Pique says he likes to stir up Barca-Madrid rivalry
Barcelona, March 23 (IANS) FC Barcelona centre back Gerard Pique said he likes to stir up the rivalry between his team and arch-rivals Real Madrid. He admitted that he likes to fire up the fans…
Football
FIFA announces probe into Germanys 2006 World Cup bid
Zurich, March 23 (IANS) FIFAs investigatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee opened proceedings into Germanys bid for 2006 World Cup and six officials from the German Football Association (DFB), FIFA has said in its…
Man-U announces eight-day pre-season tour in China
Manchester, March 22 (IANS) English football club Manchester United will be returning to China for a pre-season summer tour, the club said in a statement on Tuesday. More than 107 million followers makes China the…
Barcelona midfielder Rakitic could be sidelined in Clasico
Madrid, March 22 (IANS) Barcelona’s Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic has sustained a calf injury that might prevent him from featuring in the upcoming La Liga Clasico against Real Madrid next April 2, Spanish soccer newspaper…
Return to Barcelona difficult: Fabregas
London, March 22 (IANS) English football champions Chelsea’s midfielder Cesc Fabregas says it would be very difficult for him to play for his former club Spanish champions FC Barcelona again. Asked how difficult it would…
Belgium football squad’s training suspended after Brussels bomb attacks
Brussels, March 22 (IANS) The Belgian football squad’s training was suspended as a result of the terrorist attacks that occurred on Tuesday morning at Brussels Airport and in the metro, killing about 28 people and…
Lampard backs Mourinho for Manchester United coaching job
New York, March 22 (IANS) Former Chelsea skipper Frank Lampard believes that his ex-coach Jose Mourinho would rise to the challenge at Manchester United, should the London football club turn to him to revive their…
Thierry Henry’s quick UEFA A licence attracts heavy criticism
London, March 22 (IANS) Arsenal legend Thierry Henry’s fast completion of the UEFA A license course has received severe criticism with some saying that the course is biased “towards a certain few”. The 1998 World…
Six teams compete for I-League promotion
Gangtok, March 22 (IANS) While the premier football clubs are on course to clinch the coveted I-League trophy, others are gearing up to book a berth in next season’s I-League. Come this Saturday, Second Division…
Defender Rugani replaces injured Barzagli in Italy squad
Rome, March 22 (IANS) Juventus defender Daniele Rugani has been called up to the Italy football squad to replace clubmate Andrea Barzagli. Barzagli pulled-out of the squad on Monday, as hes suffering from a muscle…
Rashford can be future Man United great: Mata
Manchester, March 22 (IANS) Manchester United striker Juan Mata believes that teammate and teen sensation Marcus Rashford is “a great player in the making”. The 18-year-old footballer once again stole the show on Sunday after…
Italy coach Conte says Spain a favourite to win Euro 2016
Rome, March 22 (IANS) Italy football team head coach Antonio Conte has said that Spain are one of the favorites to win Euro 2016. The Italian coach on Monday delivered his statement after his squad…
Unusual to return to Spain squad when you are 35: Striker Aduriz
Madrid, March 22 (IANS) Athletic Bilbao striker Aritz Aduriz has admitted that returning back to the Spain football squad at the age of 35 is unusual. At a press conference held on Monday, Aduriz said:…
Zambia’s football chief concedes defeat in election
Lusaka, March 22 (IANS) The head of Zambia’s football governing body Kalusha Bwalya has conceded defeat and congratulated the winner of the election. Bwalya lost to business executive Andrew Kamanga in the Football Association of…
India denied use of football match venue in Iran
Tehran, March 22 (IANS) The Indian football squad which will play Iran in a 2018 World Cup qualifier at the majestic Azadi Stadium here on Thursday has been denied the match venue for training purposes….
Brazil’s Augusto, Gil sing praises of Chinese football
Rio de Janeiro, March 22 (IANS) Renato Augusto and Gil have praised the quality of football in China, predicting more top Brazilian players will follow their footsteps by joining Chinese clubs in the near future….
Ajax coach suffers rupture in Achilles tendon during training
Amsterdam, March 22 (IANS) Dutch football great and AFC Ajax’s head coach Frank de Boer has suffered a torn Achilles tendon in his right leg, while playing a “foot volley” game in training here. The…
Uncapped Argentine striker for World Cup qualifiers
Buenos Aires, March 22 (IANS) Argentine coach Gerardo Martino has called up uncapped Lanus striker Lautaro Acosta for his team’s World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia. The 28-year-old former Sevilla player is so far…
Euro 2016: President Hollande favours retaining Benzema from French squad
Paris, March 21 (IANS) French Football Federation (FFF) president Noel Le Graet said on Monday that President Francois Hollande is against the exclusion of striker Karim Benzema from playing in Euro 2016. Hollande’s position in…
Chelsea will fight till end: Midfielder Loftus-Cheek
London, March 21 (IANS) Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek has insisted that they will battle until the end of the football season to try to collect as many points as possible in the English Premier League…