Argentina captain Lionel Messi has said defending champions France and Brazil are the favourites to win the World Cup in Qatar as they have a core group of players who have played together for a long time. Messi said Brazil, Germany, France, England and Spain are always labelled favourites to win, but the 35-year-old forward feels France and Brazil are the best two teams going into the N...Full Story »

Stonewall is urging the global sporting community to “stand up and call out the criminalisation and persecution” of LGBTQ+ people in Qatar at the upcoming World Cup.The leading LGBTQ+ charity has made the plea at the launch of its ninth annual ‘Rainbow Laces’ campaign.Same-sex relationships are criminalised in Qatar and Stonewall hopes issues can be highlighted while the ...Full Story »

Kilmarnock booked their place in the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Dundee United.Kyle Lafferty put Killie ahead after eight minutes from the penalty spot, but Dundee United hit back instantly when Glenn Middleton fired home from 12 yards.The game appeared to be heading for extra-time before Daniel Armstrong headed home Jordan Jones’ cross to send Kilmarnock...Full Story »

Newcastle defender Fabian Schar is expected to be fit for Wednesday night’s Premier League clash with Everton at St James’ Park.The Switzerland international, who has been nursing a foot injury, limped off late in Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Manchester United, but is likely to retain his place in the squad.Joe Willock has recovered from the illness which reduced him to the role of lat...Full Story »

Antonio Conte has confirmed Richarlison will be fit for the World Cup despite the club still waiting on the full extent of a calf injury sustained during Saturday's 2-0 win over Everton. The Brazil forward was on crutches and in tears after the game, telling ESPN Brazil he feared that "the realisation of my dream" to play at a World Cup was at risk. However, initial tests have been more positi...Full Story »

ENGLAND'S Wags have been issued a list of do's and don'ts to avoid a World Cup crisis in Qatar. Three Lions chiefs are taking no chances in the strict Gulf state and warned the glamourous group: "You are not above the law." Jack Grealish's glamorous girlfriend Sasha Attwood is expected to be at the meeting They delivered the rules at a secret presentation. Wags expected to be there, such as ...Full Story »

Chelsea boss Graham Potter hailed goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga after his side’s gritty 2-0 win at Aston Villa.Mason Mount’s double and Kepa’s heroics earned a fifth straight win in all competitions on Sunday.It cemented Chelsea’s fourth place in the Premier League and they now sit three points clear of Manchester United after their stalemate with Newcastle.Kepa made some ...Full Story »

ENGLAND star Jack Grealish shows he’s well marked at the back — after a hot “cupping” session. Jack, 27, opted for the alternative therapy which involves hot glass jars being placed on the skin. Jack Grealish posted shared images of himself receiving cupping treatment on Instagram The £100million Manchester City ace shared snaps of the unusual treatment, which lef...Full Story »

Richarlison appeared tearful in his interview after the game Richarlison looked tearful as he admitted his World Cup dream hangs in the balance after leaving Tottenham's stadium on crutches. Richarlison, 25, has made 38 appearances for Brazil and looked a certainty to be name in Tite's squad for the tournament in Qatar next month. But his participation is now up in the air after he suffered a...Full Story »

Reece James is likely to miss the World Cup for England Chelsea defender Reece James has taken to Twitter after it emerged he had suffered an injury that could potentially see him miss the World Cup with England. The Blues right-back has been ruled out for eight weeks with the knee injury he suffered against AC Milan and subsequent scans showed he had suffered ligament damage. James posted on...Full Story »

West Ham scored twice in the opening 14 minutes to condemn Aston Villa to their first defeat of the season with a 2-1 win in the Women’s Super League.The Hammers cruised into a two-goal lead early on thanks to efforts from Dagny Brynjarsdottir and Honoka Hayashi and, although Villa pulled one back in the second half through Kenza Dali, the visitors held on, despite a late red card for Hawa...Full Story »

ENGLAND supporters and other nations fans will have special zones at the World Cup to sober up. Alcohol will move from just hotel bars in Qatar to fan zones and will also be sold outside stadiums during the tournament. England fans could be moved to 'sobering tents' at the World Cup in Qatar The Middle East nation is a predominantly Muslim country which has restricted public drinking laws. ...Full Story »

Erling Haaland has revealed that he loves to eat fast food, but is not allowed to indulge his cravings to preserve his fitness. Haaland asked about his favourite meal City star declared his love of kebabs But striker not allowed to eat fast food WHAT HAPPENED? Manchester City star Haaland was interviewed by Gary Neville for Sky Sports and was asked about his favourite meal. Haaland picke...Full Story »

France midfielder N'Golo Kante has been ruled out for three months following an injury setback and will miss the World Cup in Qatar, sources have told ESPN. The Chelsea midfielder is suffering from a serious hamstring injury, and the news is a significant blow for France manager Didier Deschamps given the role the 31-year-old played in his country's 2018 World Cup triumph. Kante's absence is...Full Story »

REECE JAMES will discover his World Cup fate this weekend. England boss Gareth Southgate is sweating on the availability of the Chelsea right-back in Qatar. Reece James goes down injured after a collision with AC Milan's Theo Hernandez There are growing fears James damaged knee ligaments in Milan on Tuesday and could need surgery. James will see a specialist in the next 24 hours to assess th...Full Story »

Ivan Toney declared himself ready for England World Cup duty after boosting his chances with both goals in Brentford’s 2-0 win against Brighton.Bees striker Toney was called into the Three Lions squad for the first time last month but failed to get onto the pitch for the matches against Italy and Germany.But the 26-year-old looks determined to book a seat on the plane to Qatar, and he is b...Full Story »

Dejan Kulusevski will not be available for selection when Tottenham host Everton.The Swedish midfielder underwent another MRI on Friday and was ruled out of Saturday’s clash, and could be doubtful for Spurs’ trip to Old Trafford on Wednesday.Antonio Conte will also be without the services of Emerson Royal, who is serving a three-match suspension following his red card in the north Lo...Full Story »

Charlton will assess Miles Leaburn ahead of their League One clash with Portsmouth on Monday.The young forward opened the scoring against Exeter in midweek but was then forced off in the second half after picking up an ankle injury.If Leaburn is not fit then Chuks Aneke could be the one to replace him after he made his first appearance of the season as a substitute following a calf problem and s...Full Story »

CHELSEA star Marc Cucurella is expecting his third child with fashion designer girlfriend Claudia Rodriguez. The 24-year-old recently signed for Chelsea for £62million and life is busy for the defender with a baby on the way. Marc Cucurella has revealed that his girlfriend is pregnant Both parents posted the snap of them holding the photo from the scan - Cucurella captioned it: "Baby num...Full Story »

Argentina winger Angel Di Maria is expected to be fit in time for the World Cup, after Juventus said on Thursday that he sustained a low-grade hamstring injury and will be out until early November. Di Maria picked up the injury in their 2-0 defeat against Maccabi Haifa in the Champions League on Tuesday and the 34-year-old underwent scans on Thursday. "Angel Di Maria underwent diagnostic tes...Full Story »