Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini says a major reshuffle of his squad is not needed in the January transfer window as they firmly sit on top of the Serie A table. Last season Inter had to alter their tactics after the club signed wingers Xherdan Shaqiri and Lukas Podolski in the January transfer window. “I […]
LONDON (Reuters) – More than one billion television viewers watched last year’s soccer World Cup final between Germany and Argentina in Brazil although audience figures for the tournament were slightly down because of adverse kickoff times, according to a FIFA report on Wednesday. The report, produced by Kantar Media, said 695 million people watched at […]
OSAKA (Reuters) – South American champions River Plate overcame their anxiety to reach the Club World Cup final with a jittery 1-0 win over Sanfrecce Hiroshima on Wednesday, keeping alive the dream of a meeting with Barcelona. River did not really look like scoring until Hiroshima goalkeeper Takuto Hayashi failed to clear Leonardo Ponzio’s free […]
PARIS (Reuters) – Suspended European soccer chief Michel Platini will not attend Friday’s FIFA ethics committee hearing in protest at what he condemns as a political process designed to prevent him running to lead the world governing body, his lawyers said on Wednesday. Platini was provisionally suspended for 90 days on Oct. 8, alongside outgoing […]
LONDON (Reuters) – Manchester City could have striker Sergio Aguero available for Monday’s Premier League clash with Arsenal after the Argentine returned to full training following a heel injury. Aguero limped off against Southampton last month and has missed the club’s last four games. City’s website (www.mcfc.com) said Aguero played a full part in Wednesday’s […]
SOFIA (Reuters) – Litex Lovech have been expelled from the Bulgarian league after the players walked off the pitch in protest at refereeing decisions in Saturday’s match against Levski Sofia, the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) said. “It was the only possible decision according to (the BFU’s) disciplinary rules,” the union’s disciplinary commission chairman Yuri Kuchev […]
ZURICH (Reuters) – German prosecutors have asked Switzerland, home country of soccer world governing body FIFA, to help look into a suspicious payment linked to Germany’s hosting of the 2006 World Cup, including by sifting through bank data. The Frankfurt state prosecutor has sought legal assistance over a 6.7 million euro ($7.3 million) transfer from […]
OSAKA (Reuters) – Barcelona defender Gerard Pique made all the right noises about the Club World Cup on Wednesday, describing the tournament as enjoyable and prestigious, ahead of their semi-final against China’s Guangzhou Evergrande. Pique also warned that the Asian champions, coached by Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari, may try to disrupt Barcelona’s game with tactical fouling […]
REUTERS – Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez, who has reportedly caught the attention of several clubs across Europe after his strong performances in the first half of the season, has ruled out a move away from the Foxes during the January transfer window. The 24-year-old, who joined Leicester from Ligue 2 club Le Havre in […]
NEW YORK (Reuters) – United States will begin the New Year with two friendlies in Carson, California against Euro 2016 finalists Iceland and neighbours Canada. Following the team’s annual training camp, the Americans are to play Iceland on Jan. 31 and Canada on Feb. 5, the U.S. Soccer Federation said on Tuesday. Iceland qualified for […]
REUTERS – A tax fraud case involving Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and his father Jorge should be dropped because of errors in the investigation and court proceedings, their lawyers said on Wednesday. The pair are accused of defrauding the Spanish state of 4.2 million euros ($4.589 million) in tax from 2007 to 2009 and a […]
(Reuters) – Aston Villa face a series of games against three other clubs down at the bottom end of the Premier League over the Christmas period with manager Remi Garde calling them “must-win” games. Bottom club Villa are without a league win for 15 games and Garde knows that dismal run must end over the […]
