May 2017 - Soccer Wiretap

Bribery Case Brought Against PSG's Nasser Al-Khelaifi
The case is centered on broadcast rights for the 2026 and 2030 World Cup.

Associated Press

Barcelona Confirm January Pursuit Of Coutinho
Barcelona made several bids to Liverpool for Coutinho during the summer transfer window.

Andy Hunter/The Guardian

Fox, Nike Will Take Losses With United States Not In World Cup
Fox will have 350 hours of live programming during the tournament.

Darren Rovell/ESPN

Premier League Won't Start Any Christmas Eve Matches After 4 PM
The FSF described the prospect of fixtures being moved from Saturday 23 December to Christmas Eve to be broadcast by Sky Sports as "a new low point."

Paul MacInnes/The Guardian

United States Fail To Qualify For 2018 World Cup
Christian Pulisic gave the United States their lone goal after they fell behind 2-0 before halftime.

ESPN

James In 'Very Difficult Situation' Adapting To Germany
James Rodriguez has struggled to adapt to Bayern Munich following his arrival on a two-year loan deal from Real Madrid.

Mark Lovell/ESPN

Ronaldo, Coutinho, Isco On 2017 Ballon d'Or 30-Man Shortlist
The 30-man shortlist for the 2017 Ballon d'Or has been announced.

Press Association

Jupp Heynckes: Bayern Should Follow Model Of Real Madrid
Jupp Heynckes is returning to Bayern as interim manager and replacing Carlo Ancelotti.

As.com

Andrea Pirlo To Retire At End Of MLS Season
Andrea Pirlo joined New York City FC in 2015 and is now 38 years old.

ESPN

N'Golo Kante Injures Hamstring
N'Golo Kante was holding his hamstring on his left leg when he was taken off 34 minutes in the game.

ESPN

Marouane Fellaini May Have Suffered Ligament Damage In Knee
Marouane Fellaini has been productive so far this season for Manchester United.

ESPN

Manuel Neuer Could Be Out Six Months Following Foot Surgery
Manuel Neuer was injured during training last month for a foot fracture that was initially expected to keep him out for the rest of 2017.

ESPN

Spain Qualifies For 2018 World Cup
Spain's breakthrough came in the 16th minute when Rodrigo scored on a pass from Isco.

ESPN

Andres Iniesta Agrees Upon Lifetime Contract With Barcelona
Andres Iniesta's contract with Barcelona was set to expire in the summer of 2018.

Samuel Marsden/ESPN

Xavi: Messi Gets Pissed Off If He's Not Involved In Game
Argentina has sometimes struggled with their balance incorporating Lionel Messi.

ESPN

Harry Kane Credits Improved Nutrition For Current Form
Harry Kane recently began taking his nutrition more seriously.

Dominic Fifield/The Guardian

Facebook Wants To Have Ongoing Relationship With Premier League
Facebook is hoping to collaborate with traditional broadcasters.

Jacob Steinberg/The Guardian

Jupp Heynckes Returning To Bayern As Interim Manager
Jupp Heynckes won the treble with Bayern in 2013 before he was replaced by Pep Guardiola.

Mark Dobson/The Guardian

Bayern Asks Mats Hummels For His Opinion On Jurgen Klopp
Jurgen Klopp managed Hummels at Borussia Dortmund for several seasons before leaving his job and eventually joining Liverpool.

Mark Lovell/ESPN

Gerard Pique: Nobody Can Doubt Commitment To Spanish Team
Gerard Pique believes he can remain part of the Spanish team despite his position on Catalonia.

As.com

Francesco Totti Quits Coaching Course
Francesco Totti started studying for his UEFA B coaching badge two weeks ago.

Ben Gladwell/ESPN

Virgil Van Dijk Still Hoping For Liverpool Transfer
Virgil Van Dijk has worked his way back into Southampton's XI.

Mark Dobson/The Guardian

Stan Kroenke Attempting To Buyout Alisher Usmanov
If Stan Kroenke is successful in buying out Alisher Usmanov, he could force out the remaining minority shareholders and could make Arsenal a privately owned business.

Amy Lawrence/The Guardian

Sergio Aguero 'Can't Leave House', Out Six Weeks
Sergio Aguero would miss City's Champions League match against Napoli on Nov. 1st and their Premier League match against Arsenal four days later.

ESPN

Bayern Players Trained Behind Carlo Ancelotti's Back
Arjen Robben in particular was outspoken against the training sessions, indicating that they were less demanding than his son's youth team.

Kicker (via As.com)

Kevin De Bruyne Has No Regrets Leaving Chelsea In 2014
Kevin De Bruyne returned to England with Manchester City as a much improved player.

Dominic Fifield/The Guardian

Study Finds Wages More Critical To Winning Than Transfer Fees
The study suggests that Premier League clubs' recent lack of European success can be attributed to owners who don't pass on increased revenues to their squads.

Dermot Corrigan/ESPN

Alvaro Morata Out Six Weeks With Hamstring Injury
Chelsea is thin at striker following the sale of Diego Costa to Atletico Madrid.

Dominic Fifield/The Guardian

Farhad Moshiri Continues To Back Ronald Koeman
Everton spent £140 million on improving their roster in the summer, but they're currently just two points above the relegation zone.

Andy Hunter/The Guardian

Gerard Pique Prepared To Quit Spanish National Team
Gerard Pique has long been a supporter of Catalan independence.

Samuel Marsden/ESPN