Last I checked - soccer players use their hands all the time - e.g. the keeper, and when throwing it in from the sidelines.

Rugby allows you to use your hands more often, but it's still not wide open. For example if a defending player tries to use their hands to gain possession of the ball that's a straight up penalty. On the other hand they can absolutely use their feet to gain possession the ball in that situation (though it's rare, since it could be classified as a dangerous play, and just like in soccer you can't do anything with your feet that could cause serious injury to an oponent).

Soccer was used to differentiate between Football Rugby and Football Soccer

Soccer is derived from Association, and since Football Ass sounds...not great, Football Soccer became the name.

So, Soccer is proper.

Source: Yank

The word football is officially defined as "any of various forms of team game involving kicking (and in some cases also handling) a ball".

More specifically, there are six games commonly known as Football.. and in Australia three of those games are very popular. Which means particularly here the word Football should be avoided.

I had to read the article to find out which one they were referring to. Ironic that the one it refers to is the least popular one, and yet they're suggesting it should be our "national" sport?! WTF?

OK seppo