MOSCOW — The Russian soccer federation announced this year that it was toughening one of the rules for teams in its top domestic league: In an effort to bolster the development of young Russian players ahead of the 2018 World Cup, club teams would be particularly limited in the number ...
Read More »Global Soccer: Real Madrid Embarrassed at Home in El Clásico
LONDON — When the white handkerchiefs are waved en masse at the team, the coaches and the club president at Real Madrid’s stadium, it usually has drastic repercussions. It means the coach is on the firing line. The gesture is one of derision, of rejection by Real Madrid’s supporters of ...
Read More »On Soccer: Amid Many Emotions, No Choice for France but to Play
On Soccer By SAM BORDEN LONDON — Sitting at a small table in the news conference room at Wembley Stadium on Monday afternoon, Hugo Lloris, the goalkeeper and captain of France’s national soccer team, listened to the question and frowned. Then he hesitated. Then he shrugged. It was clear he ...
Read More »Global Soccer: Sports Arenas Need Security, Not Complacency
LONDON — There is a sound, and also sad, reason why attacks that wrought carnage in Paris on Friday night did not get past the gates of Stade de France in the northern suburb of St.-Denis. It is the same reason why Germany’s national team chose to stay inside the ...
Read More »Global Soccer: Real Madrid and PSG Fail to Put on the Show Expected From Such Stars
Global Soccer Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo fighting with Paris Saint-Germain defenders for the ball. By ROB HUGHES October 22, 2015 LONDON — If anything can be worse than old men stealing the profits of sport in the committee rooms, it is younger men betraying their talents on the field. Paris Saint-Germain versus ...
Read More »Global Soccer: Arsenal’s Frequent Flier on a Scoring Binge
LONDON — Somebody might one day explain to Alexis Sánchez the meaning of fatigue and burnout. Right now, he just doesn’t get it. Over the past two weeks, on different continents, he has played and scored in two Premier League games for Arsenal and played and scored in two World ...
Read More »Global Soccer: By Way of Brazil, Italy Gets Jolt It Needed at Striker
Global Soccer Éder Citadin Martins celebrating after he scored Italy’s first goal in its 3-1 victory at Azerbaijan last weekend in a Euro 2016 qualifier. By ROB HUGHES October 13, 2015 LONDON — The moment has passed, but it still feels strange that Éder is the scorer who helped seal Italy’s qualification ...
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