Copenhagen (AFP) – Zlatan Ibrahimovic's statue in his hometown of Malmo was vandalised overnight Saturday, Swedish police reported. The statue has been the target of numerous attacks since the Swedish footballer invested in Stockholm-based Hammarby, angering supporters of Malmo FF, the club where he began his professional career. In November, a day after his investment […]

Shanghai (AFP) – Wu Lei's late equaliser for Espanyol against Barcelona heralds "a new chapter" in Chinese football, the country's media declared on Sunday, as the forward's heroics went viral. The Chinese international came off the bench and struck in the 88th minute to salvage a 2-2 home draw for La Liga's bottom club in […]

Beijing (AFP) – Former Everton midfielder Li Tie said on Sunday that he has realised a childhood dream by becoming coach of China. The 42-year-old, who succeeds Italian World Cup winner Marcello Lippi, also revealed that his initial contract is only until the middle of this year. Li was named to the top job in […]

Madrid (AFP) – Barcelona were pegged back by La Liga's bottom club Espanyol on Saturday as Wu Lei struck late to secure a dramatic 2-2 draw in a thrilling Catalan derby. Luis Suarez appeared to have inspired another turnaround at the RCDE Stadium after he cancelled out David Lopez's opener with a deft half-volley before […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid made an impressive start to the year as they picked apart a robust Getafe side to win 3-0 in La Liga on Saturday. Raphael Varane was the instigator of two goals at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez, first pressuring Getafe's David Soria into a missed punch and an own-goal before himself […]

London (AFP) – Spluttering Manchester United were forced to settle for a dour 0-0 draw at Wolves in the FA Cup third round, while holders Manchester City started their bid to retain the trophy with a 4-1 victory against Port Vale on Saturday. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's troubled side didn't manage a single shot on target […]

Linas (France) (AFP) – The players of little Linas-Montlhery face a dilemma when they take on mighty Paris Saint-Germain in the French Cup on Sunday. "We can't injure them, we have the Champions League to win," said Hermann Colin Kouassi, the left-back for the sixth-tier club. Like most of his team-mates, Kouassi is a diehard […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid made an impressive start to the year as they picked apart a robust Getafe side to win 3-0 in La Liga on Saturday. Raphael Varane was the instigator of two goals at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez, first pressuring Getafe David Soria into a missed punch and an own-goal before himself […]

London (AFP) – Aston Villa and Brighton suffered FA Cup embarrassment as the Premier League clubs paid the price for making a raft of team changes in their shock third round exits on Saturday. Villa are languishing just above the relegation zone after a difficult first season back in the top-flight and boss Dean Smith […]

London (AFP) – Newcastle's wretched record in the FA Cup continued as 40-year-old Aaron Wilbraham gave minnows Rochdale a 1-1 draw in Saturday's third round clash. Magpies boss Steve Bruce had declared his determination not to lose to "bloody Rochdale" as he eyed a sustained Cup run for a club that hasn't won the competition […]

London (AFP) – Jose Mourinho says Tottenham will be "intelligent" in the January transfer window and there will be no quick fixes at the Premier League club. Mourinho has repeatedly said that he will not be overhauling his squad this month and that any business could be dependent on players leaving. One player who appears […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hit back at criticism of his management style from former Red Devils striker Robin Van Persie, saying: "I'm not in medieval times." The Dutchman felt Solskjaer appeared too upbeat in the aftermath of the 2-0 defeat to Arsenal on New Year's Day that left United […]

Berlin (AFP) – Goalkeeper Alexander Nuebel has agreed to join Bayern Munich on a free transfer becoming he latest potential successor to Manuel Neuer, the club announced on Saturday. The 23-year-old, who has played 17 times for Germany's under-21 team, had refused to extend his contract at Schalke and will join the German champions at […]

Milan (AFP) – Zlatan Ibrahimovic has vowed to kick-start struggling AC Milan's Serie A season as their local rivals Inter Milan recommence a title battle with Juventus this weekend after the end of the winter break. Milan play host to Sampdoria on Monday, their first game since the humiliating 5-0 goal defeat to Atalanta last […]

Madrid (AFP) – Sevilla gave Barcelona and Real Madrid the chance to pull further clear in La Liga's title race after they began the year by drawing 1-1 at home to Athletic Bilbao on Friday. Bilbao took an early lead through Ander Capa at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan and while an own-goal from Unai Nunez […]