Author Archives: Soccer America

UEFA President Michel Platini has claimed that Arsenal manager and compatriot Arsene Wenger is more interested in business than soccer. Wenger has responded by condemning Platini’s “aggressive outburst.” The Daily Telegraph, among others, has cleverly juxtaposed the two clashing opinions to create a top soccer story, and the anticipation of what will happen next is […]

“This is a long-term commitment across the game to improve behavior. There is a determination that it won’t be blown off course by individual incidents that are bound to occur in a passionate game like football.” An FA spokesman pledges the English Football Association’s determination to persevere with its Respect for referees campaign, despite a […]

It’s almost a year and a half too late to save Sheffield United from relegation out of the Premier League, but an English FA arbitration panel has ruled that the club is entitled to compensation from Sheffield United over the Carlos Tevez affair. West Ham were already fined over $10 million by the FA for […]

The Pacific island nation of Tuvalu, encompassing 12,000 people and an area of just over 16 square miles, is lobbying FIFA for full soccer status. Its Prime Minister Apisai Ielemia, and the President of the Tuvalu Football Association, Tapugao Falefou, recently visited FIFA HQ on a detour from Brussels for a chat about its candidature. […]

Chaotic scheduling, poor playing surfaces and appalling referees — no, not another article about Major League Soccer. These are just some of the problems facing the Rwandan national league as it shapes up for the new season beginning early next month. The league's governing body, Ferwafa, has only just set the date for the October […]

U.S. national team striker Clint Dempsey was top scorer last season at English Premier League side Fulham with six goals. This season he's spent the last three games with his rear firmly on the bench, but during the week he's "busting" that same part of his anatomy trying to regain his place on the team. […]

FIFA is still in a mess for another poorly judged decision after the governing body absolved Qatar of any blame for fielding an ineligible player in a World Cup qualifying game against Iraq. Qatar fielded a naturalized Brazilian named Emerson in the 2-0 win over Iraq in March, a result that eliminated Iraq from qualification […]

Concacaf General Secretary and FIFA executive committee member Chuck Blazer has launched an attack on the world soccer governing body’s handling of the Olympic tournament in China, writes Keir Radnedge. Blazer accused FIFA of “misusing the tools of justice” by having a single judge decide on the Olympic player eligibility issue. The issue went on […]

“The American may possess all manner of foibles we have yet to discover, but for the moment he represents a species thought to be nearing extinction: a football club owner with a positive approval rating.” Nick Townsend lauds Aston Villa’s U.S. owner, Randy Lerner.

“It appears to be an isolated incident but we have launched a full investigation in conjunction with local authorities.” Chelsea FC reacts to the stone reportedly thrown by a Chelsea fan that cracked a window on Manchester United’s team bus as it left Stamford Bridge Sunday.

"If the authorities decide a replay is the correct thing to do then I've got no objections whatsoever." Reading manager Steve Coppell will be happy to replay Saturday's 2-2 draw at Watford, when his team was awarded a bizarre "goal" that should have been a corner. But the Football League has already ruled out a […]

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has stressed that his club favors long-term sustainability over splashing out cash for huge transfer fees, and said he is "sure" that fans understand not winning the Premier League title if it means the club is kept on a stable financial footing. "We obviously can't compete with the money Manchester City […]

"What must Ukraine do to avoid losing Euro 2012?" Michel Platini asked, repeating a question posed by Simon Kuper. The UEFA President, writes Kuper, "puffs out his cheeks, drums a rhythm on the table with his fingers. What he says next implies that … Uefa may remove Ukraine as co-host of the 2012 European Championships." […]

Does David Beckham receive preferential treatment from MLS referees? D.C. United defender Marc Burch seems to think so after being red-carded for kicking Beckham from behind Saturday night in L.A. Referee Terry Vaughn interpreted Burch's challenge, which occurred on the touchline, as "violent conduct." "I swung for the ball and hit the back of his […]

The Chicago Fire was booed off the field at halftime Sunday when it went in to the locker room 3-0 down at home to FC Dallas. Goalkeeper Jon Busch was no happier with the final 4-1 result than the jeering fans. “If I paid money to go to this game, I would be booing too,” […]