When Clermont Foot 63, a French Ligue 2 team, currently in 14th place in the standings, announced their new Head Coach yesterday, they made history. The new head coach is a 36 year-old Portuguese football genius and a sport science graduate, a former Benfica youth team trainer and…
In what is hopefully the end of this discussion, FIFA’s Secretary-General Jerome Valcke confidently declared that after careful review and trial period: “It was decided that female players can cover their heads to play”. International Football Association Board (IFAB), the governing body of FIFA had finally issued a statement…
So here is this image by a German artist named Nabi Nara. I have no idea what the hell the other pictures are trying to say and I don’t really care. I am not interested in politicizing, ostracizing or equalizing a s/he discussion on burqas. However, I do…
In the last couple of months, I have covered extensively the issue of IFAB lifting the ban on hijabs on the pitch. As a footballer who chooses to wear hijab, this issue was terribly personal and very important to me. I have been playing for decades and am…
What to make of all the rumors flooding the internet that Cristiano Ronaldo refused to exchange jerseys with Israeli players? Nothing. The video above clearly shows that CR7 made no gesture to taking off his shirt and offering it in exchange to any player from the Israeli squad. The match…
In the past four weeks have been less than kind to FC Barcelona (FCB). Since the end of January 2013, Manager Tito Vilanova has been in New York undergoing urgent cancer treatment. Although a stoic FCB make provide frequent updates on Tito’s status and have repeatedly insisted his…
Above is a picture of security guards praying among the rubble in the football stadium in Gaza City, Palestine. Football is a tremendous part of culture and life in Palestine. Hence, this stadium being destroyed was a strong signal to Palestinians that their dreams and potential could be shattered. The…
In the most exciting and heartwarming victory, the war torn country of Mali has beaten Afcon hosts South Africa to advance to semi-finals. They tied the match 1-1, went scoreless in extra time. They won 3-1 in penalty shootouts, effectively ousting Bafana from the tournament. Tokelo Rantie scored first for…