Departing Ibrahimovic hoping to sign off with French Cup Paris (AFP) – Zlatan Ibrahimovic will aim to lift one final trophy as the curtain comes down on his record-shattering Paris Saint-Germain career in Saturday’s French Cup final against bitter rivals Marseille. Ibrahimovic, who obliterated Pauleta’s club goals record earlier this season and now stands on 154 from 179 games, announced he will … [Read more...]

Football League proposal met with backlash 8:39 PM GMT Bradford's joint chairman Mark Lawn has branded the Football League's proposals to introduce a fifth division to the English professional ranks as "ridiculous." The league wants to create four divisions of 20 teams below the Premier League in time for the 2019-20 season, increasing the number of professional clubs in England from 92 to 100, … [Read more...]

France to guarantee security at Euro 2016: minister Brussels (AFP) – French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault vowed Thursday that France will provide security at this summer’s Euro 2016 football tournament “with all our strength”. Ayrault spoke in a response to a question about the EgyptAir flight from Paris to Cairo that crashed inexplicably carrying 66 people. “We are committed with all our … [Read more...]

Wembley win would lift United, says van Gaal Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Louis van Gaal claims victory over Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final on Saturday would restore Manchester United’s pride after a turbulent season. United have struggled to live up to their potential under van Gaal and failed to qualify for next season’s Champions League after finishing fifth in the Premier League. … [Read more...]

Sevilla steamroller highlights Spain’s weight in Europe Madrid (AFP) – Sevilla’s rout of Liverpool in the Europa League final is a new sign of which country rules the continent’s football and a powerful warning to Barcelona ahead of their kings of Spain clash. Coke’s double in the 3-1 win in Basel highlighted the value of the Spanish system of turning home talent into title winners. And … [Read more...]

Leicester seek royal blessing on Thai tour Bangkok (AFP) – Newly crowned English Premier League champions Leicester City received a royal seal of approval at Bangkok’s Grand Palace Thursday, with the team kneeling en masse in front of a portrait of the king alongside their new trophy. The Thai-owned East Midlands team is currently visiting the football-mad Southeast Asian nation as part of a … [Read more...]

Basel loss will hit Klopp’s Liverpool recruitment: McManaman London (AFP) – Liverpool’s failure to qualify for the Champions League will make it harder for manager Jurgen Klopp to attract leading players to the club, according to former Anfield favourite Steve McManaman. Liverpool could have secured a return to Europe’s top competition by beating Sevilla in Wednesday’s Europa League final in … [Read more...]

Villa to be ‘most famous club in China’ after $87m swoop London (AFP) – Aston Villa revealed ambitions to become the most popular team in China after Harvard-educated businessman Tony Jiantong Xia snapped up the relegated club for a reported $87 million. The “Villains” crashed out of England’s Premier League after winning only three times this season, but they will have their fingers crossed for … [Read more...]

Aubameyang to snub Van Gaal's Man United? 10:42 PM GMT Jack Rathborn The summer transfer window will be opening before you know it, and rumours around the world are picking up steam. As always, Transfer Talk has its finger on the pulse when it comes to the latest gossip. See the latest deals here. TOP STORY: United fear Van Gaal will drive Aubameyang away Manchester United's decision on … [Read more...]

Leicester owners shoot for Thai World Cup entry Bangkok (AFP) – Leicester City’s billionaire owners say they hope to use the Premier League winners to nurture young football talent with the aim of Thailand qualifying for the World Cup within a decade. The newly crowned English champions are on a celebratory post-season tour of Thailand, home of publicity-shy billionaire Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha … [Read more...]