Welcome to our Soccer Results Page

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – DECEMBER 06: Players during the Orlando Pirates media open day at Orlando Stadium on December 06, 2024 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)

Source: https://www.snl24.com/soccerladuma/local/premiership/orlando-pirates/lekgwathi-i-wish-is-for-pirates-to-be-busy-during-xmas-break-20241225

.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – APRIL 24: Amad Diallo of Manchester United enters the pitch as a substitute to replace team mate Antony as Erik ten Hag, Manager of Manchester United, looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Sheffield United at Old Trafford on April 24, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Source: https://www.snl24.com/soccerladuma/international/manchester-united/benni-why-ten-hag-preferred-antony-over-amad-20241224

.

Associated Press

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Former Manchester City forward Benjani Mwaruwari on Tuesday challenged a ruling to block him from potentially becoming the new head of Zimbabwe’s soccer federation.

Benjani, who also played for Portsmouth, Sunderland and Blackburn in the Premier League, last week filed his nomination to become the next president of the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA). But an ethics committee of the association on Monday didn’t include the 46-year-old among those eligible to contest the January elections, without immediately giving a reason.

“Our client is aggrieved by your committee’s decision and he intends to appeal … without any further delay,” the player’s lawyers wrote to ZIFA’s interim boss Lincoln Mutasa.

“We are instructed by our client to humbly request that you urgently provide us with full written reasons why your committee concluded that Mr. Benjani Mwaruwari fails to meet eligibility criteria stipulated in the ZIFA statutes.”

Zimbabwe has been under a FIFA-appointed normalization committee since July 2023 when soccer’s governing body lifted the southern African country’s 17-month international ban caused by government interference.

A new executive will be elected in late January.

Former Zimbabwe international Benjani still has a chance, however, through an appeals committee of the federation.

Another prospective ZIFA president barred by the ethics committee is a controversial but popular local cleric, Walter Magaya. The church founder owns Yadah FC, a club in Zimbabwe’s top tier.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

[KARAH RUCKER]

THE FIRST CRIMINAL SENTENCES RELATED TO RIOTS AT A SOCCER MATCH BETWEEN A NETHERLANDS AND ISRAELI CLUB IN AMSTERDAM LAST MONTH HAVE BEEN HANDED DOWN TO FIVE DUTCH MEN.

AN AMSTERDAM JUDGE LEVELING THE HEAVIEST SENTENCE OF SIX MONTHS IN PRISON TO ONE MAN.

WHILE GIVING ANOTHER DEFENDANT TWO-AND-HALF MONTHS IN JAIL AND TWO OTHERS ONE MONTH BEHINDS BARS.

A FIFTH MAN WAS GIVEN 100 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE.

THE MEN RANGE IN AGE FROM 19 TO 32-YEARS-OLD.

POLICE SAY ONE OF THE DEFENDANT’S MENTIONED A SO-CALLED “JEW HUNT” IN A GROUP CHAT AND ANOTHER DESCRIBED ISRAELI SOCCER FANS AS “COWARDLY JEWS” ON A WHATSAPP CHAT.

THOUGH, THE CHIEF PROSECUTOR REJECTED SUGGESTIONS THE ATTACKS AMOUNTED TO TERRORISM DUE TO TARGETED VIOLENCE.

CONTENDING THE DEFENDANTS’ ACTIONS DIDN’T QUALIFY AS TERRORISM BECAUSE THE “GOAL” OF THE SUSPECTS WAS NOT TO CREATE FEAR AMONG THE PEOPLE THEY WERE ATTACKING.

THE FIVE MEN HAVE TWO WEEKS TO MAKE AN APPEAL.

THE VIOLENCE OUTSIDE THE SOCCER STADIUM LED TO INTERNATIONAL UPROAR AND ACCUSATIONS OF TARGETED ANTISEMITIC ATTACKS.

THE VIOLENCE SENT FIVE PEOPLE TO THE HOSPITAL AND LEFT 20 OTHERS WITH MINOR INJURIES.

POLICE SAY THEY DETAINED MORE THAN 60 PEOPLE DURING THE CHAOTIC SCENE.

AUTHORITIES SAY THE VIOLENCE TOOK PLACE BETWEEN PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTESTERS AND ISRAELI SOCCER FANS.

PROSECUTORS ARGUE THE VIOLENCE ERUPTED BECAUSE OF “STRONG PRO-PALESTINIAN SENTIMENTS AND DISSATISFACTION WITH THE WAR IN GAZA.”

SAYING, SOME RIOTERS TOOK OUT THEIR ANGER ON ISRAELIS ATTENDING THE GAME.

THE NOVEMBER 8TH MATCH STILL WENT ON AFTER NETHERLANDS AUTHORITIES FOUND NO “CONCRETE THREAT” TO ISRAELI FANS. 

SIX MORE SUSPECTS IN THE RIOTS HAVE TRIALS SET FOR A LATER DATE, INCLUDING THREE MINORS.

FOR MORE ON THIS STORY– DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP OR VISIT SAN DOT COM.

FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS– I’M KARAH RUCKER.

Source: https://san.com/cc/5-sentenced-in-riot-related-violence-between-dutch-and-israeli-soccer-fans/

.

Now that 2024 is coming to a close, we can reflect on all of the gifts we were given and the big stories that made the women’s soccer year so special. Here’s 5 big things that happened this year, and why they matter.

USWNT win Olympic Gold and redemption for the World Cup

In the biggest women’s soccer news of the year, the USWNT won the Olympic gold medal under new coach Emma Hayes. After a difficult elimination in the Round of 16 during the 2023 World Cup, it was the redemption arc the team needed to prove they’re still the best in the world.

Players like Triple Espresso’s Sophia Smith, Mal Swanson, and Trinity Rodman, as well as Naomi Girma and Alyssa Naeher, all shined and showcased their extraordinary talent in the Olympic tournament. The team won in a hard-fought victory over Brazil to clinch their fifth Olympic gold, the most of any country.

Orlando complete the double and Marta gets her title

The Orlando Pride had a stellar year for a franchise that has historically had little success. Their regular season record was nearly flawless—they went 23 games in a row undefeated, setting a league record. The Pride won the NWSL Shield with 18 wins, 2 losses, and 6 ties, beating the NWSL records for most wins in one season and most points in one season.

Then, in November, the Pride beat the Washington Spirit in the Championship game. Their victory confirmed what was evident all season: that they were the best team in the league. Star newcomer Barbra Banda scored the winning goal, and veteran legend Marta hoisted the league trophy for the first time.

Bay FC and Utah Royals finish their first NWSL seasons on a high note

This year, two expansion teams joined the NWSL, growing the league’s size to 14 teams for the first time.

Towards the end of the season, Bay FC came into form in a big way, making the playoffs and only barely losing to the Washington Spirit in the quarterfinals in extra time. Players like star forward Rachel Kundananji were a huge part of helping the club find success in their first year.

Although the Utah Royals struggled in comparison, mid-season acquisitions like Cloé Lacasse and Claudia Zornoza helped propel the team towards a rise in form late in the season.

Next year, both teams will aim to improve and show how expansion teams can find success.

New talent joins the NWSL

This year, a host of talented new players came to play in the United States.

NWSL MVP Temwa Chawinga was an exceptional standout with speed, technical skill, and finishing ability, and the Malawian goal scorer became an essential part of the Kansas City Current’s roster.

Zambian Barbra Banda was a similarly impactful player at the Pride, and led her team to win both the Shield and the Championship. She also had a strong Olympic tournament, and was named BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year among other accolades.

Other top new players came from college teams. Croix Bethune, midfielder for the Washington Spirit, cemented her place as one of the league’s top players in her first season. The 23-year-old tied the league assist record and won both Rookie of the Year and Midfielder of the Year, a feat which is particularly impressive given she suffered a torn meniscus before the season ended.

It’s true—everyone watches women’s sports

Women’s soccer is growing, and this year continued that trend.

The NWSL final was viewed by an average of 967,900 viewers, an 18% increase from 2023, and became the most-watched game in NWSL history.

The league’s historic media deal went into effect this year, and brought the NWSL to a variety of new platforms. Games were streamed on CBS, ESPN, Amazon Prime, ION, and NWSL Plus.

Fans also came to games in person in historic numbers. For the first time, the NWSL passed two million attendees in regular season attendance.

Tell everyone—women’s soccer is bigger than ever before.

Source: https://www.allforxi.com/2024/12/24/24328442/woso-wrapped-5-womens-soccer-gifts-from-2024

.

Pep Guardiola was hired as Manchester City manager in 2016. The former defensive midfielder who spent the majority of his playing career with Barcelona led Man City to its sixth Premier League championship in seven seasons in May 2024. With the win, City became the first men’s team in the history of English football to claim four top-flight titles in a row.

Guardiola’s six EPL crowns are impressive, but where do they rank among the most all time? Here’s a look at the managers with the most Premier League championships:

Alex Ferguson: 13 (1992-93, 1993-94, 1995-96, 1996-97, 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2002-03, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2010-11, 2012-13)

Ferguson was appointed manager of Manchester United in November 1986. He won 38 trophies, including 13 Premier League titles, during his 26 years.

Pep Guardiola: six (2017-18, 2018-19, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24)

The Spaniard has won 19 major trophies since joining City prior to the 2016-17 season.

Chelsea during two separate stints (2004-07 and 2013-15).

Arsène Wenger: Three (1997-98, 2001-02, 2003-04)

Wenger holds the record for the most Premier League matches managed after a 22-year run with Arsenal from 1996 to 2018 that included three EPL titles.

Check out the ESPN soccer hub page for the latest news, analysis, scores, transfers and more.

Source: https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/43140471/which-premier-league-managers-won-most-titles

.