Free Republic

BAGHDAD (Reuters) – An Iraqi soccer fan shot dead a player of the opposing team as he tried to score an equalizing goal in the final minutes of a match, police said on Monday. The shooting on Saturday in Hilla, 100 km (60 miles) south of Baghdad, during a match between local teams, underscored the country's propensity to lawlessness even as violence by militant groups falls to lows not seen since mid-2003. "As soon as Haider Kadhim (the player) was alone in front of the goalkeeper and close to equalizing, a fan in the crowd fired a pistol at him,"...

SEOUL, South Korea -- A man who said he wanted to help South Korea's soccer team by becoming a phantom 12th player set himself on fire Friday. The 39-year-old man was in critical condition, hospital officials said. Hours before South Korea's 1-0 World Cup win against Portugal, the man lit a candle and bowed several times toward the sea in the southeastern city of Busan. He then poured paint thinner over his body and set himself on fire. Police said he left a note saying, "The sweat and tears of Coach Guus Hiddink and his players were the biggest birthday...