Soccer

Congratulations are in order for J.J. Watt and his wife, Kealia ... as the former all-pro defensive end and soccer star announced the birth of their second child -- Niko!!

The three-time Defensive Player of the Year shared the news on social media Tuesday ... introducing the world to their newest bundle of joy with a series of sweet photos where everyone -- including their firstborn, Koa -- was nothing but smiles.

"Overcome with joy and gratitude," he wrote.

The viral video of fans being dragged out of SoFi Stadium over the weekend was NOT a result of the anti-Donald Trump attire they were wearing during the game ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Footage was shared on TikTok this week ... showing Apex Security Group staffers removing several spectators from the upper deck during the Mexico vs. Dominican Republic Concacaf Gold Cup opening match on June 14.

The social media user captioned the video, "SoFi Stadium security brutally remove young man and woman over FDT Shirt!!" ... FDT, of course, an abbreviation for "F*** Donald Trump."

A number of former Boston University women's soccer players are speaking out in support of the coach at the center of Alex Cooper's sexual harassment allegations ... saying their interactions with the staffer were drastically different.

TMZ Sports obtained a letter from a representative of BU Women's Soccer alumni -- signed by 99 former Terriers athletes -- which states while they do not look to "diminish or discredit anyone's individual experience," they felt it was necessary to share their own perspectives as a "united group."

In the letter, the alums say "we categorically never felt unsafe" under coach Nancy Feldman's leadership ... adding, "We were never at risk of or witness to inappropriate behavior or anything that could be characterized as sexual harassment."

Boston University has broken its silence on Alex Cooper's explosive claims ... issuing a statement on the controversy that read, in part, the school "has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment."

The words came down from the Univ. on Thursday ... just a couple days after Cooper alleged during her "Call Her Alex" documentary that during her time as a member of the Terriers women's soccer team in the mid-2010s, her female coach was inappropriate with her.

The popular podcast host claimed the woman fixated on her and asked her prying questions about her love life. She stated there was one game the coach benched her because she refused to divulge the inner details of it all.

Travis Kelce might have some competition when it comes to the top spot on Patrick Mahomes' BFF list ... 'cause Lionel Messi sure seemed to make a great case for it recently.

The soccer superstar hit a gym with the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback to film an Adidas ad ... and the guys appeared to have some serious bromantic chemistry both on and off camera.

In the 45-second Three Stripes advert ... Messi can be seen pushing Mahomes to run faster on a treadmill -- which Patrick appreciates.

Protests over immigration raids spilled into an MLS stadium on Sunday ... with LAFC fans making their anti-ICE stances known loud and clear during the middle of the Los Angeles club's game against Kansas City.

Multiple people hit BMO Stadium near downtown L.A. -- where chaos has erupted for the last three days as police and protesters have clashed on roadways -- to voice their displeasure with the ICE raids that have occurred in the city.

Before the game, some unfurled a massive black banner that read "Abolish ICE." Others wrote signs to make their feelings known.

The young fan who got ragdolled by security for rushing Lionel Messi late last month also got a tongue-lashing from cops, TMZ Sports has learned.

Check out Fort Lauderdale Police Department body camera footage we obtained this week ... just after Ramsey Khatri was thrown out of Inter Miami Stadium on May 25 for getting too close to Messi at a youth soccer event -- police chastised him for the boneheaded move.

One of the responding officers at first wondered why the 18-year-old even tried to get near the footballer ... before he laid into him for dialing 911 afterward to report how security had manhandled him.

Celebs -- they’re always full of surprises ... and this one’s no exception, busting out some slick soccer skills like it's second nature.

Can you guess which tatted-up star sprinted across a field back in 2015, making a bunch of young fans' day and getting his head in the game?

Things seem to be back to normal for French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte ... after the slap seen around the world.

Macron and France's First Lady were arm-in-arm Sunday as they posed for the cameras with the Paris Saint-Germain soccer team at Élysée Palace -- the official residence of the French President. The photos were shot at the celebration of the PSG squad's 5-0 victory over Inter Milan during their Champions League match.

Macron's standing in the center surrounded by the PSG players ... with his wife standing by his side -- and Brigitte is more than happy to oblige. She grabs his arm and both are seen smiling.

Diego Maradona's healthcare team, who allegedly neglected the soccer legend so badly he died, will NOT be found guilty in court -- at least not immediately -- after a mistrial was declared in an Argentine court.

The case against seven healthcare workers, charged with homicide with eventual intent, was derailed after one of the three judges overseeing the case, Julieta Makintach, was revealed to have appeared in a documentary that touched on Maradona's death.

Makintach stepped down earlier this week, but it wasn't enough to preserve the case. On Thursday, prosecutors were told they'd need to start all over.

A new trial date has not yet been set.

An overly excited Lionel Messi fan found out what NOT to do when in the presence of the international soccer superstar -- getting roughed up by security after running toward him at a youth event.

The chaotic moment happened at the Inter Miami CF Academy's Dreams Cup at Florida Blue Training Center over the weekend ... which the GOAT himself and teammate Luis Suarez attended, taking a seat on a bench under a tent to soak in all the action.

At one point in the appearance, footage shows a young supporter -- decked out in a No. 10 jersey -- sprint across the field and sneak past a guard who fell while attempting to chase him down.

Chaos broke out at Barcelona's La Liga title-clinching match against Espanyol in Spain on Thursday ... as a car drove into a large crowd of fans outside the stadium.

The terrifying moment was captured on video ... when a white sedan, surrounded by hundreds of Espanyol supporters, careened into the fans at RCED Stadium.

According to local authorities, multiple people -- more than a dozen -- were injured as a result of the incident. As of now, no deaths have been reported.

Angel City FC player Savy King is recovering from heart surgery after collapsing on the field during Friday's match ... with the team announcing her prognosis is, thankfully, "excellent."

King fell to the pitch in the 74th minute of Friday's match against the Utah Royals ... and after receiving immediate care for several minutes, she was stretchered off and taken to California Hospital Medical Center for treatment.

The club provided an update on her status ... saying 20-year-old King was transferred to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on Saturday, where doctors discovered a heart abnormality.

Romeo Beckham looked tense while watching a soccer match in Paris Wednesday night amid the boiling family drama back at home involving his relationship with his girlfriend.

While it was likely no joy watching his team, Arsenal, lose to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semifinal ... we can't help but think Romeo might have had a bit more on his mind considering his romance with Kim Turnbull has thrown a red card between him and his big bro Brooklyn.

TMZ broke the story ... the pair are not on speaking terms because Brooklyn does not approve of Kim dating Romeo.

Before this talented kid in his striped green jersey turned into a studly soccer player for Portugal and Saudi Arabia, he was just dribbling down the field, scorin' big time and setting his sights on becoming a Real Madrid player.

On the field, he's known for his goal-scoring -- he holds the record for most goals scored in men's international soccer, and there's no doubt he could probably clear jump over your head.

Off the field, he's a doting father to his five adorable children, and he definitely lucked out with his ball and chain, Georgina!

Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz's absence from David Beckham's 50th birthday is all due to family tension ... 'cause we've learned they tried to meet up and celebrate David privately -- but, they were rebuffed.

Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... Brooklyn and Nicola flew to London last week -- for the sole purpose of celebrating David.

The two reached out to the fam ahead of the big weekend, we're told ... asking them to get together privately before the birthday festivities -- however, their request didn't go over well with the other family members.