London (AFP) – Sport has been forced behind closed doors for the foreseeable future but experts are divided over whether broadcasters will suffer or prosper in the new landscape. Some believe television rights will either stagnate or decline in value, others think they will be driven up due to increased interest from tech companies such […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Fans yearning for the return of professional soccer have spent months rewatching classic matches, obsessing over "contact training" schedules and adopting teams from far-flung leagues that play in empty stadiums. Amazon Prime's new series "El Presidente," out Friday, provides a much-needed football fix — but its witheringly satirical take on the […]

Lisbon (AFP) – The Portuguese Primeira Liga became the second top European football league to return on Wednesday following the coronavirus lockdown as leaders Porto fell to a surprising 2-1 loss at Famalicao. Despite the match being played behind closed doors, several Porto supporters made the short trip to congregate outside the stadium. They were […]

Berlin (AFP) – Werder Bremen's fight against relegation from the Bundesliga faltered on Wednesday after a 3-0 home defeat by Eintracht Frankfurt that leaves them mired in the drop zone. Bremen have spent more seasons in the league than any other club, but with six matches left they are second-from-bottom, three points from safety and […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Major League Soccer and the league's players union reached agreement on a labour deal on Wednesday, clearing the way for a return to play next month following the coronavirus shutdown. The MLS Players Association said the body had ratified a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that would run through the 2025 season. […]

London (AFP) – The Newcastle United Supporters' Trust (NUST) has accused the club of a "dereliction of duty" towards fans for not providing refunds for postponed matches and continuing to sell season tickets. A host of Premier League clubs have already committed to refunding season ticket holders on a pro-rata basis for games in the […]

London (AFP) – The Premier League's restart bid received a boost on Wednesday as it was revealed an unnamed person at Tottenham was the only positive test out of 1,197 in the latest round of coronavirus checks. Tottenham confirmed the individual who tested positive is from the north London club, but did not say if […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bundesliga players including Jadon Sancho who staged protests during matches following the death of American man George Floyd will not be punished, the German Football Federation said on Wednesday. In a statement, the DFB said "no action" would be taken against Borussia Dortmund players Sancho and Achraf Hakini, Schalke's US midfielder Weston […]

Madrid (AFP) – Diego Simeone's long-time assistant German Burgos confirmed on Wednesday he will leave Atletico Madrid at the end of the season to pursue a career as a head coach. Known for his tough approach and imposing demeanour, Burgos' departure will be keenly felt by Simeone, whose own position at Atletico has come under […]

London (AFP) – Scottish Premiership clubs will be able to sell virtual season tickets to supporters next season to help ease the economic burden caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The 2020/21 Scottish season is due to get underway on August 1, but it remains unclear when fans will be allowed to attend matches due to […]

London (AFP) – Amazon will make its four Premier League matches in the remainder of the 2019/20 season free-to-air as broadcasters prepare for the return of the English top-flight. The Premier League is set to resume behind closed doors on June 17 after being suspended since March due to the coronavirus. All 92 remaining fixtures […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham forward Son Heung-min says he enjoyed the "tough" challenge of his three-week spell doing military service in South Korea. Son completed his mandatory training last month while Tottenham waited for the Premier League season to resume after the coronavirus shutdown. The enforced break has also allowed the 27-year-old to complete his […]

London (AFP) – Real Salt Lake defender Nedum Onuoha says he has a "fear and distrust" of police in the United States as protests against racial injustice sweep across the country following the death of George Floyd. Onuoha moved to Major League Soccer in 2018 after spells at Manchester City, Sunderland and Queens Park Rangers. […]

Kuala Lumpur (AFP) – Asia's Champions League is getting closer to a return but it will have to wait until domestic competitions are back in action, a senior football official told AFP on Wednesday. Football is gradually resuming around the world after closing down because of the coronavirus, although most leagues are still yet to […]

London (AFP) – The Premier League's return is just two weeks away but there are plenty of details for the 20 clubs in the English top-flight to work out before competitive action resumes on June 17. AFP Sport looks at what is on the agenda at the latest in a series of meetings between the […]