Rennes (France) (AFP) – Coveted teenage Rennes midfielder Eduardo Camavinga should stay for "at least one more year" at the Ligue 1 club, according to manager Julien Stephan amid reported interest from Real Madrid. "It would do him good to stay at least one more year at Rennes because he needs to back up what […]

Berlin (AFP) – Germany's health minister has backed the Bundesliga's plan to resume in 10 days time with final approval on the league's return due on Wednesday. "The (football league's) basic concept makes sense and could serve as a model for other professional sports. But we have to see how it goes," Jens Spahn told radio […]

London (AFP) – The head of the English Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) has raised the possibility of playing shorter matches to lighten the load on players if the season can restart. English clubs remain committed to completing the campaign despite severe concerns over player welfare. Players could be tested up to three times a week […]

Paris (AFP) – Freiburg midfielder Jonathan Schmid said he is "not at all" afraid to return to the pitch but acknowledges that a second wave of coronavirus infections would put paid to German football's plans to complete its interrupted season. "Germany wants to finish their championship," the 29-year-old Frenchman told AFP. "We're training for that. […]

Milan (AFP) – Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo flew back to Italy on Monday after almost two months in coronavirus lockdown in his native Portugal. Ronaldo and his family landed in Turin Airport just after 10.20pm local time, according to media reports in Italy. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner arrived by private jet from the Portuguese […]

London (AFP) – Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has said he received death threats following a racism row involving then-Liverpool forward Luis Suarez in 2011. Uruguay striker Suarez was banned for eight matches by the English Football Association after being found guilty of misconduct for insulting comments to Evra, which included a reference to […]

Paris (AFP) – French women's football giants Lyon are still waiting to find out if they have defended their league title, after the country's football federation (FFF) told AFP on Monday a decision regarding the final standings would be made on May 11. Last week, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced that professional sport could […]

Berlin (AFP) – Former Chelsea attacker Salomon Kalou has been suspended by German club Hertha Berlin after posting a video showing him flaunting coronavirus social distancing rules by shaking hands with teammates. The Facebook video of Kalou, 34, greeting Hertha players and club employees with handshakes was condemned by the German league, which has put […]

Madrid (AFP) – La Liga announced on Monday it planned to restart the Spanish league campaign in June after more than two months without games due to the coronavirus pandemic. Individual training will begin for players this week after the country's government lifted sport-related measures. "People's health is paramount, so we have a comprehensive protocol […]

Berlin (AFP) – Germany's football league insisted Monday the mass testing of players and backroom staff was "providing protection" after 10 cases of coronavirus across the top two divisions raised questions about whether it will get the green light to resume matches this month. On Monday, the German Football League (DFL) reported that out of […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham midfielder Harry Winks said on Monday that many players would be unhappy if Premier League matches were staged behind closed doors during the coronavirus crisis. Premier League chiefs are working towards a June restart as they push to finish the 2019/20 season despite the pandemic. It is widely accepted that the […]

Berlin (AFP) – Germany's football league insisted Monday the testing of players and backroom staff was "providing protection" despite 10 cases of coronavirus across the top two divisions as clubs prepare for a possible return to action this month. The DFL reported that out of 1,724 tests, 10 had returned a positive result, three of […]

Madrid (AFP) – The Spanish Cup finalists Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao said on Monday that they had asked the Spanish football federation (RFEF) to ensure the final was played with fans in the ground. The clubs said in a joint press release that they had met with Luis Rubiales, the president of the RFEF, […]

Milan (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo has been recalled from Portugal as Serie A clubs get back to individual training on Monday after a two-month coronavirus lockdown, but doubts remain over whether the championship can return. The interior ministry's go-ahead for players to return to club training facilities two weeks ahead of schedule has offered fans […]

London (AFP) – Players should be allowed to refuse to take part if the Premier League resumes amid the coronavirus crisis, former Watford forward Marvin Sordell said on Monday. Premier League chiefs hope the season can be finished over the summer, but their 'Project Restart' has come in for criticism for potentially putting players at […]