Author: Andrew Rogers

Plans to stage a Serie A match between AC Milan and Como in Australia have been abandoned.The fixture in Perth would have been the first major European league game played abroad. Serie A said escalating and unacceptable requests from the Asian Football Confederation made the match impossible.President Ezio Simonelli cited financial risks and last-minute complications behind the decision. The game had been moved because the San Siro was unavailable due to the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics ceremony.UEFA had reluctantly approved the relocation earlier this season. Serie A viewed the match as a chance to promote Italian football internationally.Those ambitions collapsed after…

Aston Villa strengthened their title challenge with a 2-1 home win over Manchester United.Morgan Rogers scored twice at Villa Park, sealing a seventh straight league victory. Villa sit third, three points behind leaders Arsenal, after ten consecutive wins in all competitions.Unai Emery celebrated wildly as Rogers struck his second decisive goal after the break. Rogers opened the scoring before half-time with a curling finish into the far corner.United responded through Matheus Cunha, who levelled shortly before the interval. Villa regained control early in the second half when Rogers struck again from inside the box.The goal followed sustained pressure and sharp…

Kylian Mbappé equalled Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid scoring record with a late penalty against Sevilla.His 59th goal of 2025 secured a 2-0 win and kept Real one point behind Barcelona.Jude Bellingham scored first, while Sevilla finished with ten men after a late red card. Juventus stayed in Serie A contention by beating Roma 2-1 at home.The result lifted Juventus within one point of Roma, as Milan and Napoli remain ahead.Roma’s struggles against top teams continued. In Germany, Bayer Leverkusen came from behind to beat RB Leipzig 3-1.The win moved Leverkusen into third before the winter break.Elsewhere, Freiburg edged Wolfsburg 4-3,…

Confusion and frustration are spreading at Chelsea after Enzo Maresca publicly suggested he felt unsupported by the club, comments that insiders say caught both executives and allies by surprise. Rather than clarifying his remarks, the head coach has doubled down, fuelling speculation of a rift with the hierarchy and creating an atmosphere Chelsea are desperate to avoid. The fallout began after a subdued win over Everton, when Maresca described the build-up to the match as his worst period since joining the club. Chelsea sources insist the comments were unnecessary and damaging, particularly as Maresca has since declined multiple chances to…

Lewis Miley scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner as holders Newcastle edged Fulham to book a Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester City. Still smarting from a derby defeat by Sunderland, Eddie Howe’s side dominated possession but struggled to break down Fulham, who twice cancelled out Newcastle pressure through goals from Yoane Wissa and Sasa Lukic. With penalties looming, the 19-year-old local midfielder rose highest to head in a late corner, lifting the mood at St James’ Park and keeping Newcastle’s cup defence alive.

Celtic chairman Peter Lawwell has announced he will stand down at the end of December, citing “intolerable” abuse and threats from a section of the club’s supporters. Lawwell’s departure deepens the sense of crisis at the Scottish champions, who suffered a League Cup final defeat to St Mirren on Sunday – their third consecutive loss under new manager Wilfried Nancy. Fans’ anger has intensified following transfer window mistakes, the departure of Brendan Rodgers, and Celtic’s Champions League qualifying exit to Kairat Almaty. Formerly the club’s chief executive, Lawwell said the abuse had escalated to the point that it alarmed his…

Cristian Chivu brushed off criticism after Inter’s 2-1 win at Genoa sent them top of Serie A, insisting results matter more than narratives. Despite four league defeats and recent Champions League setbacks, Inter lead the table for the first time this season, having won 11 matches and drawn none. “When wins are worth three points, slow and steady doesn’t work,” Chivu said, embracing Serie A’s volatility. Goals from Yann Bisseck and Lautaro Martínez handed Genoa their first league loss under Daniele De Rossi and underlined Inter’s ability to rebound quickly. Though injuries and an ageing core pose concerns, the squad…

Thomas Frank said Tottenham’s 3-0 loss at Nottingham Forest was a stark reminder that his team remain a “work in progress”, insisting there are no quick solutions to their struggles. Spurs managed just one shot on target as Callum Hudson-Odoi scored twice and Ibrahim Sangaré added a late third, leaving Tottenham mid-table after one win in seven league games. While only six points off the top four, Frank admitted the performance was “very bad”. “This is not a quick fix,” he said. “If no one gets time, no one can turn this around. Today was a very bad performance, but…

Stephon Castle soccer investment highlights a growing trend of athletes supporting soccer in the United States. The San Antonio Spurs standout has joined the ownership group of a new professional soccer club based in Connecticut. The move reflects rising athlete influence in shaping the future of American sports. Castle’s decision shows his interest beyond basketball. By investing in soccer, he aims to support local sports growth and bring more fans into the game. His involvement adds visibility and excitement to the new club, especially among younger audiences. The Connecticut-based club is part of a broader effort to grow professional soccer…

Adam Wharton is settling into a defining season at Crystal Palace, with the midfielder’s form attracting interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs and putting World Cup and Champions League ambitions firmly within reach. Since joining Palace from Blackburn for an initial £18m in January last year, the 21-year-old has become a central figure under Oliver Glasner. Although he is still searching for his first goal for the club, Wharton’s influence has been felt through his passing, composure and tactical intelligence from a deeper midfield role. After earning an England call-up for Euro 2024 and winning his second senior cap…