Rome (AFP) – Mario Balotelli said on Monday he had "thought of nothing else" after receiving an offer from Brescia, the club in the city where he grew up. "I chose Brescia because when their offer came in, I didn't think about anything else," the much-travelled striker said at his presentation press conference. "Here, I […]

Paris (AFP) – Belgium has become the 10th country to express an interest in hosting an expanded women's World Cup in 2023, FIFA revealed on Monday. World football's governing body announced late last month that, following the success of this year's 24-team tournament in France, and in order to "foster the growth of women's football", […]

London (AFP) – Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill said Oliver Norwood's surprise decision to retire from international football on Monday was "a huge mistake". The 28-year-old midfielder — most of whose 57 caps have come under O'Neill — said he wanted to focus on his club career with Sheffield United, who have made an encouraging […]

Paris (AFP) – Angolan 16-year-old Eduardo Camavinga, who practised judo as a child, was the African star in Europe at the weekend, helping Rennes shock star-stacked Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 in the French Ligue 1. Born in the oil-rich enclave of Cabinda, he is already being compared to PSG star Kylian Mbappe despite only 10 senior […]

London (AFP) – Finnish international striker Teemu Pukki stole the headlines from more established strikers at the weekend by scoring a hat-trick for Premier League new boys Norwich — the first Canaries player to do so at the top level since Efan Ekoku hit four goals against Everton in September 1993. Pukki's triple strike secured […]

Madrid (AFP) – Barcelona's Philippe Coutinho has joined Bayern Munich on a one-year loan worth 8.5 million euros ($9.5 million) with an option to buy, the Spanish club confirmed Monday. "The agreement provides for an option for Bayern to buy at a 120-million-euro fee," Barcelona said. The 27-year-old Brazilian joined Barcelona from Liverpool in January […]

Berlin (AFP) – Uli Hoeness has confirmed he is stepping down as president of Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and will not stand for re-election in November. The 67-year-old told German daily Bild at a golf tournament on Sunday that he will remain on the board at Bayern, "but will relinquish my presidency when the time […]

Madrid (AFP) – Alvaro Morata headed in a sumptuous Kieran Trippier cross to ensure a new-look Atletico Madrid beat Getafe 1-0 on Sunday and made a winning start in La Liga. Trippier looked right at home at the Wanda Metropolitano when his bending ball was nodded in by Morata before two red cards in four […]

Sao Paulo (AFP) – Brazil veteran Dani Alves scored the winning goal on his debut for Sao Paulo on Sunday, weeks after signing a three-year deal with the club. Alves, 36, found the back of the net in the 40th minute to score the only goal of the game against Ceara. Alves and Spanish international […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants Victor Lindelof to partner Harry Maguire all season at the heart of his defence, casting a shadow over the long-term futures of England defenders Phil Jones and Chris Smalling at Old Trafford. Maguire is expected to shore up a defence that conceded 54 […]

Rennes (France) (AFP) – Champions Paris Saint-Germain slipped up in their second league game of the season losing 2-1 to Rennes on Sunday in a repeat of April's French Cup final with a 16-year-old playing a starring role. Edinson Cavani scored after less than 15 minutes of play for the visitors in Brittanny before Mbaye […]

London (AFP) – Frank Lampard admitted fatigue was a factor in Chelsea's 1-1 draw against Leicester, but the Blues boss demanded his players show more "personality" as his wait for a first win goes on. Thrashed 4-0 at Manchester United last weekend and beaten on penalties by Liverpool in the European Super Cup on Wednesday, […]

Berlin (AFP) – Julian Nagelsmann started his RB Leipzig career with a bang as his side hammered Bundesliga new boys Union Berlin 4-0, as the home fans staged a silent 15-minute protest against the visitors. Leipzig, one of the favourites to challenge Bayern Munich for the Bundesliga title this season, were always going to provide […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea manager Frank Lampard insisted his young squad will need time to develop after blowing a bright start to draw 1-1 at home to Leicester on Sunday. Mason Mount gave Lampard the dream start on his first match in charge at Stamford Bridge after just seven minutes. However, Chelsea failed to take […]

Milan (AFP) – Mario Balotelli will return to Italy with home town team Brescia after it was confirmed on Sunday he has signed for the newly-promoted club. The Italian forward has penned a "multi-year contract" and will be officially presented on Monday, the northern team confirmed on their website. "Mario returns home," Brescia said in […]