Southgate defends decision to go public on White’s absence
LONDON: Gareth Southgate said he went public about Ben White’s decision to make himself unavailable for England duty this month as he would have no credibility left as a manager if people believed he overlooked the in-form Arsenal defender. White was not part of the England squad announced on Thursday for friendlies against Brazil and […]
Griezmann back as Atletico face Inter challenge in crunch week
MADRID: Atletico Madrid host Champions League runners-up Inter Milan on Wednesday boosted by key player Antoine Griezmann’s likely return from injury. Diego Simeone’s side stumbled 1-0 in Milan in February in the last 16 first leg clash, with Griezmann spraining his ankle at the San Siro. The French forward missed four games since, of which […]
Bellingham hits out at ‘ridiculous’ two-game ban
MADRID: Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham said his two-match ban for dissent is “ridiculous” and that he is being made an example of as a newer player in LaLiga. The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) suspended the 20-year-old for showing contempt towards referee Jesus Gil Manzano after receiving a red card in Real’s 2-2 league draw […]
Can Pakistan prepare NT for World Cup qualifier in 2 weeks?
KARACHI: The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Normalisation Committee (NC) has not been able to confirm the dates of the national camp even though there are less than 15 days left for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Asian Cup finalists Jordan. The tie is scheduled to take place at Islamabad’s Jinnah Stadium on […]
Messi’s promised Barca contract, on a napkin, up for auction
NEW YORK: To the untrained eye, it might look like just another used napkin. But the serviette, expected to fetch up to $635,000, was actually soccer legend Lionel Messi’s springboard to greatness at FC Barcelona, and records the promise of a contract made to him at the tender age of 13. The napkin has gone […]
Arsenal hit Sheff Utd for six to set record scoring streak
SHEFFIELD: Arsenal entered the record books as a 6-0 demolition of Sheffield United on Monday kept the Gunners on Liverpool and Manchester City’s tails in the Premier League title race. Martin Odegaard, Jayden Bogle’s own goal, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Declan Rice put the visitors 5-0 at half-time before Ben White rounded off the […]
Pochettino feels unloved by Chelsea’s frustrated fans
LONDON: Mauricio Pochettino admitted he feels unloved at Chelsea after frustrated fans called for his sacking during Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Brentford. Pochettino’s side led through a Nicolas Jackson header, but were pegged back by Mads Roerslev’s close-range strike after half-time. Shortly after Yoane Wissa put Brentford ahead with a spectacular overhead kick, Chelsea supporters […]
West Ham sink Brentford to end barren run
LONDON: Jarrod Bowen ended his goal drought with a hat-trick as West Ham beat struggling Brentford 4-2 to secure their first win in nine games on Monday. Bowen hadn’t scored in the Premier League since December 23, but the England forward got back on track with a stylish treble at the London Stadium. The 27-year-old […]
Klopp ranks League Cup glory as his ‘most special’ trophy
LONDON: Jurgen Klopp hailed Liverpool’s League Cup final triumph against Chelsea as the “most special” trophy of his career as the German learned he can win with kids. Virgil van Dijk clinched Liverpool’s 1-0 win with a dramatic header two minutes from the end of extra-time at Wembley on Sunday. Liverpool’s victory was especially sweet […]
Foden strikes as title chasing Man City beat Bournemouth
BOURNEMOUTH: Phil Foden fired Manchester City to a 1-0 win against Bournemouth as the Premier League title chasers moved within one point of leaders Liverpool on Saturday. With Liverpool in League Cup final action against Chelsea on Sunday, City took advantage to close the gap in their game in hand on Jurgen Klopp’s side. Foden […]