Mexico City (AFP) – Fan violence, homophobic chanting and signs of criminal gangs infiltrating the stands — challenges are stacking up for Mexican football authorities four years before they co-host the World Cup. The football-mad nation was shocked by a mass brawl between rival spectators last weekend in the central city of Queretaro that left […]

Lille (France) (AFP) – Lille were held to a goalless draw at home against a resurgent Saint-Etienne on Friday just days before attempting to overturn a 2-0 deficit against holders Chelsea in the last 16 of the Champions League. The reigning French champions also suffered a blow with the exit of Portugal midfielder Renato Sanches […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea have had several accounts and credit cards suspended temporarily following sanctions imposed on club owner Roman Abramovich by the UK government, British media reported Friday. Russian-born billionaire Abramovich had all his British assets frozen on Thursday barring Chelsea, with the Premier League club allowed to continue with "football-related activities". But the […]

Brasília (AFP) – Neymar will rejoin Brazil for its final two World Cup qualifiers, after missing the national team's first two matches of the year due to injury, coach Tite said Friday, announcing his squad. The Paris Saint-Germain star, back from an ankle injury, will be looking to exorcise PSG's humiliating Champions League exit Wednesday […]

London (AFP) – Everton manager Frank Lampard has played down "crisis" talk at the club even though they could be in the Premier League relegation zone by the time they kick off against Wolves on Sunday. Monday's 5-0 capitulation at Tottenham was Everton's fourth defeat in five league games since the former Chelsea boss took […]

London (AFP) – Ralf Rangnick admits he does not know if Cristiano Ronaldo is happy at Manchester United as the Portugal star prepares to return from injury against Tottenham on Saturday. Ronaldo was missing from United's dismal 4-1 defeat against Manchester City last weekend after suffering a hip problem. The 37-year-old reportedly flew home to […]

London (AFP) – Thomas Tuchel says Chelsea's players could wear a "symbol of peace" in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine after mobile network provider Three suspended its shirt sponsorship following the sanctioning of owner Roman Abramovich. Three have asked for their logo to be removed from Chelsea's kit and, although the Blues beat Norwich […]

London (AFP) – Thomas Tuchel admits Chelsea face an uncertain future as doubts swirl over how the European champions will even pay their wage bill after Russian owner Roman Abramovich was hit with UK sanctions. The Premier League club put a brave face on events as they returned to action on Thursday, just hours after […]

Berlin (AFP) – Julian Nagelsmann has put his Bayern Munich side on red alert for Saturday's away trip to his former club Hoffenheim who have a knack of upset home wins over the Bundesliga leaders. With nine league games left, Bayern start the weekend nine points clear in Germany's top flight, but face a tricky […]

Seville (Spain) (AFP) – Munir El Haddadi's sweet half-volley put Sevilla in sight of the Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday after a narrow 1-0 victory over West Ham. El Haddadi's second-half strike at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan means Sevilla have a slim but deserved advantage ahead of the second leg at the London Stadium next […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea Football Club's Russian owner Roman Abramovich was on Thursday hit with a UK assets freeze and travel ban, throwing his plans to sell the European and world club champions into disarray. The billionaire owner of the English Premier League side became the highest profile oligarch yet sanctioned by any Western country, […]

Norwich (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel insisted he is not concerned by the sanctions on Blues owner Roman Abramovich that plunged the European champions into turmoil on Thursday. Abramovich was one of seven oligarchs targeted by the British government following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Russian billionaire's UK assets have been frozen, […]

Paris (AFP) – French striker Kylian Mbappe insisted Paris Saint-Germain players would "remain united and determined until the final match of the season" despite another disappointing Champions League elimination. For the fourth time in six seasons PSG crashed out in the last 16, self-destructing to 13-time European champions Real Madrid on Wednesday in Spain. PSG […]

London (AFP) – A fan told of a "surreal moment" Thursday as he bought the last Chelsea shirt at the club shop before it closed after Russian owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned, with supporters voicing their anxiety over the restrictions. The billionaire owner of the English Premier League side was one of seven oligarchs […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola admits he has sympathy for Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel after the European champions were hit by tough sanctions placed on Blues owner Roman Abramovich. The Russian billionaire was one of seven oligarchs targeted Thursday by the UK government following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, all described as part […]