Hong Kong (AFP) – China is hoping to produce a generation of top footballers by building thousands of academies, but experts question the project and warn it may be a waste of time. New academies are springing up around the world's most populous nation as China, under the orders of President Xi Jinping, sets about […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers blamed the hectic festive fixture list for forcing him to ring the changes after his side laboured to victory on Tuesday night. The Hoops, making eight changes to the side that beat Dundee on Saturday, were far from their best in the 1-0 win over Partick Thistle but […]

Berlin (AFP) – RB Leipzig's billionaire owner Dietrich Mateschitz will hope to continue being his team's lucky charm when they tackle champions Bayern Munich on Wednesday, with top spot the winners' prize. The 72-year-old Austrian, the co-founder of energy drinks giant Red Bull, is not a man to let obstacles get in his way. In […]

Just over one month ago, I had the pleasure to attend an English Premier League match at Anfield. It was my first time in Liverpool and my first time being on another continent. I found myself at Anfield after winning a contest on Twitter. It was an experience that my husband and I will never forget Being […]

Milan (AFP) – Ivorian youngster Franck Kessie hit a second-half leveller and set up a dramatic last-gasp winner as Atalanta ended a three-game winless run in a 2-1 win over Empoli on Tuesday. Atalanta, who last month were being tipped for a place in next season's Europa League, left it late to overcome their Tuscan […]

Glasgow (AFP) – A much-changed Celtic moved 14 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership despite producing one of the most disjointed performances of their season in Tuesday's 1-0 win over Partick Thistle. The Hoops, who made eight changes, suffered some early scares before Scott Sinclair gave them a 16th minute lead. Thistle, […]

Berlin (AFP) – Eintracht Frankfurt went third in the Bundesliga with a 3-0 victory over 10-man Mainz on Tuesday, their first win in four on the final round of 2016 matches. There was a minute's silence, followed by loud applause, before kick-off at each of the four grounds to pay tribute to the victims of […]

Players can sometimes take some time to fully adapt to new clubs; however, there have been quite a few transfers that have paid off immediately during the 2016/17 Premier League season. Let’s take a look at 10 2016 summer transfers that are already paying dividends. These 10 players will be split into two categories. First, […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Barcelona star Lionel Messi should win the Ballon d'Or award every year, according to club president Josep Maria Bartomeu, after the Argentine was beaten to the prize by Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo. "The Ballon d'Or should be Messi's every year as he is the best player in the history of football," […]

beIN SPORTS and beIN SPORTS en Español enjoyed a ratings surge in November, 2016, which was helped by impressive viewing numbers for World Cup qualifiers. The beIN SPORTS and beIN SPORTS en Español TV viewing numbers for November increased 27% and 14% respectively in November, both posting their best month since April, 2016. Among the […]

London (AFP) – Controversial midfielder Joey Barton could be back playing Premier League football with Burnley provided his transfer receives international clearance, the club announced on Tuesday. The 34-year-old Englishman, who played a leading role in Burnley's promotion back to the Premier League last term, has been training with the squad since a short and […]

London (AFP) – Ailing Premier League champions Leicester City suffered a blow on Tuesday as England striker Jamie Vardy received a three-match ban from the Football Association for his sending off against Stoke City. The 29-year-old, who had returned to form with a hat-trick against Manchester City in the previous game, will miss matches against […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu indicated the Spanish champions are prepared to make Lionel Messi the world's highest-paid player to keep the Argentine superstar at the club. "Leo Messi is the best (player) in the history of football and we want him to stay with us," Bartomeu told reporters on Tuesday. "There […]

Barcelona (AFP) – A Spanish court on Tuesday ratified a deal that leaves Barcelona with a 5.5-million-euro ($6.2 million) fine but avoiding trial on tax evasion charges over Neymar's contested 2013 transfer. The agreement, reached in July, lifts any threat of Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu and his predecessor Sandro Rosell facing possible criminal proceedings […]

London (AFP) – England international midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has been banned for five games after he was found guilty of using racially abusive language by an independent panel on Tuesday. The 24-year-old — who won the last of his six caps in 2015 — was also fined £100,000 ($123,000, 118,000 euros) for abusing Moroccan midfielder […]