National Teams

BUENOS AIRES — The fallout over the Argentina rugby team’s much-criticised tribute to Diego Maradona extended further on Tuesday with some Argentines saying they will boycott the side because of what they consider an inadequate homage to the late soccer great.

The Pumas, as the team are known, used what looked like black electrical tape as armbands in their Tri-Nations test loss to New Zealand on Saturday and many Argentines felt their tribute paled in comparison to the All Blacks'.

Sam Mewis is a familiar face among the USWNT squad and has been a solid midfielder for the World Cup champions. Her sister Kristie, on the other hand, had not made an appearance for the USWNT since 2014.

However, after suffering an ACL injury and returning back to the NWSL stronger and more confident, Kristie earned herself an NWSL Challenge Cup with Houston and a roster spot on the USWNT as they faced the Netherlands. After a six-year hiatus, USWNT manager Vlatko Andonovski decided two Mewis’ were better than one. He was definitely right!

Younger generations are making their mark on the footballing world, and Sophia Smith is one of many that have the proven ability to make everyone around them feel old.

Smith graduated early from Stanford University after winning an NCAA Championship to pursue her dream of playing professionally in the NWSL. After being the No. 1 overall 2020 NWSL College Draft pick and scoring her first professional goal in her debut with the Portland Thorns, Smith has shown she's capable of playing at any level.

Former Senegal midfielder Papa Bouba Diop, who scored the first goal of the 2002 World Cup against France, has died at the age of 42, world governing body FIFA said on Sunday.

"FIFA is saddened to learn of the passing of Senegal legend Papa Bouba Diop. Once a World Cup hero, always a World Cup hero," the world governing body said in a statement on Twitter.

Since the untimely death of Diego Maradona earlier this week, we’ve seen tributes to the iconic figure all across the footballing world, from the Champions League to MLS. But Maradona’s influence was not limited to the sport he singlehandedly redefined, as Saturday’s All Blacks Maradona tribute illustrated.

The shirt worn by Diego Maradona when he scored his famous "Hand Of God" goal against England at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico could be available for $2 million following the Argentine's death on Wednesday, says an American sports memorabilia expert.

The shirt is owned by former England player Steve Hodge, who got it from Maradona after the match in which his attempted back pass led to the controversial goal that helped dump England out of the tournament which Argentina went on to win in Mexico.

Rose Lavelle and Kristie Mewis scored when the U.S. women's national team played for the first time since March in a 2-0 win against the Netherlands 2-0 at Rat Verlegh Stadium in Breda, Netherlands, on Friday.

Lavelle made it 1-0 in the 41st minute and Mewis, who replaced Lavelle in the 61st minute, extended the lead in the 70th.

We wear Black Lives Matter to affirm human decency. This is not political, it’s a statement on human rights. pic.twitter.com/QHDAx4iv7k

The head of African football, Ahmad Ahmad, has been banned from football for five years by FIFA following an ethics investigation by world soccer's governing body.

Ahmad, who is president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), had intended to stand in an election in March in which he would have faced a number of challengers. FIFA said in a statement the independent Ethics Committee has found Ahmad guilty of offering and accepting gifts and other benefits, and misappropriation of funds.