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☆ Sébastien Haller: After recovering from testicular cancer, Ivory Coast striker scores winner in AFCON final
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

In the quarterfinals against Mali, Ivory Coast pulled off yet another great escape, once again scoring a last-minute equalizer before grabbing a winner in extra-time. The team’s uncanny ability to come back from the brink had earned them the nickname ‘Zombie Elephants’ and Ivory Coast lived up to its moniker again in the final. After Nigeria had taken a first-half lead through William Troost-Ekong’s header, the host nation fought its way back into the match. Cheered on from the stands by legendary striker Didier Drogba, Ivory Coast equalized just after the hour mark through Franck Kessié. Former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger and FIFA President Gianni Infantino also watched as Ivory Coast claimed its third AFCON title.

Persons: Sébastien Haller, Ouattara, Haller, Les Éléphants, Coast, Jean, Louis Gasset, Emerse Faé, –, Themba, Faé, William Troost, Didier Drogba, Franck Kessié, Simon Adingra’s, “, Ivory Coast’s Adingra, ” Drogba, Arsène Wenger, Gianni Infantino Organizations: CNN, Ivory, Africa, of Nations, German, Borussia Dortmund, Dortmund, Cancer, Senegal, Mali, Ivory Coast, Congo, Reuters, Arsenal, FIFA Locations: Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Ivory

It is a three-way race for the presidency among current Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto and two former provincial governors, Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo. While he is the oldest candidate, his running mate is the youngest: 36-year-old Surakarta Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Widodo's son. His running mate is Mohammad Mahfud, who resigned as security minister to focus on campaigning. He is also a former defense minister, justice minister and chief justice of the Constitutional Court. His choice of Muhaimin Iskandar as his running mate in Wednesday's election is viewed as an attempt to rebuild that support.

Persons: Joko Widodo, Prabowo Subianto, Anies, Subianto, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Suharto, Widodo's, Raka, —, GANJAR, Pranowo, ” Pranowo, Mohammad Mahfud, ANIES, Baswedan, Widodo, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, Muhaimin Iskandar, Iskandar’s, ” Organizations: SUBIANTO, Gerindra Party, Constitutional, Indonesian Democratic Party of, Central Java, FIFA, Islamic, Fulbright, Awakening Party, Ulama, Associated Press Locations: JAKARTA, Indonesia, Jordan, Surakarta, Central, Israel, Jakarta, Chinese, Wednesday's, Nusantara, Borneo

The Champions League narrative is so often about Manchester City and Real Madrid. The past two champions of Europe were the only teams to sweep through the group stage with six wins. BONUS ENTRIESEvery result in the Champions League, plus the Europa League and Europa Conference League, also counts toward UEFA’s longstanding ranking table of each country’s collective performance. Each Champions League win for Inter, Napoli and Lazio is good for all Italian clubs doing well in Serie A. And so, the 29 games left in the Champions League through the June 1 final in London have great value beyond the 16 clubs directly involved.

Persons: Erling Haaland, Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, Abu, Harry Kane’s, Kylian Mbappé, —, Madrid, ___ Organizations: Manchester City, Copenhagen, Everton, Champions League, Premier League, Liga, Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern, Bundesliga, Lazio, Paris Saint, Germain, Real Sociedad, Inter Milan, PSG, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, Inter, Atletico Madrid, PSV Eindhoven, Dortmund, Napoli, Barcelona, Porto, Arsenal, UEFA, FIFA, League, Chelsea, Benfica, Atletico, Spanish, Juventus, Europa League, Europa Conference League, Serie, —, Liverpool Locations: Real Madrid, Europe, Man, Madrid, Leipzig, Girona, Abu Dhabi, Bellingham, Paris, United States, Barcelona, Italy, Germany, Spain, Manchester, London

The U.N.-backed International Labor Organization says reforms introduced following the World Cup have improved the situation of migrant workers, while adding that more needs to be done. Meanwhile, human rights group Amnesty International says migrant workers still face abuses. Photos You Should See View All 21 ImagesLast November, Amnesty urged Qatar and FIFA to do more for migrant workers - particularly in terms of compensation. Migrant workers collect litter, serve coffee, drive taxis and provide security. The number of work-related deaths in the delivery of the World Cup came under intense scrutiny in the lead-up.

Persons: Jordan, Stephen Cockburn, ″, ”, Max Tunon, ” Tunon, it’s, “, ” Cockburn, ” ___ James Robson Organizations: Qatar, International Labor Organization, Amnesty International, “, AP, FIFA, Qatari, Workers, ILO Locations: DOHA, Qatar, Doha, Kenya, Ghana, Saudi Arabia

☆ Middle East Football Associations call for Israel ban over war in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Caroline Faraj | Sammy Mncwabe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Twelve Middle Eastern football associations have called for Israel’s national team to be banned over the war on Hamas in Gaza, in a letter seen by CNN. Jordan's Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein leads the 12-member West Asian Football Federations. CNN has reached out to the Israel Football Association, FIFA and UEFA for comment. The Israeli Football Association told Sky News it is only concentrating on football matters. “I am trusting FIFA not to involve politics in football,” Israeli FA CEO Niv Goldstein told Sky News.

Persons: Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, Prince Ali, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, WAFF, Jordan's Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, Emmanuel Foudrot, Isaac Herzog, ” Herzog, Goldstein, UEFA’s, Theodore Theodoridis, ” Organizations: CNN, Eastern, Israel’s, FIFA, UEFA, West Asian Football Federations, Football Confederations, Associations, Israeli Football Association, United, Jordan FA, Qatar, Health Ministry, Hamas, International Court of Justice, Reuters, ICJ, Israel, Israel Football Association, Sky News, Russian Football Union, UEFA Congress Locations: Gaza, Palestine, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Ukraine, Paris, ”

☆ ‘New York New Jersey’ Got the World Cup Final. Now Comes the Hard Part.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( David Waldstein | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The governor of New Jersey leaped from his chair and raised his hands high above his head as if he had just scored the winning goal in a World Cup final. Gathered around a TV in a lounge at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., with a group of colleagues, family and friends on Sunday, Gov. Phil Murphy watched as Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, announced that MetLife Stadium would be the site of the 2026 World Cup final. “The significance of a World Cup final dwarfs anything else in global sports. I am just beyond thrilled that we were honored with the final game.”

Persons: Phil Murphy, Gianni Infantino, Murphy, “, Mr, ” Organizations: MetLife, Sunday, Gov, FIFA, New Jersey Meadowlands Locations: New Jersey, East Rutherford, N.J

☆ Jessie Lingard: Former Manchester United star makes shock move to South Korea’s FC Seoul
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Gawon Bae | Andrew Mcnicol | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Seoul, South Korea CNN —Former Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard has signed for South Korea’s FC Seoul in a surprise move that ends the England international’s months-long search for a new club. He also impressed for England at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, where the team reached the semi-finals. Following a successful loan spell with Premier League side West Ham in 2021, Lingard made a permanent transfer to newly promoted Forest, becoming the team’s highest-paid player. FC Seoul, South Korea’s oldest professional club, finished seventh in the top division last year. The new K League season begins next month, when Lingard could make his debut in FC Seoul’s clash with Gwangju FC on March 2.

Persons: Jesse Lingard, Lingard, ” Lingard, ” Organizations: South Korea CNN — Former Manchester United, South Korea’s FC Seoul, FC Seoul, K League, English Premier League, Nottingham Forest, Manchester United, UEFA Europa League, England, Premier League, West, FC Seoul’s, Gwangju FC Locations: Seoul, South Korea, England, Korea, Russia, Old Trafford, yesteryear, West Ham, South

In fact, football wasn't even on her radar when Norma Hunt returned from Ireland, where she had spent a year on a Rotary Club scholarship. Norma Hunt was never going to be the passive wife of a sports tycoon, though. Lamar Hunt died in 2006 at the age of 74, and Clark Hunt took over the leadership of the Chiefs franchise. Norma Hunt became an astute businesswoman, every bit as savvy as her husband, the son of an oil magnate. “You know, they both loved the game," Clark Hunt said, ”and my dad obviously had such a huge impact on the game in so many different ways.

Persons: HENDERSON, Clark Hunt, Lamar Hunt, —, Norma Hunt, Clark, I'm, “ It's, ” Hunt, “, Norma Hunt's, Norma, Roger Goodell, Michael Jordan, ”, Andy Reid, Ford, Mark Donovan, ‘ Norma, it's, Donovan, Daniel —, FC Dallas —, ” Clark Hunt, Hunt, Pete Rozelle Organizations: Kansas City Chiefs, Chiefs, Super, Kansas City, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, AFC, NFL, Rotary Club, Dallas Texans, AFL, Chicago Bulls, NBA, Ford, Arrowhead, MLS, FC Dallas, T, FIFA Locations: Nev, Miami, Arizona, Ireland, Innsbruck, Austria, lockstep, North America, Bidwell, California, Sonoma County, Kansas City, ”, Kansas, Arrowhead, Dallas

☆ Lusail, Qatar, will get a five-story museum inspired by Muslim architecture and culture
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Callum Sutherland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Look through the gallery to see more renderings of Lusail Museum. Herzog & de Meuron Lusail Museum will be 30 meters tall, and have a footprint of 11,000 square meters. Herzog & de Meuron Lusail, Qatar, will get a five-story museum Prev NextEditor’s Note: This CNN Travel series is, or was, sponsored by the country it highlights. Set to begin construction later this year, the Lusail Museum will be 30 meters (98 feet) tall, spread over five levels. “It has to be like this, to have this richness and diversity.”For Herzog, the legacy of Lusail Museum is one of the main considerations behind its design.

Persons: Herzog, de Meuron, de, Jacques Herzog, Lusail, ”, “, ” Herzog Organizations: CNN, Lusail Museum, Herzog, Swiss, Lusail, Pérez Art Museum, Beijing National, Tate Locations: Lusail, Qatar, Al Maha Island, Zaragoza, Spain, “ City, Qatar’s, Doha, Hong Kong, Miami, London, Lusail’s, Maha, North Africa, Istanbul, Cairo, Isfahan, Iran, Al Maha, Ukraine, Israel

ESPN, Fox and Warner Brothers Discovery announced plans on Tuesday to launch a sports streaming platform in the fall that will include offerings from at least 15 networks and all four major professional sports leagues. “This new sports service exemplifies our ability as an industry to drive innovation and provide consumers with more choice, enjoyment and value and we’re thrilled to deliver it to sports fans,” Warner Brothers Discovery CEO David Zaslav said in a statement. Photos You Should See View All 45 ImagesIt will include offerings from 15 linear networks — ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPNEWS, ABC, FOX, FS1, FS2, Big Ten Network, TNT, TBS, truTV — and ESPN+. The announcement of the bundle also comes as ESPN and Warner Brothers Discovery are preparing to enter negotiations to renew their NBA rights, which expire at the end of next season. ESPN has also been searching for strategic partners as it prepares to launch a direct-to-consumer product in the next year or two.

Persons: ”, David Zaslav, truTV —, “, Lachlan Murdoch, Bob Iger Organizations: ESPN, Fox, Warner Brothers Discovery, ” Warner Brothers Discovery, NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, WNBA, NASCAR, FIFA, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, ACC Network, ABC, FOX, Big Ten Network, TNT, TBS, Disney, ” Fox, ” Walt Disney Company Locations: Hulu

BOSTON (AP) — Getting the chance to host seven matches for the 2026 World Cup was more than expected and offers a much-needed shot in the arm to the city’s economy, Boston officials said Monday. Among the seven matches that will be played at Gillette Stadium in the Boston suburb of Foxborough will be five group stage matches, one match in the round of 32 and a quarterfinal match on July 9, 2026. I don't think FIFA could have done a better job.”Martha Sheridan, president & CEO of Meet Boston, said “nothing compares” to hosting World Cup matches. Foxborough hosted games at the 1994 World Cup, but Gillette Stadium is a different venue, built near the old Foxboro Stadium. Foxborough also hosted matches during the 1999 and 2003 Women’s World Cup.

Persons: —, Mike Loynd, “, ”, it's, ” Martha Sheridan, Foxborough, Sheridan, COVID, ” Sheridan, Brian Bilello, ” Bilello Organizations: BOSTON, FIFA, Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca, New York Jets, Giants, Gillette, Boston Soccer, Boston, Amtrak, New England, U.S Locations: Boston, Mexico, Foxborough, Philadelphia and New Jersey, New York City, Philadelphia, New Jersey, United States, Massachusetts, U.S, Canada, Atlanta, Inglewood , California, SoFi

LOS ANGELES (AP) — SoFi Stadium will begin work Monday on renovations to increase the size of its playing field area in preparation for hosting eight matches during the 2026 World Cup. “It's really just changing pre-cast concrete in the corners of the stadium to a more retractable system,” Demoff said Sunday. SoFi also will have a temporary grass field for the World Cup in place of its usual artificial turf. The changes that we will make to the stadium were always contemplated for the World Cup. Although the Los Angeles-area World Cup organizers didn't get the final, only AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, will host more total matches than SoFi.

Persons: — SoFi, Kevin Demoff, “ It's, ” Demoff, “ We'll, ”, Chris Klein, we’re, Stan Kroenke, SoFi, Demoff, didn't, Larry Freedman Organizations: ANGELES, —, Los Angeles Rams, NFL, FIFA, U.S, Copa America, Rams, Arsenal, NBA, Denver Nuggets, CONCACAF, Mexico, SoFi, Los Angeles Chargers, Super, T, men's Locations: Los Angeles, Inglewood, United States, Arlington , Texas, LA, U.S

☆ 2026 World Cup final will be played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

An interior view of the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The 2026 World Cup final will be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19. Other U.S. sites are Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts; NRG Stadium in Houston; Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri; Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia; Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Hard Rock Stadium will host this year's Copa América final on July 14, while MetLife was the site of the 2016 Copa América final. Artificial turf will be replaced by grass in Arlington, Atlanta, East Rutherford, Foxborough, Houston, Inglewood and Vancouver.

Organizations: MetLife, FIFA, Miami, Mexico City's Estadio Azteca, U.S, SoFi, T, Mercedes Benz, Gillette, NRG, Arrowhead, Lincoln Financial, Levi's, Estadio BBVA, Estadio Akron, NFL, Copa América, Azteca, Rose Bowl, Chicago's Locations: East Rutherford , New Jersey, Mexico, Inglewood , California, SoFi, Miami Gardens , Florida, Arlington , Texas, Atlanta, U.S, Canada, Toronto, Vancouver , British Columbia, Foxborough , Massachusetts, Houston, Kansas City , Missouri, Philadelphia, Santa Clara , California, Monterrey, Guadalajara, Pasadena , California, Qatar, Russia, East, Central, West, Arlington , Atlanta, Inglewood, Vancouver, East Rutherford, Foxborough, Central Europe, Beijing

The 2026 World Cup final will be played at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19. AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, which had hoped to host the final, has held the most matches of any venue with nine. Other U.S. sites are Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts; NRG Stadium in Houston; Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri; Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia; Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Hard Rock Stadium will host this year’s Copa América final on July 14, while MetLife was the site of the 2016 Copa América final. Artificial turf will be replaced by grass in Arlington, Atlanta, East Rutherford, Foxborough, Houston, Inglewood and Vancouver.

Persons: Lumen, ___ Organizations: MetLife, FIFA, Miami, Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca, U.S, SoFi, T, Gillette, NRG, Arrowhead, Lincoln Financial, Levi’s, Estadio BBVA, Estadio Akron, NFL, Copa América, Azteca, Rose Bowl, Chicago’s Locations: East Rutherford , New Jersey, Mexico, Inglewood , California, SoFi, Miami Gardens , Florida, Toronto, Vancouver , British Columbia, Arlington , Texas, U.S, Foxborough , Massachusetts, Houston, Kansas City , Missouri, Philadelphia, Santa Clara , California, Monterrey, Guadalajara, Pasadena , California, Qatar, Russia, East, Central, West, Arlington , Atlanta, Inglewood, Vancouver, East Rutherford, Foxborough, Central Europe, Beijing

☆ Mike Maignan: Subjected to racist abuse, AC Milan star now finds himself being kicked around like a political football
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Barbie Latza Nadeau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —A leading soccer goalkeeper, who is Black and was subjected to racist abuse during a match in Italy’s top league last month, now finds himself being kicked around like a political football. Maignan received widespread support from the football world and FIFA President Gianni Infantino called for automatic forfeits for teams whose fans have racially abused players. Maignan speaks with referee Fabio Maresca during the match between AC Milan and Udinese. AC Milan players react after Maignan was racially abused by Udinese fans. ‘Simply shameful’The Maignan incident comes 11 years after another AC Milan star – midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng – made history by walking off the pitch during a friendly match after suffering abuse for 25 minutes.

Persons: Mike Maignan, Stefano Pioli, Maignan, Gianni Infantino, Fabio Maresca, Alessandro Sabattini, Alberto Felice De Toni, “, ” De Toni, ”, De Toni, Pietro Fontanini, Matteo Salvini, Maignan didn’t, ” Fontanini, Jennifer Lorenzini, Fontani, Tobias Jones, Jones, “ They’re, ” Jones, Kevin, Prince Boateng –, Carlo Tavecchio, Valerio Pennicino, Tavecchio, ” Boateng, “ There’s, It’s, it’s, ” Kevin, Prince Boateng, Pro Patria Busto Arsizio, Daniele Mascolo, Anne Frank’s, Samuel Umtiti –, Lameck Banda, Lameck, Manuel Lazzari of, Maurizio Lagana, Infantino, Frenchman Organizations: CNN, AC Milan, French national, Udinese, Frenchman, Serie, Milan’s Serie, Bologna, San, Milan, FIFA, AC Monza, Udinese’s, Lega, Reuters, Football, Black, Lazio, Lega Seria, Serie A, Gazzetta dello, Pro Patria Busto, Shutterstock, AS Roma, French, Ligue, Lille –, Lecce, “ Lazio Locations: Italy’s, Udine, Italy, San Siro, Curva, —, Maignan, England, Russia, Italian, Shutterstock Lazio, Rome, Manuel Lazzari of Lazio, Lazio

At the center of that growth are newer genres of Afrobeats — the renowned blend of distinct West African music styles — and amapiano, which fuses South African kwaito with African jazz, house music and soulful vocals. The 2022 track became the first led by an African artist to hit 1 billion Spotify streams and has the record for the most weeks — 64 — spent on Billboard’s Pop Airplay chart. And some tracks meld the genres under the African music umbrella. That reach is particularly interesting considering that African music is produced for its people, embodying all aspects of their lives from their culture and experiences to their struggles, LeriQ says. The continent leads mobile device web traffic in the world, according to the U.S. International Trade Administration, translating to more market opportunities for artists.

Persons: ”, Burna Boy’s, Rema’s, Selena Gomez, —, Joey Akan, ‘, Burna, ’, Musa Keys, Boy, Istanbul's, Rema, Davido, Tina Davis, Olamide's, Angélique Kidjo, LeriQ, Nay, Mitego, Chika Anene, gatekeepers, Eric Wainaina, G’bemi Ereku, Nigeria —, Jhello, ” ___ Mureithi, Maria Sherman Organizations: FIFA, International Federation of, Phonographic Industry's, Spotify, Afrobeats Intelligence, UEFA Champions League, Pew Research, U.S . International Trade Administration, United, Afro Nation, AP Locations: ABUJA, Nigeria, Nigerian, Saharan Africa, African, South Africa, Africa, Tanzania, Abuja, Kenyan, Lagos, United States, Statista, Nairobi, Kenya, Johannesburg, Los Angeles

☆ Amid anguished joy, ‘nothing is impossible’ for the Palestinian national soccer team on its Asian Cup adventure
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Eoin Mcsweeney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —As the echoes of the final whistle rang out around the Abdullah bin Khalifa stadium in Doha, Qatar, Palestinian players celebrated with anguished joy last week. The historic sporting moment for Palestinians comes as Israel’s war against Hamas rages in Gaza, causing widespread destruction and initiating a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. The Palestinian Football Association says that, as of December 6, 55 football players are amongst the dead, including amateur and youth members. Some Palestinian national team footballers, like Saleh, have reportedly lost family members or have relatives and friends trapped in Gaza. Palestinian national team players observe the national anthems prior to the AFC Asian Cup Group C match between Iran and Palestine at Education City Stadium on January 14, 2024 in Al Rayyan, Qatar.

Persons: Abdullah, Oday, Israel, Rami Hamada, Mohamed Saleh, Mohammed Rashid, CNN’s Eleni Giokos, “, Hong Kong, ”, “ We’re, Rashid, Mohammed Saleh, Hector Retamal, Saleh, ” Rashid, there’s, “ They’ve, ” Mohammed Rashid of, Mohammad Mohebbi, Masashi Hara, Gianni Infantino, we’re, Robert Cianflone, Monday’s Organizations: CNN, Palestinian national soccer team, AFC Asian, Hong, Qatar, Iran, Palestinian, UAE, Group C, Janoub, Getty, Ministry of Health, Palestinian Football Association, West Bank, Palestinian soccer, Education City, FIFA, UEFA, Russian, Israel, Persib, “, Hamas Locations: Doha, Qatar, Palestinian, Gaza, Hong Kong, Hong, Palestine, Al, AFP, “, Ramallah, Israel, Iran, Al Rayyan, Ukraine, Persib Bandung, refence, Russia

☆ Jürgen Klopp to step down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Ben Church | George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has announced that he will step down from his position at the end of the current season. Since taking over in 2015, the German has overseen one of the most successful eras in the club’s history, notably winning a Champions League title and Liverpool’s first league title in 30 years. Video Ad Feedback Jurgen Klopp's influence on Liverpool FC 02:05 - Source: CNNUnder Klopp, Liverpool transformed back into a powerhouse of English and European soccer. Under his guidance, the team won the Champions League, Premier League, FIFA Club World Cup, FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Super Cup, as well as the FA Community Shield. Chief among them is perhaps the stunning comeback against Barcelona in the semifinals of the Champions League in 2019.

Persons: Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool’s, “, ” Klopp, ”, Pepijn Lijnders, Peter Krawietz, Vitor Matos, Jurgen Klopp's, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio, Klopp Organizations: CNN, Liverpool, League, ” Liverpool, Liverpool FC, Klopp, Champions League, Premier League, FIFA Club, FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA, FA, Tottenham, Reds, Barcelona, Chelsea Locations: Liverpool

☆ Jürgen Klopp announces shock Liverpool soccer club exit in blow for U.S. owners
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Jürgen Klopp will unexpectedly step down as Liverpool soccer team manager at the end of this season, the club said Friday. The charismatic German coach joined Liverpool in 2015 and led the storied club to a European Champions League title in 2019 and an English Premier League title in 2020. Klopp replaced Brendan Rodgers at the helm in October 2015, when Liverpool was languishing in 10th place in the Premier League. In the following year, Klopp led the club to a fourth-place finish in his first full season in charge. Liverpool is the most successful club in English soccer by number of awards, winning 68 trophies over its 132-year history.

Persons: Jurgen Klopp, Estadio Wanda Metropolitano, Jürgen Klopp, John Henry, Klopp, Brendan Rodgers Organizations: Liverpool, Champions, UEFA Champions, Tottenham Hotspur, Estadio Wanda, Liverpool soccer, European, League, English Premier League, Reds, FA, England's, FIFA Club, UEFA, Borussia Dortmund, Fenway Sports Group, League Baseball's Boston Red Sox, National Hockey League's Pittsburgh Penguins, NASCAR's RFK Racing, Premier League, Manchester City, City, Chelsea, Norwich City Locations: Madrid, Spain, German, Liverpool, American

MADRID (AP) — After sullying his nation's Women's World Cup victory, former Spanish soccer president Luis Rubiales will face trial for kissing forward Jenni Hermoso without her consent at the final. State prosecutors accused Rubiales of sexual assault and for allegedly trying to coerce Hermoso to publicly support him in the public backlash against him. The new law eliminated the difference between “sexual harassment” and “sexual assault,” sanctioning any unconsented sexual act. The 46-year-old Rubiales, who also grabbed his crotch in a lewd victory gesture near to Spain’s Queen Letizia and Princess Sofia during the celebrations of Spain’s victory, immediately became a national embarrassment. FIFA banned Rubiales for three years until after the men’s 2026 World Cup.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Francisco de Jorge, “, Rubiales, Hermoso, ” Rubiales, Jorge Vilda, Spain’s, Albert Luque, Rubén Rivera, Letizia, Princess Sofia, Vilda, Hermoso’s, Luque, Rivera, ___ Organizations: MADRID, Rubiales, FIFA Locations: Spanish, Sydney, Spain, Madrid

☆ Spain soccer outcast Rubiales facing trial for unwanted kiss at Women’s World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Investigative judge Francisco de Jorge ruled on Thursday that Rubiales' kiss was "unconsented and carried out unilaterally and in a surprising fashion," the court said. State prosecutors accused Rubiales of sexual assault and for allegedly trying to coerce Hermoso to publicly support him in the public backlash against him. The new law eliminated the difference between "sexual harassment" and "sexual assault," sanctioning any unconsented sexual act. The 46-year-old Rubiales, who also grabbed his crotch in a lewd victory gesture near to Spain's Queen Letizia and Princess Sofia during the celebrations of Spain's victory, immediately became a national embarrassment. FIFA banned Rubiales for three years until after the men's 2026 World Cup.

Persons: Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Francisco de Jorge, Rubiales, Hermoso, Jorge Vilda, Spain's, Albert Luque, Rubén Rivera, Letizia, Princess Sofia, Vilda, Hermoso's, Luque, Rivera Organizations: Royal Spanish Football Federation, Rubiales, FIFA Locations: Spanish, Sydney, Spain, Madrid

☆ Gigi Riva, Italy’s all-time leading scorer, dies aged 79
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Samuel Joseph | Sam Joseph | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Italian soccer great Luigi ‘Gigi’ Riva died on Monday at the age of 79, according to the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). Nicknamed ‘Rombo di Tuono’ (‘Roar of Thunder’) – a nod to his shooting and physical strength – Riva is Italy’s leading all-time national team goalscorer, a title he has held since 1973 after passing Giuseppe Meazza. Have a good trip, beloved Gigi.”Riva made his international debut aged 20 and was part of the side that won Italy’s first ever European Championship. He more than played his part, opening the scoring in the final against Yugoslavia, which Italy won 2-0. He joined the club at the age of 19 after making his professional debut for Serie C team Legnano-Ivrea.

Persons: Luigi ‘ Gigi ’ Riva, Riva, ‘, Tuono, –, – Riva, Giuseppe Meazza, Gianni Infantino, Gigi, ” Riva, Italy’s, ”, Arrigo Sacchi, Legnano, Gigi Riva, Alessandro Sabattini, Marcello Lippi’s Organizations: CNN, Italian Football Federation, ‘, FIFA, Yugoslavia, Italy, West Germany, Cagliari, Serie C, Sardinian, Serie A, France Locations: Italy, Mexico, Italy's, Brazil, Sardinia, Ivrea, Cagliari

MILAN (AP) — AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan says too many people are “complicit” in allowing racism to continue blighting soccer, and urged authorities to take stronger action after he suffered racist abuse on Saturday night. It's not the first time it's happened to me and I'm not the first person it's happened to,” Maignan wrote in French on X, formerly known as Twitter. “The fans in the stands, who saw everything, who heard everything but decided to stay quiet, you are complicit,” Maignan continued on X. Enough is enough.”Maignan, whose brilliant performances helped Milan win the Serie A title in 2022, praised those who helped him to cope. "We reaffirm our aversion to any form of discrimination and express our profound solidarity with the AC Milan player Mike Maignan in light of Saturday’s deplorable incident at our stadium.

Persons: Mike Maignan, Maignan, DAZN, “ It's, It's, I'm, ” Maignan, “ We've, ”, Prince Boateng, Mario Balotelli, Lukaku, Gianni Infantino, Kylian Mbappé, ” Mbappé, “ Organizations: MILAN, — AC Milan, Udinese, Serie, FIFA, Maignan, Milan, AC Milan, ” Udinese, “ Udinese Locations: Italy

☆ Coventry City and Sheffield Wednesday condemn ‘racist gesture’ aimed at player during English soccer match
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-21 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —English soccer clubs Coventry City and Sheffield Wednesday have jointly condemned a “racist gesture” allegedly aimed at Coventry midfielder Kasey Palmer during their match on Saturday. Palmer, who is Black, said it was a “couple” of fans making “monkey chants.”The alleged incident took place during a match in the Championship, English football’s second tier, which Coventry won 2-1 at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough stadium. “Disappointed to even have to come on here & write this,” Palmer said on X, formerly known as Twitter. “They’re ignorant people… You can be booed or whistled when you’re away from home, that’s normal, but what happened today has no place in football,” Maignan said. The match resumed less than 10 minutes later, and Milan would win a dramatic encounter 3-2 in the final minutes.

Persons: Kasey Palmer, Palmer, ”, ” Palmer, I’ve, Doug King, Dejphon Chansiri, Mike Maignan, “, ” Maignan, Maignan, Fabio Maresca, Gianni Infantino, Italy “, – Infantino Organizations: CNN, Coventry City, Sheffield Wednesday, Coventry, Sheffield, Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough, Zuma, AC Milan, Udinese, Sky Sports, Milan, FIFA Locations: Sheffield Wednesday’s, Coventry, Italian, Milan, England, Italy

Twenty-four players made international debuts, including 13 Slovenians. All Americans were from Major League Soccer for a match not on a FIFA international date. Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesŠturm, Gradišar, Kamungo, Zawadzki and Schulte all were making their debuts. Schulte, Zawadzki and Kamungo were joined by midfielders Josh Atencio and Timmy Tillman, winger Diego Luna and forward Brian White. Eight starters debuted for 54th-ranked Slovenia, which plays Denmark, Serbia and England in the group stage of the European Championship in June.

Persons: Nejc Gradišar, Gregg Berhalter, Danijel Šturm, Bernard Kamungo, Sean Zawadzki, Gradišar, Patrick Schulte, Zawadzki, Schulte, Igor Vekič, John Tolkin, Kamungo, Josh Atencio, Timmy Tillman, Diego Luna, Brian White, Jack McGlynn, Duncan McGuire, Esmir Bajraktarevic, Aziel Jackson, Bruce Arena, Tillman, Malik Tillman, Shaq Moore, Miles Robinson, ___ Organizations: ANTONIO, Major League Soccer, FIFA, CONCACAF Nations League, Mexico, Europe, Slovenia, U.S, Bruce, Iran, European Locations: Slovenia, United States, Europe, U.S, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Serbia, Poland, Guatemala, Denmark, England

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