Professional soccer

FILE - In this file photo dated June 17, 1986, Michel Platini, left, of France dribbles past Italian forward Alessandro Altobelli in their World Cup eight finals in Mexico City's Azteca Stadium. France won 2-0 to advance to the quarterfinals of the tournament and Italy was eliminated. Affectionately nicknamed “Le Roi” (The King), Michel Platini bestrode the soccer field with inimitable elegance as the world’s best player of the early 1980s, but his lofty reputation seems to have been tainted. (AP Photo, FILE)
June 19, 2019 - 1:45 am

A soccer great is now touched by scandal

Affectionately nicknamed Le Roi, or The King, Michel Platini bestrode the soccer field with inimitable elegance as the world's best player of the early 1980s, helping to bridge the gap between the eras of Pele and Diego Maradona. Repeatedly voted Europe's best player, the Frenchman instantly...
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FILE - In this Feb.22, 2014 file photo, UEFA President Michel Platini arrives at a press conference, one day prior to the UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying draw in Nice, southeastern France. Former UEFA president Michel Platini has been arrested Tuesday June 18, 2019 over the awarding of the 2022 World Cup. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau, File)
June 18, 2019 - 5:23 pm

France detains soccer great Platini in 2022 World Cup probe

PARIS (AP) — French police investigating whether corruption played a role in the stunning decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar took 1980s soccer superstar and former top executive Michel Platini into custody Tuesday for questioning. Platini's representatives denied any wrongdoing on his...
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Police officers guard the Anti-Corruption Office of the Judicial Police headquarters in Nanterre, outside Paris,Tuesday, June 18, 2019. Former UEFA president Michel Platini has been arrested in relation to a corruption probe into the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar, a judicial official said Tuesday. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
June 18, 2019 - 8:44 am

The Latest: Platini denies wrongdoing in Qatar investigation

PARIS (AP) — The Latest on the French investigation involving Michel Platini (all times local): ___ 2:40 p.m. Michel Platini has denied wrongdoing in the corruption case related to the vote that gave the 2022 World Cup to Qatar. His public relations team says the former UEFA president is "...
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United States head coach Gregg Berhalter stands on the sideline before an international friendly soccer match against Venezuela, Sunday, June 9, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
June 17, 2019 - 7:50 pm

For US men, Gold Cup finally brings chance for revival

BLAINE, Minn. (AP) — The overarching goal for the fledgling U.S. men's soccer team, as frequently stated by new coach Gregg Berhalter, has been to improve the perception of this sputtering program within the cutthroat hierarchy of global soccer. Though a strong performance in the CONCACAF Gold Cup...
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Brazil's Marta shoots a penalty kick to score the opening goal during the Women's World Cup Group C soccer match between Australia and Brazil at Stade de la Mosson in Montpellier, France, Thursday, June 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Claude Paris)
June 17, 2019 - 6:04 pm

Brazil not eager to advance by settling for a draw

PARIS (AP) — A draw is all it would take for Brazil to advance in the Women's World Cup. Brazilian star Marta has zero desire to play 90 minutes aiming only to tie Italy in the Group C match Tuesday at Stade du Hainaut in Valenciennes. "To play for a draw? I don't like to enter a match thinking...
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FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 19, 2015 file photo, Chelsea soccer club owner Roman Abramovich sits in his box before their English Premier League soccer match against Sunderland at Stamford Bridge stadium in London. Chelsea has mastered the art of thriving amid adversity more than any other English club. This offseason looks to be particularly challenging for Chelsea because of a transfer ban, the departure of its best player and the need for another new coach following the departure of Maurizio Sarri. There might also be questions marks about the long-term commitment of Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)
June 17, 2019 - 1:35 pm

Chelsea mired in uncertainty as challenges grow

If there's any English club that thrives in chaos and adversity, it's Chelsea. And there's plenty of that at Stamford Bridge this offseason. Days after selling Eden Hazard — the club's best player and one of the greatest to pull on the blue shirt — Chelsea allowed manager Maurizio Sarri to leave...
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France's Eugenie Le Sommer, celebrates with France's Amel Majri after scoring her side's second goal on a penalty kick during the Women's World Cup Group A soccer match between France and Norway in Nice, France, Wednesday, June 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Claude Paris)
June 16, 2019 - 6:56 pm

France looking to close out World Cup group play undefeated

PARIS (AP) — France hit its first goal by advancing to the round of 16 at the Women's World Cup. Now the host nation wants to make a statement by rolling through group play undefeated. France closes its Group A play Monday against Nigeria in Rennes, and Corinne Diacre expects her squad to have a 3-...
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A cameraman films the Women's World Cup Group F soccer match between Sweden and Thailand at the Stade de Nice in Nice, France, Sunday, June 16, 2019. FIFA has demanded Saudi-backed satellite broadcaster Arabsat stop transmitting pirated feeds of Women's World Cup games from a Qatari network in an ongoing sports television rights dispute linked to the Gulf diplomatic crisis. (AP Photo/Claude Paris)
June 16, 2019 - 12:16 pm

FIFA wants Saudis to stop pirated Women's World Cup TV feeds

NICE, France (AP) — FIFA wants Saudi-backed satellite broadcaster Arabsat to stop transmitting pirated feeds of Women's World Cup games from a Qatari network, part of an ongoing sports television rights dispute linked to the Gulf diplomatic crisis. Bootlegged feeds from Doha-based beIN Sports of...
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June 16, 2019 - 9:37 am

Maurizio Sarri leaves Chelsea to take charge of Juventus

Maurizio Sarri has left Chelsea after one season to return to Italy to manage Juventus. The former Napoli coach has joined Serie A champion Juventus on a three-year contract to replace Massimiliano Allegri. Sarri won the Europa League with Chelsea, beating Arsenal in his final game in charge last...
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Qatar's Hassan Al Haydos speaks during a press conference at Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, June 15, 2019. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
June 15, 2019 - 7:05 pm

Qatar building for 2022 World Cup on Copa America debut

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — For 2022 World Cup host Qatar, every Copa America match will be like a final. Sunday's clash against Paraguay at the historic Maracana stadium is especially so because it is probably the team's best chance to pick up points in the tournament. Qatar's Spanish coach Felix...
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