FIFA back Infantino, apologise for World Cup privatisation plan

Infantino has come under increasing pressure, even from within his organisation, over his handling of the proposal, and calls for him to step down had grown since he abandoned it.

By Afp 6 hrs ago

Newcastle appoint Jaissle as new head coach after Howe exit

Newcastle have appointed Matthias Jaissle as their new head coach following Eddie Howe's departure, the English Premier League club announced Wednesday.

By Afp 6 hrs ago

Embattled Infantino sees minnows Malawi reach WAFCON quarter-finals

Embattled FIFA president Gianni Infantino watched outsiders Malawi lose 2-1 to Zambia in Rabat, but still secure a WAFCON quarter-final place.

By Afp 6 hrs ago

Iran says close to Hormuz plan with Oman, but reopening depends on US

Iran and Oman have agreed a route for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz and were finalising arrangements for jointly managing the strategic waterway, Tehran said Wednesday.

By Afp 6 hrs ago

Myanmar ex-junta chief on first Thailand trip as civilian leader

Myanmar's ex-junta chief Min Aung Hlaing arrived in Bangkok Thursday for his first visit to Thailand as civilian leader, as he seeks a return to the diplomatic fold for his pariah state.

By Afp 6 hrs ago

Starlets knocked out as Morocco, Algeria advance to WAFCON quarters

Hosts Morocco topped Group A at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) despite failing to score from a twice-taken penalty in a 0-0 draw with Senegal on Monday.

By Afp 1 day ago

Arsenal step up bid to sign Newcastle's Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes

Arsenal have stepped up talks with Newcastle in a bid to sign Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, according to reports on Tuesday.

By Afp 1 day ago

Israeli forces raid Palestinian refugee camp near Jerusalem

Israeli army has arrested at least 20 people and taken up positions on the roofs of some houses inside the camp.

By Afp 22 hrs ago

Fugitive Bangladesh ex-PM still casting a shadow

Her voice is that of a frail, elderly woman, but ousted Bangladesh leader Sheikh Hasina still has the power to incite from exile, vowing to return home despite facing the gallows.

By Afp 1 day ago

Trump warns Iran to open Hormuz or get 'hit very hard'

US President Donald Trump said a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could come as soon as Wednesday but warned Iran it would get "hit very hard" if negotiations fell through.

By Afp 1 day ago

Taiwan begins military drills as China pressure grows

Taiwan's largest military drills of the year began Wednesday as the island democracy attempts to prepare its population for a potential Chinese invasion.

By Afp 1 day ago

Infantino's problems mount as Wenger and key FIFA ally turn on him

Pressure on FIFA president Gianni Infantino has intensified, with opposition emerging from within as well as from external critics over his since-abandoned proposal

By Afp 1 day ago

Explosive drone found near Ukrainian plane at German airport

The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) had been found on the tarmac.

By Afp 21 hrs ago

Alonso hails 'emotional' Mudryk return in 1-0 loss to Juventus

Manager Xabi Alonso hailed Mykhailo Mudryk's "emotional" return from a doping ban as the winger played for Chelsea for the first time in nearly two years in a 1-0 friendly defeat to Juventus.

By Afp 21 hrs ago

Embattled FIFA chief Infantino in emergency talks, suffers Figo blow

President Gianni Infantino held emergency talks with other FIFA directors in Morocco, amid a wave of criticism over his now shelved plan to open the World Cup to private investment.

By Afp 21 hrs ago

WHO chief in DR Congo for talks on Ebola reponse

The head of the WHO has arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo for a meeting with President Felix Tshisekedi, as the Ebola epidemic intensifies, the UN agency said on Wednesday.

By Afp 21 hrs ago

Morocco, Algeria advance to WAFCON quarter-finals

Hosts Morocco topped Group A at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) despite failing to score from a twice-taken penalty in a 0-0 draw with Senegal on Monday.

By Afp 2 days ago

Chelsea sign England midfielder Jordan Henderson

Chelsea announced the signing of veteran England midfielder Jordan Henderson from Premier League rivals Brentford on Monday.

By Afp 2 days ago

Fulham sign Gonzalo Garcia from Real Madrid

Spanish striker Gonzalo Garcia has joined Fulham from Real Madrid, reuniting with his former coach Alvaro Arbeloa.

By Afp 2 days ago

Newcastle sign goalkeeper Hornicek from Braga

Managerless Newcastle announced the signing of Czech goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek from Portuguese side Braga on Monday.

By Afp 2 days ago

More than 170 migrants rescued after boat catches fire during Channel crossing

It was one of the largest rescue operations reported since records began in 2018

By Afp 1 day ago

More remains found as Kosovo mass grave search widens

Excavation work began last week in the area of Zubin Potok.

By Afp 1 day ago

Amorim evokes spirit of Baresi as he bids revive AC Milan fortunes

New AC Milan coach Ruben Amorim vowed on Tuesday to honour the legacy of club legend Franco Baresi, who died last week, as he sets about reviving the fortunes of the ailing Italian giants.

By Afp 2 days ago

Michigan primary puts Democratic divide on the ballot

US Democrats vote Tuesday in their marquee primary in Michigan, choosing between a left-wing insurgent and an establishment-backed congresswoman.

By Afp 2 days ago

Arson suspect arrested as US northwest battles wildfires

US authorities arrested a man Monday on suspicion of arson in connection with the biggest of three fires burning around the northwestern city of Spokane,.

By Afp 2 days ago

Worry as Commonwealth Games face uncertain future

Glasgow stepped in to save the 2026 Commonwealth Games, but a slimmed-down 10-sport model over the last 10 days has failed to dispel doubts about the event's future.

By Afp 2 days ago

Infantino, the FIFA president under pressure after scrapped investor plan

FIFA president Gianni Infantino's ability to brush aside criticism and push through enlarged versions of the Club World Cup and World Cup lent him an air of omnipotence, but...

By Afp 2 days ago

Wenger says scrapping Infantino's World Cup plan was 'absolutely necessary'

Ex-Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said the decision to scrap FIFA president Gianni Infantino's controversial plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup was "absolutely necessary"

By Afp 2 days ago

Iran executes two men convicted of spying for Israel

Tehran has ramped up executions, with many of the convicts accused of spying for Israeli intelligence.

By Afp 3 days ago

Leeds rally for 4-2 friendly win over Liverpool ahead of Premier League season

Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored two of Leeds' four second-half goals as they rallied for a 4-2 friendly win over Liverpool on Sunday at Soldier Field in Chicago.

By Afp 3 days ago

Cameroon first qualifiers for WAFCON quarter-finals

Cameroon became the first qualifiers for the 2026 WAFCON quarter-finals thanks to a 1-0 win against Ghana on Sunday, and a 3-2 victory for Mali over Cape Verde.

By Afp 3 days ago

Infantino struggling to survive, says former IOC marketing chief

A FIFA plan to raise up to $4.2 billion, based on a valuation of $20 billion, through private investment leaked to the media on Tuesday.

By Afp 3 days ago

De Zerbi unsure over Richarlison's future at Spurs

Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi is unsure whether Richarlison will stay at the club, saying the Brazilian forward "sometimes" wants to leave.

By Afp 4 days ago

13 dead after small tourist plane crashes in Peru

A small plane carrying foreign tourists to view Peru's famed Nazca Lines archaeological site crashed Saturday, killing all 13 people on board, police said.

By Afp 4 days ago

Trump says US, Israel to hold off on Iran strikes

President Trump said Saturday that the US and Israel had agreed to hold off on new strikes on Iran -- provided that a deal to end the months-long conflict is reached rapidly.

By Afp 4 days ago

Alonso welcomes Mudryk's Chelsea return after doping ban

Mykhailo Mudryk will be welcomed with open arms when he rejoins Chelsea in Hong Kong, but the Ukrainian will not be rushed back after winning his appeal against a doping ban.

By Afp 4 days ago

Russian attacks on Kyiv kill 9, wound more than two dozen

Russian attacks on Ukraine's capital kill at least nine people and wounded more than two dozen others, local officials said on Saturday, with strikes damaging homes and causing fires across the city.

By Afp 5 days ago

Iran military accuses US of 'escalating tensions' in region

Iran's military accuses the US of 'escalating tensions' in Middle East; warn countries in the region against cooperating with Washington in ongoing conflict.

By Afp 5 days ago

Thousands cross into Spain's north Africa enclave in new migrant crisis

Thousands of migrants crossed overnight from Morocco into Spain's north Africa's Ceuta enclave, police source said, as Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez moves to manage latest migrant crisis on the border.

By Afp 6 days ago

Legendary Italian football defender Franco Baresi dies aged 66

A World Cup winner with Italy in 1982 and a finalist at the 1994 World Cup, Baresi is regarded as one of the greatest sweepers in football history.

By Afp 6 days ago