Paris (AFP) – French Ligue 1 side Bastia were punished Thursday over racist abuse directed at Nice striker Mario Balotelli in a game last month. The French league's disciplinary commission docked Bastia one point – suspended – and ordered the club to close its East Stand for the next three home games over the monkey […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham slumped to a shock Europa League exit as Gent's 2-2 draw at Wembley gave the unfancied Belgians a stunning 3-2 aggregate success in the last 32 second leg on Thursday. Mauricio Pochettino's side trailed 1-0 from the first leg and they were unable to overturn the deficit despite twice leading on […]

London (AFP) – Former Leicester City and England striker Gary Lineker said the club had taken an "unforgivable" decision in sacking manager Claudio Ranieri on Thursday, less than a year after he led them to a shock Premier League title success. Ranieri's position had come under intense scrutiny this season during a slump that has […]

London (AFP) – The anguished tone in Kasper Schmeichel's voice told the story of the turmoil gripping Leicester as the Premier League champions slumped into a relegation crisis that triggered Claudio Ranieri's brutal sacking on Thursday. "We're the reigning champions and quite frankly it's been terrible. It's been embarrassing," the Leicester goalkeeper told a television […]

London (AFP) – Claudio Ranieri has been sacked as manager of Leicester City just months after leading the club to a remarkable Premier League title triumph, the Midlands side announced Thursday. The Italian's position has come under intense scrutiny this season during a slump that has left the Foxes just a point above the relegation […]

Paris (AFP) – A last-minute header from Isaac Kiese Thelin squeezed Anderlecht into the Europa League last 16 on away goals on Thursday where the Belgian side were joined by Ajax and Roma. Anderlecht's hopes of progressing against Zenit St Petersburg appeared over after the Russians overturned a 2-0 first leg deficit to lead 3-2 […]

Milan (AFP) – The mayor of Naples has hit out at Napoli's president, claiming an upcoming Champions League clash against Real Madrid would not be possible without the city's commitment to repair the decrepit San Paolo stadium. "Were it not for our intervention, the game against Real Madrid probably wouldn't be played because the San […]

The bidding for the next round of US TV and streaming rights to the UEFA Champions League is close to being completed, a source revealed to World Soccer Talk. Our source understands that the TV networks bidding for the rights to broadcast the UEFA Champions League in the United States from 2018 to 2021 are […]

London (AFP) – Wayne Rooney said Thursday he was staying with Manchester United following persistent speculation he could make a lucrative move to the Chinese Super League. British media reports said Rooney's agent, Paul Stretford, had been in China speaking to interested clubs but the United and England captain insisted he was remaining at Old […]

Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain must win their Ligue 1 grudge match at resurgent Marseille with the club's Qatari owners demanding nothing less than the successful defence of their title. Such are the demands at PSG that should they lose to their bitter southern rivals on Sunday and drop six points behind leaders Monaco it […]

The MLS offseason is drawing to a close, with opening day in Portland less than two weeks away. After an exciting 2016 season, MLS sees two new teams join the league for 2017 with Atlanta United and Minnesota United making their debuts. Here is a preview of the season to come as well as predictions […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea manager Antonio Conte said Thursday he had gained "inspiration" from meeting with England rugby coach Eddie Jones and experiencing the Australian's "winning" mentality at first hand. The Italian clearly knows something about winning himself, having revived Chelsea's fortunes since his pre-season arrival at Stamford Bridge to the extent that the Blues […]

Saint-Étienne (France) (AFP) – Winning by a single goal away to Saint Etienne in the Europa League may not seem a significant milestone for a team of Manchester United's stature but manager Jose Mourinho knew otherwise. United are desperate to recapture the glory days of past when under Alex Ferguson they dominated the Premier League, […]

London (AFP) – Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla's recovery from ankle surgery could see the Spain international ruled out of the rest of the English season, British media reported Thursday. The 32-year-old has been sidelined since being forced off during the second half of Arsenal's 6-0 Champions League group win against Ludogorets on October 19. Cazorla […]

Milan (AFP) – A perfectly-orchestrated 2-0 win over depleted Porto has put Juventus on the cusp of the Champions League quarter-finals, and underlined Massimiliano Allegri's credentials amid rumours of an eventual move England's Premier League. Croatia starlet Marko Pjaca and Dani Alves came off the bench to strike late and ease the beaten 2015 finalists […]