Professional soccer
FILE - China's fan holds national flag before the AFC Asian Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Iran and China at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Jan. 24, 2019. China withdrew as host of soccer's 2023 Asian Cup on Saturday, May 14, 2022, in the latest cancellation of the country's sports hosting duties during the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, File)
Iran vs China 1/24/2019

May. 14, 2022 05:12 AM EDT

FILE - China's fan holds national flag before the AFC Asian Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Iran and China at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Jan. 24, 2019. China withdrew as host of soccer's 2023 Asian Cup on Saturday, May 14, 2022, in the latest cancellation of the country's sports hosting duties during the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, File)
China cites pandemic and withdraws as host of 2023 Asian Cup

May. 14, 2022 03:56 AM EDT

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic walks off the court after the team's loss in Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco, Wednesday, April 27, 2022. The Warriors won the series. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Jokic's NBA MVP a win for hoops-crazed nations outside US

By Ken Maguire May. 11, 2022 02:38 AM EDT

Hertha fans during the Bundesliga soccer match between Hertha BSC and FSV Mainz at Olympiastadion, Berlin, Saturday May 7, 2022. (Soeren Stache/dpa via AP)
FSV Mainz vs Hertha BSC 5/7/2022

May. 10, 2022 11:28 AM EDT

Hertha fans during the Bundesliga soccer match between Hertha BSC and FSV Mainz at Olympiastadion, Berlin, Saturday May 7, 2022. (Soeren Stache/dpa via AP)
UEFA decides Euro 2024 opener in Munich and final in Berlin

May. 10, 2022 11:27 AM EDT

PSG's fans support their team during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint Germain and Lens at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Saturday, April 23, 2022. The sign on French flag reads "Kylian Mbappe, your shirt is illuminated". (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
PSG's record-tying 10th French title has bittersweet taste

By Trung Latieule Apr. 24, 2022 04:25 AM EDT

Barcelona's Gerard Pique leaves the field during the Europa League quarter final, first leg soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Barcelona at the Commerzbank Arena in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, April 7, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
FC Barcelona vs Eintracht Frankfurt 4/7/2022

Apr. 20, 2022 08:02 AM EDT

Barcelona's Gerard Pique, center, reacts during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Sevilla at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, April 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Sevilla FC vs FC Barcelona 4/3/2022

Apr. 20, 2022 08:02 AM EDT

Barcelona's Gerard Pique, center, reacts during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Sevilla at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, April 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
In leaked audio, Piqué asks for help to play at Olympics

By Tales Azzoni Apr. 20, 2022 07:59 AM EDT

Barcelona players celebrate a goal from their teammate María Pilar Leon against Real Madrid during the Women's Champions League quarter final, second leg soccer match between Barcelona and Real Madrid at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, March 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Real Madrid vs FC Barcelona 3/30/2022

Mar. 30, 2022 03:02 PM EDT

Barcelona celebrate the third goal against Real Madrid during the Women's Champions League quarter final, second leg soccer match between Barcelona and Real Madrid at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, March 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Record attendance: 91,553 watch women's game in Barcelona

Mar. 30, 2022 03:00 PM EDT

Lazio's goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha falls in the goal after Roma's Tammy Abraham scored his side's first goal during a Serie A soccer match between Roma and Lazio at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, March 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Lazio Rome vs AS Roma 3/20/2022

Mar. 20, 2022 03:58 PM EDT

Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic reacts during the Serie A soccer match between Juventus and Salernitana, at the Allianz stadium in Turin, Italy, Sunday, March 20, 2021. (Marco Alpozzi/LaPresse via AP)
US Salernitana vs Juventus Turin 3/20/2022

Mar. 20, 2022 03:58 PM EDT

Lazio's goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha falls in the goal after Roma's Tammy Abraham scored his side's first goal during a Serie A soccer match between Roma and Lazio at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, March 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Abraham nets 2 as Roma sweeps aside Lazio 3-0 in derby

By Daniella Matar Mar. 20, 2022 03:57 PM EDT

Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold of Norway sports a headband reading No War Please as she competes in the Biathlon 4x6 km relay women's World Cup competition, in Kontiolahti, Finland, Thursday, March 3, 2022. (Vesa Moilanen/Lehtikuva via AP)
Russia steps up legal fight against isolation in sports

Mar. 11, 2022 10:38 AM EST

FILE - Real Salt Lake midfielder Anderson Julio, top, and Los Angeles FC forward Latif Blessing battle for the ball during the second half of a Major League Soccer match Saturday, July 17, 2021, in Los Angeles. LAFC won 2-1. The photo was part of a series of images by photographer Mark J. Terrill which won the Thomas V. diLustro best portfolio award for 2021 given out by the Associated Press Sports Editors during their annual winter meeting. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
Real Salt Lake vs Los Angeles FC 7/17/2021

Mar. 04, 2022 03:24 PM EST

A screen shows support to Ukraine before the English Premier League soccer match between Everton and Manchester City at Goodison Park in Liverpool, England, Feb. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Russia ready again for urgent court case over World Cup ban

By Graham Dunbar Mar. 04, 2022 12:40 AM EST

FILE - FIFA President Gianni Infantino, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose for cameras at the FIFA congress on the eve of the opener of the 2018 soccer World Cup in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, June 13, 2018. In a sweeping move to isolate and condemn Russia after invading Ukraine, the International Olympic Committee urged sports bodies on Monday to exclude the country's athletes and officials from international events. The decision opened the way for FIFA, the governing body of soccer, to exclude Russia from a World Cup qualifying playoff match on March 24. Poland has refused to play the scheduled game against Russia. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File)
COLUMN: Will sports ever stop cozying up to strongmen?

By Jim Litke Mar. 03, 2022 07:05 PM EST

FILE - Mexico's Hector Herrera plays during the first half of a FIFA World Cup qualifying soccer match, Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, in Cincinnati. The Houston Dynamo signed Mexican national team captain Héctor Herrera to a designated player contract Wednesday, March 2, 2022, that will run through at least the 2024 season. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, File)
Mexico vs USA 11/12/2021

Mar. 02, 2022 01:32 PM EST

FILE - Mexico's Hector Herrera plays during the first half of a FIFA World Cup qualifying soccer match, Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, in Cincinnati. The Houston Dynamo signed Mexican national team captain Héctor Herrera to a designated player contract Wednesday, March 2, 2022, that will run through at least the 2024 season. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, File)
Dynamo sign Mexican star Héctor Herrera as designated player

Mar. 02, 2022 01:24 PM EST