Zagreb (AFP) – Argentina football legend Diego Maradona was courtside as Juan Martin del Potro beat veteran Ivo Karlovic to draw his country back level at 1-1 against Croatia in the Davis Cup final on Friday. Maradona, 56, who inspired Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title, watched on with his girlfriend as Croatia went […]

Berlin (AFP) – German champions Bayern Munich on Friday announced record turnover for the 2015-16 financial year of 627 million euros (£533.3m; $664.6m), up by more than 100 million euros on the previous year. Bayern's pre-tax profits also increased by around 30 percent, from 23.8 million euros in 2014-15 to 33 million euros. "Our entrepreneurial […]

By the time Chelsea kick off against Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Saturday, the chances are that the Blues will have been provisionally usurped in top spot. It’s a factor that’ll add another extra dynamic to what has become one of the most ferocious fixtures in English football in recent […]

Madrid (AFP) – Giants Real Madrid and Barcelona are amongst five La Liga clubs from whom the Spanish taxman is looking to recover 52 million euros, online newspaper El Confidencial claimed on Friday. Alongside Atletico Madrid, Sevilla and Valencia, the big two are accused of having avoided tax by paying player's agents directly. A tax […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola insisted Friday he had no intention of signing Lionel Messi, saying he wants the Barcelona star to see out his career at the Nou Camp. Manchester City manager Guardiola has been linked repeatedly with a move for the reigning world footballer of the year. Speculation has intensified because […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane has pulled out of Saturday's game against Sporting Gijon, adding to the injury woes of the La Liga leaders who will be without Gareth Bale for at least two months. The 23-year-old Frenchman hurt his right knee which needed surgery in 2013 and has since suffered from […]

Moscow (AFP) – President Vladimir Putin on Friday assured FIFA boss Gianni Infantino that problems with the World Cup venue in the northwestern city of Saint Petersburg would be solved by the end of the year. "It's a very sad story," Russian news agencies quoted Putin as telling Infantino at the Kremlin, referring to the […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta returned to training on Friday following a month out with a knee injury and is hopeful of playing in next month's Clasico, the Spanish champions said. Iniesta, 32, suffered knee ligament damage in a 3-2 win at Valencia on October 22, but the former Spain star is in […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea captain John Terry will be out of action for more than two weeks because of a "muscular problem", Blues boss Antonio Conte said Friday. Former England centre-back Terry, 36 next month, has made just one substitute appearance since the London club started a six-match winning run that has taken them to […]

London (AFP) – A former youth player with Premier League giants Manchester City alleged Friday that a football paedophile ring was covered up as England captain Wayne Rooney praised victims for speaking out. Jason Dunford added to the growing tide of abuse accusations that have rocked English football. The allegations mainly centre on Barry Bennell, […]

Berlin (AFP) – China and Germany signed a deal Friday to boost cooperation in football, as the Asian giant sets its sights on becoming a superpower in the sport. The five-year deal comes after football talks between Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese President Xi Jinping, both fans of the game. "The cooperation will be targeted […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho challenged Wayne Rooney to lead the club to Europa League glory after the England captain broke United's European scoring record against Feyenoord. Rooney, 31, scored his 39th European goal as United crushed Feyenoord 4-0 on Thursday, thereby closing to within just one goal of Bobby […]

Moscow (AFP) – Zenit St Petersburg face Krasnodar this weekend boosted by a fifth straight win in the Europa League and the return of three players from suspension. Zenit are placed second in the Russian Premier League, three points behind Spartak Moscow who play Terek Grozny. After Thursday's 2-0 Europa League defeat of Israeli side […]

Moscow (AFP) – Corruption scandals, extended deadlines and even a wobbly pitch are just a few of the setbacks Russia has faced ahead of the 2018 World Cup, though authorities vow everything will be ready on time. Putting the final touches on the infrastructure in four host cities — Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Kazan and Sochi […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino believes Saturday's trip to in-form Premier League champions Chelsea represents an ideal opportunity for his side to reinvigorate their season. Tottenham have won just one of their last nine fixtures in all competitions and go into the game on the back of a Champions League exit at […]