Milan (AFP) – Lazio's Senad Lulic was facing accusations of racism on Sunday for likening Roma's German player Antonio Rudiger, who is black, to a street seller hawking "socks and belts". Goals by Kevin Strootman and Radja Nainggolan in the second half of a fiery derby at the Stadio Olimpico kept the local bragging rights […]

Milan (AFP) – Second-half goals from Kevin Strootman and Radja Nainggolan kept the local bragging rights with Roma for the fourth year in succession thanks to an 2-0 derby win at Lazio on Sunday. With only one point separating the sides, the biggest 'Derby della Capitale' in years was played out in a half-empty stadium […]

Bournemouth (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp admitted Liverpool had only themselves to blame for a shock 4-3 defeat at Bournemouth after conceding three goals in the last 14 minutes on Sunday. Klopp's side looked to be cruising to victory at Dean Court after taking a 3-1 lead midway through the second half. But the […]

Bournemouth (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Liverpool's title challenge suffered an unexpected setback as they squandered a 3-1 lead to lose 4-3 at Bournemouth on an astonishing day the south coast club will never forget. Jurgen Klopp's side missed out on a chance to go second in the Premier League and instead remain four points behind leaders […]

Lyon (AFP) – Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes said he suffered "acoustic trauma" but no lasting damage after a firecracker exploded next to him in Saturday's abandoned match at Metz. The Ligue 1 clash was called off in the 31st minute after home fans threw projectiles towards Lopes, having just seen Gauthier Hein head Metz in […]

Barcelona (AFP) – A never say die approach is part of Real Madrid's DNA said captain Sergio Ramos after his stoppage time equaliser maintained a six-point La Liga lead over Barcelona with a 1-1 draw in El Clasico. Ramos strode forward from defence to net another important goal after Luis Suarez's 53rd minute opener looked set […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino hailed his side's 5-0 win over Swansea in the Premier League as a "big victory". Two goals from Harry Kane, a stunning volley from Heung-Min Son and two late efforts for Christian Eriksen ensured Spurs reacted in the best possible way to defeats by Monaco and leaders Chelsea […]

London (AFP) – Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger foresees Alexis Sanchez staying in the striking role that brought him a hat-trick in the 5-1 victory over West Ham as long as the Chilean is scoring goals. Pushed further forward this season, Sanchez has now scored seven goals in his last five Premier League games. His hat-trick […]

Sunderland (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri insists he still has faith in Jamie Vardy despite the England forward's Premier League goal drought stretching to three months. Vardy drew a blank for the 16th consecutive game as the champions' disastrous title defence suffered its latest blow with a 2-1 defeat at lowly Sunderland […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Chelsea manager Antonio Conte lauded Diego Costa after the striker made a decisive contribution — and kept his cool — in the Premier League leaders' tempestuous 3-1 win at Manchester City. Costa cancelled out Gary Cahill's own goal opener and set up Willian for Chelsea's second goal as Conte's men […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo on Saturday denied hiding millions of euros in offshore accounts in a effort to avoid the tax man. An international consortium of media organisations claimed that a huge data leak involving 18 million documents showed Portuguese skipper Ronaldo hid 150 million […]

London (AFP) – England manager Gareth Southgate hopes to persuade Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha not to switch allegiance to the Ivory Coast, he revealed this week. Zaha, capped twice by England, has asked world governing body FIFA to allow him to play for the Ivory Coast, which is the country of his birth. The […]

Berlin (AFP) – RB Leipzig again knocked Bayern Munich from top spot in the Bundesliga table on Saturday as their 2-1 win at home to Schalke 04 left them three points clear. Carlo Ancelotti's Bayern had regained the lead with a 3-1 win at Mainz on Friday night, but Leipzig replaced them less than 24 […]

Paris (AFP) – Colombian striker Radamel Falcao scored twice as Monaco thrashed Bastia 5-0 to move top of Ligue 1 on Saturday, while French champions Paris Saint-Germain crashed to a shock 3-0 defeat at Montpellier. However, the day's action in France was scarred when the game between Metz and Lyon was abandoned after Portuguese goalkeeper Anthony […]

Metz (France) (AFP) – Saturday's Ligue 1 match between Metz and Lyon was abandoned with only 30 minutes played after home supporters threw firecrackers at visiting goalkeeper Anthony Lopes. Metz had taken the lead through Gauthier Hein just before play was interrupted at the Stade Saint-Symphorien, with the match officially called off after a 45-minute […]