Sports
Kiss Of Death: FIFA Hammer Rubiales
The controversial lip-kissing of Spanish Women’s World Cup Winner, Jenni Hermoso has landed President, Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, suspension from all football-related activities.
A statement from the Federation of International Football, (FIFA) on Saturday revealed that the global football governing body has provisionally suspended the Spanish football chief, for 90 days, with immediate effect.
According to the statement, it was “decided today to provisionally suspend Mr. Luis Rubiales from all football-related activities at national and international level.”
The initial period of the suspension – 90 days, is meant to afford FIFA time to conduct disciplinary proceedings against the 46-year-old.
As part of efforts to preserve the integrity of the disciplinary proceedings, FIFA banned both Rubiales and the RFEF from contacting Hermoso and those close to her.
The development was the latest chapter in an intriguing tale involving the quartet of Rubiales, the RFEF, Hermoso and her international teammates.
The women who laboured to win the FIFA Women’s World Cup (FIFAWWC) for the first time in their country’s history has threatened not to honour future national call-ups, unless Rubiales was reprimanded for “assaulting” a woman.
They also maintained that the act had taken the shine off their World Cup win in Australia last Sunday.
The World Cup Winner, Hermoso told the world in a statement on Friday that Rubiales and the RFEF mounted “continuous pressure” on her, her family and friends to take steps to show that she had forgiven Rubiales, but she would have none of that.
Probably habouring some optimism, Rubiales passed up a chance to vacate his seat voluntarily at an emergency RFEF meeting on Friday.
Thereafter, on Saturday, the RFEF threatened legal action over Hermoso’s “lies” about the kiss.
According to Hermoso, “at no time” did she consent to the kiss, which Rubiales on his part had described as “mutual, euphoric and consensual”.
However, the RFEF maintained it would “demonstrate each of the lies that have been spread, whether in the name of the player, if that is the case, or by the player herself”.
The now infamous kiss, resonating across the globe, has seen the FREF add that it would take “as many legal actions as necessary to defend the honour of the President of the RFEF.”
In reaction to Rubiales claim, Hermoso made it clear that she felt “vulnerable and the victim of an assault.
“I want to clarify that at no time did I consent to the kiss that he gave me and in no case did I seek to lift up the president.”
As things stand, Hermoso, 33, along with 80 other Spain players, including the entire World Cup winning squad, said they were going on strike and would not play for the national team until the “leadership” changed.
Portuguese football tactician Carlos Queiroz has made a surprise return as head coach of Ghana’s senior national team, the Black Stars.
The Ghana Football Association announced the 73-year-old’s reappointment on Thursday, weeks after he appeared to signal his departure from the team following their exit from the FIFA World Cup.
SEE MORE: Deadly Xenophobic Violence: Ghana Evacuates 1,000 More Citizens from South Africa
Queiroz took charge of Ghana in April and guided the Black Stars to the last 32 of the tournament before they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Colombia.
Shortly after the loss, the Portuguese coach appeared to announce his departure on social media.
However, following subsequent discussions, the Ghana FA has decided to bring him back for another spell.
The duration of Queiroz’s new contract was not disclosed, but the football association said he would be tasked with preparing the Black Stars for “a successful new phase on the international stage.”
The GFA said Queiroz’s extensive international experience, technical expertise and knowledge of the Black Stars made him the right man to lead the team into its next chapter.
Queiroz has managed several national teams, including Portugal, Iran, Egypt, South Africa, Colombia and Qatar.
He also had two spells as assistant manager at Manchester United under legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
His immediate priority will be Ghana’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, with the qualifiers scheduled to begin later this month.
The Black Stars have been drawn in Group C alongside Ivory Coast, The Gambia and Somalia, although the dates and venues for their opening two matches are yet to be announced.
The Ghana FA said further details on Queiroz’s mandate would be released in due course.
Nigerian winger Femi Azeez has completed a remarkable rise from non-league football to the Premier League after joining Brighton & Hove Albion from Millwall on a four-year contract.
The transfer, for an undisclosed fee, was completed after Brighton and Millwall submitted a deal sheet before the initial 11pm transfer deadline, extending the window until 1am on Wednesday.
Azeez, 25, joins Brighton following an outstanding 2025/26 campaign with Millwall, where he played a key role in the club’s push for the Championship play-offs.
SEE MORE: Safe Driving: Dangote Transport Unveils Novel Real-Time Driver Monitoring Control Room
The Nigerian made 77 appearances for Millwall, scoring 15 goals and registering 13 assists. His impressive performances also earned him places in the PFA and EFL Championship Teams of the Season.
Brighton sporting director Mike Cave welcomed Azeez to the club, describing him as one of the most exciting attacking talents in the Championship.
“We are delighted to add Femi to the squad. He arrives off the back of an excellent season with Millwall, having played a key role for them as they finished in the playoffs,” Cave said.
“He was one of the most exciting attacking talents in the Championship, and we’re delighted to have finally agreed his transfer, and we now look forward to working with him.”
Azeez’s journey to the Premier League has been unconventional. After spending time in Watford’s youth setup, he moved into non-league football with Northwood before spells at Wealdstone and Hanwell Town.
He subsequently earned a move to Reading in 2019 before joining Millwall in 2024, steadily working his way up the English football pyramid.
The winger has also made a strong start to his international career with Nigeria. On his senior debut in June, Azeez scored both goals in the Super Eagles’ 2-0 victory over Zimbabwe.
Four days later, he provided an assist as Nigeria defeated Jamaica 3-0.
Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio has been convicted of drink-driving in Gran Canaria, Spain, after a court found him to have been driving with an alcohol level more than three times above the legal limit.
A court source confirmed the conviction to AFP on Wednesday, stating that the 23-year-old centre-back was fined €14,400 ($16,700) and had his driving licence suspended for eight months.
The case followed an incident on August 16 and was heard at a trial in San Bartolome de Tirajana, a village in Gran Canaria.
SEE ALSO: Mourinho Returns as Pérez Secures Landslide Victory in Real Madrid Election
Asencio, who is from the Canary Islands, was not with Real Madrid’s squad at the time of the incident as he was recovering from a hamstring injury suffered at the end of July.
The conviction comes amid another legal case involving the defender. Asencio is due to face a separate court hearing in Gran Canaria over the alleged non-consensual sharing of a sexual video dating back to 2023.
Spanish media reports say Asencio expects to be cleared in that case if the two women filmed in the video formally forgive him.
Three former Real Madrid reserve players are also on trial over allegations that they recorded and distributed the video. The trial is scheduled for September 3, 4 and 7.
The latest conviction adds to a difficult period for the young Real Madrid defender, who has been dealing with both injury and legal issues off the pitch.
Unlocking Africa’s Upstream Lies in Stronger Partnerships – Oando
Presidency Clears Air on Tinubu’s US Court Case
CORAN Counsels FG to Curb Petroleum Imports
Crude Races Towards $100 as US Steps Hard on Iran
Dangote Investments are Catalysts for Africa’s Economic Growth – AFC
Crude Oil Thieves Perish in Rivers
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
