Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid defender Marcelo has been fined 105,000 euros ($117,000) for driving without a valid licence, the Superior Court of Justice in Madrid announced Thursday. The Brazil international was stopped by police in December after reportedly being clocked driving at 134km/h (83mph) in a 120km/h zone. He was subsequently found to be […]

Paris (AFP) – As the coronavirus outbreak causes chaos across Europe, UEFA has a major decision to make over whether it can go ahead with the upcoming European Championship as planned. European football's governing body will hold a crisis meeting next Tuesday to discuss the way forward for all domestic and European competitions, as well […]

Paris (AFP) – UEFA will hold a crisis meeting next week, European football's governing body announced on Thursday, as the coronavirus pandemic threatens to force the postponement of Euro 2020 and wreaks havoc with the ongoing Champions League. A videoconference will be held "to discuss European football's response to the outbreak" next Tuesday "in the […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City's Champions League last 16, second leg with Real Madrid and Lyon's trip to Juventus became the latest high-profile football matches to be postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak, UEFA confirmed on Thursday. Juventus defender Daniele Rugani has tested positive for the virus, forcing players and staff of the Italian champions […]

London (AFP) – Three Leicester players are in self-isolation "as a precautionary measure" following medical advice, the Premier League club announced on Thursday, with coronavirus wreaking havoc on the global sporting calendar. Leicester said in a statement that all three had presented with "extremely mild" symptoms consistent with common seasonal illness and that a seven-day […]

London (AFP) – A number of Leicester players have shown symptoms of coronavirus and have been "kept away from the squad", manager Brendan Rodgers said on Thursday. As it stands, a full Premier League programme is scheduled for this weekend, with third-placed Leicester due to travel to struggling Watford on Saturday, despite widespread cancellations of […]

Paris (AFP) – UEFA has called a crisis meeting to take place next week, European football's governing body announced on Thursday, as the coronavirus outbreak threatens to force the postponement of Euro 2020 and the ongoing Champions League. A videoconference will be held "to discuss European football's response to the outbreak" next Tuesday "in the […]

Paris (AFP) – The coronavirus pandemic is causing havoc with football in Europe, with serious doubts surrounding the continuation of both the Champions League and the Europa League as ties are postponed and players at competing clubs are quarantined. AFP Sport rounds up the situation in the leading leagues around the continent: – England – […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Liverpool's Champions League defence is over after Atletico Madrid played the role of party poopers at Anfield and paved the way for a strangely anti-climactic end to the season for Jurgen Klopp's Reds. Barring an unprecedented collapse, Klopp will deliver a first league title in 30 years, though there is some doubt […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid went into quarantine on Thursday as La Liga announced Spain's top two divisions will be suspended for at least two weeks over the coronavirus. La Liga authorities made the decision after Real Madrid confirmed its senior football team is in quarantine after one of the club's basketball players tested positive […]

Asuncion (AFP) – South America's football federations asked FIFA on Wednesday to delay their qualifying matches for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar because of the global new coronavirus pandemic. "The South American teams risk not being able to count on players they have picked and who play in Europe because they, arriving from countries […]

Milan (AFP) – Juventus and Italy defender Daniele Rugani told fans 'don't worry, I'm fine' on Wednesday after becoming the first Serie A footballer to test positive for the new coronavirus. The 25-year-old "is currently asymptomatic," the Italian champions said, but the Turin-based club are "currently activating all the isolation procedures required by law, including […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Coca-Cola slammed US Soccer after the federation claimed in court documents that playing for the men's national team carries more responsibility and requires a higher level of skill than that demanded of women players. The federation made the argument in papers filed this week in the gender discrimination lawsuit filed by […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone defended his side's approach after dumping Liverpool out of the Champions League with a 3-2 victory after extra time at Anfield to progress to the quarter-finals, winning 4-2 on aggregate. The holders looked to have ended Atletico's dogged resistance when Roberto Firmino put them ahead in the […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp hit out at Atletico Madrid's defensive approach after holders Liverpool were knocked out of the Champions League on Wednesday. Klopp's side were on course for the quarter-finals after taking a 2-0 lead in extra time in the last-16 second leg. Goals from Georginio Wijnaldum and Roberto Firmino left Liverpool 2-1 […]