Los Angeles (AFP) – An older, wiser Bruce Arena returned to the US national team coaching role Tuesday after a 10-year absence, vowing talent and hard work will result in a 2018 World Cup berth. Arena, who had guided the team from 1998-2006 before taking charge of Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy, was named to […]

Lille (France) (AFP) – Coach Frederic Antonetti has parted company with Ligue 1 strugglers Lille, the French club confirmed on Tuesday. The 55-year-old Corsican has agreed terms to leave "in a friendly manner," a statement from the northern outfit said. Antonetti paid the price for a disastrous start to the season with the 2011 Ligue […]

Madrid (AFP) – Boasting the only perfect record in the Champions League this season Atletico Madrid have already booked their place in the last 16, but PSV Eindhoven's visit on Wednesday offers a much-needed chance for Diego Simeone's men get back to winning ways. Since Antoine Griezmann's stoppage time winner saw off FC Rostov three […]

Chicago (AFP) – Bruce Arena was rehired Tuesday for a second stint as United States head coach, replacing sacked German Jurgen Klinsmann. The 65-year-old American who guided the United States to the 2002 World Cup quarter-finals during his previous tenure from 1998-2006, struck a new deal Tuesday through to the 2018 Russia World Cup. "I'm […]

Moscow (AFP) – Bayer Leverkusen played out a 1-1 draw at CSKA Moscow on Tuesday to put the German club on the verge of qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages. Kevin Volland put Leverkusen ahead after 16 minutes before Israeli international Bibras Natcho converted a second-half penalty to snatch a draw for the Russian […]

Berlin (AFP) – On the eve of Wednesday's Champions League game at Borussia Moenchengladbach, Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola revealed captain Vincent Kompany could 'be out for weeks' with a knee injury. City are chasing a win in Germany to put them in the last 16, but they must do so without their skipper. Kompany, […]

Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain defender Serge Aurier has been barred from Britain and will miss the club's Champions League tie against Arsenal on Wednesday after British authorities revoked his visa. The French champions called the decision "incomprehensible" but Britain's Interior Ministry said it was acting according to established immigration rules. "Paris Saint-Germain is stunned […]

Ramallah (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – FIFA envoy Tokyo Sexwale on Tuesday called for movement on the "headache" issue of Israeli clubs in settlements in the occupied West Bank, after meeting Israeli and Palestinian leaders. FIFA president Gianni Infantino last month told AFP the issue was a "priority" for him, and Sexwale, chairman of the FIFA Monitoring […]

Prague (AFP) – Private Chinese company CEFC China said Tuesday it had taken full control of Czech top-flight side Slavia Prague after snapping up a 20 percent stake from a minority shareholder. It is just the latest example of Chinese money flowing into European football, after investors from the country bought up stakes in scores […]

Nice (France) (AFP) – Nice go into their crunch Europa League clash with Schalke 04 without star striker Mario Balotelli after the Italian pulled a calf muscle in training, the French club said on Tuesday. Nice are bottom of Group I on three points while Schalke have already qualified for the next round on 12 […]

Milan (AFP) – Belgium's Dries Mertens said he's happy to remain Napoli's number one striker against Dinamo Kiev on Wednesday, as long as it helps the Italians secure their ticket for the Champions League last 16. With Poland striker Milik not due to return from a knee ligament injury until January, Mertens has been pushed […]

Berlin (AFP) – Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge admits Bayern Munich are now the hunters — rather than the hunted — as they attempt to reclaim top spot from surprise new Bundesliga leaders RB Leipzig. Bayern flew to Russian side Rostov for Wednesday's Champions League clash with the Bavarian giants already through to the last 16, but […]

Sling Blue, the streaming service, has added two brand-new alternate channels for subscribers to have access to more Premier League games. The addition of the two new NBC Sports overflow channels — named NBCSN Alternate 1 and NBCSN Alternate 2 — are included with Sling Blue and Sling Blue+Orange at no additional charge. On Premier League matchdays […]

Paris (AFP) – Borussia Dortmund's Gabonese goal king Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang remains in the running to defend his African Player of the Year crown after making the final shortlist of five players on Tuesday. But the 27-year-old faces competition from Leicester's Algerians Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani, Senegal's Sadio Mane of Liverpool and Egyptian striker Mohamed […]

Milan (AFP) – Inter Milan's Gary Medel is expected to be sidelined for at least three weeks after suffering a knee injury during Sunday's 2-2 derby draw with AC Milan. "Scans this morning revealed that Gary Medel has suffered damage to the meniscus in his right knee. An evaluation of his recovery time will be […]