Paris (AFP) – FIFA's disgraced former president Sepp Blatter's appeal against his six-year ban from football will be heard at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on August 25, it was announced Friday. The CAS made no official statement on Friday but released a list of hearings with Blatter pencilled among a number of […]

Paris (AFP) – Patriotic fervour gripped Euro 2016 hosts France and Portugal on Friday with Antoine Griezmann and Cristiano Ronaldo cast as the rival superheros ahead of the tournament final. France saw a return to the feverish days of 1998 when Zinedine Zidane guided the country to a World Cup triumph. Portugal go into Sunday's […]

Dinard (France) (AFP) – Wales will climb to 11th in the FIFA rankings following their stunning semi-final showing at Euro 2016, but manager Chris Coleman said on Friday that the team must now focus on the World Cup. Gareth Bale and his team-mates returned to a heroes' welcome in Cardiff after their shock exploits in […]

Prague (AFP) – Veteran goalkeeper Petr Cech has announced his retirement from international football after a record 124 games for the Czech Republic over an eventful 14-year career. "I would hate to end up in a situation when I would start feeling tired midway through a qualifying campaign," the 34-year-old told reporters in Prague on […]

Istanbul (AFP) – Fenerbahce are set to sign the fiery Slovakian international defender Martin Skrtel on a free transfer from Liverpool, the Istanbul giants said on Friday. Last season's Turkish runners-up said in a brief statement they were in advanced talks with Liverpool and the player, who made a strong showing in helping Slovakia to […]

Marcoussis (France) (AFP) – Portugal's veteran defender Pepe remained on the sidelines Friday as his team prepared to face the daunting challenge of taking on France on home territory in Sunday's Euro 2016 final. The 33-year-old Real Madrid star, who has played a key role in Portugal's advance to the final, stretched and did warm-up […]

Berlin (AFP) – A politician from Germany's right-wing populist AfD party sparked outrage Friday with a Twitter message suggesting the German side could have beaten France in the Euro 2016 semi-final with fewer non-white players. "Maybe next time the German NATIONAL TEAM should play again," the party's deputy leader Beatrix von Storch tweeted after Germany's […]

Rome (AFP) – Former Argentina boss Marcelo Bielsa has pulled out of coaching Lazio in a shock move 48 hours after his appointment, which the Serie A club said could result in legal action. "We note with amazement the resignation of Marcelo Bielsa in clear violation of the commitments and agreements signed last week," the […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has signed a new "long-term" contract after an impressive first nine months in charge when he guided the team to the Europa League and League Cup finals. Klopp succeeded Brendan Rodgers at Anfield last October, leading the side to a eighth-placed Premier League finish, defeat to Sevilla in […]

Marseille (AFP) – World champions Germany fly home from Euro 2016 on Friday for a post-mortem into what went wrong after they lost 2-0 to hosts France in the semi-finals. Antoine Griezmann's double strike in Marseille sealed victory for the hosts and sent them to Sunday's final against Portugal. "France has earned the right to […]

Paris (AFP) – English referee Mark Clattenburg was on Friday named as the man in charge of Sunday's Euro 2016 final between France and Portugal. European football's governing body UEFA have called on the 41-year-old's experience for the championship decider at the Stade de France. A former electrician, Clattenburg became a professional referee in 2007. […]

Quito (AFP) – Ecuadoran minnows Independiente del Valle upset Argentinian giants Boca Juniors 2-1 in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores semi-final clash. Independiente, playing in the semi-finals of South America's most prestigious club competition for the first time, on Thursday came from a goal down to give themselves a fighting chance of reaching the […]

Paris (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo reigns over the football pitch but Fernando Santos calls the shots behind the scenes. The dynamic goalscorer and coach duo have taken Portugal to the Euro 2016 final and given it a chance to become the latest little nation to upset the continent's giants. After Denmark beat Germany in 1992 […]

Paris (AFP) – France has rediscovered its love for the national football team after years of scandal and disappointment. Antoine Griezmann's two goals that saw France to a landmark 2-0 win over Germany in the Euro 2016 semi-final set off football fever that has not been seen since the country won the World Cup in […]

Marseille (AFP) – He rejected comparisons with Michel Platini but Antoine Griezmann is fast becoming a France legend after a two-goal haul against Germany fired the hosts into Sunday's Euro 2016 final against Portugal. Amid the controversial absence of Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, France have found a new hero in the diminutive striker. With six […]