Paris (AFP) – As the football world prepares to head to Qatar in six months' time, this World Cup is set to bookend the era in which Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been the sport's two pre-eminent players. At the time, it felt like the 2018 tournament in Russia marked a turning point as […]

Paris (AFP) – Two of France's great footballing institutions stand on the brink of relegation from Ligue 1 with Bordeaux and Saint-Etienne sitting in the bottom two before Saturday's final matches of the season. For Bordeaux the game is effectively up already, as they sit three points adrift of Metz in the relegation play-off place […]

Turin (Italy) (AFP) – The Women's Champions League used to take pride of place in Lyon's trophy cabinet, and on Saturday the leading French side will hope to reclaim the title when they face holders Barcelona in the final in Turin (kick-off 1700 GMT). Lyon have won a record seven Champions Leagues, including five in […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Everton secured Premier League survival thanks to a thrilling second half comeback from 2-0 down to beat Crystal Palace 3-2 in front of a cacophonous Goodison Park crowd. Palace manager Patrick Vieira kicked out at a fan as supporters spilled onto the pitch in celebration twice after Dominic Calvert-Lewin's winning goal five […]

The 2022 World Cup is here. This time every four years is thrilling for the action on the field, but it's also when all the jersey manufacturers bring out the World Cup Jerseys for the 32 teams with new designs. For certain nations, there is little surprise when their uniform unveiling occurs, because we know […]

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 […]