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IFAB drops blue cards for sin-bin trials

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) on Saturday decided against introducing a new blue card as part of trials of sin bins. Football’s lawmakers announced in November measures to improve player behaviour and increase respect for match officials, which included temporary dismissals for dissent and specific tactical offences, and only allowing team captains to speak to the referee. In addition, The IFAB also approved trials of “cooling-off periods,” whereby if…

Teenagers Sávio, Berlado earn Brazil callups

Brazil boss Dorival Junior has named uncapped teenagers Sávio and Lucas Beraldo in his first squad since taking over as head coach in January. Sávio, 19, and Beraldo, 20, have been rewarded for their performances at Girona and Paris Saint-Germain, respectively, and are included in the 26-man group for Brazil’s upcoming international friendlies. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) “I have no doubt that they are players ready…

Saudi launches uncontested World Cup bid for ’34

Saudi Arabia launched its formal campaign to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup in a race that basically became a formality last October when the Gulf nation was the only candidate to enter the contest. The Saudi football federation revealed the bid slogan “Growing. Together” and a campaign logo of two multi-colored ribbons forming the number 34. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) The logo “is designed to…

Football on Feb. 29: Who can claim to be soccer’s Mr. Leap Year?

Much like World Cups (for now at least), Feb. 29 only comes around once every four years and some choice football events have occurred on the rarest of all dates. As you probably know, a Leap Year contains an additional day on top of the usual 365, which is added in at the end of February in order to maintain a level of synchronisation between the Gregorian calendar year and…

Transfer Talk: Arsenal, PSG front-runners in Osimhen race

The summer transfer window is still a way from reopening in Europe, but there are plenty of moves in the works and gossip swirling around. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals.

Hermoso on Rubiales case: It made me stronger

Spain’s Jenni Hermoso said it still hurts that she was dropped after winning the World Cup but that the past six months have made her stronger ahead of Wednesday’s UEFA Nations League final against France. Hermoso, 33, was not selected for Spain’s games in September by coach Montse Tomé to “protect” her after she pressed charges for sexual assault against ousted Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales for his…

How Premier League and NFL prove it’s not megastars who make a league successful

You hear it again and again. Sports is entertainment, entertainment is driven by stars and therefore, for a sport to be successful, it needs stars. Whether it’s LIV Golf or Paris Saint-Germain with their (once great, now almost all gone) front trio of Neymar, Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi, or the endless gushing about the impact that Messi will have/is having on Major League Soccer, the future of the sport…

Aguero denies return reports: A ‘total lie’

Sergio Agüero has denied reports that he will train with Argentinian club Independiente. The former Argentina forward retired from football in December 2021 while at Barcelona at the age of 33 due to a heart condition. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) “It’s totally a lie, I’m not going to train with Independiente,” Agüero said. “Sometimes things are invented. I reiterate that the cardiologist said that I am…

Sweden’s Olsson on ventilator with brain disease

Sweden and FC Midtjylland midfielder Kristoffer Olsson is on a ventilator in hospital in Denmark suffering from a brain disease, the club said on Tuesday. Midtjylland said Olsson, 30, lost consciousness at his home last week and has since been treated at Aarhus University Hospital. The club said his hospital admission was “not caused by self-harm of any kind, nor is the cause due to external factors.” Midtjylland added: “A…

Argentina to play two June friendlies in U.S.

Lionel Messi and Argentina will play exhibitions against Ecuador on June 9 at Chicago’s Soldier Field and Guatemala five days later at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland, ahead of defending their Copa América title. The games were announced Monday by the Argentina Football Association and Soccer United Marketing. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) Argentina last week scheduled friendlies against El Salvador on March 22 at Philadelphia’s Lincoln…