Barcelona (AFP) – From former German tennis champion Boris Becker to Barcelona's star striker Lionel Messi, many sports stars and bodies have fallen foul of the taxman over the past few years. Messi became the latest star on Wednesday to be nabbed for tax evasion, when a Spanish court sentenced him and his father to […]

Lyon (AFP) – Real Madrid centre-back Pepe was not selected for Portugal's Euro 2016 semi-final against Wales in Lyon on Wednesday due to a thigh injury, with Bruno Alves taking his place. Pepe was unable to train on the eve of the game and ceded his place to Alves in one of three changes made […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Barcelona, the second richest football club in the world after Real Madrid, has been tainted by a series of legal woes in recent years involving its players and management. Here is a recap of the most significant cases: – Messi – Under investigation since 2013 for tax fraud, the club's Argentine striker […]

Lyon (AFP) – Thousands of Portugal and Wales fans poured into the French city of Lyon on Wednesday to see Real Madrid teammates Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale go head to head in the Euro 2016 semi-final between the countries. For Ronaldo, 31, the match is the latest stage of his battle to get a […]

Buenos Aires (AFP) – Argentine football was in crisis Wednesday after the national coach followed star striker Lionel Messi in quitting weeks before the Olympics, with legend Diego Maradona eyeing a return to a role with the squad. The country's President Mauricio Macri himself slammed the way the sport was being run by the Argentine […]

Barcelona (AFP) – A court in Spain on Wednesday sentenced Barcelona striker Lionel Messi and his father to 21 months in jail for tax fraud, in the latest case of tax avoidance involving a top footballer in the country. But the prison sentences are likely to be suspended as is common in Spain for first […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester United confirmed on Wednesday that the Premier League giants had completed the signing of Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Borussia Dortmund. Mkhitaryan, 27, has penned a four-year deal with United with the option to extend the contract for a further year, the club announced in a statement. "I am very proud […]

Marseille (AFP) – France need midfield star Paul Pogba to hit peak form when Les Bleus take on Germany for a Euro 2016 final place, coach Didier Deschamps said Wednesday. Juventus star Pogba started the European Championship finals amid high expectations but has not consistently sparkled. "Paul is someone who needs tranquility and serenity. It's […]

Marseille (AFP) – France coach Didier Deschamps has called on Les Bleus to go on the attack to end a 58-year wait to beat Germany in a major tournament and book a spot in the Euro 2016 final. "We can't change past history, but we've got our own page to write," Deschamps said in Marseille […]

The match commentators for the Euro 2016 final games have been announced. They are: Semifinal I (POR-WAL): Jon Champion/Stewart Robson Semifinal II (GER-FRA): Ian Darke/Taylor Twellman Final – Darke and Twellman

Evian (France) (AFP) – Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger returned to training on Wednesday, boosting his chances of getting a starting place for his country's Euro 2016 semi-final against France. The 31-year-old Manchester United midfielder hurt knee ligaments during Germany's penalty shootout win over Italy on Saturday and missed training on Tuesday. Defender Benedikt Howedes also […]

Rome (AFP) – Serie A club Lazio confirmed on Wednesday the appointment of Argentine Marcelo Bielsa as their new coach. "Lazio can now announce that the contract of Mr Marcelo Bielsa and his assistants has been signed," a club statement read. "The coach and his staff will be in Rome on Saturday July 9." The […]

Arsenal’s striker search over the last couple of years has been widely publicized. Last summer, the Gunners failed in their attempt to pry Karim Benzema away from Real Madrid. Not only did the north London outfit lose out on their number one summer target, but it seemed as if the club did not necessarily have […]

Lyon (AFP) – Thousands of Portugal and Wales fans poured into the French city of Lyon on Wednesday to see Real Madrid teammates Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale go head to head in the Euro 2016 semi-final between the countries. For Ronaldo, 31, the match is the latest stage of his battle to get a […]

Lisbon (AFP) – Serbian international Andrija Zivkovic and Argentine winger Oscar Benitez have both signed five-year deals with Benfica, the reigning three-time Portuguese champions confirmed on Wednesday. Zivkovic's contract with Partizan Belgrade, the club where the player dubbed the 'Serbian Messi' began his career in 2013, expired at the end of last season. Capped five […]