Berlin (AFP) – Hamburg have one foot back in the Bundesliga after earning a 1-0 win at Hertha Berlin in Thursday's relegation/promotion play-off, first leg thanks to a speculative strike by midfielder Ludovit Reis. Reis' winner at Berlin's Olympic Stadium gives Hamburg, who were relegated from the top flight in 2018, the edge ahead of Monday's […]

London (AFP) – A headline-grabbing libel case over an online spat between two England footballers' wives wrapped up on Thursday, after lifting the lid on tabloid double-dealing and the lives of the rich and famous. Rebekah Vardy, whose husband Jamie plays for Leicester City, is suing Coleen Rooney, the wife of former Manchester United star […]

Lausanne (AFP) – For the first time ever there will be women referees at a men's World Cup finals after FIFA revealed the list for the quadrennial showpiece being hosted later this year by Qatar. France's Stephanie Frappart, Salima Mukansanga from Rwanda and Japan's Yoshimi Yamashita are among the 36 match referees. Brazil's Neuza Back, […]

Paris (AFP) – Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara earned a first call-up to the France squad on Thursday, replacing the injured Paul Pogba for a series of UEFA Nations League matches in June. Manchester United star Pogba has been out for a month with a calf injury and will not play again for his club before […]

London (AFP) – Thomas Frank is optimistic Denmark star Christian Eriksen will agree to extend his stay at Premier League club Brentford after impressing during his brief spell at the Bees. The former Tottenham and Inter Milan playmaker joined the London club on a short-term deal in January, just seven months after suffering a cardiac […]

Berlin (AFP) – Germany coach Hansi Flick on Thursday named no uncapped players in his squad and recalled Marco Reus for next month's Nations League games against Italy, England and Hungary. Germany visit European champions Italy on June 4 before hosting them in Moenchengladbach on June 14, face England in Munich on June 7 and take […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United's new manager Erik ten Hag has reportedly arrived in England and is set to attend the ailing giants' final game of the Premier League season, according to several British media outlets. United will wrap up a disappointing campaign away to Crystal Palace on Sunday, in what will be interim boss […]

Madrid (AFP) – Carlo Ancelotti said on Thursday that Gareth Bale deserves a good send-off in Real Madrid's last home game of the season against Real Betis. Bale will leave Real Madrid when his contract expires at the end of June, after nine years at the Spanish giants, during which he has won three La […]

Madrid (AFP) – Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has retired from international football, his country's federation has confirmed. Barcelona's Aubameyang, who is Gabon's all-time top scorer with 30 goals in 72 appearances, sent a letter to the federation on Tuesday, confirming his decision. "After 13 years of pride in representing my country, I announce I am […]

London (AFP) – Gareth Bale has been named in the Wales squad for their World Cup play-off final against Scotland or Ukraine despite recent back trouble as they seek to qualify for the tournament for the first time since 1958. The captain has made just two substitute appearances for Real Madrid since scoring both goals […]

Rome (AFP) – Tammy Abraham said to himself when he joined AS Roma from Chelsea last summer he would give his "blood, sweat and tears for this club". In keeping his promise he could be rewarded with European silverware next week. The 24-year-old England international striker's nine goals have been pivotal in Roma's passage to […]

Berlin (AFP) – Eintracht Frankfurt have ruled out making big-name signings this summer despite beating Rangers to win the Europa League final, which guaranteed a lucrative first Champions League spot in the club's history. Wednesday's final in Seville was decided by a dramatic penalty shootout with Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp making the only save to […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – South African club Orlando Pirates aim to dispel the belief that they are easy prey for Moroccan rivals by defeating Renaissance Berkane in the CAF Confederation Cup final in Uyo, Nigeria, on Friday. The Buccaneers from Soweto on the outskirts of Johannesburg suffered a 5-1 aggregate hammering from Raja Casablanca in the […]

Seville (Spain) (AFP) – Goalkeeper Kevin Trapp paid tribute to travelling Eintracht Frankfurt fans for their support after his crucial save in a penalty shoot-out helped the German club beat Rangers to win the Europa League final on Wednesday.  Trapp batted away an attempt by Rangers' Aaron Ramsey as Eintracht won the shoot-out 5-4 after […]

Seville (Spain) (AFP) – Eintracht Frankfurt defeated Rangers 5-4 on penalties to win the Europa League on Wednesday after the final in Seville finished 1-1 at the end of extra time. Aaron Ramsey missed for Rangers in the shoot-out after coming on as a substitute with only three minutes left of extra-time, before Rafael Borre […]