News and updates about soccer

Will Israel face Egypt in the Olympics?

The Israeli team will find out tomorrow if they are to face Arabic countries as their soccer team moves towards the Paris Olympics.

Will Israel face Egypt in the Olympics?

Ben-Gvir:

Fine for disrespecting Hatikva 'a bad joke'

Fans from the Arab-majority city of Sakhnin refused to stop cheering for their team while the anthem was sung, leading to a fine for their team.

Fine for disrespecting Hatikva 'a bad joke'

Sports and politics:

Israeli footballer to leave Scottish team

Liel Abada to leave Scottish Celtic, because of pressure by pro-Arabs fans, who held up banners during games defaming Israel.

Israeli footballer to leave Scottish team

Iran seeks to ban Israel from world soccer

Iran's soccer federation asks FIFA, the governing body of world soccer, to suspend Israel's due to the war in Gaza.

Iran seeks to ban Israel from world soccer

Soccer club hosts soldiers wounded in Gaza

The club held a ceremony before the game to hear the soldiers' stories and honor their fallen comrades.

Soccer club hosts soldiers wounded in Gaza

Due to safety concerns:

Israeli team to play Belgian team in empty stadium

Maccabi Haifa to play Belgian soccer club in front of empty stadium due to safety concerns amid Israel-Hamas war.

Israeli team to play Belgian team in empty stadium

BBC host shares, then deletes, anti-Israel post

BBC host Gary Lineker under fire after retweeting call for Israel to be banned from international soccer games. The repost has since been deleted.

BBC host shares, then deletes, anti-Israel post

Soccer player back in Israel after arrest in Turkey

Turkish govt. launched probe against Israeli player Sagiv Yehezkel after he dedicated a goal to the hostages held by Hamas. Turkish team suspended him.

Soccer player back in Israel after arrest in Turkey

Bennett:

'Shame on you, Turkish government'

Former Prime Minister rips Turkey's government following the arrest and questioning of Israeli soccer player who expressed support for hostages held in Gaza.

'Shame on you, Turkish government'

After supporting hostages:

Israeli soccer player questioned in Turkey

Turkish Justice Minister claims Antalyaspor's Sagiv Yehezkel, who dedicated a goal to the hostages held in Gaza, "supported the massacre carried out by Israel".

Israeli soccer player questioned in Turkey

Watch:

Soccer tournament for MDA medic murdered on Oct. 7th

Israeli national soccer team seniors played in memory of Amit Mann, who was murdered while saving lives in Kibbutz Be'eri on Oct. 7.

Soccer tournament for MDA medic murdered on Oct. 7th

President of Kazakhstan's magic goal

Internet sleuths noticed something unusual in a video of the Khazakstani president kicking a soccer ball into a goal.

President of Kazakhstan's magic goal

Minister Zohar demands:

'Revoke citizenship of 'Palestine' soccer player'

Culture and Sports Minister demands that Israeli citizenship of soccer player be revoked for "identifying with terrorists".

'Revoke citizenship of 'Palestine' soccer player'

Soccer players hold moment of silence for Hamas attack victims

Israel and Poland’s Under-21 soccer players hold unauthorized moment of silence after kick-off. UEFA refused to authorize it pre-game.

Soccer players hold moment of silence for Hamas attack victims

'What about the Gazans?'

Israeli soccer team's tribute for massacre victims angers UEFA

Maccabi Haifa held a moment of silence for the victims of the 10/7 massacre, UEFA was angered that the "Gazan victims" were not mentioned.

Israeli soccer team's tribute for massacre victims angers UEFA

Israeli soccer coach:

'My country is bleeding but no one will break us'

Watch: Barak Bakhar, who manages Red Star Belgrade, gives impassioned speech about Israel.

'My country is bleeding but no one will break us'

Due to busts of IRGC general:

Saudi soccer team ditches match in Iran

Saudi soccer team refuses to play match in Iran due to presence of busts of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.

Saudi soccer team ditches match in Iran

England’s storied Chelsea soccer team launches Jewish fan group

UK antisemitism envoy: Club offers 'brilliant opportunity for Jewish fans to celebrate their culture whilst enjoying the sport they love.'

England’s storied Chelsea soccer team launches Jewish fan group

Argentinian national soccer team to play in Israel

Netanyahu meets FIFA Vice President, who tells him he had agreed on Messi and his teammates arriving in Israel for exhibition games.

Argentinian national soccer team to play in Israel

Israeli soccer star signs with German powerhouse Bayern Munich

Daniel Peretz to become first Israeli to play for Germany's Bayern Munich soccer club.

Israeli soccer star signs with German powerhouse Bayern Munich

History:

Makkabi Berlin becomes first Jewish team to play in German Cup

Despite a 6-0 loss, Makkabi, which was founded by Holocaust survivors in 1970, makes history by taking part in the competition.

Makkabi Berlin becomes first Jewish team to play in German Cup

Germany:

Soccer club founded by Holocaust survivors set to make history

Makkabi Berlin, soccer club founded by Holocaust survivors, is about to make Jewish history in Germany.

Soccer club founded by Holocaust survivors set to make history

Snotty US women's soccer team, a disgrace on the world stage

How come America (and Israel) produce so many ingrates? Op-ed.

Snotty US women's soccer team, a disgrace on the world stage

German soccer team joins Holocaust commemoration project

German football team joins San Diego Jewish school in commemorating children murdered in the Holocaust.

German soccer team joins Holocaust commemoration project

BDS to South African teams:

'Cancel friendlies against Maccabi Tel Aviv'

BDS movement calls on South African soccer clubs to cancel upcoming friendlies against Maccabi Tel Aviv, cites "Israeli apartheid".

'Cancel friendlies against Maccabi Tel Aviv'

Israeli soccer team to compete in 2024 Paris Olympics

Israel’s soccer team is headed to the Olympics for the first time since 1976.

Israeli soccer team to compete in 2024 Paris Olympics

Historic victory for Israel's youth soccer team

A victory in an overtime shootout has brought the Israeli team to an unprecedented semifinal spot in the European Championship league.

Historic victory for Israel's youth soccer team

Italy:

New policy aims to crack down on antisemitism in soccer stadiums

Italy to bar soccer players from wearing No. 88, which has coded meaning for neo-Nazis.

New policy aims to crack down on antisemitism in soccer stadiums

The magical run ends:

Israel's Under-20 soccer team eliminated from World Cup

Israel’s Under-20 team falls to Uruguay 1-0 and fails to qualify for the finals.

Israel's Under-20 soccer team eliminated from World Cup

Iraqi sports sites erase miracle Israeli soccer team

Sites report results of Israeli team's games at FIFA U20 World Cup without showing the flag or name of the winning team.

Iraqi sports sites erase miracle Israeli soccer team

Israeli team upsets Brazil, goes to under-20 semifinals

An overtime goal against the favored Brazilian team saw the Israeli team advance to the semifinal round of the FIFA U20 World Cup.

Israeli team upsets Brazil, goes to under-20 semifinals

Israel’s Under-20 soccer team does it again

Israel’s Under-20 soccer team defeats Uzbekistan 1-0 at World Cup taking place in Argentina, advances to quarterfinals.

Israel’s Under-20 soccer team does it again

Dramatic comeback:

Israel’s Under-20 soccer team defeats Japan in World Cup

Israel trailed 1-0 before tying the score in the 77th minute and scoring the winning goal in the 92d minute.

Israel’s Under-20 soccer team defeats Japan in World Cup

Due to fans' unruly behavior:

Beitar Jerusalem could lose championship cup

Beitar Jerusalem wins state cup for the eighth time, but could lose the trophy after its fans stormed the field following the game.

Beitar Jerusalem could lose championship cup

PA flag causes tension at Israel’s first U-20 World Cup game

'This is not politics, this is soccer': Police remove Colombia fans who raised Palestinian Authority flag during soccer match.

PA flag causes tension at Israel’s first U-20 World Cup game

Israel looks to make history at under-20 men’s World Cup

'We came here to win the trophy,' Israeli team's midfielder says.

Israel looks to make history at under-20 men’s World Cup

Dutch police arrest 154 soccer fans for antisemitic chanting

Large group of fans on train arrested after ignoring repeated warnings to stop singing antisemitic chants.

Dutch police arrest 154 soccer fans for antisemitic chanting

Arsenal launches Jewish group to combat antisemitism in soccer

Initiative introduced by UK club after fans banned for hateful anti-Jewish behavior.

Arsenal launches Jewish group to combat antisemitism in soccer

Rome’s Lazio given partial stadium ban over antisemitic chants

Judge pauses penalty after soccer team issues lifetime bans to three fans involved in hateful chanting during recent match.

Rome’s Lazio given partial stadium ban over antisemitic chants

HBO series highlights soccer club owned by Israeli-US actress

New HBO documentary series to spotlight Natalie Portman’s role in bringing a women’s soccer team to Los Angeles

HBO series highlights soccer club owned by Israeli-US actress

Due to calls to boycott Israel:

Indonesia stripped of hosting U20 World Cup

FIFA announces Indonesia won't host men's Under-20 World Cup amid political turmoil regarding Israel's participation.

Indonesia stripped of hosting U20 World Cup

Indonesian President:

'Our policy towards Palestine hasn't changed'

Indonesia's President says Israel's participation in soccer tournament in his country means no change to its foreign policy.

'Our policy towards Palestine hasn't changed'

Due to Indonesia-Israel issues:

FIFA delays U20 World Cup draw

Israel and Indonesia do not have diplomatic relations, and Bali governor called to ban Israel from taking part in the tournament.

FIFA delays U20 World Cup draw

Fan who wore Hitler jersey to Rome soccer match facing jail time

Authorities also investigating antisemitic chants made during game by Lazio supporters at Roma fans.

Fan who wore Hitler jersey to Rome soccer match facing jail time

Italian soccer federation probing antisemitic chants

Investigation opened into offensive chanting by supporters of Rome's Lazio, known for having the most far-right fans in Italian soccer.

Italian soccer federation probing antisemitic chants

German Jewish soccer star murdered in Auschwitz honored

UK ceremony led by Chief Rabbi Mirvis commemorates Julius Hirsch and other Jewish soccer players killed in Auschwitz.

German Jewish soccer star murdered in Auschwitz honored

UK soccer fan who hurled antisemitic abuse banned for 5 years

Everton supporter found guilty of harassing fans of Tottenham Hotspur with anti-Jewish slurs during match.

UK soccer fan who hurled antisemitic abuse banned for 5 years

Gay pride?

Uproar as Arab-Israeli soccer team refuses to wear LGBT colors

Team management responds to criticism: 'There needs to be sensitivity to Arab society and its values.'

Uproar as Arab-Israeli soccer team refuses to wear LGBT colors

Britain:

Arsenal looking into antisemitic incidents during recent match

UK soccer club investigating two 'disturbing' antisemitic incidents during game against London rivals.

Arsenal looking into antisemitic incidents during recent match

French soccer team condemns fan who wore shirt glorifying terror

Fan appears on social media in custom team jersey featuring name of terrorist who attacked Jewish school in France.

French soccer team condemns fan who wore shirt glorifying terror

Renowned Sao Paulo Jewish hospital treated soccer legend Pele

Pele spent final days being treated at the Israelite Albert Einstein Hospital, ranked 17th best in the world.

Renowned Sao Paulo Jewish hospital treated soccer legend Pele

Brazilian soccer star Pelé dies at 82

Soccer legend who won 3 World Cups and became global ambassador for the sport passes away.

Brazilian soccer star Pelé dies at 82

Iran:

Soccer player faces execution over campaigning for women

Global soccer players’ union shocked over possible execution of Iranian soccer player Amir Nasr-Azadani.

Soccer player faces execution over campaigning for women

Iranian midfielder’s friend killed for cheering loss to US team

One of many Iranians protesting regime shot in the head for celebrating after World Cup loss to the US.

Iranian midfielder’s friend killed for cheering loss to US team

US knocks Iran out of World Cup

United States defeats Iran 1-0, knocking the Islamic Republic out of the tournament and advancing to the knockout stage.

US knocks Iran out of World Cup

Special Interview

George Borda: Compared to Qatar, Mexico 1970 was worse

Interview with George Borda, who was on the Israeli national soccer team in the World Cup in Mexico in 1970.

George Borda: Compared to Qatar, Mexico 1970 was worse

US Soccer Federation removes emblem from Iranian flag

US Soccer displays Iranian flag on social media without emblem of Islamic Republic.

US Soccer Federation removes emblem from Iranian flag

Iran releases soccer player arrested for criticizing regime

Iranian authorities release on bail soccer player Voria Ghafouri, who was detained after speaking out in support of protests.

Iran releases soccer player arrested for criticizing regime

Iran arrests popular soccer player for criticizing regime

Iran places former national team member in custody for 'propagandizing against the government' amid uproar over crackdown on protests.

Iran arrests popular soccer player for criticizing regime

Watch:

Iranian soccer players refuse to sing anthem at World Cup

The move appears to be a protest against the Iranian government's crackdown on demonstrators.

Iranian soccer players refuse to sing anthem at World Cup