Madrid (AFP) – Marcelo celebrated by taking a knee as Real Madrid returned from three months away following the coronavirus suspension by beating Eibar 3-1 on Sunday. After scoring Madrid's third goal in the 37th minute, Marcelo dropped onto his left knee and raised his clinched right fist into the air, apparently in support of […]

Paris (AFP) – Football returned to Spain and Italy, two of the countries worst affected by the coronavirus pandemic, this weekend after a three-month shutdown while the German season is approaching the finish line after setting the example for other leagues to follow. AFP Sport looks at five talking points from this weekend's action across […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayer Leverkusen moved back into the Bundesliga's Champions League places with a 1-1 draw on Sunday at injury-hit Schalke, who set a new club record of 13 league games without a win. The result leaves Schalke winless since January's 2-0 victory at home to Moenchengladbach, as they drop to ninth in the […]

Madrid (AFP) – Eden Hazard had an ice pack strapped to his troublesome right ankle on Sunday after being substituted in the second half of Real Madrid's La Liga match against Eibar. Hazard was playing for the first time since February after undergoing surgery on that same ankle in March. Madrid led Eibar 3-1 when […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid defender Marcelo took the knee after scoring against Eibar on Sunday, in an apparent show of support for the Black Lives Matter movement. After scoring Madrid's third goal towards the end of the first half, Marcelo dropped down onto his left knee and raised a clenched right fist in the […]

Mainz (Germany) (AFP) – Nigerian forward Taiwo Awoniyi was hospitalised with a severe concussion after a nasty clash of heads during Mainz's 1-0 loss to Augsburg in Sunday's Bundesliga relegation battle. Liverpool loanee Awoniyi, 22, was left briefly motionless after landing awkwardly following an aerial collision with Augsburg defender Felix Uduokhai in the first half. […]

Mainz (Germany) (AFP) – Bundesliga club Mainz 05 said Nigerian winger Taiwo Awoniyi, on loan from Liverpool, was taken to hospital for checks after suffering a serious head injury in Sunday's relegation battle at home to Augsburg. The 22-year-old was briefly motionless after landing awkwardly following a clash of heads with Augsburg defender Felix Uduokhai […]

Madrid (AFP) – Diego Costa scored his first goal since October but Atletico Madrid missed the chance to move into La Liga's top four by drawing 1-1 away at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday. Costa celebrated by holding up the shirt of Virgina Torrecilla, a player from Atletico's women's team, who underwent surgery on a brain […]

Berlin (AFP) – Hertha Berlin coach Bruno Labbadia says they are in no hurry to give a Bundesliga debut to new recruit Lucas Tousart, who has barely played since scoring for Lyon against Juventus in the Champions League in February. "We must not forget that he hasn't played a game for well over two and […]

London (AFP) – Sheffield United defender Chris Basham fears the introduction of the five substitutes rule for the rest of the season will favour the Premier League's big clubs. Chris Wilder's side are pushing for an unexpected place in the Champions League as the English top-flight season resumes on Wednesday with the Blades' trip to […]

Madrid (AFP) – La Liga have said they will launch criminal proceedings against the pitch invader who ran on during Barcelona's match against Real Mallorca on Saturday, which was supposed to be behind closed doors. In the 52nd minute of Barca's 4-0 win at Son Moix, a man wearing an Argentina shirt with Lionel Messi's […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham defender Ben Davies has urged his team-mates to make a fast start when they restart their Premier League campaign on Friday. Jose Mourinho's side face a vital showdown with Manchester United in north London in their first game since the coronavirus lockdown in March. Tottenham go into the game in eighth […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Tanzania this weekend became the first African country to resume a national league suspended during March because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Young Africans, who have been champions a record 22 times, won 1-0 away to Mwadui and Coastal Union overcame a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 with visiting Namungo Saturday. Runaway […]

Paris (AFP) – Stakeholders across rugby meet on Monday as the first steps towards revising the sport's calendar are made, while a senior figure in the French game has warned against too much change. In May, World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said plans to align fixtures in the northern and southern hemispheres were underway. But […]

London (AFP) – When the 100 day-wait for Premier League football comes to an end on Wednesday, the anticipation will be felt as keenly in Mumbai and Beijing as in Manchester and Birmingham. The global reach of the English top-flight has helped secure its position as the wealthiest league in world football. The Premier League's […]