Page 8 - Football

India suffer 1-6 defeat to Brazil in women's 4-nation football tournament

The Indian women's football team scored one goal and kept mighty Brazil at bay till late in the first half but eventually lost 1-6 in its first match of the four-nation international tournament

Unfazed by guilty verdict, Real Madrid relying on Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema and the teams that employ him appear unfazed by his guilty verdict for having played a part in the sex tape blackmail plot against a former France teammate. Hours after the conviction by a Versailles court on Wednesday, Benzema helped Real Madrid clinch a spot in the Champions League knockout phase for a 25th consecutive season by scoring in a 3-0 win at Sheriff in Moldavia. Benzema should be back in action again on Sunday, when Madrid hosts Sevilla in a clash of two of the hottest teams in the Spanish league. Benzema, who denied any wrongdoing, was found guilty of being involved in an attempt to blackmail Mathieu Valbuena in 2015 over a sex tape thought to have been stolen from Valbuena's mobile phone. But Benzema's one-year sentence was suspended, meaning he won't do prison time. His reputation has undoubtedly been tarnished by the guilty verdict, but his playing career for club and country appears to be unaffected for the time being. Benzema did not speak followi

European powers joined by Sporting in Champions League last 16

The parade of European powers advancing to the Champions League knockout stage was disrupted by Sporting Lisbon completing a stunning turnaround to join them

Bengaluru FC look to build on opening match success with win over Odisha

The Sunil Chhetri-led side have faced Odisha eight times in the ISL

Three coaches set for debut as Premier League returns to action (preview)

Three coaches will make their debut for their respective new clubs as the Premier League returns to action in what promises to be another fascinating weekend.

Xavi's debut as Barca coach highlights weekend football in Spain

Though millions of Barca fans all over the world will be anxiously waiting for the result of the Barca match, there are other key games to be played this weekend

Subhasish, Pritam and Roy Krishna named ATK Mohun Bagan captains

Indian Super League heavyweights ATK Mohun Bagan head coach Antonio Lopez Habas on Wednesday announced three captains, including Fijian ace striker Roy Krishna, for the season beginning on Friday

FIFA qualifiers: France, Belgium win to reach World Cup; Dutch slip to draw

Kylian Mbappe's four goals in an 8-0 rout of Kazakhstan ensured defending champion France reached next year's World Cup along with victorious Belgium

SC East Bengal part ways with head of sports science D'Angelus

Indian Super League (ISL) club SC East Bengal on Thursday announced that it has decided to part ways with its head of sports science, Joseph Ronald D'Angelus

Steven Gerrard hired as Aston Villa manager for 1st EPL coaching role

Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard took his first coaching role in the English Premier League when he was hired as Aston Villa manager on Thursday, ending a 3-year stint in Scotland

Czech investment group buys 27% stake in EPL club West Ham

An investment group from the Czech Republic has bought a 27% stake in West Ham, the Premier League club said Wednesday. Daniel Kretnsk, the chairman of 1890s holdings a.s, and his colleague Pavel Horsk have become members of West Ham's board as a result of the acquisition. Co-chairmen David Gold and David Sullivan have controlled West Ham since 2010 and the club has made impressive strides in recent years under manager David Moyes, with the team currently in third place in the Premier League after its 3-2 win over Liverpool on Sunday. Having been to the London Stadium recently to watch David Moyes' team, I know it is an incredible time to become part of the West Ham United family," said Kretnsk, who is the co-owner of Czech soccer team Sparta Prague. "I feel privileged to now have the opportunity to help everyone here build on the proud traditions of this great club. West Ham said the deal will initially enable the reduction of its long-term debt and the ability to continue to dir

After 11 games, Bayern Munich closing in on another Bundesliga title

Bayern Munich is already closing in on a record-extending 10th consecutive Bundesliga title after only playing 11 games

Barcelona fans welcome new coach Xavi Hernandez at the Camp Nou

Thousands of fans arrived at the Camp Nou to welcome Xavi Hernndez as Barcelona's new coach on Monday, hoping he can turn the club's fortunes around after a dismal start

Roberto Firmino's hamstring injury a blow for Liverpool, Brazil

Roberto Firmino will miss at least one month with Liverpool and upcoming World Cup qualifiers with Brazil because of a hamstring injury

Qatari club agrees to let Xavi Hernndez become Barcelona coach

Xavi Hernndez will be allowed to become Barcelona's next coach upon the payment of his release clause from Al-Sadd, the Qatari club said Friday

Smith Rowe shines as Arsenal beats Aston Villa 3-1 in Premier League

Arsenal delivered its best performance of the season to beat Aston Villa 3-1 in the Premier League. Arsenal was completely dominant for most of the game and built a 3-0 lead before Jacob Ramsey pulled a late goal back for Villa, which then pressured for the last 10 minutes without coming closer. Thomas Partey opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with his first Arsenal goal before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang doubled the lead just before halftime, converting the rebound after seeing his penalty saved. Midfielder Emile Smith Rowe capped an impressive display by adding the third in the 56th on a quick counterattack. The win lifts Arsenal up to ninth place ahead of the weekend games, with 14 points. It was a much improved performance from Mikel Arteta's side, which needed an injury-time equalizer from Alexandre Lacazette to salvage a draw at home against Crystal Palace on Monday. I'm really satisfied, Arteta said. "The way we started the game, our tempo, our urgency, how dominant we w

Double standards?

There can be little doubt that huge question marks loom over Saudi Arabia's human rights record as well as its role in West Asian affairs

Real Madrid forward Benzema faces verdict in blackmail trial

A French court trying an alleged blackmail case involving Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema and four other defendants expects to render its verdict on Friday. Benzema hasn't been attending the trial that opened Wednesday in Versailles and is scheduled to wrap up Friday. He is charged with complicity in the alleged attempt in 2015 to blackmail France teammate Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape thought to have been stolen from his mobile phone. Prosecutors asked Thursday that Benzema be fined 75,000 euros ($87,000), the maximum allowed on the charge, and be given a suspended 10-month jail term. The law allows for a maximum of 5 years imprisonment. The four other defendants are being tried on charges of attempted blackmail.

We must rethink the way football is structured, says FIFA chief Infantino

Football risks losing its global appeal in the face of myriad challenges posed by a technology-driven and changing world, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has warned.

Barcelona hosts Real Madrid, Sociedad at Atltico on super Sunday

Barcelona faces another test of its post-Messi era when Real Madrid visits Camp Nou on an action-packed Sunday that also features a clash between the Spanish league leader and its defending champion