London (AFP) – Elite sport in England could start behind closed doors from June 1, according to government guidelines published on Monday, boosting Premier League clubs' hopes of completing their season. The government's road map for exiting the coronavirus lockdown sets out the conditions under which various activities could be safely carried out. Step two […]

Madrid (AFP) – Portugal's reigning champions Benfica have confirmed that midfielder David Tavares tested positive for coronavirus on Friday, taking the tally for positive cases to at least eight players in Primeira Liga. The Portugese top flight is planning to restart behind closed doors towards the end of the month after the government announced on […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City's parent company has added a ninth club to its global portfolio with the purchase of Belgian second-tier side Lommel SK. It has been reported that Lommel's debts of £1.75 million ($2.1 million) will be wiped out by the City Football Group (CFG) as part of the deal. CFG has full […]

Shanghai (AFP) – Chinese Super League (CSL) side Tianjin Tianhai, once home to Brazilian star Alexandre Pato and formerly coached by Fabio Cannavaro, have effectively folded after teetering on the brink for months. At least a dozen clubs in China's top three tiers of professional football have gone under in the last six months, but […]

London (AFP) – Premier League clubs meet on Monday for further talks on "Project Restart" despite growing disquiet among players over safety issues and divisions over proposals on how to end the season. The English top flight has a huge number of hurdles to clear if it is to follow Germany's Bundesliga, which plans to […]

Shanghai (AFP) – Fernando skips down the wing and crosses for Ricardo Goulart, who tees up Elkeson to smash the ball into the top corner. Alan and Aloisio join in some Samba-style celebrations as a goal made in Brazil propels China to the 2022 World Cup. It is the stuff of make-believe, but the world's […]

London (AFP) – Warring Premier League clubs will meet on Monday with tensions mounting over the divisive 'Project Restart' plan to finish the season amid the coronavirus crisis. Premier League chiefs hope to return to action in June, but that goal could be scuppered by an internal battle between clubs fiercely protecting their own interests. […]

Madrid (AFP) – The president of Spain's La Liga on Sunday said he hopes the tournament can resume on June 12 but that their hands are tied by government health policy. Javier Tebas was speaking just hours after five players from Spain's top two leagues had tested positive for coronavirus. He then confirmed that three […]

London (AFP) – Jill Ellis, who led the United States to the 2015 and 2019 World Cup titles, was Sunday hailed as the ideal candidate to take charge of the England women's team and should be paid the same as Gareth Southgate, the men's team coach, said a former player. Ellis was endorsed by former […]

Paris (AFP) – As European leagues prepare to return from the enforced coronavirus break, screening tests are revealing cases in various championships, although, as yet, not calling into question plans to resume playing. Germany still plans to be the first of the five "big" leagues ahead of Spain, England and Italy – France has declared […]

Abuja (AFP) – Former Nigeria striker Chinedu Obasi alleged on Sunday he was asked to pay a bribe to feature at the 2014 World Cup, before eventually missing out on selection. Obasi, 33, who has been a free agent since leaving Swedish outfit AIK in January, made his last Super Eagles appearance in 2011 and […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Scottish Professional Football League chief executive Neil Doncaster has pleaded with clubs to work together to get through the coronavirus crisis after reconstruction talks collapsed. Several Scottish Premiership clubs decided to block any plans for reforming the leagues in the aftermath of the vote to cancel the Championship, League One and League […]

Madrid (AFP) – Five players from Spain's top two leagues have tested positive for coronavirus, La Liga confirmed on Sunday. Players in Spain's top-flight and Segunda division were allowed to carry out individual work at training grounds last week. The move was the beginning of a staggered training programme, with the aim to restart competitive […]

London (AFP) – Newcastle United and the Premier League should put moral values ahead of the financial rewards from a proposed £300 million ($372 million) Saudi-backed takeover, the fiancee of murdered dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi said on Sunday. Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, will reportedly take an 80 […]

London (AFP) – Brighton chief executive Paul Barber on Sunday revealed a third player at the Premier League club has tested positive for the coronavirus, raising fresh concerns about the attempt to finish the English top-flight season. The unnamed player was tested on Saturday and will self-isolate for 14 days while he recovers from the […]