Zurich (AFP) – Diego Maradona on Monday backed controversial plans to expand the World Cup to 48 teams, a day before world football's powerful governing council faces a key decision on the issue. "It sounds like a fantastic idea to me," the 56-year-old, who inspired Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986, told reporters at […]

Berlin (AFP) – Arsenal's German international Mesut Ozil says he is waiting to learn the fate of manager Arsene Wenger before agreeing to sign a new contract with the London club. Wenger's contract at Arsenal expires at the end of the season and Ozil's decision hinges on whether it is renewed or not, he told […]

Libreville (AFP) – A new-look Ivory Coast will defend their Africa Cup of Nations title while the hosts' lightning-quick striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leads the cast of superstar names as the 2017 tournament begins in Gabon on Saturday. As Borussia Dortmund striker Aubameyang prepares to carry the hopes of the small central African nation on his […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has pledged to bring out the heavy artillery for Tuesday's League Cup semi-final first leg at home to Premier League basement club Hull City. United cruised into the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday after registering an eighth consecutive win by crushing second-tier Reading 4-0 at Old […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp defended his decision to select an inexperienced line-up after his side were held to a goalless draw by Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup third round. Klopp picked the youngest XI in Liverpool's history with an average age of 21 years and 296 days against the fourth-tier side, […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea manager Antonio Conte said his club may appeal against the red card shown to John Terry during the Premier League leaders' 4-1 FA Cup defeat of Peterborough United. Terry, who was making his first appearance in two months, was dismissed in the 67th minute at Stamford Bridge on Sunday after a […]

Madrid (AFP) – Barcelona striker Luis Suarez insists the Catalans are "obliged" to chase down Real Madrid at the top of La Liga, despite losing more ground on the European champions in a 1-1 draw at Villarreal on Sunday. Even a fabulous last minute Lionel Messi free-kick couldn't prevent Barca falling five points behind Madrid, […]

London (AFP) – England star Harry Kane was happy to sleep through Tottenham's 2-0 FA Cup win over Aston Villa following the birth of his first baby on Sunday. Manager Mauricio Pochettino left Kane out of his squad after the player endured a sleepless night while his partner Kate delivered their baby daughter, Ivy Jane. […]

Milan (AFP) – Genoa goalkeeper Mattia Perin could be ruled out for the rest of the season after the Serie A club confirmed he ruptured cruciate knee ligaments in a 1-0 defeat to Roma on Sunday. Perin, 24, fell to the ground as he moved to save a shot minutes into the league fixture at […]

Milan (AFP) – Gonzalo Higuain hit a brace either side of Paulo Dybala's first-half spot-kick as Juventus moved four points clear of Roma on Sunday with a comfortable 3-0 win over Bologna in Turin. In their first competitive match since losing the Italian Super Cup to AC Milan in Doha days before Christmas, Juventus were […]

Paris (AFP) – Ligue 1 leaders Nice crashed out of the last 64 of the French Cup on Sunday after a 2-1 defeat at struggling Lorient, while Marseille won 2-1 at Toulouse after extra time. Nice finished 2016 two points clear of Monaco at the top of the table but suffered a premature cup exit […]

Madrid (AFP) – Barcelona's poor start to 2017 continued as they lost further ground on Real Madrid at the top of La Liga despite a sensational last minute Lionel Messi free-kick salvaging a 1-1 draw at Villarreal on Sunday. The Spanish champions lost their opening game of the year at Athletic Bilbao in the Copa […]

Paris (AFP) – Key midfielder Sofiane Boufal pulled out of Morocco's squad for the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday because of injury, joining influential playmaker Younes Belhanda on the sidelines. Southampton star Boufal, 23, had been at a training camp in the United Arab Emirates, where Morocco were preparing for a friendly on Monday […]

Milan (AFP) – Edin Dzeko hit a series of blanks as Roma kept the pressure on leaders Juventus with a cagey 1-0 win at Genoa courtesy of Armando Izzo's disastrous first-half own goal on Sunday. Roma's 13th win of the campaign closed the gap on Juventus to one point before the champions, who also have […]

London (AFP) – John Terry's dismissal took the gloss off Chelsea's comfortable 4-1 victory over third-tier Peterborough United on Sunday, which took the Premier League leaders into the FA Cup fourth round. Two goals from Pedro Rodriguez and strikes from Michy Batshuayi and Willian ensured Antonio Conte's side avoided any chance of an embarrassing slip. […]