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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.

Defector

Dave McKenna

Irish players bow their heads during the Israeli anthem

Soccer

Ireland Beats Israel 3-0 In Game Nobody Wanted

Tom Ley

Manchester City chief-executive Ferran Soriano with Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Chairman of Manchester City

Manchester City Found Guilty Of More Than 100 Financial Rule Breaches

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<div>Abigail Segel is a contributing writer at Defector. She is also an editor for The IX Soccer and the Equalizer. Her work has been published in the Guardian and the Montreal Gazette.</div>
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Abigail Segel

The NWSL’s Struggling Teams Are Falling Behind

Dublin , Ireland - 18 September 2026; Bohemians supporters display a banner, protesting the upcoming Republic of Ireland matches against Israel, during the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Bohemians and Drogheda United at Dalymount Park in Dublin. (Photo By Seb Daly/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Ireland Going Ahead With Israel Matches Against Everybody’s Wishes

Luis Paez-Pumar

Javier Tebas, president of La Liga, during the La Liga EA Sports 2025/26 ''El Clasico'' match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at Spotify Camp Nou Stadium in May 2026 in Barcelona, Spain.

It’s Totally Cool And Normal That Real Madrid And La Liga’s President Are Bickering Online

Jose Mourinho of Real Madrid holds up a printout with two fouls he believed should have been red cards for Atletico Madrid during the derby.

José Mourinho Gives Real Madrid Exactly What It Paid For

Patrick Redford

CHESTER, PA - SEPTEMBER 09: Philadelphia Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan #6 is shown before the game between the Philadelphia Union and FC Cincinnati on September 9th, 2026 at Subaru Park in Chester, PA. (Photo by Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Cavan Sullivan And The USMNT’s Future Are Here

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Rory Dames’s SafeSport Suspension Has Ended

<p>Lesley Ryder is a writer and a host covering the Chicago Red Stars. She co-created <a href="https://galpalsports.com/">Gal Pal Sports</a>, a platform that lives to make women’s sports fun for everyone.</p>


Lesley Ryder


<p>Diana Moskovitz is Defector&#8217;s investigations editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99</p>


Diana Moskovitz

A detailed view of a Nike NWSL ball prior to the NWSL match between Angel City FC and Gotham FC at BMO Stadium on August 23, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

Docs: NWSL Received Eight Sexual Misconduct, Sexual Harassment, Or Retaliation Complaints This Year

Omar Marmoush of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 12, 2026 in London, England.

Tottenham’s Revamped Attack Is An Overpriced Calamity