Arsenal forward Welbeck out nine months 3:35 PM GMT Mattias Karen Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck has been ruled out for nine months after suffering "significant cartilage damage" to his right knee. The news is a massive blow for Welbeck, who will miss this summer's European Championship and a large part of next season. The England international only returned to action in February this season … [Read more...]

West Ham vow life bans for bus attack fans London (AFP) – West Ham United on Wednesday vowed to ban for life any fans found to have taken part in an attack on the Manchester United team bus before their key Premier League game. The attacked marred West Ham’s 3-2 win over the English giants in the final match at the London club’s Boleyn Ground on Tuesday. The match was delayed for 45 minutes as … [Read more...]

Reformed Lafferty rivals Best in Northern Ireland history London (AFP) – Northern Ireland striker Kyle Lafferty’s approach to football was summed up when he was asked in a television interview who he wanted to play against at Euro 2016 “For me, if we get Argentina that would be unbelievable” he joked.  With the South Americans preparing for the Copa America, there was never any danger of … [Read more...]

Germany’s ‘100-million-euro-man’ Mueller Berlin (AFP) – Famously mistaken as a ball-boy by Diego Maradona after his Germany debut in 2010, Thomas Mueller will need no introduction at Euro 2016. Despite having earned 70 caps and scored 31 goals for Germany, Mueller is still only 26 and is a shoe-in for club or country whether as a winger, attacking midfielder or striker. He insists he is just an … [Read more...]

Bayern luring of Hummels set to weaken rivals Dortmund Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich’s dual signings of Renato Sanches and Mats Hummels on Tuesday managed to simultaneously strengthen their Champions League challenge while potentially weakening Borussia Dortmund for next season’s Bundesliga campaign. Eleven days before Bayern face Dortmund in the German Cup final in Berlin, the Bavarian giants … [Read more...]

Manchester United manager refuses to blame bus attack for top-four setback London (AFP) – Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal put on a brave face and refused to blame an attack on his team’s bus for the serious setback to his side’s Champions League hopes at West Ham United. Tuesday’s gripping 3-2 loss, which was preceded by the United team bus being pelted with cans and bottles outside the … [Read more...]

Spurs knew of Poch, Ferguson lunch - sources 8:37 PM GMT Dan Kilpatrick Tottenham were aware of Mauricio Pochettino's meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson on Tuesday, club sources have told ESPN FC. Photographs published by The Sun showed Pochettino and his assistant Jesus Perez leaving Scott's Restaurant in Mayfair with the former Manchester United manager, who is still a director and ambassador at … [Read more...]

Where’s the passion? China football boom missing key ingredient Guangzhou (AFP) – When Kin Chai was a boy in 1990s China, his rural school had no football team. Or pitch. Or even a ball. Instead, the children kicked an empty plastic jug around in the street. “It was a small village,” he said, “not that developed… we tried to put together village competitions, but the school didn’t have the … [Read more...]

Hodgson delays Euro 2016 squad announcement London (AFP) – England manager Roy Hodgson has announced he will delay naming his England squad for the European Championship until Monday. Hodgson was due to reveal his 23-man list for Euro 2016 at Wembley Stadium on Thursday, but he has decided to switch the announcement until May 16 following a meeting with the English FA and his coaching staff. … [Read more...]

Wayne Rooney fights to prove England worth London (AFP) – Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney is facing the biggest fight of his 13 year international career to hold onto his England place going into the European Championships. England’s talisman ever since he burst onto the scene as a preternaturally gifted 18-year-old at Euro 2004, Rooney has gone to five major tournaments as one of the … [Read more...]