Bellinzona (Switzerland) (AFP) – FIFA on Wednesday put the cost of Covid-19 on football around the world at $11 billion in lost revenue. The pandemic has already led to over 150 football associations to seek financial help from the $1.5 billion emergency relief fund set up by football's governing body. Olli Rehn, chairman of FIFA's […]

London (AFP) – Gareth Bale is "close" to sealing a sensational move back to Tottenham but the deal is "complicated", Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett said on Wednesday. The Wales international has been frozen out by Real manager Zinedine Zidane and he said earlier this month he was open to returning to the Premier League. Manchester […]

London (AFP) – Aston Villa announced the signing of Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez on Wednesday for a reported fee of £20 million ($26 million). The 28-year-old Argentine, who has signed a four-year deal, helped Arsenal to FA Cup victory last season and Community Shield glory last month but faced playing second fiddle to Bernd Leno […]

London (AFP) – Gareth Bale is "close" to a sealing a sensational move back to Tottenham but the deal is "complicated", Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett said on Wednesday. The Wales international has been frozen out by Real manager Zinedine Zidane and he said earlier this month he was open to returning to the Premier League. […]

Diwaniyah (Iraq) (AFP) – With Iraqi government coffers running perilously low, state-sponsored football clubs are exploring private investments for the first time — and Diwaniyah F.C. is leading the way. Hussein al-Ankoushi, a 33-year-old lawyer and businessman, returned to his southern hometown of Diwaniyah in 2019 to build up its local club after years in […]

Madrid (AFP) – Japan forward Yoshinori Muto has signed a one-year loan deal with Eibar from Newcastle, the La Liga club announced on Wednesday. "Eibar and Newcastle have reached an agreement for Japanese striker Yoshinori Muto to join the Gunsmiths on loan until the end of the season," the Basques said in a statement. "The […]

London (AFP) – Gareth Bale's agent says the Real Madrid forward is "close" to a move back to Tottenham but admitted it is a complicated deal to thrash out. The Wales international has been frozen out by Real manager Zinedine Zidane and said earlier this month that he was open to returning to the Premier […]

London (AFP) – Aston Villa announced the signing of Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez on Wednesday for a reported fee of £20 million ($26 million). The 28-year-old Argentine, who has signed a four-year deal, helped Arsenal to FA Cup victory last season and Community Shield glory last month but faced playing second fiddle to Bernd Leno. […]

Berlin (AFP) – Japan forward Daichi Kamada has extended his contract with Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt until June 2023, it was announced Wednesday. The 24-year-old, who joined Frankfurt in 2017, made his breakthrough last season by scoring 10 goals in 48 games as an attacking midfie blder or centre forward. He netted both goals in […]

Shanghai (AFP) – Aaron Mooy said that he hadn't even expected to get on the pitch after the former Premier League midfielder scored just 25 minutes into his debut in China. The Australian international celebrated his 30th birthday with the winner in Shanghai SIPG's 2-1 victory over Wuhan Zall in the Chinese Super League. "I've […]

Sao Paulo (AFP) – Brazil's government sent its support to Neymar Tuesday after he was red-carded for a fight in a Ligue 1 match in France, condemning the "racism" that triggered the brawl. The Paris Saint-Germain star is facing punishment by the French league's disciplinary commission after slapping defender Alvaro Gonzalez near the end of […]

Berlin (AFP) – European champions Bayern Munich begin the hunt for a ninth-straight Bundesliga title on Friday, but while their rivals ponder how to break their iron grip on the German league, the Bavarian giants have pressing issues to resolve on the eve of the new season. Bayern host Schalke at the Allianz Arena to […]

London (AFP) – Sebastien Haller eased West Ham's woes with a double in their 3-0 victory over Charlton in the League Cup second round, while Crystal Palace were knocked out by Bournemouth after a marathon penalty shoot-out on Tuesday. French striker Haller scored twice in four minutes midway through the first half and Felipe Anderson […]

Lyon (AFP) – Memphis Depay scored what might be his farewell goal for Lyon on Tuesday in a 2-1 Ligue 1 defeat at Montpellier which could be his final match before a rumoured move to Barcelona. Netherlands attacker Depay smashed home a penalty with eight minutes left as 10-man Lyon failed to claw back a […]

London (AFP) – Gareth Bale's agents are talking to Tottenham about a deal that would see the Real Madrid forward return to his former club. Bale has been frozen out by Real manager Zinedine Zidane and the Wales star said earlier this month that he was open to joining a Premier League side. It had […]