1 June 2014 06:07
Switzerland forward Haris Seferovic will be desperate to break a seven-game scoring drought when the Swiss take on Peru on Tuesday.
Seferovic’s spot in Ottmar Hitzfeld’s starting line-up could be under threat ahead of the FIFA World Cup with the Real Sociedad striker not having scored for Switzerland in almost a year,...
1 June 2014 05:52
England goalkeeper Joe Hart said he has no scars from Andrea Pirlo’s ‘Panenka’ at Euro 2012, ahead of their meeting in Brazil.
Italian stalwart Pirlo chipped his penalty in their shootout win over Hart’s side in their quarter-final meeting of the European championships.
Hart is set to face Pirlo again in...
1 June 2014 05:48
Manchester City winger Jesus Navas was proud to have fought for a place in Spain’s FIFA World Cup squad.
Navas missed out on a spot in Vicente Del Bosque’s 23-man squad with the coach concerned about his fitness after he recovered from an ankle injury.
The 28-year-old last played in the Premier League in April, but said
1 June 2014 04:01
Brazil midfielder Bernard maintained he will be fit for the FIFA World Cup despite limping out of training on Saturday.
The Shakhtar Donetsk attacking midfielder came off worse in a clash with Paulinho, as Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari put his team through an intra-team practice match in Teresopolis.
Bernard was pictured with ice...
1 June 2014 03:38
Costa Rica coach Jorge Luis Pinto confirmed his 23-man FIFA World Cup squad on Saturday, led by Bryan Ruiz.
Ruiz, on loan at PSV Eindhoven from Fulham, captains a team set to face Uruguay, Italy and England in Group D.
Arsenal-owned Olympiacos striker Joel Campbell is among those to have made the squad.
Pino initially named a 26-man...
1 June 2014 02:41
Torino forward Ciro Immobile has confirmed he is joining Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund ahead of next season.
Immobile enjoyed a stellar Serie A campaign, winning the league’s golden boot with 22 goals as his side claimed a European place due to Parma’s ineligibility.
Speaking after playing 57 minutes for Italy in
1 June 2014 01:04
Colombia’s winless streak has extended to three matches, after they coughed up a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Senegal in Buenos Aires.
Jose Pekerman’s men were all over their west African opponents in the first half of their friendly, and converted their dominance by taking a 2-0 lead into the interval courtesy of...
1 June 2014 00:09
Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodzic made sure his players knew they would face tougher opposition following a 3-1 win over Armenia on Saturday.
Essaid Belkalem, Nabil Ghilas and Islam Slimani all found the net to put Algeria 3-0 up at half-time in the FIFA World Cup warm-up, with Artur Yuspashyan pulling one back just after the break.
An
1 June 2014 00:03
Portugal coach Paulo Bento expressed satisfaction with his side’s performance despite being held to a 0-0 draw by Greece on Saturday.
Bento’s men failed to produce any real attacking threat during a dour game in which they were without the services of Cristiano Ronaldo due to the injury problems that were a concern
31 May 2014 23:59
Martin O’Neill was happy with the Republic of Ireland’s performance as they held 2006 FIFA World Cup winners Italy to a 0-0 draw on Saturday.
The former Aston Villa manager saw plenty of promise in the showing at Craven Cottage, which certainly provided more cause for optimism than Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Turkey.
After
31 May 2014 20:31
Algeria earned a morale-boosting victory ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup as they comfortably beat Armenia 3-1 on Saturday.
The African outfit were in control throughout in a performance that should keep spirits high going into the World Cup, which begins in 12 days time.
All of Algeria’s goals came in the first half, defender...
31 May 2014 19:37
Coach Niko Kovac has confirmed his final 23-man Croatia squad for the FIFA World Cup following Saturday’s friendly win over Mali.
Kovac’s side continued their preparations for the tournament with a 2-1 victory courtesy of Ivan Perisic’s double, with Kovac naming his squad for the trip to Brazil after the match in...
31 May 2014 19:08
Didier Deschamps is confident Franck Ribery will not miss the FIFA World Cup despite being ruled out France’s friendly with Paraguay.
The Bayern Munich man has been struggling with back pain and underwent further medical tests in Paris prior to the team’s departure for Nice.
His absence for Sunday’s friendly was...
31 May 2014 18:38
Bosnia-Herzegovina coach Safet Susic says his side are carrying no major injuries into the World Cup following their win over Ivory Coast.
Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko netted either side of the break to put the Bosnians in control in Missouri, before Didier Drogba found the net in second-half stoppage time.
And, after
31 May 2014 18:22
Luis Suarez has been named in Uruguay’s final 23-man squad for the FIFA World Cup despite struggling with a knee injury.
The Liverpool forward underwent surgery to repair meniscus damage in his left knee earlier in May, casting doubt over his participation at the tournament.
However, such is his importance that he has taken...
31 May 2014 21:30
Deportivo La Coruna sealed an immediate return to La Liga on Saturday as a 1-0 win over Real Jaen earned promotion back to the top flight.
Following their relegation last season, Deportivo have wasted little time in bouncing straight back, with Carlos Marchena’s 29th-minute strike proving enough to secure second place in the
31 May 2014 20:56
Jack Collison has penned an emotional farewell letter after his nine-year stay at West Ham was brought to an end.
The Premier League outfit confirmed earlier this month that the Wales midfielder, who came through the youth ranks at Cambridge United, would be leaving the club.
Collison’s career has been heavily disrupted by
31 May 2014 18:10
An Ivan Perisic brace helped ensure Croatia begun their FIFA World Cup preparations with a 2-1 win over Mali on Saturday.
Croatia, who will feature in the tournament’s opener against hosts Brazil on June 12, were not at their fluent best but showed glimpses of their undoubted quality at the Stadion Gradski.
Perisic got...
31 May 2014 17:58
Anders Konradsen’s first goal for Norway earned a 1-1 draw with a below-par Russia on Saturday.
The Rennes midfielder’s 77th-minute header cancelled out Oleg Shatov’s early opener as Fabio Capello’s FIFA World Cup-bound Russia were left with much to ponder.
Despite making it nine matches unbeaten since the...
31 May 2014 11:41
Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea believes Andres Iniesta should be one of the first transfer targets for Louis van Gaal.
The Dutchman will take over at Old Trafford after the Netherlands’ FIFA World Cup campaign as he seeks to turn United around following a dismal campaign last time out.
Under predecessor David Moyes,
31 May 2014 11:00
QPR midfielder Joey Barton has warned the club must change their ways if they are to thrive in the Premier League next season.
Harry Redknapp’s side returned to the top flight at the first time of asking courtesy of a 1-0 play-off final victory over Derby County last weekend.
QPR’s relegation from the Premier League came
31 May 2014 10:23
Diego Forlan is desperate for Uruguay star Luis Suarez to return to fitness ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
Suarez’s spot in Brazil has been plunged into doubt by a knee injury, which has required surgery.
Uruguay were hugely impressive in South Africa four years ago, finishing fourth, but Suarez’s absence would make
31 May 2014 10:04
Adam Lallana hopes his efforts in England’s 3-0 win over Peru on Friday can secure him a starting spot at the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
The Southampton playmaker has burst onto the international scene this term after a fine campign at St Mary’s Stadium, making his England debut against Chile in November.
Lallana scored...
31 May 2014 09:24
United States head coach Jurgen Klinsmann says he will be treating their opening FIFA World Cup game just like a knockout fixture.
The USA kick off their World Cup campaign against Group G opponents Ghana on June 16, followed by clashes with powerhouse nations Germany and Portugal.
With pre-tournament favourites Germany and Portugal
31 May 2014 06:17
Jason Davidson says he will leave nothing to chance in his bid to start for Australia against Chile at the FIFA World Cup.
But another key player in Mark Bresciano is battling to regain full fitness.
Based in the Dutch Eredivisie with Heracles, Davidson is the only dedicated left-back in Ange Postecoglou’s 27-man squad and...
31 May 2014 04:42
Edin Dzeko bagged a brace as Bosnia-Herzegovina accounted for Ivory Coast 2-1 in their international friendly in St Louis on Friday.
Dzeko scored either side of the half-time break to inspire Bosnia to victory against fellow FIFA World Cup participants Ivory Coast at Edward Jones Dome.
The Manchester City striker broke the deadlock...
31 May 2014 04:41
Alexis Sanchez has inspired Chile to a come-from-behind 3-2 friendly win over Egypt in Santiago on Friday.
The Barcelona attacker set up all three goals for Jorge Sampaoli’s men, whose high line had been exposed by Mohamed Salah and Khaled Kamar in the first half.
Sanchez provided Marcelo Diaz’s goal in the first half...
31 May 2014 06:25
Spain striker Fernando Torres appears to have earned a place in the 23-man World Cup squad after earning praise from Vicente Del Bosque.
Torres struck with a penalty as Spain claimed a 2-0 friendly win over Bolivia at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan in Sevilla on Friday.
Del Bosque said the outing felt like a training run for his
31 May 2014 06:24
Honduras will go head-to-head with Israel in Houston on Sunday as they continue to step up preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
Luis Fernando Suarez’s Honduras face-off against Israel at BBVA Compass Stadium over the weekend – the second of their three international friendlies in the lead up to Brazil.
Honduras...
31 May 2014 03:28
Christian Stuani was the hero as Uruguay battled their way to a 1-0 win over Northern Ireland in a friendly at Estadio Centenario on Friday.
Substitute Stuani netted the decisive goal on the hour-mark to lift Uruguay to victory against an under-strength Northern Ireland team in Montevideo.
The Espanyol man replaced veteran striker...
31 May 2014 02:39
Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo is battling injury worries ahead of the FIFA World Cup, according to coach Paulo Bento.
Ronaldo, 29, had several concerns late in the domestic season, but fought through and helped Real Madrid win the UEFA Champions League and Copa del Rey.
But he is yet to train with Portugal, who face Germany, Ghana
31 May 2014 02:37
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli is dreading the ‘tough’ decision of cutting his FIFA World Cup squad from 30 to 23.
Prandelli has another chance to assess some of his players as Italy prepare to face the Republic of Ireland in a friendly in London on Saturday.
FIFA’s deadline for finalising 23-man squads is Monday,...
31 May 2014 01:32
Leeds United have announced manager Brian McDermott has left the Championship club by mutual consent on Friday.
Despite guiding Leeds to 15th in the standings in 2013-14 and preserving their Championship status, McDermott has decided to call time on his tumultuous tenure at Elland Road.
McDermott was facing an uncertain future at
31 May 2014 00:57
Ivory Coast defender Kolo Toure has contracted malaria and been ruled out of his nation’s friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday.
The Liverpool centre-back, 33, fell ill while in Abidjan and before he joined up with the FIFA World Cup-bound squad in Dallas, United States.
Toure is still expected to be available to face
30 May 2014 15:13
Nigeria striker Peter Odemwingie is taking heart from Ghana’s exploits four years ago ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
After a lengthy absence from the national team following a fall-out with coach Stephen Keshi, the Stoke City striker is back in the squad for the trip to Brazil.
With Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iran...
30 May 2014 16:11
France will be boosted by the return of Real Madrid duo Karim Benzema and Raphael Varane in Sunday’s clash with Paraguay in Nice.
France continued preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Brazil with a 4-0 rout of Norway on Tuesday in Paris.
And in the second of their three pre-World Cup friendlies, they now meet...
30 May 2014 15:44
Arsenal chairman Chips Keswick is excited about the club’s future prospects after manager Arsene Wenger signed a new-three year deal.
It was confirmed on Friday that the Frenchman had agreed fresh terms at the Emirates Stadium, signing a deal that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2016-17 season.
Wenger had come
30 May 2014 15:14
Rafael Benitez said the arrival of Kalidou Koulibaly is the first of many as he looks to build on a successful debut season at Napoli.
The signing of Koulibaly – from Racing Genk – has boosted the Spaniard, who hopes to make further additions to his Napoli squad during the close-season.
Napoli finished third in Serie A
30 May 2014 12:28
Filipe Luis’ agent has confirmed Chelsea have shown an interest in signing the Atletico Madrid defender but the Liga champions do not want to sell.
The Brazilian full-back impressed throughout last season as Atletico secured the league title and reached the UEFA Champions League final, and his form has seen him linked with a
30 May 2014 12:05
Midfielder Frank Lampard is mentally prepared for retirement amid uncertainty over his future at Chelsea.
The 35-year-old sees his contract with the club expire in the close-season, having been named on Chelsea’s released list along with Ashley Cole and Samuel Eto’o.
While a new deal is not out of the question for the
30 May 2014 14:46
Arsene Wenger has signed a new three-year contract that will see him remain in charge of Arsenal until 2017.
Arsenal ended their nine-year trophy drought with a dramatic 3-2 extra-time win over Hull City in the FA Cup final earlier this month.
And Wenger, whose previous deal was due to expire in June, has agreed fresh terms that...
30 May 2014 14:41
Jose Luis Mendilibar is relishing the opportunity to push Levante to the next level after being unveiled as the club’s new head coach.
The 53-year-old was announced as Joaquin Caparros’ replacement on Thursday and has signed a one-year deal, with an option to extend further.
Levante finished 10th last term and although
30 May 2014 14:20
Lazio president Claudio Lotito has insisted star Antonio Candreva will remain at the club next season despite links to Napoli.
The attacking midfielder was instrumental last season as Lazio finished ninth in the Serie A table, and Lotito has no interest in letting him leave.
Candreva’s 12 league goals in 37 appearances earned
30 May 2014 13:56
Joachim Low is confident Germany are progressing well ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil.
The national team coach assembled his squad for a training camp in Austria and was pleased with the way they have come together as a group ahead of the trip to South America.
Germany face two final friendlies at home against
30 May 2014 13:52
Ronald Koeman would be interested in the vacant managerial position at Southampton, according to his agent.
The former Netherlands international is due to leave Feyenoord over the close-season after three seasons with the Eredivisie club.
Following Mauricio Pochettino’s decision to move to Tottenham, Southampton are searching
30 May 2014 12:57
Celtic pair Emilio Izaguirre and Mikael Lustig have put pen to paper on new three-year contracts with the Scottish champions.
Despite currently being without a manager following Neil Lennon’s departure, the club have tied the two defenders down to long-term deals.
Honduras international Izaguirre joined from Motagua in 2010
30 May 2014 12:41
Derby County are eager to bring West Brom’s George Thorne back to the club on a permanent basis following his initial loan spell.
The 21-year-old midfielder spent the latter half of last season on loan at the iPro Stadium, helping Steve McClaren’s side reach the Championship play-off final.
It was Thorne’s fourth
30 May 2014 04:02
Honduras’ preparations for the FIFA World Cup took a blow on Thursday, as Turkey earned a 2-0 friendly win in Washington.
Luis Suarez’s men failed to break down an inexperienced Turkish outfit, who extended their winning streak to six matches courtesy of goals to Mevlut Erdinc and Caner Erkin.
Left-back Ishak Dogan...
30 May 2014 06:08
Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli remains hopeful midfielder Arturo Vidal will prove his fitness for the FIFA World Cup.
The Juventus midfielder underwent knee surgery on May 7, putting his World Cup campaign in doubt after a strong season with the Serie A champions.
Sampaoli will wait until the FIFA deadline on June 2 to finalise his
30 May 2014 06:06
Costa Rica have been dealt a major blow after leading scorer Alvaro Saborio was ruled out of the FIFA World Cup with a foot injury.
Saborio fractured a metatarsal in his right foot during national team training in Costa Rica on Thursday and head coach Jorge Luis Pinto confirmed the 32-year-old will miss up to four months.
The Real
30 May 2014 04:18
Title hopefuls Corinthians climbed up to third in the standings with a 1-0 victory over Brazil Serie A leaders Cruzeiro on Wednesday.
Paolo Guerrero’s 68th-minute goal proved to be the difference as Corinthians claimed back-to-back wins at the Estadio Dr. Oswaldo Teixeira Duarte.
Corinthians are now third in the standings,...
30 May 2014 04:12
Western Conference heavyweights the Seattle Sounders and Real Salt Lake will go head-to-head in a top-of-the-table clash on Saturday.
The Conference-leading Sounders will play host to the defending MLS champions at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, with just two points separating the two teams.
Seattle moved to 26 points from 13 games...
30 May 2014 04:05
Spain have been given a huge boost with Diego Costa and Jesus Navas likely to be fit for the FIFA World Cup.
The availability of Atletico Madrid striker Costa (hamstring) has been a concern for the reigning world and European champions.
But, just a day after saying he was unsure about Costa, Spain coach Vicente del Bosque was...
30 May 2014 02:42
Parma are set to lose their Europa League place after their appeal for a UEFA licence was rejected on Thursday.
The High Court upheld the ruling of the Italian Football Association (FIGC) not to grant Parma a licence due to tax problems.
A brief statement said: “The High Court of Sports Justice has rejected the appeal
30 May 2014 02:27
Matt McKay and Dario Vidosic say Australia are capable of surprising their heavyweight opponents after arriving in Brazil for the World Cup.
The Socceroos are settling into their tournament base camp in Vitoria this week, and on Friday will undergo their first training session as they resume intense physical and tactical
30 May 2014 01:24
Trujillanos and Deportivo La Guaira both booked their Copa Sudamericana spots for 2014-15, after winning two-leg play-offs.
The continental play-off second legs could not have been more different, with Trujillanos blowing away Aragua 6-1 after a scoreless first 90 minutes.
Meanwhile, Deportivo La Guaira won 4-3 on penalties against
29 May 2014 23:29
Riccardo Montolivo is dreaming of reaching the FIFA World Cup final with Italy, but admits there are better sides in the competition.
The likes of hosts Brazil, reigning champions Spain, Argentina and Germany are among the favourites for the tournament, which starts next month.
However, it would be foolhardy to rule out four-time...
29 May 2014 13:06
Iran remain hopeful over the fitness of Hashem Beikzadeh after the defender picked up a heel injury in a friendly with Montenegro on Monday.
The 30-year-old was withdrawn 16 minutes into the FIFA World Cup warm-up match, which produced Iran’s second consecutive goalless draw in the build-up to the tournament.
Carlos
29 May 2014 13:00
Goalkeeper Jack Butland hopes to push on and establish himself at Stoke City in the next Premier League campaign.
Butland, who has one senior England cap to his name, made just three league appearances at the Britannia Stadium last season, with Asmir Begovic remaining first choice under Mark Hughes.
The former Birmingham City man
29 May 2014 13:00
Chelsea midfielder Ramires believes Brazil will need to be much improved from their 2010 FIFA World Cup performance to triumph on home soil.
The 27-year-old made his World Cup bow four years ago as Brazil were eliminated at the quarter-final stage for the second successive tournament.
Ramires is hoping the host nation can progress...
29 May 2014 11:44
Mikael Lustig is in talks with Celtic over extending his contract as he prepares to enter the final year of his current deal.
The Swede arrived at Parkhead from Rosenberg in January 2012, and made 16 Scottish Premiership appearances in 2013-14 as the club claimed their third consecutive title.
The defender revealed to the Daily
29 May 2014 11:20
Udinese striker Antonio Di Natale appears to have called off his retirement plans after a meeting with president Giampaolo Pozzo.
Di Natale announced in January that he would quit football at the end of the Serie A campaign after almost a decade with Udinese, but hinted that he was considering a U-turn earlier this month.
The
29 May 2014 11:07
Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas insists Spain are “not scared” of Brazil as they prepare to defend their FIFA World Cup crown.
The hosts have been installed as favourites to win the global showpiece for the first time since 2002 ahead of the upcoming tournament.
Fabregas, though, believes Spain have nothing to fear
29 May 2014 10:39
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is determined to secure permanent signings rather than be reliant on the loan market ahead of the new season.
Rodgers has brought in the likes of Nuri Sahin, Aly Cissokho and Victor Moses on temporary deals since arriving at Anfield.
However, as the club look to go one better than last season’s
29 May 2014 10:34
Greece beat Portugal to win UEFA Euro 2004 a decade ago and will attempt to affect their FIFA World Cup preparations on Saturday.
Having beaten 2004 hosts Portugal 2-1 in the opening game, Greece once again sprung a surprise in the Lisbon showpiece, securing a stunning 1-0 victory over the same opponents.
Angelos Charisteas scored...
29 May 2014 10:34
Croatia face a daunting start to their FIFA World Cup campaign and will seek to find form in a friendly against Mali on Saturday.
Niko Kovac’s side will have the eyes of the world on them when they take on hosts Brazil in Sao Paulo on June 12 to kick-off the 2014 tournament.
Croatia will need to demonstrate more quality than...
29 May 2014 10:33
Russia will attempt to take advantage of Norway’s defensive frailties on Saturday in their penultimate game before the FIFA World Cup.
Fabio Capello’s side have reeled off three victories in a row as they step up their preparations for the showpiece tournament in Brazil, which starts next month.
Aleksandr Kerzhakov
29 May 2014 03:23
Sevilla coach Unai Emery has no doubt the La Liga club can continue to grow after he signed a new contract on Wednesday.
Emery had been linked with a move away – with Serie A side Milan a notable suitor – but penned a two-year contract to stay with the UEFA Europa League champions.
Speaking in a news conference after
29 May 2014 02:55
Arsenal cracked in the Premier League title race as a result of a lack of maturity, according to striker Olivier Giroud.
Arsene Wenger’s men ended their nine-year trophy drought by winning the FA Cup but it was another unsuccessful Premier League campaign for the London club.
Arsenal spent the most time atop the table,
29 May 2014 02:43
Chelsea striker Fernando Torres said he misses being a consistent starter, after an underwhelming three-and-a-half seasons in London.
Torres, now 30, has made 110 Premier League appearances for the Blues for just 20 goals, having produced more than that in his first season at Liverpool before tallying 65 goals in 102 apps.
In his...
29 May 2014 02:00
Colombia midfielder Edwin Valencia will miss the FIFA World Cup after failing to recover from injury in time for the showpiece event.
Valencia was selected in Colombia’s preliminary squad but he has been plagued by injury throughout the season, with the 29-year-old limited to just 25 minutes of football for Fluminense in
29 May 2014 01:22
Iran will be desperate to find some scoring form against Angola on Friday, as their FIFA World Cup preparations continue.
Carlos Queiroz’s men have played out two scoreless draws – against Belarus and Montenegro – in their only international outings since early March.
Queiroz utilised all six of his substitutes...
29 May 2014 04:26
Cristian Gamboa insisted Costa Rica will not shy away from the mammoth challenge that has been presented to them at the FIFA World Cup.
Costa Rica are expected to make an early exit in Brazil after being drawn against four-time champions Italy, dual winners Uruguay and England in Group D.
But Rosenborg defender Gamboa says his...
28 May 2014 23:59
The chief executive of Atletico Madrid has warned other clubs they do not need to sell any of their star players for financial reasons.
A host of Atletico’s star players have been linked with moves away from the Vicente Calderon after an impressive season that saw them win La Liga and reach the UEFA Champions League final.
Desp
28 May 2014 23:30
Angola picked up a confidence-boosting 2-0 win against 2015 Africa Cup of Nations hosts Morocco in Portugal on Wednesday.
Romeu Filemon’s side will have to progress past Burkina Faso, Gabon and a qualifier yet to be determined if they are to reach the Cup of Nations, but their confidence will be boosted after a fine
28 May 2014 23:04
A Nigeria side made up largely of FIFA World Cup hopefuls did little to impress as they salvaged a 2-2 draw against Scotland on Wednesday.
In the first of three friendlies in the build-up to Brazil, Stephen Keshi left the likes of Vincent Enyeama and John Obi Mikel out of the matchday squad against a Scotland side resurgent under...
28 May 2014 21:25
Southampton chairman Ralph Krueger has revealed that the search to find a new manager is moving forward at a brisk pace.
On Tuesday, it was confirmed that Mauricio Pochettino had left to join Premier League rivals Tottenham on a five-year deal, the Argentine departing after less than 18 months at the helm.
Pochettino’s move
28 May 2014 06:03
The United States kicked off preparations for the FIFA World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Azerbaijan at Candlestick Park on Tuesday.
Substitutes Mikkel Diskerud and Aron Johannsson found the back of the net in the second half as the USA emerged triumphant in San Francisco – the first of their three international friendlies...
28 May 2014 05:00
Ivory Coast are set to ‘show the world’ what they are capable of by getting out of their FIFA World Cup group, according to Arthur Boka.
Ahead of their third straight appearance at the World Cup finals, Boka, who was part of both previous squads, believes Ivory Coast will qualify for the knockout stages in Brazil,...
28 May 2014 04:35
New York Red Bulls extended Sporting Kansas City’s winless run at home to three games, coming from behind to draw 1-1 in MLS on Tuesday.
Sporting again dominated possession and shots in front of their home fans but had to settle for a point after the Red Bulls’ Bradley Wright-Phillips had cancelled out Toni’s...
28 May 2014 03:51
Injured Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer remains Joachim Low’s biggest worry ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
Neuer hurt his right shoulder in Bayern Munich’s 2-0 DFB Pokal win over Borussia Dortmund on May 17.
The shot-stopper remains a concern for Low, who looks set to regain Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger for
28 May 2014 03:35
Italy can cause a few surprises at the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Brazil, according to head coach Cesare Prandelli.
Prandelli’s men are seen as one of the outsiders at the World Cup behind defending champions Spain and host national Brazil, with Belgium even considered a more realistic chance.
But Prandelli has faith in his...
28 May 2014 03:20
Russia coach Fabio Capello has decided on his 23-man FIFA World Cup squad, but intends to wait before revealing the list.
Capello’s men continued their preparations for Brazil 2014 with a 1-0 win over Slovakia in a friendly on Monday.
The Italian wants to see his squad, who face Belgium, South Korea and Algeria in Group H,
28 May 2014 03:00
England defender Phil Jagielka has hit back at critics, who have questioned his partnership with Gary Cahill ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
Jagielka and Cahill formed a dependable centre-back pairing at the heart of England’s defence as Roy Hodgson’s men qualified for the FIFA World Cup, though it has not deterred calls...
28 May 2014 01:48
Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar says he is ready to repay the faith shown in him by Luiz Felipe Scolari at the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
Scolari has been criticised in some parts for including Cesar in Brazil’s squad for the showpiece event, with the veteran shot-stopper plying his trade in MLS for Toronto FC.
But the...
28 May 2014 01:22
England midfielder Jordan Henderson never doubted his ability to perform at the highest level despite years of criticism.
Henderson, 23, enjoyed a stellar campaign with Liverpool, helping Brendan Rodgers’ team go close to winning the Premier League title.
The former Sunderland midfielder had been questioned, particularly after
27 May 2014 23:49
Dider Deschamps was delighted with France’s attacking display in their 4-0 demolition of Norway in Tuesday’s friendly.
As the first of three friendlies before France’s FIFA World Cup campaign begins in earnest against Honduras on June 15, Deschamps watched on the hosts thumped their beleaguered opponents in the
27 May 2014 19:59
Canada came from behind to gain their second 1-1 friendly draw in less than a week when they met Moldova in Ritzing on Tuesday.
Benito Floro’s side responded to an early setback to claim a draw against Bulgaria on Friday and they had high hopes of ending a 15-match winless streak against Moldova.
But they were behind after
27 May 2014 19:53
The Scottish Football Association are going ahead with their friendly against Nigeria, which has reportedly come under police investigation.
Reports emerged on Tuesday that the authorities were looking into a possible match-fixing surrounding Wednesday’s game between the two countries at Craven Cottage.
However, in a statement
27 May 2014 19:44
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu insists that the club are not looking to sell Alexis Sanchez.
Alexis joined Barca from Serie A outfit Udinese in 2011, and has scored 38 league goals in 88 appearances for the Catalan giants.
The 2013-14 campaign was his most productive, with 19 La Liga goals, and on Tuesday Bartomeu moved to
27 May 2014 19:31
Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew has hit back at claims he allowed Loic Remy to skip the final game of the season in order to avoid injury.
The France striker claimed in an interview with L’Equipe that Pardew had agreed the game was meaningless and was happy to sideline him for a trip to Liverpool – which Newcastle...
27 May 2014 19:19
Diego Simeone has been charged by UEFA following his dismissal during Atletico Madrid’s UEFA Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid.
The Argentine stormed onto the pitch on Saturday to confront Real defender Raphael Varane after Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty had sealed a 4-1 extra-time success for Carlo
27 May 2014 18:54
Tottenham have hired Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino as their new head coach on a five-year deal.
Pochettino moves to White Hart Lane to replace Tim Sherwood, who saw a break clause in his contract activated after leading the club to sixth in the Premier League.
The former Argentina defender has enjoyed a hugely fruitful 16...
27 May 2014 18:28
Former Argentina international Diego Simeone has backed Lionel Messi to thrive on the pressure at the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Simeone, who made 11 appearances at three World Cups during his playing career, has seen Messi close up for Barcelona in recent seasons as coach of Atletico Madrid.
His Atletico side got the better...
27 May 2014 18:18
Bristol Rovers hope to save their League Two status at the expense of Wycombe Wanderers due to a controversy over third-party ownership.
Wycombe were hit with a £10,000 fine by the Football Association last week for breaching agent regulations, thought to stem from winger Matt Phillips’ sale to Blackpool in 2010.
The
27 May 2014 20:07
Cameroon continue their preparations for the FIFA World Cup against Paraguay boosted by the news that Pierre Webo’s injury is not serious.
Volker Finke’s men produced a decent performance to earn a 2-0 win over Macedonia in Austria on Monday as they build towards the World Cup, which they begin against Mexico on June 13.
...
27 May 2014 17:46
Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge praised the impact Pep Guardiola has made at the club in his first season in charge.
Guardiola took over from Juup Heynckes at the start of the 2013-14 campaign, and will have been aware of the act he was following after Heynckes delivered the Bundesliga title, DFB Pokal and UEFA...
27 May 2014 04:49
Spain goalkeeper David de Gea declared the reigning world champions are still ‘the best in the world’ ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
Although Spain lost last year’s FIFA Confederations Cup final 3-0 to Brazil, Vicente del Bosque’s time remain top of the world rankings ahead of the upcoming World Cup finals.
Spai
27 May 2014 04:47
Brazil’s national football team has been engulfed by protesters, weeks out from the FIFA World Cup.
Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side were in transit to their training base from Rio de Janeiro’s international airport when they came across a vocal group of teachers, who were protesting for better working conditions.
Protest
27 May 2014 06:18
Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso said he feels the ‘egos’ inside the Bernabeu dressing room are well managed.
Alonso’s side won the UEFA Champions League final over Atletico Madrid on Saturday night, courtesy of a 4-1 victory – with those egos getting a boost as they delivered Real’s 10th European
27 May 2014 05:58
The agent of Roma striker Mattia Destro remains confident the 23-year-old will stay with the capital club next season.
In his two seasons with Roma, Destro has scored 24 goals in 49 appearances in all competitions and was a key figure in the club’s second-placed finish in the recently completed Serie A campaign.
That form has
27 May 2014 05:52
Guangzhou Evergrande forward Elkeson could be set for a move to Inter after an approach from the Serie A club.
The Brazilian, 24, has been linked with a departure after starting the Chinese Super League season with 12 goals.
That follows a 2013 campaign during which the former Vitoria and Botafogo forward finished as the
27 May 2014 05:17
France coach Didier Deschamps is welcoming the test his side will face against a ‘technical team’ in Norway on Tuesday.
Deschamps’ men face Switzerland, Ecuador and Honduras in Group E at the FIFA World Cup, and meet Norway in the first of three friendlies scheduled before their opener in Brazil.
Perhaps trying to...
27 May 2014 04:19
England defender Gary Cahill said it would come as no surprise if his team went ‘a long way’ at the FIFA World Cup.
Roy Hodgson’s men are given little chance of progressing deep in Brazil, having drawn Uruguay, Italy and Costa Rica in Group D.
Cahill, 28, said it was an open tournament with several teams capable of...
27 May 2014 03:56
Former Celtic players Paolo Di Canio and Morten Wieghorst have both put their hands up to replace Neil Lennon at Celtic Park.
Celtic are looking for a new manager for the first time since 2010 after Lennon quit on Thursday and both Di Canio and Wieghorst, who were team-mates at the Glasgow-based club in the 1996/97 season, have...
27 May 2014 03:14
Loic Remy looks unlikely to pull on a QPR shirt next season after Harry Redknapp said the club cannot provide what the French striker wants.
With Arsenal and Liverpool reportedly keen on signing Remy, Redknapp – QPR’s manager – confirmed he would not stand in the 27-year-old forward’s way, if he finds a new
27 May 2014 03:13
Southampton right-back Nathaniel Clyne said it would be ‘a real shame’ to lose manager Mauricio Pochettino, with Tottenham looming.
Clyne, 23, is being targeted by Liverpool while Pochettino is on the verge of joining Spurs.
Despite bigger clubs awaiting the pair, the defender wants to continue his alliance with the...
26 May 2014 11:27
Mauro Zarate is relishing the chance of another crack at the Premier League ahead of a proposed move to West Ham.
The Velez Sarsfield striker has arrived in England and will reportedly sign a three-year deal at Upton Park.
For Zarate, the move would represent a second chance in England’s top flight, after he enjoyed a loan
26 May 2014 11:22
Inter president Erick Thohir is focused on strengthening Walter Mazzarri’s midfield options to boost their Serie A chances next season.
Thohir bought control of Inter in October 2013 and saw them finish fifth in the Italian top flight last term.
The Indonesian businessman is confident coach Mazzarri has a good squad to pick
26 May 2014 11:09
Daniel Sturridge has called on England to follow Liverpool’s example and mount an unlikely challenge for FIFA World Cup glory.
Sturridge formed one half of a lethal strike partnership with Luis Suarez at Anfield this season, as Liverpool came agonisingly close to claiming a first top-flight title since 1990, eventually losing...
26 May 2014 10:27
West Brom centre-back Gareth McAuley is already itching to help make amends for the club’s poor Premier League campaign.
The Midlands outfit narrowly escaped relegation to the Championship this season, eventually retaining their top-flight status by finishing just three points clear of the drop zone.
That represented a
26 May 2014 10:06
Sergio Ramos wants to stay at Real Madrid for life after playing a vital role in the club’s UEFA Champions League success.
Spain international Ramos scored a superb headed equaliser in injury time of Real’s Champions League final against city rivals Atletico Madrid on Saturday to send the match to extra time.
Real went
26 May 2014 09:48
Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has backed captain Fabricio Coloccini to rediscover top form in the Premier League next season.
The Argentinian started 27 times in the top flight this term but the 32-year-old has struggled with injuries and form in the past 18 months.
Coloccini’s future at St James’ Park has often
26 May 2014 09:16
Over 80 per cent of Hamburg’s members have voted to turn the club’s professional football department into a corporation.
Patrons of the Imtech Arena outfit agreed to the ‘HSVPlus’ initiative, which mirrors the model of the likes of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dotmund, on Sunday.
Hamburg hope the change will
26 May 2014 07:13
Discarded United States forward Landon Donovan thanked Los Angeles Galaxy fans for their support after breaking the MLS’ all-time scoring record.
Donovan was cut from Jurgen Klinsmann’s final USA squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup on Thursday, sparking widespread shock amongst American fans and pundits, but the
26 May 2014 07:13
France need a ‘miracle’ to win the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Brazil, according to their coach Didier Deschamps.
The 1998 World champions have been drawn with Switzerland, Honduras and Ecuador in Group E at the showpiece event.
France have endured a turbulent ride since that triumphant display on home soil 16 years ago,...
26 May 2014 07:11
Landon Donovan became the MLS’ all-time leading goal-scorer on Sunday to complete an emotional week for the Los Angeles Galaxy forward.
Donovan struck twice in the Galaxy’s 4-1 win over Philadelphia Union, while he also set up LA’s opening goal, just three days after the 32-year-old missed out on a spot in the...
26 May 2014 07:00
Real Madrid legend Raul has defended Iker Casillas, after the goalkeeper’s error almost cost them the UEFA Champions League crown.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side were less than three minutes from defeat in the final against Atletico Madrid, after Casillas conceded from a set-piece – as Diego Godin looped a header over the
26 May 2014 04:37
Danny Welbeck says he has grown tired of being played out of position at Manchester United, with the striker keen to operate up front.
Welbeck netted nine goals in 25 Premier League appearances as United endured a forgettable campaign last term, finishing seventh in the standings.
And that was despite Welbeck often playing out wide,...
26 May 2014 04:16
Club and national figures alike are leaping to the defence of the under-fire Lionel Messi, ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
Messi has come under scrutiny after Barcelona endured a tough season which only spawned them the Spanish Supercopa, and the Argentine attacker is set to feel the pressure in Brazil.
Cesar Luis Menotti, who coached...
26 May 2014 04:13
One of the brains behind Real Madrid’s UEFA Champions League success, Paul Clement is putting his services on the open market.
The Englishman, 42, has been Carlo Ancelotti’s right-hand man since he was at Chelsea, and followed him to the Bernabeu – culminating in helping Real win their 10th European cup on
26 May 2014 04:08
Former Croatia international Davor Suker claimed on Sunday he knows where Sevilla midfielder Ivan Rakitic will play next season.
Croatian Football Federation president Suker was coy about his knowledge, claiming he does not speak Spanish very well when pressed on Rakitic’s future – despite having played eight seasons in
26 May 2014 03:34
Cerro Porteno thrashed Paraguay’s Division Profesional champions Libertad 4-0 on Sunday, as Guarani secured second spot.
Angel Romero’s early brace, a header from Junior Alonso and Julio dos Santos’ late penalty saw Cerro Porteno destroy Pedro Sarabia’s recently crowned champions, who had claimed the league...
26 May 2014 03:16
Cruzeiro gained sole possession of top spot in Brazil Serie A after coming from behind to beat title rivals Internacional on Sunday.
The defending champions overturned an early deficit to defeat Internacional 3-1 at the Estadio Francisco Stedile in Porto Alegre.
Ricardo Goulart, Willian and Marcelo Moreno were all on the scoresheet...
24 May 2014 19:54
QPR manager Harry Redknapp admitted he did not expect his side to score in their 1-0 Championship play-off final win against Derby County.
For much of the season, Redknapp’s men looked capable of challenging for an automatic return to the Premier League at the first time of asking, but a form dip meant the London club had to...
24 May 2014 18:07
Bobby Zamora’s last-gasp goal stunned Derby County and sent QPR back to the Premier League with a 1-0 Championship play-off final win.
The striker, on as a second-half substitute, planted a first-time finish beyond Lee Grant following a mistake from Derby captain Richard Keogh in the 90th minute.
Defender Keogh failed to...
24 May 2014 16:50
Cardiff City manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer thinks new signings Guido Burgstaller and Javi Guerra can return the club to the Premier League.
Despite initially showing some encouraging signs following promotion from the Championship, internal issues soon engulfed the club and Cardiff ultimately finished bottom of the league.
Controversi...
24 May 2014 16:28
Claude Makelele has been confirmed as the new Bastia coach after signing a two-year deal.
Speculation has been rife this week linking Makelele with Bastia and the 41-year-old has now been installed as Frederic Hantz’s successor in what is his first managerial role.
Hantz left at the end of the Ligue 1 season following a
24 May 2014 15:34
Steven Gerrard will not allow Liverpool’s title disappointment to overshadow his FIFA World Cup campaign with England.
The Anfield stalwart saw his Premier League dreams slip through his grasp in the final three games of the season, with the club still waiting for a first top-flight crown since 1990.
Gerrard was the fall guy
24 May 2014 15:29
Inter president Erick Thohir has promised fans that new signings will be arriving at San Siro in the very near future.
The Indonesian businessman took control of the club in October and has regularly outlined his intentions to provide the funds to add to the playing squad.
Inter finished fifth in Serie A at the end of the season to
24 May 2014 14:36
Freiburg have signed goalkeeper Roman Burki from Grasshopper Zurich, the Bundesliga outfit have confirmed.
The signing was announced on the German club’s official website on Saturday, with Burki making the switch from the Swiss Super League runners-up.
The 23-year-old is part of the Switzerland squad that will travel to the
24 May 2014 08:47
Galatasaray boss Roberto Mancini has advised Juventus to sign Didier Drogba, who will leave the Istanbul giants this summer.
The Ivorian legend has been widely linked with a move to Turin after helping the Turk Telekom Arena club to the Super Lig title and the Turkish Cup during an 18-month spell at the club.
Mancini believes that
24 May 2014 13:19
Raul Albiol has called on Napoli to up their concentration levels if they are to mount a serious challenge for the Serie A title next season.
Rafael Benitez’s men kept pace with early leaders Roma in the opening weeks of the 2013-14 campaign, but fell away in the second half of the season, eventually finishing seven points
24 May 2014 13:14
West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan is hopeful of concluding a host of deals as the club continue the process of rebuilding.
An inconsistent campaign looked at one stage to be heading for trouble when West Ham were languishing in the bottom three at the halfway point.
But, after humiliating defeats to Nottingham Forest and
24 May 2014 05:07
A late header from Toronto FC’s Bradley Orr denied Sporting Kansas City a steadying win as the Canadian visitors snatched a 2-2 draw.
Kansas City had looked on track to bounce back from two straight defeats with a win over 10-man Toronto when in-form striker Dom Dwyer converted a penalty with six minutes left at Sporting Park...
24 May 2014 07:16
FIFA World Cup winner Christian Karembeu has claimed the current France side could match the generation of 1998 in Brazil.
France qualified for Brazil 2014 through the UEFA play-offs, accounting for Ukraine 3-2 on aggregate, while they finished the 2010 edition in disarray with just one point and on goal to their names from three...
24 May 2014 07:13
On-loan Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has ‘no emotional connection’ to parent club Chelsea.
The Belgian, 22, will be in goals for Atletico as they face city rivals Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday.
Signed by Chelsea in June 2011, Courtois has been on loan at Atletico for three
24 May 2014 06:25
Former Tottenham and Manchester United striker Louis Saha believes Gareth Bale can match Cristiano Ronaldo.
Saha played with Ronaldo at United for four years and was Bale’s team-mate at Tottenham for six months in 2012.
Having played alongside both, the Frenchman has backed Bale to reach the same level as Ronaldo, if he mimics...
24 May 2014 06:20
England vice-captain Frank Lampard looks set to head to the FIFA World Cup as a free agent, with Chelsea likely to release him.
The 35-year-old midfielder’s future has been unclear throughout the Premier League season and he was on a list of released players on Friday.
Left-back Ashley Cole, striker Samuel Eto’o and
24 May 2014 06:05
Italian midfielder Emanuele Giaccherini has no intention of leaving Sunderland after just one season in the Premier League.
Giaccherini has been linked with a return to his homeland throughout the campaign, despite only joining Sunderland from Serie A champions Juventus in August.
Italian sides Fiorentina and Genoa have been
24 May 2014 06:04
Misfiring strikers Nicklas Bendtner and Park Chu Young look set to leave Arsenal, as Premier League clubs revealed their retain/release lists.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger’s patience with Bendtner and Park has seemingly run out with the two forwards among seven players placed on the club’s free-transfer list.
The...
24 May 2014 05:17
United States face such an uphill task at the FIFA World Cup not even the services of Lionel Messi would help, according to Robbie Keane.
The USA will come up against powerhouse nations Germany and Portugal, as well as Ghana, in Group G at the showpiece event in Brazil.
But Republic of Ireland and LA Galaxy captain Keane has painted
24 May 2014 05:17
Former Spain striker Raul believes Real Madrid’s best should be enough to overcome rivals Atletico in the UEFA Champions League final.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men enter the decider in Lisbon on Saturday as favourites despite finishing three points adrift of champions Atletico in La Liga this season.
The appearance in the final
24 May 2014 07:17
Steve McClaren admits he was not ready for the England job as he prepares to return to Wembley for the first time since he was sacked.
McClaren will be back at Wembley on Saturday, leading Derby County in their Championship play-off final against Queens Park Rangers, with not only a spot in the Premier League on the line but a...
23 May 2014 04:36
Defending Brazil Serie A champions Cruzeiro moved back to the top of the table with a 2-0 victory over Sport Recife on Wednesday.
Second-half goals from Ricardo Goulart and Marcelo Moreno lifted Cruzeiro to back-to-back wins at the Estadio Governador Magalhaes Pinto.
The victory sent Cruzeiro (13 points) to the summit after...
23 May 2014 07:02
Napoli coach Rafa Benitez said his side ‘are more of a team’ after their third-place finish in the Serie A.
The Stadio San Paolo outfit qualified for the UEFA Champions League, and claimed the Coppa Italia title with a final victory over Fiorentina to cap a strong season.
Benitez reflected on his first year in charge in...
23 May 2014 05:14
Former Italy international Marco Materazzi said his conscience is clear, after his part in one of the most infamous World Cup moments.
Materazzi was head-butted to the chest by French legend Zinedine Zidane – in what proved to be the latter’s final contribution on the football field as he was dismissed in extra-time of...
23 May 2014 05:12
Former Barcelona midfielder Deco is confident new coach Luis Enrique can rejuvenate the club after they relinquished their La Liga title.
Barcelona lost the league title on the final day of the season after drawing at home to Atletico Madrid, who lifted the trophy for the first time in 19 years.
Argentine boss Gerardo Martino...
23 May 2014 05:09
Brazil’s hopes of lifting the FIFA World Cup on home soil should not rest on Neymar’s shoulders, according to national legend Pele.
Pele, a three-time World Cup winner, said an abundance of high-profile players around him made his World Cup debut at age 17 comparatively easier than what the Barca forward will...
23 May 2014 03:53
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has officially thrown his hat into the ring to become the Premier League club’s new captain.
Incoming manager Louis van Gaal will be tasked with picking a new skipper following the departures of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, and the retirement of United legend Ryan Giggs, who will...
23 May 2014 03:53
Manchester City midfielder David Silva said Yaya Toure’s apparent discontent at the club comes as a surprise.
Silva, who is enjoying a break before joining Spain’s World Cup squad, said club team-mate Toure had never shown any signs he was unsettled at Eastlands.
Toure’s agent Dimitri Seluk claimed the Ivorian was
23 May 2014 03:18
Former France international David Ginola said Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri deserved to be in their country’s World Cup squad.
Ginola, who earned 17 caps for Les Bleus from 1990-1995, said the controversial Nasri should have been picked by manager Didier Deschamps, despite his turbulent history in the national team.
Na...
23 May 2014 03:14
Landon Donovan has expressed his disappointment with Jurgen Klinsmann’s decision to overlook him for the United States’ final 23-man squad.
Donovan was one of seven players culled on Thursday ahead of the FIFA World Cup in Brazil, much to the surprise of the football community in the USA.
While he had not scored a
23 May 2014 00:24
United States veteran Landon Donovan was a high-profile casualty as Jurgen Klinsmann named his final 23-man squad for the FIFA World Cup.
Donovan, 32, was one of seven players cut from the final roster ahead of the June 2 deadline, despite being the nation’s all-time leading goal scorer with 57 goals – 21 ahead of...
22 May 2014 13:14
Matty Fryatt remains uncertain whether he will stay at Hull City next season, with his current deal to due to expire next month.
The 28-year-old striker has played a bit-part role in 2013-14, finding himself down the pecking order after the January arrivals of Nikica Jelavic and Shane Long.
Fryatt did not start a single Premier
22 May 2014 13:08
Metz coach Albert Cartier has agreed a two-year contract extension with the club after securing their return to Ligue 1.
The former Metz defender has enjoyed plenty of success since returning to the Stade Saint-Symphorien for a second stint as manager in 2012.
After winning the Championnat National at the first attempt, the
