Top Footballers 'Close' to Strike Action Over Busy Schedules

footballsoccerReal MadridManchester City

Share:

Rodri and Thibaut Courtois have raised concerns about the high number of games top footballers are being asked to play.

  • **Players are 'close' to taking strike action over an increase of fixtures
  • **Over 70 games could be played in a single season by some teams
  • **Rodri: "If it keeps this way, there will be a moment where we have no other option"
  • **Courtois: "There are a lot of games. A fan wants to see the best, and we have to find a balance, there are too many games, and there are more injuries."
  • **Rodrygo's future at Real Madrid is uncertain after the arrival of Kylian Mbappé
football
soccer
Real Madrid
Manchester City

Related articles:

Eli Manning, Antonio Gates Lead 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame Finalists

footballEli ManningPro Football Hall of FameAntonio GatesLuke Kuechly

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced the 15 modern-era finalists for the 2025 class, including two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning and prolific tight end Antonio Gates. Other notable finalists include former Defensive Players of the Year Luke Kuechly and Terrell Suggs, as well as postseason kicking star Adam Vinatieri and former Baltimore Ravens guard Marshal Yanda. The finalists were selected from a group of 25 and will be narrowed down to a class of three to five players by the selection committee next month.

Violence at Ajax-Maccabi Soccer Match: Five Men Jailed

violencesoccerAmsterdamantisemitism

In November, violence erupted around a UEFA Europa League football match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam. The riots, which left 5 people in hospital and 20 others with minor injuries, were partly antisemitic and caused an international outcry. An Amsterdam District Court has now sentenced five men to up to six months in prison for their involvement. The violence has damaged Amsterdam's reputation as a beacon of tolerance and a haven for persecuted religions.

Tank Dell's Devastating Knee Injury: A Setback for the Texans' Wide Receiver

NFLfootballHouston TexansinjuryTank Dell

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell suffered a gruesome knee injury during Saturday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Dell, who had just scored a touchdown, tore his ACL and dislocated his kneecap after colliding with a teammate. He was taken off the field in an ambulance and admitted overnight to a hospital in Kansas City before returning to Houston for further evaluation. Dell's injury is his second major leg injury in two NFL seasons, as he had previously broken his leg in an early-December game against the Denver Broncos last year. The Texans will look to wideout John Metchie III, Robert Woods, and Xavier Hutchinson to help a thin receiving core that has already lost Stefon Diggs to a torn ACL. Dell finishes the season with 667 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

Paul Pogba's Brother Sentenced to Prison in Extortion Case: A Summary

footballFrance 24Paul PogbaMathias Pogbaextortion

Mathias Pogba, the brother of French football star Paul Pogba, has been sentenced to three years in prison with two years suspended in an extortion case. The case involved six men, including three childhood friends and Paul's own brother, who attempted to extort €13 million ($13.5 million) from Paul in 2022. The court also fined Mathias €20,000 for participating in the attempted extortion and putting pressure on Paul, his family, and his business contacts. The other five defendants were sentenced to up to eight years in prison and fined between €20,000 and €40,000. Mathias' lawyer said he plans to appeal the ruling, claiming that his client was manipulated and coerced.

Titans Bench QB Will Levis for Mason Rudolph: A Season of Change

NFLfootballTennessee TitansWill LevisMason Rudolph

In a surprising move, the Tennessee Titans have benched quarterback Will Levis in favor of backup Mason Rudolph for the remaining games of the season. The decision comes as the Titans (3-11) seek improvement under first-year coach Brian Callahan. Despite Levis' struggles with turnovers and a 12-12 touchdown-to-interception ratio, Callahan emphasizes that this is not the end for the young quarterback. Levis remains confident in his abilities, but the future of his career in Tennessee remains uncertain.

Falcons Halt Losing Streak, Raiders' Skid Continues

NFLfootballLas Vegas RaidersAtlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons (7-7) snapped a four-game losing streak by beating the Las Vegas Raiders 15-9. Running back Bijan Robinson rushed for 125 yards, and Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins threw for 112 yards and a touchdown. The Raiders (2-12) have now lost 10 games in a row, their longest losing streak since 2014. Injuries have plagued the Raiders, with quarterbacks and running backs sidelined, including Maxx Crosby, who will undergo season-ending ankle surgery. Desmond Ridder, the Raiders' third-string quarterback, threw for 208 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions in his first start this season.

Football Legends React to Bill Belichick's Shocking Move to College Football

footballcollege footballnflbill belichick

Former NFL coach Bill Belichick has taken the head coaching job at North Carolina**, leaving many in the football world stunned. Belichick, 72, has spent his entire career in the NFL, winning multiple Super Bowls with the Patriots and Giants. His former player, Tedy Bruschi, expressed his surprise, saying he'd rather see Belichick coaching in the Super Bowl than a lesser bowl game. Meanwhile, Julian Edelman, another former player, reacted more positively, highlighting Belichick's ability to project players and his connection to the school through his father. Belichick is set to replace Mack Brown, who has led the Tar Heels to six consecutive bowl games. The team is currently 6-6 and will play UConn in the Fenway Bowl.

Daniel Penny Invited to Join Trump and Vance at Army-Navy Game

politicsfootballtrumpacquittalvance

Daniel Penny, the Marine veteran acquitted in the subway chokehold death of Jordan Neely, has been invited by Vice President-elect JD Vance to join Donald Trump's suite at the Army-Navy football game in Maryland on Saturday. Penny was found not guilty of criminally negligent homicide earlier this week, and Vance has expressed support for him. The game is a highly anticipated event, with both teams having strong records this year. Other notable attendees in Trump's suite include Elon Musk, Pete Hegseth, Ron DeSantis, and David McCormick.

Swedish Prosecutor Drops Rape Investigation Against Mbappe

footballSwedensportslegalKylian Mbappe

In a major development, Swedish prosecutors have dropped a rape investigation against French footballer Kylian Mbappe due to insufficient evidence.** The investigation, which was launched in connection with Mbappe's visit to Stockholm in October, centered on an incident at a hotel in the Swedish capital. However, prosecutors never publicly named the suspect in the investigation.

Controversy Surrounds Texans-Jaguars Game: Al-Shaair's Suspension and Player Safety

controversyNFLfootballplayer safety

The Texans-Jaguars game last Sunday was filled with controversy after Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair was suspended for three games for a hit on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence.** The hit, which was deemed dirty and led to Lawrence's second concussion in less than a year, sparked a violent brawl between the two teams. Al-Shaair spoke out against racist and Islamophobic fans following the public response to the incident. Meanwhile, Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson defended his team and denied the notion that they were 'going after' anybody. **Lawrence was placed on injured reserve, effectively ending his season.

Captain's Armband Controversy: Marc Guehi Faces FA Charge for Writing 'I Love Jesus' on Rainbow Armband

footballreligionFALGBTCrystal Palace

In a surprising turn of events, Crystal Palace's devout Christian defender, Marc Guehi, has found himself in hot water with the Football Association after writing 'I love Jesus' on his captain's armband. The armband, which was part of the Premier League's LGBT awareness campaign, has strict rules against any religious messaging. Guehi's actions have sparked a debate about religious freedom and the limits of expression in football. Meanwhile, Ipswich's Muslim captain, Sam Morsy, refused to wear the armband due to his religious beliefs. The Premier League has not made it compulsory for captains to wear the armband, leaving it up to individual players to make their own choice.

49ers' Christian McCaffrey and Backup Jordan Mason Both Out with Injuries

footballnflsportsinjuries

It's a tough break for the San Francisco 49ers as they lose not one, but two running backs to injury. Star player Christian McCaffrey has suffered a season-ending PCL injury, while his backup, Jordan Mason, will also miss at least four games due to a high-ankle sprain. With just five games remaining in the season, rookie Isaac Guerendo will now take over as the lead running back.

Jets Stick with Rodgers Despite Struggles: A Summary

NFLfootballNew York JetsAaron Rodgers

Jets Stick with Rodgers Despite Struggles
Aaron Rodgers will remain the New York Jets' starting quarterback despite speculation the team could bench him in what has been a disappointing season.

The Jets have lost three straight games, with Rodgers completing just 21 of 39 passes for 185 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception in their latest loss to the Seahawks.

Despite the struggles, interim coach Jeff Ulbrich still believes Rodgers gives the Jets their best chance to win.

Will the Jets be able to turn their season around with Rodgers leading the way?

Van Nistelrooy Heads to Leicester City: A New Chapter Begins

soccerPremier LeaguemanagerRuud van NistelrooyLeicester City

Ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid striker, Ruud van Nistelrooy, is set to take over as Leicester City's new manager, replacing Steve Cooper. Van Nistelrooy, who had a successful stint as interim coach at Manchester United, has only one previous full-time role managing a senior side, a season at PSV. Leicester is currently 16th in the Premier League, and Van Nistelrooy has his work cut out to win over the dressing room, which struggled with Cooper's methods. His first game may not be until after the international break.

Alabama A&M Football Player's Death Announcement Retracted

footballGoFundMeAlabama A&Mhead injury

In a surprising turn of events, Alabama A&M has retracted their announcement of the death of football player Medrick Burnett Jr. The redshirt freshman, who sustained a head injury in an October game against Alabama State, is now said to be in stable condition. The school's athletic department originally announced Burnett's death based on information from an immediate family member, but later learned that he remains alive. Burnett, from Lakewood, California, started his football career at Grambling State University in Louisiana before transferring to Alabama A&M. A GoFundMe for Burnett has raised over $40,000.

Marta and the Orlando Pride Secure the NWSL Championship

women's soccersoccerOrlando PrideNWSLMarta

Marta and the Orlando Pride Secure the NWSL Championship
In a thrilling match, the Orlando Pride defeated the Washington Spirit, 1-0, to claim the National Women's Soccer League championship title. Brazilian soccer icon Marta played a crucial role in the victory, scoring the game's only goal. This marks the first league title for both Marta and the Pride, adding another chapter to their successful partnership.

Learn more about the Orlando Pride's championship victory*

Transfer Rumor Roundup: Bayern Eyes Wirtz, Man Utd Eyes Ederson

footballsoccermanchester unitedtransfer rumorsbayern munich

Transfer rumors are heating up as Bayern Munich makes Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz their top priority, while Manchester United considers a move for Atalanta midfielder Éderson. Keep an eye on Liverpool's potential second bid for Real Sociedad's Martín Zubimendi and Chelsea's search for a new striker, with Brighton's Evan Ferguson and Ipswich's Liam Delap as possibilities. Stay tuned for more updates on the January transfer window!

New Man Utd Boss Ruben Amorim's Plans: Changes, Tactics, and More

soccermanchester unitedpremier leagueruben amorim

Meet the new boss!** 🤩

Ruben Amorim, the new Manchester United manager, has big plans for the club. Here's what you need to know:

  • Changes are coming: Amorim wants to implement his 3-4-2-1 formation, which means some players will need to adapt or move on.
  • Tactics: He's known for a high-pressing, possession-based style. Expect to see United playing more aggressively and keeping the ball on the ground.
  • Youth development: Amorim is a fan of promoting young talent, so keep an eye on the academy players.
  • Transfer plans: United will likely prioritize signing players who fit Amorim's system, especially in midfield and defense.

Here's to a new era at Old Trafford! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿⚽️

Pep Guardiola Set to Extend Stay at Manchester City

footballsoccerPremier LeagueManchester CityPep Guardiola

BIG NEWS FOR MAN CITY FANS!**

Pep Guardiola has reportedly agreed to a new contract with Manchester City, extending his stay at the Etihad for at least another season.

Guardiola's current deal was due to expire at the end of this season, but he's now set to take charge for a 10th year.

The Spaniard has enjoyed an incredibly successful spell with City, winning six Premier League titles in seven years and the Champions League in 2023.

This news comes as City faces a slew of alleged financial breaches, with punishment potentially including expulsion from the league.

But for now, it's all smiles for City fans as their legendary manager commits to the club for the long haul!

Chelsea Manager Condemns Homophobic Comments Against Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis

footballsoccerlgbtq+homophobiachelsea

Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor has strongly condemned homophobic comments made against Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis after the couple announced they are expecting a baby. The abuse was left on an Instagram post by some users, prompting Chelsea to issue a statement against the unacceptable and hateful comments. Bompastor expressed her support for the couple and called for more accountability from social media companies and football authorities in dealing with abuse on social media platforms. England manager Sarina Wiegman and Chelsea defender Millie Bright also expressed their happiness for the couple and their disappointment at the abuse they received. In a tweet, Chelsea Pride called for love, pride, and unity, while condemning the hateful comments.