soccer

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Amid War, Ukraine Takes a Moment for Sport

Faces Romania in Euro 2024; 'it's a great honor to represent Ukraine'

(Newser) - Ukraine, which is competing against a backdrop of the war at home against Russia, opens its European Championship soccer campaign with a match against Romania in Munich on Monday. The other teams in Group E are Belgium and Slovakia. Here's what to know, per the AP :
  • Ukraine is looking
...

Soccer Fans Sentenced to Prison Over Racist Abuse

3 fans in Spain got 8-month sentences for racist harassment of Real Madrid forward

(Newser) - Three Valencia fans have been handed eight-month prison sentences after pleading guilty to racially insulting Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior in the first conviction for racism-related cases in professional soccer in Spain, the AP reports. The fans, whose names were not released, won't be allowed to enter...

Germany's Head Soccer Coach Blasts 'Absolutely Racist' Poll

21% said they wanted to see more white players on country's national team

(Newser) - The coach of Germany's national soccer team has condemned a survey that asked Germans whether they wanted to see more white players selected. At a press briefing Sunday, Julian Nagelsmann said he agreed with midfielder Joshua Kimmich, who described the poll as "absolute nonsense" and "absolutely racist,...

A Napkin That Spawned Messi's Epic Career Proves Pricey

Napkin bearing Barcelona's 2000 commitment to sign the future soccer legend sells for $965K

(Newser) - The famous napkin that linked a young Lionel Messi to Barcelona sold for $965,000 on Friday, British auction house Bonhams said, per the AP . An agreement in principle to sign the-then 13-year-old Messi was written on the napkin almost 24 years ago at a Barcelona tennis club. A more...

Rogue Raccoon Delights Fans at Major League Soccer Game

'SIGN HIM NOW!' was MLS' response in Philly

(Newser) - "We need to find him a ball because he's moving very well in the center of midfield." Those were a commentator's words during a Major League Soccer matchup this week between the Philadelphia Union and New York City FC, though the description wasn't about one...

Spain's Ex-Soccer Chief Is in More Trouble Over That Kiss

Luis Rubiales will stand trial, faces prison

(Newser) - The former president of Spain's soccer federation, who partly overshadowed Spain's victory in the Women's World Cup final in August when he planted an unwanted kiss on the lips of a player, will stand trial on two charges. In January, a Spanish judge concluded the kiss was...

Girls Soccer Team Overcomes 'Sniggers,' Dominates the Boys

Bournemouth's under-12 Queens Park Ladies wrap up undefeated season in boys league

(Newser) - An under-12 girls soccer team in England had to convince officials they were capable of playing against boys this season. As one player tells the New York Times , "They definitely underestimated us." The Queens Park Ladies of Bournemouth, the only girls team in a boys league, won their...

Spain's Disgraced Ex-Soccer Chief Is Arrested

Luis Rubiales is detained at the airport in connection with an ongoing corruption investigation

(Newser) - Luis Rubiales, the disgraced former president of Spain's soccer federation who kissed a player on the lips without her consent at the Women's World Cup final, was arrested Wednesday as part of a separate corruption probe by Spanish police before being released. The Civil Guard said that Rubiales...

Adidas Blocks Number 44 From German Soccer Jerseys

Critics said it was too close to SS logo

(Newser) - German soccer fans can buy replicas of the national team's jerseys with any number between 00 and 99—except 44. The number was pulled from sale after people on social media pointed out that it strongly resembled the logo of the SS, the organization that carried out many of...

Ryan Reynolds' Soccer Team Is Hitting His Bank Account

Wrexham may be in debt, but its prospects are looking up

(Newser) - Owning a soccer club is hitting Ryan Reynolds in the wallet. Wrexham, the Welsh team bought by Reynolds and fellow actor Rob McElhenney in 2021, released its accounts for the latest financial year on Thursday and reported that the amount owed to the celebrities has risen to nearly $11.4...

Soccer Star Dani Alves Found Guilty of Nightclub Rape

He was sentenced to 4.5 years in prison

(Newser) - Dani Alves, one of the most successful soccer players of his generation, was found guilty of raping a woman in a Barcelona nightclub and sentenced to four years and six months in prison on Thursday. The former Brazil and Barcelona right back was convicted in Spain under a new sexual...

Angry Fans Chant 'Refund!' as Messi Sits Match Out

Tickets for the Hong Kong friendly soared to $625

(Newser) - Even Hong Kong's government weighed in Sunday when Lionel Messi remained on the bench during a pre-season friendly soccer match between his Inter Miami team and Hong Kong's team. Hong Kong Stadium's 40,000 seats sold out for the event, which ended in a win for Inter...

This Napkin May Fetch Nearly $400K at Auction

Impromptu document was the first 'contract' for 13-year-old Lionel Messi

(Newser) - Back in December 2000, Lionel Messi and his family were a little concerned that they hadn't heard anything in a while from FC Barcelona about signing the prodigy. So a lunch meeting was arranged among the player's father, Jorge; an agent; and club officials, the BBC reports. The...

Judge Rules on Soccer Honcho's 'Unconsented' Kiss

Luis Rubiales, Spain's former soccer chief, must head to trial, per Thursday ruling

(Newser) - After sullying his nation's Women's World Cup victory, former Spanish soccer chief Luis Rubiales will face trial for kissing forward Jenni Hermoso without her consent at the final. Judge Francisco de Jorge ruled on Thursday that Rubiales' kiss was "unconsented and carried out unilaterally and in a...

After Racial Taunts, Team Slaps Fan With Lifetime Ban

Italian soccer club will keep trying to identify any other 'evil people'

(Newser) - A soccer club in Italy has identified a fan who shouted racial abuse at a player during a match and barred him from its games for life. Udinese said in a statement that it will keep working with police and stadium security to identify anyone else involved, the AP reports....

Elegant German Great Hoisted World Cup as Player, Coach

Franz Beckenbauer said his life went according to plan

(Newser) - Franz Beckenbauer, who won the World Cup both as player and coach and became one of Germany's most beloved personalities with his easygoing charm, has died. He was 78. A statement said he died peacefully Sunday, surrounded by family, the AP reports. The family statement did not provide a...

Punch Cancels All Professional Soccer in Turkey

Faruk Koca, president of Super Lig club MKE Ankaragucu, arrested for assault on referee

(Newser) - The Turkish Football Federation has suspended play across its five professional leagues after the president of a top-tier soccer club punched a referee in the face. Chaos erupted Monday as MKE Ankaragucu drew Caykur Rizespor in a Super Lig match in Ankara, with Rizespor evening the score in the seventh...

It Could Be the Priciest Sports Memorabilia Collection Ever Sold

Sotheby's to auction 6 shirts worn by Lionel Messi in winning World Cup run

(Newser) - Sotheby's is to auction six shirts worn by Lionel Messi during Argentina's winning run at last year's soccer World Cup in Qatar and thinks they could become the most valuable collection of sports memorabilia ever sold at potentially more than $10 million. The auction house said Monday...

Soccer Star's Kidnapped Father Is Released

Members of Colombian guerrilla group had abducted father of Liverpool striker Luis Diaz

(Newser) - The father of a prominent pro soccer player has been released by kidnappers 12 days after his abduction in Colombia by members of the guerrilla group National Liberation Army. The Colombian government announced the news about the father of Liverpool striker Luis Diaz on Thursday, per the AP . The kidnapping...

FIFA Lays Down Hammer on Spain's Ex-Soccer Chief

Luis Rubiales is barred from sport for 3 years for misconduct after he kissed player during World Cup

(Newser) - FIFA banned Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish soccer federation, from the sport for three years on Monday for misconduct at the Women's World Cup final, where he forcibly kissed a player on the lips at the trophy ceremony. FIFA didn't publish details of the verdict...

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