Football Club Barcelona

Players deserve apology, not sanctions: Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa

Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa thinks his players deserve an apology, not sanctions, for going into the stands at Bank of America Stadium and participating in a fight with Colombia fans following his team's 1-0 Copa America semifinal loss. An angry Bielsa criticised tournament organizers for not doing enough to protect the families of players seated behind the Uruguay bench and he justified players taking matters into their own hands to protect their loved ones. "We are in the United States, the country of security," Bielsa said through an interpreter during an emotional 45-minute news conference Friday. "How can you not defend your mother, your sister, a baby? If they did not do it, they would have been condemned by all of us." CONMEBOL, South American soccer's governing body, said on Thursday its disciplinary committee opened an investigation. "It is unacceptable that an incident like this turns passion into violence," the federation said in a statement. Asked if he feared sancti

Euro 2024 Final: How Spain versus England stacks up beyond the football

Over the longer term Spain has a more impressive track record, too, with three European crowns. England has never been victorious

Argentina friendly in mainland China cancelled over Messi's absence in HK

An Argentina soccer friendly in China next month was cancelled on Friday in more fallout from Lionel Messi failing to play in a club exhibition match in Hong Kong. World Cup champion Argentina, captained by Messi, last month scheduled a tour of China during the international break from March 18-26. Games were lined up against Nigeria in Hangzhou and Ivory Coast in Beijing. Both opponents are coincidentally meeting in the Africa Cup of Nations final this weekend. But Messi, on tour with his Inter Miami club, outraged fans in Hong Kong when he didn't play against a local selection last Sunday and remained on the bench. Messi said he had a groin injury. But his excuse didn't wash in Hong Kong after he played for 30 minutes on Wednesday in Tokyo against Vissel Kobe. On Friday, the sports bureau in Hangzhou canceled the Argentina-Nigeria friendly. "Because of the reasons known to all, we've learned from supervising authorities that the conditions are immature for the match to go forwa

Brand ambassadors: An illusory fascination

Byju's appointment of Messi is a good example of the illusory fascination that companies harbour for celebrity endorsements

Ballon d'Or 2022: Live streaming, timing, nomination list, and more

Indian football fans can watch the live telecast of Ballon d'Or, which will be available in the early hours of Tuesday

Real Madrid beats Sociedad 2-1, pips Barca to top spot in La Liga rankings

Madrid and Barcelona are level on 65 points, but Madrid has a better goal difference and a better head-to-head record against its rival

After Sony Playstation, 'OurMine' now hacks FC Barcelona's Twitter account

OurMine falsely announced the signing of Angel Di Maria from Paris Saint-Germain Football Club