Yokohama (Japan) (AFP) – Japan's Kashima Antlers plan to unleash a secret weapon to strike terror into Spanish giants Real Madrid when they meet in this weekend's Club World Cup final: a sharp-toothed crocodile. Though relative minnows on the world stage, a voracious predator with a deadly bite lurks in the Kashima side in the […]

Yokohama (Japan) (AFP) – Real Madrid ironed out some of the kinks with a gentle workout Friday after booking their place in the Club World Cup final in Japan. The European champions, who are chasing a second world title in three years, went through their paces in chilly Yokohama, watched by shivering wives and girlfriends […]

London (AFP) – Premier League leaders Chelsea and fellow London side Crystal Palace dismissed a police warning about a scout who had been convicted for importing child-abuse images, the detective who alerted them told The Times on Friday. Clive Driscoll, who rose to the rank of chief inspector before retiring, said he might as well […]

Paris (AFP) – A court on Friday rejected a request from Real Madrid and France striker Karim Benzema to drop the investigation into alleged blackmail over a sex tape featuring international teammate Mathieu Valbuena. The case, which cost Benzema a place in France's Euro 2016 squad on home soil, is now expected to go to […]

Toronto (Canada) (AFP) – Most of the world's leading football clubs were formed a century ago, but in the United States new teams continue to be created and next year will see Atlanta United become the latest club to be born into Major League Soccer. Club president Darren Eales, who played in the United States […]

Paris (AFP) – Lyon will be the latest team to try to stop Monaco's lethal attack as the two sides meet in Ligue 1 in their penultimate match of the year at the Stade Louis II on Sunday. Leonardo Jardim's Monaco are the top scorers in Europe's big five leagues with 53 goals in 17 […]

Madrid (AFP) – Barcelona will have to end Espanyol's 10-game unbeaten run if the Spanish champions are to close to within three points of La Liga leaders Real Madrid in Sunday's Catalan derby. Barca have the chance to end the year within striking distance of their eternal rivals with Madrid not in Liga action due […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich need a win at bottom-side Darmstadt on Sunday to be sure of finishing the weekend top of the Bundesliga ahead of their pre-Christmas showdown against second-placed RB Leipzig. Bayern's 5-0 hammering of Wolfsburg last Saturday allowed them to regain top spot on goal difference from Leipzig, who suffered a shock […]

Milan (AFP) – Roma's Diego Perotti has tipped compatriot Paulo Dybala for a big future but hopes the Juventus starlet is left disappointed after their top-of-the-table clash on Saturday. Juventus, bidding for a record sixth consecutive title this season, play host in Turin on Saturday when a home win would stretch their lead over Roma […]

London (AFP) – Cesc Fabregas believes he has shown he can be an integral part of Antonio Conte's Chelsea side having until recently been thought to be surplus to requirements. The 29-year-old midfielder has taken a more prominent role since returning to the side at the start of this month after a two-month absence. Having […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Danish international defender Erik Sviatchenko says he is growing into life at Celtic as he makes strides on and off the field. The 25-year-old, who opted to play for Denmark and not Ukraine where his artist father was born, has been an integral part of a Celtic defence which has looked impregnable […]

Stoke-on-Trent (United Kingdom) (AFP) – For Leicester City, any good news is welcome at present, so two pieces would mean joy for Claudio Ranieri. The defending but faltering Premier League champions head for Stoke City on Saturday with last weekend’s stirring victory over Manchester City already a fading memory following a costly midweek defeat to […]

West Bromwich (United Kingdom) (AFP) – In-form Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes the club's luck has finally turned ahead of their clash with West Bromwich Albion. United manager Jose Mourinho recently lamented his side were playing much better than results and their position in the Premier League suggested. The Red Devils head to the West […]

London (AFP) – All-too-familiar questions about courage, backbone and durability surround Arsenal ahead of their trip to Pep Guardiola's Manchester City in the Premier League this weekend. Arsenal's 14-game unbeaten run had lain strong foundations for a determined tilt at the festive fixture list, only for Arsene Wenger's men to come unstuck in Tuesday's 2-1 […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Bruce Arena launches his second spell as coach of the USA when the Americans take on Serbia in a friendly football match in San Diego on January 29. The former Los Angeles Galaxy boss was tapped to replace Jurgen Klinsmann at the helm last month. Former Germany player and coach Klinsmann […]