Cadiz (Spain) (AFP) – Spain captain Sergio Ramos said on Thursday he thinks the national side could play in Barcelona for the first time since 2004 once current political tensions have eased, but admitted that now is not the "ideal" time. The first El Clasico of the season between Barcelona and Real Madrid, originally scheduled […]

Doha (AFP) – Marcello Lippi announced he was quitting as China coach after his team fell to a 2-1 defeat by Syria in 2022 World Cup qualifying on Thursday. "My pay is very high, and I take all the blame. I am quitting as China coach," the Italian was quoted as saying by Xinhua news […]

Lausanne (AFP) – A group of football agents led by "super-agent" Mino Raiola has threatened FIFA with legal action over a proposed cap on transfer commissions, documents seen by AFP on Thursday show. The Football Agents Forum (FAF), an organisation led by Paul Pogba's agent Raiola, invoked the courts after world football's governing body agreed […]

Paris (AFP) – Ex-Arsenal star Thierry Henry has been appointed coach at MLS franchise Montreal Impact on a two-year contract, the Canadian club announced Thursday. "Welcome to Montreal @ThierryHenry!" the Major League Soccer (MLS) club tweeted. Henry, whose baptism of fire as a manager ended in disaster at French club Monaco when he was fired […]

Düsseldorf (Germany) (AFP) – Germany midfielder Joshua Kimmich said Thursday that he hopes the rumours are true that Pep Guardiola could be persuaded to once again coach the defending German league champions. Kimmich made his Bundesliga debut as a 20-year-old under Guardiola, after joining Bayern from then-second division side RB Leipzig in 2015, and says […]

Montreux (Switzerland) (AFP) – China's swimming star Sun Yang, accused of smashing a blood vial with a hammer, faces an eight-year ban if charges against him are upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Friday. Triple Olympic champion Sun, winner of 11 world titles and a national hero back home, will appear in […]

Madrid (AFP) – Spain's public broadcaster RTVE said Thursday it will not bid for the rights to the Spanish Super Cup being held in Saudi Arabia because "human rights are not respected" in the country. The Spanish football association (RFEF) announced Monday that the four-team tournament will be held in Saudi Arabia for the first […]

Berlin (AFP) – Having transformed Bayern Munich into one of Europe's strongest clubs, then been jailed for tax evasion, Uli Hoeness will bring the curtain down on a glorious 40-year reign at the German giants when he steps down as club president on Friday. Hoeness will officially stand down at Friday's annual general meeting having […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – The failure of Liverpool star Sadio Mane to score did not prevent Senegal cruising to a 2-0 win over Congo Brazzaville on Wednesday as 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying began. France-based duo Sidy Sarr and Habibou Diallo netted within three minutes during the first half in Thies near Dakar to ensure […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – African superstar Mohamed Salah will not play for Egypt against Kenya on Thursday in 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying because of a lingering ankle injury. The 27-year-old forward was hurt against Leicester City last month and despite making several subsequent appearances for Liverpool, is suffering from slight discomfort in his left […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Swedish star Zlatan Ibrahimovic confirmed his departure from the Los Angeles Galaxy on Wednesday, but gave no clue over his future plans or possible retirement. The 38-year-old striker's departure from the Galaxy had been widely expected following the club's elimination from the Major League Soccer playoffs last month. Ibrahimovic, who joined […]

Santiago (AFP) – Chile's footballers have refused to play in next week's friendly against Peru due to the weeks-long crisis in their country, the football association (ANFP) said in a statement on Wednesday. Coach Reinaldo Rueda has released all his players back to their clubs. Chile were due to play neighbors Peru, who beat them […]

London (AFP) – England manager Gareth Southgate brushed aside criticism of his decision to drop Raheem Sterling over an altercation with Joe Gomez, saying he does not resolve problems by thinking how he can please everybody. The 49-year-old decided to drop Manchester City forward Sterling for Thursday's Euro 2020 qualifier with Montenegro after he clashed […]

Lausanne (AFP) – Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger returned to football on Wednesday after being named FIFA's chief of global football development, ending any chance of a move to managerless Bayern Munich. FIFA said the former Arsenal and Monaco coach would be responsible for the growth of the game "for both men and women around […]

Moscow (AFP) – Russia's football authorities said Wednesday the national team will not be wearing new Adidas-designed shirts in upcoming Euro-2020 qualifiers after some pointed out they reverse the colours of the Russian flag. "In the upcoming games, the Russian national team will continue using the kit in which it began the qualifying round," the […]