French soccer federation (FFF) president Noel Le Graet said he continues to support striker Karim Benzema despite his involvement in a sex-tape scandal:’I like him and think everyone has the right to make mistakes. … Benzema had an extremely difficult childhood and in this case, he let stupidity get the better of him. He was as dumb […]
international
Posted inAround The Net in Soccer World Daily, Story
Germany backs Infantino for FIFA presidency
The German soccer federation says it is backing UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino in the Feb. 26 FIFA presidential election in his bid to lead global soccer out of its currentcrisis. “Gianni Infantino is the Europeans’ candidate and the best one,” said DFB interim co-president Reinhard Rauball. There are no clear favorites among the five candidatesbut the Swiss Infantino would […]
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Jorge Sampaoli quits as Chile coach
Argentine Jorge Sampaoli, who guided Chile to the 2015 Copa America crown and 2014 World Cup round of 16, has quit as Chile coach after the Chilean federation agreed to cut short hiscontract that would have kept him at the helm through 2018. Sampaoli has been in dispute with new federation president Arturo Salah and said he […]
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Video Pick: A rip-roaring, must-see volley golazo
An early candidate for Goal of the Year comes from the Portuguese second division. Clube Oriental’s 27-year-old Hugo Firmino perfectly gauges a high ball from across the field andstrikes with such force it’s surprising the net’s still intact.
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Jordan Morris sweepstakes: Sounders should get their man
The Jordan Morris sweepstakes has come to an end. On Tuesday, Werder Bremen general manager Thomas Eichin issued a statement that the young U.S. international, who spent the last weektraining with the Bundesliga club in Turkey, will be returning to the United States, presumably to sign a Homegrown Player contract with MLS’s Seattle Sounders. “The […]
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Video Pick: A different kind of field invasion
An amateur game in Greece was interrupted by a field invasion unlike any we’ve ever seen: Not an attention-hungry fan, but a lady with a cane taking a shortcut to her destination by wandering throughmidfield.
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Video Pick: Jordan Morris' assist for Werder Bremen
Jordan Morris‘ trial with Werder Bremen went so well that reports out of Germany said Werder Bremen believed he’d sign with the Bundesliga club instead of taking the Seattle Sounders’offer. That turned down on to be true, but the U.S. forward did impress Bremen staff. Here’s how the 21-year-old U.S. striker assisted on a goal […]
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Morris will continue his trial with Bremen
Rather than leave Turkey and Werder Bremen to join the U.S. national team training camp in Southern California, forward Jordan Morris will continue his stint with the German club. “I will stay in Bremen for a few days,” Morris said to a local newspaper, Kreiszeitung. “We’ll seewhat happens after that. They are all very good […]
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Report: Former Colombia keeper attempts suicide
Former Colombia goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon, who in 2014 became the oldest player to appear in a World Cup game, at age 44, was hospitalized on Tuesday after reportedly attempting tokill himself. The news came hours after Mondragon posted a concerning message on Instagram, which has since been deleted: “There is only me who can judge […]
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Video Pick: Rooney red-hot in barn-burner
Wayne Rooney, who scored only two EPL goals this season in 2015, struck thrice in Manchester United’s last two games, including twice (plus an assist) in Tuesday’s 3-3 thrilleragainst Newcastle. His second goal upped his EPL total for Man United to 175, matching Thierry Henry‘s record of EPL goals for one club (Arsenal).