Controversial

The Christian Pulisic referee handshake moment after the United States’ 1-0 defeat to Uruguay on Monday was a controversial topic of discussion.

Peruvian referee Kevin Ortega had a horrendous night of officiating for the pivotal Copa América game with a highlight reel of fails. Ortega and Pulisic often bumped heads during the fixture with the American star not impressed with Ortega’s officiating.

In the final minutes of the game Pulisic took a shot near Uruguay’s box and took a hit from behind. Pulisic furiously yelled at Ortega about no foul being called.

Gregg Berhalter and the United States men’s national team were eliminated from Copa América on Monday with a 1-0 loss to Uruguay. Controversial referee calls, ridiculous camera angles and a horrid performance sentenced the USMNT to a group stage exit.

The awful camera angles from the broadcast were an omen of things to come. Were we looking at Arrowhead Stadium or an ant hill? We couldn’t tell.

FREIBURG — Belgian fans went too far with their angry reaction to the team’s draw against Ukraine in the European Championship, veteran defender Thomas Meunier said on Thursday.

Supporters booed and whistled their side after a dour 0-0 stalemate that set up a last-16 clash with France, and more derision rained down when captain Kevin De Bruyne was announced as the man of the match.

The 18-player United States women’s national team roster was revealed on Wednesday and has caused controversy. Korbin Albert’s inclusion on the squad drew criticism from fans and was called out on a podcast with USWNT legend Sam Mewis.

Mexico’s Copa América tournament got off to a nightmare start as star midfielder Edson Álvarez exited the first half in tears as he pulled up with an injury.

Midway through the first half Álvarez was tracking back to help defend a Jamaica counterattack when he went down grabbing the back of his leg. There was no contact with any other players.

Edson Álvarez injury vs Jamaica

ATLANTA — Canada coach Jesse Marsch said Argentina should be fined after the defending champions emerged late from the dressing room for the second half in their Copa América opener on Thursday.

After the first half ended goalless, Argentina opened the scoring four minutes after the restart through Julian Alvarez while Lautaro Martinez scored a late goal in a 2-0 win.

Argentina emerged for the second period around five minutes after Canada.

Jesse Marsch Argentina complaint

Argentina’s 2-0 victory vs. Canada on Thursday in Copa América wasn’t smooth sailing. It literally wasn’t smooth because the Mercedes-Benz Stadium grass put in place caused issues for both teams.

Members of Argentina and Canada said that the grass put in place wasn’t up to par. Atlanta United and the NFL’s Falcons play on turf inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium, however the artificial turf was replaced with grass on Sunday.

Copa América grass issue

The replacement grass was basically placed over concrete creating a uniquely bad surface to play on.

Racism is still the biggest plague of the “Beautiful Game”, and it reared its ugly head on Thursday as Argentina and Lionel Messi fans racially abused Canada’s Moïse Bombito on social media.

Fans weren’t happy about the tackle on Messi from the Colorado Rapids star during the Copa América opener between Canada and Argentina. During the second half Messi went down and received treatment following this tackle from the Canada defender.

May 29 (Reuters) - One in five professional players who took part in a study commissioned by the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) said they were using nicotine pouches, tobacco sachets (snus) or both, research showed on Tuesday.

One in five players from EPL, ELF and WSL consume nicotine

The study, conducted by Loughborough University, surveyed 628 male players in the Premier League and EFL, as well as 51 players from the Women's Super League.