London (AFP) – Mick McCarthy expects the Republic of Ireland to qualify for Euro 2020 with a win in their decisive showdown against Denmark. McCarthy's side can clinch a third successive trip to the European Championship if they beat the Danes in Dublin on Monday. It will be the sixth time the sides have met […]

Berlin (AFP) – Germany has secured qualification for Euro 2020, but coach Joachim Loew is running out of time to mould his fledgling team into title contenders before next June's finals. Despite dominating possession in Moenchengladbach on Saturday, Loew's young team struggled against minnows Belarus before two Toni Kroos goals sealed a 4-0 win which confirmed their […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Cape Town City midfielder Mpho Makola has been banned for six months after shoving a referee — an offence for which he was only yellow carded. The 33-year-old former international used both hands to push referee Abongile Tom last month after opponents Kaizer Chiefs were awarded a penalty during a League Cup […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Ivory Coast needed two penalties to defeat Niger 1-0 Saturday in the last matchday one qualifier for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon. Max-Alain Gradel missed the first spot-kick during the opening half after grabbing the ball from Arsenal forward Nicolas Pepe, who won the penalty and wanted to […]

Washington (AFP) – Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, whose kneeling protest during the national anthem became a major controversy, displayed strong passing skills at a Saturday workout and vowed he's "ready to play" after nearly three years out of the league. The 32-year-old former San Francisco 49ers star ditched the NFL's planned private workout for […]

Washington (AFP) – Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, whose anthem kneeling protest became a major controversy, ditched the league's planned private workout Saturday over liability waiver and transparency issues, instead holding a public session. The mess figures to hurt the former San Francisco 49ers star's chances of returning to the NFL for the first time […]

Paris (AFP) – The Netherlands, Germany and World Cup finalists Croatia became the last big hitters to qualify for Euro 2020 on Saturday as the trio booked their places at next summer's finals. Austria also made it through to the multi-host tournament, which kicks off on June 12, with 16 teams now ensured of a […]

Mönchengladbach (Germany) (AFP) – Toni Kroos struck twice as Germany qualified for the Euro 2020 finals on Saturday by thumping Belarus 4-0 but the Real Madrid star insists there is still room for improvement. A deft back-heeled goal from defender Matthias Ginter and impressive finishing by Leon Goretzka and Kroos gave the Germans a comfortable […]

Belfast (AFP) – The Netherlands booked their place at Euro 2020 as they survived a missed penalty from Steven Davis in Saturday's 0-0 draw against Northern Ireland. Ronald Koeman's side arrived at Windsor Park knowing one point would be enough to ensure they qualified from Group C. They achieved that goal thanks to a stroke […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has told French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet he and he alone will decide when the time to end his international retirement has come. After Real coach Zinedine Zidane called for Benzema's four-year France exile, caused by his alleged part in an attempt to blackmail Mathieu […]

Lisbon (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo travels to Luxembourg on Sunday with the objective of helping reigning champions Portugal qualify for Euro 2020 and the 100-goal mark for his country within his reach. The former Real Madrid star is also eager to prove he is not a player in decline after his angry reaction to being […]

Venice (AFP) – Roberto Mancini's Italian national football team travelled to flood-hit Venice on Saturday, the morning after extending their winning streak in Euro 2020 qualifying. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma donned knee-high wellington boots along with Italian football federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina to visit the inundated St Mark's Square. The iconic square had been reopened […]

Milan (AFP) – Inter Milan coach Antonio Conte is receiving police protection after a threatening letter containing a bullet was sent to him through the post, Italian media reported on Saturday. According to Corriere della Sera, the former Italy and Chelsea manager received the anonymous threatening letter containing a bullet in recent days. Serie A […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool full-back Joe Gomez's rollercoaster week, from the high of beating Manchester City last Sunday to being booed at Wembley on Thursday, ended with him missing England's final Euro 2020 qualifier in Kosovo due to a sore knee. The 22-year-old — whose Liverpool team-mate Jordan Henderson also misses the trip to Kosovo […]

Pristina (AFP) – Kosovo still hopes to reach a first European finals at Euro 2020 but has laid on the warmest of welcomes for England, their opponents on the pitch on Sunday but hailed as an ally over its role in the 1990s independence war. After a 2-1 defeat against Czech Republic on Thursday, the […]