Tourist hotspot Barcelona sees a spike in muggings

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Robberies involving violence or intimidation have spiked sharply in Barcelona, one of Europe's most attractive summer vacation destinations, Spanish police officials said. Officials from the regional police force for Catalonia said muggings or street robberies that include the...

In 1 game, Bale shows he can still contribute at Real Madrid

MADRID (AP) — Just like that, Gareth Bale is part of the solution for Real Madrid again. After only one game back as a starter, the player who wasn't wanted by coach Zinedine Zidane a few weeks ago showed he can still contribute to the team. Zidane started Bale in the team's Spanish league opener on...

Bayern held 2-2 at home by Hertha in Bundesliga opener

BERLIN (AP) — After agreeing to sign Brazilian winger Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona, Bayern Munich was held to 2-2 by Hertha Berlin in the opening game of the Bundesliga on Friday. Bayern's inability to break down what looked like a shaky Hertha defense aptly illustrated its need for a player like...

Neymar to miss start of French league amid transfer talk

PARIS (AP) — Neymar will miss the start of the French league season as Paris Saint-Germain confirmed Saturday that the Brazil star could leave the club this summer. Neymar, who has been linked with a move to Barcelona and Real Madrid, was not included in the PSG squad that will start the defense of its...

Veteran Dani Alves eyes 2022 World Cup in return to Brazil

SAO PAULO (AP) — More than 40,000 Brazilian fans showed up Tuesday night to see Dani Alves join his boyhood club Sao Paulo FC. The former Barcelona, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain defender said the move aims to keep him in shape for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when he will be 39 years old. The captain...

Promoter intends to drop sanctioning suit against USSF

A promoter intends to drop its lawsuit that asked a court to order the U.S. Soccer Federation to sanction international league matches in the United States. The USSF in April denied an application by Relevent Sports, a company owned by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, to have Ecuador's Barcelona and Guayaquil...

Messi strains calf, will miss Barcelona's US trip

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Lionel Messi will miss Barcelona's exhibition games in the United States against Napoli after leaving his first preseason training session with the club because of a strained right calf. The Spanish champion says Messi withdrew from Monday's training session because of "discomfort...

Pulisic makes first exhibition start for Chelsea

American midfielder Christian Pulisic made his first start for Chelsea in a 2-1 exhibition loss to Barcelona at Saitama, Japan, on Tuesday night. Pulisic played on the left flank, and the 20-year-old from Hershey, Pennsylvania, displayed his pace. He was replaced by Olivier Giroud in the 60th minute. New signing...

Barcelona says it has signed France forward Antoine Griezmann

Catalan chief to face trial for displaying secession symbols

MADRID (AP) — A judge in Spain says the regional president of Catalonia will face trial for allegedly disobeying the country's electoral board by not removing pro-secession symbols from public buildings during an election campaign. Catalan chief Quim Torra could be declared unfit to hold public office for...