Madrid (AFP) – Still reeling from their humiliation at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona can't afford a Champions League hangover as they return to La Liga action at home to Leganes on Sunday. Barca trail league leaders Real Madrid by a point, but have also played two games more than their title rivals, leaving […]

Huddersfield (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola faces a double selection quandary as he prepares for an FA Cup fifth round visit to in-form Championship club Huddersfield Town on Saturday. The Manchester City manager, still active on three fronts as he seeks silverware in his first season in the English game, will be without injured […]

Wolverhampton (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Chelsea will look to avoid an FA Cup upset at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday with the mood still upbeat despite being held to a disappointing 1-1 draw at Burnley last Sunday. The Londoners hold an eight-point lead over Manchester City in the Premier League but the Cup could give them […]

London (AFP) – The manager of Sutton United will have no qualms about doing all he can to add to the burden of Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger when their teams meet in the last 16 of the FA Cup. The tie of the fifth round, at least for those who still believe in the "romance […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho accused his players of not showing an appropriate level of mental preparation during their 3-0 Europa League victory over Saint-Etienne. Zlatan Ibrahimovic's hat-trick earned United a handsome win in Thursday's last 32 first-leg match at Old Trafford, but the scoreline did not tell the full […]

Milan (AFP) – A top Italian art critic lined himself up for a venomous backlash by fans after calling emblematic Roma captain Francesco Totti a "cretin" who is blindly backing the club's plans for a new stadium. Totti, 40, is playing out his 25th and final season with the club he helped lead to only […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Zlatan Ibrahimovic resumed his torment of Saint-Etienne with a hat-trick as Manchester United claimed a 3-0 victory in their Europa League last 32 first-leg encounter on Thursday. Saint-Etienne were the Swede's favoured prey during his time with Paris Saint-Germain and his treble took his tally against the French side to […]

London (AFP) – German playmaker Mesut Ozil is not happy at being singled out for criticism over Arsenal's abject 5-1 thrashing by Bayern Munich in Wednesday's Champions League last 16 first leg, his agent told the BBC on Thursday. The 28-year-old — who like fellow star Alexis Sanchez is yet to commit himself to a […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – United States forward Clint Dempsey has been given the all-clear to return to football following a six-month layoff due to an irregular heartbeat, US Soccer confirmed. The Seattle Sounders striker, who had not played since last August, has already played 30 minutes and a full 45 minutes during pre-season action for […]

Southampton (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Experienced Uruguayan international defender Martin Caceres signed for English Premier League side Southampton until the end of the season on Thursday. The 29-year-old — capped 68 times and a member of the team that won the 2011 Copa America and reached the 2010 World Cup semi-finals — has been a […]

London (AFP) – Beleaguered Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger received some welcome support on Thursday from British athletics legend and Arsenal fan Mo Farah. Wenger has been pilloried in the press and by frustrated fans following Wednesday's 5-1 hammering by Bayern Munich in the Champions League last 16 first leg. With the 67-year-old Frenchman's contract due […]

Paris (AFP) – Tottenham Hotspur have work to do in their Europa League round of 32 tie against Gent after losing 1-0 in the first leg in Belgium on Thursday. The only goal of the game came just before the hour mark when French striker Jeremy Perbet scored at the second attempt from a Danijel […]

Milan (AFP) – Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said all thoughts of their Champions League clash at Porto next week are banned as the Serie A champions prepare to host struggling Palermo on Friday. Juventus, beaten 3-1 by Barcelona in the 2015 Champions League final, travel to Portugal in the last 16 first leg next week. […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City have been fined £35,000 ($44,000, 41,000 euros) after accepting they breached Football Association rules on anti-doping. A statement issued by the FA, English football's governing body, on Thursday said City had failed to ensure their "club whereabouts" information was accurate. The fine was imposed following an independent regulatory commission hearing. […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City have been fined £35,000 ($44,000, 41,000 euros) after accepting they breached Football Association rules on anti-doping. A statement issued by the FA, English football's governing body, on Thursday said City had failed to ensure their "club whereabouts" information was accurate. The fine was imposed following an independent regulatory commission hearing. […]