The idea of having a draw to decide who plays who at football tournaments is to ensure the fixture list is random and free of bias. Sure, the seeding system can keep certain teams apart, but that is to reward them for their past performances: it could be their world ranking, league position or the …
Russia vs Ukraine and Other Banned International Football Games Read More »
Betting, particularly on football, has become a significant cultural and economic phenomenon across many African countries. As the sport gains popularity, so too does the associated betting industry, which is influenced by a variety of cultural, social, and economic factors. This exploration aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the cultural attitudes towards football betting …
Cultural Attitudes Towards Betting in African Countries: A Football Perspective Read More »
It comes with the territory as a professional footballer that fans of opposition clubs will give you a hard time. That could range from light-hearted banter to rather more heavyweight chants and abuse, which – while not condoned in any way – are incredibly hard to combat. How do you tell 20,000 people to stop …
How James McClean Became the Most Controversial Footballer in England Read More »
When a football team goes a goal down in a game, it takes character and self-belief on the part of their players to believe they can come back and win. Those of a weaker disposition will tell you that the first goal is everything in a football match, but if the evidence of the 2024/25 …
Comeback Trail: More Premier League Teams Are Winning from Behind Than Ever Before Read More »
They say in life, but especially in football, never go back. So many legacies have been tarnished by players or managers returning to a club for a second time, only to fall short of the standards they set first time around. Mind you, it doesn’t always pan out like that: in fact, sometimes the second …
Claudio Ranieri Joins Ranks of Managers That Have Led the Same Club Three Times or More Read More »
South African football fans are a passionate bunch, right? We’ll cheer, we’ll jeer, and we’ll argue over everything from VAR decisions to who’s better – Messi or Maradona (don’t start). But in recent years, there’s been a surprising trend: more and more South African bettors are getting hooked on South American football. Yes, the land …
Betting on South American Football: A Guide for South African Punters Read More »
Football is a game that has always been about more than just the 90-minutes on the pitch. It’s about passion, skill, and a deep connection to fans. In recent years, another force has started shaping the sport — technology. Whether it’s helping teams make smarter decisions, improving the fan experience, or streamlining club operations, tech …
From Aberdeen to Zimbabwe, football – at both club and international level – is blessed with intense rivalries across the globe. Those hostilities could be steeped in geographical proximity or historical competitiveness, but either way there’s noting quite like the intensity of a grudge match in football. But when it comes to rivalries in the …
Even at the most elite level of football, moments of madness can decide the outcome of games. And no more was that evident than in the bizarre ‘brain freeze’ of Aston Villa’s Tyrone Mings in their Champions League clash with Club Brugge in November 2024. The Villains had a goal kick, which goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez, …
Tyrone Mings Joins Hall of Shame for the Most Bizarre Penalties Conceded Read More »
Here’s a sort of chicken-and-egg question for you: is it success that buys a manager time in football, or is it showing loyalty in your boss that ultimately leads to success on the pitch? It’s a hypothetical question with no concrete answer, but you do wonder sometimes if a club that constantly chops and changes …
