Association football, soccer or simply football is a team sport played between two teams each consisting of 11 players and is widely considered to be the most popular sport in the world. It is a ball game played on a rectangular grass field (or occasionally on an artificial pitch) with a goal at each end. The object of the game is to score by maneuvering the ball into the opposing goal. The predominant feature of the sport is that players other than the goalkeepers may not use their hands or arms to propel the ball in general play. The winner is the team that has scored more goals at the end of the match.

The modern game developed in England following the formation of the Football Association, whose 1863 set of rules created the foundations for the way the sport is played today. Football is governed internationally by Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). The most prestigious international football competition is the World Cup, which is also the most widely-viewed sporting event in the world.2002 FIFA World Cup TV Coverage, FIFA official website. Retrieved on May 13, 2006.

Nature of the game

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More on [ Football (soccer) ]

NYT > Soccer

Arrests in Europe Over Soccer Fixing Investigation
By ERIC PFANNER Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:07:21 -0000
German law enforcement officials arrested 17 on Friday in connection with what was described as the biggest match-fixing scandal yet uncovered in European soccer.
L.A.’s Donovan Named MLS Player of the Year
By REUTERS Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:33:30 -0000
FC Dallas forward Jeff Cunningham and New England Revolution midfielder Shalrie Joseph were the two other finalists for the award.
FIFA Confirms No Replay for France-Ireland Game
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:10:26 -0000
Soccer’s ruling body rejected an Irish appeal to replay the World Cup qualifier between France and Ireland, citing the finality of a referee’s decisions during the game.

L.A. Times - Soccer

Galaxy's Landon Donovan selected MVP of Major League Soccer
Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800
He finishes ahead of New England's Shalrie Joseph and Dallas' Jeff Cunningham to win honor for the first time. He finishes ahead of New England's Shalrie Joseph and Dallas' Jeff Cunningham to win honor for the first time.
World Cup teams are locked, with loaded questions for some
Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800
France qualifies with help from Thierry Henry's handball, and Guus Hiddink isn't likely to return to his job with Russia. France qualifies with help from Thierry Henry's handball, and Guus Hiddink isn't likely to return to his job with Russia.
Thierry Henry's handball gets a big thumbs-down in Europe
Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800
The popular veteran star's startling act of cheating that sent France past Ireland and into the World Cup -- and his unapologetic stance afterward -- may ruin his reputation. The popular young star's startling act of cheating that sent France past Ireland and into the World Cup -- and his unapologetic stance afterward -- may ruin his reputation.

USATODAY.com Soccer - Top Stories

FIFA hands out ruling: No replay for Irish of Cup qualifier
Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:54:06 -0000
FIFA rejected Ireland's request to replay its World Cup qualifier against France on Friday, but Thierry Henry said a rematch ...
Cup coaches Kreis, Arena set for battle in MLS final
Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:29:31 -0000
In the early 1990s, Jason Kreis was an All-American soccer player at Duke whose team had the misfortune of sharing a conference ...
German authorities: 17 arrests made in soccer match-fixing probe
Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:59:13 -0000
German prosecutors investigating corruption in football say 15 people in Germany and two in Switzerland have been arrested and ...

ESPNsoccernet

Drogba to face Essien in African Nations Cup
soccernet.com Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:52:34 -0000
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba will go head to head with team-mate Michael Essien at the African Nations Cup in Angola after Ivory Coast and Ghana were drawn together in Group B.
Plymouth makes strong case for 2018 bid
Harry Harris, Football Correspondent Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:04:10 -0000
ESPN Soccernet has been told Plymouth is the shock contender to host World Cup ties should England's 2018 bid prove successful.
Police allege Champions League fix attempt
Reuters Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:01:09 -0000
A match-fixing ring with more than 200 suspected members fixed or attempted to fix dozens of matches across Europe, including three in the Champions League, German police said on Friday.

FOXSPORTS.com.au | Football

FIFA knocks back Ireland
Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:05:00 -0000
FIFA has turned down a request from Football Association of Ireland (FAI) to stage a replay of their controversial FIFA World Cup play-off defeat by France.
Socceroos edge toward top 20
Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:45:00 -0000
The Socceroos have improved three places to No.21 in the latest world rankings released by FIFA.
Leckie spares Adelaide's blushes
Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:19:00 -0000
Teenager Mathew Leckie has squeezed home a last-gasp equaliser from long range to deny 10-man Gold Coast United a repeat win at Hindmarsh Stadium in a 1-1 A-League draw.

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