Liverpool (AFP) – Liverpool tied down Harvey Elliott to a new "long-term" deal on Thursday with the 19-year-old expected to feature more prominently in Jurgen Klopp's first-team plans this season. Elliott started three of Liverpool's first four Premier League matches of last season before sustaining a fracture-dislocation of his ankle at Leeds which sidelined him […]

Milan (AFP) – AC Milan have their Serie A rivals snapping at their heels ahead of their title defence, with the big boys bolstering their squads over an eventful summer which has left the league with no clear Scudetto favourite. Stefano Pioli's side kick off the new season against Udinese at the San Siro on Saturday […]

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said on Wednesday it did not want to replay an unfinished World Cup qualifying match with Argentina.  "After receiving the request from coach Tite and coordinator Juninho Paulista, the President of CBF, Ednaldo Rodrigues, will seek to suspend the match," said a statement on the […]

Helsinki (AFP) – Goals from David Alaba and Karim Benzema gave Real Madrid a 2-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt and a fifth UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday. While Frankfurt were dangerous, particularly in the first half, Madrid's experience and individual quality saw them through, as it did so often in their victorious 2021-22 Champions League […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Bernardo Silva revealed on Wednesday he has been open with Manchester City over where he sees his future amid speculation he could be Barcelona's next big money signing. The Portuguese midfielder has been a vital part of the City side that has won four Premier League titles in the past […]

Berlin (AFP) – Newly re-signed Leipzig striker Timo Werner said Germany manager Hansi Flick encouraged him to return to RB Leipzig ahead of the Qatar World Cup in November. In his first press conference since re-joining with the German Cup winners, Werner said on Wednesday afternoon he discussed the idea with Flick while still at […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City and France footballer Benjamin Mendy stands trial Wednesday for the alleged rape and assault of seven women, which could see his playing career end in jail if convicted.  Mendy, 28, is due at Chester Crown Court in northwest England to face eight counts of rape, one count of sexual assault […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid are hoping a summer of stability sets them up for a successful defence of the Spanish title as the season kicks off in La Liga this weekend, despite some eye-catching moves in the transfer market from Barcelona. Madrid set the ball rolling on Wednesday against Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA […]

Paris (AFP) – Two-time former champions Benfica will play Ukraine's Dynamo Kyiv while Ruud van Nistelrooy's PSV Eindhoven will face Glasgow Rangers after they all qualified for the final Champions League qualifying play-off round on Tuesday. Luuk De Jong claimed an 109th-minute winner as PSV Eindhoven edged Monaco 3-2 in extra-time in the Netherlands, to […]

Paris (AFP) – Two-time former champions Benfica beat Mitjylland 3-1 on Tuesday to win 7-2 on aggregate and reach the final Champions League qualifying play-off round. Young midfielder Enzo Fernandez and 20-year-old striker Henrique Araujo scored before Pione Sisto responded for the Danes. Argentinian Fernandez, 21, and Araujo were making just their second European appearances […]

London (AFP) – Former Manchester United star Ryan Giggs headbutted his former girlfriend in the face as she tried to end their relationship, she told a jury Tuesday on the second day of his trial on charges of assault and coercive control. Giggs, 48, who until recently served as coach of the Wales national team, […]

London (AFP) – A UK court on Tuesday heard the ex-girlfriend of former Manchester United star Ryan Giggs tearfully recount years of "aggressive" and manipulative behaviour by the footballer at his trial for assaulting and coercively controlling her. On the second day of the high-profile trial, the jury watched footage of a police interview with […]

Helsinki (AFP) – Real Madrid are determined not to be knocked off their perch at the summit of European football this season as they prepare to start their campaign against Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Super Cup in Helsinki on Wednesday. Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, who is the only manager to win the Champions League […]

London (AFP) – Watford's Ismaila Sarr scored from 60 yards in an early contender for goal of the season before seeing his penalty saved in a 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion in English football's second-tier Championship on Monday. The 24-year-old Senegal forward opened the scoring for the visitors in the 12th minute with a […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Former Manchester United star Ryan Giggs went on trial Monday accused of submitting his former girlfriend to a "litany of abuse" during a coercive and "toxic" relationship, in a case that has upended his managerial career. The 48-year-old, who until recently served as coach of the Wales national team, has […]