Roy Hodgson has described a World Cup without England as unthinkable. It is of course eminently thinkable, not to mention achievable given the tension of these last-ditch occasionsWhen it comes to Eng…
'He's tired of being in the eye of the cyclone'. Striker frustrated by media clamour in NaplesMario Balotelli has become embroiled in another controversy after he appeared to push away a TV camerama…
Click here to have the Fiver sent to your inbox every weekday at 5pm, or if your usual copy has stopped arrivingMR ROY ABIDESRoy Hodgson could not have looked more relaxed if he had shown up for this…
On today's Football Weekly, James Richardson has Gregg Bakowski, John Ashdown and Marcus Christenson in the pod to talk about Friday's World Cup qualifiers – including a vital win for England agains…
Fewer ranking points for five-team group is an 'injustice'. French federation president believes the system is flawedFrance believe the seeding system is unfair for the World Cup playoffs in Novembe…
The immaculately dressed Chelsea manager shares his style wisdom with the world A fashionable guide to the Premier League. José Mourinho: stylewatchFor the launch of the AW13 collection from Porsche…
Jurgen Klinsmann grabs perfect home qualifying record. Raul Jimenez writes himself into Mexican legend (for now). Portland beat 10-man Seattle to lead WestPortland are now looking at national bragg…
Echoes of Sir Matt Busby tribute. 'You don't expect these things in life'Sir Alex Ferguson has joined Sir Matt Busby in having a road named in his honour.The former Manchester United manager also re…
Roy Hodgson has responded to the prospect of facing 20,000 Poland fans at Wembley on Tuesday by claiming that he doesn’t fear qualification failure if the fans get behind the side like they have do…
Roy Hodgson has insisted England are still fully focused on victory against Poland and will not be relying on the safety net of the World Cup play-offs.
Roy Hodgson has insisted England are still fully focused on victory against Poland and will not be relying on the safety net of the World Cup play-offs.
Tottenham are looking to add to their attack with the signing of Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez, and hope to offload Emmanuel Adebayor in the process.
Peter Schmeichel has refused to dismiss speculation linking him with the vacant Sheffield United manager’s position, saying that while he has not applied for the job, it is “great to be associate…
The Football Association insists it has opted to hand Poland an enormous 18,000 ticket allocation for Tuesday's Wembley encounter with England for security reasons.
In an ideal world, Gerardo Martino wouldn’t be coaching Barcelona this season. Whereas the majority of Europe’s top clubs were after a new manager this summer because of footballing reasons, Barca…
Roma maintained their 100% record with a win at previously unbeaten Inter. Walter Mazzarri made two changes from the 1-1 draw at Cagliari, bringing in Saphir Taider and Rodrigo Palacio for Mateo Kovac…
Bayern Munich completely outplayed Manchester City for the vast majority of this contest. Manuel Pellegrini somewhat surprisingly decided to use Micah Richards rather than Pablo Zabaleta at right-back…
Arsene Wenger fielded five natural central midfielders, but Napoli were opened up repeatedly in their left-back zone. Wenger was without a variety of players comfortable in wide roles – Theo Walcott…
A fair result at White Hart Lane as Andre Villas-Boas’ starting strategy proved successful, but Jose Mourinho’s in-game changes worked better. Villas-Boas named roughly Spurs’ expected side –…
Edgar Davids clearly believes he is setting the agenda by wearing number one on his back, but Barnet’s player-manager might not be the trailblazer he seems to think he is.
Roy Hodgson has revealed that Andros Townsend is a doubt for England's game against Poland on Tuesday and admitted that he is expecting a sleepless night ahead of the clash.
Sir Alex Ferguson turned down the infamous hairdryer during the last years of his managerial career because players are more 'fragile' than they were 30 years ago.
FOR the Polish national team, last week was an exercise in double-think, as the players dutifully insisted they still believed they could qualify for the World Cup, while fans and pundits expected the…
N EUROSIS is never far away from England performances but the ghosts of failures past will be even more tangible than usual on Tuesday. It is 40 years ago last month since Poland, who hadn’t played…
It may be crunch time for England, but for a country with a population of 600,000 this is an opportunity for glory they and their restored goalkeeper will be desperate to grasp
Manager's notion of 'garra' has turned rugged Uruguayans into a team who believe they can beat anyone by sheer force of personality and reach the 2014 tournament in Brazil
The suspension of Iain Moody, Malky Mackay's head of recruitment, and replacement by a 23-year-old is the latest upheaval at Cardiff that contrasts badly with Swansea's progress
Discussing moving the tournament to the winter is irrelevant, Qatar should have to make its case as hosts to a reformed Fifa Fifa must consult over switch, says Premier League . Owen Gibson: Blatter…
Hospital pass (n) 1. a pass made to a team-mate who will be tackled heavily as soon as the ball is received. Usually a result of a desperation to get rid of the ball vs. the sheer audacity of the pass…
Barnet FC 1-1 Wrexham FC Former Ajax, Inter & Juventus midfielder turns up as player/coach of League Two side in an attempt to ”help English football”. The side are relegated to the Conference…
“And so it transpired that under the playful boyish exterior beat the heart of a ruthless sadistic maniac.” (Comedy geek points available if you can tell us which British sitcom that quote came f…
Levski Sofia coach Ivaylo Petev has quit his post after he was stripped by fans at his first press conference. ‘Fans’ of the club (and we are using that word advisedly), effected entry to the p…
Remember when Luc Castaignos was the new Thierry Henry? Not just the same skill set but nearly the same damn thing? Yeah, that didn’t turn out so well for he or Inter and he spent one whole year in…
La Gazzetta dello Sport took a poll of fifty Serie A footballers covering topics such as racism, homosexuality, and actual versus perceived merit of their colleagues. Answers were interesting if unsu…
Fights in football are often, well…this. But both Deividas Padaigis and Titus Vitukynas both seem to get in some good shots during their Lithuanian top flight match. Problem is both play for Daivan…
There’s a line in here somewhere about FIFA actually hiring Oliver Stone to direct its proceedings from a script, though the World Cup host countries is more in that general region than the World C…
Before the age of YouTube and a ubiquitous media, this is the type of thing which would be passed around the globe orally and scoffed at as nothing but fiction. Levski Sofia announced their new coach…
Arsenal have been told they can sign Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema on the cheap in January. The Spanish side are reportedly keen to offload the France international quickly to fund their pursuit o…
Poland striker Robert Lewandowski is once again on the radars of the Premier League big boys after hinting that he has rejected the chance to join Bayern Munich. The Borussia Dortmund star has refused…
England have been training ahead of tomorrow’s must-win World Cup qualifier against Poland. Roy Hodgson’s squad were put through their paces at Arsenal’s London Colney training ground earlier to…
Revealed: Sir Alex Ferguson Way. #mufc pic.twitter.com/twPV6jzcKQ — Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 14, 2013 Sir Alex Ferguson has been given the Freedom of the Borough of Trafford today. And as…
When you’ve gotta go, you’ve gotta go. And Arsenal star Jack Wilshere needed to go in the middle of England training today. The midfielder could clearly be seen urinating against a fence during li…
New England hero Andros Townsend faces a fitness check ahead of Tuesday's pivotal World Cup qualifier against Poland, manager Roy Hodgson has revealed.
Germany coach Joachim Low admits Tuesday's final World Cup qualifier against Sweden will be one of three games in which he will be experimenting with his side.
England will not let the security blanket of the play-offs distract them from booking their World Cup ticket at the first attempt, manager Roy Hodgson insists.
Nikolai Tolstykh, ousted as head of the Russian Professional Football League (PFL) two years ago, was elected president of the country's Football Union (RFU) on Monday.
Nikolai Tolstykh, ousted as head of the Russian Professional Football League (PFL) two years ago, was elected president of the country's Football Union (RFU) on Monday.
Serbian champions Partizan Belgrade came from behind to beat city rivals OFK 3-1 on Sunday, but their success was marred by serious crowd trouble among groups of their own fans.
On-loan Oldham striker Jordan Slew suffered another injury setback during the 1-0 win over Portsmouth. Slew was hurt against Walsall and missed the Stevenage game, returning to parent club Blackburn f…
Podcast: The podders preview England v Poland and the World Cup qualifiers. Plus, David Weir axed and Edgar Davids seeing redJames RichardsonBen GreenMarcus ChristensonJohn AshdownGregg Bakowski
In the wake of a very important match between the Earthquakes and Rapids midweek in concert with a number of surprising results, finding themselves ready to pounce is the 2012 Supporters Shield winner…
With one spot left on The FA commission, we decided to put together a report to send into the FA. Ian and Kelly took calls on what you think needs to change to ensure a better future for the England f…
Tim Vickery, Paul Sarahs and Seth Bennett join Dotun to discuss world cup qualifying plus the rest of the footballing news in Europe and South America.
England's crucial final World Cup qualifier against Poland at Wembley is now a little over 50 hours away. A win for England will see them qualify for the Finals in Brazil. In this podcast, Ian Payne i…
The last week of the English Premier League season of 2012/13 and it was…well…all a bit of a let-down really. Sure, West Brom and title-winners Man Utd served up a 5-5 draw, something of a rarity…
With two crucial World Cup qualifiers in the offing, Jan Bilton and Terry Duffelen reflect on the hoopla leading up to these games.Warning: contains cats.You can listen to the podcast here or if you…
While the boys are all out of town, Laura's back in the studio with some TSS newbies. Jonathan, Patrick, and Zach help her review the USMNT World Cup qualifier against Jamaica by serving the team some…
David and Scot come back with analysis of the wonder strikes which sunk Ayr at the weekend and look over the Gers early season form. They also discuss the best way to taunt your disabled wife, manager…
Minutecast 218Urawa Reds were the headline-makers on the final round of J1 matches before the six-week-long summer hiatus, surging to a 6-2 rout away to 2011 champions Kashiwa Reysol on Sunday evening…
Mark Webster is joined by Benji Lanyado and Jacob Steinberg to discuss a surprising London derby, our knee-jerk culture within football, Poyet at Sunderland, Harry Redknapp and the next England manage…
Friday night saw Argentina host Peru in Buenos Aires’ Estadio Monumental in their last home match of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuaín were among the absences due to i…
Reblogged from Hand Of Pod: The hundred-and-twenty-first episode of Hand Of Pod sees Andrés welcome Sam and Mariano to his living room for the first time, as we look back on Boca Juniors' 1-0 win awa…
For the first time since HEGS began back in February 2007, I won’t be attempting to provide any live coverage of the superclásico today. That’s because, for the first time, I’ll be at it. The…
Reblogged from Hand Of Pod: The hundred-and-twentieth episode of Hand Of Pod is the first appearance of Fede González, and it's timed perfectly - he works on one of the most popular unofficial Boca J…
There were five matches on Sunday in the Torneo Inicial, and with kickoffs staggered very strangely even by AFA standards it was impossible to watch all of them in their entirety. None ended in draws,…
La Seleccion is one of the hot favourites (see sport.bwin.fr (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEodmDcPXqI) for odds) to go all the way at the World Cup in Brazil next year. The side is packed with...
David Trezeguet may have won some of the game’s biggest prizes during his illustrious career, but there is no doubt that winning this year’s Primera División with Newell’s Old Boys...
Should Argentina change their style for the World Cup? Success at the World Cup next year could depend on how Argentina play their football in Brazil and although they’re not participating...
Argentina secured a comfortable 3-0 victory over Venezuela at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires to maintain their impressive World Cup Qualifying form under Alejandro Sabella. First half goals fr…
The 1950s began another important decade for Argentina, in a time of political turbulence at home. Peron had been in power since the last decade, but 1955 saw the fall...
Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has declared that he wants to leave the club this summer due to family reasons. The Argentina international submitted a transfer request in December, before perfor…
Turkish police have arrested around 30 people, including the president of top side Fenerbahce as part of an ongoing investigation into match-fixing in football, according to the Anatolia news agency.…
Xavi insists he would welcome the competition Cesc Fabregas would offer if joins Barcelona this summer. Barca failed with two bids for the Arsenal captain last year and have reportedly had an initial…
Lille striker Gervinho claims that his move to Arsenal is imminent has ''only a few details left to sort out'', and that is moving to the Gunners to win trophies. The Ivory Coast international, has be…
UEFA president Michel Platini believes the implentation of goal-line technology is unnecessary following the introduction of additional refereeing assistants. There had been pressure from many parties…
Rovers struggling to score this season 13 October ~ As Tranmere fell to the foot of League One last week, even the optimists among us felt our glasses were noticeably less than half-full. A year on f…
Ageing Council coming under pressure 12 October ~ Founded in 1876 the Football Association of Wales (FAW) is the third oldest football association in the world. It would clearly be an exaggeration to…
James Beattie not lost all support yet 12 October ~ Anybody who has looked at the League Two table at some point this season will have seen my team, Accrington Stanley, at the bottom – where we hav…
Injuries and poor form hurting Wembley visitors 11 October ~ There's a contrast in the rhetoric emanating from the Montenegro camp ahead of this evening's qualifier at Wembley. In March when these tw…
Michu's call-up could shift manager's mindset 10 October ~ While a good percentage of the Spanish national team plays in the Premier League, some players struggle to get noticed by coach Vicente Del…
Emmanuel Emenike converted a 90th-minute penalty for a second-half brace to lead Nigeria to a 2-1 win in Ethiopia in their World Cup playoff on Sunday, putting the African champion in a strong positio…
FRISCO, Texas (AP) -- Mike Magee tied for the MLS goal-scoring lead and added an assist to help the Chicago Fire hold off FC Dallas 3-2 Saturday night.
CHICAGO (AP) -- Midfielders Landon Donovan and Jermaine Jones were dropped from the U.S. roster for Tuesday's final World Cup qualifier at Panama because of injuries, and goalkeeper Tim Howard and def…
(AP) -- Mexico needed a spectacular Raul Jimenez goal in the 85th minute to beat Panama 2-1 on Friday and revive its hopes of qualifying for the World Cup.
(Reuters) -- The United States scored twice in three minutes to secure a 2-0 win over Jamaica on Friday and ensured they finished top of the CONCACAF qualifying tournament for next year's World Cup fi…
Latvia 1-5 UkrainePylyp Budkivskiy's hat-trick helped the visitors record their first points in qualifying and move above Dainis Kazakevičs' hosts in Group 5.
Apollon Limassol LFC forward Lianne Sanderson says her side will come out guns blazing as they attempt to overturn a 2-1 round of 32 deficit at SV Neulengbach on Wednesday.
Ligue 1's bottom club Valenciennes FC have named former RSC Anderlecht and FC København coach Ariël Jacobs as their new boss in the wake of Daniel Sanchez's departure.
Paris Saint-Germain FC welcome Tyresö FF trailing 2-1 after a close first leg but home captain Sabrina Delannoy vowed to put pressure on the visitors and Marta is wary.
Fast-tracked to the seniors after playing a key role in Poland's women's Under-17 triumph last summer, Ewa Pajor explains how Cristiano Ronaldo and her cousin inspired her.
Honduras are favourites to seal the third and final direct qualifying spot for Brazil 2014, but Mexico, who have finally found form, might just have something to say about that on Tuesday.
Following his breathtaking goal for Mexico against Panama in Brazil 2014 qualifying, FIFA.com chatted to Raul Jimenez ahead of El Tri’s decisive clash with Costa Rica.
A Chile-Ecuador draw would send both teams through to Brazil 2014, but if there is a winner in Santiago then Uruguay could avoid the play-offs with a handsome victory at home to Argentina.
Raphael Varane speaks exclusively to FIFA.com about life at Real Madrid, the influence of Jose Mourinho and Zinedine Zidane, his hopes of playing at Brazil 2014 and the role models to whom he aspires.
Last five meetings: England v Poland - originally posted on Soccerlens.comEngland have a very good record against Tuesday’s opponents in their final World Cup qualifier Poland. Unbeaten in 40 years,…
Liverpool Encouraged In Signing Barcelona Forward - originally posted on Soccerlens.comLiverpool have been alerted to signing Barcelona forward Cristian Tello after the Spaniard has opened the door fo…
Photos: The Great SAF now has a road named after him – Sir Alex Ferguson Way - originally posted on Soccerlens.comYes, you read it right. Former Manchester United boss, who is arguably the greatest…
England v Poland Preview, Team News and Possible Line-ups - originally posted on Soccerlens.comEngland are one win away from registering a place in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil as the Three Li…
Why Arsenal Must Sign Karim Benzema in January - originally posted on Soccerlens.comArsenal were linked with a move for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema in the summer but the deal never materialized.…
“One of the biggest blasts of hot air, which I’ve been hearing ever since I was an adolescent, is the idea that top level sport is a good place to learn and develop ethical and moral values. It ne…
All's fair in love, war and relegation battles - or Palmeiras seem to think so. The Sao Paulo giants, the team of the city's Italian community, are in trouble. Back in July they won the Brazilian Cup,…
The biggest occasion in South American domestic club football was back on Sunday when River Plate met Boca Juniors in a league match for the first time in almost 18 months. The big Buenos Aires derby…
I was too busy scoring goals to learn how to play football, says Dario, a legendary figure in Brazilian football from the 1960s and 70s. A charismatic character, Dario invents phrases as easily as he…
A gap has opened up as South America's World Cup qualification campaign reaches the halfway stage. Victories on Friday for Argentina, Colombia and Ecuador mean that three teams have pulled away from t…
Today's gossip has met Adam ShadowchildIt is reassuring to know that England's failing health will never go unmarked; if you want to know how worried the people in charge are about hell, handcarts, an…
Today's rumours are alive and wellThe Mill can confirm that Pope Boniface VIII is dead. Not exactly breaking news, since it happened 710 years ago today, the unloved pontiff succumbing to injuries sus…
Today's tell-all is a lineman for the county and it drives the main roadRemember that episode of Seinfeld where Mr Thomassoulo, president of playground equipment retailers Play Now, discovers that Geo…
Today's rumours are all trouser and no zipThe Mill has long found Vincent Tan fascinating, with his trousers hitched up so high they are in danger of cutting off the circulation to his brain. It might…
Today's chit-chat has those mid-window bluesWith nearly three months to wait until the opening of the mid-season transfer window, football gossip is understandably thin on the ground. So for now fans…
Today's piffle is hoping someone will do its job for itManchester United are to give the teenage sensation Adnan Januzaj a 2,900% pay rise, reports the Sun, in an effort to keep him at Old Trafford. I…
Likely to leave Anzhi Makhachkala on a full basis next January, Ivorian international striker Lacina Traoré (23) is still one of Juventus targets, if Bianconeri decide to...
According to latest rumours, Napoli are still dueling against Manchester City in order to succeed in signing Argentinian international half-back and centre-back Javier Mascherano (29),...
Previously surveyed by Everton and Liverpool, English-Zimbabwean midfielder and winger Tendayi Darikwa (21), according to ESPN, has been targeted by Manchester United. The...
Interviewed by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Lazio and German NT striker Miroslav Klose (35), still recovering from his foot surgery, stated: I've received two offers...
Asked about the onkeeping impact of Mesut Ozil on Arsenal, Spanish international offensive midfielder and winger Santi Cazorla stated: It's been a superb strike for...
Already surveyed by Sunderland and Tottenham, English international goalkeeper Fraser Forster (25) has become more and more of a main item of interest for AC Milan, whose management,...
Gordon Strachan is relaxed about Croatia boss Igor Stimac's seemingly low-key attitude to his side's final 2014 World Cup qualifier against Scotland at Hampden Park on Tuesday night.The hosts have no…
Harry Redknapp believes a foreign player quota should be applied across the leagues if introduced into English football.England Under-21 manager Gareth Southgate has suggested the quota system is intr…
Harry Redknapp was overjoyed at Andros Townsend's stellar England debut and believes the Tottenham winger is capable of anything.Townsend was influential in England's 4-1 win over Montenegro on Friday…
Contract talks with Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill will continue despite poor recent results, according to Irish Football Association president Jim Shaw.O'Neill, who takes charge of his fina…
Bury have parted company with manager Kevin Blackwell following a run of poor results.The Shakers are without a win in their last six outings and sit 21st in the Sky Bet League Two table.A statement o…
Arsène Wenger insists he is prepared to continue to splash the cash after Arsenal shattered their transfer record to sign Mesut Özil in the summer. The Gunners completed a £42.5m deal to bring the…
Arsène Wenger admits that Arsenal’s signing of Yaya Sanogo is a “bit of a gamble” due to the French striker’s past injuries troubles. The Gunners snapped up the 20-year-old forward on a free…
Thibaut Courtois says he feels “really good” at Atlético Madrid and is remaining coy on his Chelsea future. The Belgium international has been a consistent performer for the Copa del Rey holders…
Jack Wilshere expects Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny to be “bang up” for beating England when Poland aim to spoil the hosts’ party at Wembley on Tuesday. Roy Hodgson’s men can secure the…
Ray Parlour believes Mathieu Flamini has added a vital ingredient to Arsenal’s midfield this season. The 29-year-old midfielder has been a mainstay in the Gunners’ first team this season, helping…
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