Fights

A friendly match between Women's World Cup-bound teams Ireland and Colombia was abandoned after becoming overly physical, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) said on Friday.

The game in Brisbane, Australia, which was played behind closed doors, was called off after 20 minutes.

"The game, which was held in Meakin Park, Brisbane, became overly physical and it was decided, following consultation with the match officials, to end the game," the FAI said in a statement.

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's Women's World Cup preparations were plunged into chaos on Sunday when a shadow national team including a 13-year-old took on Botswana in a friendly as the squad selected for the finals were locked in a dispute with the national association.

The match was supposed to be a send-off for the squad going to the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand before they continue their preparations outside the country.

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois asked not to travel with Belgium for their Euro 2024 qualifier in Estonia on Tuesday, telling shocked coach Domenico Tedesco he did not feel respected within the team as he walked out of the squad.

Courtois, 31, played in Saturday's 1-1 home draw with Austria but told Tedesco after the match that he would not make himself available for the Estonia game.

Tedesco says Courtois's unhappiness spilled over when striker Romelu Lukaku was given the captain's armband for the Austria game in the absence of injured regular skipper Kevin De Bruyne.

The United States men’s national team dominated Mexico in the Concacaf Nations League semifinal with a 3-0 victory. What should have been a moment to celebrate was disgraced by fights between players and repeated homophobic chants from Mexican fans.

Before we get into the disgusting ending of the game, let’s take a quick look at the highlights.

During Barcelona's recent Women's Champions League Final victory over Wolfsburg, nine Spanish players helped show why Barça are the preeminent force of the club game. It should logically follow that Spain are one of the pre-tournament favorites at this summer's World Cup, but on Monday their 30-player provisional roster was released with some big names already omitted before the squad is cut to 23.

Girondins de Bordeaux's Ligue 1 promotion bid has been derailed after their final home league match, which was halted when a fan attacked a Rodez player, was declared a victory for the visitors by governing body LFP on Monday.

In the match played on June 2, Bordeaux needed to better Metz's result to finish second and secure promotion to the top flight but the six-time French champions went behind in the 22nd minute.

Ajax Amsterdam midfielder Steven Berghuis has apologized after he appeared to strike a fan following their 3-1 loss at FC Twente on Sunday that ended their dire season on a low note.

In a video circulating on social media, Berghuis is seen lashing out at what appears to be a Twente supporter in front of the Ajax team bus before an official intervened.

Christian Pulisic got his first meaningful minutes in the Premier League since April 15 on Thursday during Chelsea’s 4-1 defeat to Manchester United. Other than Pulisic falling on David de Gea there wasn’t too much to report from the American.

Pulisic was brought on as a substitute in the 64th minute for noted Instagram bully and expert at missing chances Mykhailo Mudryk.