Roberto Martinez hails Belgium as ‘one of world’s best’ Brussels (AFP) – Roberto Martinez expressed his delight on Thursday after being named as the new head coach of the Belgium national team. The Spaniard was chosen as the successor to Marc Wilmots on Wednesday, after the former Belgium midfielder was sacked following the side’s 3-1 defeat to Wales in the quarter-finals of Euro 2016. That loss … [Read more...]

‘Trust us’ Rodgers urges nervy Celtic fans after Astana win Glasgow (AFP) – Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has urged supporters to be patient after they needed a stoppage time penalty to edge past FC Astana in their Champions League third round qualifier. The Hoops earned a 2-1 win thanks to a penalty from Moussa Dembele with the game on the verge of extra time after Leigh Griffiths’ first-half … [Read more...]

Coverage plans for France’s Ligue 1 season opening weekend on US TV The French Super Cup, known as the Trophée des Champions, will mark the opening of the new French Ligue 1 season this weekend. In the United States, beIN SPORTS own the exclusive rights for Ligue 1 as well as both French domestic Cup competitions Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue. Here is a rundown of the US TV coverage for … [Read more...]

Bayern finish US tour with defeat to Real East Rutherford (United States) (AFP) – Bayern Munich finished their tour of the USA with a 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid after a stunning Danilo strike sealed the European champions’ friendly victory in New Jersey. In front of 82,012 fans at the MetLife-Stadium, the home of NFL sides the New York Jets and New York Giants, full-back Danilo hit the winning … [Read more...]

Maradona says Bauza has the right stuff Buenos Aires (AFP) – Diego Maradona has hailed the new Argentina coach Edgardo “Paton” Bauza as a man with a record of sacrificing everything for national glory. Bauza, 58, was appointed Argentina coach on Monday after the departure of Gerardo Martino, who left after disappointing defeats in the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Copa America finals. “I’ll never … [Read more...]

Empty feeling as Brazil, USA women off to winning start Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Hosts Brazil and world champions the United States got off to winning starts in the Olympics women’s football tournament although the competition met with a lukewarm response from fans. Brazil comfortably saw off the challenge of China 3-0 at the Olympic stadium in Rio thanks to goals from Monica, Andressa Alves and … [Read more...]

‘Better than Neymar’ Marta dazzles Brazil football fans Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – They share similar heavy burdens of expectation, but Brazil women’s coach Vadao insists there is no battle between star footballers Marta and Neymar to be the country’s darling of the 2016 Rio Olympics. Five-time World Player of the Year Marta was in sensational form as Brazil’s women got off to a perfect start on the … [Read more...]

‘Rafalution’ gives Newcastle hope, Di Matteo rebuilds Villa London (AFP) – Rafael Benitez and Roberto Di Matteo have no regrets about swapping the gilded life of the European elite for the Championship’s war of attrition as they prepare to slug it out in the race for promotion from England’s second tier. Just 12 months ago, Benitez was preparing Real Madrid for another assault on the major … [Read more...]

TV coverage plans for opening weekend of Championship season this weekend The 2016/17 season of the Championship kicks off in England this weekend, and beIN SPORTS has you covered as the exclusive rightsholder. In total, four games this weekend will be shown live across the beIN SPORTS networks. While the opening weekend has 4 Championship matches, expect the number of televised games to … [Read more...]

5 reasons Toronto FC are MLS Cup pretenders Toronto FC may sit in third place in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference – tied with two other teams on 30 points – but the Reds have shown a history of up and down performances. As much as time changes, things seem to stay the same for the Reds. This season, the team has compiled 30 points from 21 matches, but fans and the team should be worried … [Read more...]