• Deliberate handling -- just what does that mean?
    Many years ago - more than 30 to be exact - I took a graduate course at University of Texas in Cognitive Sciences titled "Decision-Making Processes." The course in general analyzed how humans make critical decision-making processes based on perception. I chose to write a term paper on "How does a Soccer Referee Decide on Intentional Handling."
  • Justice served 28 years after Hillsborough
    Justice is often slow, and for the families of 96 Liverpool fans who died as a result of the Hillsborough disaster it was painfully slow, taking more than 28 years for criminal charges to be brought against six men.
  • Lost in Translation: The alleged Arturo Vidal insult of Cristiano Ronaldo
    The hype ahead of Wednesday's Confederations Cup semifinal between European champion Portugal and South American champion Chile was all about Arturo Vidal insulting Cristiano Ronaldo, sparking headlines and social media memes. Turns out, Vidal was the victim of bad translation.
  • Michael Garcia of FIFA fame is back in the news
    The last time Michael Garcia was in the news was six weeks ago when he was interviewed for the job of FBI director following President Donald Trump's controversial firing of James Comey.
  • English FA pushes back from gambling ties
    English soccer's governing body announced Thursday it is being terminating a deal with the betting company Ladbrokes Coral that is worth about $5 million per year.
  • Mbappe and the allure of Real Madrid
    The biggest transfer saga of the summer will be that of 18-year-old Monaco forward Kylian Mbappe, and it's now apparent that if he leaves the Mediterranean principality, where he has two years left on his contract with the Ligue 1 champions, it will only be for Real Madrid.
  • Secrets to the French soccer revolution, seven years after Knysna
    Tuesday marked the seventh anniversary of the French player revolt at Knysna, the South African training camp where players refused to leave their bus and train in protest to the expulsion of teammate Nicolas Anelka for swearing at head coach Raymond Domenech at halftime of the World Cup match against Mexico.
  • Rule-change proposals: The final whistle idea makes sense
    Some of the latest rule-change proposals, which include no rebounds on penalty kicks, are radical enough to spark debate. But a tweak to when refs blow the final whistle -- that would be a smooth and sensible implementation.
  • Where the VAR 'controversy' is misguided -- and where it isn't
    The first thing to say about the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system being used at the Confederations Cup in Russia is the calls upholding or overturning the decisions on the field so far have been correct.
  • FIFA scandals enter new phase as former banker admits bribe payments
    Former Swiss bank executive Jorge Luis Arzuaga has admitted establishing accounts and depositing funds as bribe payments to the late Julio Grondona, former president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and ex-chairman of FIFA's Finance Committee.
  • The Development Academies: The saga ends
    Well, actually, the Development Academies (DA) saga does not end here, but my story ends. I had been writing about the DAs for the past couple of weeks so this will be my conclusive article.
  • Mostly tight World Cup qualifying races as Europe breaks for summer
    The long European season is finally over. National teams will break for the summer before the mad dash to the finish line in World Cup qualifying. After playing just six games over the first five FIFA calendar windows, European teams will play four games over the next two windows to leave room for playoffs in November.
  • American coach Dan Gaspar heads to third World Cup as Iran books Russia tickets
    Iran clinching a spot at the 2018 World Cup means American coach Dan Gaspar is heading to his third World Cup. Gaspar has for the last six years served as Iran's goalkeeper coach and assistant to its Portuguese head coach, Carlos Queiroz.
  • After Trump Tower and the Donald, Football League takes cup draw to Bangkok
    Soccer is an international sport with interest none bigger than in English soccer. The EPL's financial clout is due in large part to its success in selling itself in foreign markets, to the tune of $2 billion a year under the terms of the new television agreements reached for the 2016-19 cycle.
  • Klopp clanger all too familiar for Liverpool fans
    Two years into his stint as Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp -- a prolific striker as a player for Mainz -- has hit the target more often than not with selections and tactics.
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