Wenger to spend 'big' on the right player 8:55 PM GMT Mattias Karen LENS, France -- Arsene Wenger insists Arsenal still plan on spending "big money" this transfer window, if he can find the right player. The Gunners have only made one major signing so far this summer by bringing in Granit Xhaka in a deal worth around £30 million, and Wenger is still searching for that elusive … [Read more...]

Ronaldo opens own “CR7” hotel, gives name to airport Funchal (Portugal) (AFP) – Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo inaugurated his own hotel on Friday called “CR7” after his initials and shirt number, while the airport on his home island of Funchal was renamed in his honour. Just two weeks after leading Portugal to the Euro 2016 title in France, the national team skipper appeared on a terrace of … [Read more...]

Three candidates to succeed Platini as UEFA chief Paris (AFP) – Three candidates to succeed the disgraced Michel Platini as president of UEFA made the shortlist on Friday for the vote to take place in Athens on September 14. The three are Slovenia’s Aleksander Ceferin, Michael van Praag of the Netherlands and Spain’s Angel Maria Villar. Spanish football federation chief Villar, 66, is currently … [Read more...]

Season Preview: FPL - You are ON THE AIR The time has come once more, fellow fantasy managers, to put our brains to the test. The official FPL game for the new season has launched this week and we have a chance once again to chase football glory. There are many versions of fantasy Premier League on offer and I enjoy playing every one of them, but this one, for me, is the granddaddy of them all. I … [Read more...]

Bruce resigns as Hull manager - sources 12:43 PM GMT Peter O'Rourke Steve Bruce has resigned as Hull City manager, sources close to the manager have told ESPN FC. Bruce led the Tigers back into the Premier League last season with victory over Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship playoff final after relegation to the Championship in 2015, but his future has been the subject of speculation all … [Read more...]

Allardyce: Prem is holding England back 6:06 AM GMT Sam Allardyce has said that England are being held back by the Premier League ahead of his expected appointment in charge of the national side this week. Allardyce, who is set to be made England manager, made the claim in an extract from a new book about the national team, "Fifty Years of Hurt," serialised in The Times. The Sunderland boss was … [Read more...]

Demba Ba surgeon confident striker will play again Shanghai (AFP) – Demba Ba’s surgeon arrived in Shanghai and declared he was confident the former Chelsea striker would return to competitive football. French orthopaedic surgeon Olivier Bringer touched down in the Chinese megacity late Thursday and immediately went to Putuo District People’s Hospital where the Senegalese striker has been treated … [Read more...]

Italian mayor apologises for racism towards football star Keita Milan (AFP) – Keita Balde has been offered apologies by the mayor of Padova after the Lazio striker fell victim to racist monkey chants during a pre-season friendly on Wednesday. Keita, a Senegalese born in Spain, is one of several black players in Italy’s Serie A to have faced racist abuse in the past. On Wednesday, there were … [Read more...]

Chinese group completes Wolves takeover London (AFP) – Chinese group Fosun International completed their takeover of English Championship club Wolves for an estimated £45 million ($59 million, 53 million euros on Thursday. Fosun, one of the largest investment groups in China, are the latest Asian consortium to snap up an English club as they look to cash in on the huge financial rewards on offer … [Read more...]

Allardyce set for England job confirms FA chairman Dyke London (AFP) – Football Association chairman Greg Dyke has confirmed Sam Allardyce will be hired as England’s next manager at an FA board meeting at Wembley on Thursday. Allardyce has been selected by a three-man panel who decided the Sunderland boss was the best bet on a short-list that also included Hull manager Steve Bruce, Bournemouth … [Read more...]