This wasn’t the job Antonio Conte signed up for. When Cesare Prandelli resigned after Italy failed to advance from the group stage of the 2014 World Cup, and Conte agreed to take charge of his native country, he thought he’d be leading one of the world’s leading teams. Instead, Conte, who was coming off three […]

Paris (AFP) – The knockout stages of Euro 2016 beckon for defending champions Spain and 2012 finalists Italy if they can back up their opening wins with more success against Turkey and Sweden on Friday. Luka Modric's Croatia could also get through with a win against Czech Republic. Spain avoided their normal early tournament jitters […]

Too often, England arrive at major tournaments and play with the weight of the world on their shoulders. Frequently, England has had good teams. But the combined failures of countless tournaments past – along with the doubt and self-loathing that those failures have installed in the national psyche – have often proven too much to […]

Paris (AFP) – French midfielder Paul Pogba has fended off suggestions that he had made an offensive gesture celebrating his country's latest last gasp win over Albania. Pogba had been criticised for his performance in France's opening win over Romania. He was a substitute against Albania but came on to provide the assist for the […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Copa America Centenario organizers called for an end to offensive behavior by fans following reports of homophobic chants by Mexico fans during matches at the tournament. A joint statement from regional confederations CONCACAF and CONMEBOL did not mention Mexico by name, but hit out at "derogatory and offensive" fan behavior at […]

Lens (France) (AFP) – As the dust settled following England's dramatic comeback victory over Wales at Euro 2016, victorious manager Roy Hodgson was left facing more questions than answers. Daniel Sturridge's stoppage-time goal at Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Lens on Thursday earned England a 2-1 win over their British rivals that left Hodgson's men on top […]

With the launch this week of the Sling TV app on Apple TV devices, soccer fans in the United States can now access a wealth of soccer games from ESPN, FOX Sports, beIN SPORTS, Univision and more. Sling TV, which starts at $20/month, is offering a 7-day free trial for customers in the US. If you […]

Paris (AFP) – Germany coach Joachim Loew lambasted his flat-footed attackers after they were held 0-0 by Poland in their Euro 2016 Group C clash. Both sides remain on course to reach the last 16 with four points from their opening two games despite disappointing result in Paris on Thursday night. "In the attack today […]

Paris (AFP) – Substitutes Jamie Vardy, Daniel Sturridge and Niall McGinn inspired England and Northern Ireland to dramatic wins over Wales and Ukraine at the European Championship finals on Thursday. World champions Germany ground out a goalless draw with Poland and were left wondering what put a spanner in their normally efficient goal machine despite […]

Paris (AFP) – German defender Jerome Boateng was critical of his more attack-minded teammates after the world champions were held to a 0-0 draw with Poland at Euro 2016 on Thursday. Bayern Munich's Boateng was named man-of-the-match for another fine display as he kept club teammate and Polish star Robert Lewandowski in check. However, despite […]

Marseille (AFP) – A French court on Thursday jailed three Russian football supporters over Euro 2016 fan unrest while a far-right Russian agitator was thrown out of the country. The jailed supporters — Alexei Yerunov, Nikolai Morozov and Sergei Gorbachev — were among 43 Russians detained by French police on Tuesday after street battles in […]

Lyon (AFP) – Michael O'Neill hailed Northern Ireland's 2-0 win over Ukraine on Thursday as the proudest moment of his career with his side still in contention in Group C at Euro 2016. A flying header from defender Gareth McAuley and Niall McGinn's injury-time strike in Lyon means Ireland have everything to play for against […]

Based on the number of TV viewers for Copa America Centenario, Univision Deportes is the clear winner. In many ways, the tournament is made for Univision. Most of the teams are Latino. Plus with the United States and Mexico enjoying such a large number of viewers in the United States, Copa America Centenario is in […]

Paris (AFP) – Old rivals Germany and Poland fought a battle of attrition that ended in a goalless draw and edged both countries towards a place in the last 16 of Euro 2016 on Thursday. The stalemate left Germany on top of Group C on goal difference with both sides on four points from two […]

Lyon (AFP) – A Northern Ireland supporter suffered a suspected heart attack and died while watching his country beat Ukraine at Euro 2016 on Thursday, police said. The man, in his sixties, collapsed in the upper section of the Stade de Lyon and paramedics were unable to revive him. Fellow supporters left flags, shirts and […]