Paris (AFP) – The French Football Federation (FFF) and French Football League (LFP) will open an office in Beijing from next year, they said on Thursday. The move is aimed at promoting French football in China, where the game is now hugely popular, particularly the English Premier League. The two French governing bodies described the […]

London (AFP) – There will be no "clubs from non-English leagues" or Premier League B teams in a new-look English Football League, the governing body for England's three divisions below the Premier League said Thursday. It has long been suggested that Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers could join a revamped English league but the EFL's […]

If you could pick one man who is the best example of how globalized soccer has become, it would be John Dykes. Don't know his name? That's okay because most soccer fans in his own country of England don't either. But if you live in the United States, you'll know him as the voice of […]

Istanbul (AFP) – Turkish authorities on Thursday placed under arrest a former prominent footballer from the Istanbul giants Galatasaray on charges of links to the group blamed for the July 15 failed coup. Ismail Demiriz, who played for Galatasaray from 1984-1993 as well as 27 times for the Turkish national side, was detained in the […]

London (AFP) – Tony Pulis will celebrate his 1,000th game as a manager when he takes West Bromwich Albion to former club Stoke City on Saturday. The 58-year-old said on Thursday that "moving with the times" has been the key to his longevity in a career spanning two decades, during which the "film star footballer" […]

Monaco (AFP) – Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim was left scandalised that a 'rugby tackle' that hospitalised striker Radamel Falcao with head and chest injuries went unpunished in their midweek 4-0 Ligue 1 defeat to Nice. Falcao took a heavy knock to the head when he was caught in a sandwich between goalkeeper Yoann Cardinale and […]

London (AFP) – Joey Barton insisted Thursday he cannot wait to get back playing for Rangers following his three-week ban by the Glasgow giants. The outspoken midfielder was sidelined by Rangers following a heated row with manager Mark Warburton and team-mate Andy Halliday after their 5-1 defeat by Celtic in the Glasgow derby. But he […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has still to decide whether recent signing Loris Karius or Simon Mignolet will be between the posts for their match at home to Hull City on Saturday. Karius, who joined for £4.7 million ($6.1 million dollars, 5.4 million euros) played in pre-season but then broke his hand and […]

London (AFP) – Danny Rose has signed a new five-year contract with Tottenham Hotspur, the English Premier League club announced Thursday. The 26-year-old left-back, who has signed a deal that is set to keep him at the north London club until 2021, moved to White Hart Lane from Leeds nine years ago and has since […]

London (AFP) – With dead-eyed efficiency, Pep Guardiola has hit the ground running as Manchester City manager, ruthlessly clearing his squad of unwanted players and transforming the team into a winning machine. Joe Hart and Yaya Toure are among the former stalwarts to have been cast aside as the uncompromising Guardiola has instilled his philosophy […]

Istanbul (AFP) – Turkish police on Thursday detained a former prominent footballer from the Istanbul giants Galatasaray on suspicion of links to the group blamed for the July 15 failed coup. Ismail Demiriz, who played for Galatasaray from 1984-1993 as well as 27 times for the Turkish national side, was detained in the Istanbul district […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has hit back at the "football Einsteins" who have criticised him during the club's recent run of three straight defeats. United stopped the rot with a 3-1 win over third-tier Northampton Town in the third round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday after losing to Manchester City, […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Barcelona star Lionel Messi will be sidelined for the next three weeks due to a groin strain, dealing a huge blow to his club and country. "To lose Lionel Messi means football loses and we lose," said Barca boss Luis Enrique. Messi limped off just before the hour mark of the Spanish […]

Seoul (AFP) – Chinese clubs have splashed out hundreds of millions of dollars in the quest for football glory but they could learn a few lessons from South Korea, which remains an Asian powerhouse at club and international level. Recent evidence suggests that despite China's headline-grabbing outlay on players and coaches, often for exorbitant sums, […]

Mumbai (AFP) – Former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan said it's only a matter of time before underperforming midfielder Paul Pogba starts justifying his world-record price tag for Jose Mourinho's lacklustre side. Forlan, now playing for India's Mumbai City FC, endured a torrid start to his Red Devils career but went on to become a fan favourite […]