Paris (AFP) – Leftist politicians were up in arms Friday after a US investment firm purchased a beloved blue-collar soccer club, warning that a French cultural and sporting icon could wither in American hands. Third-division Red Star — rendered in English for reasons obscure — is one of France's oldest clubs, created in 1897 by […]

Madrid (AFP) – Spanish club Espanyol announced the dismissal on Friday of coach Vicente Moreno, two rounds before the end of the La Liga season.  "RCD Espanyol has decided not to continue with Vicente Moreno as coach of the first team," the club said in a statement which also announced the sacking of sports director Francisco […]

Berlin (AFP) – Robert Lewandowski has opened the door to a high-profile transfer after telling Bayern Munich that he will not be extending his contract beyond June 2023 when it expires, German media reported on Friday. The 33-year-old Poland international forward has scored 343 goals for Bayern and twice picked up FIFA's Player of the […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool will bid to keep their quadruple chase alive in Saturday's FA Cup final against a Chelsea side hoping to welcome incoming owner Todd Boehly with victory at Wembley. Jurgen Klopp's men have four matches left in their historic attempt to become the first English team to win all four major trophies […]

Berlin (AFP) – Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland will be out to make his final mark on the Bundesliga this Saturday by breaking Hertha Berlin hearts on the last day of a gruelling relegation fight. Norwegian star Haaland will make his last appearance for Dortmund against Hertha this weekend before completing a long-awaited move to […]

Paris (AFP) – Bordeaux face relegation from Ligue 1 for the first time in 31 years this weekend, but the fallout for a club deep in financial turmoil risks extending far beyond simply dropping down a division. The six-time French champions realistically need to win their final two games, at home to Lorient on Saturday […]

Rome (AFP) – AC Milan welcome Atalanta to the San Siro on Sunday knowing this could be the weekend that they snatch the Scudetto from local rivals Inter Milan. Needing four points from their final two games of the season, Milan stand on the brink of a first Serie A title since 2011 and they […]

London (AFP) – Sergio Aguero admitted he was grateful to Manchester City as his former club prepared to unveil a statue celebrating their record scorer's most famous goal. Aguero memorably netted the stoppage-time strike against QPR that sealed City's Premier League title triumph at the Etihad Stadium in 2012. The Argentine forward's 93rd minute goal […]

Madrid (AFP) – Karim Benzema drew level with Real Madrid great Raul as the Spanish giants' second-highest goalscorer by netting his 323rd goal for the club in a 6-0 thrashing of Levante on Thursday. The France striker headed in Real's second goal against Levante at the Santiago Bernabeu to reach the mark. Cristiano Ronaldo remains […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham forward Son Heung-min insisted he "accepted" Antonio Conte's decision to substitute him in Thursday's crucial 3-0 win over Arsenal despite his angry reaction to the decision. Son scored Tottenham's third goal early in the second half as Conte's side demolished their north London rivals to reignite their hopes of a top […]

London (AFP) – Harry Kane scored twice as Tottenham beat 10-man Arsenal 3-0 on Thursday with a north London derby masterclass that kept alive their hopes of finishing in the Premier League's top four. Antonio Conte's side would have been eliminated from the race to qualify for next season's Champions League if they had lost […]

Montreal (AFP) – Canada will play host to Iran in a June 5 football friendly at Vancouver between Qatar World Cup-bound teams ahead of matches against North American rivals. Canada Soccer announced Thursday plans for three international matches, with Iran followed by CONCACAF Nations League matches against Curacao and Honduras. Iran will face the Canadians […]

London (AFP) – Aston Villa completed the permanent signing of Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho on Thursday in a deal the La Liga club said is worth 20 million euros (£17 million). The Brazilian has impressed since arriving at Villa on loan in January after struggling to make an impact at Barcelona. Barca confirmed the transfer […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Another venue row involving Morocco is brewing, this time over qualifying for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in the Ivory Coast.     Liberia have no international-standard stadium and Group K rivals Morocco say the west Africans can stage their three home fixtures in the kingdom. But group rivals South Africa […]

The Hague (AFP) – Club Brugge manager Alfred Schreuder was appointed head coach of Dutch giants Ajax on Thursday, replacing the massively successful Erik ten Hag, who is leaving for Manchester United. "Ajax, Club Brugge and Alfred Schreuder have reached an agreement about a transfer to Ajax," the club said in a statement. Schreuder, 49, […]