Paris (AFP) – As fans again fill stadiums this summer, a string of Covid-19 cases in major events suggest it is too early to cheer pandemic-free sport. After being cancelled in 2020 and requiring spectators to test last year, this year's Wimbledon seemed to signal a return to sunnier days as the United Kingdom relaxed […]

Sydney (AFP) – Football Australia said Monday they have fined coach Graham Arnold Aus$25,000 (US$18,500) for breaking self-isolation rules after testing positive for Covid-19. But the head coach can still join the Socceroos when they play Japan this Thursday if he provides a negative PCR test before the game, the governing body said. Sydney radio […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich have been hit by a fresh Covid-19 scare ahead of Friday's match at Augsburg, with defender Josip Stanisic and two club employees testing positive for the virus. Stanisic, who is fully vaccinated, tested positive on his return to Munich after playing in Croatia's 1-0 victory over Russia on […]

Berlin (AFP) – A senior German politician has called to make it mandatory for all professional footballers in Germany to be vaccinated as the country struggles to contain a ferocious fourth wave of Covid-19. "I'm in favour of compulsory vaccination for certain professional groups — that's what we need," Bavarian state leader Markus Soeder told […]

Paris (AFP) – A record number of sports matches are likely to be fixed in 2021 after the Covid pandemic "added fuel to the fire", an executive at one of the world's leading sports technology companies has told AFP. Sportradar Integrity Services, a global supplier of sport integrity solutions and partner to over 100 sports […]

Sao Paulo (AFP) – Questions swirled on Monday after Brazilian health officials dramatically halted a World Cup qualifier against Argentina over  alleged Covid-19 quarantine breaches by the visitors. As Argentina captain Lionel Messi and others questioned the timing of the controversial intervention, football's world governing body FIFA said a probe was under way. In remarkable […]

Sao Paulo (AFP) – Brazil's World Cup qualifying clash against Argentina was sensationally abandoned shortly after kick-off on Sunday as controversy over Covid-19 protocols erupted. Amid incredible scenes at Sao Paulo's Neo Quimica Arena, the match between the two giants of South American football was halted when Brazilian health officials ran onto the pitch, triggering […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Manchester City goalkeeper Zack Steffen has tested positive for Covid-19 and will miss the USA's upcoming World Cup qualifier against Honduras, US Soccer confirmed Sunday. In a statement released a few hours before the US were due to play Canada in a CONCACAF qualifier, US Soccer said Steffen had contracted the […]

Sao Paulo (AFP) – Brazil's World Cup qualifying clash against Argentina was sensationally halted shortly after kick-off on Sunday as controversy over Covid-19 protocols erupted. Amid incredible scenes at Sao Paulo's Neo Quimica Arena, the match between the two giants of South American football was halted when a group of Brazilian public health officials came […]

Sao Paulo (AFP) – Brazil's World Cup qualifying clash against Argentina was dramatically suspended shortly after kick-off on Sunday as controversy over Covid-19 protocols erupted. Amid incredible scenes at Sao Paulo's Neo Quimica Arena, the match between the two giants of South American football came to a halt when a group of unidentified officials came […]

Oslo (AFP) – Norway coach Stale Solbakken has caused controversy in the country by calling for people to vote against the government in the upcoming parliamentary elections over the strictness of its coronavirus rules. Solbakken was angry that the 28,000-capacity Ullevaal Stadion could only be a quarter-full for Norway's 1-1 draw with the Netherlands in […]

Florence (Italy) (AFP) – Olivier Giroud has tested positive for Covid-19, his club AC Milan announced on Thursday as the France forward sits out his country's World Cup qualifiers. In a statement, Milan said Giroud "tested positive in a molecular swab carried out at home", adding that he is "doing well but must remain in […]

London (AFP) – England manager Gareth Southgate has revealed he has been abused in recent months for supporting the drive to encourage young people to be vaccinated against coronavirus. Southgate led England to a first major tournament final in 55 years at Euro 2020, missing out on penalties to Italy. His decisions to introduce Manchester […]

Paris (AFP) – FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday he wanted the Premier League and La Liga as well as national federations to "show solidarity" in light of the player release dispute for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. On Tuesday, the English top-flight said it would stop individuals from featuring for countries on the […]

London (AFP) – Matchday revenues across the five major European football leagues took a nearly 2 billion euro hit last season ($2.35 billion) after spectators were largely barred from attending matches due to the pandemic, a report by consultancy KPMG said Tuesday. The projected revenue losses dwarf the 500 million euros that clubs in the […]