Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain's France goalkeeper Alphonse Areola has joined promoted Fulham on a one-year loan deal with an option to buy, the Ligue 1 champions announced on Wednesday. The 27-year-old, who has a contract with PSG until 2023, spent last season at Real Madrid behind Belgium number one Thibaut Courtois. Areola, who lifted […]

London (AFP) – Newcastle United said on Wednesday a Saudi-backed bid to takeover the club has now been rejected by the Premier League. The investment group, which included the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), PCP Capital Partners and billionaire brothers David and Simon Reuben, said they had withdrawn their bid for the club in July […]

London (AFP) – England will play New Zealand at Wembley for the first time in November, the Football Association (FA) announced on Wednesday. Gareth Southgate's side will take on the All Whites in a friendly on November 12 ahead of their last two Nations League group fixtures away to Belgium and at home against Iceland. […]

Soweto (South Africa) (AFP) – Kaizer Chiefs, the most successful South African club with 53 domestic titles, fired German coach Ernst Middendorp on Wednesday after he failed to win a trophy during 22 months in charge. Soweto-based Chiefs squandered a 13-point lead in the recently completed 2019/2020 league season with a draw against lowly Baroka […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United women's team announced the double signing of US forwards Tobin Heath and Christen Press on Wednesday. The pair, both two-time World Cup winners, have joined the Women's Super League club on contracts until the end of 2020/21, subject to obtaining work permits. Winger Heath, 32, has been with Portland Thorns […]

London (AFP) – Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has pledged to resolve the competition's Chinese television rights issue as soon as possible. The Premier League terminated its contract with Chinese broadcaster PPTV earlier in September after a dispute over a missed payment. PPTV agreed a reported $700 million deal for the right to broadcast […]

London (AFP) – Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has warned it is "critical" to get fans back into stadiums soon, but a spike in coronavirus cases has forced the British government to review plans to reopen venues from October 1. The Premier League was forced to finish last season with the final 92 matches […]

Rennes (France) (AFP) – Rennes admitted on Wednesday that they were in talks with Chelsea over the transfer of Edouard Mendy, as the Premier League club look to continue their summer spending spree by bagging the Senegal goalkeeper. Frank Lampard's Blues have already splashed out almost £200 million (220.2 million euros) in the close season […]

Copenhagen (AFP) – Former Chelsea and Ghana star Michael Essien has joined the coaching staff at Danish top-flight side FC Nordsjaelland, the club announced on Wednesday. "He has agreed to be part of the club's management staff for the season to come, with the title of player-coach, under the guidance of head coach Flemming Pedersen," […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Lionel Messi was back in full training with Barcelona on Wednesday for the first time since conceding defeat in his battle to leave the club. Unlike Monday, when the 33-year-old Argentine superstar had to train alone under La Liga's coronavirus protocol, he joined up with the rest of the squad in the […]

Cairo (AFP) – The sports ministry said Wednesday it has referred a probe into a missing African Cup of Nations trophy which Egypt has possessed since 2010 to the prosecutor general after a string of explosive allegations. "The ministry of youth and sports has referred the file of the loss of some important silverware from […]

London (AFP) – Sheffield United have sealed their fourth signing in a week after West Bromwich Albion winger Oliver Burke moved to Bramall Lane in exchange for Callum Robinson. Scotland international Burke agreed a three-year contract with the Premier League club. He is the Blades' latest new arrival after deals for Derby defenders Jayden Bogle […]

Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain resume Ligue 1 duties on Thursday shorn of a clutch of their most prized coronavirus-quarantined stars and facing the daunting task of four games in 11 days. The delayed season-opening trip to Lens could not have come at a worse time for coach Thomas Tuchel and his players as they […]

Paris (AFP) – After watching from the sidelines as Kylian Mbappe earned France a 1-0 win in Sweden over the weekend, Eduardo Camavinga eclipsed even the Paris Saint-Germain star Tuesday as he became the country's youngest player since 1914 against Croatia. Camavinga, aged 17 years and nine months, replaced N'Golo Kante in the second half […]

London (AFP) – David Beckham's eSports company hopes to raise £20 million by listing its shares on the London Stock Exchange as it bids to become a leading force in the booming industry. Guild Esports plans to set up and field dedicated teams to compete in four online games — Fortnite, CS:Go, Rocket League and […]