Portsmouth release three players after investigation into discriminatory texts

Portsmouth have released three players from their academy following disciplinary proceedings in relation to discriminatory messages sent in a group chat.

The League One side began an investigation after images appeared on social media of posts from a private conversation among a number of under-18 players following England’s Euro 2020 final defeat by Italy earlier this month.

Concerns raised over how football clubs will enforce new heading restrictionsRead more

Disciplinary action was instigated once it was concluded there was a case to answer and as a result of that three youngsters have been released.

“We can confirm that a decision has been made today to release three players from the…

‘My heart is suffering’: France captain Wendie Renard sparks World Cup exits

The France captain, Wendie Renard, said on Friday that she will not play at this year’s Women’s World Cup to preserve her mental health, adding that she “can no longer support the current system”, with fellow internationals Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Kadidiatou Diani following suit.

Renard, who plays for Lyon and is widely considered to be one of the best defenders in women’s football, represented France in international games against Norway, Denmark and Uruguay earlier this month. The 32-year-old has won 142 caps for Les Bleues.

According to a report in French multimedia outlet RMC Sport, Renard will not play for the national team as long as the coach, Corinne Diacre, is in charge. Renard was stripped of…

South Africa’s Ronwen Williams: ‘I would say that football saved my life’

Ronwen Williams can pinpoint when his life changed for ever. In 2002, the future South Africa captain was a 10-year-old from Gelvandale, a notorious suburb of Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth, when his cousin was shot dead while working as a security guard.

“He was killed around the corner from where we were playing in the street,” Williams says. “The next thing you know, my cousin was being rushed to hospital. The area was filled with gangsterism, alcohol and drug abuse.”

Thanks to the guidance of his football-obsessed family, however, Williams was able to escape. He was spotted playing for the local side Shatterprufe Rovers and moved to SuperSport United’s academy in Pretoria two years after h…

Women’s World Cup 2023 preview: Can anyone stop the Nords in Group A?

It’s Norway and then everyone else. That’s how Group A will shake out, even with hosts New Zealand trying to defend home territory from two European foes and a debutant from Asia. The runaway favorites to win the group are the Nordic, who will be one of the countries making the journey from the northern tip of Earth all the way south for the global showcase. This is the first FIFA Women’s World Cup where there’s guaranteed to be only two teams advancing from every group, as the tournament expanded from 24 to 32 teams for this edition, just in time for their male counterparts to also grow from 32 to 48 teams. Who else has a shot in Group A? The increase in eight female teams making their way to Australia and New Zealand means three teams are most likely fighting for one spot to a…

32 Paragraphs About 32 Teams: A Thinking Fan's Guide To The NFL Season

The following is excerpted from the team chapters of the always-excellent Football Outsiders Almanac. Buy the PDF for $12.50 or order the printed book from Amazon. AFC East New York Jets: With Marty Mornhinweg and his West Coast Offense now in New York, that could mean good things for Mike Goodson. Regardless of system, expecting consistent production from either Santonio Holmes or Kellen Winslow, Jr., is foolhardy, so the Jets may wind up throwing a bunch of short passes to the running backs. Over the last three seasons, LeSean McCoy has caught 180 passes in just 42 games while playing under Mornhinweg. Last year, Shonn Greene led all Jets backs with 19 catches, but a healthy Goodson—who is a better receiver than Chris Ivory—could easily double that number. The offense won't b…

Golfer Complains Golf Course Is Too Hard

Ah, it’s that time of year, when the golfers playing in the U.S. Open complain about how hard the golf course is. Last year, golfers called Oakmont “ brutal.” The year before, they slammed the greens at Chambers Bay. This year, the shaggy fescue at Erin Hills in Wisconsin is the problem. Kevin Na took time out of his round on Sunday to gripe on camera about the bushy grass beyond the rough.
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The Hater’s Guide To The 2014 World Cup

Soccer! Football! The Beautiful Game! OL’ NETTY! Yes, it’s time again for 31 contending nations (plus England) to gather together for the World Cup. Now, soccer people (very much to be confused with pod people) will remind you that the World Cup is the most popular sporting event in the world. Of course, that’s just another indication of how awful the world’s taste is. The world loves soccer, Avatar, McDonald’s, and Psy. If the world were a friend of yours, you’d make a wanking motion any time he tried to push a movie on you. Now I am like most insufferable Americans in that I am only occasionally interested in soccer and am annoyed by soccer fans constantly expressing passion for their sport. Watching soccer is like watching 11 Justin Biebers play 11 Justin Biebers…

Brady Quinn Will Guide Your Browns To Victory In 2009, New Media Says

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that Eric Mangini has confirmed the report by Pro Football Talk via Terrell Owens' congratulatory Twitter message that Quinn will start this Sunday against the Vikings. Welcome to the new journalism. [ Cleveland Plain Dealer] …

Sportswriter Gil LeBreton Compares Vancouver 2010 To Berlin 1936

The Vancouver Olympics were an impressive display of Canadian pride and ambition, culminating in the most dominating hometown performance in the history of the Winter Games. You know who else liked dominating the Olympics, don't you? HITLER! We missed this gem of a column by Gil LeBreton in Sunday's Fort Worth Star-Telegram, but it's worth revisiting thanks to this amazingly well-crafted lede: After a spirited torch relay ignited pride in every corner of the country, the Olympic Games began and quickly galvanized the nation. Flags were everywhere. The country's national symbol hung from windows and was worn on nearly everyone's clothing. Fervent crowds cheered every victory by the host nation. But enough about the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Wow. Just … wow. He…

Chris Webber: Anthony Davis, Not LeBron, Should Be Lakers First Scoring Option

data-mm-id=”_9bpjd6lhk”>If it's up to Chris Webber, LeBron James' reign at the top of his respective team's scoring list should come to end to ensure a fourth championship ring.Speaking with the eponymous host of The Dan Patrick Show, the five-time NBA All-Star turned Turner Sports analyst opined that the Los Angeles Lakers' best chances of victory come not from being paced by James. Rather, Webber believes Anthony Davis should be the straw that stirs the yellow and purple drink. "It's been 17, 18 years, nine Finals, all the things that he's done. I've said all preseason that if I were LeBron, I'd tried to get AD the MVP," Webber said. "If AD gets the MVP, that means AD is doing all types of incredible things, and you would tend to…