London (AFP) – Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey have both been named in the Wales squad for next week's World Cup play-off against Austria despite limited game time for their clubs. Captain Bale became the second Welshman to win 100 caps against Belarus in November, but his season has been severely disrupted by injury. The […]

Berlin (AFP) – Borussia Dortmund advisor Matthias Sammer has spoken openly about the possibility of Erling Haaland moving to Manchester City amid reports Wednesday that a clause in the striker's contract would have to be actioned before April 30. Haaland is contracted to Dortmund until 2024, but German daily Bild claimed Wednesday that Haaland could […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United were established members of Europe's elite a decade ago but they have been reduced to the status of also-rans in the Premier League and even in their own city. Under Alex Ferguson, the club reached three Champions League finals in four years from 2008 to 2011. Since then they have won […]

Tokyo (AFP) – Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu told his players to finish the job and clinch qualification for the World Cup after naming his squad Wednesday for next week's clash against Australia. Japan can book their place at a seventh straight World Cup by beating the Socceroos in Sydney on March 24, having recovered from […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – "We are not good enough," admitted Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea when faced with the fact the Red Devils will now go five years without winning a trophy. A limp 1-0 home defeat to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday saw United bow out of the Champions League at the last […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea said the team were "not good enough" after being eliminated from the Champions League in the last 16 by Atletico Madrid on Tuesday. Renan Lodi scored the only goal at Old Trafford as Spanish champions Atletico advanced to the quarter-finals 2-1 on aggregate. "We […]

Amsterdam (AFP) – Darwin Nunez headed home in the 77th minute as Benfica stunned Ajax to reach the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday, winning the second leg of their last-16 tie 1-0 in Amsterdam to advance 3-2 on aggregate. The Portuguese side had not managed a single attempt on target until Uruguayan striker Nunez beat […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Atletico Madrid drove the final nail in the coffin of a miserable season for Manchester United as Renan Lodi's header sent the Spanish champions into the Champions League quarter-finals with a 1-0 win at Old Trafford to progress 2-1 on aggregate. The Brazilian full-back headed in unmarked at the back […]

Madrid (AFP) – Barcelona announced on Tuesday that Spotify will become their main sponsor from next season, with the club's stadium to be rebranded as Spotify Camp Nou from July. Spotify will also appear on the front of the men's and women's team shirts for the next four seasons and on the club's training shirts […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea have withdrawn their request for their FA Cup quarter-final against Middlesbrough to be played behind closed doors following "constructive talks", a spokesman for the Football Association said on Tuesday. The Premier League club said hours earlier they wanted Saturday's game at the Riverside played in an empty stadium after the British […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham boss Antonio Conte has called on Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Hugo Lloris to help deliver Champions League qualification for his inconsistent side. Spurs are outsiders in the race to finish in the top four of the Premier League after Saturday's defeat at Manchester United left them six points behind fourth-placed […]

London (AFP) – Middlesbrough described a request on Tuesday by sanctions-hit Chelsea to have this weekend's FA Cup quarter-final tie played behind closed doors as "bizarre and without any merit". The Premier League club want Saturday's game at the Riverside played in an empty stadium after the British government blocked them from making new ticket […]

Turin (Italy) (AFP) – Massimiliano Allegri has reinforcements for Juventus' Champions League decider with Villarreal after he confirmed on Tuesday that Paulo Dybala, Giorgio Chiellini and Federico Bernadeschi will be available. Juve host the Europa League holders at the Allianz Stadium on Wednesday with their last 16 tie locked at 1-1, and the return of […]

London (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp said Tuesday that Liverpool are aiming to be as "annoying as possible" as they hunt down Manchester City at the top of the Premier League. City's goalless draw at Crystal Palace on Monday means Klopp's side can close the gap to a single point with victory at in-form Arsenal on […]

London (AFP) – Thomas Tuchel says Chelsea will not make "excuses" despite severe restrictions placed on the club as a result of UK sanctions targeting Russian owner Roman Abramovich. The Premier League club are operating under a special licence after the British government last week froze the assets of Abramovich as part of a set […]