Skip to main content
Come Fan with UsSaturday, June 20, 2026

West Ham fan gets players in trouble for ‘drinking’ with a Twitter hoax

Don’t do this.

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Want Backheel Breakfast in your inbox? Sign up for the email version here.

If you’re thinking about starting an internet rumor about some soccer players being unprofessional, please rethink that. West Ham players Andy Carroll and Darren Randolph almost got in trouble even though a rumor spread about them drinking in the middle of the week was an admitted hoax.

“The club will be looking into these allegations and we will deal with the players as we see fit,” said a West Ham spokesperson, even though all of this was made up. Use Twitter responsibly, kids.

Goal of the day

This great volley by Thomas Delaney of Copenhagen. (r/soccer)

In the news

Sam Allardyce and England mutually agreed to part ways after he got caught explaining how to circumvent the FA’s third party ownership rules.

Eight other managers are accused of shady transfer dealings, though they haven’t been named yet. (Telegraph)

Clint Dempsey is out for the season due to an irregular heartbeat. (Sounder at Heart)

La Liga’s director of marketing admitted it’s been challenging to get Barcelona and Real Madrid to commit to the Spanish league instead of looking into a super league. (ESPN FC)

Cesare Prandelli is likely to take over at Valencia. (AS)

Another Spanish team has already made a coaching change, with Granada firing Paco Jémez. (Sport)

Miralem Pjanic and Andrea Barzagli are fine after picking up knocks on Tuesday, while Claudio Marchisio’s timetable for return is now a month. (Gazzetta)

You should be reading

Angela Roemelt on Mainz’s commitment to their fans and players. (Unusual Efforts)

Bill Gerrard on “Moneyball” misconceptions and how analytics are actually used in soccer. (The Set Pieces)

James Nickels on the club and stadium that were destroyed by the Chernobyl disaster. (These Football Times)

What happened on Tuesday

Dortmund and Madrid played a fun 2-2 draw, featuring Christian Pulisic setting up the equalizer.

You can find scores, recaps, and tables from all the Champions League action here. (UEFA.com)

What to watch on Wednesday (click for listings, all times ET)

Champions League: Eight games (2:45 p.m.) -- A lot of big teams are in action, but we recommend Napoli-Benfica.

More in Soccer

Soccer
USMNT World Cup schedule: How to watch every U.S. match, scores, and moreUSMNT World Cup schedule: How to watch every U.S. match, scores, and more
Soccer

How to watch every USMNT match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

By Mark Schofield
Soccer
Christian Pulisic injury updates: UMSNT star out for Australia World Cup matchChristian Pulisic injury updates: UMSNT star out for Australia World Cup match
Soccer

The U.S. star is day-to-day with a calf injury in the World Cup. Here’s the latest.

By Mark Schofield
Soccer
USMNT playing for Unofficial World Championship against AustraliaUSMNT playing for Unofficial World Championship against Australia
Soccer

Qualifying for the knockout stage could come with an extra bonus on Friday.

By Bernd Buchmasser
Soccer
USA vs. Australia World Cup preview: Analysis and tacticsUSA vs. Australia World Cup preview: Analysis and tactics
Soccer
Raúl Rangel’s ‘save of the tournament’ helps Mexico win World Cup Group ARaúl Rangel’s ‘save of the tournament’ helps Mexico win World Cup Group A
Soccer

Mexico keeper Raúl Rangel made a pair of spectacular saves to help preserve a 1-0 win over South Korea

By Mark Schofield
Soccer
World Cup 2026: What are the scenarios for Group A?World Cup 2026: What are the scenarios for Group A?
Soccer

This is who’s in good shape to advance in Group A during the 2026 World Cup.

By Mark Schofield