Rome (AFP) – Mario Balotelli said on Tuesday his threat to leave the pitch during the weekend's Serie A defeat to Hellas Verona came after being racially abused by 'a handful of idiots'. "I didn't accuse Hellas Verona, I didn't accuse that section of the Hellas Verona stadium. I accused the handful of idiots who […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Ernesto Valverde is under mounting pressure at Barcelona after his team followed up their La Liga defeat by Levante with a goalless draw at home to Slavia Prague on Tuesday in the Champions League. Lionel Messi hit the crossbar in the first half but that was as close as Barca came during […]

Milan (AFP) – Pep Guardiola said his side were expecting a tough clash against Atalanta at the San Siro on Wednesday as Manchester City look to wrap up qualification for the Champions League knockout rounds with two games to spare. The defending Premier League champions thrashed Atalanta 5-1 at home last month to make it three […]

Saint Petersburg (AFP) – RB Leipzig closed on a place in the knockout phase of the Champions League for the first time as goals by Diego Demme and Marcel Sabitzer gave the German side a 2-0 win away to Zenit Saint Petersburg on Tuesday. Captain Demme opened the scoring with a very rare goal in […]

London (AFP) – Everton midfielder Andre Gomes has been discharged from hospital just two days after suffering a horrific ankle break. The Portugal international had surgery on Monday on the fracture dislocation of his right ankle that he suffered during the second half of Sunday's 1-1 draw with Tottenham. "Following a successful operation yesterday, Andre […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham forward Son Heung-min won his appeal Tuesday against the red card he received for a challenge that led to the horrific injury suffered by Everton midfielder Andre Gomes. The Football Association (FA) overturned the decision following an appeal by Spurs, meaning the South Korea international will not serve a three-match ban. […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness says the German giants expect to name Niko Kovac's replacement as coach within three weeks, although Paris Saint-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel said Tuesday he is not interested in the job. Kovac was sacked on Sunday after 16 months in charge in the wake of Bayern's 5-1 drubbing […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool will play two games in two days nearly 5,000 miles apart after their League Cup quarter-final against Aston Villa was scheduled for the day before their Club World Cup semi-final in Qatar. The European champions will travel to Villa on December 17, League Cup organisers the English Football League announced on […]

London (AFP) – Scotland manager Steve Clarke said he had omitted Kieran Tierney from the squad for their final two Euro 2020 group qualifiers because of a request from the full-back's club Arsenal. The 22-year-old — who cost the Gunners £25 million ($32 million) when they bought him from Celtic in the close season — […]

Berlin (AFP) – Despite three defeats in their first games, Bayer Leverkusen boss Peter Bosz is optimistic they can beat Atletico Madrid on Wednesday to kindle their slim knock-out phase hopes and pull off a Champions League miracle. Defeats to Lokomotiv Moscow, Juventus and Atletico leave Leverkusen without a point at the bottom of Group […]

London (AFP) – Gareth Bale believes he will be able to play a role in Wales's must-win final two Euro 2020 qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Hungary, Welsh manager Ryan Giggs said on Tuesday. The 30-year-old Real Madrid star has been struggling with a calf problem and has not played since scoring for Wales in their […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich interim coach Hansi Flick confirmed German press reports on Tuesday that Poland striker Robert Lewandowski needs a groin operation, but is currently still able to play. The 31-year-old Lewandowski is in the form of his career having scored a phenomenal 20 goals in 16 matches this season, including 14 in […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Zinedine Zidane said Tuesday he is unfazed by Wales calling up Gareth Bale but insists the Real Madrid forward is still unfit to play. Zidane also reiterated his desire for Bale to stay at Madrid for the whole season, describing suggestions he wants the 30-year-old to be sold in January as "nonsense". […]

Milan (AFP) – Italian club Verona were on Tuesday given a one-match partial stadium closure for monkey cries from their fans directed at Brescia forward Mario Balotelli during a Serie A game at the weekend. Italian international Balotelli scored in Sunday's 2-1 Serie A defeat but his performance was overshadowed by his fury at the […]

Munich (Germany) (AFP) – Interim boss Hansi Flick says Thomas Mueller and Javi Martinez will start for Bayern Munich in Wednesday's Champions League tie against Olympiakos as he rings the changes for his first game in charge following Niko Kovac's sacking. Kovac was dismissed as head coach on Sunday in the wake of Bayern's 5-1 […]