SPORTS

Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | A Kenyan referee who had been chosen for the 2018 World Cup in Russia has been banned for life after accepting a bribe, an African Football Confederation (CAF) statement said Sunday. Marwa Range was dropped from the World Cup list after a media sting …

Moscow, Russia | AFP | The impassioned shouts of “Ros-si-ya” died away on the streets and tears filled the stadium as Russia bowed out of their home World Cup in the cruellest fashion: on penalties. The men in red exceeded the wildest expectations by coming within a penalty kick and …

Samara, Russia | AFP | England reached their first World Cup semi-final since 1990 on Saturday, comfortably beating Sweden to set up a last-four clash against Croatia, who ended Russia’s fairytale run in a nailbiting penalty shootout. Gareth Southgate’s young team started their match in Samara as firm favourites and …

Samara, Russia | AFP | Harry Kane will seek to fire England into their first World Cup semi-final for 28 years when they face Sweden on Saturday after Brazil were dumped out in the last eight by Belgium. Gareth Southgate’s young side face the Scandinavians in Samara at 1400 GMT …

Los Angeles, United States | AFP | Zlatan Ibrahimovic and David Beckham have agreed on the terms of a friendly wager ahead of the England v Sweden World Cup quarter-final on Saturday. Ibrahimovic, Sweden’s all-time top scorer with 62 goals, has been vocal in support of his homeland from his …

Belgium beat Brazil 2-1, will play France in World Cup semi-final Kazan, Russia | AFP | A superb first half display by Belgium ended Brazil’s hopes of a record sixth World Cup crown as a Fernandinho own goal and a superb Kevin De Bruyne strike proved enough to win 2-1 and …

Uruguayans admit France gave ‘football lesson’ at World Cup Montevideo, Uruguay | AFP |  Uruguayans were gracious in defeat after France ended their World Cup hopes on Friday with a 2-0 quarter-final victory. “France crushed Uruguay!” admitted Observador, one of Uruguay’s main newspapers. “They handed out a football lesson, dominating …

Soweto, South Africa | AFP | Careless defending gifted European giants Barcelona two goals as they defeated South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 Wednesday in a friendly game to honour the late Nelson Mandela. Ousmane Dembele, Luis Suarez and Andre Gomes scored for the Spanish league and cup winners before …

Griezmann fires Atletico Madrid to Europa League title Lyon, France | AFP | Antoine Griezmann was the hero for Atletico Madrid as the French striker scored twice in their 3-0 win over Marseille in Wednesday’s Europa League final, allowing his club to win the trophy for the third time in …

Lyon, France | AFP | Antoine Griezmann is hoping to get his hands on a first major trophy with Atletico Madrid as the Spanish club prepare to take on Marseille in Wednesday’s Europa League final. Griezmann has only won the Spanish Super Cup since joining Diego Simeone’s side four years ago, …