Politics

Ukraine Wins Friendly Against Gladbach In Nation's First Match Since Russia's Invasion

Oleksandr Pikhalyonok scored the winner as Ukraine beat Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach 2-1 in a friendly on Wednesday in the national team's first game since the country was invaded by Russia.

The match at Borussia-Park was attended by over 20,000 spectators, with all proceeds going towards relief efforts in Ukraine. Players from both teams held up a "Stop War" banner before kick-off.

Ukrainian Soldiers Tell National Teamers How Much They Want Ukraine At World Cup

LJUBLJANA — Ukraine will pour their heart and soul into ensuring they win their World Cup playoff matches as soldiers repelling the Russian invasion want the team to do everything they can to qualify, midfielder Taras Stepanenko said on Friday.

Ukraine, who last played against Bosnia & Herzegovina in a 2-0 victory in November, faces Scotland in a World Cup playoff semifinal on June 1, with the winner set to face Wales for a place in the finals against the U.S., England and Iran in Qatar later this year.

UEFA Bans Russia WNT From Euros And World Cup, Clubs Banned From Europe Next Season

UEFA has banned Russia from the Women's European Championship in July and from participating in qualifying for next year's World Cup following the country's invasion of Ukraine, European soccer's governing body said on Monday.

Portugal will replace Russia for the July 6-31 tournament in England, having lost to them in the qualifying playoffs. They will join the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland in Group C.

USMNT vs. Iran Will Be A Clash Of Geopolitical Foes

WASHINGTON — After more than 40 years of sour relations and months of struggle to restore a nuclear deal, the United States and Iran are now set to meet on the soccer field at this year's World Cup, having landed together in Group B in Friday's draw.

The Iran and U.S. coaches sidestepped the political fracas, saying they were focused on the tournament and its ability to bring people together. England and the winners of a European playoff - Ukraine, Scotland or Wales - complete the group.

Overwhelmed By Opposition, Gianni Infantino Says FIFA Never Proposed A Biennial World Cup

DOHA - Gianni Infantino has stepped sharply back from hotly contested plans for a biennial World Cup, telling world soccer’s leadership that FIFA had never proposed such an idea.

The FIFA president has been under fire for the past year, particularly in Europe, for proposals to increase the frequency of the global extravaganza from every four years, to every two.

North Macedonia PM Offers Players 500,000 Euros If They Beat Portugal In World Cup Playoff

PORTO, Portugal — North Macedonia's surprise win away to Italy in their World Cup playoff semifinal last week set up an unexpected clash against Portugal, with the country's Prime Minister offering the squad 500,000 euros ($549,300.00) if they reach the 2022 tournament.

The result shocked the soccer world and derailed a possible clash between the last two European champions Italy and Portugal, who both surprisingly missed out on automatically qualifying from the group stage for the World Cup in Qatar.

Team Named After LGBTQ+ Community Says ‘Gay’ Too Political For Banner

Editor’s Note: See update at bottom.

The Orlando Pride are, by their very name, a symbol of the LGBTQ+ community. Many of the Pride’s most prominent players have been gay, and Exploria Stadium includes 49 rainbow-colored seats as a memorial to the victims of the 2016 Pulse nightclub mass shooting. But apparently, the word “gay” is too political for the team.

Fan Who Tied Himself To Everton’s Goalpost During Game Releases Video Explaining Why He Did It

Thursday’s game between Everton and Newcastle had a unique disruption when a fan ran onto the field. Pitch invaders aren’t a strange occurrence, but you don’t see invaders tie themselves to the goal post around their neck too often. So, why did the fan tie himself to the goalpost?

Louis McKechnie used a cable to tie his neck around the goalpost and donned a bright orange shirt that read “Just Stop Oil.” It took several minutes and a crew of around 10 people to cut McKechnie loose and drag him away.

Ukrainian Andriy Yarmolenko Overcome With Emotion After Scoring On West Ham Return

LONDON - Ukrainian winger Andriy Yarmolenko and Spanish midfielder Pablo Fornals scored a goal each as West Ham defeated Aston Villa 2-1 at home on Sunday, ending Steven Gerrard's side's run of three consecutive wins in the Premier League.

Yarmolenko had been granted compassionate leave after Russia's invasion of Ukraine last month and then fell ill, missing West Ham's 1-0 Europa League loss in Seville on Thursday.

The Future Of Chelsea FC Is Uncertain Following UK Sanctions On Owner Roman Abramovich

European soccer champions Chelsea are now effectively controlled by the British government after sanctions were imposed against Russian owner Roman Abramovich on Thursday.

Abramovich, who had been under scrutiny following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, had announced he was selling the Premier League club last week.

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