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Legitimate target that is less appealing than soccer? (4,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

fair game

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'legitimate target that is less appealing than soccer?' is the definition.
'fair game' can be an answer for 'legitimate target' (I've seen this in another clue). I am not certain of the rest of the definition.

'legitimate target that is less appealing than soccer?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'legitimate' could be 'fair' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'fair' is found in the answer.
'soccer?' could be 'game' (soccer is a kind of game) and 'game' is present in the answer.
No letters remain.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for fair game that I've seen before include "Fear magi with legitimate target" , "Legitimate target like blonde animal" , "Legitimate target in equitable contest" , "Acceptable target?" , "Legitimate target for attack or exploitation" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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