Madrid (AFP) – Lionel Messi will break his silence over his future on Sunday, three days after financially-strapped Barcelona announced they were unable to keep the superstar who is reportedly close to a move to Paris Saint-Germain. The Spanish giants said that the 34-year-old will hold a press conference at the Camp Nou at noon […]

Geneva (AFP) – Sepp Blatter, the former world football chief, faces his final hearing with a Swiss prosecutor on Monday in a fraud probe surrounding a 2011 FIFA payment to Michel Platini. Former FIFA president Joseph "Sepp" Blatter, 85, said he was optimistic ahead of the hearing and hoped that the long-running saga would finally […]

Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain might be closing in on signing Lionel Messi but another Argentinian was their match-winner on Saturday as Mauro Icardi's goal secured a 2-1 victory against newly-promoted Troyes in their opening game of the new Ligue 1 season. Second-tier champions Troyes had gone in front inside eight minutes to the delight […]

Berlin (AFP) – Erling Braut Haaland hit a hat-trick as holders Borussia Dortmund eased past minnows Wehen Wiesbaden with a 3-0 win in the first round of the German Cup on Saturday. Since joining in January 2020, the Norway goal-machine has scored 60 times in the same number of Dortmund games, including seven goals in […]

London (AFP) – Jack Grealish's Manchester City debut was spoiled by Kelechi Iheanacho as the Leicester striker's late penalty clinched a 1-0 win in the Community Shield on Saturday. All eyes were on Grealish when he came on as a second half substitute following his British record £100 million ($139 million) move from Aston Villa […]

Paris (AFP) – As Lionel Messi prepared to say farewell to Barcelona in a club press conference on Sunday, French fans and media alike were salivating over the impact the superstar's mooted arrival at Paris Saint-Germain would have on the club and the French league. The 34-year-old will take questions from the press at noon […]

Paris (AFP) – Lyon were held to a 1-1 draw by Brest in their opening game of the Ligue 1 season on Saturday before Paris Saint-Germain begin their bid to reclaim the French title later. Playing their first game under new Dutch coach Peter Bosz, Lyon needed a second-half Islam Slimani goal to earn a […]

Berlin (AFP) – Jesse Marsch made a succesful start in his maiden competitive game as head coach of RB Leipzig with a 4-0 away romp at second division Sandhausen on Saturday in the first round of the German Cup. The American has replaced new Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann at Leipzig, who finished runners up […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Glasgow Rangers were beaten for the first time in 41 league games as Dundee United handed the Scottish Premiership champions a shock 1-0 defeat on Saturday. Jamie Robson's second half strike at Tannadice condemned Steven Gerrard's side to their first league loss since Hamilton beat them in March 2020. After opening their […]

Paris (AFP) – Plan A was to stay at Barcelona but after the Catalan club, home for his entire career, ruefully accepted it cannot afford him any more Lionel Messi was Saturday expected to be about to embark on plan P for Paris. French fans and media alike were salivating on the effect the superstar's […]

Madrid (AFP) – Lionel Messi will take part in a Barcelona press conference on Sunday, three days after the club announced he was leaving after 21 years, the Spanish giants said Saturday. The 34-year-old will take questions from the press at noon (1000 GMT), Barcelona said in a statement. They will be his first public […]

Paris (AFP) – Champions League hopefuls Monaco threw away a lead to draw 1-1 with Nantes in the opening game of the French Ligue 1 season on Friday. Gelson Martins gave the principality side the perfect start in the 14th minute at the Stade Louis II when he turned in a cross by Caio Henrique. […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Lionel Messi has left Barcelona with the cash-strapped Spanish giants unable to afford the new deal to keep the Argentinian superstar and Paris Saint-Germain emerging as the favourites for his signature. Barcelona president Joan Laporta said on Friday he was not prepared "to put the club at risk" by renewing Messi's contract, […]

Yokohama (Japan) (AFP) – Christine Sinclair, the all-time leading scorer in international football, enjoyed the crowning moment of her career Friday as Canada won Olympic gold for the first time. The 38-year-old Sinclair debuted for the national team as a teenager in 2000, and her 187 international goals are the most in the history of […]

Madrid (AFP) – News of Lionel Messi's departure is a hammer blow for Barcelona, but it is also a disaster for the prestige of La Liga. Not so long ago the very best players in the world played in Spain. Gradually, though, things have changed. Neymar left Barcelona in 2017 for Paris Saint-Germain before Cristiano […]