Season comes full circle as Barca, Sevilla seek doubles Madrid (AFP) – Newly-crowned Spanish champions Barcelona face Sevilla, fresh from winning their third consecutive Europa League, as both seek more glory in the Spanish Cup final on Sunday. Another successful campaign for both sides will end as it began after Barca edged Sevilla 5-4 after extra-time in a thrilling season-opening European … [Read more...]

Griezmann one of the world’s top three – Simeone Madrid (AFP) – Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone hailed star forward Antoine Griezmann as “one of the best three players in the world” as Atletico prepare to face local rivals Real Madrid in next Saturday’s Champions League final. Griezmann has enjoyed his best ever goal-scoring season with 32 goals in all competitions. However, the French … [Read more...]

Barcelona agree reported record Nike deal Barcelona (AFP) – Barcelona agreed a “long-term” contract extension with American sportswear giants Nike on Saturday, which will reportedly see the Catalan club surpass Manchester United with the most lucrative kit-sponsorship deal in the world. Barca said the details of the deal will be revealed and ratified at the club’s next general assembly. Catalan … [Read more...]

Mazzarri confirmed as new Watford boss 8:14 AM GMT Watford have announced that former Inter Milan and Napoli manager Walter Mazzarri will take over as head coach on July 1. Mazzarri will succeed Quique Sanchez Flores as boss at the Premier League side after the Spaniard parted company with the club at the end of the 2015-16 season. OFFICIAL: #watfordfc confirms it has reached agreement with … [Read more...]

England’s Kane and Vardy hope for Turkey chance London (AFP) – Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane hopes to get an opportunity to partner Jamie Vardy when England tackle Turkey on Sunday in the first of their three Euro 2016 warm-up matches. Kane’s 25 Premier League goals earned him the Golden Boot, with Vardy finishing the campaign one goal behind after inspiring Leicester City to their … [Read more...]

Ex-France star Ginola improving after quadruple heart bypass Monaco (AFP) – Former French international star David Ginola was described as “awake and improving” after undergoing a quadruple heart bypass on Friday, Professor Gilles Dreyfus, who carried out the operation, told AFP. “He was very lucky,” Dreyfus said, on hearing that French pop star Matt Pokora, a renowned amateur footballer … [Read more...]

Spanish judge allows Catalan separatist flags at Madrid cup final Madrid (AFP) – A Spanish judge on Friday overturned a controversial ban on Barcelona fans flying Catalan separatist flags at Sunday’s Copa del Rey final against Sevilla in Madrid. The Madrid authorities had told Barcelona on Wednesday that the Estelada independence flags could not be flown at the Vicente Calderon stadium, the home … [Read more...]

FIFA seeks two-year ban for Niersbach over Germany’s 2006 bid Zurich (AFP) – FIFA’s ethics committee on Friday recommended a two-year ban from all football activities for Wolfgang Niersbach, former president of the German Football Association (DFB), over an alleged corruption scandal around the right to host the 2006 World Cup. FIFA’s adjudicatory chamber said they had received a final report … [Read more...]

Valencia’s Asian boss admits cultural differences Singapore (AFP) – Asian ownership of European football clubs can be tough because of cultural differences, Valencia’s Singaporean president said on Friday after a turbulent period at the Mestalla Stadium. Chan Lay Hoon, who was brought in by Valencia’s billionaire owner Peter Lim, said she had had a tough first season at the club marked by the … [Read more...]

Sturridge hopeful of England role at Euros 7:20 AM GMT Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge believes he is good enough to be in Roy Hodgson's England starting XI at Euro 2016. Sturridge, 26, faces competition from fellow forwards Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Wayne Rooney and Jamie Vardy after being named in the provisional 26-man squad. The former Chelsea player has overcome fitness problems this … [Read more...]