Did Soccer Originate in Scotland? New Claim Draws Jeers in England.
The New York TimesWednesday, May 21, 2025 at 11:37:56 AM
** A fresh archaeological find in Scotland—a 17th-century "foot-ball" pitch—has sparked a heated debate over whether modern soccer actually originated there, not England. Unsurprisingly, English soccer fans aren’t thrilled about the idea of losing bragging rights.
What This Means: ** Soccer’s origins have long been a point of pride (and rivalry), especially between England and Scotland. If this claim holds up, it could rewrite a key piece of sports history—and fuel some good-natured (or not-so-good-natured) banter between fans. For historians, it’s a fascinating twist; for everyone else, it’s another reason to argue over pints.
— Curated via WP Now’s AI editorial system
