Sports Roundup: Sport and religion, theology, superstition, and psychology

Inside the Church of Sports

A new history of ESPN shows how one religion got its start.

Football needs a theology of liberation

The beautiful game urgently needs to escape from the clutches of a corrupting religion of global financial capitalism.

Argentina’s soccer team settles outstanding debt with the Virgin

Argentina’s national soccer team coach Sergio Batista has settled a 25-year-old debt that many fans felt had denied Argentina from clinching a major prize following their second World Cup title.

Religion and sport: Do prayers help players?

At the Champions League final there is likely to be evidence of faith, with players making the sign of the cross and other religious gestures. But does belief really boost sporting performance?