Shanghai (AFP) – Beijing Guoan pulled Kim Min-jae out of a pre-match press conference on Tuesday with the South Korean international defender strongly linked with a move to England or Italy. Jose Mourinho's Tottenham Hotspur and Lazio are prime among those said to be chasing the 23-year-old centre back, who is nicknamed "Monster" because of […]

Asuncion (AFP) – Former Brazil star Ronaldinho was released Monday by a Paraguayan judge after five months in detention over a forged passport. Judge Gustavo Amarilla also released Ronaldinho's brother Roberto de Assis Moreira, who also had been held for a month in jail and another four months under house arrest in a hotel in […]

Soweto (South Africa) (AFP) – Themba Zwane came off the bench to score a stoppage-time winner for Mamelodi Sundowns Monday and revive their flagging hopes of a South African Premiership title hat-trick. The attacking midfielder, who turned 31 this month, struck a cross into the net on 91 minutes to earn the 2016 African champions […]

Paris (AFP) – Paris police on Monday banned "parades and gatherings linked" to the Champions League, urging fans not to gather at the Parc des Princes to greet Paris Saint-Germain players upon their return later in the day. The ban will be in force "from 14.30 (1230 GMT) on Monday until 06.00 on Tuesday" and […]

London (AFP) – Leicester midfielder James Maddison has signed a new four-year contract to end talk of a move away from the King Power Stadium, the Premier League club announced on Monday. Maddison had been linked with a switch to Manchester United, but the England international has agreed to extend his stay at Leicester after […]

Munich (Germany) (AFP) – Champions League winners Bayern Munich returned to Bavaria on Monday after clinching the side's second treble but celebrations will be without their fans due to the coronavirus pandemic. Midfielder Thiago Alcantara was the first off the plane, Manuel Neuer carried the trophy as Robert Lewandowski wore sunglasses, all wearing t-shirts adorned […]

Asuncion (AFP) – After six months under arrest in Paraguay, former Brazil football star Ronaldinho was set for a hearing on Monday on charges of travelling with false documents, according to judicial sources. Judge Gustavo Amarilla is due to start the hearing in Asuncion at 14:00 local time (1800 GMT). Ronaldinho's brother Roberto has also been […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said on Monday his club hold no grudges against UEFA after the bitter battle to overturn their Champions League ban. European football's governing body hit City with a two-season suspension from continental competitions in February for alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play rules but the ban […]

London (AFP) – Newcastle signed former Burnley midfielder Jeff Hendrick on a free transfer on Monday. Hendrick agreed a four-year contract with the Premier League club after leaving Turf Moor when his deal expired at the end of last season. The 28-year-old Republic of Ireland international made 139 appearances for the Clarets following his move […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Al Ahly may be on course for a record-extending 42nd Egyptian Premier League title, but the bragging rights in Cairo on Monday belonged to fierce rivals Zamalek. The White Knights defeated the Red Devils 3-1 at the weekend thanks to goals from Mostafa Mohamed and Osama Faisal after Yassir Ibrahim of Ahly […]

Madrid (AFP) – Newly-appointed Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman said on Monday he plans to take inspiration from former boss Johan Cruyff. Koeman, who was named as replacement for the sacked Quique Setien last week, played under club and Netherlands legend Cruyff for six years at the Camp Nou as the Catalans won four La Liga […]

Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain's Spain goalkeeper Sergio Rico, who was the understudy to Keylor Navas, said Monday he had quit the club, a day after their defeat in the Champions League final. "It's been an honor to share goals and dreams with my friend @keylornavas1 in this competition, as well as with the rest of all […]

Paris (AFP) – More than 150 people were arrested as Paris Saint-Germain fans set cars ablaze, smashed shop windows and clashed with police in the French capital after their team's Champions League final defeat to Bayern Munich, police said Monday. The violence occurred around the Parc des Princes stadium and on the Champs-Elysees avenue during […]

Lisbon (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain will look back at their narrow defeat by Bayern Munich in Sunday's Champions League final in Lisbon and wonder what might have been, while also stealing themselves to come back stronger in Europe's elite club competition in a new season which is already starting. Kingsley Coman's second-half goal decided the […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich are already fighting to stop their treble-winning squad breaking up in the wake of their Champions League triumph despite sweeping all before them in Europe this season. The German giants partied through the night in Lisbon after Kingsley Coman's second-half header – Bayern's 500th Champions League goal – sealed a […]