Rabat (AFP) – Former Moroccan international Walid Regragui has been appointed head coach of the national side just three months before the 2022 World Cup, the football federation announced Wednesday. The 46-year-old takes over from Franco-Bosnian Vahid Halilhodzic, who was dismissed on August 11 because of "differences of opinion" over preparations for the global tournament […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea's new defender Wesley Fofana took a swipe at his old club Leicester after completing his acrimonious switch to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.  Fofana agreed a seven-year contract with Chelsea, who will reportedly pay up to £70 million ($81.3 million) for the French centre-back. The 21-year-old was left out of the Leicester […]

London (AFP) – Thomas Tuchel was fined £20,000 ($23,000) and warned about his future behaviour on Wednesday after the Chelsea manager suggested referee Anthony Taylor should not be allowed to take charge of the club's matches. Tuchel admitted a Football Association charge of improper conduct following his comments about Taylor after Chelsea's stormy 2-2 draw […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag repeated on Wednesday that he was counting on Cristiano Ronaldo this season "It's clear, of course, we need quality players," Ten Haag said when asked about his unsettled Portuguese star on the day before the summer transfer window closes.  "You need more and to cover all […]

Milan (AFP) – AC Milan said Wednesday that investment fund RedBird had completed the acquisition of the Italian champions from rival US group Elliott Management for 1.2 billion euros ($1.3 billion). Serie A giants Milan said in their statement  Major League Baseball giants the New York Yankees will also have a "minority equity stake" in […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said Scott Parker's sacking after just four Premier League games was "unbelievable" and Bournemouth's owner Maxim Demin's behaviour showed "how important the right owners are." Parker — who last season guided Bournemouth back to the Premier League — was dismissed on Tuesday days after a 9-0 thrashing by […]

London (AFP) – Thomas Tuchel urged "soft" Chelsea to toughen up after a shock 2-1 defeat against Southampton plunged his spluttering team into Premier League turmoil on Tuesday. Tuchel's side blew the lead at St Mary's after Raheem Sterling put them ahead midway through the first half. England forward Sterling bagged his third goal in […]

Milan (AFP) – Paulo Dybala shot Roma top of Serie A on Tuesday with a brace which sank Monza 3-0 while Inter Milan are one point behind Jose Mourinho's side after their 3-1 home win over Cremonese. Argentina forward Dybala brought up his goal century in the Italian top flight after netting twice in the […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea crashed to a shock 2-1 defeat against Southampton as their rocky start to the Premier League season took a turn for the worse on Tuesday. Thomas Tuchel's side blew the lead at St Mary's after Raheem Sterling put them ahead midway through the first half. England forward Sterling bagged his third […]

Milan (AFP) – Paulo Dybala shot Roma top of Serie A on Tuesday with a brace which sank Monza 3-0 while Inter Milan are one point behind Jose Mourinho's side after their 3-1 home win over Cremonese. Argentina forward Dybala brought up his goal century in the Italian top flight after netting twice in the […]

Reggio Emilia (Italy) (AFP) – AC Milan were held to a goalless draw at Sassuolo on Tuesday while the acquisition of the club by American investment fund RedBird drew near to completion. Champions Milan moved top of Serie A with the stalemate in Reggio Emilia, returning after 100 days to the site of their Scudetto […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola accepts repeatedly coming back from big deficits is no way to defend their Premier League title. The champions recovered from 3-1 down at Newcastle to draw 3-3 and 2-0 behind at home to Crystal Palace to win 4-2, mainly due to the goal-scoring ability of Erling Haaland. […]

London (AFP) – Under-fire Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard insisted on Tuesday he will not hide from the pressure of trying to turn his struggling side's season around. Gerrard is fighting to save his job after being booed by Villa fans after Sunday's 1-0 defeat at home to West Ham. Villa's third defeat in four […]

London (AFP) – Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is "desperately hoping" club record signing Alexander Isak is available for Wednesday's Premier League match away to Liverpool. Sweden striker Isak, signed for a  reported £58 million ($68 million) from Real Sociedad, was unable to make his debut at Wolves on Sunday because his work permit had not […]

London (AFP) – Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira has urged his side to produce an instant response to their defeat by Manchester City when they face London rivals Brentford on Tuesday. Palace were on course to maintain their impressive record against the Premier League champions when an own-goal from John Stones and Joachim Andersen's header […]