Category Other

Belgium, Netherlands, Germany in joint WWC bid

Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands have submitted a joint bid to world football governing body FIFA to host the Women’s World Cup in 2027, the countries’ football associations said on Friday. The three countries will be competing with Brazil to host the tournament after the South American country submitted their bid last month while the United States and Mexico have also expressed their interest. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga,…

Santos relegated from Brazil top tier for 1st time

One of the most exciting seasons of the Brazilian league ended Wednesday with the most stable team of the season defending its title and the club that was home to the late Pelé relegated for the first time. Palmeiras drew 1-1 at Cruzeiro to be crowned Brazilian champion for the 12th time. The 18-year-old Endrick scored his 11th goal of the season to give Palmeiras an early lead and Nikao…

Jakub Jankto talks coming out as gay, being a reluctant role model, Euro 2024 hopes and more

CAGLIARI, Italy — Jakub Jankto just wants to play football, like he always did. The Czech midfielder sits by his locker in the dressing room at Unipol Domus, Cagliari Calcio’s temporary home while the Stadio Sant’Elia silently awaits reconstruction next door. A small red-and-blue shirt cut from cardboard marks his place, with No. 21 printed on it. To the right, Paulo Azzi; to the left, Nicolas Viola, a leader who…

What now for England women after tough post-World Cup results?

GLASGOW, Scotland — England spent the final moments of their 2023 schedule huddled ’round a phone, in the middle of a freezing Hampden Park pitch trying to work out what was going on in Tilburg, where the Netherlands were playing Belgium. It capped a roller-coaster year that saw them reach the final of the Women’s World Cup, but also lose out in a spot in the semifinals of the Nations…

Four-year jail term sought for fans in Vini case

A Spanish prosecutor said on Tuesday he has requested four-year prison terms for four football fans in a hate crime case opened after a black effigy dressed as Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior was hung from a bridge in January. A banner reading “Madrid hates Real” and an inflatable black effigy dressed with a replica of Vinícius’ No. 20 shirt appeared hanging on a bridge near the club’s training ground…

Bellingham joins Messi, Mbappé, Haaland on list of Golden Boy award winners

The 2023 Golden Boy award, the prestigious honour bestowed upon the best and brightest young talent in European football each year, was won emphatically by Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham. The 20-year-old won the vote from a final list of 20 names that included Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala, Paris Saint-Germain’s Warren Zaïre-Emery and Manchester United’s Rasmus Højlund. Bellingham’s win — which was secured with a record number of points in…

Wiegman: Scotland won’t throw England game

GLASGOW, Scotland — Scotland captain Rachel Corsie has said suggestions they will throw away the match against England on Tuesday to help Team GB’s qualification for the Olympics are “disrespectful” and a “huge insult” to the team. If Scotland beat England on Tuesday, then Team GB’s hopes of playing at Paris 2024 will be over. England head to Scotland locked on points with the Netherlands at the top of their…

Haaland fumes over late whistle in City draw

Erling Haaland could be charged by the English Football Association for criticising the performance of match officials after reacting to a controversial late decision by referee Simon Hooper during Manchester City’s 3-3 draw with Tottenham with a post on X saying, “Wtf.” Dejan Kulusevski’s 90th-minute header secured a point for Spurs, but City were denied a match-winning chance five minutes into stoppage time when Hooper stopped play when Jack Grealish…