Virgil van Dijk has been hit with an additional suspension and £100,000 fine by the English Football Association for verbally abusing match officials after being sent off in Liverpool’s 2-1 win at Newcastle last month. Van Dijk was sent off at St James’ Park for a foul on Alexander Isak which was deemed to have denied the Newcastle forward a clear goal scoring opportunity. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga,…
Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal became the youngest player and youngest goalscorer for Spain’s men’s senior team after finding the net on his debut in Friday’s 7-1 European Championship qualifying win against Georgia. At 16 years and 57 days old, he takes the record as Spain’s youngest player from Barcelona teammate Gavi, who was 17 years and 62 days old when he debuted for La Roja in 2021. – Stream on…
Onside/Offside is back! Each week, Luis Miguel Echegaray discusses the latest from the soccer world, including standout performances, games you might have missed and what to keep an eye on in the coming days. This week, LME previews the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers as world champions Argentina look favorites while a Brazil side in transition face issues to return to their formal glory. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more…
“I will continue to fight for this badge no matter what,” Jadon Sancho said in the final line of his bombshell social media statement on Sunday night, but the truth is he’s now fighting to save his Manchester United career. After Erik ten Hag revealed in the immediate aftermath of United’s 3-1 defeat to Arsenal that Sancho wasn’t part of the squad at the Emirates because of poor performances in…
Brazil forward Neymar said he is not fully fit to play in the two opening rounds of World Cup qualifying due to the right ankle injury that has sidelined him since February. Neymar left Paris Saint-Germain for Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal but hasn’t yet played for his new club. He said in a press conference Thursday that the Saudi Pro League could be as good as France’s Ligue 1 —…
Players competing in Liga F, the top-tier women’s football competition in Spain, will strike for the first two weeks of the new season after failing to reach an agreement with the league over a new minimum wage. Liga F has held talks throughout the week with the various players’ unions, led by the Spanish Players’ Assocation [AFE], but announced on Wednesday that a deal could not be brokered. – Stream…
As the South American World Cup qualifiers kick off, all eyes turn to Argentina, the reigning world champions. With Lionel Messi still leading the charge, can La Albiceleste maintain their dominance? Tim Vickery delves into the challenges and prospects of each CONMEBOL nation. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga & more (U.S.) – Visit ESPN’s South American WCQ homepage Plays at home to Ecuador on Thursday, then away to Bolivia…
The nominees for the 2023 Ballon d’Or were announced Wednesday evening with France Football magazine revealing the nominees included on the list for this year’s award. Sixty players have found themselves in the running; 30 for the men’s award and 30 for the women’s award. Among the men’s players nominated are Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah, Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé. Months after inspiring Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar,…
Spain’s Women’s World Cup-winning coach Jorge Vilda was fired Tuesday by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) as the fallout from Luis Rubiales’ behaviour continues. With Rubiales suspended as Spanish FA president for 90 days by FIFA after his unsolicited kiss on forward Jenni Hermoso, the committee of regional presidents in charge of the RFEF, led by Pedro Rocha, informed Vilda of the decision to fire him. Rocha is set…
Forward Bukayo Saka was named England Men’s Player of the Year for a second successive year, the English Football Association said on Tuesday. Arsenal’s Saka, 22, was voted the standout player of the 2022-23 season by fans, ahead of midfielder Jude Bellingham and striker Harry Kane, who were second and third, respectively. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) Saka, who made his England debut in October 2020 scored…