Seoul (AFP) – Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min has revealed he faced racism as a teenage footballer in Germany and was happy to get "revenge" when South Korea knocked Germany out of 2018 World Cup. Son, 29, became the first Asian footballer to win the Golden Boot for being top scorer in the English Premier League with […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – England women's manager Sarina Wiegman believes her side are in a "good place" heading into Wednesday's Euro 2022 opener against Austria, but only excellence will do in a tournament of unprecedented expectations for the Lionesses. A sell-out crowd of 71,000 will watch the hosts kick the tournament off at Old […]

Monterrey (Mexico) (AFP) – Two-time defending champion United States blanked Haiti 3-0 on Monday in the opening match of the CONCACAF W tournament, a regional qualifier for the 2023 Women's World Cup and 2024 Olympics. The two-time reigning Women's World Cup champion United States seized a 2-0 half-time lead through goals by Alex Morgan in the […]

London (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo's shock demand to leave Manchester United has thrown Erik ten Hag's plans into disarray as he scrambles to contain the fall-out from the Portugal star's power play. Just one year after returning to United in a blockbuster move from Juventus, Ronaldo has already grown so disenchanted that he is trying […]

Paris (AFP) – Christophe Galtier has been appointed coach of French champions Paris Saint-Germain on a two-year deal, club sources confirmed on Monday. Galtier, who spent last season in charge of Ligue 1 rivals Nice, takes over from Argentine Mauricio Pochettino. The 55-year-old Galtier was pictured arriving at the Parisians' offices just outside the French […]

Milan (AFP) – Fabio Quagliarella will continue in Serie A next season after Sampdoria announced on Monday that the veteran striker had signed a one-year extension to his contract. In a statement, Samp said that the 39-year-old former Italy forward "will stay with the 'blucerchiato' until 30 June 2023". Quagliarella has scored 105 times in […]

Marseille (AFP) – French Ligue 1 giants Marseille on Monday named ex-Croatia international Igor Tudor as their new coach to replace Jorge Sampaoli. Tudor coached Verona in Serie A last season, leading the club to ninth in Italy's top flight. He stepped down after failing to come to an agreement on how to build on […]

Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain have called a press conference for Tuesday amid reports in France that Christophe Galtier is set to be announced as the French champions' new coach, replacing Mauricio Pochettino. PSG announced on Monday that a press conference will be held at the club's Parc des Princes stadium at 2:00pm (1200 GMT), […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Barcelona on Monday announced the signings of Ivory Coast midfielder Franck Kessie and Denmark defender Andreas Christensen on free transfers. Kessie joins from Italian champions AC Milan while Christensen arrives from Chelsea. Both have agreed four-year deals with Barcelona. The 25-year-old Kessie spent the past five seasons in Milan after first arriving […]

Doha (AFP) – Building work in Qatar's capital Doha, host of the 2022 World Cup, will be completed "well before the tournament", the event's CEO promised qualifying teams on Monday. Referring to the many construction sites visible in the city at the opening of a two-day seminar bringing together representatives of the 32 qualifying nations, […]

London (AFP) – England midfielder Kalvin Phillips completed a "dream" move to Premier League champions Manchester City in a £45 million ($53 million) transfer from Leeds on Monday. City agreed an initial fee of £42 million for Phillips, with a further £3 million to be added in potential bonuses. Phillips, who has signed a six-year […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United have agreed a deal in principle to sign Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen on a free transfer, according to reports on Monday. United manager Erik ten Hag made the three-year contract offer to Eriksen after the Dane's impressive comeback with Brentford. The 30-year-old is reported to have a verbal agreement with […]

London (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo missed training with Manchester United on Monday due to "family reasons", just days after the Portugal star reportedly told the club he wants to leave. United players who had been away on international duty over the close-season were scheduled to meet up with the rest of the squad on Monday. […]

London (AFP) – Fulham signed Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Palhinha on Monday as the newly-promoted Premier League club splashed out 20 million euros ($20.9 million) for the Portugal international. Palhinha is Fulham's first new arrival since the west London club clinched promotion from the Championship last season. The 26-year-old agreed a five-year contract, with the […]

London (AFP) – Gabriel Jesus has set his sights on emulating boyhood hero Thierry Henry after Arsenal signed the Manchester City striker for a fee of around £45 million ($54 million) on Monday. Jesus, who scored 95 goals in 236 appearances for City, has signed a "long-term contract" with Arsenal after deciding to leave the […]