Libreville (AFP) – Five facts for the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final between Burkina Faso and Egypt at Stade de l'Amitie in Libreville Wednesday (1900 GMT): — Egypt have met Burkina Faso twice before in the Cup of Nations, winning a 1998 semi-final 2-0 and a 2000 group game 4-2. — African legend Hossam Hassan […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has told Leigh Griffiths he must work harder if he is to force his way back into his plans for the rest of the season. Last season the Scottish striker seemingly could do no wrong as his 40 goals for the Hoops propelled the Glasgow giants to the […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Henrikh Mkhitaryan insists Manchester United are taking all four competitions they are involved in seriously as they struggle to cope with a demanding fixture schedule. Jose Mourinho's club is the only one in England still retaining an interest in a quartet of competitions — the Premier League, Europa League, FA Cup […]

London (AFP) – Kevin De Bruyne believes Fernandinho's return from suspension will provide the foundation for Manchester City to get their spluttering Premier League campaign back on track at West Ham on Wednesday. Pep Guardiola's side have dropped out of the top four and trail leaders Chelsea by 12 points after winning just one of […]

London (AFP) – Nigel Clough has rejected the chance to become the new manager of ailing two-time European Cup winners Nottingham Forest and evoke memories of their glory days under his father Brian, it was announced Monday. Instead Clough has decided to remain as manager of Forest's fellow Midlands side Burton Albion, who also play […]

Monaco (AFP) – Brazilian international defender Jorge has signed a four-year deal with Ligue 1 leaders Monaco, the French club confirmed on Monday. The 20-year-old arrives from Brazilian outfit Flamengo on a deal which runs until June 2021. Jorge — runner-up in the FIFA U20 World Cup in 2015 alongside new Monaco teammate Gabriel Boschilia […]

London (AFP) – Hull midfielder Ryan Mason is set for a long period of rehabilitation treatment after being discharged from hospital, his Premier League club said. The 25-year-old — capped once by England — fractured his skull in a horrific clash of heads with Chelsea defender Gary Cahill in the first-half of the 2-0 defeat […]

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has admitted to being worried by the influx of the nouveau riche Chinese clubs as major players in the transfer market. “I am worried, because they [Chinese clubs] can offer contracts that are impossible to offer in Europe,” said Mourinho to GQ magazine about the astronomical sums of money being […]

London (AFP) – Non-League Sutton will face Arsenal in next month's fifth round of the English FA Cup after being given a home draw against the Premier League giants on Monday. Sutton saw off second-tier Leeds United last weekend and have now landed themselves one of the star ties in the last 16 of football's […]

Paris (AFP) – Bordeaux midfielder Gregory Sertic has received the full support of France's National Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP) after he was subjected to "death threats" over a proposed move to Marseille. Bordeaux said on Sunday they had temporarily placed Sertic under protection after the 27-year-old, according to regional daily Sud Ouest, received the […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has urged his side to guard against complacency when they travel to bottom of the Premier League Sunderland on Tuesday. Spurs head to the northeast nine points behind leaders and fellow London club Chelsea, are on a seven-match unbeaten league run. While Spurs will be tipped to […]

London (AFP) – Sunderland manager David Moyes placed his faith in Costa Rican international Bryan Oviedo and Ireland midfielder Darron Gibson in helping the Premier League tailenders escape the drop signing them on Monday from his former club Everton. Oviedo, 26 and who signed a three-and-a-half year contract, will fill the vacuum left by fullback […]

At the back end of an unusually upbeat January camp, the first game of Bruce Arena’s spell in charge of the US national team ended in a 0-0 draw against Serbia at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. The US plays again – their last match before a crucial March World Cup qualifier against Honduras – […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admitted on Monday that Sadio Mane might miss their crunch clash with Premier League leaders Chelsea at Anfield on Tuesday, despite their best efforts to rush the Senegal star back from the Africa Cup of Nations. The Merseysiders sent a private jet to Gabon on Sunday following […]

Marseille (AFP) – France international Dimitri Payet said on Monday he didn't have to justify his behaviour after forcing through a return to Marseille from West Ham for a club-record transfer fee. Payet rejoined the Ligue 1 side on a four-and-a-half-year deal after Marseille shelled out 30 million euros ($31.3 million, £25 million) to bring […]