FIFA.com - News

Wenger positive ahead of decisive period

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:28:00 GMT

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has described his side's situation as "positive" as they prepare for three important fixtures, while the Frenchman has confirmed that Thierry Henry will not extend his temporary stay.

Mavuba: My priority is to help others

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:44:00 GMT

Rio Mavuba chats to FIFA.com about Lille’s struggle to keep pace with Paris Saint-Germain, his role as skipper, refusal to give up on going to EURO 2012 and dream of emulating his father and playing in the FIFA World Cup.

L'Enfant Terrible haunts his hosts

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:55:00 GMT

Thirteen years ago to this day, France headed to Wembley hoping to beat England away for the very first time. Here is the story of what happened…

Gameiro still 'learning' at PSG

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:48:00 GMT

Kevin Gameiro has said he is still adapting to life at Paris Saint-Germain, and while he believes his performances at Parc des Princes have been average, does not regret his move from Lorient.

France friendly tees up Estonia's European record

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:48:00 GMT

Estonia are set to make history as the first ever team to have played all other fellow UEFA member nations after arranging a friendly with France, the only one of the 52 they had yet to face.

France announce Estonia friendly

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:20:00 GMT

France will face Estonia in their final warm-up match before taking on England in their first UEFA EURO 2012 Group D clash this summer.

Big freeze hits French Cup fixtures

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:16:00 GMT

Arctic conditions throughout France have forced the country's football authorities to postpone three last-16 encounters in the French Cup.

Europe’s contenders left in the cold

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:25:00 GMT

Europe’s big freeze saw havoc played with the fixture list in England, Belgium and the Netherlands, while there were shocks in store for the frontrunners in Italy, Spain and France. FIFA.com rounds up the weekend action.

The five-point European review

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 23:57:00 GMT

Europe's top flights battled on amid the snow and freezing temperatures over the weekend, with a memorable Manchester United comeback among the highlights.

Lyon make Marseille settle for point

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 22:34:00 GMT

Lyon battled back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw at Marseille, who led through Benoit Cheyrou and Evanilson Brandao but failed to capitalise on their advantage.

PSG, Montpellier maintain close race

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 23:26:00 GMT

Wins for Ligue 1 title-challengers PSG & Montpellier mean the two-way race continues, as 3-1 and 1-0 wins respecitvely kept them both on track, while Valenciennes got their first away win of the season at Dijon.

Quick-fire Bordeaux beat Toulouse

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:52:00 GMT

Jussie's first-minute goal for Bordeaux set the hosts towards acomfortable 2-0 win over Toulouse, with Ludovic Obraniak netting before Moussa Sissoko was dismissed for the visitors.

PSG fight back to see off Evian

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 21:36:00 GMT

Paris St Germain had to overcome going behind to Evian, but a Nene double and Gameiro's late nerve-settler were enough to cancel out Cedri Cambon's opener and keep their three point Ligue 1 lead intact.

Nancy, Rennes share the spoils

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:56:00 GMT

Nancy and Rennes played their Ligue 1 fixture four hours ahead of schedule but the early start helped neither team as they both missed chances and settled for a goalless draw.

Valenciennes finally claim away victory

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:46:00 GMT

Renaud Cohade and Gael Danic each scored in the first half to give Valenciennes a 2-1 win over Dijon, their first away victory in Ligue 1 this season at the 12th attempt.

Transfers that transformed seasons

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 09:58:00 GMT

From Eric Cantona through Johan Cruyff to the great Alfredo di Stefano, FIFA.com looks back at some of the mid-season deals that have had the biggest impact on the clubs involved.

The Week in Quotes

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:04:00 GMT

Featuring Jeremie Janot on keeping warm during games, Ricardo Rocha on how his humorous mistake helped Brazil in 1994, Martin O’Neill on how his French sounds South Korean and Michael Rensing on Cologne’s disease.

Desailly, France’s serene strongman

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:00:00 GMT

A FIFA World Cup winner and a European champion for club and country, Marcel Desailly was a source of strength and serenity in whichever team he played for in a glittering career.

Cole talks coaching ambitions, hails Ligue 1

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:49:00 GMT

Joe Cole has praised Rudi Garcia and revealed his own coaching ambitions, compared football in England and France, and discussed his future at Lille.

Necib: Zidane is my role model

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:41:00 GMT

FIFA.com hears from the gifted France star Louisa Necib on her own footballing style, her hopes for London 2012 and the growing appeal of the women's game.

Motta: I've dreamed of this move

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:11:00 GMT

Italian midfielder Thiago Motta has said a move to Paris Saint-Germain and playing in France has been a dream of his since childhood when he was officially presented at Parc des Princes.

Lyon ladies sign Japan's Otaki

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:50:00 GMT

Japanese university striker Ami Otaki has signed with French and European women's champions Lyon, and says she is aiming for the top.

Lyon edge Lorient in extra time

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:46:00 GMT

Lyon are through to the French League Cup final after recovering from a two-goal deficit to beat Lorient 4-2 after extra time in a thoroughly entertaining encounter at Stade du Moustoir.

PSG complete move for Motta

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:58:00 GMT

Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan have both confirmed that midfielder Thiago Motta has signed for the French club and will be presented at the Parc des Princes with Leonardo tomorrow.

Mandjeck makes move to Auxerre

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:25:00 GMT

Auxerre have looked to replace outgoing striker Issam Jemaa by completing a permanent deal for Rennes midfielder Georges Mandjeck.

Saint-Etienne bring Brison from Nancy

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:20:00 GMT

Jonathan Brison has joined Saint-Etienne from fellow Ligue 1 side Nancy, the versatile 28-year-old agreeing a three-and-a-half-year contract with his new club.

Deschamps: Lucho sale makes sense

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:55:00 GMT

Coach Didier Deschamps has explained that Marseille have agreed to sell midfielder Lucho Gonzalez back to FC Porto in an effort to "reduce the wage bill".

Lyon loan Belfodil to Bologna

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:17:00 GMT

Ligue 1 side Lyon have revealed that their attacking midfielder Ishak Belfodil has joined Serie A club Bologna on loan until the end of the current campaign.

Lorient snap up Lautoa

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:38:00 GMT

Wesley Lautoa has been brought in by Lorient on a four-and-a-half year deal from Sedan, with the New Caledonian international hoping to move his career forward with the switch.

Jemaa joins Brest on loan

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:36:00 GMT

Brest have announced the loan signing of Auxerre's Tunisian striker Issam Jemaa, as the northern club look to frill the void left by the departed Nolan Roux,

Djalo signs for Benfica

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:17:00 GMT

Portuguese international Yannick Djalo has signed for Benfica after his failed transfer on the last day of the August transfer window.

Aussie queens crowned, Europe's elite endure

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:57:00 GMT

FIFA.com’s weekly review of women’s club football reflects on the crowning of new champions in Australia, top spot changing hands in the Netherlands and the front three continuing to impress in Spain.

Deadline day as it happened

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

With the January transfer window coming to a close, FIFA.com posted a live round-up of the main events. Click here to read about the major moves and the drama of deadline day.

QPR complete Diakite signing

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:33:00 GMT

Queens Park Rangers have completed the signing of Nancy defensive midfielder Samba Diakite, who has joined on loan until the end of the season with an option to make the deal permanent.

Nice loan winger Grandin

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:11:00 GMT

Ligue 1 bottom side Nice have loaned Blackpool winger Elliot Grandin until the end of the season, with the option of a permanent move, after the Frenchman requested a return to his homeland.

Ranieri expecting Motta to stay

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:54:00 GMT

Claudio Ranieri has revealed he has requested the for Inter Milan to hang on to Italian international midfielder Thiago Motta, who has been linked with a switch the French side Paris Saint-Germain.

Crespo leads Indian league auction

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:49:00 GMT

Hernan Crespo will be heading the the new Indian Premier League Soccer auction tonight, ahead of the likes of FIFA World Cup™-winner Fabio Cannavaro and former Arsenal star Robert Pires.

The five-point European review

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:48:00 GMT

While the FA Cup dominated in England, it was a good weekend for the leaders in Europe's other major leagues, with Real Madrid, Juventus, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain all chalking up victories.

Marseille fightback denies Rennes

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 22:38:00 GMT

Marseille came from behind to defeat Rennes 2-1 and extend their winning run to seven games in all competitions which lifts the side up to fifth place, two points above their opponents.

Diakite joins QPR on loan

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 22:21:00 GMT

Malian midfielder Samba Diakite has completed a loan move to English Premier League side Queens Park Rangers from Nancy.

Ajaccio climb with Valenciennes win

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:24:00 GMT

Christian Kinkela scored a superb injury-time goal, sealing a 2-1 victory for Ajaccio over Valenciennes, while also lifting the Ligue 1 strugglers out of the relegation zone.

Roux shines on Lille debut

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 23:27:00 GMT

Eden Hazard broke the deadlock, but it was Nolan Roux who put the match beyond doubt, bagging a brace on his Lille debut to seal a comfortable 3-0 victory over Saint-Etienne.

PSG beat Brest, Giroud rescues Montpellier

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 20:48:00 GMT

Paris Saint-Germain maintained their lead atop the Ligue 1 standings with a 1-0 win over Brest, while Montpellier kept pace with the leaders after a victory by the same margin at Nice.

Kadir: Algeria will learn from 2010

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 03:39:00 GMT

FIFA.com spoke to Algeria midfielder Foued Kadir about the Desert Foxes' rejuvenation under new coach Vahid Halilhodzic, his experience at South Africa 2010 and ambitions for Brazil 2014.

The Week in Quotes

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 02:16:00 GMT

Featuring Pele comparing himself to legends of music and art, Lionel Messi on how criticism from Argentinians upset him, Carlos Alberto Torres writing off Brazil’s hopes in 2014, and Vinnie Jones on a day he will never forget.

Alex seals move to PSG

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:51:00 GMT

Paris Saint-Germain have completed the signing of Chelsea defender Alex, the 29-year-old Brazilian reuniting with former manager Carlo Ancelotti at the ambitious Ligue 1 side.

Sow completes Fener switch

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:38:00 GMT

Fenerbahce have confirmed that they have completed the signing of Senegal striker Moussa Sow, who has agreed a four-year deal with the Turkish giants.

January activity continues apace

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:44:00 GMT

With the transfer deadline fast approaching, FIFA.com rounds up this week's action in the global market, which has seen plenty of business on British shores.

Cetto explains loan to Lille

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:28:00 GMT

Argentinian defender Mauro Cetto has discussed the problems he had adapting to life at Palermo and his excitement at returning to France with Lille.

Toulouse deny receiving Machado offers

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:06:00 GMT

Toulouse have dismissed comments from Portuguese midfielder Paulo Machado that they have turned down bids for him.