Football website AXEM said that there are 1,912 players from Argentina who are "playing professional football worldwide." The confederation with the most Argentine players is UEFA, with 1,071. CONMEBOL is next, with 453. The country with the most Argentine players is Spain (464), followed by Italy (230), Chile (161) and the U.S. (144). AXEM's investigation also said that 111 Argentines "are coaching outside of the country," including eight coaches of national teams (AS, 5/2).
Ahead of the Bundesliga's first Monday night match in 16 years, fans prepared "to protest." Werder Bremen hosted Stuttgart on Monday in a "hugely important fixture at the bottom of the table." While Stuttgart was allocated 4,000 tickets for the relegation clash, fewer than 800 were "expected to make the 785-mile round trip." In an effort to increase broadcasting revenues, "at least five Monday night Bundesliga matches" are scheduled in the next seasons, "and there have been protests about the proposals in all 18 stadiums this season" (London DAILY MIRROR, 5/2).
The FIFA Referees Committee confirmed the appointment of 88 match officials from over 40 countries to officiate at the Rio Olympics. The men's competition will see 18 referees and 32 assistant referees, and the women's tournament will have 14 referees and 24 assistant referees on duty. In both competitions, all six FIFA confederations will be represented (FIFA).
A-League side Western Sydney faces the prospect of starting next season "in arrears" if a Football Federation Australia investigation "triggers their suspended points deduction." Adding salt to Wanderers' wounds "after losing Sunday's A-League grand final 3-1 to Adelaide United," FFA CEO David Gallop confirmed on Monday the governing body "would investigate the lighting of two flares during the match." One device was "let off in the Wanderers' active supporter bays at Adelaide Oval" just before kickoff (AAP, 5/2).
Man City agreed to pay the €50M ($58M) release clause to sign French defender Aymeric Laporte in the summer from La Liga side Athletic Bilbao. Man City identified the 21-year-old as its "top defensive target for new coach Pep Guardiola despite the centre-half being ruled out until August with a broken leg and dislocated ankle" (London GUARDIAN, 5/2).
