Doha (AFP) – The UN labour agency joined Amnesty International Thursday in calling on World Cup hosts Qatar to protect thousands of security guards who a report said were victims of "forced labour". Guards posted at World Cup stadiums, ministries and offices often had to work months, sometimes years, without a day off, Amnesty said […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid might want both Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland this summer but Karim Benzema's latest Champions League hat-trick shows they already have the world's deadliest number nine. There is an even an argument to say Benzema is the finest player in the world full-stop right now, after he upstaged Mbappe in […]

London (AFP) – Erik ten Hag is the strong favourite to be named Manchester United's next full-time manager, dealing a crushing blow to the dreams of embattled Paris Saint-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino, according to British media reports on Thursday. Both the BBC and the Daily Mail claim the 52-year-old Ajax manager is seen as fitting […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – The Seattle Sounders took control of their CONCACAF Champions League semi-final against Major League Soccer champions New York City on Wednesday with a convincing 3-1 first-leg victory. Goals from Albert Rusnak, Jordan Morris and captain Nicolas Lodeiro powered the Sounders to a deserved win that leaves the club on the brink […]

London (AFP) – Thomas Tuchel turned on Chelsea's players as the Blues boss let his frustration pour out after their dismal 3-1 defeat against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final first leg. Tuchel's side are facing the end of their reign as Champions League holders following a bitter night at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. […]

London (AFP) – Thomas Tuchel claims Chelsea have no chance of advancing to the Champions League semi-finals after Karim Benzema's hat-trick inspired Real Madrid's stunning 3-1 win on Wednesday. Tuchel's side were rocked by Benzema's brilliant treble at Stamford Bridge and the shell-shocked Blues boss conceded the holders' reign is almost certainly over. With away […]

Villarreal (Spain) (AFP) – Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann said his team "deserved" to lose following their 1-0 loss away to Villarreal in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final Wednesday. Arnaut Danjuma scored an early goal and Bayern were fortunate they will return to Germany not trailing by more after Villarreal striker Gerard […]

London (AFP) – Carlo Ancelotti hailed Karim Benzema's "fantastic" hat-trick as he fired Real Madrid to a 3-1 win against Chelsea that put the Champions League holders on the brink of elimination after Wednesday's quarter-final first leg. Benzema produced a masterclass at Stamford Bridge as the France striker netted twice in the first half with […]

Vila-real (Spain) (AFP) – Villarreal inflicted a shock 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich on Wednesday as Arnaut Danjuma's strike boosted the Spanish team's hopes of causing a huge upset in the Champions League quarter-finals. Danjuma diverted in Dani Parejo's shot in the eighth minute at La Ceramica to seal a surprise win, with Bayern perhaps […]

Burnley (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Maxwel Cornet scored five minutes from time as Burnley beat Premier League relegation rivals Everton 3-2 in a see-saw clash at Turf Moor on Wednesday. Victory saw Burnley remain in the relegation zone but move to within a point of Everton. Burnley took an early lead through Nathan Collins' first […]

London (AFP) – Karim Benzema's hat-trick fired Real Madrid to a stunning 3-1 win against Chelsea that put the Champions League holders on the brink of elimination after a dramatic quarter-final first leg on Wednesday. Benzema produced a masterclass at Stamford Bridge as the France striker netted twice in the first half with two perfectly-taken […]

Madrid (AFP) – Ferran Torres joked on Wednesday he would kidnap Ousmane Dembele to make the winger stay at Barcelona. Dembele is expected to leave for free at the end of the season after he decided against renewing his contract in January. But the Frenchman has been revitalised by Xavi Hernandez and his agent reportedly […]

London (AFP) – Thomas Tuchel made four changes for Chelsea's Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid as he looked for a response following last weekend's shock thrashing by Brentford. After Brentford romped to a 4-1 victory in the Premier League on Saturday, Tuchel dropped Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Marcos Alonso and Ruben Loftus-Cheek […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has warned against viewing Sunday's match with Manchester City as a decider for the Premier League title. Victory at the Etihad Stadium would give Liverpool an 11th successive league win and leave them two points ahead of City at the top of the table with seven games left […]

New York (AFP) – The jersey worn by Diego Maradona when he scored twice against England in the 1986 World Cup, including the infamous "hand of God" goal, is to be auctioned off later this month, Sotheby's announced Wednesday. The blue number 10 shirt has been owned since the end of the controversial World Cup […]