Football news
14419 stories
-
Ballon d'Or voter admits ranking Kane sixth and leaving Yamal out of his top 10 was a mistake
Croatian journalist Zdravko Reic, part of France Football's 100-strong voting panel, has publicly admitted he erred by placing Harry Kane sixth and omitting Lamine Yamal entirely from his top 10 after Kane claimed the 2026 Ballon d'Or in London.
Football -
Ballon d'Or 2026: Thierry Henry Defends His Hosting Performance After Backlash in London
Accused of arrogance and disrespect toward Lamine Yamal and co-presenter Kate Scott at the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony, Thierry Henry posted a video to systematically address the controversies that emerged from the London event.
Football -
Hadji insists Morocco must claim 2025 Africa Cup of Nations despite CAS ruling still pending
Mustapha Hadji, 1998 African Ballon d'Or winner, says Morocco deserves to be crowned 2025 African champions. The CAS, seized after CAF's decision to award the title to the Lions of the Atlas by default, will not render its verdict until November.
Football -
Ballon d'Or 2026: Suspicious $264,000 bets target France Football
Investigative journalist Romain Molina accuses France Football's leadership of negligence after someone allegedly wagered $264,000 on the exact top five of the Ballon d'Or, won by Harry Kane, through multiple separate accounts.
Football -
Dirk Kuyt named Fenerbahce interim manager days before Liverpool Champions League reunion
Dirk Kuyt has been appointed Fenerbahce's interim manager after Ismail Kartal resigned following a derby defeat to Galatasaray. The former Liverpool forward will face his old club in Istanbul in the Champions League next week.
Football -
China accepts Mbappé apology after Mao joke triggers brand exodus and La Liga TV ban
Kylian Mbappé apologised for an 'ill-judged' comment about Mao Zedong made on a French talk show, after Chinese sponsors cut ties with the Real Madrid forward and state broadcaster CCTV halted La Liga coverage. Beijing said Wednesday it was taking the apology seriously.
Football -
China 'takes seriously' Mbappe apology after Mao Zedong comments cost him sponsors
China's Foreign Ministry has acknowledged Kylian Mbappe's apology over comments describing Mao Zedong as 'a Chinese dictator', though it remains unclear whether the country will restore La Liga broadcasts suspended in response to the controversy.
Football -
Ratcliffe flies in to watch Carrick's struggling United face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge
Sir Jim Ratcliffe will travel to London to watch Manchester United's Premier League trip to Chelsea on Saturday, with Michael Carrick under pressure after just one win from United's opening eight league games.
Football -
Terry Butcher compares Ipswich's Julio Enciso to Maradona as Tractor Boys eye survival
England and Ipswich legend Terry Butcher has likened 22-year-old Paraguayan midfielder Julio Enciso to Diego Maradona, saying the former Brighton man can win games on his own as Ipswich sit 12th in the Premier League, four points clear of the drop zone.
Football -
Arteta refuses to reveal what he told red-carded Dowman as Arsenal exit Carabao Cup
Mikel Arteta declined to disclose what he said to 16-year-old Max Dowman after the Arsenal winger was controversially sent off in their Carabao Cup fourth-round defeat to Fleetwood Town, saying only that it related to a conversation held before the game.
Football -
Rice, Madueke and Calafiori doubts cloud Arsenal's build-up to Liverpool showdown
Arsenal's Carabao Cup exit to League Two Fleetwood Town on penalties was compounded by injury concerns over Declan Rice, Noni Madueke and Riccardo Calafiori, all of whom missed the trip to the Fylde coast ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash with Liverpool.
Football -
Gary Neville hosts Greater Manchester small businesses event at Salford City
Gary Neville welcomed independent business owners, sole traders and accountants to Salford City FC for an event celebrating the role of small businesses in Greater Manchester's football communities ahead of the festive period.
Football -
Espanyol sack Manolo González hours after Sestao River's 121st-minute Copa stunner
Jon Rojo's goal deep into extra time gave third-tier Sestao River a 4-3 Copa del Rey upset over Espanyol on Tuesday. Within hours, Espanyol dismissed head coach Manolo González, who had taken just one point from their previous 15 available in La Liga.
Football -
Lip reader reveals Arteta's words to Dowman after red card sinks Arsenal at Fleetwood
Mikel Arteta reportedly told 16-year-old Max Dowman to 'get in the changing room' after the teenager was sent off for kicking out at a Fleetwood player, leaving Arsenal with 10 men before they were eliminated on penalties in the Carabao Cup.
Football -
Carrick set to recall Fernandes for Chelsea trip after Man Utd clear the air
Bruno Fernandes is expected to return to Manchester United's squad for Saturday's visit to Stamford Bridge after manager Michael Carrick moved to draw a line under their public falling-out, according to The Athletic.
Football -
Thierry Henry defends Ballon d'Or hosting after jokes about Yamal and Kate Scott spark backlash
Thierry Henry has pushed back against criticism of his performance as Ballon d'Or presenter in London, insisting his exchanges with co-host Kate Scott and Lamine Yamal were pre-planned jokes rather than moments of disrespect.
Football -
Mbappé-Mao: Real Madrid Refuses to Apologize, China Threatens Economic Retaliation
After the controversy triggered by Kylian Mbappé's comments about Mao Zedong, Real Madrid refuses to issue an official apology, calling the incident a matter of "personal expression." China Media Group warns the club of economic consequences unless it makes amends.
Football -
Thauvin blazes with Lens and revives his France candidacy at 33
With 4 goals and 8 assists in 8 Ligue 1 matches for RC Lens, Florian Thauvin has established himself as one of the standout players in the championship. His potential return to the France squad under Zinedine Zidane is sparking debate.
Football -
Thierry Henry tells critics to relax after Ballon d'Or Lamine Yamal joke misfires
Thierry Henry has defended himself on Instagram after jokes he made while co-hosting the Ballon d'Or ceremony drew online criticism, insisting his quip about Lamine Yamal's Kopa Trophy was misread and that a jibe at co-host Kate Scott was scripted.
Football -
Man United stuck with £107m of unsellable players as Shaw, Maguire and Martinez near exits
Manchester United face a painful summer overhaul, with five first-team players valued at a combined £107.5m proving difficult to move on, while Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez are all set to leave as free agents.
Football
