Cobham (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has hit back at criticism of his surprise move for David Luiz by claiming the Brazilian can become one of the world's best defenders. Conte has brought Luiz back to Stamford Bridge two years after he was sold to Paris Saint Germain in a world record […]

Madrid (AFP) – Coach Zinedine Zidane has slammed as "absurd" a one-year transfer ban imposed on Real Madrid by FIFA for irregularities in the signing of foreign players under 18. The Frenchman's own children are among those part of the case against the European champions. FIFA dismissed Real and local rivals Atletico Madrid's appeals against […]

Zurich (AFP) – Banned FIFA president Sepp Blatter and his former chief lieutenants were under investigation Friday over illicit bonuses totalling $80 million (71mn euros), FIFA's ethics committee said. Football's ruling body claimed in June that Blatter, Jerome Valcke and Markus Kattner had skimmed off the eight-figure sum in salaries and bonuses in "a coordinated […]

London (AFP) – Zlatan Ibrahimovic is looking forward to adding to his list of major European club derbies when he appears for Manchester United against Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday. Much of the build-up has centred on the intensive rivalry between United manager Jose Mourinho and City counterpart Pep Guardiola. However, a further […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho played down the focus on his rivalry with Manchester City counterpart Pep Guardiola on Friday and said Saturday's derby would be decided by the players. This weekend's encounter has been billed as a grudge match between Mourinho and Guardiola, who had several stormy encounters during […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Barcelona coach Luis Enrique insisted Lionel Messi is fit enough to face Alaves on Saturday but said he may be protected with a run of seven games in 22 days to come for the Spanish champions. Messi missed Argentina's World Cup qualifier with Venezuela in midweek due to a groin problem, while […]

London (AFP) – The eyes of the world will be on Manchester this weekend as Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola bring their bitter feud to the Premier League for the first time. Any derby between Manchester United and Manchester City is guaranteed to be an explosive affair, but the presence of sworn enemies Mourinho and […]

Milan (AFP) – The Italian SuperCup final between league champions Juventus and beaten Cup finalists AC Milan will be held in Qatar for the second time this December, Serie A officials announced on Friday. Napoli beat Juventus on penalties at Doha's Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in 2014 and an agreement has been signed between both […]

Shanghai (AFP) – Ex-Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini is one man who will not be watching Saturday's Manchester derby as he takes his bow with Hebei China Fortune in the ultra-volatile Chinese Super League. At the same time as his successor, Pep Guardiola, is locking horns with Manchester United's Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford, Pellegrini […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Featuring the rekindling of Pep Guardiola's rivalry with Jose Mourinho, an all-star supporting cast and a host of tantalising sub-plots, Saturday's Manchester derby could be the most feverishly anticipated ever. The two clubs have competed on an even footing since around 2010, two years after Manchester City's acquisition by the […]

London (AFP) – Once upon a time, when their paths crossed at Barcelona, Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola got on quite well. But all that changed as they went on to become two of the most successful coaches in world football. Ahead of the mouthwatering Manchester derby at the weekend, AFP Sports looks at a […]

Milan (AFP) – England's Joe Hart is expected to make his Torino debut at Atalanta on Sunday as city rivals Juventus warm up for their Champions League opener against Sevilla by hosting Sassuolo. Hart, deemed surplus to requirements by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, completed his move to unfashionable Torino on a season-long loan deal […]

Madrid (AFP) – Barcelona's fearsome front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar could join forces for the first time in four months against Alaves, while Cristiano Ronaldo will make his Real Madrdid return on Saturday. Neymar has missed Barca's 100 percent start to the season due to his efforts in leading Brazil to […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp wants his Liverpool players to use the unveiling of Anfield's giant new Main Stand as the platform for a sustained assault on the Premier League. Saturday's visit of champions Leicester City will see Liverpool officially open the redeveloped stand, which increases the capacity of their ground by 8,500 to over […]

London (AFP) – Arsenal's meeting with Southampton on Saturday marks the start of important run of six games in 18 days as Arsene Wenger's side play catch-up in the Premier League. The new league campaign is only three games old but Arsenal already lie five points behind Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United, who have […]