Japanese Women’s World Cup star Kumi Yokoyama has come out as a transgender man — one of the few athletes to do so in a country where LGBTQ rights lag behind other developed nations. Yokoyama, who represented Japan at the 2019 Women’s World Cup and currently plays for National Women’s Soccer League side Washington Spirit, […]
FBL
Forward Joao Felix out of Portugal v Germany Euro 2020 clash
Portugal forward Joao Felix has been ruled out of the Euro 2020 match against Germany on Saturday because of muscle pain, the Portuguese football federation said. The Atletico Madrid man, who was an unused substitute in his country’s 3-0 opening win against Hungary, had trained normally on the eve of the game in Munich. A […]
FIFA sanctions Mexico for homophobic chant
Mexico will play two home games in empty stadiums after they were sanctioned and fined by the FIFA disciplinary commission for homophobic chants, the Mexican football federation said Friday. “We have received a sanction from FIFA for the shouts heard during the CONCACAF qualifying tournament for the Olympic Games,” federation president Yon de Luisa told […]
Serial scorer Malango could be Raja Casablanca’s trump card
Prolific Raja Casablanca scorer Ben Malango looms as a huge threat to Pyramids when the clubs meet on Sunday in a CAF Confederation Cup semi-final first leg in Egypt. The Democratic Republic of Congo-born forward is in top form, bagging three of the five Raja goals in a quarter-finals demolition of South African side Orlando […]
England held by Scotland at Euro 2020 as Croatia face battle to qualify
Lacklustre England were denied an early ticket into the Euro 2020 last 16 on Friday as Scotland held their historic rivals to a goalless draw while World Cup finalists Croatia face an uphill task to progress. Elsewhere, Sweden took a step towards the next round with a 1-0 win over Slovakia and Denmark midfielder Christian […]
Germany under pressure against Portugal, France and Spain in Euro 2020 action
Germany are under fierce pressure going into a crucial Euro 2020 game against Portugal on Saturday as world champions France look to clinch a place in the last 16 and Spain chase a first win. After their failure to make it beyond the group phase at the 2018 World Cup, Joachim Loew’s Germany lost 1-0 […]
Emotional Ramos says goodbye to Real Madrid
Sergio Ramos broke down in tears, saying leaving Real Madrid was one of the most difficult moments of his life as he bid farewell on Thursday after 16 years at the club. The defender played 671 games for Real Madrid and will be remembered as one of the club’s greatest ever players, having won five […]
‘Superman’ Buffon returns to relegated Parma after two decades
Goalkeeping legend Gianluigi Buffon has returned to Parma two decades after leaving the Italian club who were relegated last season. “He is back where he belongs, he is back home. Superman returns,” the club said on Twitter along with a short video in which 43-year-old Buffon said: “OK Kyle (Krause) I’m in. I’m back.” Club […]
Bale, Ramsey re-kindle spirit of 2016
Five years after starring as Wales reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016 Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey re-discovered their best form in Wednesday’s mature 2-0 win over Turkey. Juventus midfielder Ramsey, 30, claimed the opener from a Bale assist before the Real Madrid attacker set-up Connor Roberts’ late effort to take a giant leap towards […]
Former Everton star Li Tie has China dreaming of World Cup again
China are still a long way from the football superpower they crave to be, but under Li Tie they have offered a glimmer of hope to fans scarred by years of disappointment. China have won four matches in a row with the former Everton midfielder as coach — albeit against lower-ranked opponents including minnows Guam […]