Berlin (AFP) – RB Leipzig will be allowed to welcome 999 fans to the Red Bull Arena for their Champions League opener against Istanbul Basaksehir on Tuesday. Despite rising numbers of coronavirus cases across Germany, the local health authority in Leipzig has granted permission for up to 999 spectators to attend, down from the usual […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta said Monday that he believes the Blues' defensive woes are so bad it feels like they need to score three or four goals a game to win. Frank Lampard's men drew 3-3 for the second time this season against Southampton on Saturday after twice giving up a lead. […]

Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain will have to do without midfield duo Marco Verratti and Leandro Paredes for their Champions League group-stage opener at home to Manchester United on Tuesday, coach Thomas Tuchel has confirmed, but captain Marquinhos could return. Verratti suffered a leg muscle injury on international duty with Italy and could be sidelined […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Star-packed Memelodi Sundowns suffered a shock 1-0 home loss to Bloemfontein Celtic in a knockout competition quarter-final as the South African season kicked off at the weekend. The Pretoria club replaced coach Pitso Mosimane, who moved to Cairo club Al Ahly, with three, former assistants Manqoba Mngqithi and Rhulani Mokwena and new […]

London (AFP) – Wayne Rooney says he is "angry and disappointed" that he will miss matches for Championship side Derby due to a period of self-isolation despite testing negative for coronavirus. The former Manchester United and England captain, now player-coach at Derby, was visited by a friend who had been instructed to be tested for […]

Paris (AFP) – The struggles of Barcelona and Real Madrid do not augur well ahead of the Clasico, while there are unfamiliar league leaders across Europe as Covid-19 brings more disruption. AFP Sport rounds up some of the main talking points from the action across the continent: – Wind of change? – There is a […]

Berlin (AFP) – RB Leipzig aim to build on their run to the Champions League semi-finals in August when they launch their fresh assault in Europe at home to Turkish side FK Basaksehir on Tuesday with the benefit of home crowd support. Despite rising numbers of the coronavirus across Germany, the local health authority in […]

Paris (AFP) – Egypt superstar Mohamed Salah became the third fastest Liverpool player to reach 100 goals by putting the Reds ahead a second time in a drawn Merseyside thriller against Everton at the weekend. The 28-year-old, who moved to Anfield from Roma three years ago, is the third quickest goals centurion after Roger Hunt […]

London (AFP) – Newcastle supporters have raised £19,000 ($24,700) by choosing to give to charity rather than watching their team play Manchester United on pay-per-view TV, according to a fans' group. Premier League matches in October that have not been earmarked for regular televised coverage can only be watched live via Sky Sports or BT […]

London (AFP) – Pep Guardiola says Sergio Aguero must earn a new contract at Manchester City even though he is the club's all-time record goalscorer. Aguero, who returned from a four-month spell out with injury in Saturday's 1-0 win over Arsenal, has entered the last 12 months of his existing deal. The Argentine has scored […]

London (AFP) – Aston Villa coach Dean Smith has lavished praise on "coveted" loan signing Ross Barkley after the England midfielder lashed in the winner against Leicester on Sunday to preserve the club's perfect start to the Premier League season. The 26-year-old had been an injury doubt before the 1-0 win at the King Power […]

Madrid (AFP) – Gerard Pique called for changes from top to bottom but 65 days have passed since the humilation by Bayern Munich and Barcelona's recovery looks far from complete. Eight of the team that started the humiliation in Lisbon remain, despite Pique saying nobody should be safe. The club's president, Josep Maria Bartomeu remains […]

London (AFP) – Marcus Rashford insists Edinson Cavani will prove a valuable addition for Manchester United after the veteran Uruguay striker swapped life on the farm for the Old Trafford spotlight. Cavani signed a two-year contract worth £210,000-per-week ($271,000) on transfer deadline day and could make his debut in United's opening Champions League group game […]

Milan (AFP) – Andrea Pirlo takes his first managerial steps in the Champions League at Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday, a game which pits the fledgling Juventus coach against his vastly experienced former mentor Mircea Lucescu. Lucescu, 75, and 41-year-old Pirlo have both taken over their respective clubs this season. But while Italy footballing legend Pirlo […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea's huge transfer spend has so far failed to deliver the expected return on investment as Frank Lampard's men continue to leak goals at an alarming rate. The Blues splashed £220 million ($284 million, 242 million euros) on Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Ben Chilwell, Hakim Ziyech and Edouard Mendy, while Thiago Silva […]