London (AFP) – Derby manager Phillip Cocu left the struggling Championship side by mutual consent on Saturday with former England star Wayne Rooney one of the club coaches placed in temporary charge. Former Barcelona and Netherlands midfielder Cocu took charge of Derby last year following Frank Lampard's move to Chelsea. The 50-year-old was unable to […]

London (AFP) – Scotland manager Steve Clarke says his players will start competing for places in his Euro 2020 squad when they face Slovakia in the Nations League on Sunday. The Scots reached their first major tournament for 22 years when they defeated Serbia in a nerve-jangling penalty shoot-out in Thursday's play-offs. Footage of Clarke's […]

London (AFP) – Derby manager Phillip Cocu left the struggling Championship club by mutual consent on Saturday. Former Barcelona and Netherlands midfielder Cocu took charge of Derby last year following Frank Lampard's move to Chelsea. The 50-year-old was unable to mount the desired promotion push and Derby finished 10th last season before slumping to the […]

Milan (AFP) – AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli is self-isolating at home after testing positive for coronavirus, the Serie A club announced on Saturday. The Italian league leaders said Pioli, 55, was not displaying any symptoms and that all other test results for players and staff came back negative. "Stefano Pioli has tested positive following […]

London (AFP) – Gareth Southgate has challenged England to "hunt down" Belgium in Sunday's Nations League match as his side aim to prove they can be the best in the world. Belgium are FIFA's top-ranked country at present and their star-studded squad pose a serious threat to England's hopes of reaching the Nations League finals. […]

Cairo (AFP) – The mayor of Mohamed Salah's home town in Egypt has insisted social distancing was observed at a family wedding the Liverpool forward attended before he tested positive for Covid-19. The two-time African footballer of the year has been in isolation in Egypt since Friday following the test that was carried out when […]

London (AFP) – Wales caretaker manager Robert Page insists Gareth Bale's fitness won't be put at risk after Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho expressed concern over the forward's international workload. Wales meet the Republic of Ireland in Cardiff on Sunday and face Finland on Wednesday, with Bale expected to start both games as Wales chase promotion […]

London (AFP) – Gareth Southgate says "phenomenal" Harry Kane is capable of becoming England's record goal-scorer as the Tottenham striker prepares to win his 50th cap against Belgium on Sunday. England captain Kane is sixth on his country's all-time scoring chart with 32 international goals, 21 behind record holder Wayne Rooney. Southgate believes the 27-year-old […]

Sao Paulo (AFP) – Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino scored the crucial goal as Brazil laboured to a 1-0 win over a well organized but limited Venezuela in their World Cup qualifier on Friday. Firmino broke the deadlock on 66 minutes in Sao Paulo, poaching a goal after Venezuelan defender Darwin Machis' attempt to clear an […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Sierra Leone staged one of the greatest Africa Cup of Nations comebacks to draw 4-4 with Nigeria Friday while struggling Egypt were dealt a huge blow as talisman Mohamed Salah tested positive for coronavirus. Nigeria appeared to have three 2021 qualifying points in the bag when they built a four-goal lead […]

London (AFP) – Sheffield Wednesday have appointed Tony Pulis as their new manager, the English Championship club announced Friday. The 62-year old Welshman, one of the most experienced managers still in British football, succeeds Garry Monk, who was sacked by the Yorkshire club earlier this week. Pulis, whose career includes stints in charge of Stoke, […]

Madrid (AFP) – Sergio Ramos will break the record for most international caps made by a European player if he appears for Spain against Switzerland in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday. Real Madrid defender Ramos is set to make his 177th appearance for Spain in Basel, which would pull him clear of goalkeeper Gianluigi […]

Cairo (AFP) – Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has tested positive for Covid-19 while on international duty for Egypt without showing any symptoms, the Egyptian Football Association announced Friday. Medical swabs on the national team "showed that our international player, Mohamed Salah, Liverpool star, was infected with the coronavirus", it said in a tweet, adding he […]

Tunis (AFP) – Five fishing boats crammed with 300 Tunisian football fans who set sail for Italy to protest at sanctions against their club returned home Friday after a day at sea. The supporters of the Croissant Sportif Chebbien (CSC) team, returned after leaving their home town of Chebba on Thursday after "assurances" from the […]

London (AFP) – England manager Gareth Southgate has indicated Jack Grealish could be in line for his first competitive full international start after the Aston Villa captain impressed in a friendly against the Republic of Ireland. Grealish, following several fine displays at club level, starred in an attacking role on the left flank during a […]