Fun & Interesting Facts About Soccer

Hobbies & Leisure, Sports & Recreation — By 88DB Knowledge on July 16, 2012 2:40 pm

soccer Image courtesy of olovedog / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Soccer, aka football, is widely considered as one of most renowned sports across the world. It’s a global sport that has managed to captivate the hearts of billions of avid fans and followers across continents. Due to its popularity various countries, including Asian and North American nations, have also learned to appreciate the beauty of this compelling sport.

So do you love soccer? If so, here are some of the most interesting facts about the sport:

According to some historians, the modern soccer ball originated from the human head! During earlier forms of soccer, players used skulls as balls for the game.
The FA cup, also known as Football Association Challenge Cup, is the world’s oldest football competition. According to football historians, the FA cup was first held in the year 1871.
In the year 1863, the Football Association or FA was organised to implement the basic rules of soccer. The main purpose of the rules was to protect its players from sustaining physical injuries during the games.
According to some historians, soccer originated in China. Based on recent findings, the Chinese played the sport as early as three thousand years ago.
The first live television coverage of soccer was in 1937.
In 1950, India pulled out of the World Cup due to a rule that stated players were not allowed to play without cleats or shoes.
From 1962 up to 1996, the World Cup was won alternately by the South Americans and Europeans.
The World Cup is the biggest and most desired football event amongst football followers and fans.
Soccer is England’s national winter sport.
Soccer is the fastest growing sport amongst colleges and high schools in the United States.
In the year 2002, Olive Kahn of Germany became the first ever goalkeeper to win the MVP award of the World Cup.
During the 7th century, soccer was considered a violent game that was usually played between two rival villages. The objective of the game was for a certain village to force the ball into the centre square of the opponent’s village. According to historians, soccer during those days was bloody, with hundreds of people punching, tripping and kicking each other.