CAGLIARI, Sardinia — Gigi Riva, the all-time leading goalscorer for Italy men’s national team who was known as the “Rombo di Tuono” (Rumble of Thunder), has died. He was 79. The Italian soccer federation (FIGC) confirmed Riva died on Monday as tributes started flooding in for the player, who earned his nickname because of the … Read more
SAN ANTONIO — On an afternoon of debuts, the result for the United States against a European opponent was familiar. Eleven Americans made their first national team appearances, the most in a match in 36 years, and a mistake by one of those debutants led to Slovenia’s goal in a 1-0 exhibition win Saturday. Twenty-four … Read more
Jordan Henderson acknowledges the crowd after the Saudi Pro League match between Al-Ettifaq and Damak at Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium on Sept. 2, 2023 in Ad Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Francois Nel | Getty Images Sport | Getty Images England international Jordan Henderson abruptly ended his playing time in Saudi Arabia’s Pro League, dealing a … Read more
ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey’s leading soccer club Basaksehir announced Thursday it has parted ways with its Israeli player Eden Karzev following a disciplinary probe of his social media post calling for the release of hostages held in Gaza by the Hamas militant group. The club’s decision came days after another Israeli player, Sagiv Jehezkel, was … Read more
WOLVERHAMPTON, England — A fan of English soccer club Wolverhampton was unable to celebrate his team’s late winner in an FA Cup replay — because he’d been plucked from the crowd to stand in as a match official. Ross Bennett attended the Wolves-Brentford game on Tuesday with his 11-year-old son and volunteered to fill in … Read more
Sitting beside Alex Ferguson in the directors’ box at Old Trafford, Jim Ratcliffe took in a Manchester United game in person for the first time since agreeing a deal to buy a 25% stake in the boyhood club he hopes to restore as a major power. If he wasn’t aware already, the rebuilding job is … Read more
ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast — Excitement was building in Ivory Coast ahead of the country’s second staging of the Africa Cup of Nations tournament. The 24-team biennial competition was set to begin Saturday evening with the home nation hosting Guinea-Bissau at the 60,000-capacity Alassane Ouattara Stadium. It’s the first meeting between the West African countries at … Read more
STOCKHOLM, Sweden — Swedish soccer coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said he has cancer and might have less than a year to live. The former England coach told Swedish Radio P1 he discovered he had cancer after collapsing suddenly. He said in February last year that he was reducing his public appearances because of health issues. “Everyone … Read more
In an effort to prevent abuse by parents and some coaches, a minor soccer association in Quebec’s Eastern Townships plans to equip referees with body cameras next season. Referees in the association, most of whom are between 14 and 16 years old, are increasingly facing virulent comments from parents, said Martin Tremblay, president of the … Read more
SHREWSBURY, England — Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney appear to have FA Cup fever — just like their soccer club Wrexham. The Hollywood stars were watching from their homes in the United States as Wrexham won 1-0 at local rival Shrewsbury, a team from one division higher in English soccer’s pyramid, in the third round … Read more
