In recent La Liga seasons, matches between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona at the Vicente Calderon have felt like decisive occasions. Earlier in the week, the upcoming meeting didn’t feel quite so crucial. But on the cusp of the contest, with Real Madrid losing to Valencia on Wednesday, it’s a match that could breathe life back […]

The first piece of silverware in the English football season will be awarded at Wembley Stadium on Sunday in the League Cup final, with Manchester United, looking to make it five wins in this tournament, taking on Southampton, who are seeking to win only the second major title in the club’s history. And while the […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham Hotspur will begin the task of repairing their faltering season when Stoke City visit White Hart Lane this weekend. Mauricio Pochettino's side have seen their Premier League title hopes fade in recent weeks and were hit by another blow on Thursday when their failure to beat Gent at Wembley ended their […]

London (AFP) – Jose Mourinho has challenged Manchester United's stars to prove his revolution is on track by winning the first major silverware of his reign in Sunday's League Cup final against Southampton. Given his remarkable success in 17 years as the world's most fascinating and polarising manager, it's understandable Mourinho labels the League Cup […]

London (AFP) – Having spectacularly exploded doubts about his age since joining Manchester United, Zlatan Ibrahimovic approaches Sunday's League Cup final against Southampton seeking a second triumph of the season at Wembley Stadium. The 35-year-old made his first official United appearance at Wembley in August's Community Shield against Leicester City, a towering late header giving […]

London (AFP) – Manolo Gabbiadini has all the tools to be Southampton's League Cup final hero against Manchester United after completing a remarkable journey from a garage in Italy to Sunday's Wembley showpiece. Just eight years after dreaming of becoming a mechanic, Gabbiadini will walk onto the Wembley turf as one of Southampton's main hopes […]

Leicester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Leicester caretaker manager Craig Shakespeare claims he feels like a pantomime villain after taking over following the shock sacking of Claudio Ranieri. Shakespeare is in temporary charge and will pick the team for Monday's crucial meeting with Liverpool after Ranieri was sacked on Thursday just nine months on from leading […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Jose Mourinho won't let his heart rule his head as the Manchester United manager ponders handing Wayne Rooney a start in the League Cup Final against Southampton on Sunday. Rooney, 31, announced on Thursday that he will remain at Old Trafford for the rest of the season after turning down […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Managerless Rangers slumped to their second consecutive defeat as a last-minute Billy McKay strike helped Inverness Caledonian Thistle to a 2-1 win in the Scottish Premiership at the Caledonian Stadium on Friday. Greg Tansey fired Inverness into a first-half lead before Martyn Waghorn's second-half penalty levelled matters. Inverness thought their chance had […]

Paris (AFP) – Mickael Le Bihan enjoyed a dream return from 18 months out injured by coming on to score twice as Ligue 1 title hopefuls Nice came from behind to beat Montpellier 2-1 on Friday. Steve Mounie had given Montpellier an early lead at the Allianz Riviera but Le Bihan was introduced just before […]

While the past 12 months have been a turbulent time for UEFA, the European soccer organization has managed to double the amount of revenue it'll generate for Champions League and Europa League coverage in the United States. Under UEFA's current deal with FOX Sports, the broadcaster pays approximately $52 million per year for the rights […]

Harare (AFP) – FIFA president Gianni Infantino met Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe on Friday a day after he attended a birthday party for the country's football chief, an official said. Zimbabwe Football Association spokesman Xolisani Gwesela confirmed to AFP that Infantino had paid a courtesy call on Mugabe at State House, but gave no details. […]

Leicester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Claudio Ranieri admitted his dream had died after he was ruthlessly sacked as Leicester manager in a brutal move that brought the wrath of the football world down on the troubled champions' Thai owners. Ranieri was axed barely two weeks after the owners gave him their "unwavering support" despite disastrous […]

Nyon (Switzerland) (AFP) – Favourites Manchester United were drawn on Friday to face faraway Russian outfit Rostov, who unlike Jose Mourinho were delighted with the Europa League last-16 tie. Mourinho's side beat French club Saint-Etienne 4-0 on aggregate in the last 32 and the English club will now travel to Russia on Thursday, March 9 […]

Nyon (Switzerland) (AFP) – Favourites Manchester United were drawn on Friday to face faraway Russian outfit Rostov, who unlike Jose Mourinho were delighted with the Europa League last-16 tie. Mourinho's side beat French club Saint-Etienne 4-0 on aggregate in the last 32 and the English club will now travel to Russia on Thursday, March 9 […]