Off the Pitch

Spanish regional soccer chiefs come together to demand Luis Rubiales’ resignation

MADRID — Spanish regional soccer chiefs demanded federation boss Luis Rubiales resign for grabbing and kissing World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso, as the country's caretaker government promised on Tuesday to ensure women play a bigger role in running sports.

How Nike lost Messi to Adidas over a dumb oversight and a few hundred dollars worth of tracksuits

Nike lost Messi in 2006 in an effort to save themselves a couple hundred bucks. Along with him, they ended up losing billions in potential revenue. This is the story of how one of the most iconic partnerships in sports between Lionel Messi and Adidas came to be – and how close we were to seeing both Messi and Ronaldo as ambassadors for Nike.

USWNT drop to their lowest FIFA ranking in history following World Cup disappointment

The latest edition of the FIFA women’s world rankings was released on Friday and the big news is that the USWNT have dropped two places. For this first time in history the U.S. sit third in the world, their lowest ever ranking.

USWNT FIFA rankings

Women’s soccer world unites after Spanish federation boss refuses to step down

MADRID — Spanish soccer boss Luis Rubiales refused to quit on Friday for kissing star player Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain's Women's World Cup victory, fuelling anger among players and government ministers who decried his actions as unacceptable macho behavior.

The government cannot sack Rubiales, who is head of the independent Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). But it will seek to suspend him using a legal procedure before a sports tribunal, the head of the state-run sports council, Victor Francos, told reporters.

Folarin Balogun set to become second most expensive American transfer with move to Monaco

Folarin Balogun is nearing a big move from Arsenal to French club AS Monaco as it was reported by journalist Fabrice Hawkins on Thursday that the two clubs reached an agreement. The Balogun Monaco transfer would be permanent for €45 million ($48.6 million).

Balogun Monaco transfer

Landon Donovan’s USL team San Diego Loyal will be forced to fold at end of 2023 season

The San Diego Loyal, a United Soccer League club owned in part by soccer legend Landon Donovan, will cease operations after the 2023 season, the league announced Thursday.

The franchise rights will be transferred "in the coming months," per a league news release.

The action is being taken because a "viable near- and long-term stadium solution in the market did not materialize" in the San Diego area, the league said.

Must watch: Hilarious viral clip of UK comedian’s slow motion soccer celebration is perfect

Comedian Karl Porter went ultra-viral on Wednesday after a clip of his slow motion soccer celebration act spread on the internet. During his comedy set the UK comedian asked the crowd if they wanted to see his goal celebration.

He absolutely nailed it.

Avid soccer fans have seen so many clips of professional players scoring goals and wheeling off in celebration. Then when we see the replay, we get the slomo version of the celly.

Porter has been studying hard because that was perfect form on that header, knee slide and facial expressions.

Lindsey Horan hints that the players took over the plan and tactics vs. Sweden, not Vlatko

Lindsey Horan had strong words about the United States women’s national team’s coaching staff and their World Cup failure when she sat down with her former teammates Christen Press and Tobin Heath on The RE-CAP Show.

Horan discussed that the team wasn’t set up for success at the tournament, had no joy throughout and dropped a bombshell about the team’s tactics during the Round of 16 loss vs. Sweden.

Málaga fans pretend random guy at airport is their new star signing after no summer transfers

Spanish club Málaga went off the deep end a while ago. In 2013 the club was playing in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League. Last season they were relegated from the second division of Spain.

You can’t blame the fans for not having much optimism when the is club dying out, hemorrhaging money and set to play in the third tier for the first time since 1998.

Spain’s prime minister calls out soccer federation chief for kissing player on the lips

MADRID — The Spanish soccer federation chief's public apology for his unsolicited kiss of national player Jenni Hermoso during celebrations of Spain's victory in the Women's World Cup was "not enough", Acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Tuesday.

The incident - which happened as Luis Rubiales handed the women's team gold medals after they beat England 1-0 in the final on Sunday - sparked outrage within and outside Spain, with many, including ministers, demanding Rubiales' resignation.

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