Paris (AFP) – Football matches in the top two divisions in Spain and France will be played behind closed doors for at least the next two weeks, officials announced Tuesday, following the decision by Italy's government to suspend top-flight games until April 3 due to the coronavirus epidemic. German football also felt the effects of […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp said Tuesday he was unsure whether closing stadiums would help tackle the coronavirus as Pep Guardiola admitted he did not like the idea of matches being played in empty stadiums. No restrictions have yet been placed on games played in Britain and Liverpool will host Atletico Madrid on Wednesday in […]

Asuncion (AFP) – Brazilian football great Ronaldinho will remain in pre-trial detention in Paraguay after a judge on Tuesday rejected his lawyer's request that he be released on bail or to house arrest. The 39-year-old World Cup winner and his brother Roberto were arrested on Friday, accused of being in possession of fake Paraguayan passports. […]

Rome (AFP) – Sassuolo striker Francesco Caputo said that 'scared' Serie A players wanted the league stopped earlier because of the coronavirus crisis. In the final Serie A game before a government announcement halting the league until April 3, Sassuolo beat Brescia 3-0 behind closed doors in Reggio Emilia on Monday. Caputo scored a brace […]

Saint-Germain-en-Laye (France) (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain are sweating on the fitness of star striker Kylian Mbappe who has picked up a throat infection ahead of Wednesday's Champions League last-16 second leg against Borussia Dortmund. The French World Cup star missed team training Monday and Tuesday and was reported to have a sore throat, with his […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp accepted "some things are more important than football" but is unsure whether the closure of stadiums across Europe will help prevent the spread of coronavirus. Klopp's side will host Atletico Madrid in a crucial Champions League last 16, second leg on Wednesday in front of a capacity crowd […]

Rome (AFP) – Only the gunfire of two World Wars had previously stopped "calcio" in football-mad Italy. But from Tuesday all sporting events in the Mediterranean country, including the top-flight Serie A league, will be suspended for a month because of the coronavirus crisis. Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte made the dramatic announcement as the […]

Madrid (AFP) – Atletico Madrid may have to fight to the end to finish in La Liga's top four but the success of their season will depend on holding on against Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday. At the end of a breathless 2-2 draw with Sevilla on Saturday, Atletico sat fifth in the […]

Madrid (AFP) – Spain's La Liga confirmed on Tuesday that first and second division football matches will be staged behind closed doors for at least two weeks due to the coronavirus outbreak. The measures follow the decision of the Spanish High Council of Sports that all sporting events in Spain at state and international level […]

Saint-Germain-en-Laye (France) (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain are sweating on the fitness of star striker Kylian Mbappe who has picked up a throat infection ahead of Wednesday's Champions League last-16 return-leg against Dortmund. The French World Cup star missed team training Monday and Tuesday and was reported to have a sore throat, with his club needing […]

Madrid (AFP) – Barcelona's Champions League round of 16 return match against Napoli scheduled for March 18 has been ordered to be played behind closed doors because of the coronavirus outbreak, both clubs announced Tuesday. "The Champions League match scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, between FC Barcelona and Napoli, will be played at Camp Nou […]

Shanghai (AFP) – Chinese football clubs and national teams must undertake "spring military training" to defeat the coronavirus and help fulfil President Xi Jinping's dream of making the country a force in the sport, officials said. Matches in China are indefinitely suspended over the outbreak but the football association has issued detailed orders, telling clubs […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Liverpool's 2-1 victory over Bournemouth on Saturday was met with an unusual sense relief around Anfield for a side that had just clinched a 22nd consecutive home league win and moved 25 points clear at the top of the Premier League. Such has been the Reds' relentless run towards a first league […]

Paris (AFP) – Nothing ever seems to go to plan in the Champions League for Paris Saint-Germain, whose bid to avoid yet another exit in the first knockout round against Borussia Dortmund will be played out before an empty stadium on Wednesday. After Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and co. lost 2-1 to an Erling Haaland-inspired Dortmund […]

Rome (AFP) – Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Monday announced the suspension until April 3 of all sporting events in the country, including the top-flight Serie A football league, as Italy grapples with the coronavirus crisis. The final Serie A game before government announcement saw Sassuolo beat Brescia 3-0 behind closed doors in Reggio […]