Soccer
One deal agents can’t reach in transfer window is with FIFA
LONDON (AP) — The super agents of soccer have pressing priorities beyond trading players in the January transfer window: Protecting their ability to enjoy unrestricted cuts of deals. Jorge Mendes, Mino Raiola and Jonathan Barnett, who have earned tens of millions of dollars from player transfers, were among agents who gathered in London on Wednesday …
Ronaldo helps Juventus beat Roma 3-1 to reach semifinals
TURIN, Italy (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo scored again to set Juventus on its way to a 3-1 win over Roma on Wednesday and a place in the Italian Cup semifinals. Juventus, which has won the competition a record 13 times — including four of the past five editions — will face AC Milan or Torino …
Leicester beats West Ham 4-1 to maintain top-4 push in EPL
Leicester, England (AP) — Leicester maintained its push for a top-four spot by beating relegation-threatened West Ham 4-1 in the Premier League on Wednesday but lost leading scorer Jamie Vardy to an injury. After back-to-back losses to Southampton and Burnley, Leicester looked back to its best as goals from Harvey Barnes, Ricardo and a brace …
Tottenham ends 4-match EPL winless run by beating Norwich
LONDON (AP) — Son Heung-min ended Tottenham’s four-match winless run in the Premier League by sealing a 2-1 victory over Norwich on Wednesday. The South Korean headed in Dele Alli’s deflected cross in the 79th minute to end his seven-game scoring drought. Tottenham had taken the lead in the 38th minute, with Alli netting the …
Griezmann saves Barcelona in Copa del Rey; Madrid advances
MADRID (AP) — With Lionel Messi rested and Luis Suárez out injured, it was Antoine Griezmann who had to come through to save Barcelona from an embarrassing elimination in the Copa del Rey. Griezmann scored two late goals as Barcelona came from behind to beat third-division club Ibiza 2-1 in the competition’s round of 32 …
Griezmann scores late to save Barcelona in Copa del Rey
MADRID (AP) — Antoine Griezmann scored two late goals to save Barcelona from an embarrassing loss against third-division club Ibiza on Wednesday as the Spanish giant came from behind to win 2-1 in the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey. Ibiza took an early lead and held on until Griezmann came through with …
Police enter headquarters of Spanish club Málaga
MÁLAGA, Spain (AP) — Police entered the headquarters of Spanish club Málaga on Wednesday to seize documents related to a court case involving the second-division team. Authorities did not release further details because the search-and-seizure action was part of an investigation being conducted under secrecy. Police would not confirm Spanish media reports that the action …
South Korea, Saudi Arabia qualify for men’s Olympic soccer
BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) — South Korea and Saudi Arabia both qualified for the men’s Olympic soccer tournament after winning games on Wednesday. South Korea beat Australia 2-0 and Saudi Arabia defeated Uzbekistan 1-0 in the semifinals of the Asian Under-23 championship in Thailand. The final is Sunday in Bangkok. Three teams will qualify for the …
Soccer players union promises to defend Olympic protesters
GENEVA (AP) — Soccer players who defy Olympic rules by making protest gestures at the 2020 Tokyo Games will be supported by their global union. Freedom of speech on issues like anti-discrimination and gender equality needs to be protected from “a hypocritical rule,” FIFPro general secretary Jonas Baer-Hoffmann said Wednesday at a United Nations labor …
Bayern signs right back Odriozola on loan from Real Madrid
MUNICH (AP) — Bayern Munich signed Spain right back Álvaro Odriozola on loan from Real Madrid on Wednesday to help ease its defensive worries after a spate of injuries. The Bavarian powerhouse said the 24-year-old Odriozola signed a deal to the end of the season after successfully passing a medical examination. “We decided to fulfil …