Shanghai Shenhua s technical director has launched a scathing attack on big-money imports to the Chinese Super League, but says the club are pulling out all the stops to sign Carlos Tevez.
A number of star players have flocked to the CSL in recent years, where government backing has left a host of clubs with money to burn.
The league s transfer record was broken three times in the space of a week as Ramires, Jackson Martinez and Alex Teixeira moved to China, with a $60million deal taking Hulk to Shanghai SIPG in June this year topping the lot.
Shenhua were at the forefront of China s transfer revolution as they signed Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba in 2012, although both left the club within a year, claiming they had not been paid.
And club official Wu …
Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool have avoided Premier League opposition in the FA Cup fourth-round draw.
Defending champions United thumped Reading 4-0 to earn a place in the hat and they will entertain Championship side and 2012-13 winners Wigan Athletic.
It is a tie that gives former United reserves manager Warren Joyce a return to Old Trafford.
Chelsea will play host in a local derby against Brentford, while Liverpool will face Wolves at Anfield if they overcome Plymouth Argyle in a third-round replay at Home Park on January 18.
Arsenal could also avoid top-flight opposition as they take on the winner of Southampton s match against Norwich City, while Manchester City have been drawn an away trip to either Bolton Wanderers or Crystal Palace…
Antoine Griezmann has refused to rule out a move to Real Madrid after scoring the equaliser in Saturday s derby at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The France international netted his 15th LaLiga goal of the season with five minutes of normal time left to play to cancel out Pepe s earlier header and salvage a 1-1 draw for Atletico Madrid.
Griezmann, who has been heavily linked with a potential move to Atletico s city rivals, has scored more league goals against Madrid since 2013 than any other player having netted five in that period while he has found the net in three of his last four league visits to the Bernabeu for both Atleti and Real Sociedad.
And the 26-year-old says he wants to keep up his formidable record at the home of the European champions though he has aga…
Wayne Rooney believes Jose Mourinho has helped Manchester United to reboot their winning mentality.
Rooney helped United to the last of their 20 English titles in Alex Ferguson s final season at the helm in 2012-13, with the subsequent David Moyes and Louis van Gaal years jarringly barren by comparison.
Van Gaal did claim FA Cup glory as a swansong at the end of last season before making way for Mourinho and an indifferent start to the current campaign followed.
But United head into Saturday s game against Watford with a 15-match unbeaten Premier League run to their name, as well as the EFL Cup final to follow against Southampton at Wembley later this month.
During this period, Rooney netted a last-minute equaliser at Stoke City to usurp Bobby Charlton as…
Spain cruised to an emphatic 4-1 win over France to reach the European Under-21 Championship final where they will once again meet Germany.
Luis de la Fuente s side looked to be in a spot of bother after going behind early on, but they showed admirable character and plenty of class to turn things around with minimal fuss and earn themselves the opportunity to avenge their 1-0 defeat to Germany in the 2017 final.
France opened the scoring from the spot through Jean-Philippe Mateta, but their lead lasted 12 minutes, Marc Roca blasting in before Mikel Oyarzabal put Spain in front with the second penalty of the match in first-half stoppage time.
Les Bleus offered precious little in attack after their early goal and Spain wrapped things up in the second half thr…
It was not total football that saw Netherlands advance to a Women s World Cup final against the United States, but a cocktail of grit, determination and staying power.
Sweden head coach Peter Gerhardsson had spoken of his admiration for Dutch football ahead of Wednesday s second semi-final in Lyon.
He became incredibly fascinated with their style after witnessing the 1974 World Cup final between the men s teams of West Germany and Netherlands, the latter led by Johan Cruyff and the Total Football philosophy that transformed the sport and was adopted and adapted by many of the future teams that would come.
This was not a Netherlands performance that adhered to such principles, though Gerhardsson should have had grudging respect for the way the Oranje secured a 1-0…
A defiant Luis Rubiales has said he will not resign as president of the Spanish football federation despite facing widespread criticism and disciplinary proceedings over his behaviour at last Sunday’s Women’s World Cup final.
The 46-year-old kissed midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the trophy and medals presentation after Spain’s victory over England in Sydney.
He had earlier grabbed his crotch in celebration while stood metres away from Spain’s Queen Letizia and her teenage daughter in the stadium’s VIP area.
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee opens disciplinary proceedings against Luis Rubiales, President of the Spanish FA
— FIFA Media (@fifamedia)
Football’s world governing body FIFA opened disciplinary proceedin…
Lee Johnson has been sacked as Hibernian manager.
Hibs confirmed Johnson had departed less than 24 hours after a 3-2 home defeat by Livingston meant they had lost their opening three cinch Premiership matches.
Chief executive Ben Kensell said on the Hibernian website: “The club has taken the tough decision to relieve Lee Johnson of his duties following a disappointing start to the domestic campaign.
“We wish Lee and his coaching staff all the best for the future and thank them for their efforts.”
Hibernian FC can confirm that that Lee Johnson has departed the Club as First Team Manager.
— Hibernian Football Club (@HibernianFC)
The change comes ahead of Thursday’s Europa Conference League play-off second leg against Aston Villa w…
Joe Hart insists Manchester City s players will not be distracted by the hype surrounding Pep Guardiola s forthcoming arrival as they fight for trophies on four fronts.
City returned to Premier League action at Sunderland on Tuesday, their first match since the announcement that Bayern Munich boss Guardiola would replace Manuel Pellegrini at the end of the season.
Sergio Aguero scored the only goal after 16 minutes, but the visitors impressive start subsided and they were indebted to some fine saves from England goalkeeper Hart to hold their relegation-threatened opponents at bay.
The 2011-12 and 2013-14 champions are three points behind Leicester City as they prepare to host the league leaders on Saturday and Hart believes focusing on the impending appointmen…
The football world has hailed Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson following the news that he will retire at the end of the season.
The club announced on Wednesday that the Scot will bring his 27-year stint in charge to a close at the conclusion of the current Premier League campaign.
With the 71-year-old having won 38 trophies, the most recent being this season s Premier League crown, in his time at Old Trafford, news of his retirement has understandably attracted a host of tributes.
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany, who helped deny Ferguson and United the Premier League title in dramatic circumstances last season, wrote on Twitter: Sir Alex, one of the best managers of all time. After 26 years of success in the game, we all owe him a tribute.
Ferguson has also r…