Global News
"After Knocking on the Door, the Ruling Changed": Chief Referee Investigated for Sports Fraud, Italy in Turmoil
Gianluca Rocchi, Chief Referee in charge of assigning referees for Serie A and Serie B in Italian professional football, has temporarily stepped down from his duties after becoming the subject of an investigation on charges of sports fraud. On the 26th (local time), AFP reported, "Rocchi, who is responsible for referees in Serie A and Serie B, has decided to step down from his position after the Milan Prosecutor's Office opened an investigation into allegations that he conspired to commit sports fraud during the 2024-2025 season." Rocchi stated on the same day, "This painful and difficult decision was made to ensure that judicial proceedings can proceed smoothly," adding, "I am confident that I will ultimately be found innocent." Andrea Gervasoni, the head of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for Serie A and Serie B, has also stepped down after becoming the subject of an investigation on the same charge. Rocchi is accused of being involved, along with other suspects, in the process of app
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Kim Minjae Collects Another Championship Star... "Already His Third"
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"Son Heung-min Plays Full Match as LAFC Advances to CONCACAF Champions Cup Semifinals"
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Son Heungmin Absent as LAFC Suffers First Loss of the Season, Falls 1-2 to Portland
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"Did Rivera Come?"... Ichiro's Bat Snaps During Statue Unveiling Ceremony
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Son Heung-min Makes MLS History with Four First-Half Assists, Takes Lead in Regular Season Assists
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Kim Hyesung Returns...Back in MLB
South Korea Drops Three Places to 25th in FIFA Rankings After Two Consecutive International Match Defeats
South Korea's FIFA ranking has dropped to 25th place. According to the men's football world rankings announced by FIFA on April 1 (local time), South Korea is now ranked 25th. In the first ranking of the new year released in January, which reflected the results of the Africa Cup of Nations, South Korea had been ranked 22nd, but has now fallen by three places. The drop in ranking was attributed to consecutive losses during the FIFA international match window, where the national team led by coach Hong Myungbo lost 0-4 to Ivory Coast and 0-1 to Austria. Among the countries ranked above South Korea, this is the largest drop in ranking. France defeated Colombia 3-1 and climbed from 3rd to 1st place. Spain and Argentina each dropped one spot to 2nd and 3rd place, respectively. The gap widened further with Japan, the highest-ranked Asian country. During this international match window, Japan defeated Scotland and England 1-0 each, moving up one spot from 19th to 18th place. Iran is ranked 21s
Generous Ohtani Gifts $4,000 Watches to All Teammates: "Let's Win Three Consecutive Championships"
Major League Baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers gave generous gifts to all his teammates to mark the start of the new season. According to ESPN, a U.S. sports media outlet, and Dodgers Nation, a media outlet specializing in the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ohtani handed out gifts to his teammates ahead of the season opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, on March 27, 2026. It was reported that each teammate found a card in their locker reading “Let’s win three consecutive championships” along with a Seiko wristwatch. The price of the watch is said to be around $4,000 (approximately 6.03 million won). Ohtani also gifted whiskey to manager Dave Roberts. Last year, Ohtani also gifted Beats brand headphones to the team. Miguel Rojas, the Dodgers’ shortstop, said, “Ohtani gave us a wonderful watch. I will treasure it for the rest of my life,” adding, “Ohtani is a great person off the field as well. He uses his influence for his
Diplomatic Tensions Reach Football: Iran Expels Star Striker but Affirms World Cup Participation
The Iranian national football team has made a dramatic decision to expel star striker Sardar Azmoun from the squad, creating a major variable ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North and Central America. On March 21 (Korean time), the Iranian state media outlet Iran International reported that Azmoun had been removed from the national team. Azmoun had posted a photo on his social media taken with the Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In the current context of political tensions, this was regarded as "inappropriate behavior" and an act of "betrayal." Although Azmoun deleted the post as the controversy grew, disciplinary action had already been decided within the national team. A team official stated, "Azmoun has been expelled from the national team, and all players have been notified of this." Azmoun has been a leading striker representing Iranian football, playing in 91 A-matches and serving as the team's frontman for many years. With his outstanding finishing ability
Dodgers' Hyesung Kim to Start in Minor Leagues for Second Consecutive Year
Hyesung Kim (Los Angeles Dodgers) will start the season in the minor leagues for the second consecutive year. On March 22 (local time), the Dodgers announced, "Hyesung Kim will be sent to the Triple-A team, the Oklahoma City Comets." After making his debut in the United States in the 2025 season, Kim is once again likely to begin the regular season with the Triple-A team this year. The Dodgers' official website interpreted this move as making it more likely that Alex Freeland, who had been competing with Kim for the starting second baseman position, will be included on the Opening Day roster. This year, Kim appeared in nine exhibition games, recording a batting average of .407 (11 hits in 27 at-bats), with 1 home run, 6 RBIs, and 5 stolen bases, demonstrating strong performance. However, he was not included in the 26-man Major League Baseball (MLB) Opening Day roster. Kim's competitor, Freeland, posted a batting average of .116 (5 hits in 43 at-bats), with 1 home run and 7 RBIs over 18
Son Heung-min Silent for Fifth Straight League Match... LAFC Draw After Opening Four Wins
Son Heung-min failed to score for the fifth consecutive match in the Major League Soccer (MLS) regular season. His team, Los Angeles FC (LAFC), also recorded their first draw of the season following four consecutive wins at the start of the campaign. On March 21 (local time), LAFC played to a 0-0 draw against Austin FC in the 2026 MLS Round 5 away match held at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas. Son started as the central forward and played the full match but was unable to register any attacking points. He recorded four shots, one key pass, 24 touches, and a pass completion rate of 92.9%. According to football statistics site WhoScored.com, Son received a rating of 6.03, the second lowest among LAFC starters after Denis Bouanga (5.95). Son’s shots were repeatedly blocked by the opposing defense. In the 11th minute of the first half, Son intercepted a misplaced pass in the center and created a chance. After dribbling near the penalty box, he passed to Timothy Tillman, who was making a run on
Venezuela Overpowers United States to Claim First WBC Title
Venezuela claimed its first-ever victory at the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC). On March 17 (local time), Venezuela defeated the United States 3-2 in the WBC final held at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida. After overcoming Japan in the quarterfinals and Italy in the semifinals to reach the finals for the first time, Venezuela managed to defeat the United States, a team widely regarded as the world’s strongest. Their previous best performance was a semifinal appearance at the 2009 tournament 17 years ago, where they lost to Korea 2-10. Venezuela’s starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez delivered a stellar performance, pitching 4.2 innings, allowing only one hit, no runs, and recording four strikeouts. At the plate, Eugenio Suarez hit a go-ahead RBI double to left-center in the top of the ninth inning. This final was heated even before the game began, as tensions between the two nations have been high since the United States ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a military operati
Dodgers Join Hands with Uniqlo Thanks to the Ohtani Effect... 'Dodger Stadium' Name Also Set to Change
The name of Dodger Stadium, an iconic sports venue representing Los Angeles (LA), is expected to change for the first time in 64 years.'Ohtani Effect' Boosts the LA Dodgers According to the LA Times and other U.S. media outlets on March 16 (local time), the Dodgers have signed an official field presenting partnership agreement with Uniqlo, including field naming rights. As a result, the new name "Uniqlo Field at Dodger Stadium" will be displayed on the outfield scoreboard as well as on all stadium signage. This is the first time since Dodger Stadium opened in 1962 that a brand name will be added in front of the existing stadium name. While many surrounding venues have profited by selling naming rights over the years, the Dodgers have steadfastly maintained the original name. Stan Kasten, President of the Los Angeles Dodgers, even said in 2017, "We will never, ever sell the stadium name." However, in pursuit of increased revenue, the Dodgers have reportedly been seeking a field partner
Sean Penn Visits Ukraine Instead of Academy Awards... Zelensky Calls Him a "True Friend"
American actor and director Sean Penn, who won the Best Supporting Actor award at the Academy Awards (the Oscars), is reported to have visited Ukraine instead of attending the ceremony. According to Yonhap News, a Ukrainian official told AFP News Agency on the 16th (local time), "Sean Penn is here to show his support for Ukraine." The official added, "Sean Penn's visit is a personal one," and said, "He believes he should be in Ukraine." Penn met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that afternoon. It has also been reported that he plans to visit the eastern front during his stay. On the same day, President Zelensky released a photo from his office meeting with Penn, writing, "Sean, thanks to you, we have learned what a true friend of Ukraine is." He continued, "You have been with Ukraine since the very first day of the full-scale war, and that support continues to this day. I know that you will continue to stand with Ukraine and its people in the future." Penn has previously e
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