Paris (AFP) – Less than six weeks Bayern Munich won last season's delayed final behind closed doors, the draw for the group stage of the next Champions League takes place on Thursday with the threat of the coronavirus pandemic again hanging over the competition. Bayern were crowned European champions for the sixth time after beating […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Lionel Messi called for "an end" to arguments at Barcelona as he urged unity at the club he tried to leave before the season. The Barcelona captain spoke to Barcelona newspaper Sport in an interview published online late on Tuesday. "After so many disagreements, I would like to put an end to […]

London (AFP) – Jose Mourinho believes players are being put in danger by the football authorities after Tottenham beat Chelsea 5-4 on penalties to progress to the quarter-finals of the League Cup after a 1-1 draw. Mourinho's men were playing the second of four games in eight days in three different competitions. Eric Dier was the […]

London (AFP) – Mason Mount missed the final spot-kick as Tottenham beat Chelsea 5-4 on penalties to progress to the quarter-finals of the League Cup after a 1-1 draw. Timo Werner's first goal for Chelsea put Frank Lampard's men in command against a much-changed Tottenham team playing the second of four games in eight days. […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City announced the signing of Portuguese international centre-back Ruben Dias on a six-year deal from Benfica on Tuesday. Benfica on Sunday confirmed they had reached an agreement to sell Dias for 68 million euros (£62 million, $79 million) plus an extra 3.6 million euros in potential bonuses, with Nicolas Otamendi heading […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United's first formal bid to bring Jadon Sancho back to the Premier League worth up to 100 million euros (£91 million, $117 million) has been rejected by Borussia Dortmund, Sky Sports reported on Tuesday. Sancho, 20, has been a long-term transfer target for United as they look to build on finishing […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara has tested positive for coronavirus, the Premier League champions confirmed on Tuesday. The 29-year-old, who joined from Bayern Munich this month, missed Monday's 3-1 win over Arsenal and will now self-isolate. "Thiago Alcantara has tested positive for Covid-19 and is currently self-isolating according to the necessary guidelines," Liverpool […]

Madrid (AFP) – Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone on Tuesday dismissed suggestions that he would not play Diego Costa and Luis Suarez together. The 33-year-old forward Suarez joined Atletico after six seasons at Barcelona with Costa, 31, saying he welcomed the arrival but would fight for his place in the side. "Of course they can […]

Paris (AFP) – The transfer window will slam shut around Europe next Monday, October 5, after clubs were given an extended period to do deals as a result of the long coronavirus shutdown. While the market has been quieter than usual due to the pandemic, AFP Sport looks at some names who could still make […]

London (AFP) – Fulham coach Scott Parker said on Tuesday he was "disappointed" owner Tony Khan had apologised for his team's performance after their 3-0 Premier League defeat by Aston Villa. Khan tweeted his apologies following Monday's result at Craven Cottage, which leaves newly promoted Fulham pointless after three games, promising to bring in reinforcements […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said on Tuesday Belgium's Eden Hazard is set to return to play after missing the opening two games of the La Liga season with an ankle problem. Hazard last played for the Spanish champions in August's Champions League loss at Manchester City in his first campaign at […]

London (AFP) – Hector Bellerin said Arsenal are building a new identity under Mikel Arteta and will not be knocked off course by setbacks such as Monday's 3-1 defeat at Liverpool. The London side enjoyed just 34 per cent of possession at Anfield, finding it difficult to play out from the back against the champions' […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United great Roy Keane rarely came off second best in a tackle but the outspoken TV pundit was forced to backtrack after Jurgen Klopp took him to task for labelling Liverpool "sloppy" following Monday's 3-1 win over Arsenal. Klopp jumped on Keane's observation after his team's victory, which maintained the champions' […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – US Monastir ended a 97-year pursuit of a Tunisian trophy by shocking treble-seeking Esperance 2-0 to win the FA Cup final. The unanticipated triumph completed a memorable season for the club from the Mediterranean tourist resort, who finished third in the league behind Esperance and CS Sfaxien. Third place secured Monastir […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid will all be hoping to build on their first wins of the season as La Liga heads into its fourth round of games this week. Here, AFP looks at five talking points ahead of the midweek fixtures. – Fati could be essential for Koeman – For […]