Chester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – An English court on Monday heard that Manchester City and France footballer Benjamin Mendy, on trial for rape and sexual assault, was a "predator" who callously pursued vulnerable women. Mendy, 28, is on trial at Chester Crown Court in northwest England, facing eight counts of rape, one count of sexual […]

Paris (AFP) – Nigerian Taiwo Awoniyi began repaying the £17.5 million ($21 mn, 20.7 mn euros) he cost Nottingham Forest with the goal that beat West Ham 1-0 in the Premier League at the weekend. Joe Aribo was another Nigerian international to score in the most watched domestic league in the world, with his goal […]

Madrid (AFP) – David Alaba scored with a stunning free-kick immediately after coming on as a substitute as reigning champions Real Madrid came from behind to beat Almeria 2-1 in their opening game of the season in La Liga on Sunday. Carlo Ancelotti's side trailed to an early goal by Largie Ramazani away against their […]

Milan (AFP) – Roma began their Serie A campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Salernitana on Sunday, while Ciro Immobile shot Lazio to a comeback 2-1 win over Bologna. Paulo Dybala and Georginio Wijnaldum both made their league debuts for Jose Mourinho's Roma but it was an older hand in Bryan Cristante who decided […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Perennial strugglers Chippa United shocked Orlando Pirates 1-0 on Sunday in a South African Premiership third-round match, condemning new Spanish coach Jose Riveiro to his first loss.    Tanzanian Abdi Banda netted four minutes from time for the Gqeberha-based club, rising unchallenged to powerfully nod a corner past Ghana goalkeeper Richard Ofori. […]

Paris (AFP) – Alexis Sanchez came off the bench to make his debut for Marseille as his new club drew 1-1 with Brest in Ligue 1 on Sunday. The Chilean forward was named among the substitutes by coach Igor Tudor for the game in Brittany, four days after signing a one-year contract. He was introduced […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel said he was happy to take a "fair tackle" from Tottenham boss Antonio Conte after both were shown red cards for clashing twice during a heated 2-2 on Sunday. Conte's overexuberant celebrations of Spurs' first equaliser resulted in the two coaches being booked for squaring up. Tuchel then […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich chief executive Oliver Kahn lauded 19-year-old forward Jamal Musiala's performance as "simply extraordinary" in Sunday's 2-0 win over Wolfsburg.  Musiala, who declared himself eligible for Germany in 2021 despite playing for England as a junior, scored against Wolfsburg and now has four goals in three competitive matches to start the […]

Madrid (AFP) – Japan star Takefusa Kubo marked his Real Sociedad debut by scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win away to Cadiz in their opening game of the season in La Liga on Sunday. The 21-year-old finished after being picked out by Mikel Merino midway through the first half, and the strike proved […]

London (AFP) – Harry Kane snatched a 96th minute equaliser to salvage a 2-2 draw for Tottenham from a feisty London derby against Chelsea on Sunday. Both managers Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel were sent-off after the full-time whistle for their second physical altercation of the match. Chelsea looked set to get a new era […]

Berlin (AFP) – Nineteen-year-old Bayern forward Jamal Musiala continued his blistering early season form, scoring again as Munich beat Wolfsburg 2-0 on Sunday.  Musiala, who declared himself eligible for Germany in 2021 despite playing for England as a junior, now has four goals in three competitive matches to start the season. The 2-0 scoreline flattered […]

Berlin (AFP) – Mainz and Union Berlin split the points after a dour 0-0 draw at a two-thirds full Mewa Arena in the Bundesliga on Sunday in a game described by Berlin coach Urs Fischer as "not too pretty". Both sides struggled to find attacking rhythm in a game played in 31-degree heat and punctuated […]

Nottingham (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Nottingham Forest celebrated their first home game in the Premier League for 23 years by beating West Ham 1-0 on Sunday. The two-time European champions have made 14 new signings in a bid to maintain their top-flight status and two of those making their home debuts were the heroes as […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Erik ten Hag expressed his surprise at seeing Manchester United capitulate to a 4-0 defeat at Brentford that leaves the Red Devils bottom of the Premier League for the first time in 30 years. But after just two games in charge, the Dutchman is getting a crash course in United's […]

Madrid (AFP) – Barcelona were held 0-0 by Rayo Vallecano in their opening game of the La Liga season and had captain Sergio Busquets sent off late on. The Catalans had 21 shots on goal and the majority of possession at the Camp Nou but were unable to break the deadlock. Barca boss Xavi started […]