Miami (AFP) – Eleven more teams will join an expanded CONCACAF Champions League from 2024 under a sweeping revamp of the competition unveiled on Wednesday. CONCACAF, the governing body for football in North America, Central America and the Caribbean, said in a statement that the club tournament would increase from 16 to 27 teams after […]

Paris (AFP) – President Emmanuel Macron urged the French government on Wednesday to investigate with "full transparency" the chaos at this weekend's Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid, as the interior minister came under increasing pressure over the police's handling. The mayhem outside the Stade de France stadium ahead of the match, which […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United and England defender Harry Maguire says he can accept criticism of his performances but a bomb threat he received earlier this year crossed the line. Maguire's house, where he lives with his fiancee and two children, was swept by police in April to ensure the safety of his family. The […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – French World Cup-winning midfielder Paul Pogba is to leave Manchester United at the end of June, the club said Wednesday, bringing the curtain down on a largely disappointing second spell. The 29-year-old's departure at the end of his contract will see United recoup none of the then record £89 million […]

Seoul (AFP) – Brazil superstar Neymar could miss his side's friendly match against South Korea on Thursday after injuring his foot during training on the eve of the game. Neymar grabbed his right foot and fell to the turf after colliding with a teammate during the session at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Wednesday. He […]

Madrid (AFP) – Gareth Bale wrote a farewell letter to Real Madrid on Wednesday, the Welshman bringing an end to his nine-year spell at the Spanish club, where he said his "dream became a reality". Bale will leave Real Madrid when his contract expires at the end of June, with the 32-year-old yet to confirm […]

London (AFP) – West Ham defender Kurt Zouma was on Wednesday ordered to carry out 180 hours of community service after he admitted kicking and slapping his pet cat. A judge at Thames Magistrates Court in east London also banned the 27-year-old France international from keeping cats for five years. Zouma triggered international outrage after […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool have received more than 5,000 complaints from supporters in 24 hours regarding the chaos surrounding Saturday's Champions League final, according to club chief executive Billy Hogan. Reds supporters were tear-gassed and pepper-sprayed by police as they gathered in large and slow-moving queues prior to the showpiece match at the Stade de […]

Rome (AFP) – AC Milan said Wednesday that its current owners, investment fund Elliott Management, have agreed to sell the newly-crowned Italian A champions to rival fund RedBird for 1.2 billion euros ($1.3 billion). "The transition to new ownership will take place over the summer, with an expected closing no later than September 2022," the […]

Cincinnati (AFP) – Christian Pulisic insists he needs more playing time at Chelsea to ensure he arrives at the World Cup in the best form possible. Chelsea's American midfielder has failed to cement a starting slot under Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge and knows he needs consistent minutes with the tournament in Qatar fast approaching. Asked […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Ukraine's national team are dreaming of a place at the World Cup to bring some relief to a war-torn nation as they face Scotland in a playoff semi-final on Wednesday. Oleksandr Petrakov's side have not played a competitive match since Russia's invasion in February. Their trip to Scotland was postponed in March […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Ukraine's Oleksandr Zinchenko broke down in tears on Tuesday as he expressed what a place at the World Cup would mean to his war-torn homeland. For the first time since Russia's invasion, Ukraine return to competitive action against Scotland in Wednesday's World Cup playoff semi-final at Hampden Park. The match was postponed […]

London (AFP) – Giorgio Chiellini believes it will be "beautiful" to end his international career against Argentina at Wembley on Wednesday after leading Italy to Euro 2020 glory at the London ground last year. The now 37-year-old was a key figure, both as captain and defender, when Italy beat hosts England on penalties in the […]

Paris (AFP) – Liverpool chairman Tom Werner has demanded an apology over the treatment of the club's fans after the French government blamed "massive" ticket fraud for the chaotic scenes that marred Saturday's Champions League final against Real Madrid in Paris. The demand came as UEFA and the French football federation estimated that 2,800 fake […]

Berlin (AFP) – Leon Goretzka on Tuesday tried to calm the simmering tensions between his want-away Bayern Munich team-mate Robert Lewandowski and club bosses, with Barcelona reportedly eager to sign the star striker. "I think overall it was an unbelievable success story for both FC Bayern and 'Lewy'," Bayern midfielder Goretzka said while with the […]