Milan (AFP) – Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic confirmed Monday he was leaving AC Milan at the end of his six-month contract. The 35-year-old former Juventus and Bayern Munich player joined the club last January as cover for Zlatan Ibrahimovic but made just 11 appearances because of muscular problems and scored no goals. “It was a…
Kruse fires Union into Europa Conference play-offs… after rubbishing it
Berlin (AFP) – Union Berlin striker Max Kruse stands by his criticism of the Europa Conference League, even after his winning goal on Saturday qualified his Bundesliga side for the play-offs of next season’s new club competition. Kruse headed a last-gasp goal to seal a 2-1 win at home to Bundesliga runners-up RB Leipzig on…
Infantino wants overhaul of FIFA calendar
Lausanne (AFP) – FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Friday called for an overhaul of the international football calendar beyond 2024, insisting on a requirement to start with a “blank sheet of paper”. “Let me be very clear: the starting point is not ‘the calendar is full and so nothing changes’,” he told the 71st FIFA…
Maradona’s medical team face manslaughter probe over star’s death: source
Buenos Aires (AFP) – Seven people have been placed under formal investigation for manslaughter in Argentina over the death last year of footballing legend Diego Maradona, AFP has learned from a judicial source. The accused — who include Maradona’s neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov and psychologist Carlos Diaz — potentially face between eight and…
Joel Glazer to join Man Utd fans’ forum for first time
London (AFP) – Manchester United co-chairman Joel Glazer said he is hoping for a “new era of positive dialogue” with supporters after agreeing to attend his first fans’ forum. The Glazer family have been deeply unpopular since their leveraged takeover of the Red Devils in 2005. Anger towards the Americans was reignited last month by…
Sweden turn to Jordan Larsson without injured Ibrahimovic for Euro 2020
Stockholm (AFP) – Sweden coach Janne Andersson named Henrik Larsson’s son Jordan in his squad for Euro 2020 on Tuesday, with veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic ruled out of the tournament with a knee injury. Spartak Moscow forward Jordan Larsson, 23, has made only five international appearances but joins fellow youngsters Dejan Kulusevski and Alexander Isak…
Icon: Marco van Basten’s best goals for Ajax
Marco van Basten was one of the world’s finest footballers at his glorious peak, the elegant goalscoring spearhead of Ajax, AC Milan and the Dutch national side. Van Basten was as complete a centre-forward as football can remember, capable of spectacular goals off either foot and a forward who put the glorious finishing touches to…
Liverpool keeper Alisson scores winner at West Brom
West Bromwich (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker scored a 95th minute winner as the Reds beat West Brom 2-1 on Sunday to keep a place in next season’s Champions League in their own hands. Jurgen Klopp’s men would have needed favours from Leicester and Chelsea in their final two games of the…
‘Bomber’ Mueller remains legend to Lewandowski and Bayern
Berlin (AFP) – Gerd Mueller remains one of football’s greatest strikers of all time, even after Robert Lewandowski equalled his 49-year-old Bundesliga record of 40 goals in one season, a landmark which many thought would never be matched. Lewandowski wouldn’t have it any other way. “What Gerd Mueller did is incredible. Sharing the record with…
Dani Alves rejoins Brazil for World Cup qualifiers
Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Brazil coach Tite recalled 38-year-old veteran Dani Alves on Friday for their World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay on June 4 and 8. It will be the first international appearance since October 2019 for the Sao Paulo wide player, who was named player of the tournament when Brazil won…