Latest Football (Soccer) News
17 Suspects Linked to Israeli Soccer Team Arrested in Match-Fixing Probe
Israel Police arrested 17 people affiliated with FC Kiryat Yam, a second-tier league team, for alleged match-fixing and money laundering over three years. Suspects include players and administrators tied to organized crime using the club to launder millions from illegal gambling in Israel and abroad.
The operation followed a months-long probe with the Israel Football Association amid prior league scandals.
German Politician and DFB VP Support Boycotting US World Cup
German politician Jürgen Hardt and DFB vice president Oke Göttlich back boycotting the World Cup over US policy threats to European autonomy, amid Davos tensions. Germany's absence as a four-time champion would diminish the tournament's prestige, though it faces domestic and European resistance.
France's sports minister firmly rejected a boycott, stressing sport's separation from politics.
Gunmen Kill 11 at Soccer Field in Central Mexico Amid Cartel Violence
Gunmen opened fire at a soccer field in Salamanca, Guanajuato, at the end of a match, killing 11 and wounding 12, including a woman and minor. The attack is linked to a crime wave between Santa Rosa de Lima gang and Jalisco New Generation Cartel in Mexico's highest homicide state.
Mayor Cesar Prieto appealed for federal help as authorities investigate.
FC Kiryat Yam Club Denies Match-Fixing Allegations
Attorneys for arrested FC Kiryat Yam suspects deny involvement, claiming efforts to block the club's Premier League promotion. Team chairman Nissim Alfasi insists operations are fully legal and expresses shock at the raids.
The club was promoted last season after a prior league dissolved due to match-fixing.
Israel Police Uncover Organized Crime in Soccer Money Laundering
Investigators found FC Kiryat Yam used as a platform by crime groups for laundering gambling profits from pre-fixed games involving tens of millions of shekels. Some players held multiple contracts in the scheme spanning Israel and abroad.
Raids arrested suspects at home after undercover cooperation with football association.
Historical Precedents for World Cup Boycotts Resurface in Debate
Debate echoes past boycotts like Uruguay's 1934 absence and Soviet Union's 1974 qualifier refusal over human rights. Germany previously protested Qatar 2022 conditions but avoided boycott.
Current calls tie to US-Europe tensions rather than host issues.
French Officials Oppose European World Cup Boycott
France's sports minister Marina Ferrari rejects boycott, calling World Cup vital for sports fans and insisting on politics-sport separation. No ministry desire for action despite German proposals.
Resistance highlights divide in European responses.
Mexico's Guanajuato Sees Deadly Cartel Clash at Soccer Venue
Salamanca attack killed 10 at scene, one later, amid ongoing battles in Guanajuato, Mexico's deadliest state last year. Local gang Santa Rosa de Lima fights Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
Prosecutor coordinates federal security boost.
Prior Israeli League Scandal Led to FC Kiryat Yam Promotion
FC Kiryat Yam rose to National League after League A North dissolved over 2023-2024 match-fixing by Umm al-Fahm director Fadi Mahamid's confession. His testimony implicated others in 13 rigged games.
New probe targets similar issues in second division.
World Cup Boycott Debate Amid US Policy Concerns
German figures cite US positions post-Davos as justification, predicting diplomatic fallout but uncertain outcomes. Boycott would challenge FIFA amid historical political uses of absences.
Hopes remain for improved US-Europe ties.
Mexican Mayor Blames Crime Wave for Soccer Field Massacre
Salamanca Mayor Cesar Prieto calls attack part of criminals subjugating authorities, vows they won't succeed. Appeals to President Sheinbaum for violence control.
National 2025 murder rate lowest since 2016, but local violence persists.