Soccer
PSG backs fans against Chelsea disorder claims for WCL game
PARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain is backing its fans accused by British police of violent behavior ahead of a Women’s Champions League match in London. The club says in a statement on its website that British authorities offered no proof that PSG supporters’ behavior warranted their exclusion from the quarterfinal first-leg match against Chelsea on …
Berhalter starts 3-0 as US beats Ecuador 1-0 on fluke goal
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Gregg Berhalter became only the second American coach to win his first three games when Gyasi Zardes scored a bizarre goal that deflected off a defender, looped over goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez and ricocheted in off the crossbar in the 81st minute for a 1-0 exhibition win over Ecuador on Thursday night. …
Belgium, Croatia battle to wins as 2020 qualifying begins
The stars of last year’s World Cup had to dig deep as European Championship qualifying began Thursday. World Cup finalist Croatia nearly dropped points against Azerbaijan, only to be saved by a fine curling shot from Andrej Kramaric for a 2-1 win. Belgium needed two goals from Eden Hazard to defeat Russia 3-1 after a …
PSG fans involved in violence around women’s game at Chelsea
LONDON (AP) — Visiting Paris Saint-Germain fans have been involved in violence in London before attempting to bring weapons into a Women’s Champions League game against Chelsea. The first leg of the quarterfinal was played Thursday night at the Kingsmeadow Stadium in south London, with Hannah Blundell and Erin Cuthbert giving Chelsea a 2-0 victory. …
Argentina coach wants teammates to step up as Messi returns
MADRID (AP) — With Lionel Messi making his first start since the World Cup, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni hopes the rest of the squad is ready to step up and reach another level. Scaloni confirmed on Thursday that Messi will be in the lineup for Friday’s friendly against Venezuela in Madrid, which will be his …
Defender Ali Krieger returns to the US women’s national team
CHICAGO (AP) — Defender Ali Krieger has returned to the U.S. women’s national team for the first time since 2017. Krieger was named to the team’s roster Thursday for exhibition matches against Australia and Belgium as the team prepares for the World Cup in France starting in June. She has not played for the United …
Kazakhstan beats Scotland 3-0 as European qualifying starts
ASTANA, Kazakhstan (AP) — Scotland’s hopes of returning to major-tournament football after a 22-year absence suffered a heavy blow Thursday with a 3-0 loss to Kazakhstan in the first qualifier for next year’s European Championship. The Kazakhs scored twice in the opening 10 minutes and added another goal in the 51st minute. Scotland — one …
Rice apologizes for old social-media post about IRA
LONDON (AP) — Preparing for a possible England debut after switching international soccer allegiance from Ireland, Declan Rice apologized Thursday for past online expressions of support for the IRA. The Twitter posts referencing “Up the RA” — short form for the Irish Republican Army — resurfaced in Irish media before being deleted by the 20-year-old …
Valencia again targeted by Batman creators for bat logo
MADRID (AP) — Batman is coming after Valencia’s bat logo. The Spanish soccer club is again being targeted by DC Comics over the use of its logo, which serves as the centerpiece of its centennial celebrations this year. The comic book makers, who created the superhero Batman, have made another complaint about how the team …
Cristiano Ronaldo fined $22K by UEFA for obscene gesture
NYON, Switzerland (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo has been fined 20,000 euros ($22,750) by UEFA for making a provocative gesture after Juventus beat Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. UEFA says its disciplinary panel found the Juventus star guilty of improper conduct. Ronaldo was fined the same sum imposed on Atletico coach Diego Simeone for the …