Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain winger Angel Di Maria received a four-match ban on Wednesday for spitting during this month's fiery Marseille game which saw five players red-carded and claims by Neymar of racial abuse. Di Maria's suspension meted out by Ligue 1's disciplinary commission was for spitting at Marseille defender Alvaro Gonzalez. It takes […]

London (AFP) – Wrexham of the National League may lack stars on the field, but could soon have two world famous names in the boardroom after actors Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds were revealed as the two people interested in buying the club. A takeover has been backed by over 95 percent of Wrexham Supporters […]

The Hague (AFP) – Frank de Boer has been appointed as the Netherlands' new coach, the Royal Dutch Football Federation (KNVB) announced on Wednesday. The third-most capped Dutch player of all time, De Boer replaces Ronald Koeman who resigned earlier this year to take the reins at Barcelona, and caretaker coach Dwight Lodeweges. "The 50-year-old […]

London (AFP) – Marcus Rashford said he is "more determined than ever" to eradicate child food poverty and called on people to put football rivalry to one side after receiving the backing of Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. The 22-year-old Manchester United and England striker has formed a task force along with some of the […]

N'Djamena (AFP) – Sudan beat hosts Chad 3-2 Wednesday in the first international in Africa since last November, with the coronavirus forcing the suspension of virtually all football in the continent soon after. The countries will play a second friendly match in Chadian capital N'Djamena this Friday as they prepare for the resumption of 2021 […]

Berlin (AFP) – The German FA (DFB) said Wednesday they have warned Bayern Munich and Schalke after senior officials of both clubs sat bunched together for the opening game of the season despite rising numbers of Covid-19 in Munich. Bayern routed Schalke 8-0 last Friday behind closed doors at the Allianz Arena – the highest […]

London (AFP) – West Ham co-owner David Sullivan said he has been left feeling "depressed" after facing strong criticism from fans over a lack of spending in the transfer market. The signing of Czech midfielder Tomas Soucek, who spent the second half of last season on loan at the club, on a permanent deal for […]

Madrid (AFP) – Luis Suarez left his last Barcelona training session in tears on Wednesday as he prepares for a move to La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid. Spanish television channel Gol showed the Uruguayan striker wiping away tears with his sleeve as he drove off after saying his last goodbyes. Suarez had become close friends […]

Budapest (AFP) – Bayern Munich head coach Hansi Flick has played down the risk of Thursday's UEFA Super Cup clash with Sevilla becoming a super spreader event despite host city Budapest being designated a coronavirus risk zone. "After all, I live in Munich which is almost a corona hotspot," Flick said Wednesday with numbers of […]

London (AFP) – Jose Mourinho said he was "convinced" midfielder Dele Alli will still be at Tottenham when the transfer window closes next month, challenging the England international to prove his worth. The midfielder, who has been left out of the past two games, has been linked with a loan move to Paris Saint-Germain in […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders believes new signing Diogo Jota will have no problem making his mark at the club despite some surprise at the reported £41 million fee ($54 million) the English champions paid Wolves for the Portuguese international. Jota, 23, scored 44 goals in 131 games for Wolves and has […]

Paris (AFP) – Lawmakers in France have agreed in principle to allow larger crowds into stadiums in areas where the coronavirus is less prevalent and if venues are big enough, in what has been called a "common sense" move. At the moment attendances at sports events are capped at 5,000, but are limited to 1,000 […]

London (AFP) – The English Football League (EFL) and Football Association (FA) warned on Wednesday that the delay in bringing back crowds for up to six months will have a devastating impact on the game's finances. A plan to bring fans back into English sports venues on a socially distanced basis from October 1 has […]

Tokyo (AFP) – Kazuyoshi Miura, the 53-year-old Japanese footballer known as "King Kazu", proved Wednesday he was worthy of his crown after setting another record in a J-League first-division match. Miura was in the starting line-up for Yokohama FC's clash against Kawasaki Frontale, and at 53 years, six months and 28 days old easily smashed […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho expects Dele Alli still to be at the Premier League club when the transfer window shuts next month, confirming he is in the squad for this week's Europa League fixture. The England midfielder, who has been left out of the past two games, has been linked with a […]