Lionel Messi left Arsenal spellbound as the Barcelona striker's clinical double sealed a 2-0 last 16, first leg victory that put the Champions League holders firmly on course for the quarter-finals on Tuesday. Barca coach Luis Enrique joked this week that all he needed to do was shout 'Abracadabra' for Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez […]

A former German bank robber has been charged with blackmail for allegedly trying to extort millions in cash and diamonds from Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich with bomb threats, police said Tuesday. The German league leaders received two letters on February 9 and 15 containing vague threats, involving bombs and drones, and reported demands for one […]

On May 11, 1985, a fire erupted during a game at Bradford City's stadium in Yorkshire, England. What started out as a small blaze quickly erupted into an inferno, trapping innocent people and burning many of them alive. It was one of the darkest days in football. In all, 265 people were injured. Fifty six […]

David Beckham has come to the defense of under-pressure Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal, saying the Dutchman needs time to turn the club's fortunes around. United's 3-0 FA Cup win over third-tier Shrewsbury on Monday gave Van Gaal some breathing space but the club still need to overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit at home […]

An authorized biography of Sepp Blatter written by the shamed FIFA president's former spokesman will be released next month, the publisher said Tuesday, four days before an election to choose Blatter's successor. "It is really a journey through Sepp Blatter's life," said Alain Diezig of publisher Werd&Weber. "Mission Football", which includes many photos, was written […]

Joe Hart insists Manchester City can win the Champions League this season despite their injury woes and recent poor form. Manuel Pellegrini's side travel to face Dynamo Kiev in the first leg of their last 16 tie in the Ukrainian capital on Wednesday. But City goalkeeper Hart and his team-mates boarded the flight with morale […]

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique has warned Arsenal they will be left spell-bound when he unleashes his bewitching forwards in the Champions League on Tuesday. Enrique's side head to the Emirates Stadium for the last 16 first leg on a 32-match unbeaten run in all competitions and with their front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez […]

Manchester United cruised into the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 3-0 win at Shrewsbury on Monday that at least temporarily eased the mounting pressure on Louis van Gaal. Chris Smalling, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard netted the goals as United wrapped up a businesslike victory against their third tier hosts to secure a last eight […]

After a few seasons of wrestling with the best way to approach the UEFA Champions League, Juventus cracked the European soccer puzzle last term. Massimiliano Allegri built on the superb work done by Antonio Conte in his first campaign in charge, winning the league title and the domestic cup. But it was the performances of […]

Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Mueller are closing in on the Bundesliga's record goal-haul for a partnership with the Bavarians reportedly set to spend big to keep the duo together. Mueller netted twice and Lewandowski scored their third in Saturday's 3-1 comeback win at home to Darmstadt for the runaway league leaders. It was […]

A narrative has emerged from the recent FIFA scandal that while corruption is rife around the sport, the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and Major League Soccer (MLS) are somehow immune to this disease. Never mind that a large portion of the alleged crimes related to the FIFA scandal happened on American soil and involved […]

Lionel Messi and Argentina were given a chance for revenge after being drawn against reigning Copa America champions Chile in the group stage for this summer's special centenary edition of the tournament. Argentina suffered an agonizing defeat to Chile in the climax of last June's tournament in Santiago as their major championship drought continued. However, […]

The 2016 Copa America Centenario offers the US Men’s National Team a unique opportunity to test itself before the Hex begins later this fall. Since they did not qualify for the Confederations Cup in Russia, this is likely their best chance to be World Cup ready by testing themselves against the best teams in the […]

Manuel Pellegrini refused to apologize for his controversial decision to field a team of youngsters after Manchester City were dumped out of the FA Cup with a 5-1 thrashing at Chelsea. Pellegrini stood accused of disrespecting the famous old competition as he selected six teenagers, with five making their full debuts, and then watched them […]

London sides Chelsea and West Ham both reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup on Sunday as city rivals Tottenham Hotspur were knocked out by fellow capital club Crystal Palace. Martin Kelly was Palace's unlikely hero at White Hart Lane as his first goal for the south London side — and first for anyone since […]