Sports News Boom

11:53 AM ET Sid LoweSpain writer Ronald Koeman described the Copa del Rey as the shortest route to a trophy for a team that, he admitted, “isn’t in a position to win much,” and yet by a little before 11 o’clock on Wednesday night, even that looked like a very, very long way away. They

9:11 AM ET Don’t look now, but after years of one-sided champions across the majority of Europe’s “big five” leagues — English Premier League, German Bundesliga, Italian Serie A, Spanish Primera Division and French Ligue 1 — we’re staring at the very real scenario of new titleholders almost across the board. With the exception of

1:37 PM ET Associated Press FIFA extended an easing of its rules on Friday that frees clubs during the coronavirus pandemic from obligations to release all players to national teams. The decision came with 135 national teams set to play World Cup qualifying games in March, and 48 more playing African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

11:24 AM ET Zinedine Zidane reacted angrily to questions about his Real Madrid future, asking for “respect” and said journalists should “tell me to my face that you want me to go,” adding that changes are likely at the end of the season. The French coach was giving his first news conference — ahead of

1:42 PM ET Lewis Holman Manchester United women’s manager Casey Stoney has said that a move to League One or League Two is not a step-up from the WSL and there is a lack of respect for women managers. – Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only) Stoney’s comments follow Chelsea women’s manager Emma

9:56 AM ET Rob DawsonCorrespondent Pep Guardiola has hit back at Jurgen Klopp’s claim that Manchester City had a “two-week break” because of a COVID-19 outbreak at the club by saying the Liverpool boss “knows it’s not true.” Ahead of their meeting at Anfield, Klopp suggested City’s good run of form has been helped by

8:33 AM ET Jurgen Klopp has said Liverpool are struggling with physical and mental fatigue this season because they have not had a “two-week break” like Premier League leaders Manchester City. Reigning champions Liverpool face City at Anfield on Sunday having fallen seven points behind Pep Guardiola’s team following Wednesday’s 1-0 home defeat against Brighton.

2:48 PM ET FC Cincinnati has signed striker Brenner from Sao Paulo, the Brazilian club announced. Sources told ESPN that the deal is worth around $13 million plus an additional $2m if incentives are met. If the final payout is $15m that would tie the previous record signing in MLS, when Ezequiel Barco moved from