London (AFP) – Odion Ighalo said on Tuesday he was living the dream after his loan move to Manchester United was extended despite the coronavirus pandemic. The Nigeria international, a lifelong United fan, joined the club on loan from Shanghai Shenhua in January due to the COVID-19 situation then prevailing in China. But the virus […]

Paris (AFP) – FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Tuesday that footballers in Germany calling for justice for George Floyd during matches deserve applause rather than sanctions. The German Football Association (DFB) is investigating Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho and Achraf Hakimi, Schalke's American midfielder Weston McKennie and Borussia Moenchengladbach's French forward Marcus Thuram for their […]

London (AFP) – Newcastle United's doctor warned on Tuesday that Premier League clubs are preparing for "a lot more injuries" as players return to full training ahead of this month's restart. UK government guidance has paved the way for teams to resume full-contact training, with the season set to resume on June 17 after being […]

London (AFP) – Everton defender Yerry Mina is set to miss the start of the Premier League's return after suffering a partially torn thigh muscle, his club announced on Tuesday. Mina, 25, sustained the injury in training last week and scans have confirmed the Colombia centre-back will be sidelined for several weeks. The Premier League […]

Lausanne (AFP) – Sepp Blatter said on Tuesday that one Swiss investigation into his handling of a television contract has been dropped, but FIFA said that does not mean its former president is in the clear. "I was officially informed today that the federal public prosecutor's office has decided ... to close the investigation," Blatter, […]

Paris (AFP) – Struggling French football clubs have called for fans to be allowed into matches in time for the start of next season and urged the country's government to provide financial help after the early end to this campaign due to the coronavirus pandemic. The season was declared over early at the end of […]

London (AFP) – Premier League players are unlikely to face disciplinary action if they take a knee or make any other peaceful anti-discrimination protest when the English season resumes. The shocking death of George Floyd, killed when a white police officer held him down by pressing a knee into his neck in Minneapolis last week, […]

Lisbon (AFP) – Portuguese football will restart Wednesday after a long coronavirus shutdown but its resumption has been plagued by bickering over stadiums, plans to allow five substitutes and proposals to broadcast matches on free-to-air television. The Primeira Liga will become the second leading European league to resume its season, following Germany's Bundesliga, which returned […]

Milan (AFP) – Napoli coach Gennaro Gattuso's sister Francesca has died at the age of 37 after four months in hospital, the Serie A club and AC Milan where she worked said on Tuesday. Francesca Gattuso, who worked for many years as a secretary at AC Milan, died at Busto Arsizio, 40km north of the […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has revealed he "very nearly" left Stamford Bridge in January but says he now has his sights set on winning more trophies with the Premier League club. Giroud recently signed a one-year contract extension that will keep him at Chelsea until the end of next season. The new […]

Paris (AFP) – FIFA has called on leagues to use "common sense" when deciding whether to discipline footballers for displaying political messages after several players in the German Bundesliga called for justice for George Floyd during matches. "FIFA fully understands the depth of sentiment and concerns expressed by many footballers in light of the tragic […]

London (AFP) – Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has signed a new four-year contract, the Premier League club announced on Tuesday. The 52-year-old was appointed at St Mary's in December 2018 and turned around his side's fortunes after a humiliating 9-0 home defeat to Leicester in October last year. Southampton were 14th, seven points above the […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp cannot wait for English football's return after a three-month layoff due to the coronavirus pandemic and promised to celebrate the Premier League title in style when it is safe to do so. Liverpool are just two wins away from securing their first league title in 30 years. The […]

Abuja (AFP) – Coach Gernot Rohr said he made sacrifices in his new contract with Nigeria in order to guide the country to a fourth Africa Cup of Nations triumph. Rohr, 66, has extended his stay in Nigeria till 2022 after he agreed to a pay cut in the local currency and reside in the […]

Berlin (AFP) – The German FA (DFB) said on Monday they were forced to investigate three Bundesliga players for protesting against racism and police brutality in the US due to the rules governing football around the world. Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho and Achraf Hakimi as well as Schalke's US midfielder Weston McKennie called for justice […]