Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior vowed to keep speaking out against racism in world soccer after receiving the Socrates Award on Monday at the Ballon d’Or ceremony for his contribution off the field. Vinícius, who has been racially abused repeatedly in LaLiga games over the last two seasons, was recognized for starting a foundation that is building schools in impoverished areas and investing in education in Brazil. “I will remain…
Ilkay Gündogan said Barcelona must show more emotion and more anger if they are to compete in the biggest games after losing Saturday’s El Clásico 2-1 to Real Madrid at the Olympic Stadium. Barça took the lead in the first half through Gündogan, but a brace from Jude Bellingham after the break, including the 92nd-minute winner, helped Madrid return to the top of LaLiga, level on points with Girona and…
MANCHESTER, England — The endless takeover saga at Manchester United that is about to enter its 12th month has provided useful cover for Erik ten Hag’s shortcomings. The Glazers’ deliberations can only divert attention for so long, though, and Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City might just have put the full spotlight onto the Old Trafford manager with Sunday’s 3-0 victory. Two Erling Haaland goals and a late Phil Foden strike left…
LaLiga is investigating racist abuse aimed at Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior during his side’s 2-1 El Clásico win over Barcelona at the Olympic Stadium on Saturday. The league have been in contact with Vinícius’ camp, sources told ESPN, and is working with the police to identify the perpetrators. “LaLiga has been working from the outset to identify the individuals involved in making racist insults and will file the relevant…
The Jamaica Football Federation said on Friday it had paid the members of their Women’s World Cup squad after players said they had opted out of a pair of Gold Cup qualifiers in protest. The Jamaican women’s team that reached the knockout phase for the first time in Australia this year announced last week that they would withdraw from the Gold Cup qualifiers due to “constant mistreatment” from the national…
Newcastle United’s Italy international Sandro Tonali’s ban for breaches of rules on betting on matches will apply worldwide, soccer’s governing body said on Friday, meaning the midfielder is currently unable to play for the Premier League side. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe earlier said that Tonali could still play this weekend because the Premier League club hadn’t been officially informed of the ban. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)…
When the 2023 Ballon d’Or is awarded on Oct. 30, Bill Reno doesn’t expect to see a goalkeeper receiving it. “There’s got to be some good Vegas odds on that if someone should probably think about betting on [it]. But no, I have no confidence that will happen,” the goalkeeper analyst told ESPN. Part of that is due to the strength of the campaigns for the two leading candidates, Lionel…
Premier League football will be played on Christmas Eve for the first time in 28 years when Wolves host Chelsea at Molineux Stadium, it was announced on Thursday. The decision to reschedule the game, that was originally slated to be played on Dec. 23 but has been moved to Dec. 24 for a 1 p.m. (GMT) kickoff, was criticised by the Chelsea fans who described it as “totally unacceptable.” –…
Saturday is a special day in LaLiga as we get our first Clasico of the 2023-24 season as Barcelona host eternal rivals Real Madrid. These games are always big events — this is their 255th official meeting, with Real Madrid edging the series with 102 wins to Barca’s 100 and 52 draws — and it’s very much true heading into their clash at Montjuic. Even though the game will take…
Gabriel Jesus has urged his Arsenal teammates to believe they can win the Champions League after their hard-fought win at Sevilla. The 26-year-old assisted Gabriel Martinelli’s opening goal on the stroke of half-time before netting a fine 53rd-minute strike himself as Arsenal secured a 2-1 win at Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan on Tuesday. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) – Arsenal get glimpse of star trio before fitness clouds…