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EDITOR PICKS

  • An introduction to Top Soccer News on theScore ??

  • Real Madrid beat Dortmund to win 15th European Cup

  • Watch: Carvajal's header delivers killer blow for Madrid in UCL final

  • An introduction to Top Soccer News on theScore ??

  • An introduction to Top Soccer News on theScore ??

  • Real Madrid beat Dortmund to win 15th European Cup

  • Watch: Carvajal's header delivers killer blow for Madrid in UCL final

  • An introduction to Top Soccer News on theScore ??

Soccer

Liverpool's Gomez to miss rest of season, World Cup after ankle surgery

Liverpool defender Joe Gomez will be unavailable for the Champions League final, as well as the World Cup for England, after undergoing surgery to repair an ankle injury, the Premier League club confirmed Tuesday.

The 20-year-old initially damaged the joint during the international break in March when England squared off against the Netherlands in a friendly.

He played through the pain, appearing in Liverpool’s matches against West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City last month, and allowed manager Jurgen Klopp to rotate his team as the Reds competed in multiple competitions.

However, Gomez will now be forced to watch from the sidelines when Liverpool takes on Real Madrid in the Champions League final on May 26.

Before Liverpool released a statement, Gomez broke the news to his Instagram followers:

Gutted to confirm that my season for both club and country is over having undergone successful ankle surgery…
Been a tough few weeks trying everything possible to be available on the pitch to help the team. I’m going to do all I can to get back and be in the best possible shape for pre season. The focus now is to support the team in the two biggest games of the season!
Thank you for all the support over the course of the season

Although he won’t be available when manager Gareth Southgate selects his squad ahead of England’s trip to Russia, Gomez is expected to re-join his Liverpool teammates when the Premier League outfit begins its preseason training in July.

NFL

NFLPA filings support Reid collusion grievance

The NFL Players Association on Monday filed two claims on behalf of former San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid, a 26-year-old unsigned free agent who believes that teams are refusing to sign him because he has protested during pregame national anthem ceremonies.

The actions taken by the NFL players’ union Monday are separate from the collusion grievance Reid and his attorney Mark Geragos filed against the NFL last week.

Former 49ers safety Eric Reid, left, filed a collusion grievance against the NFL in early May. His claims are similar to those in former teammate Colin Kaepernick’s collusion grievance against the league. Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Monday’s filings by the NFLPA included a noninjury grievance specific to Reid’s free-agent visits and a more general “system arbitrator case” alleging that any team that asks prospective signees whether they plan to protest during the anthem is engaged in bad-faith negotiation.

“Prior to the start of the current NFL off-season, our Union directed the agents of free agent players who had participated in peaceful on-field demonstrations to collect, memorialize and report any relevant information about potential violations of the Collective Bargaining Agreement by teams,” the NFLPA said in a statement announcing the claims Monday.

The union’s statement lists five bullet points as justification for the claims:

• “There is no League rule that prohibits players from demonstrating during the national anthem.”

• “The NFL has made it clear both publicly and to the NFLPA that they would respect the rights of players to demonstrate.”

• “The Collective Bargaining Agreement definitively states that the League (NFL) rules supersede any conflicting club rules.”

• “According to our information, a club appears to have based its decision not to sign a player based on the player’s statement that he would challenge the implementation of a club’s policy prohibiting demonstration, which is contrary to the League policy.”

• “At least one club owner has asked pre-employment interview questions about a player’s intent to demonstrate. We believe these questions are improper, given League policy.”

The statement does not mention a specific team or teams in connection with the final two points, but it has been reported that Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown asked Reid during his visit with the Bengals whether he planned to continue protesting during the pregame national anthem. Reid, who joined with former 49ers teammate Colin Kaepernick in 2016 when the latter began his protests of social injustice during the anthem and continued them last year, said earlier this offseason that he didn’t plan to continue the protests.

Reid filed his collusion grievance last week with the aid of Geragos, the same attorney Kaepernick is using in his own collusion grievance against the league. Monday’s union filings, however, are separate.

The noninjury grievance the union filed Monday is based on the union’s belief that individual club anthem policies violate the collective bargaining agreement, which doesn’t specifically grant teams the right to create their own policies, while the league’s states only that players “should” stand for the anthem. Based on information the union has obtained regarding Reid’s free-agent visits, an NFLPA source said Monday, the NFLPA believes the Bengals told Reid they were planning to implement a policy requiring players to stand for the anthem.

The system arbitrator case that the union filed Monday is a broader claim intended to establish a precedent for all players and against all clubs moving forward. This one doesn’t address the idea of individual team policies on the anthem as much as the idea of what questions are and aren’t appropriate to ask prospective employees in interviews.

Soccer

Footy Power Rankings: Barcelona dethrones Bayern; Juventus soars

Taking into consideration recent domestic and continental results, along with underlying stats, we try to figure out which clubs are among Europe’s elite.

1. Barcelona (1st in La Liga)

League record GF GA Shots on target per match Shots conceded per match
26-9-0 89 23 7.3 11.4

Previous rank: 2nd

The champion of Spain still has plenty to play for as the La Liga season enters its final weeks and, despite bowing out of the Champions League in heartbreaking fashion, spirits remain high in the Catalan capital. Barcelona secured a vital point Sunday against Real Madrid in a match that saw Ernesto Valverde’s side reduced to 10 men. The club now enters the last three matches without a blemish in the loss column, and avoiding defeats in the final weeks will see Barcelona become the first Spanish team since the 1930s to finish the season unbeaten.

2. Bayern Munich (1st in Bundesliga)

League record GF GA Shots on target per match Shots conceded per match
27-3-3 91 24 6.9 8.5

Previous rank: 1st

Although the Bundesliga title race officially – and mercifully – ended last month, Bayern Munich has continued to steamroll the competition in Germany’s top flight. Bayern thumped Eintracht Frankfurt – whose manager, Niko Kovac, will succeed Bavarian boss Jupp Heynckes next season – before cruising past 2. Bundesliga-bound FC Koln. The positive results, however, were overshadowed by Robert Lewandowski and his frustration at Heynckes’ decision to substitute him, as the Polish striker’s attention has shifted toward padding his stats.

3. Manchester City (1st in Premier League)

League record GF GA Shots on target per match Shots conceded per match
30-4-2 102 26 7.1 6.2

Previous rank: 3rd

Perhaps Manchester City players were thinking about Sunday’s post-match festivities, as Pep Guardiola’s men produced a rare goose egg when they failed to find cracks in Huddersfield’s organised back line in a scoreless affair at the Etihad Stadium. Regardless, spirits were high after the final whistle in anticipation of captain Vincent Kompany hoisting the Premier League trophy. Now the celebration is over, City will surely look to put the finishing touches on a historic season by breaking numerous Premier League records over the next two matches.

4. Juventus (1st in Serie A)

League record GF GA Shots on target per match Shots conceded per match
29-4-3 84 23 5.4 8.2

Previous rank: 9th

A seventh successive Scudetto is well within Juventus’ reach after following up a dramatic victory over Inter with an encounter with Bologna that appeared difficult to win until substitute Douglas Costa put his mark on the game with a pair of decisive assists. The victory, combined with Napoli’s badly-timed dip in form, virtually ended what was the tightest title race among Europe’s top five leagues.

5. Real Madrid (3rd in La Liga)

League record GF GA Shots on target per match Shots conceded per match
21-9-5 84 39 7.5 10.3

Previous rank: 5th

With the title race over, Zinedine Zidane didn’t appear to be bothered with the outcome of Real Madrid’s match with Leganes, opting to rest his stars, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos. Regardless, Madrid’s “reserves” produced a victory before a draw with Bayern resulted in the club progressing to the Champions League final for a third successive season.

6. Liverpool (3rd in Premier League)

League record GF GA Shots on target per match Shots conceded per match
20-12-5 80 38 6 7.6

Previous rank: 8th

It’s difficult to dampen the euphoria of reaching the Champions League final, but Liverpool found a way Sunday when Jurgen Klopp’s side fell to Chelsea in a match that could have further solidified the team’s top-four position. Despite the loss, Liverpool next takes on Brighton & Hove Albion in a relatively comfortable fixture that should secure the team’s place in next season’s Champions League. Even if the Reds stumble on the final day, a win over Madrid will do the trick and secure Liverpool’s berth in next season’s tournament.

7. Roma (3rd in Serie A)

League record GF GA Shots on target per match Shots conceded per match
22-7-7 60 28 6.2 11.1

Previous rank: 10th

It wasn’t pretty, but Roma followed up the heartbreak of losing in the Champions League semi-finals by grinding out a narrow victory over Cagliari, helping separate the capital city club from its rival, Lazio. With four points between Roma and fifth-place Inter, Eusebio Di Francesco’s side will be desperate to collect points after next week’s encounter with Juventus.

8. Paris Saint-Germain (1st in Ligue 1)

League record GF GA Shots on target per match Shots conceded per match
29-5-2 108 27 6.8 10.9

Previous rank: 4th

Neymar can’t return fast enough, as Paris Saint-Germain produced its second straight lackluster result, following up last week’s draw with Guingamp with an equally disappointing stalemate Friday against Amiens. It’s hardly anything to worry about considering PSG was crowned Ligue 1 champion last month, but, with Real Madrid reportedly targeting the Brazilian this summer, the club needs to do a better job of convincing him to stay after its string of underwhelming performances.

9. Lyon (2nd Ligue 1)

League record GF GA Shots on target per match Shots conceded per match
22-9-5 82 38 6.2 11.4

Previous rank: 11th

There seemingly isn’t a team in Ligue 1 that can beat Lyon these days after Les Gones recorded their eighth consecutive league win by dismantling Troyes on Sunday. There’s still plenty of work to do in the final two matches, as the club will need results against Strasbourg and Nice in order to maintain its place in second, which ensures an automatic berth in the Champions League.

10. Manchester United (2nd in Premier League)

League record GF GA Shots on target per match Shots conceded per match
24-5-7 67 28 4.8 11.7

Previous rank: 6th

What a difference a week can make. After Marouane Fellaini’s dramatic game-winner saw Manchester United collect three points in Arsene Wenger’s final appearance at Old Trafford, Jose Mourinho placed blame on his fringe players, holding them responsible for Friday’s dismal performance against Brighton. Despite the team’s improvement this season compared to the 2016-17 campaign, the Portuguese manager certainly doesn’t appear to be satisfied ahead of a summer that could include a major overhaul as United attempts to close the gap on City.

11. Atletico Madrid (2nd in La Liga)

League record GF GA Shots on target per match Shots conceded per match
22-9-5 55 20 4.2 11.6

Previous rank: N/A

Perhaps Diego Simeone’s men have shifted their attention toward the Europa League final. The Wanda Metropolitano had been an impenetrable fortress after seeing the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid fail to secure a win at Atletico Madrid’s new home this season. That all changed Sunday, though, when Espanyol, which sits 32 points back of Atletico and 15th in La Liga, produced a stunning 2-0 victory to end Los Rojiblancos’ 17-match unbeaten run in the league in their new stadium.

Atletico Madrid have just lost a home game by more than a single goal for the second time in 127 matches (back to February 2014).

— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) May 6, 2018

12. Chelsea (5th in Premier League)

League record GF GA Shots on target per match Shots conceded per match
21-6-9 61 34 5.9 9.9

Previous rank: N/A

Don’t look now, but Chelsea has quietly put together a string of impressive performances that have quelled the perceived panic at Stamford Bridge. Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Liverpool was the team’s third straight clean sheet and increased Chelsea’s unbeaten run to six matches since a home loss to Tottenham on April Fool’s Day. The victory also keeps the Blues within punching distance of the top four, as Chelsea will need to produce results against Swansea and Newcastle and hope Liverpool stumbles for a chance to qualify for the Champions League next season.

13. Marseille (4th in Ligue 1)

League record GF GA Shots on target per match Shots conceded per match
21-10-5 75 43 6 10.6

Previous rank: N/A

The joy of Rolando’s goal that sent Marseille to the Europa League final was followed by a massive victory over Nice that kept Les Olympiens within shooting distance of AS Monaco for the final Champions League spot in Ligue 1. With a pair of matches remaining, Marseille will hope a berth in the continental competition isn’t reliant on a victory over Atletico in the Europa League final later this month.

14. FC Porto (1st in Primeira Liga)

League record GF GA Shots on target per match Shots conceded per match
27-4-2 81 18

Previous rank: N/A

For the first time in five seasons, FC Porto is the champion of Portugal. The club didn’t even have to take the pitch to clinch the Primeira Liga title, as Benfica’s goalless draw with Sporting CP saw Azuis e brancos collect their 28th top-flight crown.

15. Napoli (2nd in Serie A)

League record GF GA Shots on target per match Shots conceded per match
26-7-3 73 28 6.6 8.6

Previous rank: 7th

It’s been a week to forget for Napoli fans. Despite still technically having a shot at ending Juventus’ Serie A dominance, a stunning 3-0 loss to Fiorentina was followed by further misery. Torino did its neighbour a massive favour by scoring late Sunday to produce a 2-2 draw to all but end the stumbling Neapolitan club’s hopes of winning the league.

On the cusp: Tottenham, Arsenal, AS Monaco, Lazio, Inter, Lokomotiv Moscow, Celtic

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

NFL

Rudolph shrugs off Big Ben 'help now' remark

PITTSBURGH — Mason Rudolph has no hard feelings over Ben Roethlisberger’s comments.

Roethlisberger on Friday told radio station 93.7 The Fan that he was surprised the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Rudolph in the third round over players who can “help this team now,” and he hedged when asked about playing any sort of mentor role.

Appearing on NFL Network over the weekend, Rudolph seemed to understand Roethlisberger’s perspective.

“If I was Ben, I’d probably say the same thing,” the former Oklahoma State quarterback said on the network’s “Path To The Draft” broadcast. “He’s a competitor. Obviously, he has a lot of confidence in himself, like I do. And, yeah, he’s going to be a future Hall of Famer, and I would expect him to say that. So I’m just looking forward to going in there and learning the system, competing, raising my level of play, preparing like I’m the starter even though obviously I won’t be the starter and just waiting and being prepared for whenever I get my time. Whenever my time comes, to be ready and take advantage of it.”

  • Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was surprised the Steelers selected Mason Rudolph in the third round of last week’s draft. Roethlisberger had informed management early in the offseason that he planned to play at least three more years.

  • They can’t all be franchise quarterbacks, but six teams hope they’ve found one. Here’s why they believe they’ve picked the right guy.

  • Baker Mayfield insists there will be no tension between himself and Tyrod Taylor in the competition for the Browns’ starting quarterback job.

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The Steelers traded up three spots to select Rudolph No. 76 overall, with general manager Kevin Colbert touting the former Oklahoma State star as a first-round talent.

Roethlisberger, 36, told the team this offseason that he planned to play three-to-five more seasons, and the Steelers hope he continues to start games for them while viewing Rudolph as a viable option for the future at quarterback.

The 14-year starter said he wondered whether the team believed his commitment since they drafted a quarterback in the third round. The Steelers also took quarterback Josh Dobbs in the fourth round of the 2017 draft.

“I was surprised when they took a quarterback because I thought that maybe in the third round, you know, you can get some really good football players that can help this team now,” Roethlisberger said. “Nothing against Mason — I think he’s a great football player. I don’t know him personally, but I’m sure he’s a great kid. I just don’t know how backing up or being a third [stringer] — well, who knows where he’s going to fall on the depth chart — helps us win now. But, you know, that’s not my decision to make. That’s on the coaches and the GM and the owner and those kind of things. If they think he can help our team, so be it, but I was a little surprised.”

Roethlisberger added that he won’t be required to help Rudolph much since the rookie “said he doesn’t need me,” playing off Rudolph’s comments to the Pittsburgh media after being drafted that it’s his job to learn, not Roethlisberger’s job to teach him.

Roethlisberger respected the talent of receiver Martavis Bryant, who was shipped to Oakland in a trade for the draft selection that facilitated the Rudolph move. That’s one reason Roethlisberger might be stressing the win-now theme, though the Steelers went receiver in the second round, selecting Rudolph’s playmaking teammate James Washington.

Roethlisberger flirted with retirement last offseason but sounds ready to play for the Steelers into his 40s. Rudolph — who broke passing records at Oklahoma State with 13,618 yards in the air — sounds ready to be patient.

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Soccer

  • Watch: Carvajal's header delivers killer blow for Madrid in UCL final

  • An introduction to Top Soccer News on theScore ??

  • An introduction to Top Soccer News on theScore ??

  • Real Madrid beat Dortmund to win 15th European Cup

  • Police arrest dozens of ticket-less fans at Wembley final

  • Dortmund boss Terzic lauds 'brilliant' Sancho after UCL defeat

  • Modric, Kroos among Madrid stars to make history with latest UCL triumph

  • Madrid's inevitability is a superpower no rival can match

  • Transfer window preview: 50 players who could move this summer

  • Vinicius Jr. named Champions League Player of the Season

“If you think about it, I've never held a job in my life. I went from being an NFL player to a coach to a broadcaster. I haven't worked a day in my life.”
-John Madden


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