Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola insists his side are on the right track despite a disciplinary crisis that includes a ban for star striker Sergio Aguero. City have collected six red cards this season, including two on Saturday when Aguero and Fernandinho were sent off towards the end of a […]

Lausanne (AFP) – Sport's highest court on Monday rejected the appeal of former FIFA president Sepp Blatter against a six year ban signalling the end of his efforts to clear his name. The 80-year-old former football powerbroker was ousted over a two million Swiss franc ($2 million/1.8 million euro) payment to UEFA boss Michel Platini […]

Lausanne (AFP) – Sport's highest court on Monday rejected the appeal of former FIFA president Sepp Blatter against a six year ban signalling the end of his efforts to clear his name. The 80-year-old former football powerbroker was ousted over a two million Swiss franc ($2 million/1.8 million euro) payment to UEFA boss Michel Platini […]

Kuwait City (AFP) – Fawaz al-Hassawi, the owner of English Championship side Nottingham Forest, has resigned from his post as head of Kuwait's temporary football association, after just over three months in office. Hassawi had been appointed in August after authorities dissolved Kuwait's Football Association amid a clampdown on sports governing bodies that triggered strong […]

London (AFP) – Sergio Aguero's four-match suspension has been confirmed by the Football Association following his dismissal in Manchester City's loss to Chelsea. City striker Aguero was shown a red card for a dangerous two-footed foul on Chelsea defender David Luiz, which led to a bust-up between players and coaches from both teams in the […]

Lausanne (AFP) – The Court of Arbitration for Sport on Monday upheld a six year ban against former FIFA president Sepp Blatter, the disgraced powerbroker's spokesman told AFP. Blatter, who was ousted over a suspicious payment to ex-UEFA leader Michel Platini, called the verdict "incomprehensible" in a statement released even before the tribunal had officially […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Barcelona striker Neymar is suffering from muscle fatigue but no serious injury after Saturday's 1-1 draw with arch rivals Real Madrid, the club said on Monday. The Brazil star was substituted just before Sergio Ramos's dramatic late equaliser in El Clasico and had complained of pain in his right leg. "The FC […]

Doha (AFP) – Qatar's much-criticised 2022 World Cup has been the victim of "malicious and unwarranted attacks", a senior tournament official in the Gulf said on Monday. Nasser Al-Khater, assistant secretary general of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the body overseeing the organisation of the tournament in Qatar, also claimed that many of […]

Shanghai (AFP) – Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson on Monday took charge of second-division Chinese club Shenzhen FC, leaving the top tier of China football for the challenge of lifting a team out of relegation. Eriksson, who has raised the fortunes of Chinese Super League sides Guangzhou R&F and Shanghai SIPG in his three seasons […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Jose Mourinho claimed he is being judged unfairly by critics after Manchester United conceded a late Leighton Baines penalty in a damaging 1-1 draw at Everton. Mourinho's team have won just twice in the league since the end of August, a run which has featured numerous draws and has derailed United's hopes […]

Bournemouth (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp has been forced to defend Liverpool's character and title credentials after their incredible meltdown in a stunning 4-3 defeat at Bournemouth. Liverpool's shock loss on Sunday came at a time when they looked set to move to within a point of leaders Chelsea and go into the Christmas […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino defended midfielder Dele Alli from accusations of diving and revealed that when he was a youngster in Argentina, he and teammates even practiced diving to win penalties. Alli was widely lambasted for his theatrical fall that won Spurs a first-half penalty in their 5-0 rout of Swansea at […]

Milan (AFP) – Second-half goals from Kevin Strootman and Radja Nainggolan kept the local bragging rights with Roma for the fourth year running thanks to a controversial 2-0 derby win at Lazio on Sunday. With only one point separating the sides, the biggest 'Derby della Capitale' in years was played out in a half-empty stadium […]

Paris (AFP) – Nice held top spot in France with a 3-0 win at home against Toulouse on Sunday as Marseille claimed just a second victory in seven Ligue 1 matches by beating Nancy 3-0. First half goals from Alassane Plea and Younes Belhanda set Nice on their way with Ivorian Jean Michael Seri rounding […]

Berlin (AFP) – Some of Europe's top clubs will again be monitoring Julian Draxler in January's transfer window after the Germany forward repeated his wish to quit Wolfsburg after being dropped for the first time. Juventus, Arsenal and Paris St-Germain have all previously been linked to the precocious attacking midfielder, who has made 27 appearances […]