It's difficult to imagine an offseason minus the machinations of Real Madrid and their Galactico-obsessed president Florentino Perez, but yesterday FIFA banned the Spanish giants from signing players in the next two transfer windows for violating rules governing the signing of minors to youth teams. This means that, barring an appeal, the current January transfer […]

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said he needs soccer to be "entertaining" but refused to criticize the approach of Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal. The two men will go head-to-head when the bitter northwest rivals meet at Anfield on Sunday, with the match portrayed in some quarters as a clash between German manager Klopp's […]

Holders Barcelona will face Athletic Bilbao in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey after Friday's draw threw up a repeat of last season's final. Barca beat Athletic 3-1 with Lionel Messi scoring twice in a final played at the Camp Nou, before the Basque side gained a measure of revenge by winning when the […]

Mesut Ozil has been a long-standing favorite for critiques and critics alike. More than a year ago, as the German returned from an injury that kept him out for the more decisive part of the season, the shadows of detractors lurked over his shoulders, cavorting and taunting the German about his physical shortcomings and the […]

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal urged his players to keep their cool against fierce rivals Liverpool on Sunday as he dampened down suggestions goalkeeper David de Gea would move to Real Madrid this month. The fixture between the two nothwest giants is always one of the high points of the Premier League season and […]

Chelsea and West Bromwich Albion were charged by the Football Association on Friday for failing to control their players during Wednesday's 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge. An already feisty encounter boiled over following an off-the-ball trip by West Brom's Claudio Yacob, who had already been booked, on Chelsea striker Diego Costa. The Baggies midfielder avoided […]

I think we can all agree, it’s been a nightmare season on and off the pitch for Aston Villa. In the aftermath of their second win of the season against Crystal Palace on Tuesday the board announced the appointment of new chairman, Steve Hollis. Once again, highlighting the shambles that is taking place behind the […]

It is a signal of Manchester City's inconsistency that they have not managed to string together two successive Premier League victories since mid-October. Yet it is a sign of the division's unpredictability that despite this, Manuel Pellegrini's side remain just three points off the top as they go into Saturday's home match against Crystal Palace. […]

Borussia Dortmund striker Ciro Immobile said he cannot wait to play for Torino again after completing his six-month loan signing Friday in a bid to boost his Euro 2016 selection chances. Immobile moved to Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund in 2014 following Italy's ill-fated World Cup campaign in Brazil, but despite hitting the net four times […]

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri has told his side to revel in their success so far this term after last season's struggle to avoid relegation from the lucrative Premier League. The Foxes head into this weekend's round of fixtures a surprise second in the table, with Arsenal at the top of the standings on goal difference […]

Former Napoli defender Paolo Cannavaro has played down Sassuolo's 'giant-killer' status as the Serie A minnows look to claim another scalp on their way to an unlikely place in Europe next season. Cannavaro was a reluctant departee from Napoli when he was transferred to Sassuolo in January 2014. But the 34-year-old center-back is now a […]

After the rousing success of a 5-0 win over Deportivo la Coruna on his managerial debut last weekend, more of the same is expected from Zinedine Zidane's Real Madrid at home to Sporting Gijon on Sunday. The club were rocked on Thursday by a one-year transfer ban handed down by FIFA for alleged irregularities in […]

Premier League giants Manchester City have agreed terms for the transfer of Australian A-League star Anthony Caceres, his club Central Coast Mariners said on Friday. "The Central Coast Mariners can today confirm that the club has agreed to terms with English Premier League club Manchester City for the transfer of 23-year-old midfielder Anthony Caceres that […]

Few would be surprised to hear how a famous footballer enjoys surfing, hiking or golf. Even David Beckham’s interest in fencing or Michael Owen’s passion for horse riding makes reasonable sense. It’s not surprising football stars like to take up side hobbies as a means of taking a break from the job and enjoying an […]

Spanish giants Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid were banned from registering new players for a year by FIFA on Thursday for their dealings in signing under-age players. Here we look at the potential consequences for both sides at being unable to strengthen their squads for 12 months once the transfer window closes at the end […]