Paris (AFP) – Bordeaux have avoided relegation to the French third tier for financial irregularities, three days before the start of the new season, France's football federation (FFF) announced on Wednesday. The six-time French champions dropped down to the second division last season after finishing bottom of Ligue 1. Earlier this month they were demoted […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United on Wednesday completed the signing of Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez from Ajax for a fee that could reach nearly £57 million. The 24-year-old, who won two Eredivisie titles under new United boss Erik ten Hag in Amsterdam, has signed a contract until 2027 at Old Trafford, with the option of […]

London (AFP) – Fulham have signed Switzerland defender Kevin Mbabu from German club Wolfsburg for a fee reported to be 7.5 million euros ($7.6 million) including add-ons. The 27-year-old right-back has agreed a three-year contract at the Premier League club, who hold an option for a further 12 months. Mbabu, who has 22 caps for […]

Pretoria (AFP) – President Cyril Ramaphosa rolled out the red carpet for South Africa's women on Wednesday, saying they deserved to be paid as much as their male counterparts after they won their first Africa Cup of Nations. South Africa beat tournament hosts Morocco 2-1 in the final on Saturday in Rabat, thanks to a […]

Madrid (AFP) – Neymar is due to face trial in October over alleged irregularities in his transfer to Barcelona, judicial sources said on Wednesday. The Brazilian international, his parents and former Barcelona presidents Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu will be tried for alleged corruption related to the forward's move from Santos to Barcelona in […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich chief executive Oliver Kahn said on Wednesday that making a move for Cristiano Ronaldo in the transfer market would not fit the club's "philosophy". Manchester United striker Ronaldo reportedly wants to leave the club he rejoined last year, although new Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag has insisted the five-time […]

San Francisco (AFP) – Karim Benzema and Eden Hazard were on target as Spanish giants Real Madrid were held to a 2-2 draw by Mexican side Club America in their pre-season friendly on Tuesday. Former Real Madrid player Alvaro Fidalgo's 82nd-minute penalty denied Real victory in a game played on a makeshift surface at Oracle […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Ousmane Dembele and Moise Kean scored two goals apiece as Barcelona and Juventus fought to an entertaining 2-2 draw in their US pre-season friendly in Dallas on Tuesday. French winger Dembele fired Barcelona ahead after 34 minutes at the Cotton Bowl, wriggling past Juventus players Juan Cuadrado and Sandro before beating […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – England will play a final of the European Championships on home soil at Wembley for the second time in little over a year, but the success of the country's women has the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy. The Lionesses will hope to go one step further when they face […]

London (AFP) – West Ham announced the signing of Italy striker Gianluca Scamacca on Tuesday from Sassuolo on a five-year deal. The 23-year-old will reportedly cost the Hammers an initial £30.5 million ($37 million) with a further £5 million in add-ons. Scamacca had been linked with Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain after scoring 16 goals in […]

Sheffield (United Kingdom) (AFP) – England will have the chance to win a first ever major women's tournament in front of a sold-out Wembley this weekend after beating Sweden 4-0 in Sheffield on Tuesday to reach the Euro 2022 final. Substitute Alessia Russo's stunning backheel through the legs of Sweden goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl set the […]

Montevideo (AFP) – Former Barcelona and Liverpool star Luis Suarez announced on Tuesday he has reached "a preliminary agreement" to return to his first club Nacional for three months ahead of the World Cup in Qatar. Striker Suarez, 35, left Atletico Madrid at the end of last season and is looking for a new club. […]

Milton Keynes (United Kingdom) (AFP) – French defender Wendie Renard believes there is no reason for her side to have an inferiority complex when they face eight-time winners Germany in Wednesday's Euro 2022 semi-final. Les Bleues ended their long wait just to get beyond the quarter-final stage of a women's Euro by beating holders the […]

Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain confirmed on Tuesday the signing of France defender Nordi Mukiele from RB Leipzig on a five-year deal. PSG did not reveal the fee for the former Montpellier right-back but media reports claim they have paid between 10-15 million euros ($10.12-$15.18 million). Mukiele was born in Paris suburb Montreuil and came […]

Rome (AFP) – Argentina forward Paulo Dybala said on Tuesday he hoped to use his experience to help Roma's youthful squad, in his first press conference since signing a three-year contract. Europa Conference League winners Roma, who finished sixth in Serie A last season, announced last week they had signed Dybala after his contract with […]