Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has hit back at the mounting criticism being heaped upon Paul Pogba, saying the France midfielder is the victim of jealousy from former professional players now working in the media. Pogba has been under an understandably intense spotlight since his world record £89.3 million ($108.9 […]

Manchester City’s form has varied this season. They claimed ten consecutive victories across all competitions in their excellent start to the campaign before a draw at Celtic began a six game winless streak, which saw them humiliated by Barcelona, outplayed by both Spurs and Manchester United, and took only a point each from their fixtures with Everton and […]

Stockholm (AFP) – Five-time World Player of the Year Marta said on Wednesday she would continue to play for Brazil internationally after taking Swedish nationality. The Brazil born 31-year-old has spent 10 years living in Sweden, is a fluent Swedish speaker and plans to settle in the Scandinavian nation after her playing days end. "I […]

Leicester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – In progressing to the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time, Leicester City preserved a golden thread stretching back all the way to last season's miraculous Premier League title success. The thread has worn close to breaking in recent weeks, with Leicester's perilous slide towards the relegation zone costing popular […]

Kuala Lumpur (AFP) – An Asian Cup qualifier between Malaysia and North Korea which was postponed after their diplomatic ties soured will now be held on June 8, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced Wednesday. The killing of Kim Jong-Nam in Kuala Lumpur International Airport last month triggered a bitter row between Malaysia and North […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Jose Mourinho hopes Manchester United's players will shrug off the effects of the stormy FA Cup loss to Chelsea when they resume Europa League hostilities with a depleted Rostov on Thursday. Ander Herrera's 35th-minute dismissal in Monday's FA Cup quarter-final obliged United to toil with 10 men for an hour […]

Leicester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Leicester City manager Craig Shakespeare believes his team could become the Champions League's surprise package after they eliminated Sevilla to reach the quarter-finals. Toiling domestically and beaten 2-1 in the first leg of the last 16 tie, Leicester roared back to win 2-0 in Tuesday's return leg, sending them into […]

Turin (Italy) (AFP) – A first-half penalty from Paulo Dybala helped fire Juventus into the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday after a 1-0 win sent the Serie A champions through 3-0 on aggregate. Porto coach Nuno Espirito Santo had hailed Juve's 20-game unbeaten home run in Europe as he played down the Portuguese side's chances […]

Leicester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Kasper Schmeichel pulled off a dramatic late penalty save as Leicester City sank Sevilla 2-0 on Tuesday to reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time. Trailing 2-1 from the first leg, after which Claudio Ranieri was sacked as manager, Leicester scored through Wes Morgan and Marc Albrighton before […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham Hotspur hinted that Harry Kane could return before the end of the season as they confirmed the England striker had suffered ankle ligament damage in last weekend's FA Cup win over Millwall. "We can confirm that @HKane sustained ligament damage to his right ankle during Sunday's FA Cup win against Millwall," […]

Milan (AFP) – Juventus have urged Massimiliano Allegri to see out the remainder of his contract with the Serie A champions amid reports he could take over from Arsene Wenger at Arsenal. Allegri's contract with Juventus ends in June 2018 and recently he has sent mixed messages about his future. "We are very happy with […]

Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain have sent a letter of complaint to UEFA about the referee who oversaw their spectacular collapse to Barcelona, accusing him of ruining their Champions League campaign. The Spanish champions' historic win was overshadowed by a series of controversial calls from German referee Deniz Aytekin and he awarded them two penalties […]

Monaco (AFP) – Leonardo Jardim implored his Monaco players iron out the mistakes that cost them dearly in the first leg as they attempt to overturn a 5-3 defeat in Wednesday's Champions League last 16. The Portuguese coach is drawing inspiration from Didier Deschamps' Monaco side that made an unlikely run to the 2004 Champions […]

Madrid (AFP) – Fernando Torres is set to make his return just two weeks after losing consciousness in a sickening head clash as Atletico Madrid look to seal their place in the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday. Atletico are strong favourites to reach the last eight for a fourth straight year as Torres was on […]

Berlin (AFP) – Christian Pulisic set Borussia Dortmund on their way to a comfortable 3-0 win over third-tier Sportfreunde Lotte on Tuesday that took them into the semi-finals of the German Cup. All the goals came in the second half, with Ousmane Dembele and Marcel Schmelzer netting after Pulisic's opener to take Thomas Tuchel's team […]