London (AFP) – Manchester United chief Richard Arnold says he understands fans' frustrations after a disastrous season but hopes the arrival of new manager Erik ten Hag will lead to "renewed optimism". Supporters vented their anger against United's unpopular American owners during matches at Old Trafford as their team's woeful campaign fizzled out. United, who […]

London (AFP) – England defender Lucy Bronze will leave Manchester City when her contract runs out at the end of June, the Women's Super League club announced on Thursday. The 30-year-old rejoined City in 2020 after a spell with Lyon, having previously played for them from 2014 to 2017. Bronze made 111 appearances in total […]

Paris (AFP) – Swedish veteran Zlatan Ibrahimovic said Thursday he endured six months of sleepless nights due to a painful knee because he was determined to fulfil his promise to AC Milan of delivering their first Serie A crown in 11 years. The 40-year-old striker underwent knee surgery on his left knee — reconstructing his […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United's latest accounts show a 30 per cent increase in revenue for the three months until March 31 this year despite the club's worst season in the Premier League era. United's total revenue for the first three months of 2022 was £152.8 million ($192 million), up 29.2 per cent from £118.3 […]

Liverpool (AFP) – "We are not here by any kind of magic," said Jurgen Klopp of Liverpool's third appearance in a Champions League final in five years. "We deserve this." Real Madrid stand in the Reds' way at the Stade de France on Saturday, just as they did four years ago in the first of […]

Barrancas (Colombia) (AFP) – Running around barefooted on a dust bowl of a pitch, a young indigenous Colombian began kicking a ball more than 20 years ago. Now that boy, Luis Diaz, is on the verge of becoming champion of Europe with Liverpool. In the town of Barrancas, where almost half the population is from […]

Tokyo (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain will play three J-League teams on a tour of Japan this summer, the French champions said on Thursday, as they court an Asian audience with Kylian Mbappe still in tow. PSG will play Kawasaki Frontale, who have won the J-League four times in the past five years, at Tokyo's Olympic […]

Hong Kong (AFP) – Raul Baena cut his teeth in Barcelona's youth sides alongside Sergio Busquets and was later Mauricio Pochettino's trusted lieutenant at the heart of Espanyol's midfield in La Liga. But it is in Hong Kong that the former Spain under-21 international finally won a league title, and then played a pivotal role […]

Liverpool (AFP) – "We are not here by any kind of magic," said Jurgen Klopp of Liverpool's third appearance in the a Champions League final in five years. "We deserve this." Real Madrid stand in the Reds' way at the Stade de France on Saturday, just as they did four years ago in the first […]

Madrid (AFP) – Even Carlo Ancelotti, the calm and carefree Italian, whose return to Real Madrid has been as harmonious as it has been successful, will get the jitters before Saturday's Champions League final against Liverpool. No manager has reached as many Champions League finals as Ancelotti's five, with the 62-year-old winning three of his […]

Paris (AFP) – Real Madrid remain Europe's most valuable football club despite the ever-increasing dominance of the English Premier League, according to a report published Thursday by analysts Football Benchmark. The report ranks Europe's 32 most prominent clubs, calculating their value based on their annual financial statements and assessing squad values. Real, who face Liverpool […]

Tirana (AFP) – Jose Mourinho said that he and Roma had made history after winning the Europa Conference League on Wednesday, the club's first ever major European trophy. Portuguese coaching icon Mourinho tried and failed to hold back the tears after Roma beat Feyenoord in their first continental final in over three decades and he […]

Tirana (AFP) – Nicolo Zaniolo won Roma their first ever major European trophy on Wednesday with the only goal in a 1-0 win over Feyenoord in the inaugural Europa Conference League final. Italy international Zaniolo struck with a well-taken finish in the 32nd minute to earn Roma their first trophy of any kind since 2008 […]

Brussels (AFP) – Former Manchester City star Vincent Kompany has left his job as Anderlecht head coach, the club said Wednesday, amid reports he is set for a return to England as boss of Burnley. "The club and the coach have analysed the past season and discussed the plans for the future. The two parties […]

London (AFP) – Andrew Robertson on Wednesday urged Scotland to put sentiment aside when they face Ukraine in next week's World Cup play-off semi-final. Scotland host war-torn Ukraine next Wednesday in a semi-final rescheduled from March after Russia's invasion began in February. Ukraine are certain to earn the support of fans around the world in […]