soccer
US soccer leagues add game breaks for players fasting during Ramadan
By Jack Jenkins — April 4, 2023
(RNS) — The move comes on the heels of a similar policy implemented by England’s Premier League.
Qatar offers World Cup visitors an introduction to Islam
By Luis Andres Henao — December 19, 2022
(RNS) — Hundreds of thousands of visitors have come to Qatar during the World Cup. For many it's their first visit to a Muslim country.
Calvin University inaugurates new president amid growing LGBTQ tensions
By Yonat Shimron — October 26, 2022
(RNS) — Wiebe Boer, the university’s 12th president, is the son of Christian Reformed Church missionaries and spent 30 years living in Nigeria.
Pope hopes charity match deals a “kick” to exclusion
By Associated Press — November 22, 2021
ROME (AP) — Pope Francis is hoping that a charity soccer match that includes Swiss Guards, Vatican employees, priests, a player with Down syndrome, migrants and members of the Roma community will deal a significant “kick” to discrimination. The match takes place Sunday in Rome and will be refereed by Lazio team captain Ciro Immobile. […]
What Ted Lasso could teach clergy
By Jeffrey Salkin — October 12, 2021
(RNS) — A popular series contains hidden wisdom for those of us who work for God.
Kyrie Irving’s recent conversion puts a spotlight on athletes observing Ramadan
By Joseph Hammond — May 6, 2021
(RNS) — Both amateur and professional athletes across the country must figure out how to continue competing well as they fast during the month of Ramadan.
Maradona’s death boosts ‘Hand of God’ goal’s author to sainted status
By Eduardo Campos Lima — November 27, 2020
(RNS) — At its extreme, veneration of the soccer star gave birth to the Maradonian Church, a group of fans who pay homage to him with parody rituals.
Nike, don’t make me choose between Liverpool FC and the Uighurs
By Jalal Baig — September 2, 2020
(RNS) — There is a saying, or hadith, from the Prophet Muhammad on the tiered approaches we are obligated to take when confronted with evil. Identifying Liverpool’s malfeasance is only a start.
God and goal: Catholic priests and seminarians compete in 13th annual Vatican soccer tournament
By Claire Giangravé — March 2, 2020
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Pope Francis is the honorary captain of the 13th annual Clericus Cup in Rome this weekend, where Catholic priests and seminarians will toss their cassocks aside and give their all on the soccer field.
Many Egyptian Christians feel left out of World Cup
By Hamza Hendawi — June 24, 2018
No Christian has been on the national soccer squad for more than a decade, and just one played for any of the 18 top-flight clubs last season.
Egyptian coaches and officials dismiss any suggestion of discrimination, but Christians disagree.
Soccer legend Maradona credits Pope Francis for renewing his faith
By Josephine McKenna — October 11, 2016
ROME (RNS) The Argentine soccer legend is in Rome to play in an all-star match to benefit a charity set up by his countryman, who is now the pontiff.
Football rivals come together for ‘Religion of Sports’
By Kimberly Winston — September 14, 2016
(RNS) Is devotion to a sport the same as devotion to a religion? A new documentary series will explore that question.
The death of soccer’s ‘savior’
By Jerome Socolovsky — March 25, 2016
(RNS) Dutch star Johan Cruyff was a deity in the world of soccer -- but he kept his own beliefs to himself.
Are Nike’s evil soccer robots supposed to be Jewish?
By Lauren Markoe — June 12, 2014
(RNS) Nike's 2014 World Cup video features dark-haired soccer robots whose team logo, to some, looks much too much like the Star of David.
Fans rely on God, rituals to boost favorite team
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — January 16, 2014
(RNS) Most Americans don't see spiritual forces affecting the sports scores but many will do a little dance, say a little prayer anyway. Especially football fans.
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