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Football
(Olympic.org)
Updated: 2006-08-19 21:43  Olympic sport since 1900
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| Mexico's Rafael Marquez (L) challenges Argentina's Lionel Messi
during their second round World Cup 2006 soccer match in Leipzig June 24,
2006. [Reuters] |
| While the modern game of football started with the foundation of the Football
Association of England in 1863, its roots extend to opposite ends of the earth.
The ancient Chinese, Greeks and Romans played a similar game, long before
English kings in the 1300s and 1400s were trying to outlaw the violent sport.
While professionals are allowed in the men’s tournament, rules restrict teams
to players under 23 years old with the exception of three over-age players. ’No
age restrictions apply for the women’s tournament. For the Beijing 2008 Games
the number of women’s teams has been increased to 12. The men’s tournament is
set at 16 teams.
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