Florence (Italy) (AFP) – Stephan El Shaarawy wore the Italy captain's armband for the first time, scoring a brace as an experimental Azzurri side crushed Moldova 6-0 in an international friendly in Florence on Wednesday. Roberto Mancini lined out with Italy's 'B' side as the Italians build towards next year's European championships, having failed to […]

Florence (Italy) (AFP) – Veteran striker Francesco Caputo scored on his Italy debut with Stephan El Shaarawy adding a brace as an experimental Azzurri side crushed Moldova 6-0 in an international friendly in Florence on Wednesday. Roberto Mancini lined out with Italy's 'B' side without their stars as the Italians build towards next year's European […]

New York (AFP) – The Colorado Rapids home match Wednesday against Los Angeles FC has been postponed due to an ongoing Covid-19 outbreak on the Rapids, Major League Soccer announced Wednesday. A new confirmed case of the deadly virus among a member of the team's staff prompted the league and Colorado health officials to postpone […]

Paris (AFP) – World champions France beat Ukraine 7-1 in a friendly at the Stade de France on Wednesday with new kid on the block Eduardo Camavinga and veteran Olivier Giroud doing much of the damage. The 17-year-old Camavinga put himself on the map becoming the youngest man to score for France in over a […]

Cologne (Germany) (AFP) – Kenan Karaman grabbed a last-gasp equaliser as Turkey fought back from behind three times to rescue a 3-3 draw in an international friendly on Wednesday. Stuttgart-born Karaman bundled in a late leveller to condemn Germany to a third draw in three games in a thrilling encounter in front of 300 fans […]

Lisbon (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo hit the crossbar as Portugal and Spain played out a goalless draw in a compelling friendly in Lisbon on Wednesday. Ronaldo and Renato Sanchez both struck the woodwork for Portugal, who then should have won it in injury-time only for Joao Felix to miskick at the back post. Spain were […]

London (AFP) – Arsenal and Celtic questioned self-isolation rules for their players after Stuart Armstrong's positive test for coronavirus ruled him and teammates Kieran Tierney and Ryan Christie out of Scotland's crucial Euro 2020 play-off semi-final against Israel on Thursday. The Scottish Football Association (SFA) said on advice from the Lothian Health Protection Team, Arsenal defender […]

London (AFP) – Gareth Southgate warned breaches of coronavirus restrictions will play a part in his selection of future England squads after Tammy Abraham, Jadon Sancho and Ben Chilwell were ruled out of Thursday's friendly against Wales. The trio's arrival to join up with the Southgate's squad has been delayed after attending a surprise birthday […]

Prague (AFP) – Former Czech footballer Antonin Panenka, best known for his trick penalty kick, is in intensive care in hospital with Covid-19, his former club Bohemians said on Twitter on Wednesday. "Antonín Panenka was taken to the ICU hospital today in a serious condition," said the club of which the 71-year-old is honorary president. […]

Rome (AFP) – Roma have recorded losses of over 204 million euros ($240 million) for the first six months this year largely as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the Italian club revealed on Wednesday. "The loss for the 2019-20 financial year is estimated at 204 million euros," the Serie A side said of preliminary […]

Doha (AFP) – FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Wednesday praised Qatar for pushing ahead with 2022 World Cup preparations despite the coronavirus pandemic, while the rest of the world "stood still". On a visit to Doha, during which he got into football kit to play a seven-a-side-match at the striking tent-style Al Bayt stadium, Infantino […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Bosnia and Herzegovina-born Morocco coach Vahid Halilhodzic has hailed Spaniard Munir el Haddadi and German Aymen Barkok for changing their international allegiance. Midfielder Barkok and forward El Haddadi were permitted to switch loyalties because they have Moroccan parents. "They are the type of players the national squad needs," said the coach before […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano believes Premier League B teams could form part of a revamp for the "not sustainable" English Football League (EFL). The UK government is pressuring the Premier League to come up with a rescue package for EFL clubs struggling for survival amid the coronavirus pandemic, which has […]

London (AFP) – Scottish football chiefs have announced that Stuart Armstrong, Kieran Tierney and Ryan Christie will miss Thursday's European Championship play-off semi-final against Israel after Armstrong tested positive for coronavirus. The Scottish Football Association said the Southampton midfielder had returned a negative test for Covid-19 on Monday but a supplementary UEFA test returned a […]

Milan (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo and other top Juventus players could face legal action for rejoining their national teams despite coronavirus rules after two positive cases at the Italian champions, local health authorities in Turin said on Wednesday. As well as the Portuguese star, several South Americans including Paulo Dybala, Juan Cuadrado, Danilo and Rodrigo […]