Berlin (AFP) – Returning RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner says his side have the quality to "annoy" perennial Bundesliga title winners Bayern Munich this season, despite his side's poor start. While both Bayern and Borussia Dortmund have won two from two to start the campaign, the winless chasing pack – Leipzig, Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Rooted to the bottom of the Premier League for the first time in 30 years, Manchester United's disastrous start to the season on and off the field could still get worse when they face Liverpool on Monday. Always one of the biggest clashes in the English football calendar, Liverpool's visit […]

Madrid (AFP) – Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez called for "patience" after his side's draw with Rayo Vallecano in their season opener, but will know the team are expected to challenge for the La Liga title this season after a raft of high-profile signings. Barca struggled in front of goal in the disappointing stalemate at the […]

Paris (AFP) – Kylian Mbappe will be the focus of attention as Paris Saint-Germain aim to continue their perfect start to the season in Sunday's trip to Lille in Ligue 1. Mbappe's every gesture will be scrutinised and every move analysed after the World Cup winner's attitude created headlines for the wrong reasons in his […]

Paris (AFP) – Gianluca Scamacca scored his first West Ham goal on Thursday to help secure a 3-1 win over Danish minnows Viborg in the Europa Conference League play-offs. West Ham, who made the Europa League semi-finals last season, went into the game after back-to-back losses in the Premier League to Manchester City and Nottingham […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham boss Antonio Conte expects to take his place on the touchline for Saturday's visit of Wolves despite being sent off after a fiery 2-2 draw against Chelsea at the weekend. Conte and Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, also sent off, twice came face-to-face in physical confrontations as the Italian celebrated Tottenham twice […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy told one of his rape accusers that if she kept quiet she could come to his house "every night" like it was a "privilege", his trial heard Thursday. Recorded testimony from the 20-year-old woman was played to the jury at Chester Crown Court in northwest England, in […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea are investigating after racist abuse was allegedly directed against Tottenham forward Son Heung-min at Stamford Bridge, threatening the "strongest action". The South Korea international is alleged to have been abused by a member of the crowd during Sunday's ill-tempered game, which ended 2-2. Chelsea have previously handed out life bans to […]

London (AFP) – Wolves have broken their transfer record to sign Portugal international Matheus Nunes from Sporting Lisbon for an initial fee of 45 million euros (£38 million, $46 million). Nunes, 23, was one of the stars as Sporting won their first Portuguese title for 19 years in the 2020/21 season and he helped them […]

San Francisco (AFP) – US men's national team assistant coach Luchi Gonzalez has been hired as the next coach of the San Jose Earthquakes — but he won't take over until after the World Cup. The Major League Soccer squad announced the move on Wednesday, saying current interim coach Alex Covelo will remain as manager […]

London (AFP) – British businessman Jim Ratcliffe is "definitely a potential buyer" of Manchester United if the English football giants go on sale, a spokesman for the Ineos petrochemicals billionaire said Wednesday. Ineos was responding to reports United's current owners, the US-based Glazer family, are considering selling a minority stake, with the team currently bottom […]

London (AFP) – The UK jury in the rape trial of French footballer Benjamin Mendy was on Wednesday told by one of his accusers how she had shouted 'stop' while trying to fight him off. The 32-year-old woman's recorded interview was played at Chester Crown Court in north-west England. She recalled how the 28-year-old Manchester […]

London (AFP) – Former Manchester United footballer Ryan Giggs, on trial for assaulting and coercively controlling an ex-girlfriend, told a UK court Wednesday that his record of one sending off in a 24-year career showed he was not prone to violence. Taking the stand at Manchester Crown Court for the second day running, the former […]

Berlin (AFP) – La Liga club Sevilla have signed defender Tanguy Nianzou from Bayern Munich on a five-year deal, the German side announced on Wednesday. Frenchman Nianzou, 20, who joined Bayern from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2020 on a free transfer, has largely been a peripheral player in the Bavarian capital. German newspaper […]

London (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo has been cautioned by British police after footage emerged of the Manchester United forward appearing to smash a phone out of an Everton fan's hand at a match last season. The 37-year-old was interviewed by officers in relation to an allegation of assault and criminal damage following the incident at […]