Soccer

10/8/2025 |  Security a concern for Italy-Israel soccer match as protesters demand match be stopped (Associated Press (AP)) ROME (AP) — Israel’s World Cup qualifying match at Italy next week is expected to attract more pro-Palestinian protesters outside the soccer stadium in Udine than ticket-holding spectators inside the arena.
Protesters already approached the gates of Italy’s training center in Florence last week to demand that the match isn’t played because of the war in Gaza — part of a national strike that saw millions of activists take to the streets.

10/8/2025 |  European soccer clubs group unveils new name at peak of its powers dealing with UEFA, FIFA (Associated Press (AP)) ROME (AP) — After 17 years as the European Club Association, the network of hundreds of soccer teams is at peak influence over UEFA in shaping the Champions League – and what might come next for the marquee competition.
So it was time for a name change. From ECA to EFC.

10/8/2025 |  UEFA president Ceferin calls for inclusivity amid new Super League reports (Associated Press (AP)) ROME (AP) — UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin voiced support for inclusivity in European soccer on Wednesday following reports over new meetings with the company behind the failed Super League project.
“Europe sets standards in world football,” Ceferin said during a speech at the general assembly of the European Football Clubs — formerly the European Club Association — which represents around 800 teams across the continent. “And precisely for that reason, we see attempts from outside to reshape the game.”

10/8/2025 |  Partnership Playbook: Arsenal, Orlando Magic, Matchroom, Athlos (Insider Sport) Welcome to Insider Sport’s latest edition of the Partnership Playbook, where we bring you the details on some of the latest sports partnerships and sponsorships.
This week, Arsenal renewed its partnership with Unilever’s Dirt Is Good to continue campaigns promoting inclusion and youth empowerment, the Orlando Magic announced its first-ever betting partnership with Hard Rock Bet and the Croatian Football Federation became the first national team to offer cryptocurrency rewards for fans through their official app.

10/8/2025 |  International ban for players joining franchise league, national unions say (Reuters Sports) Oct 7 (Reuters) - Players who join the R360 global franchise league will be ineligible for international selection, the rugby unions of New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Ireland, England, Scotland, France and Italy said on Tuesday.