Reykjavik (AFP) – Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, whose goal sent England packing from Euro 2016, is a star example of Iceland's incubator clubs cultivating talent with top-notch coaching and indoor pitches. When the striker joined Vikingur Reykjavik at the age of six, the club saw immediately that he had something special. "He was strong, and fast. He'd […]

Paris (AFP) – France international midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa has signed a two-year deal with Paris Saint-Germain, the French champions announced Friday. "PSG have signed Hatem Ben Arfa to a two-year deal through June 2018," the club said on its Twitter account. The former Lyon, Marseille and Newcastle winger — who joined from Ligue 1 […]

Buoyed by the successful run that the United States made to the semi-finals of the competition, FOX Sports' coverage of Copa America Centenario averaged 997,300 viewers per game. The most-watched game of Copa America Centenario for FOX Sports was the 3.29 million people who tuned in to see the United States play Argentina on Tuesday, […]

Paris (AFP) – Marseille's French international goalkeeper Steve Mandanda has signed a three-year deal with Crystal Palace, both clubs announced on Friday. France's number two keeper arrives in England after nine years in southern France where he won the Ligue 1 title in 2010 and three League Cup titles. Mandanda, who remains with the national […]

Annecy (France) (AFP) – Iceland defender Birkir Mar Saevarsson says the Euro 2016 minnows cannot afford to lose concentration for a second against hosts France in Sunday's quarter-final as they seek another huge upset. Iceland shocked the football world by dumping England out of the European Championship finals with a shock 2-1 win in the […]

Wales are not a one-man team. Chris Coleman and his players have proven that beyond any doubt both on the road to the European Championships and at the finals themselves. In qualifying they defended tremendously, conjured chances at key moments and cultivated a team spirit that exudes from the camp. In France itself, there have […]

Annecy (France) (AFP) – Iceland's march to the Euro 2016 quarter-finals has caught the football world by surprise — and left new-found fans struggling to get their hands on a replica shirt. Iceland's eye-catching blue playing shirt has become the tournament's must-have item after their shock 2-1 win over England in the last 16 thanks […]

London (AFP) – Crystal Palace have signed England international winger Andros Townsend from Newcastle for a club record £13 million ($17m, 15.5m euros), the Premier League club confirmed on Friday. The 24-year-old has agreed a five-year contract with his transfer coming on the same day that striker Dwight Gayle moved in the opposite direction. "I'm […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Spanish international forward Nolito has signed for Manchester City from Celta Vigo, the Premier League club confirmed on Friday. The 29-year-old has agreed a four-year contract and becomes new manager Pep Guardiola's second signing after Germany midfielder Ilkay Gundogan. It will be the second time both have worked together after […]

Lille (France) (AFP) – Emboldened by Belgium's defensive selection problems, Wales manager Chris Coleman has told Eden Hazard and his team-mates to expect "a hell of a game" in Friday's Euro 2016 quarter-final. Hazard starred as Belgium crushed Hungary 4-0 in the last 16, but his side have since lost Thomas Vermaelen to suspension and Jan […]

Annecy (France) (AFP) – The jokes have been doing the rounds on social media since Iceland's stunning 2-1 victory over England put them in the Euro 2016 quarter-finals. Kolbeinn Sigthorsson's winning goal made him a hero in Iceland while the last 16 defeat signalled the end of Roy Hodgson's career as England manager. "Roses are […]

Marseille (AFP) – Teammates rushed to rally round Polish midfielder Jakub Blaszczykowski after a crucial penalty miss handed Portugal victory in their Euro 2016 quarter-final on Thursday. "We lost as a team, and not just one player," said striker Robert Lewandowski, who gave Poland a second-minute lead with his first goal of the tournament. With […]

Bordeaux (AFP) – Europe's titans clash on Saturday when Germany and Italy meet in the plum Euro 2016 quarter-final with huge stakes for both countries. Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger is poised to make his first start in the Bordeaux match, while Italy's veteran defender Daniele de Rossi faces a race to be fit. Like two […]

Lille (France) (AFP) – At least 150,000 Belgian fans are expected to flood across the border into France on Friday to see their side take on Gareth Bale's Wales in the Euro 2016 quarter-final. Barely 12,000 Belgian fans and a similar number of Wales supporters have tickets for the 50,000-capacity Lille stadium where the two […]

Marseille (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo took his "dream" of an international title another step closer when Portugal beat Poland in a penalty shootout to reach the European Championship semi-finals. Robert Lewandowski scored barely 100 seconds into the latest night of Euro 2016 drama before Portugal unleashed the player who many say could lead the country's […]