Paris (AFP) – Monaco coach Niko Kovac said he was "disgusted" by the racist remarks his midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni received in Tuesday's Champions League third qualifying round first leg 2-0 win at Sparta Prague. The France under-21s Tchouameni claimed the opener in the first half before Kevin Volland's second after the break gave them the win […]

Paris (AFP) – Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni and his team-mates said he was racially abused after scoring in Tuesday's third qualifying round first leg against Sparta Prague in the Champions League. France under-21s' Tchouameni claimed the opener in the first half. He and his team-mates then ran over to coach Niko Kovac and UEFA officials, including […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool midfielder Fabinho has signed a new long-term contract with the Premier League club, they announced on Tuesday. The Brazil international is the second key member of Jurgen Klopp's first-team squad to extend their time at Anfield after Trent Alexander-Arnold completed a new deal last month. "I'm delighted to have signed a […]

London (AFP) – Coronavirus regulations may explain why Harry Kane has failed to attend training with Tottenham Hotspur two days running amid speculation the England captain is trying to force a big-money move to Premier League champions Manchester City. Kane was due back at Tottenham's training headquarters on Monday for a coronavirus test and a […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich have had their German Cup tie on Friday postponed after Covid-19 hit their fifth-tier opponents, while there are doubts at Borussia Dortmund where Julian Brandt and Thomas Meunier tested positive for the virus. The first round of the German Cup takes place this weekend without Bayern, the German FA announced […]

Tokyo (AFP) – Spain will play reigning champions Brazil in the Olympic men's football final after Marco Asensio's superb extra-time winner Tuesday secured a 1-0 victory over host nation Japan in Saitama. The Real Madrid winger came off the bench as a substitute and curled in a terrific strike in the 115th minute, sending Spain […]

Rome (AFP) – Italy goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu has moved to Genoa on a free transfer, the Serie A club said on Tuesday, after returning home from his country's triumph at Euro 2020. Sirigu was in the Azzurri squad for this summer's European Championship but barely featured as Gianluigi Donnarumma dominated between the sticks for Roberto […]

London (AFP) – Harry Kane again failed to attend training with Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday but the England captain is expected back at the club later this week despite trying to force a big-money move to Premier League champions Manchester City, the London Evening Standard reported Tuesday. Kane was due back at Tottenham's training headquarters […]

Tokyo (AFP) – Reigning Olympic men's football champions Brazil sealed a return to the final as they defeated Mexico 4-1 on penalties Tuesday following a goalless draw after 120 minutes in Kashima. Brazil goalkeeper Santos saved from Eduardo Aguirre in the shootout before Johan Vasquez smacked the post with Mexico's second attempt. Dani Alves, Gabriel […]

Rome (AFP) – Giorgio Chiellini has signed a new two-year contract with Juventus, the Serie A club announced on Monday, a few weeks after the Italy captain led his country to triumph at Euro 2020. Chiellini, 36, was out of contract after his previous deal with Juve expired at the end of June, while Italy […]

London (AFP) – Japan forward Kyogo Furuhashi hopes to emulate the impact of Shunsuke Nakamura at Scottish Premiership side Celtic. Furuhashi became the latest Japan international to join the club when he arrived in Glasgow from Vissel Kobe in July. The 26-year-old follows in the footsteps of Nakamura, who scored 33 goals in four seasons […]

London (AFP) – Former Liverpool and England winger Stewart Downing announced his retirement on Monday. Downing's decision to hang up his boots ended a 20-year career in which he made more than 700 club appearances. He also played 35 times for England and was a part of the Three Lions squads at the 2006 World […]

Kashima (Japan) (AFP) – United States star Megan Rapinoe refused to be drawn on her international future after the world champions suffered a surprise 1-0 loss to Canada in the semi-finals of the Tokyo Olympics on Monday. Rapinoe, a 2012 Olympic champion and two-time World Cup winner, came on as a second-half substitute in Kashima […]

ESPN announced today that six renowned former LaLiga players will headline the company's exclusive and unprecedented coverage of LaLiga in the U.S. beginning August 13, when the 2021-22 season kicks off. The soccer television analysts will have recurring roles on the English- and Spanish-language presentation of LaLiga across ESPN+, ABC, ESPN, and ESPN Deportes. Former […]

London (AFP) – Harry Kane reportedly failed to turn up for his scheduled pre-season tests with Tottenham on Monday amid mounting speculation the striker wants to force a move to Manchester City. England captain Kane was due back at Tottenham's training headquarters for a coronavirus test and a fitness assessment following his three-week holiday after […]