Los Angeles (AFP) – The United States Soccer Federation said Wednesday it has scrapped a controversial policy banning players from kneeling during the national anthem. In a statement, US Soccer said the rule introduced in 2017 was wrong, and reflected a failure of the federation to address the concerns of black people and minorities. The […]

London (AFP) – The Premier League will return after a 100-day stoppage on June 17, cramming the remaining 92 games of the season into just five-and-a-half weeks. A deluge of football may be welcomed by fans starved of live action for three months. But it is expected to take a heavy toll on players hit […]

Rome (AFP) – This week's Italian Cup semi-final, second leg matches were set to bring football back to a nation emerging from the coronavirus crisis, but with two days until the scheduled kick-off the two matches are still awaiting government approval. Juventus' home clash with AC Milan on Friday was supposed be the first competitive […]

Munich (Germany) (AFP) – Bayern Munich remain on course for the double after the Bundesliga leaders squeezed past Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 in Wednesday's German Cup semi-final behind closed doors, with both teams supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. Bayern's early goal by Ivan Perisic was cancelled out by a second-half equaliser from Frankfurt's Danny da […]

Munich (Germany) (AFP) – Bayern Munich remain on course for the double after the Bundesliga leaders squeezed past Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 in Wednesday's German Cup semi-final behind closed doors, with both teams supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. Bayern's early goal by Ivan Perisic was cancelled out by an equaliser from Frankfurt's Danny da Costa, […]

London (AFP) – Sheffield United captain Billy Sharp and vice-captain Oliver Norwood have both have signed new contracts, the Premier League club announced Wednesday. Sharp, a striker who has scored 93 goals in 197 appearances during his third spell with the Yorkshire side, has agreed a two-year deal to keep him at Bramall Lane until […]

Munich (Germany) (AFP) – Eintracht Frankfurt wore playing shirts supporting the Black Lives Matter movement in Wednesday's German Cup semi-final, while opponents Bayern Munich warmed up in T-shirts bearing the same anti-racism message. "Our team and the whole of Eintracht Frankfurt are united against all forms of racism and we want to show that publicly […]

London (AFP) – Just one positive case was recorded from the Premier League's latest round of coronavirus testing of players and staff with a week to go before the season restarts. "The Premier League can today confirm that on Monday 8 June and Tuesday 9 June, 1,213 players and club staff were tested for COVID-19. Of […]

Berlin (AFP) – Substitutes will no longer have to wear protective face masks on the sidelines during Bundesliga matches in changes to hygiene measures announced Wednesday. While fixtures in Germany's top three men's leagues and the women's top-flight continue to be played behind closed doors, the rules are to be relaxed across the board from […]

Berlin (AFP) – Germany striker Timo Werner could be a "brutal weapon" in the Premier League if his move from RB Leipzig to Chelsea goes through, according to his former coach Ralph Hasenhuettl. Media reports claim the English side are poised to meet the release clause, said to be around 60 million euros (£53 million, […]

Lausanne (AFP) – Manchester City will learn whether their appeal against a two-season ban from European competition has been successful "during the first half of July", the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) announced on Wednesday. City were banned by UEFA and handed a 30 million euro ($34 million, £27 million) fine for allegedly overstating […]

New York (AFP) – Major League Soccer plans to return from its coronavirus pandemic shutdown with a 26-team tournament without spectators starting July 8 at Orlando, Florida, the league announced Wednesday. The MLS Is Back Tournament, which runs through August 11, will feature group-stage matches that will count in the North American league's regular season, […]

Berlin (AFP) – Schalke's American midfielder Weston McKennie has accused Donald Trump of being a racist and criticised the US president for his behaviour following the death of George Floyd, which has sparked protests around the world. "In my eyes, he can be called racist," McKennie, a 21-year-old US international, said in an interview with […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool's clash with Everton on June 21 will be played at Goodison Park after Liverpool City Council gave the go-ahead for both sides to complete their remaining Premier League fixtures at home. Victory at the home of their Merseyside rivals would see Liverpool clinch a first league title in 30 years if […]

London (AFP) – Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti and a number of the first-team squad have joined senior club officials in accepting wage deferrals during the coronavirus shutdown. In an email being sent to fans, chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale said Ancelotti and his backroom staff had taken voluntary cuts and deferrals of up to 30 percent […]