SPORTS

Rome, Italy | AFP |  This week’s Italian Cup semi-final, second leg matches were set to bring football back to a nation emerging from the coronavirus crisis, but with two days until the scheduled kick-off the two matches are still awaiting government approval. Juventus’ home clash with AC Milan on Friday …

Soweto, South Africa | AFP |  Danny Jordaan, the man who spearheaded the 2010 World Cup, believes the tournament put an end to “Afro-pessimism” and helped transform the African continent from “hopeless to hopeful”. Ten years after the event, Jordaan told AFP the World Cup put sceptics firmly in their place …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury have agreed in principle to meet in two blockbuster fights, according to Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn. Hearn has been negotiating with Fury’s camp for several weeks and he said the terms were in place for the British world heavyweight champions to go head to …

Madrid, Spain | AFP | The mayor of Madrid has said the city is being considered as a potential host of this year’s Champions League final and has given the idea his “total and absolute support”. The fixture was due to be played at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul on May 30 before the …

Berlin, Germany | AFP | Substitutes will no longer have to wear protective face masks on the sidelines during Bundesliga matches in changes to hygiene measures announced Wednesday. While fixtures in Germany’s top three men’s leagues and the women’s top-flight continue to be played behind closed doors, the rules are to be relaxed across the …

Paris, France | AFP |  In different circumstances, the eyes of the football world would have been on Rome for the opening game of Euro 2020 this Friday, but instead the tournament was postponed by a year and UEFA are considering changes to the unprecedented format in a Europe shaken by …

Madrid, Spain | AFP |  “I am happy where I am, I feel loved,” says Mikel Oyarzabal, Real Sociedad’s captain and creator, often linked with Manchester City but whose best chance of playing in the Champions League next season might be to stay where he is. Real Sociedad are fourth in …

Madrid, Spain | AFP |  When La Liga stopped they were not expected to play any part in the rest of the title race but when the season resumes on Thursday, Eden Hazard and Luis Suarez could be set to decide it. Hazard was looking beyond Real Madrid to the Euros …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | When Timo Werner seals his imminent move from RB Leipzig to Chelsea, the German’s turbulent rise from national pariah to one of Europe’s most feared forwards will be complete. Chelsea are willing to meet the 60 million euro (£53 million, $67 million) release clause in …

Madrid, Spain | AFP |  La Liga president Javier Tebas said the games would have to go on and from Thursday they will, with stadiums full of virtual fans, crowd noise from a computer game and fewer than 300 people allowed to attend. As Ligue 1 in France was called off …