Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is confident Donny van de Beek will play a "big, big part this year" despite a restricted role since his pre-season arrival at Old Trafford. The 23-year-old midfielder, who joined from Dutch giants Ajax for an initial 39-million-euro (£34.1 million) fee, has started more […]

London (AFP) – Neil Lennon has hit out at "media-driven" criticism after a turbulent week for Celtic, vigorously defending his record at the Glasgow giants. The Scottish champions lost to Old Firm rivals Rangers and AC Milan at Celtic Park before drawing 3-3 with Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Sunday. Celtic, chasing a record 10th successive […]

Lausanne (AFP) – FIFA president Gianni Infantino has contracted coronavirus, the world's governing body announced on Tuesday. The 50-year-old has mild symptoms and will remain in isolation for a further 10 days. "All people who came into contact with the FIFA President during the last few days have been informed accordingly and they are being […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is confident Donny van de Beek will play a "big, big part this year" despite a restricted role since his pre-season arrival at Old Trafford. The 23-year-old midfielder, who joined from Dutch giants Ajax for an initial 39 million euro (£34.1 million) fee, has […]

Turin (Italy) (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo remains uncertain to take on Lionel Messi's Barcelona on Wednesday as he recovers from coronavirus, Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo said on the eve of the match in Turin. Ronaldo tested positive for Covid-19 two weeks ago while playing with Portugal, and has been in self-isolation since returning to Italy. […]

Istanbul (AFP) – The president of Basaksehir Istanbul sought to foster a welcoming atmosphere on Tuesday before welcoming Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League this week amid strains between Ankara and Paris by insisting the French club were "a friend". The Turkish champions will face last year's runners up on Wednesday as tensions escalate between […]

London (AFP) – England's governing Football Association (FA) unveiled a new diversity code on Tuesday in the hope of ensuring more ethnic minority candidates land senior jobs within the sport. The Football Leadership Diversity Code will ask clubs to achieve targets in both coaching positions and significant management roles. Although the new code is currently […]

Boksburg (South Africa) (AFP) – Five men have been charged with the 2014 murder of South African national football captain Senzo Meyiwa, court documents by the director of public prosecutions showed Tuesday. The 27-year-old goalkeeper and national squad captain was gunned down at the home of his pop-star girlfriend Kelly Khumalo, southeast of Johannesburg on […]

Warsaw (AFP) – Polish police have detained the former agent of UEFA player of the year Robert Lewandowski for allegedly threatening the Poland striker amid a legal dispute over money, prosecutors in Warsaw said on Tuesday. The investigation is focused on criminal threats against "an outstanding footballer, former client and associate of the suspect" aimed […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – An early Mostafa Mohamed goal set up Zamalek to defeat Ismaily 3-1 in Cairo to clinch second place in the Egyptian Premier League and secure qualification for the 2021 CAF Champions League. Had the White Knight not collected three points, they could have been overtaken by 2020 CAF Confederation Cup runners-up […]

London (AFP) – Wales coach Ryan Giggs says he had "no hesitation" taking the knee with his side to support the "important message" of the Black Lives Matter movement at recent international games. The gesture had added significance for the 46-year-old Manchester United legend. His father Danny Wilson was black and Giggs says they were […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham coach Jose Mourinho will not countenance them ever "being considered title contenders" despite being two points off Premier League leaders Everton after Monday's win at Burnley. Spurs fans could be forgiven for thinking otherwise after the scratchy 1-0 victory at Turf Moor propelled them up to fifth in the table. They […]

Milan (AFP) – Andrea Pirlo sees positives despite preparing for his biggest match since taking over as Juventus coach with Covid-19 -stricken Cristiano Ronaldo in doubt against Lionel Messi's Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday. Pirlo took over after Maurizio Sarri was sacked immediately after Juventus' last 16 exit to Lyon in August, the […]

Istanbul (AFP) – Newcomers Istanbul Basaksehir face a tough baptism in the Champions League after shaking up the Turkish football hierarchy and earning a reputation as the plaything of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Basaksehir earned their place in Europe's elite club competition by pipping Turkey's traditional giants to win the title for the first time. […]

Berlin (AFP) – In-form RB Leipzig winger Angelino returns to Manchester with a point to prove this week as the Bundesliga side take on Manchester United at Old Trafford in the second round of Champions League group games. Having failed to nail down a place in the Manchester City first team under Pep Guardiola, the […]