It’s a fixture of headlines that appear with disturbing regularity: violence against and abuse of sports officials at all levels. And soccer isn’t exempt from the pattern. A well-documented phenomenon at both amateur and professional matches, instances of referee abuse are scattered across headlines from many professional leagues. Diego Costa, a striker for Atletico Madrid,… Read More »
Tuesday is going to be a nerve-wracking day for all Chelsea fans. Barcelona vs. Chelsea is probably one of the highlight games of the round of 16 for this year’s Champions’ League. As a Chelsea fan, I have attempted to assemble all of the Chelsea supporters I know for a watch party of solidarity. This… Read More »
In a meeting on March 5th, 2016, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) approved the use of video referees referees (VAR) for a two-year trial period beginning June 1st, 2016. Since then, several of the world’s top leagues have adopted the system, including the Serie A in Italy, the MLS in America, and the Bundesliga in… Read More »
You’ve probably never heard a Tarheels-Bulldogs matchup lauded about in the history books. In fact, you probably don’t even know who that is. And you shouldn’t. There is nothing too special about the Yale Bulldogs or the University of North Carolina Tarheels when it comes to soccer. However, you may be one of the 36.5… Read More »
Having been a referee for about 3 years, I know how trying it can be at times. You’re almost never appreciated, and one questionable call can make coaches, players, and spectators turn completely against you. And if that isn’t bad enough, even enforcing the written laws of the game can put you in a tough… Read More »
Fue el cuarto de final del mundial de 1986. Inglaterra y Argentina se enfrentaban en el Estadio Azteca en la cuidad de México. Ningún equipo había metido un gol en la primera mitad del juego pero ambos tenían la esperanza de ganar e ir a la semifinales. Seis minutos dentro de la segunda mitad del… Read More »
There are the published rules of the game, like the offsides rule, no hands, and so on. And then there are the actual rules of the games- the ones that aren’t necessarily published but guide the way we act and interact with the published set of rules. These unspoken rules, or norms, are what form… Read More »
In the past three days, the soccer world has been flooded with terrifying stories of soccer-related bombings, Nazi chants, and even an attempted choking on an airplane. Although I haven’t been following the sport of soccer for very long, this burst of soccer-related violence and hate is both unexpected and depressing. But if anything, these recent events of violence… Read More »
Vuk Bakic, delantero serbio del GSP Polet, anotó este gol en el saque inicial del partido que su equipo ganó 4-1 en septiembre de 2012. Fue, casi literalmente, como si su equipo comenzara el partido con el marcador a favor. Ahora bien, el gol suscitó una gran polémica puesto que habría dos factores que no harían… Read More »
The soccer ball was not always perfectly round. Over time, the soccer ball has changed significantly. In the early stages of soccer, in the middle ages, bladders of pigs were commonly used as soccer balls, and soon after, wrapped in leather to allow for rougher play and longer lifespan on the ball. The Vulcanized Rubber… Read More »
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