Paris (AFP) – Jose Luis Gaya's late goal gave Spain a 1-1 draw away in Germany on Thursday as the start of the UEFA Nations League marked the return of international football in Europe following a hiatus of 10 months due to the coronavirus pandemic. Valencia defender Gaya was on hand to score from close […]

Stuttgart (Germany) (AFP) – Jose Luis Gaya snatched a late point for Spain in their 1-1 UEFA Nations League draw with Germany in Stuttgart, as Barcelona starlet Ansu Fati became second youngest player to ever play for 'La Roja'. Germany were seconds away from victory in the League A, Group 4 clash after Chelsea's new […]

Sofia (AFP) – Captain Shane Duffy's injury-time header ensured Stephen Kenny's first match as Republic of Ireland manager did not end in defeat as the visitors' salvaged a 1-1 draw in Bulgaria to start their Nations League campaign. Kenny's debut looked destined to end in a disappointing defeat until central defender Duffy, who this week […]

Berlin (AFP) – Veteran striker Vedad Ibisevic joined Schalke on a free transfer from Hertha Berlin on Thursday and then announced he would donate his salary to charity. The 36-year-old Bosnia and Herzegovina forward signed a one-year contract, boosting David Wagner's Schalke squad having scored 127 goals in 340 Bundesliga appearances for Hertha, Hoffenheim, Stuttgart […]

Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday announced "three new positive cases" of Covid-19 in their squad, a day after Neymar and two teammates were revealed to have contracted the virus, casting serious doubt over the start of their season in France. "The latest Sars CoV2 tests carried out on the Paris Saint-Germain playing staff […]

Berlin (AFP) – All 36 clubs in Germany's top two football leagues are preparing plans to welcome back small number of home fans when the new 2020/21 Bundesliga season starts on September 18, the league's chief revealed Thursday. "All the clubs have prepared documents and are in talks with the (health) authorities," said Christian Seifert, […]

London (AFP) – Leicester signed Belgian international full-back Timothy Castagne from Atalanta on Thursday for a reported £21.5 million ($29 million). Castagne, 24, has won seven caps for Belgium and can operate on either side of defence. He played 33 times for Atalanta last season as the Bergamo-based side finished third in Serie A for […]

Amsterdam (AFP) – The Netherlands' UEFA Nations League opener against Poland will be the start of a new era for the Dutch after coach Ronald Koeman jumped ship for his "dream job" at Barcelona. The 'Oranje', one of Europe's most exciting international teams, take on Robert Lewandowski and company in the League A, Group 1 clash […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Andrew Robertson has set his sights on reviving struggling Scotland after ending Liverpool's 30-year wait to win the English title. Robertson was part of the Liverpool side that won the Premier League last season and the Scotland left-back hopes he can enjoy a breakthrough moment with his country as well. Scotland have […]

London (AFP) – Former England striker Gary Lineker has agreed to host a refugee to live in his home after criticising the British government's response to migrants crossing the English Channel. Lineker, who finished as the top scorer at the 1986 World Cup, recently slammed the government's approach to refugees as "heartless" and lacking in […]

Lisbon (AFP) – The trial of Rui Pinto, the man behind the "Football Leaks" that exposed shady dealings by leading clubs, players and agents, begins on Friday in Lisbon, with the hacker facing 90 charges. The accusations include attempted blackmail, computer hacking, breach of correspondence and data theft. "I hope to be acquitted because I […]

London (AFP) – The Premier League terminated a lucrative broadcasting contract with its licensee in China on Thursday, dealing a further blow to the English top-flight as clubs adjust to heavy losses as a result of the coronavirus. Streaming service PPTV agreed a reported $700 million (£524 million) deal for the right to broadcast all […]

London (AFP) – England men's and women's senior players have been paid the same match fee for representing their country since January 2020, the Football Association confirmed on Thursday. Brazil on Wednesday joined Australia, Norway and New Zealand on the list of football associations who had publicly committed to paying their men and women players […]

London (AFP) – The Premier League announced on Thursday it was pulling the plug on a lucrative television rights contract with Chinese broadcaster PPTV after a dispute over a missed payment. PPTV agreed a reported $700 million (£523 million) deal for the right to broadcast all 380 Premier League matches per season from 2019 to […]

London (AFP) – Reports of discrimination in English professional football rose by 42 percent last season, according to campaign group Kick It Out. The charity's report for the 2019/20 season shows complaints about abuse rose to 446 from 313 in 2018/19 even though some games were played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic. […]