Soccer

LAFC's Sergi Palencia has been cleared of wrongdoing by a major soccer governing body ... as CONCACAF determined the defender did not use a derogatory term towards a Colorado Rapids player during their matchup in February.

The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football released their findings Tuesday afternoon, saying that while inappropriate language was used during the Feb. 25 interaction with Rapids defender Chidozie Awaziem, "The word reported by the Colorado Rapids in its official position to Concacaf was not used."

"Concacaf will continue to urge teams, players, and fans to participate in our sport positively and with respect for the opposition," the statement read. "There is no room for discrimination in our game. What’s Wrong is Wrong."

LAFC defender Sergi Palencia is currently under investigation ... after being accused of using a derogatory term toward a Colorado Rapids player during Tuesday night's contest.

Play was halted at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles during the 85th minute of the Concacaf Champions Cup match ... when Rapids defender Chidozie Awaziem began speaking intensely with a referee over what he deemed hate speech.

The official then talked to both coaches and the respected team captains before the action was resumed ... which ended in a Rapids loss by a final score of 1-0.

Former Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales has been found guilty of sexual assault for kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the lips without her consent after winning the 2023 World Cup.

Prosecutors wanted Rubiales behind bars for the incident ... but he was ultimately ordered to pay a fine of over $10,434, must stay at least 656 feet away from Hermoso and is banned from communicating with her for one year.

If convicted under Spain's new (2022) consent laws, Rubiales could have faced between one and four years behind bars.

Roughly half a million dollars worth of jewelry was allegedly stolen from Olivier Giroud's Los Angeles-area home during a burglary earlier this month, TMZ Sports has learned.

Law enforcement tells us ... the break-in was reported to cops by the soccer star's wife on Feb. 5 -- after she had discovered a smashed window at their property.

We're told Giroud's partner noted several pricey items were taken in the burglary -- including over 10 men's watches. She told officers the value of the missing stuff was close to $500,000.

He shoots, he scores! Cristiano Ronaldo just hit the big 4-0, and he’s still serving up wins --especially when it comes to those shirtless selfies!

The man is chiseled AF, and we’ve got a whole gallery of ripped, shirtless CR pics that you’ll definitely get a kick out of.

While Ronaldo’s fine-tuning those abs on the pitch and in the gym, he’s also making sure his glow stays as golden as those trophies he's got.

Timothée Chalamet and Edward Norton do as the Romans do ... and that means cheering on some of the top soccer teams in Italy.

The actors took a break from their press tour for their new Bob Dylan biopic to take in a little Serie A soccer Friday in Rome.

Timothée and Edward had great seats to watch AS Roma take Genoa CFC ... and Chalamet was pretty animated, jumping out of his seat and cheering.

Luca Meixner -- a member of German soccer club SSV Reutlingen 05 -- has tragically died at 22 years old.

The football org. announced the heartbreaking news over the weekend, stating Meixner "passed away unexpectedly" on Dec. 27.

Further details surrounding his death were not released.

1/3 10:40 AM PT -- The divorce has been finalized.

"One Tree Hill" actress Sophia Bush has reached a settlement in her divorce from entrepreneur Grant Hughes.

Court documents ... obtained by TMZ ... show Sophia and Grant entered into a confidential settlement on December 30, 2024.

Bush filed for divorce in August 2023, and by October of that year was already dating recently divorced U.S. Women's National Team soccer star Ashlyn Harris.

Victoria's Secret model Izabel Goulart was all about indulging this Xmas -- in the spotlight, that is, 'cause despite being next to a giant body of water, she was still thirsty ... for attention, of course.

These St. Barts pics are impossible to ignore -- the Brazilian model brought the holiday heat in a tiny red bikini and Santa hat, teaming up with her footballer fiancé Kevin Trapp for a jaw-dropping acrobatics session that doubled as a festive photoshoot.

The shoot was next-level, with German soccer goalie Kevin lifting Izabel like it was a stroll in the park, while she flexed her killer pins and showed off her athleticism in a series of advanced couples yoga poses -- all as her Santa hat stayed firmly in place somehow.

Dennis Rodman's bad dad apology to his soccer star daughter Trinity fell flat ... with the Olympic gold medalist calling the mea culpa a "joke," and declaring she's done trying to fix her relationship with her pops.

The drama came to a head earlier this week when the Washington Spirit forward appeared on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast and called out her absentee father, accusing him of only showing up for PR stunts.

"He's not a dad," Trinity said. "Maybe by blood, but nothing else."

Dennis Rodman is apologizing to his estranged daughter Trinity -- writing a lengthy and emotional social media post -- after the U.S. soccer star went on a podcast and blasted her pops for being an absent dad.

"I will try even when it’s difficult and if it takes a long time," Rodman said in the IG post.

"I’m always here and tell you all the time rather it’s your voice or voicemail how proud I am. I always had one wish and it was I wish my kids would call me and come see me."

The only thing connecting Dennis and Trinity Rodman is DNA ... so says the soccer star, who claims despite the Hall of Famer's occasional appearances at her games -- they're pretty much strangers.

The Washington Spirit forward opened up about her relationship with her pops on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast this week ... when she said she hasn't seen the Chicago Bulls legend in years.

Their last meeting, Trinity says, came when the Worm showed up unannounced at her Nov. 2021 NWSL matchup against the North Carolina Courage ... which was an emotional moment for her.

Cristiano Ronaldo released a collab with YouTube superstar MrBeast titled "I Meet MrBeast To Break The Internet" ... and the two pretty much did just that, 'cause the video is getting millions of views!!

The international soccer superstar and internet sensation had the cameras rolling for a sit-down conversation on a wide range of topics -- with MrBeast offering some advice on how CR7 can grow his channel.

One could argue the Al-Nassr FC striker doesn't need much help ... as he already sits at 67 million subscribers after launching the channel just this past August.

Donald Trump's smooth moves have made their way to the soccer pitch ... Christian Pulisic was just seen on Monday night hitting the President-Elect's now-viral dance after a goal!!

The 26-year-old U.S. men's national soccer team star busted out the gyrations just after tickling the twine against Jamaica in the first few minutes of their tilt at CityPark in St. Louis, MO.

Pulisic -- nicknamed Captain America -- rushed to one of the corners of the field ... jumped up and down, and then began the dance that Trump's hit repeatedly while "YMCA" has blared over speakers on his campaign trail.

Marco Angulo -- an up-and-coming midfielder in the MLS -- has passed away from injuries he suffered in a car crash in his home country of Ecuador last month.

Angulo's club, FC Cincinnati, addressed the heartbreaking news on Tuesday ... saying, "We are deeply saddened by the loss of Marco -- a husband and father, a brother and son, a friend and teammate."

"He was a joyful, kind young man who lit up every room he entered. Our entire club grieves this tragedy, and we are thinking of and praying for his family."