The Hague (AFP) – Dutchman Louis van Gaal will return for a third time as the national football coach, leading the team to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Dutch football federation (KNVB) said Wednesday. The appointment of the 69-year-old, dubbed the "Iron Tulip", comes after the resignation of Frank de Boer in June […]

Rome (AFP) – Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero has asked Roma to come and get Denmark's Euro 2020 sensation Mikkel Damsgaard this summer as Jose Mourinho's new side look to strengthen ahead of the new Serie A season. Damsgaard stepped in to replace Christian Eriksen after he suffered a heart attack in Denmark's opening match at […]

Monaco (AFP) – Dutch international striker Myron Boadu has left AZ Alkmaar to join Monaco on a five-year deal, the Ligue 1 side announced on Wednesday. The 20-year-old, who scored in his first appearance for the Netherlands in a Euro 2020 qualifier against Estonia in November 2019, made his Eredivisie debut at 17 years of […]

London (AFP) – Aston Villa signed Jamaica forward Leon Bailey from Bayer Leverkusen in a reported £30 million ($41 million) deal on Wednesday. Bailey, 23, agreed a four-year contract with the Premier League club, who are preparing for the likely departure of England playmaker Jack Grealish. Grealish has been linked with a move to Premier […]

Paris (AFP) – Monaco coach Niko Kovac said he was "disgusted" by the racist remarks his midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni received in Tuesday's Champions League third qualifying round first leg 2-0 win at Sparta Prague. The France under-21s Tchouameni claimed the opener in the first half before Kevin Volland's second after the break gave them the win […]

Paris (AFP) – Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni and his team-mates said he was racially abused after scoring in Tuesday's third qualifying round first leg against Sparta Prague in the Champions League. France under-21s' Tchouameni claimed the opener in the first half. He and his team-mates then ran over to coach Niko Kovac and UEFA officials, including […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool midfielder Fabinho has signed a new long-term contract with the Premier League club, they announced on Tuesday. The Brazil international is the second key member of Jurgen Klopp's first-team squad to extend their time at Anfield after Trent Alexander-Arnold completed a new deal last month. "I'm delighted to have signed a […]

London (AFP) – Coronavirus regulations may explain why Harry Kane has failed to attend training with Tottenham Hotspur two days running amid speculation the England captain is trying to force a big-money move to Premier League champions Manchester City. Kane was due back at Tottenham's training headquarters on Monday for a coronavirus test and a […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich have had their German Cup tie on Friday postponed after Covid-19 hit their fifth-tier opponents, while there are doubts at Borussia Dortmund where Julian Brandt and Thomas Meunier tested positive for the virus. The first round of the German Cup takes place this weekend without Bayern, the German FA announced […]

Tokyo (AFP) – Spain will play reigning champions Brazil in the Olympic men's football final after Marco Asensio's superb extra-time winner Tuesday secured a 1-0 victory over host nation Japan in Saitama. The Real Madrid winger came off the bench as a substitute and curled in a terrific strike in the 115th minute, sending Spain […]

Rome (AFP) – Italy goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu has moved to Genoa on a free transfer, the Serie A club said on Tuesday, after returning home from his country's triumph at Euro 2020. Sirigu was in the Azzurri squad for this summer's European Championship but barely featured as Gianluigi Donnarumma dominated between the sticks for Roberto […]

London (AFP) – Harry Kane again failed to attend training with Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday but the England captain is expected back at the club later this week despite trying to force a big-money move to Premier League champions Manchester City, the London Evening Standard reported Tuesday. Kane was due back at Tottenham's training headquarters […]

Tokyo (AFP) – Reigning Olympic men's football champions Brazil sealed a return to the final as they defeated Mexico 4-1 on penalties Tuesday following a goalless draw after 120 minutes in Kashima. Brazil goalkeeper Santos saved from Eduardo Aguirre in the shootout before Johan Vasquez smacked the post with Mexico's second attempt. Dani Alves, Gabriel […]

Rome (AFP) – Giorgio Chiellini has signed a new two-year contract with Juventus, the Serie A club announced on Monday, a few weeks after the Italy captain led his country to triumph at Euro 2020. Chiellini, 36, was out of contract after his previous deal with Juve expired at the end of June, while Italy […]

London (AFP) – Japan forward Kyogo Furuhashi hopes to emulate the impact of Shunsuke Nakamura at Scottish Premiership side Celtic. Furuhashi became the latest Japan international to join the club when he arrived in Glasgow from Vissel Kobe in July. The 26-year-old follows in the footsteps of Nakamura, who scored 33 goals in four seasons […]