London (AFP) – Gareth Bale is "ticking all the boxes" since returning to Real Madrid which is a boost for Wales ahead of their forthcoming 2022 World Cup qualifiers said Welsh manager Robert Page. Bale is back in favour at Real under new coach Carlo Ancelotti — having been sent on loan to Tottenham Hotspur […]

London (AFP) – Matchday revenues across the five major European football leagues took a nearly 2 billion euro hit last season ($2.35 billion) after spectators were largely barred from attending matches due to the pandemic, a report by consultancy KPMG said Tuesday. The projected revenue losses dwarf the 500 million euros that clubs in the […]

Cairo (AFP) – Egypt's football association (EFA) said on Monday Liverpool had refused to release Mohamed Salah for the Pharaohs' upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Angola and Gabon due to UK quarantine regulations. "The Association was informed by Liverpool of their regret of Mohamed Salah being unable to join the national team in their matches against […]

Lyon (AFP) – Lyon have completed the signing of Swiss international midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri from Liverpool, the two clubs announced on Monday. The 29-year-old moves for an initial fee of six million euros, rising to a potential total of 11 million euros ($12.9m) with bonuses, Lyon said, and has signed a contract until 2024. Capped […]

London (AFP) – Former Liverpool and England midfielder Terry McDermott, a three-time European Cup winner, on Saturday revealed he had been diagnosed with dementia. The 69-year-old announced on Liverpool's official website that he is in the early stages of the condition following hospital tests. "I've got to get on with it and I will. It's […]

Milan (AFP) – Inter Milan kicked off their Italian league title defence by cruising past Genoa 4-0 on Saturday in an encouraging display from the champions following a turbulent close season. Simone Inzaghi's side were two goals ahead after 13 minutes thanks to Milan Skriniar and Hakan Calhanoglu, before second-half strikes from Arturo Vidal and […]

Berlin (AFP) – Dominik Szoboszlai declared himself "happy" after banishing seven "low" months during which he missed the Euros, with a sparkling first Bundesliga start for RB Leipzig. "You can't have a much better debut at home in front of our fans," said the Hungarian midfielder, who scored two stunning goals as Leipzig swept aside […]

Milan (AFP) – Inter Milan kicked off their Italian league title defence by cruising past Genoa 4-0 in the opening match of the new Serie A season. Goals from Milan Skriniar, Hakan Calhanoglu, Arturo Vidal and Edin Dzeko gave Inter the perfect start to the new season in front of just over 27,000 spectators at […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola believes Jack Grealish can match the goalscoring feats of Raheem Sterling at Manchester City if he works on developing the same instinct to get into the box. Grealish scored his first goal for the English champions since his Premier League record £100 million move from Aston Villa in […]

Paris (AFP) – Monaco's slow start to the Ligue 1 season continued on Saturday as the principality side went down 2-0 at home to Lens as both sides finished with 10 men. Niko Kovac's Monaco came into this campaign with high hopes after finishing third last season, but second-half goals by Cameroonian forward Ignatius Ganago […]

Glasgow (AFP) – David Turnbull scored a hat-trick as Celtic showed 10-man St Mirren no mercy in a 6-0 thrashing to move to the top of the Scottish Premiership on Saturday. After a slow start to Ange Postecoglou's reign, the Hoops have won six consecutive games in all competitions with the Australian's brand of fast, […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti again batted away questions about rumoured galactico signings and told his pre-match press conference on Saturday that he was happy working with the stars he had. Real won 4-1 away to Alaves on the opening weekend of La Liga and on Sunday visit Levante, who drew their […]

Berlin (AFP) – Borussia Dortmund slumped to a shock 2-1 defeat at Freiburg on Saturday as star striker Erling Braut Haaland drew a rare Bundesliga blank. This is the first time Dortmund have lost to Freiburg in Germany's top flight for 11 years with Saturday's setback coming just four days after losing 3-1 to Bayern […]

Berlin (AFP) – Hertha Berlin on Saturday left Brazil striker Matheus Cunha out of their matchday squad with the Bundesliga club reportedly negotiating the Olympic gold medallist's transfer to Atletico Madrid. Hertha have made it "very clear" they want around 30 million euros ($35 million) for Cunha, 22, said sports director Fredi Bobic, who admitted […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp said Liverpool's "dreams were fulfilled" as the Reds celebrated the return of a full house at Anfield by sweeping aside Burnley 2-0 on Saturday. Goals from Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane either side of half-time extended Liverpool's 100 percent start to the season with six points from their opening two […]