Boca Juniors have failed in a bid to delay the resumption of the Superliga season, after claiming a clash with players international commitments left them at a disadvantage.
The next full round of Superliga games is billed for January 24-26, ending a six-week mid-season break, but Argentina Under-23 players will be engaged in qualifying for the Olympic Games.
Argentina play Colombia, Chile, Ecuador and Venezuela between January 18 and January 30, looking to advance to the next stage in February and close on one of two CONMEBOL places at Tokyo 2020.
Boca had just two players named in the squad last month Nicolas Capaldo and Alexis Mac Allister yet they led protests against the Superliga schedule.
The club released a statement on Thursday, which read: The …
After it became apparent Argentina were to stay in the hotel next to a Cristiano Ronaldo mural in Kazan ahead of the World Cup clash with France, Lionel Messi has been given his own a stone s throw from his rival.
Local artists created a piece of artwork dedicated to Ronaldo before the 2017 Confederations Cup, with the idea that he would be able to see it out of his window from the Ramada Hotel – where Portugal were based last year – next door.
Having defeated Nigeria late on in their final group game, Argentina secured a trip to Kazan to face France in the first knockout round on Saturday.
But, with France clinching their spot earlier and swiftly booking the nearby Mirage hotel, Argentina were left with the only other facility in the city which is licensed f…
Struggling Bundesliga side Hanover 96 sacked Andreas Bergmann as coach on Tuesday and promptly replaced him with former Schalke boss Mirko Slomka.
The 42-year-old Slomka, who coached Hanover s youth team from 1989-1999 and was assistant first team coach between 2001 and 2004, has signed an 18-month deal.
I am very happy to accept this challenge in the area where I grew up, said Slomka.
Bergmann became the sixth Bundesliga coach to be sacked this season after his side dropped into the German league s bottom three last weekend.
It has been a disastrous season for the north German club after their captain and Germany goalkeeper Robert Enke committed suicide on November 10 and now the team has slipped into the relegation zone.
Saturday s 3-0 home de…
South Africa kept their World Cup qualification bid on track with a 3-0 win over Central African Republic in Cameroon on Saturday.
Bernard Parker, Lawrence Tshabalala and Katlego Mashego grabbed the goals for Gordon Igesund s side, and ensured they would keep the pressure on CAF Group A leaders Ethiopia, who were also victorious on Saturday.
South Africa came into the game knowing that a win was imperative, and they only had to wait until the 26th minute to take the lead.
Parker was the scorer for the 2010 World Cup hosts, grabbing his second goal in as many qualifiers after a sublime through-ball from the in-form Tshabalala.
To an extent, the goal came slightly against the run of play, with CAR more than holding their own and keeping the ball well before going…
Aston Villa s new owners have given their backing to Steve Bruce, seemingly ending speculation that Thierry Henry would replace the former Hull City boss.
Bruce took control at Villa Park in October 2016 and guided the club to a mid-table finish in the Championship.
His first full season in charge almost brought a return to the Premier League as Villa reached the Play-Off final, but his side were beaten 1-0 by Fulham at Wembley in May.
That failure – combined with financial uncertainty – had led to some reports that Bruce would leave the club, with Henry said to be the man set to take his place after the Belgium assistant announced he was to focus on management.
However, Villa investors Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens have shown faith in Bruce after a…
Paris Saint-Germain head coach Thomas Tuchel declined to comment on links with Chelsea and France midfielder N Golo Kante.
Ligue 1 champions PSG are reportedly interested in luring Kante to the French capital after he helped France to World Cup glory.
PSG sensation Kylian Mbappe revealed he spent the World Cup encouraging Kante to join him in Paris.
However, Tuchel refused to be drawn on the speculation regarding Kante – who is entering his third season at Chelsea.
It is not fair and I do not like, and I do not like it if other coaches talk about situations of players who are playing for other clubs, Tuchel said.
So there is no comment on Kante, of course, not for the transfer window.
FULL TIME: A thrilling end to an exciting win for …
Accrington missed a chance to close the gap to the play-off places as they were held to a goalless home draw by struggling Grimsby.
The draw left Stanley two points outside the top seven, while the Mariners, who came so close to snatching victory at the death, remain in 20th place.
Captain Danny Rose’s header in the second minute of added time was superbly saved by on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper Radek Vitek.
Grimsby keeper Harvey Cartwright tipped over a Ben Woods effort in the second minute and also pushed away a low angled drive from Jack Nolan on the half-hour mark.
Stanley’s Radek kept out Arthur Gnahoua’s long-range effort, their only shot on target in the first half.
After the break it was Grimsby who dominated the chances.
…
What the papers say
Raphael Varane is reportedly the latest big name attracting a wealth of interest from Saudi Arabia. The Daily Star says Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr are hoping to reunite the Manchester United defender with his former Real Madrid and Red Devils team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo, with an offer believed to be in the region of £50million a year.
The Independent reports Kylian Mbappe‘s contract negotiations with Real Madrid have hit a stumbling block. According to the paper, the two parties are yet to come to terms on the 25-year-old striker’s wage package, with an agreement believed to be a way off. However, there is belief amongst all involved – including Mbappe’s current club Paris St Germain – that a deal to take the France captain to Spain will event…
Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge will miss the start of next season
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that Reds striker Daniel Sturridge will miss the start of next season.
The England international had recently travelled to the United States to have an operation on his hip.
Rodgers confirmed the news telling : We anticipate Daniel (Sturridge) will be back training around September time and we are hopeful the issues he s had have been resolved.
Injury-plagued
Sturridge has missed a major chunk of the campaign with thigh and hips problems, making just 12 Premier League appearances and scoring four goals this season. It is a far cry from last season when the striker scored 21 goals in the top-flight.
Sturridge just cannot seem…
Liverpool star Raheem Sterling has reportedly told manager Brendan Rodgers he wants to leave the club in the off-season.
The England international s future has been the subject of much speculation after turning down a contract offer from the club.
Sterling is contracted until 2017 and the club have said he will remain a Liverpool player even if a new deal cannot be agreed.
But reports in British media on Monday suggest the 20-year-old has told Rodgers he wants to leave.
They come just days after outgoing captain Steven Gerrard, who is leaving for Los Angeles Galaxy at the end of the season, advised Sterling to re-sign.
Of course I m biased but my advice to Raheem now is you have a manager who will believe in you and you can learn from and there i…