Controversial

June 2 (Reuters) - Seattle Sounders players called for a bigger slice of the prize money for competing at the Club World Cup this month by wearing T-shirts emblazoned with "Cash Grab" and "Fair Share Now" ahead of a Major League Soccer match on Sunday.

Seattle are set to earn at least $9.55 million for competing at the June 14 to July 13 tournament in the U.S., where the total prize money runs to $1 billion, but under the MLS collective bargaining agreement (CBA) the players' share is capped at $1 million per club.

Christian Pulisic won’t be playing in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup. The United States men’s national team star opted out of the team’s final competitive competition prior to next summer’s home World Cup because he wants to rest.

Matt Crocker, the U.S. Soccer Sporting Director, said in a statement that Pulisic requested to not play in the Gold Cup.

The National Women's Soccer League acknowledged Friday that last weekend's match should have ended after a player collapsed on the field.

Play resumed on May 9 after about 10 minutes of medical attention for Angel City FC defender Savy King, who fell to the ground in the 74th minute and was taken away on a cart following life-saving measures.

NWSL Angel City game: It should've ended

In a moment of candid reflection during the premiere episode of his new watch-along series "Beckham & Friends," global football icon David Beckham opened up about what he considers the biggest regret of his storied career — taking the captain's armband from U.S. soccer legend Landon Donovan upon arriving at LA Galaxy in 2007.

Mexico's Club León will not participate in this year's Club World Cup after losing their appeal on Tuesday having been removed from the tournament by FIFA due to an ownership rule breach.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejected the appeal by León who had qualified by winning the CONCACAF Champions Cup in 2023.

"This is the greatest damage done to a team that has always competed with humility and honesty," Leon said in a statement.

SEVILLE, Spain, April 27 (Reuters) - Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger has apologized for his behavior in the 3-2 extra-time loss to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday when he was shown a straight red after he erupted in fury and threw an object at the referee.

The incident occurred when the official called a foul for a challenge by forward Kylian Mbappé on defender Eric García, denying Real a final chance to find an equalizer moments after Barcelona's Jules Kounde scored the winner in the 116th minute.

Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, the referee for Saturday's Copa del Rey final between Real Madrid and Barcelona, was brought to tears on Friday, responding to a critical video published by Real's in-house TV channel (RMTV).

The video, released on Thursday, shows what RMTV says is a series of errors made by De Burgos throughout his career.

The release is the latest in a string of edits by RMTV, criticizing Spanish officials.

Copa del Rey referee crying

The Lionel Messi Mexico rivalry quote went viral on Thursday as the Inter Miami star said there's no rivalry between Argentina and El Tri. He doubled down saying that Mexico fans believe there's a rivalry when in reality there is none.

Messi appeared on Simplemente Fútbol when he shared his feelings on the disdain Mexico fans have for him.

Lionel Messi Mexico rivalry