Berlin, Germany | AFP | Bayern Munich said Friday they will appeal the two-match Champions League suspension handed to Thomas Mueller which means the Germany international will miss both legs of their last-16 tie against Liverpool. European football’s governing body UEFA handed Mueller a two-match ban on Friday following his sending-off in the 3-3 draw …
Read More »DNA request made in Cristiano Ronaldo rape case
Los Angeles, United States | AFP | Las Vegas police have asked football star Cristiano Ronaldo to submit a DNA sample as part of their investigation into rape allegations made against him. The five-time world player of the year — who plays for Italian league champions Juventus — has vehemently denied the accusations, and his …
Read More »From refugee camp to Bayern Munich – the remarkable Alphonso Davies
Doha, Qatar | AFP | Born in an African refugee camp, a Canadian international at 16 and now a Bayern Munich player aged just 18, Alphonso Davies’ life already reads like a movie script. “It’s like something out of a film,” admits Bob Lenarduzzi, president of the Vancouver Whitecaps, referring …
Read More »Andy Murray to retire, Australian Open could be last event
Melbourne, Australia | AFP | A tearful Andy Murray on Friday announced he would likely retire this year due to severe pain from a hip injury, saying next week’s Australian Open could be the last tournament of a glittering career. The former world number one and three-time Grand Slam winner …
Read More »Egypt in race against time to host Africa Cup of Nations
Cairo, Egypt | AFP | Chosen to host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt faces a race against time to get ready for the event in five months, but experts say it will meet the challenge. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Tuesday said it selected Egypt ahead …
Read More »Mourinho returns to football as BeIN television pundit
Paris, France | AFP | Jose Mourinho has secured his first job since being sacked as Manchester United coach after joining BeIN Sports as a pundit, the broadcaster announced on Thursday. ‘The Special One’ will be an analyst for Chelsea’s Premier League trip to Arsenal on January 19 as well …
Read More »No longer invincible, PSG in need of new faces as revived Man Utd loom
Paris, France | AFP | Paris Saint-Germain were seen as heavy favourites to beat Manchester United when the sides were drawn together in the last 16 of the Champions League less than a month ago, but fans of the French giants may not be so confident right now. While United fired Jose Mourinho in the …
Read More »Djokovic and Halep top seeds at Australian Open
Melbourne, Australia | AFP | World number ones Novak Djokovic and Simona Halep were named top seeds on Thursday for next week’s Australian Open, with 23-time major winner Serena Williams lurking at 16 on the women’s side. Djokovic heads long-time rival Rafael Nadal and defending champion Roger Federer, with young-gun …
Read More »Man City hit nine past Burton to cruise towards League Cup final
Manchester, United Kingdom | AFP | Holders Manchester City can look forward to defending the League Cup in next month’s final at Wembley as Gabriel Jesus struck four goals in a 9-0 thrashing of Burton Albion in their semi-final, first leg on Wednesday. Kevin de Bruyne, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Phil Foden, …
Read More »PSG stunned in League Cup quarters by struggling Guingamp
Paris, France | AFP | Paris Saint-Germain saw their 43-match winning run in domestic cup competitions come to an end as Thomas Tuchel’s men suffered a shock 2-1 home defeat by Ligue 1 bottom club Guingamp in the French League Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday. The visitors were awarded three penalties …
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