London (AFP) – Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen has agreed to extend his contract until the end of the season, the Premier League club announced on Monday. The Belgium international was due to leave Spurs on June 30. Goalkeeper Michel Vorm has also signed an extension to his deal. A number of players out on loan, […]

Paris (AFP) – A brilliant goal from Ivorian Nicolas Pepe was not enough to prevent Arsenal becoming the first club to lose twice since the English Premier League restarted after the coronavirus shutdown. Brighton recovered to win 2-1 on England's south coast and leave the Gunners with a little hope of a top-four finish and […]

London (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool cannot force rhythm out of thin air after a frustrating Merseyside derby delayed their Premier League coronation. Despite having 70 percent possession at Goodison Park on Sunday, the champions-elect managed just three shots on target, the same number as Everton, on their return to action after three months' […]

Tokyo (AFP) – Up to 5,000 fans will be able to attend Japanese football and baseball games from July 10, officials said Monday as the sports inch towards normality after coronavirus suspensions. The heads of Nippon Professional Baseball and football's J-League announced the move at a joint press appearance after consultations with infection experts. "We […]

London (AFP) – Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says his players must learn to control their emotions after they reacted angrily following an injury to goalkeeper Bernd Leno in Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Brighton. Neal Maupay scored a late winner to give relegation-threatened Albion a vital three points and condemn Arsenal to their second defeat since […]

Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain are still optimistic they can win the Champions League for the first time when the tournament is played out in Lisbon in August, even if the coronavirus crisis has left the Qatar-owned club apparently weakened both on the field and off it. The decision to bring an early end to […]

Milan (AFP) – Atalanta, inspired by the message "I will be reborn, you will be reborn", brought Serie A football back to Bergamo in style on Sunday following the coronavirus lockdown with a 4-1 victory over Sassuolo as Inter Milan enjoyed a 2-1 victory against Sampdoria. Bergamo was badly hit by the virus, with the […]

Milan (AFP) – Serie A made its comeback this weekend following a break brought about by a coronavirus crisis that hit Italy especially hard, with Atalanta back thrilling fans and Romelu Lukaku continuing his brilliant debut season for Inter Milan. Here, AFP Sport looks at five of the key moments from the first round of […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid knocked Barcelona off the top of La Liga by beating Real Sociedad 2-1 on Sunday as Sergio Ramos rolled in another penalty before being forced off due to injury. Karim Benzema continued his excellent form by adding a second at Anoeta and while Mikel Merino gave Real Sociedad hope with […]

Milan (AFP) – Atalanta, inspired by the message "I will be reborn, you will be reborn", brought Serie A football back to Bergamo in style on Sunday following the coronavirus lockdown with a 4-1 victory over Sassuolo as Inter Milan enjoyed a 2-1 victory against Sampdoria. Bergamo was badly hit by the virus, with the […]

Brøndby (Denmark) (AFP) – For 41-year-old Chris, it was "the best experience of my life". Marriage, fatherhood, highly-paid new job? No. He was referring to the opportunity to finally attend a Danish league football game along with 3,000 others for the Brondby v Copenhagen clash on Sunday. "After three months without a stadium, this return […]

Milan (AFP) – Atalanta, inspired by the message "I will be reborn, you will be reborn", brought Serie A football back to Bergamo in style on Sunday following the coronavirus lockdown with a 4-1 victory over Sassuolo. Bergamo was badly hit by the virus and the region was at the epicentre of Italy's COVID-19 crisis. […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Liverpool will need favours from Manchester City to clinch a first Premier League title in 30 years this week after being held to a 0-0 draw by Everton in a Merseyside derby without the usual fervour behind closed doors on Sunday. Everton came the closest to breaking the deadlock as Tom Davies […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool's title celebrations were delayed as Jurgen Klopp's side were held 0-0 by Merseyside rivals Everton, Olivier Giroud sent a warning to incoming Chelsea forward Timo Werner, and Newcastle's Joelinton finally scored at St James' Park. Here, AFP Sport looks at five talking points from Sunday's action in the Premier League: Alexander-Arnold's […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk said the English champions-elect are just happy to be back on the field again despite seeing their title party delayed by a 0-0 draw at Everton on Sunday. The Reds extended their advantage at the top of the table to 22 points, but will need Manchester City […]