Cairo (AFP) – The Cairo derby between Al-Ahli and Zamalek is staged behind closed doors on Thursday, the crowd ban forcing fans like Mohamed el-Kiey to watch the game from a cafe. Al-Ahli and Zamalek have been playing to an empty stadium since 19 Zamalek fans were killed in February 2015 and 72 Al-Ahli fans […]

For soccer fans who watch a ton of matches each week, many of us have our own favorite soccer commentators — the ones we look forward to listening to, the ones that give us a thrill when we hear their voices on television. After watching thousands of matches, both World Soccer Talk Senior Writer Kartik Krishnaiyer […]

Istanbul (AFP) – Turkish Super Lig club Galatasaray of Istanbul said on Wednesday it had received a significant offer from Beijing Guoan for star German striker Lukas Podolski. "An important offer has been received from Beijing Guoan for Podolski," said Galatasaray's sporting director Levent Nazifoglu. "We are considering this offer. Whether this transfer is realised […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United great Ryan Giggs is one of the names being considered for the managerial vacancy at Swansea City, according to British media reports on Wednesday. Swansea, second from bottom in the Premier League, are looking for a new manager after American Bob Bradley was sacked just 11 games into his tenure […]

The Hague (AFP) – Dutch first division club ADO Den Haag dragged its Beijing-based owners to court Wednesday in a bid to recoup more than 2.3 million euros ($2.4mn) it is claiming in outstanding payments. In a hearing lasting less than 10 minutes before a Hague district court, ADO's lawyer Paul Olden told judges the […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is looking forward to pitting his wits against Pep Guardiola again after seeing the Reds fight back to beat Stoke City 4-1 in the Premier League on Tuesday. The Reds moved back above Manchester City into second place in the table, and to within six points of leaders […]

Swansea (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Premier League strugglers Swansea City dismissed coach Bob Bradley on Tuesday after just 11 games in charge, the club announced. American Bradley replaced Francesco Guidolin in October but the Swans have won just twice following his appointment and lie second from bottom in the table. "Swansea City can confirm that […]

Dubai (AFP) – Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal's Euro 2016-winning coach Fernando Santos scooped the top prizes at the seventh edition of the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai on Tuesday. Ronaldo claimed the best player award after helping his country land their first major title at this year's European Championship and firing Real […]

Madrid (AFP) – Coach Juande Ramos has left Spanish side Malaga after a poor run of recent results, the two parties confirmed on Tuesday. The former Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur manager, who returned to Malaga for a second spell in charge in May, had been under pressure after his side finished the year with […]

Swansea (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Premier League strugglers Swansea City dismissed coach Bob Bradley on Tuesday after just 11 games in charge, the club announced on its website. American Bradley replaced Francesco Guidolin in October but the Swans have won just twice following his appointment and lie second from bottom in the table. "Swansea City […]

Liverpool (AFP) – A fine finish by Roberto Firmino helped Liverpool to come roaring back from behind and beat Stoke City 4-1 as they reclaimed second place in the Premier League table on Tuesday. Jurgen Klopp's side were rattled for a spell after Jonathan Walters headed Stoke into an early lead at Anfield, but Adam […]

Madrid (AFP) – Argentine coach Diego Simeone will remain at Atletico Madrid next season, the club's chief executive officer Miguel Angel Gil Marin said Tuesday. Simeone, 46, signed a contract extension in 2015 that originally tied him to the club until June 2020, an unusually long deal by Spanish standards. But in September he reduced […]

Berlin (AFP) – Former Germany international Torsten Frings will lead Darmstadt's battle against relegation after taking over as the club's new coach, the Bundesliga's bottom side announced on Tuesday. Frings has signed an 18-month contract at Darmstadt but faces a daunting challenge in his first head coaching role with the club eight points from outright […]

London (AFP) – Antonio Conte insisted his focus is on the Premier League title and not seeing his Chelsea side set a new record of successive league victories. The 3-0 defeat of Bournemouth on Monday set a new club record of 12 straight league wins, one short of Arsenal’s single-season mark from 14 years ago. […]

London (AFP) – Antonio Conte has challenged his Chelsea stars to use their club record run of 12 successive victories as the foundation to win the Premier League title. Conte's side moved seven points clear at the top after a 3-0 win over Bournemouth on Monday and they are now just two more victories away […]