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Backheel Breakfast: Abby Wambach accuses referee of targeting specific players
You can’t say that, Abby.
Michael Chow-USA TODAY Sports
Abby Wambach talks a lot. As she’s gotten older, her filter has disappeared, and she’s said plenty of things she shouldn’t -- like calling her teammates scared two weeks before the World Cup started. But while that was pretty dumb, it didn’t get her in any trouble. Monday night’s comments might.
During the United States’ 2-0 win over Colombia in the World Cup Round of 16, Wambach was critical of the referee and accused her of targeting specific players. Lauren Holiday and Megan Rapinoe picked up yellow cards, which will see them suspended for the quarterfinal against China, and Wambach went nuts.
“It seemed like she was purposefully giving those yellows to the players she knew were sitting on yellows. I don’t know if it was just a psychological thing. Who knows?”
FIFA won’t suspend Wambach. They fixed the tournament to favor the U.S. and Canada, after all. But when a player accuses the referee of having an agenda like that, she should probably be made to sit down for a game.
In the news
Oh look, another match-fixing scandal in Italian football. *checks watch* Yep, it’s Tuesday. (BBC)
Russia’s World Cup projects are all way over budget, so they’re cutting the budget. (Guardian)
Carlos Bacca’s mom says she would have thrown her shoe at Neymar. (Goal.com)
Schalke have signed Germany U-21 midfielder Johannes Geis. (Schalke)
Rivaldo’s 43, and he’s trying another comeback. (ESPN FC)
Tottenham got permission to add some features to their stadium that could allow them to host NFL games. (Mirror)
Borussia Mönchengladbach had some fun trolling local rivals Köln. (@borussia_en)
You should be reading
Maggie Mertens on who attends the Women’s World Cup. (Vice)
Swiss Rambler on Cardiff’s finances. (Swiss Ramble)
Daniel Gartner on Luis Alberto Cubilla and Olimpia. (In Bed With Maradona)
Fun with transfer rumors
The section in which nothing should be taken seriously. It’s rumor season, so this section will be expanded, and as the summer rolls on, it will probably be bigger than the actual news section.
Manchester United are going to offer De Gea plus cash for Sergio Ramos. (AS)
Man City want to drop some cash on a top center forward. (ESPN FC)
But not before they bid £50m for Raheem Sterling. (Liverpool Echo)
Napoli might make a bid for Matteo Darmian. (Football Italia)
Sunderland are willing to break their transfer record for Georginio Wijnaldum. (Mirror)
And the dumbest story of the day: Newcastle will lure Charlie Austin in with ... a shirt number! (Star)
Monday’s games
England won their first ever Women’s World Cup knockout stage game with a wondergoal.
The USWNT played ugly, but beat Colombia comfortably.
What to watch on Tuesday (click for listings, all times ET)
Euro U-21: Czech Republic vs. Germany (2:45 p.m.) - A draw will send Germany through, while the Czech Republic need a win or help.
Euro U-21: Denmark vs. Serbia (2:45 p.m.) - Serbia need a win, while Denmark need a win or help.
WWC: Japan vs. Netherlands (10 p.m.) - Don’t expect a big upset here -- the Netherlands aren’t nearly as good as Australia.
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