Moscow (AFP) – Russian Premier League table-toppers Spartak Moscow have signed Brazilian international forward Luiz Adriano from AC Milan, the Moscow club said on Monday. No financial details of the deal were disclosed but Russian media reported a fee of one million euros ($1.06 million) for the 29-year-old striker. "I'm very happy with a move […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez on Monday admitted defrauding Spanish tax authorities of 983,443 euros ($1 million) while playing for Barcelona. The 28-year-old Chile international's confession could see him receive a fine and possibly a non-custodial prison sentence. Giving evidence via video link from London, Sanchez "recognised a tax error which he has […]

Port-Gentil (Gabon) (AFP) – Uganda coach Milutin Sredojevic says it was Uganda's destiny to make their long-awaited return to the Africa Cup of Nations against Ghana as the teams prepare to meet on Tuesday. The Cranes have not appeared at the tournament finals since losing 2-0 to hosts Ghana in the final in Accra in […]

Oyem (Gabon) (AFP) – Ivory Coast made a disappointing start to their Africa Cup of Nations title defence Monday when held 0-0 by lowest Group C seeds Togo in Gabonese town Oyem. Paris Saint-Germain defender Serge Aurier came close to breaking the deadlock with two minutes remaining, heading a cross narrowly wide. The result maintained […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea striker Diego Costa trained alone for the second day in a row on Monday at the club's training base, British media reported, as he recovers from an apparent back injury. The Spain forward's Chelsea future was called into question after he was left out of the Premier League leaders' win at […]

Port-Gentil (Gabon) (AFP) – It is 35 years since Ghana won the Africa Cup of Nations but coach Avram Grant is looking to use the pressure to end that long drought as a positive. "I don't think you can achieve anything without pressure. We like to use pressure as a negative word but I think […]

London (AFP) – Yaya Toure is adamant Manchester City can still end the season as Premier League champions even after a humiliating 4-0 defeat by Everton left them 10 points behind leaders Chelsea. Sunday's reverse at Goodison Park prompted City manager Pep Guardiola to put an end to his side's title hopes by saying top […]

Port-Gentil (Gabon) (AFP) – Runners-up two years ago, Ghana start their latest bid to recapture the Africa Cup of Nations crown when they face Uganda in Port-Gentil in Group D on Tuesday. The Black Stars are in Gabon looking to win a fifth Cup of Nations but a first since 1982, and Israeli Avram Grant […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane urged his side to put their disappointment of a first defeat in 40 games behind them as Sevilla produced a remarkable late turnaround to breathe new life into the Spanish title race with a 2-1 win on Sunday. Zidane's men looked set to extend their commanding lead […]

London (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp insists Liverpool will use the frustration of their dramatic draw with Manchester United to avoid FA Cup humiliation at fourth tier Plymouth. Klopp's side were denied a memorable victory over bitter rivals United when Zlatan Ibrahimovic headed a late equaliser at Old Trafford on Sunday. James Milner's first half penalty […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho called on his players to stop spurning chances after they needed an 84th-minute equaliser from Zlatan Ibrahimovic to rescue a 1-1 draw against Liverpool. Paul Pogba squandered a one-on-one in the early stages of Sunday's game and after his handball allowed James Milner to put […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Pep Guardiola says his first season in English football will not end with Manchester City winning the Premier League title following a shambolic 4-0 defeat at Everton. City were beaten for the fourth time in their last eight league games as former Barcelona and Bayern Munich Guardiola boss suffered the largest league […]

Milan (AFP) – The Serie A title race is far from over, Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri warned after a first-half opener by Chinese Super League target Nikola Kalinic paved the way for Fiorentina's shock 2-1 defeat of the champions. Juventus travelled to Florence looking for their fifth consecutive win since suffering a shock 3-1 loss […]

Milan (AFP) – Fiorentina blew a hole in Juventus's title hopes with a shock 2-1 win in Florence on Sunday as Nikola Kalinic reassured fans troubled by a possible move to China with a superb first-half opener. Winning coach Paulo Sousa was riled up Saturday after hearing Massimiliano Allegri claim that Juve were coming to […]

Paris (AFP) – Monaco climbed top of Ligue 1 after thrashing Marseille 4-1 away on Sunday as the free-scoring southerners took their goal haul to 60 from just 20 league games. The result puts Monaco top on goal difference as Nice, who slugged out a 0-0 draw with bottom side Metz earlier in the day, […]