Manchester City meet Chelsea in a hugely anticipated FA Cup semi-final showdown this weekend, the two favourites for the competition meeting in the last four at Wembley. Both sides have been in impressive form in recent weeks with City on course for a third Premier League crown in just four seasons under Pep Guardiola, whilst…
Kamara ‘vindicated’ after Slavia’s Kudela handed 10-match ban for racism
Paris (AFP) – Rangers said Glen Kamara had been vindicated after UEFA banned Slavia Prague defender Ondrej Kudela for 10 European matches on Wednesday for racially abusing the Finnish midfielder in a Europa League match. Kamara has been suspended for three matches in UEFA club competitions for an “assault” on Kudela that reportedly took place…
Tuchel to make a late call over Kante fitness as he explains the ‘downside’ of his early return
Thomas Tuchel is set to make a late call over the fitness of N’Golo Kante ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League quarter-final second-leg against Porto. The midfield dynamo picked up a hamstring complaint while on international duty with France, forcing him to miss Chelsea‘s shock 5-2 defeat to West Brom, with him not being expected to…
Mbappe strikes as PSG keep pressure on Lille
Paris (AFP) – Kylian Mbappe’s goal set Paris Saint-Germain on their way to a 4-1 win at Strasbourg on Saturday as Mauricio Pochettino’s side moved back to within three points of leaders Lille in the Ligue 1 title race. Pablo Sarabia and Moise Kean also scored in the first half while Leandro Paredes netted the…
Lille trace unlikely path towards French title
Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain have claimed statement wins in Barcelona and Munich in the Champions League while leaving the door unlocked at home, giving Lille the chance of a first Ligue 1 title in a decade. Lille stunned PSG in the capital last weekend, winning 1-0 to go three points clear of the reigning…
Dublin Euro 2020 games in doubt over lack of fan guarantees
Dublin (AFP) – Euro 2020 matches in Dublin are in doubt after Irish football chiefs said they were unable to give UEFA assurances on minimum spectator levels. The Irish capital was one of 12 cities that had until Wednesday to submit their plans to admit fans to European football’s governing body for the delayed tournament,…
Italy gives OK for fans at Euro 2020 matches in Rome
Rome (AFP) – The Italian government has given the green light for fans to attend Euro 2020 matches scheduled for Rome’s Stadio Olimpico, including the tournament’s curtain raiser, the country’s football federation said on Tuesday. Rome is set to host the opening fixture for the delayed multi-host nation Euro, between Turkey and Italy in Group…
Henrik Larsson’s best goals for Barcelona
Henrik Larsson is a bonafide legend at Celtic, a footballer who cemented himself as one of the club’s greatest ever footballers during an unforgettable spell in Scotland. Larsson signed for Celtic from Feyenoord and became an instant favourite of the club’s support, spending eight seasons in Glasgow and scoring a staggering 242 goals in just…
Real Madrid see off Eibar ahead of Liverpool and Barca tests
Madrid (AFP) – A patched-up Real Madrid began a crucial week by beating Eibar 2-0 on Saturday to increase the pressure on Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga. With Liverpool to come in the Champions League on Tuesday and a Clasico against Barcelona next weekend, Madrid welcomed a comfortable win thanks to goals…
North Macedonia hails ‘Miracle of Duisburg’ after Germany win
Skopje (Republic of North Macedonia) (AFP) – North Macedonians on Thursday were revelling in their football team’s remarkable victory over Germany, dubbed “the Miracle of Duisburg”, in World Cup qualifying. Goals from veteran striker Goran Pandev and Napoli’s Eljif Elmas helped North Macedonia inflict only a third ever World Cup qualifying loss on Germany, and…