Shocking

HONG KONG — Chinese sporting authorities have canceled next month's friendly international between Argentina and Nigeria amid a growing backlash against Lionel Messi's failure to play in an Inter Miami match in Hong Kong last week.

Argentina were scheduled to play Nigeria in the Chinese city of Hangzhou next month before facing the Ivory Coast in Beijing, but Messi's failure to take the field for Inter Miami in Hong Kong on Sunday caused widespread anger among fans.

PARIS — Paris Saint-Germain look set to leave the Parc des Princes after the City confirmed the stadium was not for sale, club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said on Thursday.

"It's too easy to say now that the stadium is not for sale anymore. We know what we want, we wasted years to try and buy it. It's easier for us now, we know what we want. It's over for us. We want to move out of the Parc," Al-Khelaifi told reporters at a UEFA Congress.

PSG leaving Parc des Princes

BOUAKE — Three-time winners Nigeria were given a scare but reached the Africa Cup of Nations final after goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali saved two penalties in the shootout to guide his side to a 4-2 victory over South Africa following a 1-1 draw on Wednesday.

William Troost-Ekong put Nigeria into the lead from the penalty spot midway through the second half, before South Africa earned a spot-kick of their own in the final minute of the 90 and it was converted by Teboho Mokoena.

Alex Morgan’s name was left off the United States women’s national team roster for a second time in a row on Wednesday as the star forward won’t compete at the Concacaf Women’s Gold Cup.

Morgan also wasn’t included in the December roster that saw a litany of younger players play two friendlies against China. This time the roster has almost all the big names with Becky Sauerbrunn and Morgan being the major omissions.

Taking over Morgan’s role at the No. 9 will be either Sophia Smith or rising Chelsea star Mia Fishel.

ATHENS — Greece will allow its top league soccer matches to be played with fans from Feb. 13, two months after top clubs were ordered to play behind closed doors following the severe injuring and death of a police officer in violence during a volleyball match.

In Greece, fights between football fans and clubs are frequent on and off the pitch before or after a game and the government has been trying for years to reform soccer plagued by criminal gangs and a minority of violent fans.

Sevilla’s Lucas Ocampos was the victim of a fan poking him in the butt inappropriately during Monday’s LaLiga game between Sevilla and Rayo Vallecano.

In the first half a young Rayo Vallecano supporter crossed the line when he was seen putting his finger in Ocampos’ backside. Ocampos immediately turned around and informed the referee of the fan’s gross act.

Ocampos finger incident

A viral video during Real Madrid’s 2-0 win vs. Getafe on Thursday appears to show superstar Jude Bellingham calling Mason Greenwood “rapist” during the game.

LaLiga said on Friday that the league is looking into the incident after Getafe filed a complaint.

The two English players were battling for possession near the sideline. When the ball went out of play the cameras zoomed in on Bellingham’s face where he clearly says something. The lip readers of the internet believe he said “rapist” while looking in Greenwood’s direction.

Lindsey Horan had a few words to say about everything USWNT and even hit at some of the fans that criticize them.

On Thursday, Feb. 1, The Athletic released an interview with USWNT and Lyon star Lindsey Horan talking about all things USWNT since the end of what was a tough year for the historic national team — an interview that has quickly gathered a lot of mixed opinions in the American soccer world.