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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

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Defector

The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

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Merch v3

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Albert Burneko

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La Liga

Barcelona’s Pursuit Of Lionel Messi Is A Degrading Farce

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Tom Ley

AUSTIN, TX - APRIL 8: Rose Lavelle #16 of the United States dribbles past Megan Connolly #6 of the Republic of Ireland during a game between Ireland and the United States at Q2 Stadium on April 8, 2023 in Austin, Texas.

Ireland v United States

Soccer

What Is This USWNT Player’s Deal: Rose Lavelle

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Luis Paez-Pumar

Referee, Szymon Marciniak reacts during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 leg two match between FC Porto and FC Internazionale at Estadio do Dragao on March 14, 2023 in Porto, Portugal.

FC Porto v FC Internazionale: Round of 16 Second Leg – UEFA Champions League

Champions League Final Ref Says He Was “Misled” Into Attending Notable Racist’s Networking Event

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Ray Ratto

Luton Town players celebrating with Tom Lockyer shirt after winning the game during the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final between Coventry City and Luton Town at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 27th May 2023. (Photo by Ivan Yordanov/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Coventry City v Luton Town: Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final

Luton Town Is Back From The Brink

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Patrick Redford

AUSTIN, TEXAS - APRIL 8: Crystal Dunn #19 of the United States passes the ball during the first half against the Republic of Ireland in a 2023 International Friendly match at Q2 Stadium on April 8, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

What Is This USWNT Player’s Deal: Crystal Dunn

Real Madrid's Vinícius Jr. reacts to being sent off against Valenica CF after incidents of racism from fans

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La Liga’s Racism Problem Boils Over

Lynn Williams #6 of the United States controls the ball during the SheBelieves Cup game between Brazil and USWNT at Toyota Stadium on February 22, 2023 in Frisco, Texas.

2023 SheBelieves Cup – Brazil v United States

What Is This USWNT Player’s Deal: Lynn Williams

Bernardo Silva of Manchester City celebrates with teammates Erling Haaland and Jack Grealish after scoring the teams second goal during the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg match between Manchester City FC and Real Madrid at Etihad Stadium on May 17, 2023 in Manchester, England.

Manchester City FC v Real Madrid: Semi-Final Second Leg – UEFA Champions League

It Sure Feels Like It’s Manchester City’s Time

Lindsey Horan #10 of the United States dribbles the ball during a game between Brazil and USWNT at Toyota Stadium on February 22, 2023 in Frisco, Texas.

What Is This USWNT Player’s Deal: Lindsey Horan

COMMERCE CITY, CO - MARCH 3 : Max Alves of Colorado Rapids poses for a portrait at Dicks Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Thursday, March 3, 2022.(Photo by Hyoung Chang/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

Max Alves

MLS Proves Itself As World-Class League With Match-Fixing Scandal

West Bromwich Albion's English head coach Sam Allardyce looks on during the English Premier League football match between Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion at Elland Road in Leeds, northern England on May 23, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Jon Super / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications.

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Sam Allardyce Is Back For One Last Job, Until His Next Last Job

Leo Messi of Paris Saint-Germain looks on during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Lorient at Parc des Princes on April 30, 2023 in Paris, France.

Paris Saint-Germain v FC Lorient – Ligue 1 Uber Eats

Lionel Messi’s PSG Vacation Has Fallen Apart

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 01: Everton captain Seamus Coleman encourages the Everton supporters as he is carried from the field on a stretcher during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Everton FC at The King Power Stadium on May 1, 2023 in Leicester, United Kingdom.

Leicester City v Everton FC – Premier League

Seamus Coleman Never Stopped

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - APRIL 23: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur reacts during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St. James Park on April 23, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur – Premier League

Tottenham Gave Up

Mike Maignan of AC Milan saves the penalty kicked by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of SSC Napoli during the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg match between SSC Napoli and AC Milan at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on April 18, 2023 in Naples, Italy.

SSC Napoli v AC Milan: Quarterfinal Second Leg – UEFA Champions League

Napoli-Milan Had A Double Dose Of Stunning Penalty Saves

Son Heung-Min of Tottenham Hotspur looks on in-front of a flare after Bournemouth score their third goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and AFC Bournemouth at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 15, 2023 in London, England.

Tottenham Hotspur v AFC Bournemouth – Premier League

Does Anyone Want To Finish Fourth In The Premier League?

Harry Maguire of Manchester United reacts after scoring an own goal to make it 2-2 during the UEFA Europa League quarterfinal first leg match between Manchester United and Sevilla FC at Old Trafford on April 13, 2023 in Manchester, United Kingdom.

Manchester United v Sevilla FC: Quarterfinal First Leg – UEFA Europa League

Manchester United Scores Four Goals, Draws 2-2

Frank Lampard, Caretaker Manager of Chelsea, looks dejected during the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first leg match between Real Madrid and Chelsea FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 12, 2023 in Madrid, Spain.

Real Madrid v Chelsea FC: Quarterfinal First Leg – UEFA Champions League

Frank Lampard Is Just Here To Eat Chelsea’s Shit

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 11: Dayot Upamecano of Bayern Muenchen looks dejected during the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first leg match between Manchester City and FC Bayern München at Etihad Stadium on April 11, 2023 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Zemanek/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Manchester City v FC Bayern M√ºnchen: Quarterfinal First Leg – UEFA Champions League

Dayot Upamecano Lived A Defender’s Worst Nightmare

Granit Xhaka of Arsenal is held back by Alisson Becker as they argue with Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool who is held back by Ibrahima Konate during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield on April 09, 2023 in Liverpool, England.

Liverpool FC v Arsenal FC – Premier League

The Winner Of Liverpool-Arsenal Was Manchester City

Romelu Lukaku of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Coppa Italia Semi Final match between Juventus FC and FC Internazionale at Allianz Stadium on April 4, 2023 in Turin, Italy.

Juventus FC v FC Internazionale – Coppa Italia Semi Final

Romelu Lukaku Urges Serie A To Do Something, Anything About Racist Fans

LEEDS, ENGLAND - APRIL 04: Luis Sinisterra of Leeds United scores the team's second goal whilst under pressure from Neco Williams of Nottingham Forest during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Nottingham Forest at Elland Road on April 04, 2023 in Leeds, England.

Leeds United v Nottingham Forest – Premier League

The Premier League’s Relegation War Has Gone Nuclear

Mapi Leon of FC Barcelona celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's second goal during the UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-final 2nd leg match between FC Barcelona and AS Roma at Spotify Camp Nou on March 29, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain.

FC Barcelona v AS Roma: Quarter-Final 2nd Leg – UEFA Women’s Champions League

Barcelona Femeni Opened The Floodgates

Emile is a freelance writer, originally from the U.S., now living in Barcelona. He writes about Spanish soccer, namely FC Barcelona and Barça Femeni, on Substack, at <a href="https://barcafemeni.substack.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://barcafemeni.substack.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1699026753084000&amp;usg=AOvVaw14bYDiXeApFrdtb0hLPnFE">La Barça Soc Supporter</a> and appears regularly on <a href="https://twitter.com/TheBarcelonaPod" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/TheBarcelonaPod&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1699026753084000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3pyv2PojdPBZ1Gkv3_aN-S">The Barcelona Podcast</a>. His work has previously featured at outlets including The Blizzard, <a href="https://urbanpitch.com/author/eavanessian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://urbanpitch.com/author/eavanessian/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1699026753084000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0I4zygG7AmIDTzwXlPE2u_">Urban Pitch</a>, The Squall, Barça Blaugranes, and <a href="https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/author/emile-avanessian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/author/emile-avanessian/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1699026753084000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3g0kv0jxafpvL520xVCsVU">Sports Collectors Daily</a>.
Emile also writes about the NBA, at his new outpost League Pass in L’Eixample. His previous work can be found at Forum Blue and Gold and his own site, a living relic of the basketblog era, <a href="https://hardwoodhype.com/the-work" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://hardwoodhype.com/the-work&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1699026753085000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2U949Uf-KXcPwkDPCbW129">Hardwood Hype</a>.

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Emile Avanessian

STADIO OLIMPICO , ROME, ITALY - 2023/03/21: Salma Paralluelo of FCB Barcelona celebrates with teammates after scoring the goal of 0-1 during the Women Uefa Champions League quarter finals football match between AS Roma and FCB Barcelona. Barcelona won 1-0 over AS Roma.

Salma Paralluelo of FCB Barcelona celebrates with teammates

Barcelona Femeni Is Ready To Make The Climb

Ozil warms up before the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Semi Final match between Germany and Spain at Durban Stadium on July 7, 2010 in Durban, South Africa.