London (AFP) – Sunderland have signed youngsters Paddy McNair and Donald Love from Manchester United for a combined fee of 5.5 million pounds ($7.1 million, 6.4 million euros), the club announced on Thursday. The versatile 21-year-old players have both signed four-year contracts and join former United manager David Moyes at the Stadium of Light. Northern […]

Madrid (AFP) – Spanish Champions League hopefuls Villarreal have been rocked ahead of the start of the new season by the departure of coach Marcelino. "Marcelino Garcia Toral is no longer the coach of Villarreal," the club announced in a statement published on their website on Wednesday evening. Marcelino, who leaves along with his assistant […]

London (AFP) – Arsene Wenger, Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino head into the new Premier League season with the burden of expectation weighing heavily on their shoulders. In contrast to the two Manchester clubs and Chelsea, the trio are familiar with their surroundings, no one more so than Wenger at Arsenal, whilst Pocchetino starts his […]

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Brazil escaped a humiliating early exit from the Olympics despite another scoreless performance from Neymar as wonder kid Gabriel Barbosa struck twice in a 4-0 win over Denmark on Wednesday. The in demand Barbosa, nicknamed 'Gabigol' for his prolific exploits for Santos, broke Brazil's 200-minute goal drought after goalless draws […]

London (AFP) – As Antonio Conte gesticulated wildly on the touchline, the Chelsea manager felt his voice cracking and took a moment to register a sensation that spells bad news for his club's underachieving stars. Possessing a menacing glare that suggests he isn't to be trifled with, the no-nonsense Conte has swaggered into Stamford Bridge […]

Sydney (AFP) – Tim Cahill is returning to Australia to end his career playing in the A-League for Melbourne City, putting to rest speculation over the talismanic striker's future. The 36-year-old, who is Australia's top goalscorer, signed a two-year playing contract with the sister club of the English Premier League's Manchester City after leaving Chinese […]

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Crisis-hit Argentine football suffered another blow Wednesday when they were dumped out of the Olympics at the group stages by Honduras, whilst 2012 gold medallists Mexico were also sent packing. Hosts Brazil hope to avoid the same fate as their eternal rivals later when they take on Denmark in Salvador […]

London (AFP) – Ahead of the new Premier League season, AFP Sport runs down the 10 biggest incoming transfers of the close season (all fees as reported by British media): Paul Pogba Juventus (ITA) to Manchester United, 89 million pounds ($116.4 million, 105 million euros) The close season's most long-running transfer saga concluded with France […]

Pierre Moossa, coordinating producer of NBC Sports Group's Premier League coverage, is in Rio where he's responsible for the production of the Olympics gymnastics as well as the closing ceremony. But while Moossa's time is consumed for the next few weeks by the Olympics in South America, he took time out of his busy day […]

The viewing audiences for the US Women's National Team in the 2016 Rio Olympics continue to increase. Tuesday night's 2-2 draw with Colombia on NBCSN from 6-8pm ET was watched by an audience of 3.6 million, which is greater than any of the US Men's National Team games from the 2016 Copa America tournament. In […]

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Crisis-struck Argentine football suffered another blow Wednesday when the two-time Olympic gold medallists were dumped out of the Rio Games at the group stages following a 1-1 draw with Honduras. Argentina needed to win to secure a place in the last eight due to their inferior goal difference with the […]

London (AFP) – Wales captain Ashley Williams joined Everton from Premier League rivals Swansea on Wednesday to fill the gap left at Goodison Park by the departure of fellow central defender John Stones. Tuesday saw England international Stones move to Manchester City for a a reported £47.5 million ($61 million, 55 million euros). Williams, 31, […]

Even when it seems all is sunshine and roses with Tottenham Hotspur, there is always a fly in the ointment. Paul Mitchell, who was recruited to join Spurs from Southampton along with his former and now current colleague Mauricio Pochettino, is leaving the club at some point in the near future, as is the player […]

Paris (AFP) – The world record fee paid out by Manchester United for Paul Pogba could pay dividends for the Premier League club as long as the French star lives up to his billing, experts say. An increase in kit sales, an increase in the image rights of the player, and potentially an added value […]

With Arsenal’s summer preseason officially in the books, let’s take a look at how they fared heading into the 2016/17 season. Preseason matches grade: A. 1-1 draw against Lens 2-1 win against MLS All-Stars 3-1 win against Guadalajara 8-0 win against Viking 3-2 win against Manchester City Although wins and losses don’t matter too much […]