Berlin (AFP) – Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich said on Monday they expect the Covid-19 pandemic to cost them 150 million euros ($178 million) in lost match-day revenue. Just a few hundred fans were allowed in for their final game last season, the only Bayern match at the Allianz Arena where spectators have been admitted since […]

London (AFP) – Former France striker Nicolas Anelka believes Kylian Mbappe will need to follow his example in leaving Paris Saint-Germain to play abroad if he is to be regarded as the best player in the world. Mbappe, who joined PSG in 2017, is about to enter the final season of his contract in the […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham's new managing director of football Fabio Paratici said on Monday keeping Harry Kane is "our goal as a club" even though the England captain has stated his desire to leave. Kane, 27, has told Spurs he wants a move after growing frustrated at the their 13-year trophy drought and a clutch […]

London (AFP) – Peter Schmeichel says son Kasper will be ready for penalties if needed when Denmark take on England in the Euro 2020 semi-finals on Wednesday, warning the Danes should not be underestimated. The former Manchester United goalkeeper was part of the Danish team that stunned the world in 1992 when they won the […]

London (AFP) – Gareth Southgate says England are ready to end their semi-final hoodoo as they prepare to face Denmark in the last four of Euro 2020, bidding to reach their first final at a major tournament since 1966. England topped their group and beat old foes Germany in the round of 16 before ratcheting […]

Berlin (AFP) – Veteran striker Max Kruse was a surprise inclusion Monday in Germany's men's squad for the Tokyo Olympic Games, five years after he was booted out of the national side. The 33-year-old joins Nadiem Amiri, 24, and Maximilian Arnold, 27, all full Germany internationals, as the three players in the squad born before […]

London (AFP) – Euro 2020 has delivered more drama than even then-UEFA president Michel Platini could have envisaged when he announced the event would be held around Europe nine years ago, but it has still been slammed as a "joke" and "not really fair". The tournament has been played across 11 cities in 11 countries […]

Milan (AFP) – A discreet but 'irreplaceable' midfield presence Jorginho has been the cornerstone of Italy's revival from World Cup flops to Euro 2020 contenders with a semi-final against Spain awaiting in the London of his club side Chelsea on Tuesday. One of the Azzurri's Brazilian contingent along with domestic teammate Emerson Palmieri and Atalanta […]

London (AFP) – Luis Enrique's belligerent self-belief has led Spain to the semi-finals of Euro 2020, but the former Barcelona boss has another personal score to settle in Tuesday's last four against Italy. His playing career at major tournaments is best remembered for the vicious elbow from Mauro Tassotti that left blood flowing from his […]

London (AFP) – Italy and Spain will face off at a fourth consecutive European Championship when they meet in Tuesday's semi-final at Wembley. Ahead of that game AFP Sports looks at five of the best past encounters between the nations: – Tassotti's elbow on Luis Enrique – 1994 World Cup quarter-final: Italy 2 Spain 1 […]

Three years ago, Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1958. The nation had a squad that needed to be refreshed and an identify that required an overhaul. Roberto Mancini was hired to return his homeland to glory, and he is off to a great start. The last time […]

Milan (AFP) – Roma have loaned Turkey winger Cengiz Under to French club Marseille for a year with an option to buy, both clubs confirmed on Sunday. "Under joins the Ligue 1 side on an initial temporary basis until 30 June 2022," the Serie A club said, announcing a loan fee of 500,000 euros ($593,000) […]

Milan (AFP) – New Roma coach Jose Mourinho on Sunday lamented the "terrible loss" of Italy left-back Leonardo Spinazzola with a ruptured left Achilles tendon. The 28-year-old picked up the injury during Friday's 2-1 Euro 2020 quarter-final win over Belgium in Munich, the day Mourinho arrived in Rome. "It's a terrible loss for Italy, but […]

London (AFP) – Crystal Palace announced former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira as the club's new manager on Sunday, following a prolonged search for a successor to Roy Hodgson. Vieira, who won three Premier League titles as a player with the Gunners, has had mixed results in charge of New York City and Nice in his […]

Baku (AFP) – Denmark may have achieved one goal by reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2020 at Wembley but, inspired by a "proud" Christian Eriksen, they have no intention of stopping there. A 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic on Saturday propelled the Danes into the last four of a major tournament for the first […]