soccer

Stories 1 - 20 |  Next >>

Maradona's Death Was Crushing. But Was It Criminal?

Argentina to try 8 medical professionals for homicide

(Newser) - Soccer legend Diego Maradona's 2020 death was crushing. But was it criminal? That's what an Argentine court will ultimately decide. The Washington Post reports eight members of Maradona's medical team have been charged with homicide for their alleged failure to keep Maradona alive. He died in Buenos...

Drug Kingpin Eluded Cops as a So-So Soccer Player
Drug Kingpin Eluded Cops
as a So-So Soccer Player
longform

Drug Kingpin Eluded Cops as a So-So Soccer Player

Sebastian Marset of Uruguay didn't just bankroll teams, he played for them

(Newser) - Drug kingpins, including Pablo Escobar, have been known to bankroll local soccer teams in Latin America, writes Kevin Sieff in the Washington Post . It's a smart move in a few ways: Not only is soccer the "bedrock of power and politics," it's also an easy way...

14-Year-Old Kid Goes to MLS Game. And Plays

Cavan Sullivan is youngest ever to debut in a sports league in North America

(Newser) - Lots of 14-year-olds go to Major League Soccer games. This one has suited up and played. That would be Cavan Sullivan, who made his MLS debut with the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday night, reports ESPN . (Watch the moment here .) In doing so, Cavan not only broke the MLS record...

Messi Exits, Argentina Wins Copa America Anyway

Team beats Colombia 1-0

(Newser) - Lionel Messi pumped his arms. The trophy bounced up and down in his grasp. Tears of frustration from an hour or so earlier had turned to laughs and hugs for the two-time Copa America champion and World Cup winner. Messi was forced to watch much of the match because of...

16-Year-Old's Incredible Goal Makes Soccer History

Lamine Yamal of Spain becomes youngest scorer in Euro tournament

(Newser) - The soccer world remains in a tizzy over 16-year-old phenom Lamine Yamal of Spain, who on Tuesday became the youngest goal scorer in the history of the European Championship. And what a goal. With his team down 1-0 in the first half, Lamine launched a 25-footer into the top left...

James Corden Delays Start of Play for a Very British Reason

Soccer game went into a shootout, so he watched with the audience in London

(Newser) - A dramatic political play starring James Corden at London's famed Old Vic Theatre started about 10 to 15 minutes late on Saturday evening, but everybody was in a pretty good mood about it. As the BBC reports, The Constituent was scheduled to begin just as a big soccer match...

Player Leads Crowd in Nationalist Cheers

Albania's Mirlind Daku has to sit out two games at Euro 24

(Newser) - A player on Albania's national soccer team has been suspended for two games after leading fans in nationalistic chants after a Euro 24 match. Mirlind Daku used a megaphone when his team's match against Croatia in Hamburg ended in a draw Wednesday, shouting anti-North Macedonia and anti-Serbia taunts...

Four Times, Fans Rushing Ronaldo Stop the Game

'It shouldn't happen,' Portugal's coach says

(Newser) - The first time it happened Saturday, soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo turned to the boy coming toward him on the pitch, smiled, posed for a selfie, and hugged him. When a teenager tried the same thing a few minutes later during the match against Turkey, the Portugal captain raised his arms...

Italy Soccer Legend Robbed at Gunpoint While Watching Game

Thieves burst into Roberto Baggio's home during Italy's loss to Spain in Euro championship

(Newser) - Retired Italy star Roberto Baggio was robbed at gunpoint at his home while watching the national team's game against Spain at the European Championship. At least five armed robbers burst into Baggio's villa near the northern city of Vicenza around around 10pm Thursday, according to Italian media reports....

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...

Stories 1 - 20 |  Next >>