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☆ Grant Wahl: A charming, kind and talented journalist
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-11 | by ( Don Riddell | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The American soccer journalist Grant Wahl, who’d also been covering the game at Lusail, had died. The LED board shows a photo of Grant Wahl prior to the quarterfinal match between England and France. Wahl pictured at an awards ceremony in Doha during the World Cup. Grant Wahl (left) being interviewed by CNN's Don Riddel in Qatar. He was charming, kind and just so happy to be covering his eighth men’s World Cup and the game he loved.

☆ Portugal young gun Ramos faces tough test from wily Saiss
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( Shady Amir | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Ramos, 21, made headlines when the teams were announced, picked to lead the attack in place of Portugal's all-time leading scorer Cristiano Ronaldo who was relegated to the bench. It did not take long for the youngster to become one of the biggest stories of the Qatar World Cup. Ramos made his debut in Portugal's 4-0 win over Nigeria in a warm-up game before the World Cup and played a total of 10 minutes as a substitute in two of the three group matches. Perhaps Ramos, who helped Benfica reach the Champions League last 16 this season, benefited from being the third striker in the squad behind Ronaldo and Andre Silva. He will now be firmly in the spotlight when Morocco coach Walid Regragui considers his tactics.

☆ Heartbroken Australia bow out with heads held high
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Nick Mulvenney | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"I just hope that everyone back in Australia really respects what we've done," said coach Graham Arnold. Indefatigable running, cohesiveness and pure Aussie grit had earned them back-to-back victories at the World Cup finals for the first time, surpassing even the hallowed 'Golden Generation' side of 2006. They just scraped into the tournament via two playoffs and departed for Qatar with the lowest expectations of any of the six Australia squads who have embarked on World Cup finals campaigns since 1974. On an individual level, young players like central defender Harry Souttar and Goodwin have proved they can mix it with the best in the world. Reporting by Nick Mulvenney; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Japan vs. Croatia: Samurai Blue aiming to reach World Cup quarterfinals for first time
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +31 min

CNN —In a World Cup of surprises, Japan has played a leading role in headline-making shock results. Croatia is a team undefeated in nine of its last 10 World Cup matches. They made history Thursday as the first all-female refereeing crew for a men's World Cup match. Frappert became the first woman to referee a men's World Cup match. It was Morocco's first World Cup win since 1998 — and its third-ever at the tournament.

☆ England's Kane working on tapering form to peak in knockout rounds
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Rohith Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"I think it probably goes back to 2018 in the World Cup. "As the tournament went on I felt like my performances maybe dipped in the latter stages. I was trying to make sure that, physically and mentally, I was in the best place for the knockout stages. I would love to be sitting here with two or three goals now, but I think the group stage has gone well. We know that they're African champions - very proud, great competitive spirit, a lot of belief in the team," Southgate added.

☆ Over the line? Japan goal adds fuel to VAR debate
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Nick Mulvenney | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The perspective that is clear is from above, and the belly of the ball is very big," he said. Everyone can take and use the photo they want, it doesn't matter, but the ball didn't go out." FIFA, who declined to comment on the incident on Friday, have invested heavily in VAR technology since introducing it at the World Cup four years ago in Russia. The match ball now contains a chip that transmits data to the VAR operations room 500 times a second, while 12 cameras in each stadium track 29 points on the body of each player. Former Scotland midfielder Graeme Souness said FIFA needed to be more transparent over VAR decisions.

☆ Congrats, You’re a Billionaire. Which Sports Team Would You Buy?
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Jason Gay | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Hypothetical question! Which of these sports franchises would you buy? (For the sake of arguing, you may purchase just one.) Manchester United Liverpool Phoenix Suns The Los Angeles Angels The Washington Commanders aka Dan Snyder’s Washington Sadness MachineIf you’re in the market, there’s never been a more intriguing billionaire’s bazaar for sports teams. Currently for sale are two iconic English Premier League soccer clubs, a well-known NBA franchise still chasing a title, an underwhelming baseball club with a historic duo, and a colossal NFL train wreck you’ll be a hero just for buying.

Interest in this niche breed of cryptocurrencies, typically linked to sports teams like Barcelona or Brazil, has been charged up by the soccer World Cup which began on Nov. 20. The token of Lionel Messi's Argentina side slumped 25% to $5.26 following the team's shock defeat by Saudi Arabia in their opening World Cup game. The broader crypto market malaise is partly to blame for price drops, according to researchers who said the flighty assets were wilting as investors shunned risk. "But the first perception should never be that you're buying the fan token from a profit-generating standpoint." It facilitates trading of most fan coins, describing buying such tokens as joining a loyalty scheme with exclusive benefits and prizes.

“There’s discrimination everywhere you go,” replied Adams, who was born in Wappingers Falls, New York. “One thing that I’ve learned, especially from living abroad in the past years and having to fit in in different cultures and kind of assimilate into different cultures, is that in the US, we’re continuing to make progress every single day. “So, I had a little bit of different cultures, and I was very easily able to assimilate in different cultures. A now-deleted graphic of the Group B standings posted on Saturday displayed the Iranian flag only bearing its green, white and red colors. A US soccer federation screenshot displaying Iran's national flag on social media without the emblem of the Islamic Republic.

☆ The Saudi Arabian government would 'definitely support' private bids for UK soccer clubs Manchester United or Liverpool, sports minister says
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Saudi Arabia's sports minister told BBC it will support private bids for Manchester United and Liverpool FCs. A consortium led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund already owns Newcastle United FC. A consortium led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund purchased Newcastle United FC in October 2021 for $409 million. Manchester United and Liverpool are among the world's most valuable sports teams. Forbes estimates Manchester United is worth around $4.6 billion, while Liverpool is worth about $4.45 billion.

Deals for European football clubs this year, beginning with the sanctions-driven sale of Chelsea Football Club by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich in May, have fetched top dollar. Those complaints were aired again this month by superstar player Cristiano Ronaldo, who parted ways with Manchester United for the second time. Spokespeople for the six members of the Glazer family that are major Manchester United shareholders could not be reached for comment. More deals are in the works, with Manchester United arch rival Liverpool Football Club also exploring a sale. In August, Elon Musk tweeted: "I'm buying Manchester United ur welcome" only to then clarify he meant it as a joke.

☆ Thanksgiving football could include tasty U.S. soccer treat
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

No, not that football, although Berhalter and his men who take on England in a tasty Group B clash on Friday hope that one day soccer might find a place at the table. For the moment Thanksgiving football belongs to American gridiron and the National Football League with teams like the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions in action. "These are the games where it's a high pressure privileged moment to step on the field against some of these guys. "When you get a result in a game like this people start to respect Americans a little bit more." Reporting by Steve Keating in Al Rayyan; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Manchester United owners, reviled by many of the team's fans, may sell club
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

Manchester United has said it was commencing a process to explore strategic alternatives, including a new investment or a potential sale, 17 years after the American Glazer family bought the English Premier League soccer club. The last silverware they won was the Europa League and League Cup back in 2017. Wealthy Asian tycoons, especially those from China, have been buying European teams in recent years including Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers and Italy’s Inter Milan. Manchester United shares jumped as much as 20% after Sky News first reported on the sale process, giving the club a market capitalization of $2.6 billion. The Glazers bought the club for 790 million pounds ($939.07 million) in 2005 in a highly leveraged deal which has been criticized for loading debt onto the club.

☆ Manchester United buyer will need love and money
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( Neil Unmack | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

LONDON, Nov 23 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Anyone who wants to buy Manchester United (MANU.N) will need deep pockets and a big heart. The famous soccer club’s controlling shareholders, the Glazer family, said on Tuesday they’re considering selling after 17 years. The Glazers kicked off the trend of American sport investors buying British clubs when they took control of Manchester United in 2005. Soccer clubs’ revenue has boomed due to increasing demand from broadcasters and richer sponsorship deals. Manchester United benefited not just from being one of global football’s strongest brands, but also by roping in local sponsors like Japanese noodle makers.

☆ Morning Bid: Fearless?
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

As bond markets furiously flag a looming recession, stock markets suddenly seem fearless. Wall St's so-called 'fear index' of implied equity volatility (.VIX) fell on Tuesday to its lowest level since August. Put against the deepening inversion of the U.S. 2-10 year Treasury yield curve to its most negative in 22 years, typically a harbinger of recession ahead, the apparent stock market calm is puzzling. Some analysts reckon stock market positioning is already so low and portfolios so underweight equity that demand for downside protection in the options market has waned too. Any hoping for an end to the jump in interest rate rate rises around the world were also disappointed.

☆ Morning Bid: On the fence
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( Steve Scherer | David Ljunggren | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The market has been looking, almost clamouring, for signs of slowdown in the pace of interest rate hikes. And so, the dollar remains on guard, Asian equities mostly tracked Wall Street gains and gold stayed flat . The tentativeness among investors is in stark contrast with the soccer world, which remains in shock after Saudi Arabia came from behind to beat Lionel Messi's Argentina in the World Cup. The central bank warned the economy might have to spend an entire year in recession to bring inflation under control. The first bankruptcy hearing for FTX showed that the collapsed crypto exchange has been the subject of cyberattacks and had "substantial" assets missing.

☆ Cristiano Ronaldo Leaves Manchester United
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Joshua Robinson | Jonathan Clegg | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Manchester United confirmed on Tuesday that Cristiano Ronaldo would leave the club following an acrimonious breakdown of the relationship between the English Premier League team and one of its all-time greats. In a 67-word statement, United said that Ronaldo’s departure by mutual consent was effective immediately, leaving the 37-year-old without a club while he competes at the World Cup with the Portuguese national team.

☆ Glazer Family Says It Will Explore a Sale of Manchester United
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Joshua Robinson | Jonathan Clegg | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Manchester United ‘s American owners, the Glazer family, announced on Tuesday that they were exploring the sale of one of the most famous sports teams in the world, setting up a potentially record-breaking auction 17 years after they bought the club. The announcement turned an already busy day for United into a seismic one, after earlier confirming Cristiano Ronaldo would leave the club following an acrimonious breakdown of the relationship between the English Premier League team and one of its all-time greats.

☆ Manchester United's American owners consider selling club
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A football fan chants slogans before a protest against the ownership of Manchester United. Manchester United said on Tuesday it was commencing a process to explore strategic alternatives, including a new investment or a potential sale, 17 years after the American Glazer family bought the English Premier League soccer club. "We will evaluate all options to ensure that we best serve our fans and that Manchester United maximizes the significant growth opportunities available to the club today and in the future," the statement said. The Raine Group is acting as financial adviser and Latham & Watkins LLP is the legal adviser to Manchester United. It was the first Premier League match to be postponed because of a protest.

☆ Manchester United owners consider selling club
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The owners are under pressure with United sitting fifth in the Premier League halfway through the season, which has been suspended because of the current Qatar World Cup. Manchester United shares jumped as much as 20% after Sky News first reported on the sale process, giving the club a market capitalisation of $2.6 billion. The Raine Group is acting as financial adviser and Latham & Watkins LLP is the legal adviser to Manchester United. It was the first Premier League match to be postponed because of a protest. United finished sixth last season in their worst Premier League campaign in terms of points earned, failing to qualify for the lucrative European Champions League competition.

☆ Cristiano Ronaldo to leave Manchester United with immediate effect
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Cristiano Ronaldo is leaving Manchester United with immediate effect, the English Premier League club announced on Tuesday. In an interview with Piers Morgan for TalkTV released just before the start of the World Cup, Ronaldo explained how he felt United had betrayed him and that he has no respect for manager ten Hag. When he first joined United in 2003, Ronaldo transformed himself from a tricky, skilful winger into one of the best players in the world. “Following conversations with Manchester United we have mutually agreed to end our contract early,” said Ronaldo in a statement. “I love Manchester United and I love the fans, that will never ever change.

☆ For Iranians, this World Cup is about more than football
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

In the buildup to the World Cup in Qatar, there were calls for Iran to be thrown out of the tournament. Protesting at the World Cup, on the biggest stage of all for football, carries potentially huge risks for the current players in the national team. Nonetheless, players will be free to protest at the World Cup so long as they do not break FIFA rules, their manager Queiroz has said. Iran’s football authorities vowed that “people who have not followed professional and sports ethics … will be dealt with according to the regulations,” a statement published by Iran’s Football Federation after the beach soccer game said. “While this is happening, I cannot see people being overly excited [about the World Cup] when they’re out on the street fighting for freedom,” Mossavat says.

DOHA, Qatar — The 2022 World Cup kicks off Sunday shrouded in accusations of human rights violations and last-minute controversy surrounding host Qatar. Mostly soccer fans gather at the Corniche Waterfront ahead of the FIFA World Cup in Doha pm Saturday. Players exercise during Qatar's official training ahead of the FIFA World Cup in Doha, Qatar on Saturday. “It’s going to be a force to reckon with.”The U.S. failed to qualify for the last World Cup but now boasts a young, exciting squad who largely play for big teams across Europe. People attend the FIFA Fan Festival opening day ahead of the World Cup in Doha, Qatar on Nov. 19, 2022.

☆ Sebastien Haller: Dortmund striker to undergo surgery on tumour
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Story Reuters | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Reuters —Borussia Dortmund striker Sebastien Haller said he will undergo further surgery as part of ongoing treatment for a testicular tumor that has kept the player sidelined. The 28-year-old Ivory Coast forward had surgery earlier this year after discovering the tumor while at a training camp in July, and has been undergoing chemotherapy in recent months. Haller, who previously played at English Premier League club West Ham United, briefly returned to training with former team Ajax Amsterdam last month. I tell you that the fight is not over for me,” Haller wrote in a Twitter post on Wednesday. “I will have to undergo an operation to permanently end this tumour which keeps me away from the pitch.

☆ The U.S. Men’s National Team Reveals Its 2022 World Cup Roster
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Andrew Beaton | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Four years after watching the World Cup from home, the U.S. Men’s National Team revealed which players it’s sending to Qatar—with a couple surprises and major questions about how the squad will line up in less than two weeks. The Americans, who begin the tournament on Nov. 21 against Wales, will be led by Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic, who has for years been the pride of U.S. soccer. The 24-year-old is part of perhaps the deepest and most talented section of the roster, its attacking unit. It also features 19-year-old Giovanni Reyna, who plays his club soccer for Borussia Dortmund in Germany; Timothy Weah, a 22-year-old with Lille in the French league; and fellow 22-year-old Brenden Aaronson who has hit a good run of form for the English Premier League’s Leeds United.

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