German soccer has a strong history of fan activism, with regular protests launched in recent seasons against match starting times and investment deals.
In the 2023-24 season, widespread fan action including littering fields with tennis balls and chocolate coins resulted in the scrapping of an investment deal, despite the proposal winning majority support of clubs.
“I think fans can expect less warnings from referees (before fouls are given) than they might have seen previously, and I know (those warnings were) a source of frustration Fans can expect to see more situations being penalized, but not only in August or September, throughout the season.”
In our previous article, we presented the statistics from this World Cup in comparative terms and made an objective assessment. The conclusion was that the referees implemented what FIFA had asked for. What were these objectives? • Fewer fouls and fewer cards, while controlling the game through personality and appropriate body language. • Quick VAR […]
A total of 104 matches were played. An average of 23 fouls were called per match—including matches that went to overtime—and this figure was lower than at recent World Cups.
Slavko Vinčić will become the first Slovenian to referee a World Cup final. Vinčić reffed the 2024 UEFA Champions League final (Borussia Dortmund-Real Madrid), the 2022 UEFA Europa League final (Eintracht Frankfurt-Rangers) and whistled at the last two European Championships and the 2022 World Cup. He will be assisted by countrymen Tomaž Klančnik and Andraž Kovačič. […]
Ismail Elfath will become the first American to referee a men’s World Cup semifinal when he takes charge of Wednesday’s Argentina-England clash in Atlanta. Elfath, who will be assisted by U.S. ARs Corey Parker and Kyle Atkins, will also become the first American to referee a fourth game at the same World Cup. In 2002 […]
Lionel Messi’s brilliance has helped carry Argentina into a blockbuster World Cup semi-final with England in Atlanta on Wednesday. But the defending champions’ journey to the last four has been engulfed by online conspiracy theories claiming — without evidence — that the playing field has been tilted in their favour. Social media is awash with […]
It is Donald Trump’s signature dance, but triumphant Belgian footballers stole his “Y.M.C.A.” moves after he intervened before the match in which they knocked the United States out of the World Cup. The Belgian team copied Trump’s unmistakable swaying fist pumps as they celebrated their 4-1 thrashing of the co-hosts on Monday, dancing and singing […]
Here’s a colorful way to catch up on the history of the previous 22 men’s World Cups as we brace for this summer’s thrills and drama.
Somali referee Omar Artan said the “biggest dream of my life” had been ripped away after he was denied entry to the United States to officiate at the World Cup. Artan, who was named referee of the year in 2025 by the Confederation of African Football, has been dropped from FIFA’s list of officials after […]
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