Europe

Raúl Jiménez might be the first player in history sent off for attacking opponent with his bum

Fulham and Mexico striker Raúl Jiménez revolutionized the term “headbutt” on Saturday when he received a red card for attacking Newcastle’s Sean Longstaff with his bum.

The Jiménez red card vs Newcastle is unlike any sending off we’ve ever seen. The Mexican striker carelessly flew in the air to block Longstaff’s pass and ended up clattering into him.

If this was WWE then Jiménez would’ve received a standing ovation, instead he got an early trip to the showers and left Fulham down a man in the 22nd minute.

Jiménez red card vs Newcastle

Premier League set to have first female referee ever and first black referee in 15 years

LONDON — Rebecca Welch will become the first female referee to officiate a Premier League match when she takes charge of Fulham's home game against Burnley on Dec. 23.

The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) confirmed the appointment on Thursday and also said Sam Allison would become the first Black official to take charge of a Premier match for 15 years.

Allison will be the referee for Sheffield United v Luton Town on Dec. 26.

Premier League female referee

Only 5% of people can correctly explain why this Rennes goal was disallowed — can you figure it out?

We apologize for the extra clickbaity headline, but we’re serious when we say few people can explain the disallowed Rennes goal vs. Villarreal from Thursday’s Europa League action.

For complete transparency, the author writing this story wasn’t part of the 5% of people who could correctly explain why this goal wasn’t counted upon first viewing. Not even CBS’ commentators understood the Rennes’ stoppage time equalizer mystery.

Before we give you the answer, watch the clip for yourself.

Rennes disallowed goal vs. Villarreal

Who will win the award? — FIFA announces three finalists for 2023 Puskás Award

FIFA announced the finalists for the Puskás Award, and the goals are nothing short of amazing.

FIFA announces finalists for the 2023 Puskás Award

It all comes down to this.

On Thursday, Dec. 14, FIFA officially announced the players chosen to stand on the nomination podium for the lead-up of their annual Puskás Award, given to the player with the best goal of the year. 

Julio Enciso (Brighton), Nuno Santos (Sporting CP) and Guilherme Madruga (Botafogo) will be in contention for the award during FIFA’s The Best ceremony held on January 15, 2024 in London.

Watch: Dortmund’s Niklas Süle pulls off an insane goal line clearance to deny Kylian Mbappé

DORTMUND - Paris Saint-Germain drew 1-1 at Group F winners Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday to secure second place and a spot in the Champions League knockout stage in their final group match.

Both sides squandered a bagful of golden chances in a surprisingly goalless first half.

The hosts had the early chances but PSG gradually found spaces and threatened with Lee Kang-in in the 16th minute and Kylian Mbappé's effort which was cleared by Niklas Süle at the last moment a little later.

Niklas Süle clearance vs PSG

Christian Pulisic’s first UCL goal in 21 months inspires comeback win to secure Europa League spot

Christian Pulisic netted his first Champions League goal in 637 days during AC Milan’s 2-1 victory vs. Newcastle on Wednesday. The result wasn’t enough for Milan to advance to the Round of 16 but did qualify the Italian club for the Europa League knockout playoffs.

In order to advance out of their Champions League group Milan needed to defeat Newcastle and required some help from Borussia Dortmund to best Paris Saint-Germain, however that game ended 1-1.

Watch: Saucy Sergiño Dest nutmeg vs. Arsenal had his PSV teammates’ mouths dropping

United States men’s national team and PSV defender Sergiño Dest is loving life at his new club and playing with supreme confidence. The Dest nutmeg vs Arsenal from Tuesday’s Champions League game is a prime example.

During the game, Dest bested Arsenal’s Jakub Kiwior with a nutmeg that looked like it was straight out of an old “Jogo Bonito” video. Destinho was cooking with his move.

What made the skill move even better was his teammates’ reactions to the nutmeg.

Sergiño Dest nutmeg vs Arsenal

Watch the hilarious reaction when amateur club learns they’ll play PSG in the French Cup

The euphoric celebrations of US Revel after the sixth-tier club were drawn against the might of Paris Saint-Germain in the French Cup this week showed what it means for amateur players just to be on the same pitch as world class talents like Kylian Mbappe.

Footage of the players and staff bouncing around and yelling with joy went viral after Monday's Round of 64 draw paired the French champions with the team from an area of the southwest of the country better known for rugby.

French club drawn vs PSG reactions

Manchester United crash out of Europe and finish BOTTOM of Champions League group

MANCHESTER — Manchester United's slim chance of a Champions League last-16 spot ended with a 1-0 defeat by group winners Bayern Munich at Old Trafford on Tuesday, piling more misery on Erik ten Hag's beleaguered team in an already rocky season.

The three-time European champions needed to beat Bayern in their group stage finale on Tuesday and hope Copenhagen's game against visiting Galatasaray ended in a draw.

Legendary Italian defender and LAFC star Giorgio Chiellini announces his retirement

Former Italy and Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini has decided to retire from professional football, the 39-year-old announced on Twitter on Tuesday.

Chiellini, who played for Major League Soccer (MLS) club Los Angeles FC this season, retires after losing the MLS Cup final 2-1 to Columbus Crew on Saturday.

Chiellini retires

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