​Italian soccer is in crisis on and off the field, with another refereeing scandal emerging on the heels of the men's team's repeated failure to qualify for the World Cup. Gianluca Rocchi, the head of referees in Serie A and Serie B, has been placed under criminal investigation for alleged sports fraud and will appear in court in Milan on Thursday. Also under investigation is VAR supervisor Andrea Gervasoni. Rocchi, who has been accused of influencing VAR decisions and altering the selection of referees, has stepped away from his role while awaiting further developments. "We have a duty to guarantee that the soccer system ensures transparency and equal treatment," Serie A president Ezio Simonelli said in a statement. "Trusting in the work of the competent bodies, it cannot be a notice of investigation that calls into question the intellectual honesty and the work of an entire system. "If it turns out that someone made a mistake, it will be right for them to pay. But it is never allowed to question the credibility of the system and the regularity of the championship." Rocchi is under investigation for incidents during the 2024-25 season. He allegedly interfered with VAR protocols during a Serie A match between Udinese and Parma on March 1, 2025, by banging on the window of the VAR booth and recommending that the officials call for an on-field review of a penalty. Italian media reports that Rocchi’s selection of referees is also being examined amid suggestions he changed the official for an Inter Milan match to one who was more favorable towards the Nerazzurri. Inter, which finished a point behind Serie A champion Napoli, has not been implicated. The Italian soccer federation (FIGC) investigated a complaint against Rocchi for the VAR booth incident last year but dismissed disciplinary proceedings in July. However, the issue has resurfaced with the launch of the criminal investigation. FIGC Prosecutor Giuseppe Chiné said he is in contact with the public prosecutor’s office in Milan and will reconsider reopening the FIGC investigation if new evidence emerges. Italian soccer was already in crisis after the national team failed to qualify for a third straight World Cup, prompting the resignations of FIGC president Gabriele Gravina and coach Gennaro Gattuso earlier this month. Reporting by The Associated Press Read More

​The final chapter of Mohamed Salah's legendary Liverpool career may have reached an abrupt and bittersweet conclusion following a significant injury update from the Egypt national team. The legendary forward, who has already confirmed his intention to leave Anfield at the end of the season, looks set to finish his iconic Merseyside career on the treatment table rather than the pitch. Egypt director confirms the worst for Salah Salah suffered a serious hamstring injury during the Reds' 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace. The news was confirmed by Egypt national team director Ibrahim Hassan, who provided a bleak outlook on the 33-year-old’s recovery timeline and his availability for the final weeks of the domestic campaign. Hassan was direct about the severity of the issue, stating: "He has suffered a hamstring tear and will require four weeks of treatment," via Reuters and Al Jazeera. With the season entering its final stretch, a month-long layoff effectively confirms that the Egyptian talisman will not be able to feature in any of Liverpool's remaining fixtures before his contract expires in June. Arne Slot reacts to the 'story of the season' Liverpool manager Arne Slot expressed his frustration after the match, noting that losing such an influential figure is a massive blow to the squad's dynamics for the final hurdles of the season. The Dutchman highlighted Salah's character, admitting that the forward's insistence on leaving the pitch immediately was a clear sign that the damage was significant. "Another win and another injury," Slot told the BBC. "It’s the story of our season. It’s too early to say, but we all know Mo and how hard it is for him to leave the pitch. For Mo [Salah] to leave the pitch, it shows you something, but we have to wait and see how bad it is." A bittersweet Anfield farewell The injury marks a poignant and sudden end to what has been one of the most successful eras for any individual player in Liverpool history. Salah, who has scored 257 goals for the club, was seen applauding the Anfield crowd as he limped off in the 60th minute of Saturday’s clash. Having already announced his departure after nine trophy-laden years, it now appears that fans have seen the last of him in competitive action for the club. Instead of a goal-scoring finale, Salah’s farewell is now expected to be limited to a post-match speech to the supporters following the season finale, marking the end of a journey that saw him become the club's third-highest goalscorer of all time. Focus shifts to the 2026 World Cup Salah's injury means he will miss crucial upcoming matches, including the trip to face rivals Manchester United on May 3 and the final home game against Brentford on May 24. While his Liverpool career may be over, there is optimism regarding Salah's fitness for the international stage. Ibrahim Hassan reassured fans that the forward should be fit in time for the 2026 World Cup in North America, where Egypt are set to face Belgium, New Zealand, and Iran in Group G. The tournament kicks off on June 11, giving the "Egyptian King" just enough time to complete his rehabilitation and find match fitness. Read More

​Mathis Albert became the youngest American to play in the Bundesliga when he made his debut for Borussia Dortmund on Sunday at the age of 16 years, 11 months and 5 days. Albert, who is from Greenville, South Carolina, went on in the 88th minute of Dortmund’s 4-0 German league win over Freiburg. He beat the record set by Gio Reyna, also playing for Dortmund, on Jan. 18, 2020. Reyna was 17 years, 2 months and 5 days old at the time, younger than the previous record-holder, Christian Pulisic, who was 17 years, 4 months, 12 days old when he made his Bundesliga debut for Dortmund on Jan. 30, 2016. Albert joined Dortmund’s academy from the LA Galaxy youth program in 2024 and was part of the U.S. team at last year’s Under-17 World Cup. He also was the second-youngest player at last year's Club World Cup, The Greenville native made his debut with the U.S. U-17 squad at 15 and has scored three times in 10 matches for the youth side. Dortmund’s win ensured it qualified for next season’s Champions League. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Read More