by Edmond Tapsoba. With leaders Bayern Munich at home to strugglers Mainz on Sunday, Leverkusen squandered the opportunity to reclaim first place as the Bundesliga returned from […]

London (AFP) – Harry Kane and Son Heung-min were again Tottenham's talismen in a 3-0 win over Leeds to kickstart their title challenge on Saturday but a third Premier League game this week was postponed due to coronavirus outbreaks. Burnley's clash with Fulham, scheduled for Sunday, was called off due to a number of positive […]

Madrid (AFP) – Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta said there was still time to make "a convincing proposal" to Lionel Messi, whose contract with the club expires in June. "He said he would wait until the end of the season and that gives us time to submit a convincing proposal to him," said Laporta, who […]

Berlin (AFP) – Second-placed Bayer Leverkusen blew the chance to top the Bundesliga Saturday after crashing to a 2-1 defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt following an own goal by Edmond Tapsoba. With leaders Bayern Munich at home to Mainz on Sunday, Leverkusen squandered the chance to reclaim first place as the Bundesliga returned from a two-week […]