San Francisco (AFP) – US men's national team assistant coach Luchi Gonzalez has been hired as the next coach of the San Jose Earthquakes — but he won't take over until after the World Cup. The Major League Soccer squad announced the move on Wednesday, saying current interim coach Alex Covelo will remain as manager […]

London (AFP) – British businessman Jim Ratcliffe is "definitely a potential buyer" of Manchester United if the English football giants go on sale, a spokesman for the Ineos petrochemicals billionaire said Wednesday. Ineos was responding to reports United's current owners, the US-based Glazer family, are considering selling a minority stake, with the team currently bottom […]

London (AFP) – The UK jury in the rape trial of French footballer Benjamin Mendy was on Wednesday told by one of his accusers how she had shouted 'stop' while trying to fight him off. The 32-year-old woman's recorded interview was played at Chester Crown Court in north-west England. She recalled how the 28-year-old Manchester […]

London (AFP) – Former Manchester United footballer Ryan Giggs, on trial for assaulting and coercively controlling an ex-girlfriend, told a UK court Wednesday that his record of one sending off in a 24-year career showed he was not prone to violence. Taking the stand at Manchester Crown Court for the second day running, the former […]

Berlin (AFP) – La Liga club Sevilla have signed defender Tanguy Nianzou from Bayern Munich on a five-year deal, the German side announced on Wednesday. Frenchman Nianzou, 20, who joined Bayern from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2020 on a free transfer, has largely been a peripheral player in the Bavarian capital. German newspaper […]

London (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo has been cautioned by British police after footage emerged of the Manchester United forward appearing to smash a phone out of an Everton fan's hand at a match last season. The 37-year-old was interviewed by officers in relation to an allegation of assault and criminal damage following the incident at […]

London (AFP) – West Ham announced the signing of German international defender Thilo Kehrer from Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday. Kehrer, 25, has signed a four-year contract with the Premier League club, with the option of a two-year extension, for a reported £10.1 million ($12 million). The London club have been looking for defensive cover after […]

London (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo has hit out at the "lies" surrounding reports about his future at Manchester United. The Portugal forward missed United's pre-season tour to Thailand and Australia due to personal reasons as speculation swirled over whether he would be leaving Old Trafford. It has been reported Ronaldo wants to play Champions League […]

London (AFP) – Brighton signed Ecuador defender Pervis Estupinan from Spanish side Villarreal on Tuesday in a deal worth a reported £17 million ($20 million). Estupinan agreed a five-year contract with the Premier League club, who needed a replacement for Marc Cucurella following the left-back's recent move to Chelsea. "We're excited by what Pervis brings […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Armando Obispo spared Walter Benitez's blushes as PSV Eindhoven rescued a 2-2 draw against Rangers in the Champions League play-off first leg on Tuesday. PSV goalkeeper Benitez looked to have gifted Rangers the advantage when he allowed Tom Lawrence's free-kick to squirm through his hands in the second half at Ibrox. Benitez's […]

London (AFP) – Former footballer Ryan Giggs admitted Tuesday to being unfaithful in all his past romantic relationships but denied ever being violent towards partners, as he gave evidence over charges of assault and coercive control of an ex-girlfriend. Taking the stand for the first time in his week-old trial, the Manchester United legend denied […]

London (AFP) – Virgil van Dijk said new Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez must learn to "control himself" after being sent off for a reckless headbutt during Monday's 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace. The 23-year-old Uruguayan, who signed from Benfica in June, was shown a straight red card in the 57th minute at Anfield for his […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City on Tuesday confirmed the signing of Spanish left-back Sergio Gomez from Anderlecht on a four-year deal for a reported fee of £11 million ($13 million). The Under-21 international becomes the Premier League champions' fourth signing of the transfer window following the arrivals of Erling Haaland, Kalvin Phillips and Stefan Ortega […]

Berlin (AFP) – Borussia Dortmund forward Jamie Bynoe-Gittens has extended his deal until 2025, the Bundesliga club said on Tuesday. The announcement bookends an eventful week for Bynoe-Gittens, who scored a goal and set up the winner in Friday's 3-1 victory over Freiburg shortly after celebrating his 18th birthday. After the win, Dortmund coach Edin […]

Milan (AFP) – Dusan Vlahovic fired Juventus to a comfortable 3-0 win over Sassuolo with a brace in Monday's Serie A opener while Victor Osimhen was racially abused by Verona fans in a thumping 5-2 win for Napoli. Serbia forward Vlahovic put Juve two ahead just before the break from the penalty spot after being […]