Milan (AFP) – Former Roma boss Claudio Ranieri has been appointed coach of Serie A strugglers Sampdoria, the club confirmed on Saturday. Ranieri, who memorably guided outsiders Leicester City to the 2016 English Premier League title, takes over from Eusebio di Francesco, who was sacked after a poor start to the season. The 67-year-old Ranieri, […]

Cardiff (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Wales star Gareth Bale admitted he is relieved to be available to face Croatia in Sunday's crucial Euro 2020 qualifier after escaping a red card in Slovakia. Bale had already been booked when he fouled Slovakia defender Milan Skriniar in the closing stages of the 1-1 draw in Trnava on […]

Tbilisi (AFP) – Republic of Ireland were forced to settle for a dour 0-0 draw against Georgia in Tbilisi as their bid to qualify for Euro 2020 suffered a setback on Saturday. Mick McCarthy's side couldn't establish any momentum at the Boris Paichadze Arena and were left frustrated by wayward finishing from their few opportunities […]

Prague (AFP) – England suffered a first qualifying defeat in ten years as the Czech Republic served them a timely reminder of improvements the Three Lions must make if they are to contend at Euro 2020. Victory in Prague on Friday would have secured qualification for a tournament where England will enjoy home advantage for […]

Washington (AFP) – Weston McKennie scored a hat trick as the United States opened their CONCACAF Nations League campaign in style, thrashing Cuba 7-0 on Friday. Jordan Morris added a goal and contributed on three others, Josh Sargent scored and Christian Pulisic converted a penalty for the Americans, who also benefitted from an own goal […]

Berlin (AFP) – Germany have been told to rack up an emphatic win in Sunday's Euro 2020 qualifier at minnows Estonia in the race for top spot in a tight group. After they beat Northern Ireland 3-1 in Rotterdam on Thursday, the Netherlands sit atop Group C. Germany, the Dutch and the Irish all have […]

Reykjavik (AFP) – Depleted France needed an Olivier Giroud penalty to edge past Iceland 1-0 and keep pace with Turkey in their Euro 2020 Group H qualifier in Reykjavik on Friday. With key duo Kylian Mbappe and Paul Pogba both out injured, the world champions mustered just enough to end the evening on 18 points, […]

Paris (AFP) – England missed an opportunity to qualify for Euro 2020 on Friday as they slid to a 2-1 loss in the Czech Republic, while Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 699th goal in a routine Portugal win over Luxembourg. Harry Kane converted a fifth-minute penalty in Prague after Raheem Sterling was clipped by Lukas Masopust, […]

Prague (AFP) – England captain Harry Kane said there was no need to panic after losing a first qualifier in 10 years 2-1 to the Czech Republic on Friday, but admitted defeat is a wake-up call ahead of next summer's European championships. The Three Lions are still well-placed to qualify as they top Group A […]

Prague (AFP) – England failed to confirm their place at Euro 2020 after suffering their first qualifying loss in 10 years as the Czech Republic came from behind to win 2-1 in Prague on Friday. Harry Kane's early penalty put Gareth Southgate's men on course to continue what had been serene progress through Group A, […]

Lisbon (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo moved to within six goals of his international century when he scored in a 3-0 win over Luxembourg on Friday which kept the defending champions on course for the Euro 2020 finals. The veteran star hit his 94th goal for the Portuguese and took his overall career tally to 699 […]

Lausanne (AFP) – FIFA are organising an event to raise funds and awareness to tackle AIDS, tubercolosis and malaria, their president Gianni Infantino told AFP on Friday. Infantino said the idea was in response to Thursday's announcement tmat governments, philanthropists and private firms had pledged just over $14 billion for a plan to save 16 […]

London (AFP) – Teenage Liverpool winger Harvey Elliott has been banned for 14 days from domestic club football after an investigation into a social media video in which he appeared to mock Harry Kane. The 16-year-old admitted breaching Football Association rules and must also complete a face-to-face education course and pay a £350 ($444) fine. […]

Berlin (AFP) – Germany's rising star Serge Gnabry said Friday that his unhappy club team-mate Thomas Mueller deserves "more respect" than to be dropped to the bench at Bayern Munich. "Thomas has achieved everything, he deserves a little more respect," said Gnabry at a Germany press conference in Dortmund in a dig at Bayern head […]

Doha (AFP) – Improved safeguards and working hours are needed to protect labourers in Qatar from the effects of heat and humidity, the United Nations said Friday, as it published new research. The desert monarchy has come under fire for conditions faced by its hundreds of thousands of migrant workers, as it prepares to host […]