Saudi’s soccer dream suffers a setback with star departure

Saudi’s soccer dream suffers a setback with star departure

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

Another Turkish soccer club parts ways with an Israeli player over his posting on Gaza hostages

Another Turkish soccer club parts ways with an Israeli player over his posting on Gaza hostages

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

Soccer fan plucked from crowd to be a match official in FA Cup. Can’t cheer when his team scores

Soccer fan plucked from crowd to be a match official in FA Cup. Can’t cheer when his team scores

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

Ratcliffe takes in Man United’s 2-2 draw with Spurs that underlined his team’s strengths and flaws

Ratcliffe takes in Man United’s 2-2 draw with Spurs that underlined his team’s strengths and flaws

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

Excitement builds in Ivory Coast ahead of Africa Cup opener

Excitement builds in Ivory Coast ahead of Africa Cup opener

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

Former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson says he has cancer and might have less than a year to live

Former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson says he has cancer and might have less than a year to live

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

Minor soccer referees in Quebec to wear body cameras to prevent abuse

Minor soccer referees in Quebec to wear body cameras to prevent abuse

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

Wrexham’s Hollywood owners revel in the team’s latest big win in FA Cup

Wrexham’s Hollywood owners revel in the team’s latest big win in FA Cup

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

Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham riding a wave of euphoria in charge through English soccer leagues

Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham riding a wave of euphoria in charge through English soccer leagues

WREXHAM, Wales — Three years into their unlikely ownership of Welsh soccer club Wrexham and the enthusiasm of Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney is far from fading. “You come off the pitch after scoring a goal,” Wrexham striker Steven Fletcher says with a smile, “and Ryan texts you before my wife does.” Reynolds … Read more

Premier League Darts: Could Luke Littler be set for debut after World Darts Championship heroics? | Darts News

Premier League Darts: Could Luke Littler be set for debut after World Darts Championship heroics? | Darts News

World No 1 Luke Humphries claimed a 7-4 victory over Luke Littler in the final at the Alexandra Palace to claim a maiden world title; Littler could be named in the line-up for the Premier League when it is announced on Thursday By Ali Stafford Last Updated: 04/01/24 1:18am Please use Chrome browser for a … Read more