While the likes of Ashley Cole and even Jelle Van Damme are being handed contracts by the LA Galaxy despite advancing age and questionable desire, former Brazil international Adriano has just signed a contract with Miami United, a club in the little known National Premier Soccer League* — the U.S.’s fourth division.
Chelsea have signed 20-year-old American defender Matt Miazga to a four and a half year deal, making him the club’s first signing from the United States. Miazga has been described as an “unknown,” so in the hopes of educating fans and media alike, here are some facts about Miazga that need be to be spread far and wide.
Manchester United beat Derby County 3-1 in the FA Cup, giving manager Louis van Gaal another temporary reprieve from being hounded about his job security.
In his post-match press conference, he revealed that Man United CEO Ed Woodward buys him expensive bottles of wine after big wins.
No one likes being called names, but most people don’t have the money to invest into suing people who hurt their feelings this way. Franck Ribery, however, does have the money and so he decided to sue French journalist Daniel Riolo for the things written about him in Riolo’s 2013 book Racaille Football Club (Scum Football Club).
Immediately after the opening kickoff in a match between Greek second-division sides AEL Larissa and Acharnaikos, all 22 players sat down on the pitch for an eerie two-minute protest.
From Reuters:
As the crowd waited for the match to start all 22 outfield players — as well as coaches, officials and substitutes — sat down for two minutes in respect of the hundreds of refugees who have died trying to escape conflict or persecution in countries like Syria and Iraq.
Twenty-four people attempting to cross to Europe from Turkey drowned when their boat sank off a Greek island on Thursday.
When the players rose back to their feet, their gesture was celebrated with respectful applause.
These types of protests always make for powerful images.
Port Vale midfielder Michael Brown recently had his 39th birthday, so to celebrate, he treated his teammates to something different.
Remember Fred, the scapegoat for all of Brazil’s problems at the 2014 World Cup up until Neymar was murdered by Colombia? Well, he decided to release his pent-up frustration on the back of an opponent’s head during a cup tie between Fluminense and Atletico-PR.
While a teammate tied his shoe during preparations for a free kick, Fred viciously punched Paranaense defender Leo in the head, knocking him to the ground.
The referee showed Fred a red card (he also sent off Leo, for reasons that remain unclear) and Flu went on to lose 1-0. So that’s what Fred’s up to these days.
This has been the Dirty Tackle of the Day: a chronicling of unfortunate events.
Thanks to Ryan Lloyd for the tip!
A former Manchester United fan has drawn praise for nobly refusing to celebrate after his new favorite club, Arsenal, scored against his old favorite club.
Emmanuel Adebayor has signed a six-month deal with Crystal Palace after having his Spurs contract terminated in September, and the enigmatic striker has wasted no time in demonstrating the ambivalence that left him without a club for four months.
Speaking to Palace’s official website, Adebayor was a bit too honest when he said, “I don’t know much about the club but it’s better to learn so I’ll be going on Google and finding out more about them.”
Obviously he’s just been far too busy not playing football to Google his new club before signing.
He added: “Whatever the team want to achieve I will follow them.” Because, again, that’s not something one would think to ask about before facing a series of interviews.
Anyway, the chances of Emmanuel Adebayor Googling “Crystal Palace” within the next six months are about as slim as him receiving a warm reception at the Emirates when Palace visit in April.
NAC Breda tried to be clever with this free kick routine against Jong Ajax in the Dutch second division. But instead of demonstrating their innovative genius, the taker ended up blasting the ball into his own teammate’s midsection.
