This exchange didn’t go as the reporter intended. Footage of an England fan in Qatar shouting ‘Free Palestine’ while live on Israeli TV has been widely shared in the aftermath of the Three Lions’ win over Senegal on Sunday. England breezed through to a quarter-final against Senegal with their 3-0 win at Al Bayt Stadium, […]

3 years ago

Wenger has suggested the players weren’t ‘mentally ready’ Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has suggested the teams who made political statements during the World Cup group stages saw their on-field performance suffer as a result. Wenger, now FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, was appearing at a media briefing for FIFA’s Technical Study Group in […]

3 years ago

France are demanding FIFA take action. France, you might assume, would be quite pleased at how the defence of their World Cup is going. But they’re not happy about Griezmann’s disallowed goal v Tunisia. After being blighted with injuries to several key players in the buildup to Qatar, Didier Deschamps saw his side breeze into […]

3 years ago

A touching moment. Fulham defender Antonee Robinson was seen consoling an emotional Ramin Rezaeian after Iran were eliminated from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar by the United States on Tuesday night. Following their win over Wales, a draw would have seen Iran through to the last 16 stage, but a Christian Pulisic strike late […]

3 years ago

‘I’m pleased I managed to score for him’ Marcus Rashford has revealed that his first goal in England’s 3-0 win over Wales on Tuesday was dedicated to a friend who recently passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer. Rashford scored twice as England sealed their place in the World Cup knockout stages with a […]

3 years ago

Ronaldo is ‘close to signing’ Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly close to finding himself a new club following his departure from Manchester United earlier this month. The 37-year-old’s contract at United was terminated by mutual consent after his explosive interview with Piers Morgan a week before the start of the World Cup. He has been linked […]

3 years ago

‘Breaking the rules if done for a good cause is NEVER A CRIME…’ The man responsible for invading the pitch with a rainbow flag during Portugal’s World Cup game with Uruguay in Qatar on Monday has released a statement, saying ‘breaking rules for a good cause is never a crime’. Mario Ferri, an Italian, was […]

3 years ago

Still going on. The feud none of us expected, Canelo Alvarez versus Lionel Messi, rumbles on, days after Mexico’s defeat by Argentina at the Qatar World Cup. Unless you’ve spent the last 48 hours under a rock, you’ll probably know that the Mexican boxer was not best please after footage emerged of Messi appearing to […]

3 years ago

Fickle stuff Robert Lewandowski finally has his first goal at a World Cup finals. After seeing his penalty saved in Poland’s opening goal against Mexico, the Barcelona striker kept his head to capitalise on a defensive error to seal a crucial win against Saudi Arabia. The goal clearly meant a lot to him, too, with […]

3 years ago

Plenty of time for this nonsense Manchester United youngster Hannibal Mejbri nearly sparked a scrap from the bench during Tunisia’s loss to Australia on Saturday as he threw a ball at Mitchell Duke’s head while he lay on the floor. Duke’s excellent glancing header had given Australia the lead after 23 minutes, marking the moment […]

3 years ago

The 19th wealthiest individual on the planet could be in for United Amancio Ortegahas expressed his interest in buying Manchester United from the Glazers after the current owners have put the club up for sale. Within hours of the confirmation that Cristiano Ronaldo had departed, the news that the Glazer family, after 17 years as […]

3 years ago

The Danish FA are angry at the way in which FIFA have handled the OneLove armband ban. Denmark have revealed they are giving serious consideration to withdrawing from FIFA in the wake of the ongoing controversy surrounding the governing body’s OneLove armband ban. The captains of several European nations had intended to wear the armbands […]

3 years ago

Ecuador took part in the opening match of the tournament against Qatar. FIFA have confirmed they have charged Ecuador in relation to discriminatory chants allegedly made by the South American country’s supporters during the tournament opener on Sunday afternoon. Ecuador defeated hosts Qatar 2-0 in the first game of the World Cup, but chants reportedly […]

3 years ago

A World Cup fairytale Forget the pictures of Saudi Arabia’s jubilant players wheeling away in delight after their shock win over Argentina on Tuesday – if you’re after a heartwarming World Cup tale, well, look no further than this… An English non-league side have confirmed they are willing to take a chance on a veteran […]

3 years ago

The German FA could overturn FIFA’s decision via CAS. The football association of Germany is exploring possible legal action against FIFA after world football’s governing body decided to issue on-pitch sanctions to any players who wear the OneLove armband. Captains of several national sides competing at the World Cup – including Germany, England and Wales […]

3 years ago

The best 7 kits on show in Qatar this winter It’s all very weird, isn’t it? A World Cup… now, in winter, at a time when kids in the local primary school are getting ready for their nativity performance and we’re scraping ice off the car windscreen before work. How did we get here? Lots […]

3 years ago

Ronaldo’s time at Old Trafford appears to be reaching an ugly end Manchester United have reportedly appointed lawyers with a view to suing Cristiano Ronaldo over alleged breach of contract following his high-profile interview with Piers Morgan. Ronaldo is currently with his national team as they prepare for the World Cup in Qatar, but any […]

3 years ago

“Age comes to us all” Wayne Rooney has responded Cristiano Ronaldo’s explosive interview with Piers Morgan, insisting again that previous comments he made about his former Manchester United teammate were not meant as a criticism. Rooney had recently said that he believes United were better without Ronaldo in their side – something stats appear to […]

3 years ago

Fifa have declined to comment on the decision The Football Association of Denmark (DBU) have said Fifa have rejected their request to wear training shirts carrying the message ‘human rights for all’ while in Qatar for the World Cup later this month. Denmark, who have already unveiled three deliberately toned-down match shirts for the tournament, […]

3 years ago

Got there in the end. It’s taken him 12 years to get there but Sepp Blatter, the former president of Fifa, has finally admitted the decision to hand the World Cup to Qatar was a ‘mistake’. In 2010, Blatter was the helm of world football’s governing body when Qatar was given the 2022 tournament, along […]

3 years ago

‘We dispute Hummel’s claim that this tournament has cost thousands of people their lives…’ Denmark will wear plain kits at the 2022 World Cup as a protest at host nation Qatar’s human rights record. Hummel, the sportswear company that manufacture the country’s shirts, announced in September that the company’s logo and the Danish badge would […]

3 years ago

Yes, we know. That pixellated Argentina player is a really tough one The World Cup is here! Light the barbecue Put on your big coat, crack open an ice-cold beer make yourself a flask of hot tea or coffee and prepare to go and dance in your nearest fountain after a group stage win over […]

3 years ago

Garnacho had to ask permission from his idol Manchester United youngster Alejandro Garnacho was seen asking for Cristiano Ronaldo’s permission before using his celebration after scoring his first senior goal for the club on Thursday. Garnacho, who has broken into the United first team after a string of standout performances during the club’s victorious FA […]

3 years ago

The night Italy became world champions again (and of that headbutt). Here we are then, the latest edition of the FootballJOE Teammates XI Quiz. This time, we’re venturing into international football for the first time with a look at the starting XI for Italy on the night they beat France to claim the 2006 World […]

3 years ago

Pique wanted to bid farewell on his own terms Gerard Pique reportedly turned down the offer of a special farewell press conference from Barcelona prior to his shock retirement announcement. Pique, who has made over 600 appearances for his boyhood club, confirmed on Thursday that he was calling time on his playing career, with this […]

3 years ago

It was a great World Cup. In the name of quizzing, let us cast our minds back to the Russian World Cup, skirting around all the negative things and focusing only on the good stuff from that World Cup: goals. Here we’ve compiled a list of every man to score a goal at the tournament. […]

3 years ago

Calling all geography nerds. So, this Qatar World Cup really is happening then. As its name suggests, this is a 2022 World Cup-themed quiz which requires you to tap into your football and geography knowledge. Below you will find 20 questions, each in some way related to some of the countries which have sealed their […]

3 years ago

Klopp has vehemently defended his comments Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will reportedly take legal action over media accusations of xenophobia against Manchester City’s owners. Speaking last week, ahead of his side’s Premier League win over City at Anfield, Klopp made comments relating to the vast financial resources of City – along with other state-owned clubs […]

3 years ago

Never change, Radja Radja Nainggolan – you remember him – has been indefinitely suspended by his club after being seen smoking while on the substitutes’ bench before a game. The former Roma and Inter Milan midfielder currently plies his trade with Royal Antwerp – or at least he did… – back in his native Belgium. […]

3 years ago

Turns out Jurgen had it wrong all along Eddie Howe has insisted there is a ceiling for Saudi-backed Newcastle United, despite recent comments made by Jürgen Klopp. In the build-up to his Liverpool side’s Premier League meeting with Abu Dhabi-owned Manchester City on Sunday, Klopp said it was “impossible” for other clubs to compete with the […]

3 years ago

‘We know the impact such behaviour has on the families, survivors and all those associated with such disasters…’ Liverpool have expressed their disappointment after hearing chants relating to football stadium tragedies from Anfield’s away section during the Premier League game against Manchester City. A statement released by the club also explained that the concourse in […]

3 years ago

Guardiola was unhappy at City’s goal being disallowed. Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has hit out at VAR after his side were denied what would have been an opening goal against Liverpool on Sunday. City went to Anfield with the last remaining unbeaten record of the season in the Premier League but lost to Mo […]

3 years ago

Difficult to watch. Tottenham‘s Richarlison appears to be a major doubt for the World Cup after picking up an injury during Saturday’s 2-0 win over Everton. The Brazil international was withdrawn in the 52nd minute of the game against his former club after suffering a calf injury. He was later seen on crutches. Richarlison’s tearful […]

3 years ago

We go again Anyone who’s had a bash at older versions of this quiz will definitely know what they’re doing. Those who haven’t, read on. You can find the older editions here. How to play We give you some pictures of footballers, representing various clubs. Some are currently with those clubs, others have moved on […]

3 years ago

One regular week of Barclays day of Kylian Mbappe at PSG. That’s all we ask. Will never happen Well, friends, it was a good run, wasn’t it? For – what, five entire months? – it seemed Kylian Mbappe really was staying put at Paris Saint-Germain. All of that frenzied speculation about him moving to Real […]

3 years ago

Dybala is not expected to play for Roma again this year Argentina’s preparations for the Qatar World Cup have been dealt a blow with the news Paulo Dybala looks likely to miss the tournament after picking up a freak injury while taking a penalty for Roma. Dybala’s converted a spot kick early in the second […]

3 years ago

Mwepu has ended his playing career with immediate effect Brighton and Hove Albion have confirmed that midfielder Enock Mwepu has been forced to call time on his playing career due to the diagnosis of a hereditary heart condition. A statement from the Premier League club said that the Zambian international was living with a condition […]

3 years ago

‘I have made a mistake.’ Carles Puyol has issued an apology for the reply he sent to Iker Casillas, after the former Real Madrid goalkeeper appeared to announce he was gay on Twitter over the weekend. “I hope you respect me: I’m gay,” read the short tweet which appeared on Casillas’ official account on Sunday […]

3 years ago

He should have squared it to Sterling Ah, Russia 2018. What a time we all had. In the name of quizzing, let us cast our minds back to the Russian World Cup, skirting round all the negative things – how it might have helped legitimise Vladimir Putin (it’s always the ones you least expect, isn’t […]

3 years ago

‘I will highlight those issues like I have for years!’ Gary Neville has confirmed he will be working for Qatar’s state-owned beIN Sports during the 2022 World Cup, but has vowed to continue shining a light on some of the wider issues relating to the country’s hosting of the tournament. In a tweet sent on […]

3 years ago

‘We don’t want to contribute to creating profit for Qatar’ Danish football’s determination to take a stand against Qatar‘s hosting of next month’s World Cup shows no sign of waning, with reports now claiming Denmark‘s players will travel to the tournament without their family members. Since controversially being chosen as hosts for the tournament over […]

3 years ago

Forget what you heard. For those of you clinging to the hope that Manchester City‘s Erling Haaland-spearheaded dominance of the Premier League literally everything before them might only last a couple of years – bad news. That release clause? It’s not even a thing. Reports from Spain had suggested earlier in the week that Florentino […]

3 years ago

‘Today I’m really unhappy. I feel there is real injustice…’ Barcelona are at risk of slipping out of the Champions League at the group stage for a second year on the spin after losing to Inter Milan in controversial circumstances on Tuesday night. Hakan Çalhanoğlu scored the only goal of the game at San Siro […]

3 years ago

City want to nullify Haaland’s release clause. Erling Haaland, it turns out, is quite good. All that talk of him being a fraud or ‘Scandi Carroll’ for missing one late chance in the Community Shield appears to have been a little bit premature. After shovelling in goal after goal after goal since joining Manchester City […]

3 years ago

Todd Boehly does not stop. Chelsea are reportedly close to tying up a deal for RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku which would see the France international move to Stamford Bridge next summer. Nkunku penned a two-year extension to his contract with the Bundesliga club earlier this year which takes him up to 2026. The new […]

3 years ago

‘I have never experienced anything like it.’ Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall described his side’s visit to Ajax as a ‘very weird experience’ after the goals were found to be too small before the Champions League qualifier. Vivianne Miedema’s goal secured a passage to the group stage for the Gunners, who had been held to […]

3 years ago

Quiz time. Welcome to the third instalment of our Where did they sign him from? quiz. You must have got the hang of it by now. If you haven’t played the first two and are stumbling upon this for the first time, don’t worry. Below is a brief explainer of how to play, and older editions […]

3 years ago

Fury says he has been convinced to extend his deadline. Tyson Fury’s fight with Anthony Joshua appears to be back on after the Gypsy King revealed he has given his blessing for negotiations to continue in a video posted on social media. Fury had declared earlier in the week that the fight was ‘off’, but […]

3 years ago

‘We dispute Hummel’s claim that this tournament has cost thousands of people their lives…’ The organising body for the 2022 World Cup have hit back at kit manufacturer Hummel, who announced earlier in the week that the new Denmark shirt for the tournament is a protest at Qatar’s human rights record. Hummel unveiled Denmark’s shirt […]

3 years ago

Quiz time OK. We go again. A second of our Where did they sign him from? quizzes and we really wish we’d thought of a better name. Anyway, those who played first time round will note that this is a shorter, punchier version – perfect for fitting in during a halftime interval while leaving you with […]

3 years ago