Football

Manchester City spent £1.388bn on players over nine years, with funding allegedly disguised as sponsorship income helping build a star-studded squad

The Confederation of African Football is reappraising its decision to hold the Africa Cup of Nations every four years, CAF president Patrice Motsepe declared on Friday when he added his organization did not take orders from FIFA or UEFA. Motsepe, who last December announced the biennial Africa Cup would switch to a four-year cycle from 2028, said on Friday that it was "nonsense, absolute rubbish" that CAF was being dictated to by either the world or European governing body. The decision at the time, bringing the competition to a schedule that aligned with FIFA's international calendar, rankled many at the Africa Cup in Morocco, with some saying it was made with European wishes at heart to the detriment of African interests. Motsepe, a South African billionaire who is also a vice-president of FIFA, appeared stung by the criticism. "My No. 1 job, my No. 1 duty is to protect, promote, and advance the interests of Africa," he said. "And there are times when I have to stand firm and say

Lens ended Lyon's unbeaten start to Ligue 1 while Borussia Dortmund dropped Bundesliga points for the first time this season after Werder Bremen rescue a late dramatic 2-2 draw on Friday. In Spain, Malaga was still without a win after drawing with visiting Espanyol 1-1. Hein shows great bottle for Bremen ======================= Dortmund came into Friday's home match on top of the Bundesliga and the only club to win all four of its games so far. While losing Amos Pieper to injury in the first half, Dortmund struggled to find a way past Karl Hein, who was outstanding in the Bremen goal. But even he could not hold stop Dortmund forever and the home side eventually seized control with goals in the 80th and 85th minutes from Daniel Svensson and Nico Schlotterbeck. However, Bremen scored twice in the dying minutes to rescue an unlikely point. Ludovit Reis cut the deficit with a low drive two minutes from time and former Dortmund forward Niclas Fullkrug shocked his old side with a head

Erling Haaland called on everybody at Manchester City to "stick together" in the striker's first public comments since the club was found guilty of large-scale financial rule-breaking in the Premier League. City manager Enzo Maresca also spoke for the first time about English soccer's biggest modern-day scandal, expressing his "trust" in the club's ownership and saying his players "don't care too much about the noise." City will play Liverpool on Sunday in its first match since the publication of an investigatory panel's verdict that City artificially inflated its revenue by more than $1 billion from 2009-18 to circumvent financial fair-play rules that restricted rival clubs in that period. City was found guilty by the panel of all 80 of the serious financial charges brought by the Premier League and could be hit with severe sanctions - including being expelled from the top flight. City has lodged an appeal against the findings. In an interview with Sky Sports published Thursday, .

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has signed a new contract that is set to extend his stay at the English champions beyond a decade. Arteta penned a deal that keeps him at Arsenal until 2030, the club said Wednesday. The 44-year-old Spanish coach took charge in December 2019 and is now comfortably the longest-serving coach in the Premier League. He led Arsenal to the league title last season to end the club's 22-year wait to be the champions of England again. "We have already built a special bond and created memories that will last a lifetime," Arteta said in a club statement, "and what is so exciting is that this is only the beginning of what we can achieve together." Arteta also played for Arsenal, spending the last five years of his career there. "He has a deep understanding of Arsenal's values and carries them in his heart," Arsenal co-chairmen Stan and Josh Kroenke said. "He knows what this club means to everyone connected to it and is committed to building on everything we have

Former Manchester City and Spain midfielder David Silva has come out of retirement after three years to join Supreme Sha Tin, the Hong Kong club announced Wednesday. The 40-year-old Silva, a member of Spain's 2010 World Cup winning squad, ended his career in the summer of 2023 after sustaining a serious knee injury while in preseason training with Real Sociedad in Spain. "I am delighted to join Supreme Sha Tin," Silva, who made 125 appearances for Spain, said in a video posted on the club's social media channels. "I'm really looking forward to going to Hong Kong to enjoy the culture, the people, and the food in Sha Tin - and the football in Hong Kong, of course." Supreme Sha Tin was promoted to the Hong Kong Premier League last season and is currently 8th in the 11-team competition. "David Silva will be in Hong Kong soon to settle in, link up with squad training, and build up to peak match fitness before making his pitch debut," the club said. Silva joined Manchester City in 2010

Ronaldo, 41, apologised to his teammates and supporters for leaving the Portugal camp midway through the Nations League fixtures but provided a detailed account of the events that led to his decision

Son Heung-min became South Korea's all-time leading scorer when his 59th goal helped the team beat Uzbekistan 2-0 in a friendly on Tuesday. The sixth-minute free kick moved Son past Cha Bum-kun's record of 58. Cha retired from international soccer after the 1986 World Cup. Oh Se-hun added a second goal on the hour as South Korea won comfortably at Mireu Stadium in Yongin, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Seoul. Son also holds South Korea's appearance record with 151 caps. He made his international debut in 2010 and has played at four World Cups. The 34-year-old joined Los Angeles FC in 2025 after a decade with Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League. The win ended a mixed international break for South Korea and interim coach Robert Moreno. The team beat Ecuador 3-0, lost to Uruguay 4-1 and drew with Venezuela 0-0. South Korea and Uzbekistan are preparing for the 2027 Asian Cup which kicks off in Saudi Arabia on Jan. 7.

The 39-year-old, who earned his 208th cap, received a standing ovation from the crowd, his teammates and the coaching staff during an emotional evening in Buenos Aires

Punjab FC went down narrowly 3-4 on penalties to defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant to end their campaign at IFA Shield here on Sunday. The Shers stayed competitive throughout 120 minutes and came close to finding the breakthrough on several occasions before Mohun Bagan prevailed in the shootout. The defending champions will face the winner of the second semifinal between East Bengal FC and NorthEast United FC in the final. Punjab FC were tested by an intense Mohun Bagan press in the opening stages but remained compact and organised. The first chance came in the third minute when Lallianzuala Chhangte's effort took a slight deflection, but Arshdeep Singh kept his composure to collect. Mohun Bagan threatened again five minutes later when Asish Rai reached an aerial through ball and set up Lee Erwin with a first-time pass after Arshdeep rushed off his line. The Punjab FC defence recovered quickly to block Erwin's effort and clear the danger. Erwin then tested Arshdeep from a

Brazilian head coach Carlo Ancelotti was impressed by India's "organised" defense and counter-attacking approach but said his team found it "easier" to control the game after breaking the deadlock in its 4-0 win in the historic football friendly here on Saturday. Playing under muggy conditions with a rejigged side, the five-time world champions had to navigate some anxious moments in the first 27 minutes before Estevao (28th), Pedro (42nd) and Samuel Lino (58th, 90+5) secured a comfortable win over world No. 138 India. "They defended, they were organised, they tried to play counter-attack. I think they played a good game," Ancelotti said of India in the post-match interaction. The Italian great felt the opening goal changed the complexion of the contest. "We had difficulty to open the score but the moment we opened the score with Estevao, we had more opportunity to control better the game," he said. Ancelotti was pleased with Brazil's clean sheet but admitted there was still wor

Ballon d'Or rivals Lamine Yamal and Harry Kane starred as Spain and England won their matches in the Nations League. Both are in contention to win the prestigious award on Oct. 26. Kane scored twice as England crushed Croatia 7-0 away and Yamal scored another brilliant curling shot from outside the penalty area as Spain won at home to Czechia 3-1 for a 40th game unbeaten. The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner Rodri and substitute Mikel Merino also scored as Spain recorded a third straight win to stay three points ahead of England in their Nations League A group. Prolific Kane ======== With his brace of goals, Kane extended his national record to 89 international goals - 36 more than Wayne Rooney in second place on England's list of scorers. Right winger Bukayo Saka also netted twice, while left winger Anthony Gordon set up Jude Bellingham's goal and grabbed one himself. Substitute Morgan Rogers completed the rout in Rijeka. "We were so fluid right from the start. It just never stopped,"

The India vs Brazil match will begin at 7:30 pm IST; fans can watch the match live on Sony Sports and stream it on SonyLIV

The India vs Panama match will begin at 7:30 pm IST; fans can watch the match live on Sony Sports and stream it on SonyLIV

Mbappe had been associated with Nike since he was nine years old. His contract with the US sportswear giant expired on July 31, ending a relationship that lasted almost 20 years

Saudi club Al-Taawon has been fined and ordered to play behind closed doors after video appeared to show fans chanting about the late Portugal forward Diogo Jota. The Saudi soccer federation said fans had "chanted phrases and slogans that violated" its ethics. Al-Taawon was fined 100,000 Saudi Riyals (around $26,700) and ordered to play its next two home games without fans. The governing body said the decision could not be appealed. Footage appeared online over the weekend showing Portugal international Ruben Neves reacting to what sounded like chants of Jota's name during Al-Hilal's 6-0 win against Al-Taawon. Liverpool striker Jota and his brother Andre Silva were killed in a car accident in Spain in July 2025. Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, a teammate of Jota's, called for lifetime bans for fans involved in the chants. "The league must take action and punish this kind of fan behaviour," the Al-Nassr forward commented on a video of the incident on Instagram. "This is no

Lionel Messi scored the 100th goal of his Inter Miami career and Casemiro added another as Miami defeated Cruz Azul 2-0 to win the Campeones Cup. Messi opened the scoring in the 24th minute, heading in a cross from Luis Suarez for his 100th goal in 115 appearances across all competitions with Miami. The milestone came against the same club Messi scored his first Inter Miami goal against. He scored on a stoppage-time free kick to beat Cruz Azul 2-1 in his Miami debut in July 2023. Casemiro made it 2-0 in the 81st minute, heading in a corner from Messi. The Brazilian midfielder has scored four goals, all headers, in his last five matches after scoring in three consecutive games against CF Montreal, Atlanta United and Chicago before being held scoreless Saturday against Nashville. The victory gave Inter Miami another trophy three years after Messi's arrival. Miami won the Leagues Cup in 2023, the Supporters' Shield in 2024 and MLS Cup in 2025.

Former England forward Raheem Sterling admitted dangerous driving on Tuesday after being involved in a collision on a highway. Sterling pleaded guilty at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court to driving his Lamborghini Urus dangerously before he crashed on the M3 in southern England on May 28. No other vehicles were involved and no injuries were reported, officials previously said. The 31-year-old also admitted possession of six nitrous oxide canisters for wrongful inhalation, a class C drug, and failing to provide a specimen. Sterling, who scored 20 goals in 82 appearances for England, is currently without a club. He has played for a number of England's top teams - Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal - and was at Dutch club Feyenoord on a short-term deal last season.

Lionel Messi collected his league-leading 13th assist of the season when he set up Carlos Casemiro for the equalizer early in the second half, and Inter Miami tied Chicago 1-1 before a crowd of 63,094 - the most for a Fire match at Soldier Field. Inter Miami (12-4-8) evened the score three minutes into the second half when Messi sent the ball Casemiro's way off a free kick for his third goal in his eighth MLS appearance. Casemiro's goals have come on headers in three straight matches. Chicago (11-6-6) jumped in front in the 10th minute on a goal by Robert Lewandowski - his sixth in his first nine MLS matches. Defender Andrew Gutman picked up his sixth assist and Robin Lod notched his fourth as the Fire took the lead into halftime. Chris Brady had six saves for Chicago. Brady made a diving save on a shot by German Berterame in the 16th minute - one of three first-half saves to keep the Fire in front. Dayne St. Claire saved two shots for Inter Miami, which has gone 1-2-4 since the st

What could be Cristiano Ronaldo's last chance to win a first Asian Champions League title for his Saudi club will get underway next week. Ronaldo's Al-Nassr is one of five Saudi Pro League teams in the tournament. Combined, they've spent more than $2 billion on foreign players since 2023, with Al-Ahli lifting the continental trophy in each of the last two seasons. Al-Ahli captain and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is hoping to make it three in a row in the 32-team tournament. "This is the biggest club in Saudi Arabia and Asia and we will do everything to win," Mendy, who signed from English Premier League club Chelsea in 2023, told The Associated Press. "Last year, we won the Champions League and we will have to use all the things we did then to be successful this time, too. We are building year after year." One competition, two zones ================= The tournament is divided into two geographic zones until the playoffs, with the top eight teams from each progressing to the Round of