Madrid (AFP) – Lionel Messi's former Barcelona coach Luis Enrique, now the boss of Spain, suggested on Saturday the club should have allowed the Argentina forward to leave. "It's a sensitive issue," said Luis Enrique, ahead of Spain's game against Ukraine on Sunday. "I think clubs are above every player. Barcelona was founded in 1899 and […]

London (AFP) – Scotland's Nations League trip to the Czech Republic on Monday will go ahead as planned, with the hosts fielding an entirely new squad of players and coaches due to coronavirus concerns. The Czech football association (FACR) initially said they were postponing the match after beating Slovakia 3-1 on Friday. However, after UEFA […]

Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain's Spain goalkeeper Sergio Rico, who is the understudy to Keylor Navas, has done a u-turn on his decision to quit the club, the French champions announced Saturday. The 27-year-old, twice a Europa League winner with Sevilla who also spent a season on loan at Fulham, touched down in the French […]

Shanghai (AFP) – Cameroon forward John Mary and his club Shenzhen FC alleged on Saturday that he was racially abused during a Chinese Super League match against Shanghai Shenhua. Mary alleged that the abuse came from the Shenhua bench and Shenzhen have made a complaint to the Chinese Football Association, a source said. The 27-year-old […]

London (AFP) – Everton secured the first of an expected trio of midfield signings on Saturday with the arrival of Brazilian international Allan on a three-year deal from Napoli for a reported £22 million ($29 million). The 29-year-old is reunited with Toffees boss Carlo Ancelotti, with whom he worked at the Serie A club. Everton […]

London (AFP) – Scotland's Nations League clash with the Czech Republic on Monday will go ahead as planned, UEFA said on Saturday despite the Czechs appearing to call the game off due to concerns over the spread of coronavirus in their squad. After beating Slovakia 3-1 on Friday, the Czech football association said the squad […]

Madrid (AFP) – Lionel Messi's grudging acceptance that he will have to stay put at Barcelona after losing his stand-off with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu has left the Argentine superstar's future still in doubt. The 33-year-old, who was absent from Barcelona training on Saturday the day after announcing he would reluctantly stay at the club, […]

Madrid (AFP) – Lionel Messi is staying at Barcelona but for how long? Messi can negotiate with other teams from January 1 and leave next summer, when his contract expires and this time he really will be able to go for free. Until then, Barca have to find a way to re-integrate the club's greatest […]

Madrid (AFP) – The alarms are ringing and Luka Modric is running because soon the bombs are coming. He is eight years old, wearing full kit and boots, and he has a football under his arm. When he arrives at the underground shelter, the rest of his team-mates jogging in behind him, he has to wait. […]

Rosario (Argentina) (AFP) – Rosario had dared to dream but was left disappointed after the Argentine city's most celebrated son Lionel Messi announced he was staying at Barcelona. When Messi told the Spanish giants last week he wanted to quit the club, some back in his home town and at Newell's Old Boys, the club […]

London (AFP) – The Czech Republic football association said on Friday that their Nations League clash against Scotland, due to take place on Monday, has been postponed due to coronavirus concerns. West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek and Roma's Patrik Schick missed Friday's 3-1 win over Slovakia after being forced to self-isolate after coming into contact […]

London (AFP) – Dani Ceballos has rejoined Arsenal for a second season on loan from Real Madrid, the Premier League club announced on Friday. The Spanish international scored two goals in 36 appearances for the Gunners last season, helping Mikel Arteta's side win the FA Cup. "Dani was an integral part of our team last season […]

London (AFP) – Steven Bergwijn ensured the Netherlands did not feel the absence of recently departed coach Ronald Koeman to beat Poland 1-0 in the Nations League, while Italy were held 1-1 by Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday. Koeman left to take charge of Barcelona last month, less than a year before he was due […]

Florence (Italy) (AFP) – Italy's all-time record run of consecutive wins came to an end on Friday with a 1-1 draw in their opening UEFA Nations League match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Roberto Mancini's side had won their last 11 matches coming into the clash at the all-but empty Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence, with […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea took their summer spending spree to nearly £200 million with the signing of German international Kai Havertz from Bayer Leverkusen on a five-year deal on Friday. Havertz's arrival at Stamford Bridge for a reported £71 million ($94 million) is the Blues' latest statement of intent as they seek to cut the […]