Gaza travel ban delays Palestinian Cup final Hebron (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – The final leg of Palestinian football’s biggest cup was postponed on Saturday after Israel prevented players from Gaza travelling to the West Bank for the fixture, football authorities said. Israel refused to let six players and the coach of Shabab Khan Yunis cross its territory to the West Bank for the … [Read more...]

Atletico sign Kevin Gameiro from Sevilla Madrid (AFP) – Atletico Madrid signed French forward Kevin Gameiro from fellow La Liga side Sevilla on Saturday, the Champions League runners-up announced. Atletico have brought in Gameiro on a four-year deal, and he will join up with compatriot Antoine Griezmann in attack. The 29-year-old joined Sevilla from Paris Saint-Germain in 2013 and was part of … [Read more...]

Germans still disputing England 1966 World Cup final goal Hamburg (AFP) – Fifty years after THAT goal at Wembley, West Germany captain Uwe Seeler still insists England’s Geoff Hurst’s controversial shot never crossed the line in the 1966 World Cup final. Hurst’s second goal in the 101st minute of extra time — which put England 3-2 ahead after the match had finished 2-2 over 90 minutes — is … [Read more...]

1966 World Cup still stirs English senses, 50 years on Paris (AFP) – This Saturday marks 50 years since English football’s finest hour, when Alf Ramsey’s side beat West Germany 4-2 in an incident-packed 1966 World Cup final at Wembley. It was England’s first and only World Cup triumph and, not surprisingly, is still recalled with passion and fondness. The late Bobby Moore lifted the trophy, … [Read more...]

Leon Britton is planning for the future while playing a key role for Swansea City While Swansea City was on their US tour this month, World Soccer Talk had a chance to speak with Swansea City legend Leon Britton to discuss his future at the club. Last season, the gifted midfielder began the season with a focus on helping train Swansea’s u14 academy team. While the u14’s showed lots of promise, … [Read more...]

Di Matteo resigned to Gana joining Everton London (AFP) – Aston Villa manager Roberto di Matteo has said he expects Idrissa Gana to join Everton after the Premier League club triggered a £7.1 million ($9.4 million, 8.4 million euros) release clause in the Senegal midfielder’s contract. The clause expires at the end of the transfer window but Everton are the only club to have so far launched an … [Read more...]

Bastian Schweinsteiger retires from Germany duty Berlin (AFP) – Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger on Friday announced his retirement from international duty with immediate effect. The 31-year-old Manchester United midfielder won his 120th cap in Germany’s 2-0 defeat to France in the semi-finals of Euro 2016. He announced the news on his official Twitter account. The post Bastian … [Read more...]

Juventus boss Allegri ‘can’t wait’ to work with new boy Higuain Hong Kong (AFP) – Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri says he can’t wait to start working with his 90 million euro man Gonzalo Higuain but warned the striker not to come to Turin expecting his place in the side is assured. “It will not be easy for us to win the championship again,” said Allegri, whose team are going for a sixth … [Read more...]

La Liga scraps late Saturday kickoffs to offer EPL alternative to Asian market La Liga President Javier Tebas has confirmed a major change in kickoff times for the upcoming 2016-17 season. The league is eliminating the 22:00 local time kickoff (4:00pm ET) on Saturday’s and introducing a new 13:00 local time Saturday match (7:00am ET). Heads of La Liga are open about the reason for the new … [Read more...]

Argentine FA hope for Messi international U-turn Buenos Aires (AFP) – The acting head of Argentina’s FA, Armando Perez, will travel to Spain to try and convince star striker Lionel Messi to reconsider his international retirement, according to reports in Argentina on Thursday. “I spoke with Leo’s father, we have agreed to meet next week,” said Perez, in quotes published by Argentine sports daily … [Read more...]