Despite featuring a matchup between two of the MLS’s strongest fanbases (Sporting KC and Portland Timbers), the viewership for this season’s final MLS broadcast on the over-the-air FOX network was largely disappointing. The 348,000 viewers is the worst we have seen on the FOX broadcast network, and as one of only four MLS matches available free-to-air […]

Paris (AFP) – Radamel Falcao scored before coming off injured as Monaco beat Fenerbahce in the Champions League third qualifying round on Wednesday, while Celtic also advanced to the play-offs in dramatic fashion against Astana. Monaco played host to the Turkish giants at the Stade Louis II looking to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – The two clubs of Wayne Rooney's professional career played out a 0-0 draw in his testimonial game at Old Trafford Wednesday as Jose Mourinho managed Manchester United for the first time at their home stadium. The low-key meeting with Everton was a predictable pre-season affair, with Mourinho using 22 players […]

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Brazil's women footballers ensured the opening day of action at Rio 2016 was a happy one for the hosts with a 3-0 win over China on Wednesday. The sight of vast swathes of empty seats at the 60,000-seater Olympic stadium for Sweden's 1-0 win over South Africa in the first […]

New York (AFP) – A US judge has delayed until January 27 this week's planned sentencing of disgraced former Honduran president Rafael Callejas in the sweeping corruption scandal rocking world soccer. The 72-year-old was scheduled this Friday to become the first defendant sentenced in the FIFA scandal in New York after pleading guilty to conspiracy […]

Brussels (AFP) – Former Everton and Wigan coach Spaniard Roberto Martinez has been given the enviable task of leading Belgium's multi-talented national side to the 2018 World Cup in Russia, The Belgian federation said Wednesday. The 43-year-old Spaniard known for building flair sides with a penchant for attack, takes over from the unpopular coach Marc […]

Solna (Sweden) (AFP) – Barcelona thumped English Premier League champions Leicester City 4-2 in a pre-season friendly in Sweden on Wednesday but Claudio Ranieri's side were given hope by a second-half brace from new boy Ahmed Musa. Lionel Messi's sumptuous pass set up the first of Munir El Haddadi's two first-half goals while Luis Suarez […]

London (AFP) – South Africa midfielder Steven Pienaar is training with Sunderland as he tries to win a contract with the Premier League club. New Sunderland manager David Moyes signed Pienaar when he was in charge at Everton in 2008 and the Scot is keen to see what his former player has to offer. The […]

Bordeaux (AFP) – Bordeaux have signed the full-back Youssouf Sabaly on loan from their Ligue 1 rivals Paris Saint-Germain for the coming season, the two clubs confirmed on Wednesday. Sabaly, 23, had earlier extended his contract with the French champions until 2020 before agreeing the switch to the south-west on a one-year loan. Sabaly has […]

London (AFP) – Senegal midfielder Mohamed Diame has dropped down a division to join Newcastle United from Hull City, his new club announced on Wednesday. The 29-year-old, capped 28 times, has signed a three-year contract and is reported to have cost Newcastle £4.5 million ($6 million, 5.4 million euros). Newcastle were relegated from the Premier […]

Rome (AFP) – Italy's Serie A giant Inter Milan said Wednesday it has snapped up Lazio winger Antonio Candreva on a four year contract. "I am really happy and proud to be here," Candreva told Inter Milan's website. "I always wanted to come to Inter and I'm really excited to become a Nerazzurri player at last," […]

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Sweden's women claimed the first victory of the Olympic football tournament 1-0 over South Africa as Rio 2016 got off to an underwhelming start on Wednesday. The sight of vast swathes of empty seats at the 60,000 capacity Olympic stadium in Rio will have embarrassed organisers at the first action […]

The 2016/17 season of the Championship kicks off in England this weekend, and beIN SPORTS has you covered as the exclusive rightsholder. In total, four games this weekend will be shown live across the beIN SPORTS networks. While the opening weekend has 4 Championship matches, expect the number of televised games to decrease from the […]

Nantes (France) (AFP) – American international midfielder Alejandro Bedoya will join Philadelphia Union in the MLS after leaving Nantes, the French club announced on Wednesday. "Alejandro Bedoya won't be wearing Nantes colours this season. After three years... the US international has chosen to take a new direction in his career," read a statement on the […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City have signed 19-year-old Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus from Palmeiras on a five-year contract, the Premier League club announced on Wednesday. Jesus, who is reported to have cost City an initial fee of £27 million ($36 million, 32.2 million euros), will remain on loan at Palmeiras until December before moving to […]