It’s not a good-bye.
Thank you all for watching and for supporting the Premier League all these years on FOX Soccer. It’s been a blast and our pleasure bringing it to you, the fans.
As a reminder, FOX Sports 1, America’s new sports network, will be our new home for soccer starting August 17. Until then, FOX Soccer has next weekend’s Champions League final on tap, as well as this summer’s Gold Cup and plenty more.
Atletico Madrid - Copa del Rey champs!
Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid - Copa del Rey Final
Photo: FOX Soccer
By: Jamie Trecker
BRUSSELS, BEGIUM
The conductor called the train: “Lille, Calais…and Chelsea FC.” The platform gave off a small roar of approval. Chelsea fans were headed home with another piece of silverware in their tuck. They seemed underwhelmed.
They should not have been. The Europa League final marked a number of firsts for the denizens of the Bridge: they became the first English team to have won all three major European titles (including the now-defunct Cup Winners’ Cup); the first European team to hold both European titles on offer simultaneously, and surely the first team to win back to back titles with, ahem, “interim” managers.
But as warmly as Roberto Di Matteo was regarded by the fans, his replacement, Rafa Benitez, is despised. Last night the ArenA and the arena of social media alike were filled with the moaning that has characterized Chelsea’s season.
Commenters made passing reference to the plastic flags that littered the away ends and a comment Benitez had once made about despising them. Unforgivable! The team started slowly – perhaps a reflection of the fact that they have now played more games in a season than any other English side since the Arsenal of 1970-71. So what! Chelsea’s now secured European play and won a major title under Rafa and erased a dangerous mid-season swoon. He was greeted by bedsheets and cardboard with the same message: “WE WANT MOURINHO.”
Photo: FOX Soccer
Victory and defeat
Benfica v Chelsea - Europa League Final
Here’s how rioting works. If you run away, you look guilty. But if you stay where you appear innocent, as this old man found out during a fight between riot police and ultras at the Steau Bucuresti and Dinamo Bucuresti derby in Romania on Friday night. Cool as ice.
#QPR’s Players’ Player of the Year is the fans #ForeverRs
— QPR FC (@OfficialQPR)
PSG parade hit by violence. Click here for the full story.
