Saitama (Japan) (AFP) – Japan slammed an "unacceptable" refereeing howler as they crashed 2-1 to the United Arab Emirates in a woeful start to their World Cup qualifying final round on Thursday. AC Milan's Keisuke Honda nodded the hosts in front in Saitama but UAE grabbed all the points after Ahmed Khalil's sumptuous free kick […]

Perth (Australia) (AFP) – Hotshots Massimo Luongo and Tomi Juric were both on target as Australia overcame a dogged Iraq outfit to win 2-0 in their 2018 World Cup qualifier on Thursday. The home side were strong favourites but they didn’t have it all their own way until QPR's Luongo and FC Luzern striker Juric […]

Geneva (AFP) – Swiss federal prosecutors said Thursday they have opened criminal proceedings against German football legend Franz Beckenbauer over allegations of corruption in the awarding of the 2006 World Cup to Germany. Beckenbauer, 70, is under investigation with three other members of the 2006 World Cup organising committee — Hans-Rudolf Schmidt, Theo Zwanziger and […]

Kuala Lumpur (AFP) – War-torn Syria's World Cup qualifier with South Korea has been moved to Malaysia, the Asian Football Confederation said on Thursday, after Macau was a late withdrawal as host. A breakdown in talks between Syria and Macau threw preparations for Tuesday's game into disarray, with South Korea forced to cancel their bookings for […]

London (AFP) – David Luiz made a surprise return to Chelsea on Wednesday as English Premier League clubs splashed out on the final day of a record-breaking, billion-pound mid-year transfer window. In late deals, Brazil defender Luiz returned after two years at Paris Saint-Germain, while France midfielder Moussa Sissoko left Newcastle United for Tottenham Hotspur. […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Jurgen Klinsmann has called on the United States to deliver an "urgent" performance against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on Friday as they aim to book their place in the next round of 2018 World Cup qualifiers. Depending on results in other matches, the Americans could advance to the final qualifying […]

Doha (AFP) – Qatar football officials are concerned right now with qualification for the 2018 World Cup finals, but preparations continue apace for the Gulf state's controversial hosting of the 2022 tournament. Despite continued human rights and trade unions concerns over labour, a Swiss corruption investigation into the awarding of the tournament to the tiny […]

London (AFP) – David Luiz and Moussa Sissoko made the two biggest moves on Wednesday as English Premier League clubs smashed spending records on the final day of the mid-year transfer window. In late deals, Brazil defender Luiz returned to Chelsea after two years at Paris Saint-Germain, while France midfielder Sissoko left Newcastle United for […]

London (AFP) – France midfielder Moussa Sissoko joined Tottenham Hotspur from Newcastle United on a five-year deal on Wednesday after the London club reportedly gazumped Premier League rivals Everton. Newcastle were reported to have accepted a 30 million pounds ($39.4 million, 35.3 million euros) bid for Sissoko from Everton, only for Spurs to pip them […]

London (AFP) – Premier League powerhouses Chelsea have re-signed Brazil defender David Luiz from French champions Paris Saint-Germain on a three-year deal, the English club announced on Wednesday. Luiz, 29, became the world's most expensive defender in 2014 when Chelsea sold him to PSG for around 50 million pounds ($65 million, 58 million euros). But […]

Madrid (AFP) – After the close of the transfer window on Wednesday, AFP Sports takes a look at the five biggest incoming deals of the transfer window in Spain: Alvaro Morata Juventus (ITA) to Real Madrid, 30 million euros ($33.4 million) Fresh from winning a second Champions League in three years, Real Madrid resisted the […]

NBC Sports is launching a brand-new video series entitled Premier League Shorts, which will give fans access to the biggest names in the Premier League. In the first episode (see below), BBC Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker speaks with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp about his first full season at Anfield, the Reds' new […]

London (AFP) – Jack Wilshere's fall from grace shows no sign of slowing as the Arsenal midfielder made a shock move to Bournemouth on a season-long loan on Wednesday. Wilshere was once regarded as one of the most promising youngsters in the Premier League, but Gunners manager Arsene Wenger has allowed the 24-year-old to leave […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bastian Schweinsteiger let the tears flow on Wednesday as Germany's captain made his final appearance for die Mannschaft in their 2-0 friendly win at home to Finland. Schalke's Max Meyer and Arsenal's Mesut Ozil scored Germany's second-half goals, but the night belonged to Schweinsteiger, who played the first 66 minutes in Moenchengladbach […]

Madrid (AFP) – Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Diego Lopez became Espanyol's 10th signing of the transfer window after the Barcelona-based club reached a loan agreement with AC Milan on Wednesday. Earlier, the Catalans sealed a season-long loan deal for Mexican international defender Diego Reyes from Porto. Espanyol were bought by Chinese entertainment company Rastar Group […]