“Competitors endured mud, sweat and tears on the first day of the Swamp Soccer World Championships which kicked off in China this week. Following the end of the European Championships, the swamp soccer tournament should give fans the football fix they need ahead of new Premier League season. More than 32 teams entered the mud competition, currently in its second year, held in the Chinese capital of Beijing. Playing in a 25m x 15m swamp, the mud-lovers compete in 30-minute games consisting of two 12-minute halves, sandwiched between a six-minute half-time break. With no offside rule or penalty spot, there’s bound to be a few swamp competitors playing dirty, as well as a few tough tackles inside the area.” w/ photos
