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Kiss-gate: Luis Rubiales to testify in Spanish court on Friday

Ex-Spanish football federation (RFEF) chief Luis Rubiales will testify in court on Friday amid the investigation into his kiss on Jennifer Hermoso.

The former president has been summoned to appear before a court in Spain after prosecutors opened a case against him for “the crimes of sexual assault and coercion”.

“It is agreed that the testimony will be heard, in the context of being a suspect, with legal assistance, of LUIS MANUEL RUBIALES BÉJAR next Friday, September 15, at 12 p.m. … before this central court of investigation,” a statement from judge Luis Francisco de Jorge read.

Rubiales has been under fire since he kissed Hermoso after Spain’s World Cup final victory against England.

While Rubiales has insisted the kiss was consensual, Hermoso maintains otherwise and filed a complaint with Spanish prosecutors against him.

The 46-year-old was suspended from his role as RFEF president by FIFA after he initially refused to step down before finally announcing his resignation last week.

More than 80 Spanish players vowed to boycott the national team while Rubiales was in charge and the majority of the coaching staff resigned before head coach Jorge Vilda was sacked by new president Pedro Rocha.

The Sports Administrative Court (TAD) in Spain ruled that Rubiales’ kiss on Hermoso was a “serious” but not “very serious” offence.

After the ruling, Rubiales released a defiant statement, saying: “I will continue to defend myself to prove the truth. I want to send a message to all good people in our country and beyond our borders, including those women who have really been attacked and who have my full support and understanding: this isn’t about gender, it’s real.”

He added: “Justice is applied to people without gender having to previously determine the result. I feel that I have been judged unfairly by the media and politicians. This should never happen to anyone again.”

Last week, the RFEF issued an apology over Rubiales’ conduct, saying the saga has caused “enormous” damage to “Spanish football, to Spanish sport, to Spanish society and the values of football”.

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Spanish Giants Take Big Step In €60 million Rated Super Eagles Star Signing

Spanish Giants Take Big Step In €60 million Rated Ademola Lookman Pursuit

Barcelona, the Spanish LaLiga giant, has contacted the agent of Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman regarding a potential transfer this summer, according to Soccernet.ng.

Barcelona has been monitoring Lookman as a potential summer signing as they look to bolster their attack ahead of next season.

The Super Eagles star is expected to leave Atalanta summer. He has already attracted a lot of attention, and that is not a surprise, as he has contributed 50 goals and 24 assists in 115 appearances.

To get Lookman, Barcelona would have to outdo Juventus, Arsenal, Manchester United, Atletico Madrid, and Nottingham Forest who are also interested in acquiring his services. Liverpool have also been reported to be in the mix.

Now, in a new development per Caught Offside, the Blaugrana have made a vital step to sign Lookman. Barcelona have contacted Lookman’s agent for a possible deal in the summer.

The Super Eagles star has a release clause of €60 million at Atalanta, and with the way that Barcelona have conducted their business for the last two years, they could still eke out the fee despite their financial challenges.

However, the wages could be the issue. Ademola Lookman currently earns just over €2 million per year at Atalanta. Currently, only four players make more than that at Barcelona. And the Spanish champions will be careful to keep their wage structure intact.

This might be an issue, as the other English clubs looking at Lookman could easily double or triple his wages. Moreover, since the 27-year-old grew up and played in England previously, he could have to favour a return there.

 

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Victor Osimhen: The €40M Transfer Race That’s Heating Up Europe

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Victor Osimhen is once again dominating headlines—this time, not just for his goal-scoring brilliance, but for a high-stakes transfer race drawing the eyes of Europe’s elite.

Currently on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli, the Nigerian striker has been unstoppable, notching 31 goals this season and leading his team to their first Turkish Cup final in six years. His latest masterclass—a clinical strike in a 5–1 demolition of Konyaspor—has sent scouts, fans, and football directors into a frenzy.

But what’s next for the Super Eagles talisman?

Manchester United’s Game-Changer?

According to multiple sources, including Goal and TeamTalk, Manchester United have already reached an “agreement in principle” with Osimhen for a summer move. The deal is rumored to cost between €30M and €40M—an absolute bargain for a player of his caliber.

United see him as a “transformational signing”—a potential fix for their long-standing striker crisis and a spark to reignite their Premier League and Champions League ambitions.

PSG, Chelsea Join the Race

Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea aren’t far behind. With Kylian Mbappé heading to Real Madrid and Chelsea desperately needing firepower, Osimhen’s availability is turning heads. PSG is reportedly ready to go head-to-head with United for his signature, while Chelsea could swoop in with a late offer.

What This Means for the Market

Osimhen’s move—regardless of the destination—will reshape the 2025 summer transfer market. Clubs are on alert, agents are negotiating, and fans are watching every move.

He isn’t just a footballer; he’s a brand, a marketable figure, and a potential franchise centerpiece for any club smart enough to close the deal.

Stay tuned to Sports Market International for real-time updates, expert insights, and the stories that shape the global sports business.

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Serie A 2025: When Football Paused for a Nation—and the Title Race Tightened

Football has always been more than a game. In moments of global triumph or collective grief, it reflects the pulse of society. This week, Serie A reminded us of that truth.

On Monday, April 21, 2025, the Italian top-flight league came to a respectful standstill following the passing of Pope Francis at the age of 88. The Argentine-born pontiff, revered globally for his humility and spiritual leadership, succumbed to complications from double pneumonia. In response, Lega Serie A made the solemn decision to postpone all Serie A and Primavera 1 matches, underscoring football’s deep interconnection with Italian culture and national sentiment

Among the postponed matches were Parma vs. Juventus, Genoa vs. Lazio, and Cagliari vs. Fiorentina—games that held serious implications for title hopes, European qualification, and relegation battles. But in a rare move that goes beyond sport, the football world united in silence, showing respect for a man who transcended faith, language, and borders.

While fans were left waiting, they understood that sometimes, life asks us to pause. And Serie A did just that.

Intensity Builds as Season Nears Finale

Before the pause, the 2024–25 season was building toward one of the most thrilling conclusions in recent history. Inter Milan, neck-and-neck with Napoli at the top of the table, suffered a dramatic 1-0 loss to Bologna—a stunning bicycle-kick goal from Riccardo Orsolini sealing their fate. Now, with only five matches left, the Scudetto race is wide open, and tension is rising.

Elsewhere, Atalanta continued their impressive campaign with a 1-0 victory over AC Milan at the San Siro. Manager Gian Piero Gasperini, while reflective about their missed title opportunity, remains focused on Champions League qualification—a feat well within reach if their momentum holds.

As we prepare for Serie A’s return, Sports Market International remains your front-row seat to every goal, every moment, and every headline that shapes the global game.

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