Berlin (AFP) – Veteran winger Franck Ribery, 35, has signed a one-year extension to stay at Bayern Munich until 2019, the German giants announced on Monday. "I am very happy to be able to play for another year at this great club," said Ribery in a statement. "Munich has long since become a home for […]

Les Herbiers (France) (AFP) – When little Les Herbiers come up against Kylian Mbappe and co. in Tuesday's French Cup final clash with the mighty Paris Saint-Germain, they could be forgiven for freezing on the big stage. Rarely has a showpiece game appeared such a mismatch as this, which will pit the third-division minnows against […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United's most decorated player Ryan Giggs is hopeful his legendary former manager Alex Ferguson will make a full recovery from emergency surgery on a brain haemorrhage. Considered the most successful manager in the history of British football, Ferguson, 76, won 38 trophies in just over 26 years in charge of United, […]

Abuja (AFP) – Injured Nigerian midfielder Wilfred Ndidi will be fit for the World Cup even though his Premier League season with Leicester City is over, national team spokesman Toyin Ibitoye said on Monday. Ndidi, 21, is nursing a hamstring injury and is expected to be out of action for several weeks. However, Ibitoye said […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has admitted he met with representatives of Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann in October. Griezmann has indicated he wants his future decided before this summer's World Cup after Barca were forced to deny in January they had already agreed a deal to sign the Frenchman. "We had […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United defender Phil Jones is hopeful legendary former manager Alex Ferguson will make a full recovery from emergency surgery on a brain haemorrhage, despite admitting he was "devastated" by the news of his ill health. Considered the most successful manager in the history of British football, Ferguson, 76, won 38 trophies […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – The CAF Champions League group phase kicked off at the weekend with a time-killing Moroccan coming under fire while a Guinean club fielded five starters with the same surname. A young South African fluffed a chance to star for African giants Al Ahly of Egypt and an Algerian side that had scored […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United defender Phil Jones said he was "devastated" to learn his old manager Alex Ferguson had suffered a brain haemorrhage, but backed the man he described as a father figure to battle back to full health. Ferguson, 76, remains in intensive care following emergency surgery on the haemorrhage on Saturday, but […]

Madrid (AFP) – Barcelona emerged from a thrilling Clasico the more satisfied on Sunday as the 10-man Catalans edged closer to a first unbeaten La Liga season following a 2-2 draw with Real Madrid. Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergi Roberto both missed the second half at Camp Nou, the first injured, the second sent off, as […]

Paris (AFP) – Liverpool goal machine Mohamed Salah was shackled by Chelsea as the Champions League finalists lost 1-0 at the weekend — the third consecutive match in which the Egyptian failed to score. Salah has struck 31 English Premier League goals this season, four more than lone challenger Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur in […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United thanked well wishers from around the football world for showing their support for legendary former manager Alex Ferguson following emergency surgery for a brain haemorrhage. Considered the most successful manager in the history of British football, Ferguson, 76, won 38 major trophies in just over 26 years in charge of […]

Sydney (AFP) – Australia coach Bert van Marwijk suggested a refinement of the controversial VAR technology Monday to allow teams to consult the video referee after a software glitch marred the A-League final. Melbourne Victory beat the Newcastle Jets 1-0 to clinch the domestic title with a contentious goal after a breakdown in the video […]

Sydney (AFP) – Veteran Tim Cahill was included Monday in Bert van Marwijk's preliminary Australia squad for the World Cup, keeping him on track for a fourth appearance at the football showpiece. The 38-year-old is his country's most prolific international scorer with 50 goals, hitting the back of the net at three previous World Cups. […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Zinedine Zidane is optimistic Cristiano Ronaldo will be fit for the Champions League final against Liverpool despite Real Madrid's star player going off injured against Barcelona on Sunday. Ronaldo appeared to sustain a knock to his ankle as he bundled home a 14th-minute equaliser for Real at the Camp Nou. The striker […]

Milan (AFP) – Juventus are practically assured of winning a seventh successive Serie A title after second-placed Napoli were held 2-2 by Torino on Sunday. Juventus have a six-point lead in Serie A with two games left to play. Both teams are equal in head-to-head clashes but Juventus are well ahead of their southern rivals […]