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  • Hermoso ‘overwhelmed’ by forced kiss, teammates tell trial

    Hermoso ‘overwhelmed’ by forced kiss, teammates tell trial

    Jenni Hermoso was “overwhelmed” by former Spanish football boss Luis Rubiales’ forced kiss and was unable to enjoy winning the Women’s World Cup, her teammates told a court Thursday.

    Rubiales sparked worldwide outrage for the kiss on Hermoso after she had just helped Spain beat England in the 2023 Women’s World Cup final in Australia.

    The 47-year-old, who was forced to resign that year, has been on trial since Monday, accused of sexual assault for the kiss and then attempting to coerce Hermoso, 34, to downplay the incident with the help of other federation officials.

    Hermoso “was not well” after the kiss, Barcelona midfielder Alexia Putellas told the National Court just outside Madrid by video.

    She added her teammate “was really overwhelmed and she told us they would not leave her alone, that they wouldn’t stop”.

    Arsenal centre-back Laia Codina told the trial that during a team celebration trip to the Spanish island of Ibiza, Hermoso “was sad, she was not enjoying herself, far from it” even though it “should have been the best moment in your life”.

    Ana Belen Ecube, Hermoso’s friend who accompanied her to Ibiza, said the player “tried to enjoy the trip, being with her teammates, the surroundings, but was then conscious of what had happened and was sad, down, wasn’t herself”.

    Prosecutors are seeking two and a half years in prison against Rubiales.

    Among the accused alongside him are ex-women’s national team coach Jorge Vilda and two former federation officials, Ruben Rivera and Albert Luque.

    They also stand accused of trying to coerce Hermoso with prosecutors seeking 18 months’ jail against them.

    The player’s older brother, Rafael Hermoso, told the trial on Wednesday that Vilda asked him on the flight back to Spain after the World Cup to “convince” his sister to record a video with Rubiales to show she was not bothered by the kiss.

    Vilda warned his sister she faced “professional and personal consequences” if she did not cooperate, he added.

    Hermoso, the all-time top scorer for the national women’s team, was not called up immediately after the World Cup, with new coach Montse Tome saying she wanted to protect the player. She now plays in Mexico.

    “To deprive her of doing her job was a bit unfair, to say the least,” Putellas told the court.

  • UEFA considering scrapping extra time for Champions League knockout rounds

    UEFA considering scrapping extra time for Champions League knockout rounds

    UEFA is considering scrapping extra time in Champions League knockout rounds to reduce player workload, with discussions gaining momentum.

    The idea of moving directly to penalties is being seriously debated, though any change is unlikely before the current TV rights cycle ends in 2027, according to Guardian UK.

    Extra time has long been a concern, especially with congested schedules due to the expanded Champions League group stage and upcoming expanded Fifa Club World Cup.

    Some argue abolishing extra time would alleviate pressure on players, particularly those facing qualifying rounds in the summer.

    Clubs with tighter squads may welcome the change, as it levels the playing field, while broadcasters could benefit from more predictable schedules.

    UEFA has confirmed the issue has been informally raised but has not yet been formally proposed for ratification by its executive committee.

  • Real Madrid great Marcelo retires from football

    Real Madrid great Marcelo retires from football

    Former Real Madrid left-back Marcelo announced his retirement from professional football on Thursday after a trophy-laden career.

    The 36-year-old spent 16 years at Spanish giants Madrid, winning six La Liga titles and five Champions League trophies.

    “At 18, Real Madrid came knocking on my door and I arrived here,” Marcelo said in a video posted on social media. “Now, I can proudly say that I am a true ‘Madrileno’.

    “What a journey. Real Madrid is a unique club.”

    He also won the Copa del Rey twice and the Club World Cup four times during his time with Los Blancos, for whom he made 546 appearances, scoring 38 goals.

    “One of the greatest left-backs in Real Madrid and world football history, and we had the privilege of watching him for a long time,” said Real Madrid president Florentino Perez in a statement.

    “He is one of our greatest legends and Real Madrid is and always will be his home.”

    Marcelo made 58 appearances for the Brazil national team, playing at the 2014 and 2018 World Cups and winning the 2013 Confederations Cup.

    He was part of the teams that won a silver medal at the 2012 Olympics and bronze in Beijing in 2008.

    “Playing for my country since the youth categories has also been a great honour,” he added.

    “In my memory I will always cherish two Olympic medals and a Confederations Cup.”

    Marcelo started his career with Brazilian club Fluminense before leaving for Real.

    When he finally left the Santiago Bernabeu he joined Greek club Olympiakos but terminated his contract after just five months to rejoin Fluminense.

    Marcelo helped his home team win the Copa Libertadores for the first time with victory over Boca Juniors in the 2023 final.

    He left the club by mutual consent last November and has not played since.

  • Howe vows Newcastle will learn from Wembley pain in League Cup final

    Howe vows Newcastle will learn from Wembley pain in League Cup final

    Eddie Howe hailed Newcastle’s “huge” League Cup semi-final win against Arsenal as the Magpies boss vowed his side would learn from the pain of their last visit to Wembley.

    Chasing a first major trophy since 1969, Newcastle swept to a 2-0 victory over Arsenal on a memorable night at a raucous St James’ Park on Wednesday.

    Jacob Murphy’s first half opener and Anthony Gordon’s strike after the interval sealed a 4-0 aggregate success that sent Howe’s team to their second League Cup final in the last three seasons.

    Newcastle were beaten by Manchester United at Wembley in 2023, but Howe is confident the lessons from that heartbreaking loss will provide valuable experience and motivation in the final against Liverpool or Tottenham on March 16.

    “It is huge. The first appearance there was a bit unexpected, but we want to be there regularly, so it’s not a surprise this time,” he said.

    “We are there on merit. Our run has not been easy this year, so we’ve done the hard yards.

    “Hopefully we can learn from the last experience. We have come a long way since then. I would love to think we can go to Wembley and perform better.”

    The Magpies are bidding for their first major trophy since the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup 56 years ago, with their last domestic silverware coming in the 1955 FA Cup.

    Despite the high stakes, Newcastle finished the job in nerveless fashion after winning 2-0 at Arsenal in the first leg in January.

    Organised superbly by the astute Howe, they out-played Mikel Arteta’s side thanks to superb performances from Sweden striker Alexander Isak and England winger Gordon.

    Howe acknowledged he had tweaked his defensive system, switching to a back five to nullify Arsenal’s set-piece threat.

    Arteta had no answers to Howe’s tactical masterclass as Newcastle beat the Gunners for the third time this season.

    – ‘We had to be ourselves’ –

    “It was a great night for us. It was a tough game but tactically we were good. The intention was to be aggressive and sometimes when you do that it doesn’t always work. Today it did,” Howe said.

    “You know you are playing against elite players and one mistake can make things difficult. We had to be ourselves. If not then you are on the back foot.

    “We do tweak things depending on the opposition. We felt we needed more height in the team, we wanted solidity at the back and we had to change in order to win the game.

    “The players followed the instruction to the letter. They deserve the credit.”

    Newcastle will discover their Wembley opponents on Thursday when Tottenham try to defend their 1-0 first leg lead at Anfield.

    While Howe and company can look forward to the final, Arsenal were brought down to earth with a bump after Sunday’s 5-1 rout of Manchester City.

    That swaggering performance kept alive Arsenal’s hopes of catching Premier League leaders Liverpool, who are six points clear of the Gunners with a game in hand.

    But just four days later, Arsenal — already eliminated from the FA Cup — found another potential route to silverware curtailed on Tyneside.

    “We had momentum in the first half and didn’t capitalise. They scored immediately after and the momentum shifts,” Arteta said.

    “We needed a goal early in the second half and we didn’t get that and the opportunity passes.

    “They have been more efficient than us in the boxes and that is the difference in the tie.”

    Arteta, whose team are through to the Champions League last 16, will take his squad to Dubai for a training camp before they return to action at Leicester on February 15.

    “You need to be very efficient. That is what takes you close to winning trophies and today we weren’t. Today is painful and tomorrow is a different day.”

  • Man Utd defender Malacia signs for PSV on loan

    Man Utd defender Malacia signs for PSV on loan

    Manchester United defender Tyrell Malacia has joined PSV Eindhoven on loan for the rest of the season, the Premier League club have announced.

    The Netherlands international, 25, has been rebuilding his fitness after returning to action in November following a 17-month lay-off with injury troubles.

    Malacia, a left-back, joined United in a £13 million ($16 million) switch from Feyenoord in 2022 and is contracted at Old Trafford until the end of next season.

    “Manchester United defender Tyrell Malacia will spend the rest of the 2024/25 season on loan with Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven,” United said in a statement.

    “After working hard to rebuild his fitness and match sharpness, Malacia returned to action earlier this campaign and the Netherlands international has played eight times under Ruben Amorim.

    “It has been agreed that Tyrell will now link up with Peter Bosz’s side in his home country for the rest of this season.”

    The move was completed before the closure of the Dutch transfer window on Tuesday.

    Malacia’s move comes after struggling United signed Denmark wing-back Patrick Dorgu from Lecce on Sunday.

    AFP

  • Eba and Egusi soup, secrets behind my Hoffenheim form — Gift Orban

    Eba and Egusi soup, secrets behind my Hoffenheim form — Gift Orban

    Super Eagles invitee, Gift Orban has hinted Nigerian dish, eba and egusi soup remains the secret behind his goal scoring prowess.

    Orban, who recently joined Bundesliga side Hoffenheim, revealed this on his latest verified Instagram story after netting a consolation goal in his club 3-1 defeat to Bayern Leverkusen.

    He has recorded two goals in four appearances for The Kraichgauers. Having maintained his goal scoring status, the dual citizen of Nigeria and Togo, was filmed eating a plate of eba and egusi soup in preparation for next outing against Union Berlin.

    “Yes, eba and egusi,” he stated in the few seconds video which has attracted reactions from fellow compatriots.

    Red-hot Orban will be banked on following his club’s struggles on the league table. With 20 matches played, Hoffenheim sit 15th on the log.

  • ‘I could have signed for Barcelona’ – Cristiano Ronaldo

    ‘I could have signed for Barcelona’ – Cristiano Ronaldo

    Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has said that he came close to signing for Barcelona before heading to Manchester United.

    “I believe I am the best player in football history, no one has been better,” Ronaldo said in an interview with Spanish TV show La Sexta.

    The forward, who has five Ballon d’Or honours, turns 40 on Wednesday.

    “The numbers say I am the most complete footballer that has ever existed. People can like Messi, Maradona, Pele… and I respect that, yes, but I am the most complex and the numbers say that,” stated a confident Ronaldo.

    “In the history of football, I haven’t seen anyone better than me. I tell the truth from the heart,” the Portuguese, who has netted an incredible 923 competitive goals in his career, added.

    Ronaldo also listed his strengths. “I’m fast, strong, I score goals with my head or my left foot, no one has ever been more complete than me. I am the best player in history. I really believe that.”

    The Al Nassr striker has also donned the jerseys of Sporting, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus during his prolific career.

    Admitting he could have headed to Barcelona before moving to England, he said: “I could have played for Barca. They tried to get me when I was at Sporting. They wanted me, but a year later Manchester United came along.”

  • ‘I loved playing at Barcelona despite the boos’ – Cristiano Ronaldo

    ‘I loved playing at Barcelona despite the boos’ – Cristiano Ronaldo

    Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that he enjoyed playing at Barcelona’s Nou Camp.

    The 39-year-old told Spanish TV show La Sexta that he relished playing at the famous Nou Camp despite the boos from fans.

    “I believe I am the best player in football history, no one has been better,” he said.

    The forward, who has five Ballon d’Or honours, turns 40 on Wednesday.

    “The numbers say I am the most complete footballer that has ever existed. People can like Messi, Maradona, Pele… and I respect that, yes, but I am the most complex and the numbers say that,” stated a confident Ronaldo.

    “In the history of football, I haven’t seen anyone better than me. I tell the truth from the heart,” the Portuguese, who has netted an incredible 923 competitive goals in his career, added.

    Ronaldo also listed his strengths. “I’m fast, strong, I score goals with my head or my left foot, no one has ever been more complete than me. I am the best player in history. I really believe that.”

    The Al Nassr striker has also donned the jerseys of Sporting, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus during his prolific career.

    Admitting he could have headed to Barcelona before moving to England, he said: “I could have played for Barca. They tried to get me when I was at Sporting. They wanted me, but a year later Manchester United came along.”

    At Real Madrid, Ronaldo’s rivalry with Lionel Messi at Barcelona became pronounced.

    He, however, said he enjoyed the matches against the Blaugranas.

    “I loved playing at the Camp Nou. They booed me, they insulted me and I loved it!” He said.

    Ronaldo also commented on the recent announcement of the prestigious winner.

    “Vini (Vinicius Junior) deserved to win the Ballon d’Or, but I’m not surprised… it lacks credibility,” Ronaldo said, before adding words of praise for the Brazilian: “He won the Champions League and scored goals.”

  • Winners and losers from the Premier League transfer window

    Winners and losers from the Premier League transfer window

    Nico Gonzalez’s transfer to Manchester City and Mathys Tel’s loan move to Tottenham were the major deals of an otherwise quiet transfer deadline day for the Premier League’s cash-rich clubs.

    AFP Sports looks at the winners and losers of the window with plenty still to play for between now and the end of the season.

    Winners
    Man City

    A shadow of their former selves this season, the English champions were the biggest spenders with a £170 million ($210 million) splurge to mend some of the glaring issues in Pep Guardiola’s squad.

    Guardiola has admitted his side of seasoned winners have grown old together and there was a focus on youth to bring some energy back into their play.

    City’s season arguably never recovered from the moment Rodri went down with a serious knee injury in September.

    Gonzalez arrives from Porto in a £50 million deal to provide cover for his Spanish compatriot and more bite to City’s midfield ahead of a blockbuster Champions League tie against Real Madrid this month.

    Omar Marmoush, who scored 20 goals for Eintracht Frankfurt this season, provides a much-needed goal threat to lessen the load on Erling Haaland.

    Abdukodir Khusanov endured a nightmare debut against Chelsea last month but the 20-year-old Uzbek and Brazilian defender Vitor Reis have been bought with one eye on the future.

    Aston Villa

    Villa cashed in on Jhon Duran, who headed to Saudi club Al Nassr for a reported £64 million and set about transforming Unai Emery’s forward options.

    Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio are the big name arrivals on loan deals from Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain respectively, while Donyell Malen signed earlier in the window from Borussia Dortmund.

    Crucially, Villa also held off interest from Arsenal in Ollie Watkins.

    Tottenham

    Spurs took their time to recruit the help that manager Ange Postecoglou said his injury-ravaged squad was desperately in need of, but got there in the end.

    Antonin Kinsky arrived at the beginning of January as cover for injured goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.

    Tottenham then hijacked Wolves to sign centre-back Kevin Danso from Lens.

    Initially it appeared their bid to bring Tel to the Premier League had failed as the player turned down a permanent move despite the clubs agreeing a £50 million deal.

    However, the highly-rated French under-21 international has joined on loan to the end of the season in a major boost with Spurs still alive in four competitions.

    Losers
    Man Utd

    Ruben Amorim stressed the Red Devils are determined not to “make the mistakes of the past” by being panicked into splashing out on expensive deals.

    Danish defender Patrick Dorgu joined from Lecce for a reported £25 million but was the first and sole new recruit for Amorim to work with.

    The Portuguese started Sunday’s 2-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace without a recognised striker as he left both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee on the bench.

    Despite Rashford’s departure and Antony’s move to Real Betis on loan, United still did not look to add a forward and look desperately short on goal threats for the final months of the campaign.

    Arsenal

    The Gunners may also live to regret not adding a striker if they end up finishing second in the title race for a third consecutive season.

    Mikel Arteta’s men were rampant as they thrashed City 5-1 on Sunday but no Arsenal player has yet reached double digits for Premier League goals this season.

    Watkins could have been the perfect fit had they acted earlier in the window to tempt Villa before Duran’s departure.

    Instead a huge amount rests of Kai Havertz’s form and fitness with Gabriel Jesus ruled out for the season due to a knee injury.

    Newcastle

    Newcastle headed into the window as one of the Premier League’s form sides but their chances of a top-four finish have been rocked by home defeats to Bournemouth and Fulham.

    Despite being backed by the wealth of the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, the Magpies have consistently had their hands tied in the transfer market by profit and sustainability rules.

    That led to the sales of Miguel Almiron and Lloyd Kelly without Eddie Howe being afforded the chance to add to his squad.

    “It’s not ideal for us in this moment,” said Howe. “I’ve got no problem dealing with what I know and trying to make the best of the situation.”

  • Spain ex-football chief’s kiss ‘shouldn’t happen in any work setting’ – Hermoso

    Spain ex-football chief’s kiss ‘shouldn’t happen in any work setting’ – Hermoso

    Spain star Jenni Hermoso on Monday told the trial of disgraced ex-football chief Luis Rubiales that the forced kiss he gave her in 2023 “shouldn’t happen in any social or work setting”.

    Prosecutors are seeking two and a half years in prison against Rubiales for sexual assault and coercion after his kiss on Hermoso following the 2023 Women’s World Cup final sparked global outrage.

    Rubiales has called the kiss an innocuous “peck between friends celebrating” and denied any coercion.

    “I felt it was totally out of place and I then realised my boss was kissing me, and this shouldn’t happen in any social or work setting,” Hermoso told the court on the opening day of the trial.

    “A kiss on the lips is only given when I decide so,” she added.

    The scandal that rocked Spanish football and wrecked Rubiales’ career came moments after Hermoso and her teammates had clinched World Cup glory by beating England in the final in Sydney.

    “As a woman I felt disrespected. It was a moment that stained one of the happiest days of my life,” Hermoso said.

    “For me it is very important to say that at no point did I seek that act, let alone expect it.”

    The trial at the National Court in San Fernando de Henares near Madrid is scheduled to run until February 19.