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☆ US Soccer to 'voice concerns' over Saudi sponsorship at Women's World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Feb 9 (Reuters) - The U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) said on Wednesday it would voice its concerns to FIFA over a reported Saudi Arabian sponsorship deal for the Women's World Cup. "While we cannot control how other organisations manage sponsorship selections for the tournaments we compete in, we can voice our concerns and will continue to support our players." The United States are FIFA's top ranked team and won the last two editions of the World Cup. The Guardian report triggered outrage in both host countries, with human rights activists and sportswomen saying Saudi sponsorship would be at odds with the tournament's messaging on empowerment of women and girls. Veteran U.S. forward Alex Morgan, who won the World Cup in 2015 and 2019, described the potential sponsorship as "bizarre".

☆ Soccer mom Azarenka ordered to take off PSG shirt at Australian Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MELBOURNE, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Self-described "obnoxious soccer mom" Victoria Azarenka was ordered to take off her Paris St Germain shirt at the Australian Open on Thursday before bowing out of the Grand Slam with a straight sets defeat by Elena Rybakina in the semi-finals. After an exchange of words with the chair umpire at Rod Laver Arena, Azarenka took off the PSG shirt before warming up in her regular kit against Rybakina. "They told me to take it off twice because I had a different shirt," the 22nd seed told reporters after losing 7-6(4) 6-3 to Kazakh Rybakina. "My son wore the white jersey today to his practice, and I tried to wear a white jersey to my match but couldn't. "But give me a couple of hours and I can have probably a better outlook on this month in Australia.

☆ Independent investigation of US women's professional soccer reveals 'widespread misconduct' by those in positions of power
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( David Close | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The National Women’s Soccer League and its players’ union have released a 128-page independent investigation report following a 14-month inquiry into accusations of “discrimination, harassment, abuse (physical, emotional or sexual) and retaliation” within the women’s professional league. The joint investigative team, which included members from two law firms, found “widespread misconduct directed at NWSL players” by those in positions of power. Portland Thorns fans hold signs during the first half of the team's National Women's Soccer League soccer match against the Houston Dash in Portland, Oregon, on October 6, 2021. Following Wednesday’s release of the new report, US Soccer released a statement acknowledging the misconduct which mirrored incidents detailed in the Yates report. US officials said a committee looking at implementing recommendations in the Yates report should announce “a robust action plan” by the end of January.

☆ Second journalist dies while covering World Cup in Qatar
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A Qatari journalist has died "suddenly" at Qatar's World Cup — the second reporter fatality. There is little public information about how and when photojournalist Khalid al-Misslam died. Qatari news service Gulf News tweeted its condolences over his death on Saturday. Few detail, such as when and how al-Misslam died, have been released, and Qatar's Ministry of Health was unavailable for comment when contacted at time of publication. According to Gulf News, al-Misslam died "suddenly while covering the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022."

☆ 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.

CNN —The death of prominent journalist Grant Wahl at the World Cup in Qatar has led to an outpouring of shock and grief across the sports world, with NBA star LeBron James and tennis great Billie Jean King leading the tributes to the American. King said Wahl’s death was “heartbreaking.”“A talented journalist, Grant was an advocate for the LGBTQ community & a prominent voice for women’s soccer,” King tweeted Saturday. “I am so thankful for the support of my husband Grant Wahl’s soccer family and of so many friends who’ve reached out tonight. He added that he sought help at the medical clinic at the World Cup media center, believing he had bronchitis. Afterward, Wahl told CNN he “probably will” wear the shirt again.

CNN —Prominent American journalist Grant Wahl has died in Qatar after collapsing while covering the World Cup, sparking an outpouring of shock and grief across the sports world. Grant Wahl, pictured on October 10, 2014. “I am so thankful for the support of my husband Grant Wahl’s soccer family and of so many friends who’ve reached out tonight. Feeling pretty hairy, bad,” Wahl told co-host Chris Wittyngham in the episode. He added that he sought help at the medical clinic at the World Cup media center, believing he had bronchitis.

☆ American journalist Grant Wahl dies at Qatar World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Jessie Yeung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Prominent American journalist Grant Wahl has died in Qatar while covering the World Cup, sparking an outpouring of shock and grief across the sports world. “The entire US Soccer family is heartbroken to learn that we have lost Grant Wahl,” US Soccer said in a statement on its official Twitter account. In an episode of the podcast Futbol with Grant Wahl, published just days before his death on December 6, he had complained of feeling unwell. He added that he sought help at the medical clinic at the World Cup media center, believing he had bronchitis. Afterward, Wahl told CNN he “probably will” wear the shirt again.

☆ What next for US soccer after an inspiring World Cup?
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

But the talented, telegenic and multiracial Americans left fans with soaring hopes before the US, Canada and Mexico host the 2026 World Cup. Often, the World Cup and Olympic gold medal-winning US women’s soccer team gets more attention than their male counterparts — although their pay is only just beginning to catch up. The idea of an unexploited market of soon-to-be-soccer fans has long beckoned to FIFA’s marketing teams, especially during the 1994 stateside World Cup, but has never been fully realized. US soccer fans are also increasingly sophisticated, glued to NBC’s Premier League coverage reportedly worth more than $2 billion. The beautiful game’s place in the country’s sports scene could be cemented if the US makes noise in the next World Cup.

☆ USMNT’s youth and talent at Qatar 2022 bodes well for 2026 World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +31 min

The Netherlands knocked the USMNT out of the Qatar World Cup on Saturday. 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. Qatar is the first Islamic country to host a World Cup.

☆ Video: Soccer player mourns friend who rights group says was killed for celebrating US soccer win
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

An activist group tells CNN that Iranian regime forces killed 27-year-old Mehran Samaak for celebrating the US soccer win over Iran. Iranian police denied that Samak was killed by authorities and announced the arrest of several suspects, Iran's state aligned Tasmin news agency reported. CNN's Jomana Karadsheh has the story.

☆ Japan reaches World Cup knockout stages with hotly debated goal after ball appeared to go out of play
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Japan reached the World Cup knockout stages for the fourth time on Thursday – by what appeared to be a matter of millimeters. But it’s Japan’s second goal that has been a topic of fierce debate in the aftermath of the game, specifically regarding whether the ball crossed the goal line before Kaoru Mitoma’s cutback pass to Ao Tanaka. Tanaka’s bundled goal was initially ruled out after the linesman flagged that the ball had gone out of play. 🧐 pic.twitter.com/cVXur9vMJ1 — FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 1, 2022“That Japan goal almost defied physics. pic.twitter.com/mzF7YXnQiX — Nick Levett (@nlevett) December 1, 2022The goal means Japan will play Croatia in the knockout stages on Monday, while Spain plays Morocco on Tuesday.

☆ USMNT: 'We're not finished yet,' says Walker Zimmerman ahead of knockout stages
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —After a 1-0 victory against Iran earned the US Men’s National Team (USMNT) a place in the World Cup knockout stages, the players insist their campaign is far from done. “I think the narrative continues, we’re still going to try and do that and accomplish our goal of winning the World Cup. Josh Sargent and Ramin Rezaeian embrace after Tuesday's game. At the end Tuesday’s game, players from the two teams embraced in an apparent show of solidarity. “We also know the stakes of a World Cup, and then on top of that everything that they’re dealing with emotionally.

☆ United States Women’s National Team earns more money from men’s World Cup than its previous two women’s tournaments
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Matt Foster | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) earned more money from its male equivalent reaching the knockout stages of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar than it did from winning its own tournaments in 2015 and 2019. As a result of the equal pay agreement forged earlier this year between the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), the United States Women’s National Team Players Association (USWNTPA) and the United States National Soccer Team Players Association (USNSTPA), the men and women’s teams split all World Cup earnings. Under the landmark agreement, US Soccer became “the first Federation in the world to equalize FIFA World Cup prize money” awarded to the teams for participating in World Cups. The USWNT earned $6 million in total for its successive World Cup wins in 2015 and 2019 – $2 million in 2015 and $4 million in 2019. The 2019 Women’s World Cup total prize money was $30 million, doubled from the $15 million in 2015.

CNN —US Men’s National Team (USMNT) forward Christian Pulisic has been taken to hospital due to an abdominal injury he suffered while scoring the game-winning goal for the United States in its crucial 1-0 win over Iran. During post-match coverage, FOX Sports broadcaster Rob Stone provided an update on the condition of Pulisic, saying: “An update on his condition. Pulisic lay injured on the pitch after scoring his side's opening goal and only goal during the match against Iran. Pulisic soon re-entered the pitch, but was clearly still struggling with the knock. As Group B runners-up, the United States will face Group A winners Netherlands on Saturday.

☆ USMNT advances to World Cup knockout stage with hard-fought victory over Iran
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —The US Men’s National Team (USMNT) was made to work hard for its place in the World Cup knockout stage, earning a tough 1-0 win over Iran in a nerve-racking Group B decider at Qatar 2022. Christian Pulisic’s first-half goal was all that separated the two sides as the USMNT reached the round of 16 for the first time since 2014. It certainly wasn’t pretty at times, in particular in the closing stages against Iran, but progressing through the group stage was the minimum expectation for this exciting young team. There will be some concerns going into the knockout stages, though, after Pulisic suffered an abdominal injury while scoring the winner. The USMNT had to battled hard for its place in the round of 16.

☆ A match like no other. When the US played Iran at the 1998 World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

The US had qualified for the 1998 World Cup in France with ease. “Instantly, it was less about Germany, less about Yugoslavia, more about Iran,” Sampson told CNN Sport. “That was a bit of a distraction.”Over two decades later, the USMNT again faces Iran in the group stages of a World Cup. Gael Cornier/APThe USMNT had to face Germany, then the reigning European champion in its opening match, yet the Iran match, the second group game, was everyone else’s focus. “We had 150 armed police, which was unprecedented for a World Cup match.

☆ Iran is calling for the U.S. to be thrown out of the World Cup after flag change
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Ahmad Nourollahi of Iran in action during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between England and IR Iran at Khalifa International Stadium on November 21, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. Iranian state media is calling for the U.S. World Cup soccer team to be thrown out of the 2022 tournament in Qatar after it briefly changed the icon of the Iranian flag on its social media accounts in support of protests taking place in the country. In the posts, the Iranian flag icon was missing its Islamic Republic emblem, and only showed its red, white and green stripes. Iranian media reacted swiftly, with state media agency Tasnim calling for the U.S. team to be booted from the tournament. Thank you thank you thank you."

☆ Iran faces USA in winner-takes-all match to progress to World Cup knockout stages
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —The knockout stage has already arrived for the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) at the World Cup – nothing less than a win on Tuesday will suffice when it takes on Iran in a winner-takes-all match. In the build-up to the game, Iran state media called for the US to be kicked out of the 2022 World Cup after US Soccer changed Iran’s flag on its social media accounts to show support for the protestors in Iran. In the other Group B match, England looks to seal its almost certain place in the knockout stages against Wales. If England defeats Wales, the USMNT would qualify in second place in the group providing it beats Iran; while if England loses, the USMNT would finish first. Tuesday’s fixturesNetherlands vs Qatar: 10pm ETEcuador vs Senegal: 10pm ETWales vs England: 2pm ETIran vs USA: 2pm ETHow to watchUS: Fox SportsUK: BBC or ITVAustralia: SBSBrazil: SportTVGermany: ARD, ZDF, Deutsche TelekomCanada: Bell MediaSouth Africa: SABC

☆ Iran state media wants the US banned from the World Cup after the team posted photos meant to show solidarity with Iranian protestors
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Hannah Getahun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Iran state media has said it wants the US kicked out of the 2022 World Cup. The United States Soccer Federation briefly displayed an edited version of the Iranian Flag. The edited flag was a show of solidarity between the team and protestors in Iran. —Tasnim News Agency (@Tasnimnews_EN) November 27, 2022On Saturday, the United States Soccer Federation displayed the Iranian flag without the emblem of Iran in the center on its social media platforms, CNN reported. Soccer media officer Michael Kammarman told reporters Sunday the move was to indicate "support for the women in Iran fighting for basic human rights," Reuters reported.

“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.

CNN —Iran state media has called for the US to be kicked out of the 2022 World Cup after the United States Soccer Federation changed Iran’s flag on its social media platforms to show support for protesters in Iran. A now-deleted graphic of the Group B standings posted on Saturday displayed the Iranian flag only bearing its green, white and red colors. “We have the main flag on our website and other places.” The emblem is currently back on the flag on US Soccer’s social media channels. A US soccer federation screenshot displaying Iran's national flag on social media without the emblem of the Islamic Republic. “No matter how much I can respect what you did inside the pitch, those remarks about Iran Culture, Iran National Team and my Players are a disgrace to Football.

☆ Football or soccer? It’s complicated …
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-26 | by ( Allison Rosen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Football, or soccer, has been around for centuries with its roots dating back over 2,000 years ago, but it was not until 1863 that England’s Football Association (the FA) cemented the sport’s full name of Association Football when they established the game’s first rules. Courtesy of U.S. Soccer and National Soccer Hall of FameBy the time association football and its round ball made its way across the Atlantic, American Football was already the popular game claiming the name of football. Unlike association football, American football is a game played mostly with one’s hands and uses an oval ball. Fast forward to 1974 and the United States Soccer Football Association (USSFA) – the sport’s governing body in the US – distanced itself from the word football by changing its name to the United States Soccer Federation, commonly referred to as the USSF (US Soccer). In places where football can be ambiguous, soccer is usefully precise.”In 1994, soccer fever reached a highpoint as the US hosted the World Cup.

☆ World Cup 1950: When the US beat England in the greatest sporting upset of all time
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —On one side of the pitch was a team made up some of the biggest names in world soccer. Described as a “real bunch of ragamuffins” by the author Geoffrey Douglas, the US beat a star-studded England side 1-0 at the 1950 World Cup. I mean, a plucky group of underdogs just beat what was generally universally recognized as the best team in the world,” Holroyd told CNN Sport. PA Images/ReutersAnd so when the 1950 World Cup approached, there was little national interest or coverage of the US’ participation. On the other side of the pond, hopes were sky high for a star-studded England team.

☆ 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.

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