With an earnest display of trophies, scarves, Orthodox icons and chalices, an exhibition at the museum of Vienna's 14th century Catholic cathedral is out to show what soccer owes to religion.
Players such as Diego Maradona are venerated as saints of the modern age, the exhibition explains, and fans frequently set up shrines or collect "relics" of their favourite teams or players.
"There are many parallels between the cult of football and the rituals of the Christian Church," said museum director Bernhard Boehler.
Kissing a trophy after the moment of victory recalls the kissing of Orthodox icons, while bearing a cup aloft to a stadium of cheering fans is a profane re-enactment of the displaying of the Body of Christ during the Catholic mass, according to the curators.
The show also displays the "I belong to Jesus" undershirt worn by Milan's Kaka, and highlights players who speak openly about their religious beliefs.
Ref banned for changing his mind
A referee in the Vietnamese soccer league has been suspended for four matches for awarding a goal and then changing his mind.
Referee Nguyen Xuan Hoa was reprimanded by the country's federation for bowing to pressure from Danang, whose furious players stormed off the field after conceding a goal to Dong Tam Long last week.
The Danang team returned 20 minutes later after Hoa reversed his decision and went on to win the game 3-2.
Hoa was suspended for four matches and his assistants banned for three for failing to mention the incident in their match reports.
Stoke won't expand stadium
Stoke City have no plans to build new stands in the corners of the Britannia Stadium.
Chief executive Tony Scholes said: "It's something that we thought about but not something we are not going to do.
"We want to get people used to the ground being full. If we sell out every game next year then there's every reason to look at expanding."
Only one of the corners at the Britannia currently has seating.
"It's been a 23-year job to get in the top flight so it would be very wrong to throw that away," Scholes added.
Leverkusen sack coach
Bayer Leverkusen have sacked coach Michael Skibbe after they finished seventh in the league and failed to qualify for the UEFA Cup.
"Because of recent Bundesliga results and the failure to achieve the season's goal of reaching the UEFA Cup we have decided to part with Michael Skibbe with immediate effect," managing director Wolfgang Holzhaeuser told reporters.
Donovan poised for 100th US cap
Striker Landon Donovan is poised to make his 100th appearance for the United States in next week's friendly against England at Wembley Stadium.
The Los Angeles Galaxy striker has been named in a 22-man squad, one of just three domestic-based players to make the trip for the game on May 28.
Eight players from English clubs are in coach Bob Bradley's squad while Benfica's Freddy Adu is also included.
Kirkland signs new Wigan deal
Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has signed a new four-year contract, the Premier League club said.
"He is the best goalkeeper ever to wear a Wigan shirt, he is not the best goalkeeper in England, he is the best in Europe!" Wigan chairman Dave Whelan said of Kirkland.
After spells with Liverpool and West Brom, the 27-year-old has settled at the JJB Stadium and has kept 20 clean sheets in 64 appearances.
Chivu-Eto'o swap?
Barcelona want to offer Inter Samuel Eto'o in exchange of Cristian Chivu, reports in Spain said yesterday. The Romanian defender was targeted by Barca last year, but he ignored their advances after deciding to leave Roma for Inter.
Although Inter are unlikely to part with Chivu, Barcelona are hoping to change their mind by offering Eto'o.
The Cameroon international has been told that he has no future with the Spanish club and is looking for new employers.
After a move to Tottenham seemingly fell through, Inter are prime candidates to net the 27-year-old Eto'o who is valued at around £20m and demands a weekly wage of over £100,000.