London (AFP) – Heavy squad rotation and dwindling attendances over the third-round weekend suggested the FA Cup, once the jewel in the crown of English football, is locked in a downward spiral. The FA Cup is the game's oldest knockout competition, dating back 146 years, and boasts a history rich with famous upsets and unforgettable […]

While many soccer fans are already dreaming of a Manchester United against Liverpool final in the 2016/17 League Cup, both the Red Devils and Reds face tough opposition over the course of two legs as they face Hull City and Southampton respectively. The first step on the journey to Wembley Stadium will begin on Tuesday […]

Tunis (AFP) – Tunisian international midfielder Wahbi Khazri has been given the green light for the Africa Cup of Nations despite an ankle sprain, team doctors said Monday. The 25-year-old Sunderland player picked up the knock during a 1-0 friendly loss Sunday against Egypt in Cairo and was stretchered off with his head in his […]

Today's broadcast of The Best FIFA Football Awards will be shown live on US television and streaming. If you live in the United States, the Spanish-language broadcast will be live on Telemundo and NBC Universo from 12:30pm ET. Telemundo is also available via Sling Blue. Telemundo Deportes presenters Andrés Cantor, Miguel Gurwitz and Ana Jurka […]

London (AFP) – Philippe Coutinho is in line to make his comeback from a seven-week injury lay-off in Wednesday's League Cup semi-final first leg at Southampton, manager Jurgen Klopp said on Monday. The Brazil playmaker, 24, has not played since sustaining ankle ligament damage in the first half of Liverpool's 2-0 Premier League win at […]

Zurich (AFP) – Diego Maradona on Monday backed controversial plans to expand the World Cup to 48 teams, a day before world football's powerful governing council faces a key decision on the issue. "It sounds like a fantastic idea to me," the 56-year-old, who inspired Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986, told reporters at […]

Berlin (AFP) – Arsenal's German international Mesut Ozil says he is waiting to learn the fate of manager Arsene Wenger before agreeing to sign a new contract with the London club. Wenger's contract at Arsenal expires at the end of the season and Ozil's decision hinges on whether it is renewed or not, he told […]

Libreville (AFP) – A new-look Ivory Coast will defend their Africa Cup of Nations title while the hosts' lightning-quick striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leads the cast of superstar names as the 2017 tournament begins in Gabon on Saturday. As Borussia Dortmund striker Aubameyang prepares to carry the hopes of the small central African nation on his […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has pledged to bring out the heavy artillery for Tuesday's League Cup semi-final first leg at home to Premier League basement club Hull City. United cruised into the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday after registering an eighth consecutive win by crushing second-tier Reading 4-0 at Old […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp defended his decision to select an inexperienced line-up after his side were held to a goalless draw by Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup third round. Klopp picked the youngest XI in Liverpool's history with an average age of 21 years and 296 days against the fourth-tier side, […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea manager Antonio Conte said his club may appeal against the red card shown to John Terry during the Premier League leaders' 4-1 FA Cup defeat of Peterborough United. Terry, who was making his first appearance in two months, was dismissed in the 67th minute at Stamford Bridge on Sunday after a […]

Madrid (AFP) – Barcelona striker Luis Suarez insists the Catalans are "obliged" to chase down Real Madrid at the top of La Liga, despite losing more ground on the European champions in a 1-1 draw at Villarreal on Sunday. Even a fabulous last minute Lionel Messi free-kick couldn't prevent Barca falling five points behind Madrid, […]

London (AFP) – England star Harry Kane was happy to sleep through Tottenham's 2-0 FA Cup win over Aston Villa following the birth of his first baby on Sunday. Manager Mauricio Pochettino left Kane out of his squad after the player endured a sleepless night while his partner Kate delivered their baby daughter, Ivy Jane. […]

Milan (AFP) – Genoa goalkeeper Mattia Perin could be ruled out for the rest of the season after the Serie A club confirmed he ruptured cruciate knee ligaments in a 1-0 defeat to Roma on Sunday. Perin, 24, fell to the ground as he moved to save a shot minutes into the league fixture at […]

Milan (AFP) – Gonzalo Higuain hit a brace either side of Paulo Dybala's first-half spot-kick as Juventus moved four points clear of Roma on Sunday with a comfortable 3-0 win over Bologna in Turin. In their first competitive match since losing the Italian Super Cup to AC Milan in Doha days before Christmas, Juventus were […]