Controversial

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.

No Messi, no party.

Fans in attendance for the Vancouver Whitecaps match against Inter Miami last Saturday, who were most certainly expecting to see Lionel Messi on the pitch at the time of buying their tickets, were not impressed with the Argentine’s ‘unexcused’ absence.

Vancouver fans' reaction to Lionel Messi's absence vs. Whitecaps

Brazil and Palmeiras superstar Endrick caught fans’ attention with his goal celebration against Liverpool during Thursday’s Copa Libertadores match. The Endrick Kong celebration is already iconic.

The 17-year-old phenom’s goal and celebration started a small skirmish as he extended Palmeiras’ lead to 3-0 in the 82nd minute and pounded his chest after finding the back of the net.

Endrick Kong celebration

Real Madrid pulled off another stunning last-minute comeback victory against Bayern Munich to win 2-1 (4-3 on aggregate) in the Champions League semifinal on Wednesday. One major talking point is a late Bayern offside call.

In the dying seconds of the game with Real Madrid leading 2-1, Bayern’s Matthijs de Ligt thought he’d netted a dramatic equalizer. He’d be denied as the linesman raised his flag for an offside call just before his goal.

LONDON — Liverpool's slim Premier League title hopes faded further on Saturday when Michail Antonio's late header earned West Ham United a deserved point with a 2-2 draw.

Liverpool, reeling from a 2-0 loss at Everton in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday, were marginally the better side in a flat first half. The visitors had a penalty denied for an offside in the build-up before Luis Diaz hit the post.

They again conceded first, however, when Jarrod Bowen nodded home shortly before halftime, his 20th goal of the season in his 200th game for the Hammers.

Sweden's top leagues will not look to implement a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system after clubs voiced their opposition to the technology, Swedish Football Association (SvFF) Chairman Fredrik Reinfeldt said.

VAR has consistently been at the center of controversy in leagues where it has been introduced, with complaints ranging from its extensive analysis of close offside calls to delays that often drag on for several minutes.

Sweden VAR rejection 

LONDON — Holders Manchester City beat Chelsea 1-0 with a late Bernardo Silva goal on Saturday to reach the FA Cup final after an absorbing end-to-end Wembley semi-final.

Silva sidefooted the ball home in the 84th minute after Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic parried a shot from former Blues midfielder Kevin De Bruyne.

Former Germany and Bayern Munich striker Mario Gómez provided fans with a scorching hot take and interesting debate. 

Appearing on the podcast “Phrasenmäher”, Gómez made the argument that Manuel Neuer’s legacy is just as important to the sport as Lionel Messi’s.

"I would put Manuel Neuer on the same level as Messi in terms of importance in football history," Gómez said. "I don't know if we're all aware of what we experienced with a goalkeeper who revolutionized the game! We'll only understand this 20 years from now."

Does Gómez have a point?

Tigres UANL goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman has been banned for 11 matches by the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) after aiming a laser pointer at Monterrey stopper Esteban Andrada during a LIGA MX match on Sunday.

In videos of the incident posted on social media, Guzman, who was injured and sitting in the stands, could be seen directing the laser pointer at the Monterrey players including Andrada in the match, which ended 3-3.

Nahuel Guzman laser pointer incident