Paris (AFP) – Japanese video games firm Konami said Wednesday it was scrapping French striker Antoine Griezmann's role as a brand ambassador over a racism row involving the Barcelona striker and teammate Ousmane Dembele. "Previously we had announced Antoine Griezmann as our Yu-Gi-Oh! contents ambassador, however in light of recent events we have decided to […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich's new head coach Julian Nagelsmann has confirmed Manuel Neuer will remain the club's captain next season and backed embattled winger Leroy Sane to prove his critics wrong. After two successful seasons with RB Leipzig, Nagelsmann, who turns 34 later this month, has taken charge of Bayern, replacing Hansi Flick, who […]

London (AFP) – England face Denmark in the Euro 2020 semi-finals at Wembley on Wednesday with a success-starved nation willing them on to reach their first major final for 55 years as Italy await the winner. Gareth Southgate's side are bidding to reach the European Championship final for the first time as they try to […]

Singapore (AFP) – A Singaporean teenager was sentenced to nine months probation and 40 hours of community service Wednesday for sending Instagram death threats to French footballer Neal Maupay after an English Premier League match. Derek Ng De Ren, 19, sent several threatening direct messages to Brighton & Hove Albion forward Maupay last year from […]

Brasília (AFP) – Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was the hero as Argentina defeated Colombia on penalties to set up a dream Copa America final against Brazil on Tuesday. Argentina stopper Martinez saved three penalties in the shoot-out after a bruising 1-1 draw in Brasilia. Hosts Brazil beat Peru 1-0 in Monday's first semi-final meaning their star […]

London (AFP) – Having taken over Italy at their lowest ebb, Roberto Mancini revelled in defying expectations after the Azzurri made it through to the final of Euro 2020 with a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Spain on Tuesday. Italy's transformation under Mancini in the last three years has been extraordinary, from a team that […]

London (AFP) – England can finally end 55 years of major tournament misery with a Euro 2020 semi-final victory against Denmark on Wednesday, after Italy beat Spain in a dramatic penalty shoot-out to book their place in the final. Gareth Southgate's side are bidding to reach the European Championship final for the first time as […]

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus will miss the Copa America final on Saturday after he was handed a two-game on Tuesday South American football's governing body CONMEBOL. Manchester City's Jesus was dismissed for a foul on Eugenio Mena in Brazil's 1-0 quarter-final win over Chile on Friday. He sat out the […]

London (AFP) – Italy beat Spain 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in a magnificent Euro 2020 semi-final at Wembley on Tuesday, as Jorginho converted the decisive kick to take the Azzurri through to the final where they will face either England or Denmark. Italy were not always on top though, with Spain the […]

London (AFP) – Spain's Euro 2020 ended in familiar fashion, with a blunt attack unable to deliver the result a dominant performance between both boxes deserved, as Italy progressed to the final on penalties. Luis Enrique's men enjoyed 65 percent possession and had 20 attempts on goal to the Italian's 11, but were once again […]

London (AFP) – Italy sneaked past Spain 4-2 on penalties to reach the Euro 2020 final after a 1-1 draw at Wembley on Tuesday. A near-60,000 crowd saw Federico Chiesa's stunning strike open the scoring before Alvaro Morata sent the game to extra time. However, Morata and Dani Olmo missed in the shoot-out as Italy […]

London (AFP) – Italy beat Spain 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in a magnificent Euro 2020 semi-final at Wembley on Tuesday, as Jorginho converted the decisive kick to take the Azzurri through to the final of a tournament in which they have been the outstanding side. They were not always on top in […]

London (AFP) – Harry Kane says England must win Wednesday's Euro 2020 semi-final against Denmark to prove they deserve to be ranked among the world's top nations. England have never reached the European Championship final and last won a major trophy at the 1966 World Cup. Their impressive surge to a second successive major tournament […]

London (AFP) – Gareth Southgate has challenged England to exorcise the ghosts of their painful past in Wednesday's Euro 2020 semi-final against Denmark as they look to reach the final for the first time. Since winning the 1966 World Cup, England have endured four agonising semi-final defeats in major tournaments, but Southgate is convinced his […]

Tokyo (AFP) – The chief executive officer of Barcelona's main shirt sponsor said on Tuesday he wants an explanation from the club after attacker Ousmane Dembele apologised for making racist comments in a video circulating on social media. Dembele, 24, offered his "sincere apologies" on Monday after a 42-second clip, which he appeared to have […]