London (AFP) – Jack Wilshere insists his shock loan move to Bournemouth will pay off after the injury-plagued England midfielder left Arsenal on transfer deadline day. Wilshere trained with Bournemouth for the first time on Thursday as he begins his season-long spell with the Premier League club. The 24-year-old has endured a substantial fall from […]

Geneva (AFP) – Swiss federal prosecutors on Thursday announced that they had opened criminal proceedings against German legend Franz Beckenbauer amid corruption allegations in the awarding of the 2006 World Cup to Germany. Beckenbauer, 70, is under investigation with three other members of the 2006 World Cup organising committee — Hans-Rudolf Schmidt, Theo Zwanziger and […]

Berlin (AFP) – In football-obsessed Germany, Franz Beckenbauer is referred to as "the Kaiser" — the regal defender who steered his country to World Cup triumphs as both a player and a manager. Beckenbauer, who turns 71 on September 11, still enjoys legendary status, but his reputation has been badly tarnished by his role in […]

Saitama (Japan) (AFP) – Japan were left fuming over a refereeing howler after a shock defeat to UAE rocked their World Cup qualifying campaign on Thursday, while South Korea held off China to win 3-2. Asian champions Australia overcame a nervy start to beat Iraq 2-0 as Asia's third round of 2018 World Cup qualifying […]

Madrid (AFP) – French midfielder Samir Nasri said Thursday he was ready to turn the page and put last season's woes behind him to rediscover his best form at new club Sevilla. Nasri has joined the La Liga side from Manchester City on a season-long loan deal. The 29-year-old scored 27 goals and won two […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was on Thursday named as the new captain of world champions Germany following Bastian Schweinsteiger's international retirement. "For me it is a great honour," said Neuer after the German Football Association (DFB) announced his appointment on their website. "It makes me proud to be captain of the […]

Saitama (Japan) (AFP) – Japan slammed an "unacceptable" refereeing howler as they crashed 2-1 to the United Arab Emirates in a woeful start to their World Cup qualifying final round on Thursday. AC Milan's Keisuke Honda nodded the hosts in front in Saitama but UAE grabbed all the points after Ahmed Khalil's sumptuous free kick […]

Perth (Australia) (AFP) – Hotshots Massimo Luongo and Tomi Juric were both on target as Australia overcame a dogged Iraq outfit to win 2-0 in their 2018 World Cup qualifier on Thursday. The home side were strong favourites but they didn’t have it all their own way until QPR's Luongo and FC Luzern striker Juric […]

Geneva (AFP) – Swiss federal prosecutors said Thursday they have opened criminal proceedings against German football legend Franz Beckenbauer over allegations of corruption in the awarding of the 2006 World Cup to Germany. Beckenbauer, 70, is under investigation with three other members of the 2006 World Cup organising committee — Hans-Rudolf Schmidt, Theo Zwanziger and […]

Kuala Lumpur (AFP) – War-torn Syria's World Cup qualifier with South Korea has been moved to Malaysia, the Asian Football Confederation said on Thursday, after Macau was a late withdrawal as host. A breakdown in talks between Syria and Macau threw preparations for Tuesday's game into disarray, with South Korea forced to cancel their bookings for […]

London (AFP) – David Luiz made a surprise return to Chelsea on Wednesday as English Premier League clubs splashed out on the final day of a record-breaking, billion-pound mid-year transfer window. In late deals, Brazil defender Luiz returned after two years at Paris Saint-Germain, while France midfielder Moussa Sissoko left Newcastle United for Tottenham Hotspur. […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Jurgen Klinsmann has called on the United States to deliver an "urgent" performance against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on Friday as they aim to book their place in the next round of 2018 World Cup qualifiers. Depending on results in other matches, the Americans could advance to the final qualifying […]

Doha (AFP) – Qatar football officials are concerned right now with qualification for the 2018 World Cup finals, but preparations continue apace for the Gulf state's controversial hosting of the 2022 tournament. Despite continued human rights and trade unions concerns over labour, a Swiss corruption investigation into the awarding of the tournament to the tiny […]

London (AFP) – David Luiz and Moussa Sissoko made the two biggest moves on Wednesday as English Premier League clubs smashed spending records on the final day of the mid-year transfer window. In late deals, Brazil defender Luiz returned to Chelsea after two years at Paris Saint-Germain, while France midfielder Sissoko left Newcastle United for […]

London (AFP) – France midfielder Moussa Sissoko joined Tottenham Hotspur from Newcastle United on a five-year deal on Wednesday after the London club reportedly gazumped Premier League rivals Everton. Newcastle were reported to have accepted a 30 million pounds ($39.4 million, 35.3 million euros) bid for Sissoko from Everton, only for Spurs to pip them […]