Tag Archives: football

Zurich, Switzerland | AFP | All football regions will see their World Cup slots increased when the tournament expands to 48 teams in 2026, with Africa the biggest winner, according to FIFA recommendations released Thursday. The plan to expand the competition beyond its current 32-team format, which is subject to …

Beijing, China | AFP |  The wife of a Chinese player gave her husband a red card Wednesday for playing away, claiming that spending too much time with his mistress led to his embarrassing gaffe in a crucial World Cup qualifier. Jiang Zhipeng, a Guangzhou R&F club left-back, had a …

Zurich, Switzerland | AFP | Barcelona star Lionel Messi was suspended for four Argentina matches by FIFA on Tuesday for swearing at an assistant referee, a ban that will see the striker miss out on decisive qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup. Messi was found guilty of “having directed insulting …

2019 NATIONS CUP qualifiers:  Group L – Cape Verde, Uganda, Tanzania, Lesotho Group C – Mali, Gabon, Burundi, South Sudan Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | South Sudan thrashed Djibouti 6-0 in Juba on Tuesday to reach the group stage of 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying. Trailing 2-0 from the …

Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | Kenya stretched an unbeaten run to nine matches by drawing 1-1 at home against Uganda on Thursday. Michael Olunga gave the “Harambee Stars” a 35th-minute lead in a friendly at Kenyatta Stadium in eastern town Machakos. Kenya retained the lead against their long-time east African …

Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP |  Qualifying for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations begins on Wednesday, just 45 days after Cameroon snatched victory over Egypt in the final of the previous edition. The “Indomitable Lions” of Cameroon and the “Pharaohs” of Egypt will not be involved, however, as they …

Paris, France | AFP | Under-pressure Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger dismissed as “fake news” reports that Paris Saint-Germain had offered him a two-year deal at the French champions. The Frenchman is facing a fan backlash at Arsenal after a rotten run of form and British tabloid The Sun said on Monday …

African giants Mazembe and Kabylie paired as KCC drawn to face Jackson Mayanja’s Al Masry Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | Multiple CAF title winners TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo and JS Kabylie of Algeria were paired Tuesday in the CAF Confederation Cup play-offs draw. Mazembe won …

Zurich, Switzerland | AFP | Ghanaian referee Joseph Odartei Lamptey was on Monday banned for life by world football’s governing body FIFA for match fixing. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) had already slapped a three-month ban on Lamptey after he awarded South Africa a controversial penalty in their 2-1 …

London, United Kingdom | AFP |  Chelsea maintained their relentless march towards the Premier League title, Arsene Wenger endured another day to forget and Manchester City were frustrated by Liverpool. Here are five things we learned in the Premier League this weekend: Cahill proves title mettle Received wisdom in the …