Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said on Wednesday he plans to leave the English champions when his current contract ends in 2023 and hopes to eventually take charge of a national team. "After seven years in this team, I think I'll take a break," said 50-year-old Guardiola. "I'll need to […]

London (AFP) – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hit a hat-trick to lift the gloom around troubled Arsenal in a 6-0 rout of West Bromwich Albion in the League Cup second round on Wednesday. Beaten by Brentford and Chelsea in their first two Premier League games, Arsenal arrived at the Hawthorns in turmoil after their worst ever start […]

Berlin (AFP) – Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scored four goals Wednesday as Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich thrashed fifth-tier minnows Bremer 12-0 in the first round of the German Cup. The original tie was postponed at the start of August after an outbreak of Covid-19 in the Bremer squad, but Bayern showed their hosts little mercy. Bremer […]

Paris (AFP) – Serie A announced on Wednesday that it would support clubs that decide not to release players for World Cup duty who would have to quarantine on their return, as FIFA chief Gianni Infantino pleaded with the British government to allow exemptions for players. In a short statement, Serie A added that it […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Success-starved Kaizer Chiefs are among seven clubs sharing first place two rounds into the South African Premiership season after defeating Baroka 2-1 in Johannesburg on Wednesday. A close-range tap-in from Zimbabwean Khama Billiat and a looping header by Daniel Cardoso earned the most popular club in the country maximum points after drawing […]

London (AFP) – Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou does not know if Japanese international Kyogo Furuhashi has been affected by the racist abuse he received but he is "good to go" for Thursday's Europa League play-off second leg meeting with Dutch side AZ Alkmaar. Furuhashi was targeted in a song by fans from Celtic's bitter rivals […]

Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain have rejected a 160 million-euro ($188m) offer from Real Madrid for Kylian Mbappe but the French club's sporting director Leonardo on Wednesday admitted that they will not be able to keep the World Cup winner "if he wants to leave". "Our position has always been the same, to keep Kylian […]

Paris (AFP) – FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday he wanted the Premier League and La Liga as well as national federations to "show solidarity" in light of the player release dispute for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. On Tuesday, the English top-flight said it would stop individuals from featuring for countries on the […]

London (AFP) – Rangers manager Steven Gerrard is self-isolating due to a coronavirus outbreak at the club and will miss the Scottish champions' Europa League play-off second leg on Thursday with Armenian side Alaskhert according to Sky Sports. The outbreak comes days before Rangers face bitter rivals Celtic in the first Old Firm derby of […]

Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain turned down Real Madrid's bid to prise away Kylian Mbappe on Wednesday, with sporting director Leonardo saying the offer of around 160 million euros ($188 million) was "not enough" for a player they wanted "to keep". "Our position has always been to keep Kylian, to renew his contract" which expires […]

Madrid (AFP) – Atletico Madrid have signed Brazil striker Matheus Cunha on a five-year-deal from Bundesliga club Hertha Berlin, both outfits confirmed Wednesday. The transfer fee is reportedly around 30 million euros ($35 million) for the 22-year-old who scored 13 goals in 40 games for Hertha in the last 18 months since joining from their […]

London (AFP) – Harry Kane ended speculation over a potential move to Manchester City by announcing on Wednesday he will remain at Tottenham this season. The 28-year-old is the second top goalscorer in Tottenham's history with 221, but is yet to win a major trophy at club or international level. Kane had made clear his […]

Paris (AFP) – Holders Chelsea and their rivals among Europe's elite will discover their opponents in this season's UEFA Champions League when the draw for the group stage is made in Istanbul on Thursday from 1600 GMT. The Turkish metropolis has missed out on hosting the final of the competition in each of the last […]

London (AFP) – Harry Kane announced on Wednesday he will remain at Tottenham this season, ending speculation over his future with Manchester City interested in the England captain. Kane had made clear his desire to leave his boyhood club in the quest to end his wait for the first trophy of his career. However, the […]

Paris (AFP) – Real Madrid have offered 160 million euros ($188 million) to Paris Saint-Germain for France World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe, French and Spanish media reported on Wednesday. According to outlets L'Equipe and Le Parisien the Ligue 1 club have rejected the proposal for 22-year-old Mbappe, whose contract at the Parc de Princes expires […]