Bamako (AFP) – Crystal Palace winger Bakary Sako, who has endured an injury-hit last few months in the English Premier League, was named in the Mali squad on Wednesday for the Africa Cup of Nations. The 28-year-old, born in France, is the biggest name in the final 23-man squad unveiled by Mali coach Alain Giresse […]

London (AFP) – Brazilian midfield enforcer Fernandinho will serve a four-match ban after Manchester City lost their appeal against his sending-off against Burnley, the Football Association said on Wednesday. The 31-year-old was red-carded for a two-footed challenge on Johann Berg Gudmundsson at the end of the first-half of their Premier League clash on Monday which […]

Doha (AFP) – Bayern Munich coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Wednesday that the speed of former assistant Paul Clement's appointment as Swansea boss took the Bundesliga champions by surprise. However Ancelotti, in his first public comments since Clement's departure, said the Englishman takes up the Premier League post with his blessing. "It was a surprise […]

London (AFP) – Controversial Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino on Wednesday sold 50 percent of his stake in the historic English club to a fellow Italian with strong business ties in China. The 60-year-old Cellino, who has fired a succession of managers during his turbulent time at Leeds, had been in talks with Andrea Radrizzani […]

London (AFP) – England's 1966 World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore was treated outrageously by the Football Association after he retired in 1978, claimed his former wife Tina. Moore, who skippered England to the epic 4-2 World Cup final victory over the then West Germany at Wembley — the nation's only major trophy — only had three low […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Barcelona coach Luis Enrique insists his star front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar are in fine physical condition despite being allowed extended time off during the winter break. All three were allowed to skip Barca's 7-0 thrashing of Hercules in the Copa del Rey on December 21 to return […]

Rabat (AFP) – Sofiane Boufal of English Premier League side Southampton will lead Morocco's Africa Cup of Nations bid after being included in the 23-man squad named by coach Herve Renard on Tuesday. Juventus defender Mehdi Benatia, Monaco's Nabil Dirar and Nordin Amrabat of Watford are some of the other key players for the Atlas […]

London (AFP) – Benin international striker Rudy Gestede signed for Premier League strugglers Middlesbrough on Wednesday from Championship outfit Aston Villa for a reported fee of £6 million (7m euros, $7.4m). The 28-year-old — who began his spell in the English leagues with Cardiff in 2011 — signed a three-year contract with Middlesbrough and his […]

Milan (AFP) – Tianjin Quanjian coach Fabio Cannavaro could continue the Chinese club's impressive European buying spree by snapping up Serie A strikers Nikola Kalinic and Carlos Bacca, according to reports. Tianjin Quanjian on Tuesday beat several top European clubs, including Serie A champions Juventus, to the signature of Belgium midfielder Axel Witsel. The 28-year-old […]

Madrid (AFP) – There was to be no happy New Year for Valencia as their miserable season continued with a 4-1 thrashing at home to Celta Vigo late Tuesday to leave Los Che almost certainly out of the Copa del Rey. Valencia are also in search of a coach after Cesare Prandelli's shock resignation last […]

London (AFP) – Bournemouth have appealed against captain Simon Francis' sending off in the thrilling 3-3 Premier League draw with Arsenal, the club said on Wednesday. Francis was shown a straight red by referee Michael Oliver for his challenge on Arsenal's Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey with Bournemouth leading 3-2. "CAF Bournemouth have appealed against Simon […]

London (AFP) – Antonio Conte knows Chelsea will face a fierce challenge from fired-up Tottenham as the Premier League leaders bid to set a new record winning streak on Wednesday. Conte's side would become the first team to win 14 successive English top-flight games within the same season if they emerge victorious from what will […]

Bournemouth (United Kingdom) (AFP) – A despairing Arsene Wenger insisted Arsenal were put at a major disadvantage before his side staged an epic escape in their dramatic 3-3 draw at Bournemouth. Charlie Daniels, Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser gave Bournemouth a shock 3-0 lead at Dean Court on Tuesday before Alexis Sanchez, Lucas Perez and […]

Madrid (AFP) – The relentless demands for success at Real Madrid have cost many high-profile and heavily experienced coaches their jobs, but Zinedine Zidane has made the move into senior management look serene as he celebrates a year in charge as a European and world champion. Madrid was a club with a very different feel […]

London (AFP) – New Swansea City manager Paul Clement saw his side score an 88th-minute winner as they triumphed 2-1 at Crystal Palace on Tuesday and climb off the foot of the Premier League. Just hours after the Bayern Munich assistant became Swansea's third manager of a dismal season, Clement was in the stands at […]