Brussels (AFP) – Belgium have parted company with coach Marc Wilmots after a below-par Euro 2016 where they suffered quarter-final elimination to Wales, federation president Francois De Keesmaecker said on Friday. With top-quality players throughout the side such as goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and midfielders Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyn, hopes for Europe's top-rated side […]

Three of Everton's preseason matches will be available via ESPN3 and Sling Orange this July. With new manager Ronald Koeman and goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg on board at the club, Everton fans in the United States will be able to watch the Toffees' friendlies against Jablonec, Barnsley and MK Dons via the legal streaming sites. If […]

London (AFP) – France playmaker Dimitri Payet handed West Ham a huge boost ahead of the new Premier League season by telling the club he is "100 per cent staying" with the Hammers. Payet had been linked with a move away from West Ham after backing up a superb debut season in England with several […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – A blunder-prone goalkeeper and the loss of star attackers have added to the problems confronting Al Ahly coach Martin Jol ahead of a must-win CAF Champions League clash this weekend. The Egyptian and African giants host Group A leaders Wydad Casablanca from Morocco Saturday desperate for maximum points after a disastrous start […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Former World Rugby Player of the Year Bryan Habana was overlooked Thursday when South Africa named a 12-man squad for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games sevens tournament. Club commitments with French giants Toulon limited the seven-a-side appearances of the Springbok winger, who has scored 320 points in 117 Tests. Now 33, […]

Stegersbach (Austria) (AFP) – Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has called on French midfield enforcer N’Golo Kante to decide quickly on his future as the Premier League champions plan the defence of their title. Kante’s future is uncertain with a new contract from Leicester on the table amid interest from a host of rival clubs […]

London (AFP) – Flying England Under-21 winger Jordon Ibe cost Bournemouth a reported record £15million (17.9m euros, $20m) when he signed on Thursday from their Premier League rivals Liverpool. The 20-year-old — capped four times at Under-21 level — signed a four year contract with the 'Cherries' before joining them on their tour of the […]

Marseille (AFP) – Marseille president Vincent Labrune says he will leave the club before the start of the new season, regional daily La Provence reported on Thursday. The club is owned by Margarita Louis-Dreyfus, widow of the former owner Robert Louis-Dreyfus, and with no potential buyer in sight ahead of the August 8 Ligue 1 […]

Buenos Aires (AFP) – Diego Maradona's larger-than-life exploits are coming to the small screen, producers said Thursday, announcing the Argentine football legend will be the subject of a new TV series targeting international audiences. "Every month of my life could make 100 episodes. Everything I've lived surpasses any kind of fiction," Maradona said in a […]

Madrid (AFP) – Spanish prosecutors have appealed a judge's decision to shelve a fraud case against Brazilian superstar Neymar and his father in relation to the player's 2013 transfer to Barcelona. A week ago a judge ruled that irregularities in the high-profile transfer were detected, but said it was an issue for a civil court, […]

Budapest (AFP) – After impressing at Euro 2016, Hungary midfielder Adam Nagy has signed for Serie A side Bologna, his club, current Hungarian champions Ferencvaros, confirmed on Thursday. "Adam Nagy will continue his career in the Italian top flight with Bologna, who have signed him for 1.5 million euros ($1.7M)," said a statement on the […]

London (AFP) – Antonio Conte says he hopes Chelsea under his stewardship will light up the Premier League title race this season. The 46-year-old — who guided Italy to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016 only losing on penalties to world champions Germany — said Chelsea may not be top of everyone's list to challenge for […]

Conakry (AFP) – Guinea have appointed their caretaker coach Mohamed Kanfory Bangoura on a permanent basis and charged him with qualifying them for their first World Cup. Bangoura, known commonly as Lappe Bangoura, was chosen ahead of highly-rated Belgian coach Paul Put and German journeyman Gernot Rohr. Since Luis Fernandez quit the post in May […]

Barcelona (AFP) – France international Lucas Digne hailed the start of a "big adventure" at his unveiling as Barcelona's latest signing on Thursday. The 22-year-old defender joined the club on Wednesday from Paris Saint-Germain on a 16.5 million, $18.26m (plus bonuses) five-year deal after a successful loan spell at Serie A's Roma. "This is the […]

Berlin (AFP) – After serving 21 months in prison for tax evasion former Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness could be soon back in his old job, German football magazine Kicker reported on Thursday. Kicker said Hoeness may be offered the honorary job of president on Friday after a supervisory board meeting, with the real power […]