Football – One of the most popular sports today, attracts millions of fans, viewers and subscribers to live video streams, channels and new betting sites.

It goes without saying that the sport continues to increase its global reach, producing even more followers by the minute. Though as the more fans enter the football follower realms, it’s easy to divert attention to the popularity of the sport, rather than the lesser known facts. With that said, let’s explore 10 unknown facts about the football industry that may surprise the most avid fans.

#10 It’s All in the Name

The game was named association football in 1863 to distinguish it from the various forms of football at the time. The term “soccer” made its initial appearance in the UK back in the 1880s,when Oxford added “-er” to the abbreviation of the word “association”. Association football now referred to as Soccer in the U.S. and Canada, and football in the U.K and elsewhere.

#9 Landing a TV Gig

In 1937 a friendly match between Arsenal and the Arsenal Reserves became the first ever football game to be broadcast on public television.

#8 The True Test of Endurance

We know that term “foot” in the title implies running, but it is surprising to find that the average footballer runs the equivalent of 15 km (9.3 miles) in every game. Which, if anything, is a testament to the dedication, strength, and stamina required in this game.

#7 Let’s go to War!

Supporters of football have a tendency to get a bit over passionate about the game. One such case was the “100 Hour War” El Salvador declared on Honduras after losing a match in 1969.

#6 90 for 90

Three of the world football’s biggest stars, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, have scored a goal every minute of the full 90. In 2014 Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to ever achieve this.

#5 Victory In Age

The youngest player to ever win the Football World Cup was Pele, when he was 116 days away from his 18th birthday. While the oldest player to win the same title was none other than Dino Zoff just a few months after his 40th birthday.

#4 A Cursed Event?

In a bizarre turn of events, a 1-1 draw was declared when an entire staring 11 from the DRC were killed in the Eastern region of the Congo. Their deaths were caused by lightning strikes while their opponents remained unharmed.

#3 Protest Action

In 2002, Stade Olympique de L’emyrne (SOE) lost to AS Adema 140-0 with SOE shooting 140 times into their own net in protest to losing the title due to a penalty in a previous match.  As a result, spectators demanded their money back and the coach, captain, and several other players were suspended.

#2 Beatle-Mania

Around the globe, approximately 27 professional clubs have nicknames derived from famous Beatle songs. The most famous is “the Yellow Submarines” a.k.a. Spanish Villarreal.

#1 Red Flag the Ref!

Sure, football is known for scuffles breaking out between players but, during a 1998 game in the Andover and District Sunday League in 1998, Martin Sylvester, an English referee, had to send himself off for punching a player.