Syndicated Content

England Says It Will Ignore Racist Boos, Continue To Kneel Before Games

England will continue to take a knee during the European Championship and ignore any "adverse reaction" to taking part in the anti-racism gesture, manager Gareth Southgate said on Saturday.

Boos could be heard from sections of the crowd at the Riverside Stadium when players took the knee before England's friendly win over Austria on Wednesday.

Leagues, Clubs Want Players To Be Allowed To Opt Out Of Copa América

South American players should be given the chance to opt out of playing the Copa América this month, the World Leagues Forum (WLF) said in an open letter to FIFA and the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) on Saturday.

The WLF, an organisation that represents more than 40 professional leagues and their clubs, said the abrupt decision to move the Copa América to Brazil after Argentina pulled out due to a surge in COVID-19 cases "directly affect(s) leagues, their member clubs and their players."

Turkish Court Hands Down Two 1,000-Year Sentences In Bizarre Fenerbahçe Case

ANKARA — A Turkish court on Friday sentenced a media executive and a former police chief to more than 1,000 years each in prison for conspiring to bring match-fixing charges against top soccer club Fenerbahçe.

Fenerbahçe's president was jailed for match-fixing a decade ago and the club was barred from playing in European competitions for two seasons, but the case was reopened after prosecutors said it was founded on a conspiracy.

Uncertainty Remains Over Health Of De Bruyne, Hazard Ahead Of Euros

BRUSSELS — The possibility of Kevin De Bruyne competing for Belgium in the European Championship remains unclear as he recovers from facial fractures, coach Roberto Martínez said on Wednesday.

The midfield talisman broke his nose and eye socket in a clash in the Champions League final last weekend but it would be days before Belgium were clear about his chances of competing, Martínez told reporters.

David Beckham’s Inter Miami Slammed With MLS-Record Fine For Cheating Salary Rules

Major League Soccer levied a $2 million fine on Inter Miami on Friday after an investigation found that the second-year team violated the league's salary budget and roster regulations.

MLS also fined Miami managing owner Jorge Mas $250,000 and suspended former sporting director Paul McDonough through the end of the 2022 season. McDonough was fired by Atlanta United on Friday.

The 5 Battles You Gotta Pay Attention To In The Champions League Final

PORTO, Portugal — Manchester City face Chelsea in the Champions League final on Saturday. Here are five key tactical battles to watch out for.

Manchester City vs. Chelsea — Champions League Final Preview

WILL CHELSEA'S WING-BACKS BE ABLE TO ATTACK?

Thomas Tuchel's system at Chelsea has been designed to give licence to the wing backs to attack, whether it be Cesar Azpilicueta or Reece James on the right and Ben Chilwell or Marcos Alonso on the left, the German has players who are effective in transition and provide width.

Defiant Barcelona Refuses To Back Down From Super League

BARCELONA — Barcelona will not apologize for its role in creating the failed European Super League and will appeal against any punishment from UEFA, president Joan Laporta said on Friday.

Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus are the last ones standing of the 12 clubs that signed up to the breakaway project in April, only for it to unravel when all six English sides plus Inter Milan, AC Milan and Atletico Madrid withdrew.

Nike Finally Explains Alarming Reason It Ended Neymar Relationship Last Year

Nike Inc said on Thursday it ended its partnership with Brazilian soccer star Neymar last year because he refused to cooperate in an investigation into sexual assault allegations leveled against him by a Nike employee.

Neymar, who currently plays for Paris St. Germain, denies the allegations, his spokeswoman said in a statement.

The world's largest sportswear maker said in a statement it viewed the allegations about an incident in 2016 as "credible" but also said an independent investigation it commissioned was inconclusive.

Three Non-English Players Selected On Loaded Team Great Britain Olympic Squad

England's Steph Houghton, Ellen White and Lucy Bronze were included in Britain's 18-member women's soccer squad for the Tokyo Olympics announced on Thursday, Team GB said.

Scotland's Caroline Weir and Kim Little along with Wales' Sophie Ingle were the only non-English players selected.

Unwilling To Rebuild, Zidane Leaves Real Madrid Again

Zinedine Zidane brought some success and stability back to a Real Madrid side that was in freefall without him but the Frenchman ultimately proved unwilling to preside over the squad rebuild the club felt it needed.

Zidane called time on his second spell in charge of the club on Thursday, leaving on his own terms as he did in 2018 after an unprecedented hat-trick of Champions League crowns and when he abruptly retired as a player in 2006.

Pages