Sports
FIFA Probes Rubiales’ Unsolicited Kiss Of Female World Cup Winner
When the FIFA puts together any competition, you are free to participate, you may even go ahead to win, but your celebrations must be subject to acceptable norms.
President, Spanish Royal Football Association (SRFA), Luis Rubiales, appears to be making this discovery, on the heels of the triumph of Spain’s female team at the recently concluded 2023 FIFAWWC.
This stance became official on Thursday, when the FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee commenced disciplinary proceedings against Rubiales, over what it termed ‘unsolicited kiss’ on Women World Cup winner, Jenni Hermoso.
A picture of the duo kissing, in celebration of their country winning the trophy at the 2023 FIFAWWC had gone viral across the globe.
It would now be Rubiales’ responsibility to explain to the world, through the FIFA why he planted an unsolicited kiss on a female football player, whom herself had expressed a desire to see him reprimanded for the act.
Recall that the action transpired while the FA President was presenting the players with their gold medals after they beat England 1-0 in the final on Sunday.
It was greeted with outrage within and outside Spain, with Hermoso saying such acts should “never go unpunished”.
The FIFA in a statement made it clear that, “The FIFA Disciplinary Committee informed Luis Rubiales, President of the Spanish Football Association, today that it is opening disciplinary proceedings against him based on the events that occurred during the final of the Women’s World Cup.
“The events may constitute violations of article 13 paragraphs 1 and 2 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.”
Expressly, Article 13 in the code deals with “offensive behaviour” of players and officials, particularly with “violating the basic rules of decent conduct” and “behaving in a way that brings the sport into disrepute”.
The heat is now on the FA President, who though initially called his critics “idiots”, had made an about turn and issued a video apology late on Monday, an attempt that doesn’t seem to have doused the flame.
Acting Second Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz called for Rubiales’ resignation because “without any doubt (he) attacked a woman”.
Spain’s women’s football league, Liga F, called for Rubiales to be dismissed and said it had lodged a complaint with the president of the National Sports Council (CSD) over his “very serious actions and behaviour”.
Hermoso, who said after the final that she did not enjoy Rubiales’ kiss, added on Wednesday that her union FUTPRO and her agency TMJ were defending her interests in the matter.
“We are working to ensure that acts such as those we have seen never go unpunished, that they are sanctioned and that the exemplary measures are adopted to protect women footballers from actions that we believe are unacceptable,” she said.
Former Belgian international footballer, Radja Nainggolan was arrested on Monday in connection with a large-scale investigation into cocaine trafficking through the port of Antwerp, the Brussels prosecutor’s office has confirmed.
The arrest followed a series of raids conducted across Belgium in the early hours of the morning. Several suspects were detained, including Nainggolan, as part of the operation.
“The investigation concerns alleged facts of importation of cocaine from South America to Europe, via the port of Antwerp, and its redistribution in Belgium,” prosecutors said in a statement.
READ ALSO: Super Eagles Await Group Stage Fate As AFCON Draw Holds In Morocco
Further details regarding the case have not yet been made public.
Nainggolan, 36, who was born in Antwerp, recently came out of retirement to join Belgian second-division club Lokeren. The midfielder made his debut over the weekend, scoring a goal in a 1-1 draw against K. Lierse.
The former national team star enjoyed a decorated career, earning 30 caps and scoring six goals for Belgium. He also played for top Italian clubs, including Roma, Inter Milan, and Cagliari, before returning to Belgium in 2021 to join Royal Antwerp. However, his stint there ended in early 2023, following a series of controversies.
Known for his brash personality and off-field incidents, Nainggolan was suspended in late 2022 after being caught smoking an electronic cigarette on the bench, according to Belgian media.
No timeline has been given for further proceedings.
Reigning Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Rangers International F.C., will be flying into Maiduguri, Borno State, for their crucial Matchday 21 clash against the President Federation Cup holders, El-Kanemi Warriors F.C.
Biztellers reports that the Flying Antelopes would be flown by Max Air.
Inside sources at the Enugu Rangers have it that following a disappointing home loss in their previous match, the “Flying Antelopes” are determined to regain their winning form.
It was gathered that a 27-man delegation will depart Abuja on Monday morning for the short flight to Maiduguri, with the match scheduled for Wednesday, January 29th, 2025.
ALSO READ: Super Eagles Await Group Stage Fate As AFCON Draw Holds In Morocco
The team aims to swiftly move past their recent setback against Niger Tornadoes and climb back up the league table.
“We are heading to Maiduguri with the sole objective of securing a positive result and keeping pace with the front-runners,” declared team captain, Ugwueze Chinemerem. “We have analyzed our previous match and are fully focused on regaining the lost ground.”
It’s worth noting that in the reverse fixture earlier this season on August 31st, 2024, Rangers and El-Kanemi played to a goalless draw at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will learn their group-stage opponents today as the draw for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) takes center stage in Morocco.
The tournament, hosted by the North African nation for the second time since 1988, is set to be one of the most spectacular editions in AFCON history.
In 1988, the competition featured just eight teams, but this year, 24 nations will compete for Africa’s biggest football prize.
READ MORE: Super Eagles Secure Spot In AFCON 2025 After Rwanda’s Loss
Nigeria, placed in Pot 1, will avoid fellow top-seeded teams such as Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, and reigning champions Côte d’Ivoire in the group stage.
However, they could face challenging sides from Pot 2, including Cameroon, Mali, and Tunisia.
This year’s AFCON promises to be grander than ever before, featuring more teams than the 1988 edition, and a thrilling opening ceremony.
The ceremony will showcase some of the biggest names in African football history, with legends such as Egypt’s Essam El Hadary, Cameroon’s Patrick Mboma, Tunisia’s Aymen Mathlouthi, and Ivory Coast’s Gervinho set to grace the event.
Adding to the excitement, a musical extravaganza will take place, with performances from Morocco’s Hatim Ammor, Congolese sensation Maître Gims, and renowned Moroccan music producer RedOne.
Recall that on Saturday, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) unveiled the official logo for AFCON 2025.
The design reflects Morocco’s rich cultural heritage, featuring the AFCON trophy adorned with zellige, the traditional Moroccan mosaic art, symbolizing the country’s unique blend of tradition and modernity.
The 24 qualified nations have been divided into four pots based on their FIFA rankings:
Pot 1: Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire
Pot 2: Cameroon, Mali, Tunisia, South Africa, DR Congo, Burkina Faso
Pot 3: Gabon, Angola, Zambia, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, Benin
Pot 4: Mozambique, Comoros, Tanzania, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Botswana
The draw will place these teams into six groups of four, with the top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, advancing to the knockout stage, promising thrilling action throughout the tournament.
Egypt, the most successful nation in AFCON history with seven titles, will aim to extend its dominance.
Côte d’Ivoire, the defending champions, have lifted the trophy three times, while Cameroon boasts five titles. Nigeria, with three championships, and Algeria, with two, are also strong contenders.
Morocco, the hosts, will look to replicate their 1976 triumph, their only AFCON victory.
Back then, the tournament followed a unique format, with the top four teams from the group stage playing in a final round-robin.
Morocco emerged victorious in Ethiopia, but this time, they will aim to claim the title on home soil in front of their passionate fans.
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