Milan (AFP) – A "proud" Gianluigi Buffon hinted he is still hopeful of becoming a Champions League winner with Juventus after he and defender Andrea Barzagli signed two-year contract extensions with the Serie A champions Wednesday. Italy goalkeeper Buffon has enjoyed another successful season with the Turin giants, helping them to a record-equalling fifth consecutive […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea have ended their sponsorship deal with Adidas six years early in order to enter a new contract with a rival kit manufacturer, the German sportswear giant announced on Wednesday. The deal, reported to have been worth £300 million ($434.1 million, 379.6 million euros) over 10 years, had been due to end […]

London (AFP) – Swansea City head coach Francesco Guidolin has signed a new two-year contract following a successful short-term stint at the helm, the Premier League club announced on Wednesday. The experienced 60-year-old Italian succeeded the sacked Garry Monk in January, with Swansea just two points above the relegation zone, and successfully steered the Welsh […]

Berlin (AFP) – Wolfsburg's Julian Draxler is set to prove his fitness on Saturday to Germany coach Joachim Loew, ahead of his Euro 2016 squad selection, by playing his first game since injury. Loew will announce his provisional Germany squad for Euro 2016 next Tuesday. Draxler, 22, an attacking midfielder, is out to demonstrate his […]

As West Ham United and English soccer waved goodbye to the Boleyn Ground on Tuesday night, sentiment enveloped the stadium and club. A passing of an era in the history of this great English club was mourned as the Hammers prepare to move into the massive Olympic Stadium for the 2016-17 Premier League season. The electric […]

Manchester United have unveiled their new away jersey for the 2016/17 season. The Red Devils define the color of the shirt as "collegiate blue." The jersey also features a red trim, the three stripes on the shoulders and a red Manchester United crest. There is also a 'Red Devils' detail visible on the inside neck. The […]

Berlin (AFP) – Werder Bremen defender Papy Djilobodji is being investigated by state prosecutors for making a throat-slitting gesture during a Bundesliga game in March. The Senegal international was banned for two games and fined 15,000 euros ($16,757) by the German FA for unsportsmanlike conduct after pulling his index finger across his throat in the […]

Berlin (AFP) – Borussia Dortmund have told injury-hit Manchester City target Ilkay Gundogan to either leave at the end of the season or sign a long-term contract extension. After Bayern Munich announced on Tuesday they have signed Borussia's captain Mats Hummels on a five-year deal, Dortmund are looking to keep hold of their other stars […]

London (AFP) – West Ham United on Wednesday vowed to ban for life any fans found to have taken part in an attack on the Manchester United team bus before their key Premier League game. The attacked marred West Ham's 3-2 win over the English giants in the final match at the London club's Boleyn […]

London (AFP) – English football authorities launched an investigation after fans pelted Manchester United's team bus with cans and bottles, injuring two people and delaying the last ever game at West Ham's Boleyn Ground. Manchester United's players took refuge on the floor of the coach after it was held up near the stadium by chanting […]

Sydney (AFP) – Experienced campaigners Mile Jedinak and Robbie Kruse spearhead a new-look Australia squad announced Wednesday hoping to derail England's build-up to the European Championships. The Socceroos face Roy Hodgson's team at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland on May 27, one of three warm-up games for the English ahead of the Euros in […]

London (AFP) – Northern Ireland striker Kyle Lafferty's approach to football was summed up when he was asked in a television interview who he wanted to play against at Euro 2016 "For me, if we get Argentina that would be unbelievable" he joked. With the South Americans preparing for the Copa America, there was never […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal put on a brave face and refused to blame an attack on his team's bus for the serious setback to his side's Champions League hopes at West Ham United. Tuesday's gripping 3-2 loss, which was preceded by the United team bus being pelted with cans and […]

Kiev (AFP) – Ukraine's great hope Yevhen Konoplyanka chose La Liga, dismissing England's more physical Premier League, and has since become a bench warmer at Sevilla. Ukraine's fans still hope that he can fire the country to success at Euro 2016. The 26-year-old winger attracted interest from big clubs from across the continent with dashing […]

Berlin (AFP) – Famously mistaken as a ball-boy by Diego Maradona after his Germany debut in 2010, Thomas Mueller will need no introduction at Euro 2016. Despite having earned 70 caps and scored 31 goals for Germany, Mueller is still only 26 and is a shoe-in for club or country whether as a winger, attacking […]