Paris (AFP) – UEFA are to hold an emergency meeting on Friday to "evaluate the situation" concerning Russia's invasion of Ukraine with the former set to host the Champions League final in Saint Petersburg in May. "Following the evolution of the situation between Russia and Ukraine in the last 24 hours, the UEFA president has […]

Paris (AFP) – Fedor Smolov became the first Russian international footballer to express his opposition to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia posting on Instagram: "No to war." The 32-year-old Dynamo Moscow striker's post is against a dark backdrop and followed by a Ukrainian flag and a broken heart icon. The 45-times capped Smolov — […]

Washington (AFP) – Catarina Macario and Mallory Pugh each scored two goals, giving the reigning Women's World Cup champion United States a 5-0 rout over Iceland on Wednesday and the She Believes Cup title. Macario scored her fourth and fifth goals for the Americans to break open a tight struggle and launch the hosts' triumph […]

Milan (AFP) – Inter Milan have a chance to revive their faltering title defence when they travel to lowly Genoa, one of two Friday night matches with leaders AC Milan hosting Udinese. The champions were four points clear at the top at the start of February but trail Milan by two, albeit with a game […]

Madrid (AFP) – Ralf Rangnick told his Manchester United team to play with the same care-free attitude as Anthony Elanga after the 19-year-old salvaged a 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday. Elanga came on as a substitute in the 75th minute and scored in the 80th, after Atletico had dominated the majority of their […]

Burnley (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Tottenham manager Antonio Conte will assess his future at the troubled club after admitting he does not deserve his salary following Wednesday's damaging 1-0 defeat against Burnley. Conte's side saw their hopes of a top four finish in the Premier League severely damaged by Ben Mee's second-half winner at Turf […]

Madrid (AFP) – Manchester United were spared a damaging and deserved defeat by Atletico Madrid on Wednesday as Anthony Elanga's late goal rescued them a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the Champions League last 16. Atletico outplayed a sluggish United for the majority of the match at the Wanda Metropolitano and might have […]

Lisbon (AFP) – Sebastien Haller kept up his remarkable scoring record in this season's Champions League, finding the target at the right end shortly after putting through his own net as Ajax drew 2-2 with Benfica in their last 16, first leg on Wednesday. Haller's 26th-minute own goal cancelled out Dusan Tadic's opener for the […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane both struck twice as Liverpool cut the gap on Manchester City at the top of the Premier League to three points with a 6-0 thrashing of Leeds at Anfield. Salah took his tally for the season to 27 in 31 appearances and set up a rare goal […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool crushed Leeds 6-0 to close the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester City to three points, while Tottenham's top four bid was rocked by a 1-0 defeat at Burnley on Wednesday. Reds boss Jurgen Klopp believes his side must win every game for the rest of the season to pip City […]

Naples (Italy) (AFP) – Luciano Spalletti said Wednesday that the late Diego Maradona would support Napoli in their Europa League decider with Barcelona, a meeting of two of the Argentine legend's former clubs. Napoli are level at 1-1 with Barca ahead of Thursday's play-off second leg at the Naples stadium named after their deceased hero, […]

Naples (Italy) (AFP) – Luciano Spalletti said Wednesday that the late Diego Maradona would support Napoli in their Europa League decider with Barcelona, a meeting of two of the Argentine legend's former clubs. Napoli are level at 1-1 with Barca ahead of Thursday's play-off second leg at the Naples stadium named after their deceased hero, […]

London (AFP) – Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he is delighted Raul Jimenez is back playing football after witnessing the Wolves striker fracture his skull. Mexico forward Jimenez suffered the serious injury in an aerial challenge with former Arsenal defender David Luiz during Wolves' 2-1 win at the Emirates Stadium in November 2020. But following […]

Paris (AFP) – Barcelona's Europa League tie against Napoli is finely poised heading into the return in Italy on Thursday as Rangers look to finish the job against Borussia Dortmund following their stunning 4-2 win in the first leg last week. Barca needed a Ferran Torres penalty to draw at home to Napoli in the […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Bruno Fernandes has said Manchester United have "more identity" under interim manager Ralf Rangnick as they prepare for their first Champions League knockout tie in three years. United face Atletico Madrid in the last 16 on Wednesday, with both teams enduring disappointing seasons heading into the first leg at the […]