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Spanish FA president Rubiales resigns over W/Cup kiss scandal

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Luis Rubiales has resigned as the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) because of the ongoing investigations against him following his unsolicited kiss on Spain forward Jenni Hermoso.

Hermoso filed a criminal complaint last week, which led to prosecutors filing a case with Spain’s top court against Rubiales. He faces charges of sexual assault and coercion for his conduct after last month’s Women’s World Cup final, which Spain won 1-0 against England.

Later on Sunday, the RFEF confirmed Rubiales’ resignation in a statement and that he would be stepping down as a vice president with UEFA.

His behaviour, which also saw him grabbing his crotch and kissing other players, subsequently led to him being suspended from all football-related activity by FIFA, the sport’s top governing body, for 90 days as it carries out its own investigation.

“I have handed in my resignation to the acting president, Pedro Rocha,” Rubiales confirmed in an open letter published on Sunday.

“I have also informed him that I have done the same with my position at UEFA, so that a replacement for my role as vice president can be sought.

“After the suspension by FIFA, in addition to the rest of the proceedings against me, it is clear that I will not be able to return to my position.”

Amid the fallout from the incident, Spain coach Jorge Vilda was fired on Tuesday.

Rubiales had previously refused to resign despite the pressure that mounted on him in recent weeks. After refusing to do so in a speech in August, in which he blamed “false feminism” and a campaign against him, the Spanish government sought to intervene and suspend him from his position.

However, it has been unable to do so because of a ruling from Spain’s top sports court (TAD). As TAD classified Rubiales’ infraction as “serious” and not “very serious,” the government has been unable to step in, but Hermoso’s decision to press changes changed the face of the investigation.

Rubiales said his decision to resign now is meant to avoid further fallout for Spanish football and the RFEF’s bid to host the 2030 World Cup in collaboration with Portugal, Morocco and Ukraine.

“To insist on waiting [for an outcome] and clinging on to [my position] will not contribute to anything positive — neither for the RFEF nor Spanish football,” Rubiales added.

“There are powers that be that will prevent my return. I do not want Spanish football to be harmed by this disproportionate campaign [against me].

“I am taking this decision after having made sure that my departure will contribute to the stability that will allow both Europe and Africa to remain united in the dream of [co-hosting the World Cup in] 2030.”

Rubiales previously said the kiss was consensual — a claim Hermoso has strongly denied, saying she felt she was the victim of an aggressive act — and he will now focus on defending his name.

“I have faith in the truth and I will do everything in my power to make sure it prevails,” he said.

“My daughters, my family and the people who love me have suffered the effects of unconscionable persecution, as well as many falsehoods, but it is also true that on the street, every day more and more, the truth is prevailing.”

FIFA’s investigation could lead to a ban from football for as long as 15 years, according to reports, while the criminal case could see Rubiales handed a prison sentence of up to five years. Legal sources told ESPN, however, that if found guilty he would likely be handed a one-to-two-year suspended sentence.

Meanwhile, after Rubiales’ conduct was classified as “serious,” TAD’s investigation could lead to a maximum professional disqualification of about two years.

No. 2-ranked Spain is scheduled to start the Women’s Nations League on Sept. 22 in a visit to top-ranked Sweden. Spain beat Sweden in the World Cup semifinals.

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Bayo’s Goals Earn First International Call For Six Years

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Bayo's Goals Earn First International Call For Six Years

Five goals and a return to your national squad for the first time in six years. It’s been quite a week for Vakoun Bayo.

The 27-year-old has been named by Ivory Coast national team coach Emerse Fae in his 25-man squad ahead of the final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Zambia and Chad.

Bayo has two full international caps, but the last of those was back in October 2018 when he made a late substitute appearance against Central Africa in an AFCON qualifier.

In fact, his senior international career so far only adds up to 15 minutes, and with the last of his caps being so long ago, The Crow might have thought his chance of adding to that was over.

However, his six goals in 14 appearances this season (only nine of which were from the start) has caught the attention of Fae and he joins the likes of Manchester United’s Amad Diallo and Simon Adingra of Brighton in the squad.

“I’m really delighted for him and like I said at Sheffield Wednesday his work for the team and his work every day, he’s a real good role model for Jebbison and Doumbia,” said Tom Cleverley.

“His work hasn’t only been recognised by me, he’s been called up to the Ivory Coast squad and I am delighted for him. He is deserving his goals.

“The media and the supporters will always judge a striker on the goals they score, and rightly so.

“But the reason why he still played for those two months when he didn’t score was because of the job he does for the team.”

Often overly criticised by supporters, Bayo has stayed positive and never lost the faith of his head coach.

“His out of possession responsibilities, his hold-up, how good he is with his back to goal, and what a great character he is,” said Cleverley.

“They’re the reasons why he stays in the team even through dry spells.

“The five goals he’s scored in the last week he thoroughly deserves.

“We’re not getting carried away with ourselves, but I want him to enjoy his goals as it’s been a tough period for him with the lack of them in the last two months.”

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Brazilian Football Federation Speak On Managerial Links With Guardiola

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Brazilian

Over the last 12 months, Pep Guardiola’s future as Manchester City head coach has been widely speculated upon.

His contract with the reigning Premier League champions is due to expire at the end of this season, and it is far from certain that he will extend his stay at the Etihad Stadium beyond nine years.

Guardiola had been linked with the England job, although that has since gone to Thomas Tuchel. He’d since been rumoured with having been pursued by the Brazilian Football Federation, with “several contacts” having taken place between the two parties. However, the CBF have since denied this information, as per Diario AS.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti was heavily linked with taking the Brazil job throughout 2023, although that ended when he signed a new contract at the Santiago Bernabeu. It remains to be seen whether Guardiola is also in their crosshairs, although this snub would suggest otherwise.

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Why Ruben Amorim Still Not In Charge Of Manchester United

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Why Ruben Amorim Still Not In Charge Of Manchester United

Over a week has passed since Ruben Amorim was announced as Manchester United manager, taking over from the departed Erik ten Hag following a fantastic stint at Sporting CP.

The 39-year-old, who ranked at no.11 in FourFourTwo’s list of the best managers in the world right now, gained plenty of plaudits since his arrival in Lisbon, taking the club from a fallen giant to a dominant force in a short space of time, lifting the Liga Portugal title twice in just four years with a squad of largely homegrown young talents.

Bolstered by the imperious form of Viktor Gyokeres, Sporting are now a genuine threat on the European stage, taking a number of huge scalps already this season in the Champions League.

Perhaps the biggest of these results came after United’s announcement as Amorim guided his Sporting side to a famous 4-1 win over Manchester City on Tuesday.

In fact, the win over City was one of three games Amorim will manage at Sporting following the announcement of his new role, so why hasn’t he started his Old Trafford career immediately?

Throughout negotiations between United and Sporting over the manager’s signature the issues of a release clause and potential notice period were raised, with many suggesting they would act as major stumbling blocks in the speed at which a move could progress.

Despite initially wanting to start at the end of the season, Amorim claims he was told it was “now or never” by the club as they looked to secure their future as early as possible.

Upon completion of the deal, The Red Devils released a statement confirming the manager would take charge from November 11th, with his first match in charge scheduled to take place against Ipswich on November 24th, leaving Ruud Van Nistelrooy in charge for United’s four games in between – in which he is so far unbeaten.

The reasons behind the delay are without concrete confirmation, although it is likely that the start of the international break will allow Amorim a solid period of time to get his feet under the table before the chaotic schedule kicks back into gear.

As well as implementing an entirely new system, Amorim is also reported to be eager to bring a number of coaches with him from Sporting, with negotiations surrounding their respective futures taking a little while longer.

Already an enamoured figure at Old Trafford thanks to his win over City, excitement around the Portuguese’s arrival continues to grow as the Red Devils begin yet another chapter in the post-Ferguson story.

FourFourTwo

 

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