SPORTS
Spain’s Football Chief Rubiales Quits In Kiss Scandal
Spanish football federation chief Luis Rubiales quit his post on Sunday.
This was after three weeks of scandal over allegations he gave an unsolicited kiss to a player on the women’s national team as they celebrated their World Cup victory last month.
Rubiales announced his resignation in a statement in which he said his position had become untenable.
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) later confirmed he had sent a resignation letter to acting president Pedro Rocha.
His kiss of player Jenni Hermoso after the World Cup win in Sydney on Aug. 20 had caused outrage among players, government officials and many in wider Spanish society and raised questions over sexism in sport.
His decision to go came after further blows to his position in the last few days.
A Spanish prosecutor filed a complaint with the High Court against Rubiales on Friday for sexual assault and coercion.
The complaint, which came after Hermoso opted earlier in the week to lodge a criminal complaint over the incident.
It described how Rubiales kissed Hermoso on the mouth “without her consent” while holding her head with both hands after Spain defeated England to clinch the World Cup.
Rubiales has said the kiss was mutual and consensual, and had until Sunday defied calls from players, government officials and others for him to resign.
Rubiales had also been suspended for three months from all football activities by FIFA pending an investigation by soccer’s world governing body into his actions.
“After the rapid suspension carried out by FIFA, plus the rest of the proceedings opened against me, it is clear that I will not be able to return to my position.
“Insisting on waiting and clinging … is not going to contribute anything positive, neither to the Federation nor to Spanish football.
“Among other things, because there are de facto powers that will prevent my return,” Rubiales said in his statement.
He said he had also stepped down as a vice president of European soccer body UEFA.
He posted his statement on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter.
Reuters reached out to Hermoso’s representative for comment on Rubiales’ resignation, and they did not return the telephone call.
Hermoso, Spain’s all-time top scorer with 51 goals, currently plays at Mexican top-tier side Pachuca, where she moved in June 2022 following her second spell at Barcelona.
Spanish government ministers, who had been solidly behind Hermoso and others calling for Rubiales to go, celebrated his departure.
“The feminist country is advancing faster and faster.
“The transformation and improvement of our lives is inevitable. We are with you, Jenni, and with all women,” Spain’s acting Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz posted on X after news of Rubiales’ resignation.
“It’s over,” said Spain’s Equality Minister Irene Montero.
The Spanish Football Federation said in a statement that Rubiales had resigned as its president and also as a vice-president of UEFA.
“This has been made known to the federal entity through a letter to (acting RFEF president) Pedro Rocha Junco,” the RFEF statement said.
Spanish women’s players union FUTPRO did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
Although he stepped down as boss of the federation, Rubiales continued to defend his version of events.
A message posted with his statement on Sunday said, “I will defend my honour. I will defend my innocence. I have faith in the future. I have faith in the truth.”
In an interview with journalist Piers Morgan on Sunday Rubiales added he made the decision to resign having talked with family and friends.
“Luis, you have to focus on your dignity and continue your life.
“(Otherwise) you will probably be hurting more people you love and the sport you love,” he quoted them as saying. (Reuters/NAN)
Nasarawa United Football Club of Lafia on Saturday defeated Lobi Stars of Makurdi 1-0 in a pulsating North Central derby.
The matchday 16 fixture of the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premiere Football League (NPFL) was played at the Lafia Township Stadium, Nasarawa State capital.
The Makurdi side had adopted the Lafia Township Stadium as their home ground for the 2024/2025 NPFL season.
The only goal of the match was scored by Qamar Adegoke in the 12th minute of the match to give all three points to the Lafia side.
Adegoke’s goal, who joined the Lafia team recently, was his second in four matches.
The Nasarawa attacker capitalised on a defensive error by the opponent’s backline and hit the back of the net to give Nasarawa United the advantage.
In a post-match interview, Kabir Dogo, Technical Adviser of Nasarawa United, hailed his players for taking all three points.
He explained that his team had improved by scoring five goals in their last three matches and expressed optimism that they would do better in subsequent games.
“We had a problem in the area of goal scoring in the past, but this has changed in our last three games,” he said.
With the win, Nasarawa United climbed to 14th on the NPFL table, while Lobi Stars remain on 17th position. (NAN)
The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) is organising a two-day National Coaching Seminar, with the theme: “Leadership and Management Skills”.
The event will take place from Dec. 17 to Dec. 18, at the Additional Sports and Entertainment (ASEP) Pro Limited, in Mowe, Ogun State.
The seminar will enhance the capabilities of Nigerian table tennis coaches, with a particular emphasis on female coaches, aligning with the International Table Tennis Federation’s (ITTF) Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (GEDI) Initiative.
A statement issued by the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, on Tuesday, said that the seminar was part of the one-week sports and leadership boot camp titled “Awaken the Giant, She Can 4.
0,” proudly supported by NTTF.“This seminar will also represent the third stage of the 2024 “My Gender, My Strength” programme, which has table tennis star Abosede Akinsete, as a beneficiary.
“NTTF President,Tikon Ishaku, Vice President, Adesoji Tayo, and other board members are dedicated to initiatives that support the development of coaches.
“Wahid Enitan-Oshodi, ITTF Executive Vice President, and President of ITTF-Africa, reaffirms his commitment to empowering women in sports, in line with the GEDI Initiative.
He explained that the seminar would feature people, who would speak on leadership and management skills, to enhance the abilities of coaches to identify and develop talents, as well as encourage the development of high-performance table tennis players capable of competing globally. (NAN)
Rivers United Football Club of Port Harcourt on Sunday returned to the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) summit as strong rivals Remo Stars FC faltered on Match Day 13.
Report says that Rivers United beat visiting Abia Warriors of Umuahia 1-0 after an Ndifreke Effiong 58th minute goal from the penalty kick spot.
Effiong’s goal in the match at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium helped them to move to 25 points from 13 matches, after seven wins, four draws and two losses.
Former leaders Remo Stars dropped to second with 23 points from 13 matches after seven wins, two draws and four losses, following a 0-2 loss to hosts Katsina United.
Plateau United of Jos beat visiting Nasarawa United of Lafia 2-0 to bolster their position.
Shooting Stars Sports Club also struggled to a 1-0 win over visiting Bayelsa United of Yenago.
A 15th minute goal by Anthony Okachi at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan gave them the win.
El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri had on Saturday beaten Akwa United of Uyo 1-0 to move into third place on the table with 22 points from 13 games.
Enyimba International of Aba remained in fourth place with 20 points from 12 matches, with their week 13 game against Sunshine Stars of Akure on hold.
Rangers International of Enugu are in fifth place with 20 points also, after a goalless draw with hosts Heartland FC ain Owerri on Saturday.
Bendel Insurance of Benin had also beaten Kwara United of Ilorin 3-1, while Lobi Stars of Makurdi drew 2-2 with visiting Kano Pillars in Lafia.
NAN reports that the league will enter Match Day 14 on Wednesday.(NAN)
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