NewsAFP NewsDijon escape automatic relegation on final day of Ligue 1
Dijon came from behind on the last day of Ligue 1 on Friday to beat Toulouse, 2-1, and grab a lifeline that could keep them in the French top flight. "It was the day of an exploit," said Dijon manager Antoine Kombouare. At the start of the final round, Guingamp were sure to finish last, while
NewsAFP NewsKovac eyes double after 'intense' season
Cup specialist Niko Kovac is hoping to end a turbulent first season in charge of Bayern Munich with a domestic double when his side face RB Leipzig in the German Cup final in Berlin on Saturday. Just hours earlier on the other side of Berlin, Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said that Kovac's job
NewsAFP News10-man Wydad claw back to hold Esperance in first leg of final
Wydad Casablanca overcame having their captain sent off and two VAR referrals going against them to draw 1-1 with Esperance Tunis Saturday in the CAF Champions League final first leg. Both goals came from Ivorians with midfielder Fousseny Coulibaly giving the Tunisian outfit a 44th-minute lead in Rabat
NewsAFP NewsFormer Tottenham manager Gross aims to end Zamalek trophy drought
Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Christian Gross believes the 16-year African trophy drought of famed Egyptian club Zamalek will end Sunday near ancient Mediterranean city Alexandria. Coached by Gross, Zamalek lost 1-0 away to Moroccan outfit Renaissance Berkane last Sunday in the first leg of the CAF
NewsAFP NewsFederer, Nadal threaten Djokovic bid for historic Slam
Novak Djokovic can become only the second man in history to have twice held all four Grand Slam titles at the same time with victory at the French Open. World number one Djokovic completed his first private stranglehold of all four Slams with victory at Roland Garros in 2016. Having clinched the 2018
NewsAFP NewsUncertainty over Serena fitness, Osaka form at Roland Garros
Serena Williams heads into this year's French Open as an outsider for a Grand Slam title for possibly the first time in 20 years, with questions surrounding her fitness after a poor start to the season, while Naomi Osaka looks to solidify her position at the top of the women's game with a third
NewsAFP NewsUS star Rapinoe takes aim at FIFA over final clash
United States star Megan Rapinoe hit out at world football's governing body FIFA on Friday, criticising "ridiculous" scheduling that will leave the Women's World Cup final clashing with the climax of two other continental championships. Speaking at a media event in New York ahead of
NewsAssociated PressCoach says 'Marta is still Marta' as World Cup nears
One of the best players in women's soccer history, Brazil's Marta has chased titles in every tournament with the national team since 2002.
NewsAssociated PressTiming right for France to make impression on big stage
France has an opportunity to translate dominance at the European club level to success on the World Cup stage.
NewsAssociated PressRapinoe kicks FIFA, says women's soccer not treated equally
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. star Megan Rapinoe gave FIFA some kicks two weeks ahead of the World Cup, maintaining the sport's top executives are not doing enough to close a huge gender disparity in investment.
NewsAssociated PressUS loses Under-20 World Cup opener 2-1 to Ukraine
Denys Popov scored on a header off a corner kick in the 51st minute, and Ukraine beat the United States 2-1 Friday at Bielsko Biala, Poland, in the Americans' opener at the Under-20 World Cup.
NewsAssociated PressSinclair says she's been waiting for this Canadian team
While Christine Sinclair edges closer to the all-time international goals record, her team will be chasing a title.
NewsAssociated PressUS faces greater challenges this time around at World Cup
The U.S. women's national team is well aware the rest of the world is catching up.
NewsAssociated PressTop-seeded Zverev to face Jarry in Geneva Open final
GENEVA (AP) — Alexander Zverev will seek his first title this season against 75th-ranked Nicolas Jarry in the Geneva Open final on Saturday.
NewsAssociated PressMessi: Barca must say sorry for Liverpool defeat
MADRID (AP) — Barcelona must apologize for its "lamentable" Champions League semifinal exit at the hands of Liverpool earlier this month, according to Lionel Messi.
NewsAFP NewsNeymar to arrive early in Brazil for Copa America
Star striker Neymar will join Brazil's Copa America squad for training Saturday, three days ahead of schedule, an official said Friday. "He will arrive tomorrow between 11:00 am and noon," (1400 GMT and 1500 GMT) Brazil football federation press officer Vinicius Rodrigues told reporters
NewsAFP News'Do fans in Baku not deserve it?' - UEFA chief Ceferin defends Europa League final
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has defended the decision to host the Europa League final in Baku in an interview with German news magazine Der Spiegel set to be published on Saturday. Chelsea and Arsenal are set to play in Baku on May 29, and UEFA has faced heavy criticism, both for the distance
NewsAFP NewsMessi backs Valverde but admits Barca are still hurting
Lionel Messi wants Ernesto Valverde to continue as Barcelona coach but admits the team have not recovered from their Champions League loss to Liverpool as they face Valencia in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday. After winning La Liga by 11 points, Barca can complete a domestic double by beating Valencia
NewsAssociated PressFIFA restoring 'corruption' to ethics code after criticism
LONDON (AP) — FIFA is restoring the offense of "corruption" to its code of ethics, almost one year after facing criticism over the symbolic removal of the term.
NewsAFP NewsArsenal, Chelsea return unsold Europa League final tickets
Arsenal and Chelsea have returned over half of their combined allocation of 12,000 tickets for next week's Europa League final due to the difficulty and great expense for fans travelling to Azerbaijan. Arsenal had initially complained over their small allocation, but confirmed to AFP that they have
NewsAssociated PressFederer relishes French Open return after 3-year absence
PARIS (AP) — When Roger Federer played his first match at Roland Garros the domestic currency was francs rather than euros, Steffi Graf was about to claim a sixth French Open title and few had heard of the young Swiss player who would go on to become a tennis great.
NewsAssociated PressKyrgios withdraws from French Open, citing illness
PARIS (AP) — After a tantrum in Italy last week, the 36th-ranked Nick Kyrgios withdrew from the French Open on Friday.
NewsAssociated PressPochettino's joke falls flat at Real Madrid
MADRID (AP) — Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino's comments about Real Madrid's lack of hospitality didn't go over too well in the Spanish capital.
NewsAFP NewsFormer youth football coach convicted on 45 counts of sexual abuse
A former youth football coach at Premier League side Southampton, Bob Higgins, was found guilty of 45 counts of indecent assault on young boys on Thursday. Police described Higgins as a "kingmaker" who used his position of power over the future careers of his young players to abuse them during
NewsAssociated PressPutintseva to play Zidansek in Nuremberg Cup final
NUREMBERG, Germany (AP) — Top-seeded Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan will face Slovenia's Tamara Zidansek in the Nuremberg Cup final on Saturday.