London (AFP) – Football fans have the chance to showcase their skills at Wembley Stadium during the coronavirus lockdown... as part of the English FA's "Footballs Staying Home" campaign. With sport on hold due to the coronavirus crisis, the FA is giving advice on making the most of time "off the pitch", including tips on […]

Berlin (AFP) – The boss of the Bundesliga says the German league must repay the trust shown by Angela Merkel's government if football returns, as expected on May 9, despite the coronavirus pandemic. "It is our task to repay this trust," said Christian Seifert, CEO of the German Football League (DFL). "It is the task […]

Berlin (AFP) – Talented Canadian teenager Alphonso Davies says it is a "dream come true" to extend his Bayern Munich contract until 2025, joining Thomas Mueller and coach Hansi Flick who have also prolonged their involvement with the German champions. Davies is the latest Bayern star offered an extension after Mueller and Flick both recently […]

Shanghai (AFP) – The Chinese Football Association has proposed clubs slash wages of players and coaches by at least 30 percent to cut costs because of the coronavirus, state media said Tuesday. The People's Daily said that the CFA is now awaiting feedback from teams in the top-tier Chinese Super League (CSL) and the two […]

Seoul (AFP) – South Korean football clubs will be allowed to hold practice matches behind closed doors from Tuesday, the K-League said, with the season delayed by two months so far over the coronavirus epidemic. South Korea endured one of the worst early outbreaks of the disease outside China, but appears to have brought it […]

London (AFP) – Arsenal became the first Premier League club to agree a coronavirus pay cut with their players as manager Mikel Arteta and his stars slashed their wages by 12.5 percent on Monday. After Southampton and West Ham announced wage deferral agreements with their players, Arsenal went one step further by securing the pay […]

Paris (AFP) – As European countries take steps towards easing lockdown measures imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic, UEFA will meet with the continent's football clubs and associations this week to try to mark out a pathway towards resuming the season. European football's governing body is eager to steer all 55 member countries towards a […]

London (AFP) – Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder said on Monday that he has agreed a deferral in wages and bonus payments to ease the financial pressure from the coronavirus pandemic. Wilder is joining Blades chief executive Stephen Bettis and senior members of the coaching staff in taking deferrals that are set to last for […]

Berlin (AFP) – Germany's top-flight football matches could resume from May 9, regional leaders of the country's biggest states said Monday, although games can only take place without spectators to prevent coronavirus contagion. Markus Soeder, state premier of Bavaria, said it remains "completely unimaginable to have spectators" in the stadiums given the need for social […]

Edinburgh (AFP) – Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon believes a return of football even behind closed doors risks boosting the spread of coronavirus as fans could congregate to watch games. Matches across Britain have been suspended indefinitely because of the virus. Strict measures regarding social distancing and mass gatherings mean it will likely be months […]

Copenhagen (AFP) – Football fans in Denmark are banned from attending matches due to restrictions over the new coronavirus, but top division club Midtjylland has come up with a solution inspired by classic drive-in theatres. Sporting and cultural events are one of the pleasures that Danes, like many Europeans, have had to give up as […]

Berlin (AFP) – Lothar Matthaeus says he is puzzled by reports of stalled contract extension talks between Germany captain Manuel Neuer and Bayern Munich. "It seems out of place for me that Manuel Neuer is not appreciated at FC Bayern," former Germany and Bayern captain Matthaeus told Sky Sport News. The 59-year-old former midfielder advised […]

Berlin (AFP) – German FA chief Fritz Keller has insisted the Bundesliga could only resume next month behind closed doors, while supporters have questioned the morality of football returning at all during the coronavirus pandemic. The German Football League (DFL) hopes to get the go-ahead from Angela Merkel's government for the top two tiers to […]

Paris (AFP) – Increasing numbers of professional footballers are struggling with anxiety and depression having been forced out of action with the sport suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report by global players' union FIFPro released on Monday. FIFPro surveyed 1,602 players across 16 countries, including England, Scotland, France, Australia and the […]

Milan (AFP) – UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said Monday that leagues across Europe were ready to return to action behind closed doors in a bid to limit the damage caused by coronavirus. Football leagues have been suspended since mid-March due to the pandemic which has claimed more than 100,000 lives throughout the continent. But the […]