Category Europe
Jadon Sancho and Marcus Thuram, English and French footballers in Germany, offer tributes to George Floyd and #BlackLivesMatter
Borussia Dortmund’s English player Jadon Sancho took off his shirt to reveal a “Justice for George Floyd” message after scoring for Dortmund in the Bundesliga on Sunday. The 20-year-old was subsequently issued a yellow card by the referee for removing his shirt. Other Dortmund players later showed they were also wearing the message of support. […]
Croatia President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic wins the World Cup and shows the power of football diplomacy
The appearances by the Croatian president during the tournament had media across the world frantically looking up her Wikipedia page to discover photos of her wearing a bikini and learning she was formerly Croatia’s Minister for European Affairs, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador to the United States, and Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy at NATO.
UEFA gives no reason for dropping Michy Batshuayi racism case so Dortmund striker drops a tweet
UEFA dropped its investigation into allegations of racism by fans of Italian club Atalanta during a Europa League match against Borussia Dortmund in February.
Germany, Franz Beckenbauer, and the ghost of Charlie Dempsey
Havelange, Blatter, Blazer, Valcke, Warner, Texeira, Platini… Franz Beckenbauer can now add his name to the list of The Untouchables who – it turns out – are in fact touchable by the law.
As FIFA implodes, more questions for Blatter and Platini. Oh, and some for Peter Hargitay and SBS TV’s Les Murray, too. Thanks.
There are not enough times you can write “criminal proceedings initiated against Sepp Blatter”. Of course there are questions about Blatter’s relationship with Platini and what the payment was actually for. Rule number one: follow the money. Rule number two: cross check the dates. Platini received the payment when he decided not to run against Blatter for FIFA president and instead endorsed Blatter’s reelection.
Refugees, Eric Cantona, Madrid, Munich, and Tel Aviv: The Beautiful Ugly Game
They scoured Munich – where thousands of refugees have arrived – and eventually found Mohsen. He was watching a Champions’ League game in a Munich café. Football can be ugly. Football can be corrupt. But sometimes, the actions of some people within the game demonstrate its power for good.
“This Trade Is Evil”: Inside the Secret World of Soccer Player Trafficking
“People who are desperate then get more desperate, and sell their property, family land, houses, parents’ cars, to get on this team. But the agent says that we’re scheduled to play about 30 games so you will get the money back and more.”
New FIFA Now Meets In Brussels But Must Move Beyond Its Safe European Home
Yet what was significant was who did not make it to Brussels. David Ginola, attempting to run against Blatter, was not in the house. Neither was Prince Ali Bin Hussein, a FIFA vice-president and an alternative to Blatter with some credibility even if commentators who should know better have dismissed him as “some Jordanian prince.”
Footballers Who Think About Racism, Immigration, Islam, Economics, and… Those Who Don’t Think Of That At All.
“It seems to me that all this is linked to the economic crisis. It seems to me that if there hadn’t been a crisis in 1929 then Hitler would never have obtained power. And unfortunately, during crises, people fall into despair, they don’t know anymore what to hang on to and all this gives birth to extremism.”
ICYMI: “There is NO agreement in place between the Club or City Football Group with New York City FC relating to the player.”
Frank Lampard’s relationship with New York City FC is now a farce. What we know: It is true many Americans do not care about Major League Soccer. This is OK. It is also true that the many Americans that do care about MLS do not care about New York City Football Club, a new team […]
all about angles 