Berlin (AFP) – A politician from Germany's right-wing populist AfD party sparked outrage Friday with a Twitter message suggesting the German side could have beaten France in the Euro 2016 semi-final with fewer non-white players. "Maybe next time the German NATIONAL TEAM should play again," the party's deputy leader Beatrix von Storch tweeted after Germany's […]

Rome (AFP) – Former Argentina boss Marcelo Bielsa has pulled out of coaching Lazio in a shock move 48 hours after his appointment, which the Serie A club said could result in legal action. "We note with amazement the resignation of Marcelo Bielsa in clear violation of the commitments and agreements signed last week," the […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has signed a new "long-term" contract after an impressive first nine months in charge when he guided the team to the Europa League and League Cup finals. Klopp succeeded Brendan Rodgers at Anfield last October, leading the side to a eighth-placed Premier League finish, defeat to Sevilla in […]

Marseille (AFP) – World champions Germany fly home from Euro 2016 on Friday for a post-mortem into what went wrong after they lost 2-0 to hosts France in the semi-finals. Antoine Griezmann's double strike in Marseille sealed victory for the hosts and sent them to Sunday's final against Portugal. "France has earned the right to […]

Paris (AFP) – English referee Mark Clattenburg was on Friday named as the man in charge of Sunday's Euro 2016 final between France and Portugal. European football's governing body UEFA have called on the 41-year-old's experience for the championship decider at the Stade de France. A former electrician, Clattenburg became a professional referee in 2007. […]

Quito (AFP) – Ecuadoran minnows Independiente del Valle upset Argentinian giants Boca Juniors 2-1 in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores semi-final clash. Independiente, playing in the semi-finals of South America's most prestigious club competition for the first time, on Thursday came from a goal down to give themselves a fighting chance of reaching the […]

Paris (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo reigns over the football pitch but Fernando Santos calls the shots behind the scenes. The dynamic goalscorer and coach duo have taken Portugal to the Euro 2016 final and given it a chance to become the latest little nation to upset the continent's giants. After Denmark beat Germany in 1992 […]

Paris (AFP) – France has rediscovered its love for the national football team after years of scandal and disappointment. Antoine Griezmann's two goals that saw France to a landmark 2-0 win over Germany in the Euro 2016 semi-final set off football fever that has not been seen since the country won the World Cup in […]

Marseille (AFP) – He rejected comparisons with Michel Platini but Antoine Griezmann is fast becoming a France legend after a two-goal haul against Germany fired the hosts into Sunday's Euro 2016 final against Portugal. Amid the controversial absence of Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, France have found a new hero in the diminutive striker. With six […]

Marseille (AFP) – Antoine Griezmann took up the mantle as challenger-in-chief to Cristiano Ronaldo with two goals that crushed world champions Germany and saw France into Sunday's Euro 2016 final against Portugal. A penalty awarded seconds before half-time caused turmoil in the German camp. Griezmann took his chance and added a second strike to extend […]

Marseille (AFP) – Germany coach Joachim Loew refused to commit himself to stay beyond the next World Cup campaign as he picked through the wreckage of the country's Euro 2016 exit. Antoine Griezmann scored twice in Marseille on Thursday to guide France to a 2-0 win and a place in Sunday's European Championship final against […]

Paris (AFP) – Riot police fired tear gas in clashes with youths on the Champs Elysees avenue in Paris early Friday after France's qualification for the Euro 2016 final, an AFP reporter said. Police staged several charges at youths who hurled fireworks, bottles, stones and other objects at them. Dustbins were also set on fire. […]

Marseille (AFP) – Antoine Griezmann's double for France in Thursday's 2-0 semi-final win over Germany at Euro 2016 broke die Mannschaft's 50-year winning streak against host nations at major tournaments. The French victory in Marseille was the first time Germany had lost to the hosts at a major finals since their famous 4-2 defeat to […]

Paris (AFP) – From the Eiffel Tower in Paris to the Vieux Port in Marseille, French supporters erupted in joy after the national side beat Germany to reach the Euro 2016 final. Horns blared out of car windows on the Champs Elysees avenue in the capital in scenes reminiscent of when France won the World […]

Marseille (AFP) – Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer said the 2-0 semi-final defeat to France at Euro 2016 was a bitter pill for the world champions to swallow following a controversial penalty decision. Man-of-the-match Antoine Griezmann scored twice on Thursday as France's win sealed a place in the Euro 2016 final against Portugal. "We have played […]