Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Wayne Rooney gave short shrift to talk about his recent off-field indiscretions while on England duty after breaking Manchester United's European goal-scoring record against Feyenoord on Thursday. Rooney, 31, scored his 39th European goal in a 4-0 victory to eclipse Ruud van Nistelrooy as the club's leading scorer in UEFA […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Wayne Rooney became Manchester United's outright leading European goal-scorer as Jose Mourinho's side enhanced their chances of progressing in the Europa League by sinking Feyenoord 4-0 on Thursday. Rooney struck in the 35th minute to claim his 39th European goal, one more than Ruud van Nistelrooy, and move to within […]

Paris (AFP) – Southampton's hopes of reaching the Europa League knockout rounds remain in the balance after Claude Puel's side lost 1-0 away to Sparta Prague in the Czech Republic on Thursday. A solitary first-half goal by Zimbabwean full-back Costa Nhamoinesu, firing a Borek Dockal free-kick past Fraser Forster, was the difference between the sides […]

Moscow (AFP) – Russian president Vladimir Putin will meet FIFA chief Gianni Infantino in Moscow on Friday ahead of this weekend's draw for the Confederations Cup, the Kremlin announced on Thursday. "The head of state will meet the FIFA president in Moscow," read a brief statement from the Kremlin, with Infantino on his way to […]

London (AFP) – Former Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard announced his retirement from professional football on Thursday at the age of 36, calling time on an emblematic career. Gerrard spent 17 years at his home-town club Liverpool, 12 as captain, and won nine honours including the 2005 Champions League before finishing his career with […]

London (AFP) – Reaction to former Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard's retirement, which he announced on Thursday at the age of 36: "We started at Liverpool together at 11. He was brilliant then. He went on to be world class. Liverpool's greatest player. Congrats Stevie G." – Former Liverpool and England team-mate Michael Owen […]

Milan (AFP) – Serie A side Udinese have demanded an apology from fiery Brazilian captain Danilo Larangeira after he lost the plot during a training session that left three of his teammates requiring treatment. "We expect the player to issue an apology, that is the absolute minimum," Udinese sporting director Nereo Bonato said. Widespread reports […]

Milan (AFP) – Napoli captain Marek Hamsik has called for his teammates to cap their stuttering Champions League campaign with a win at Benfica and qualify for the last 16 as group winners. Napoli's hopes of making the knockout phase for the first time since elimination by eventual winners Chelsea in 2012 were left hanging […]

Berlin (AFP) – Jerome Boateng has been told to focus on his football, and forget the limelight, in the wake of Bayern Munich's shock Champions League defeat at Rostov. "Jerome has to calm down and take things easier (off the pitch)," Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told Bild. "Since the summer, it's all been a bit […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale is to undergo an operation on his injured ankle that will likely see him ruled out of action for two months. Bale was forced off just before the hour mark of Real's 2-1 win over Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday as the European champions secured their place in […]

London (AFP) – Former Liverpool and England skipper Steven Gerrard called time on his glittering playing career on Thursday at the age of 36. AFP Sport remembers five of the Liverpool legend's finest displays: Miracle in Istanbul (v AC Milan, 2004-05 Champions League final) Faced with the prospect of a humiliating defeat after falling 3-0 […]

London (AFP) – Former Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard announced his retirement from professional football on Thursday at the age of 36, calling time on an emblematic career. Gerrard spent 17 years at his home-town club Liverpool, 12 as captain, and won seven major honours including the 2005 Champions League before finishing his career […]

London (AFP) – Gareth Southgate has been offered the England manager's job and could be confirmed in the role as early as Monday, according to British newspaper reports on Thursday. Southgate, who recently completed a four-game stint as interim manager, was interviewed by a five-man panel at the St George's Park national football centre in […]

Monchengladbach (Germany) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola admits he is glad his Manchester City will avoid his ex-club Bayern Munich in the draw for the last 16 of the Champions League. City booked their place in the knock-out phase on Wednesday with a sluggish 1-1 draw at Borussia Moenchengladbach as both teams finished with ten men. […]

London (AFP) – Arsene Wenger admits Arsenal have lost momentum and look destined for a frustrating second-placed finish in their Champions League group after being held to a 2-2 draw against Paris Saint-Germain. Wenger's side were on course to wrap up top spot in Group A when they led 2-1 late in the second half […]