
Koepka seeks fifth major and landmark win for LIV at PGA
Brooks Koepka, seeking his fifth major title, could become the first player to win a major while with Saudi-backed LIV Golf as he leads in Sunday's...
2023-05-22 00:27

Underfire Spanish FA chief Luis Rubiales once played in Scotland and he was a total flop
The embattled Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales was once an unlikely name on the books of Scottish club Hamilton Academical – but he quit after just four games. Rubiales retired as a professional footballer nine years before he became head of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), but his short stint in Scotland was a lowlight of his playing career. The Spaniard flopped in Hamilton and made just four appearances, all of which ended in defeat. Eventually, the club terminated his contract by mutual consent. Rubiales cited family reasons for his departure. On his final appearance in Scotland, a 4-1 defeat to Rangers, Rubiales was greeted with the chant: “Baldy bastard, what’s the score?” The 46-year-old has faced repeated calls to step down from his position as the head of Spain’s football association in recent weeks, after he grabbed Spanish striker Jenni Hermoso and kissed her mouth during the Women’s World Cup medal ceremony. Hermoso has since said the action was not consensual. She said the situation had left her feeling “vulnerable and a victim of aggression”. In her statement she described the kiss as “an impulsive act, sexist, out of place and without any type of consent from my part. In short, I wasn’t respected.” FIFA, the sport’s governing body, has suspended Rubiales for 90 days starting on 26 August. The Spanish FA has stuck firmly by its boss throughout and has even threatened to sue Hermoso. Separately on 28 August, a Spanish court opened a preliminary investigation to see if what took place was a sexual assault. Spain’s labour minister and second deputy prime minister Yolanda Diaz has also weighed in, according to Reuters. She said male chauvinism is “systemic” in the country. As a player, Rubiales was seen as having below-average technical skill compared to other Spanish players, but he was respected for his tenacity. He was also on the books of Valencia and Atletico Madrid during his youth, and started his senior career in the Spanish second division at Guadix. Later, he played for Mallorca's B side and moved on to Lleida, Xerez, Levante and Alicante, before ending up in Scotland. Meanwhile, in his more successful career as a bureaucrat, he has already courted controversy before. Rubiales was less than a month into his current job when he sacked men’s manager Julen Lopetegui – who until recently managed Premier League side Wolves – two days before the 2018 World Cup. The decision eventually saw the Spanish team make an ignominious last-16 exit. Rubiales was also at the centre of a controversy when he backed Women’s manager Jorge Vilda despite players complaining that they were not being allowed to lock doors of their hotel rooms on international duty until 2019. It has been pointed out that he and Vilda have a strong relationship. Vilda’s father, Jorge, is currently head of the RFEF’s women’s football department. Other headlines from Spanish newspapers in recent years have read: “The ex-boss of Rubiales’ cabinet says he paid for orgies with federation money,” in relation to private parties reportedly organised. Rubiales denies it. Another read: “Luis Rubiales acquitted of the accusation of assault of the architect who renovated his house,” in a case that also saw him accused of using money from the player’s union – of which he was president – to pay for the work. And then: “Rubiales deal with [Gerard] Pique for a €24m pitch to bring the Super Cup to Saudi Arabia – ‘you are left with six kilos’,” after a series of leaks showed some controversial deals with the former Spanish defender. However, he was already seen as a significant improvement on his predecessor, Angel Maria Villar. He was suspended as president after being detained in July 2017 on allegations of collusion, embezzlement and falsifying documents. As for Rubiales, calls for him to step down continue to intensify. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-08-29 18:22

Taylor Swift Seattle concert generates seismic activity
The activity equivalent to a 2.3 Magnitude quake beats a previous record set by fans celebrating a touchdown.
2023-07-29 15:46

Markram, spinners keep South Africa's series hopes alive
South Africa's spin bowlers backed up a century by Aiden Markram as the hosts ended Australia's winning streak with a 111-run victory in the third one-day international at the JB...
2023-09-13 02:46

Sir Alex Ferguson’s wife Cathy dies aged 84
Sir Alex Ferguson's wife Lady Cathy has passed away aged 84, the family have announced. The Glaswegian mother-of-three – who was described by her husband as his ‘bedrock’ – died yesterday morning in Cheshire surrounded by family. Lady Cathy was credited with having helped nurse him back to health after his stroke following his retirement from the club in 2013. A statement on behalf of the Ferguson family said: “We are deeply saddened to confirm the passing yesterday of Lady Cathy Ferguson, survived by her husband, three sons, two sisters, 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The family asks for privacy at this time.” The pair were married for nearly 60 years before her death, with the couple having met while they were both working at a typewriter factory in Glasgow. When Ferguson announced his retirement as manager of Manchester United in 2013 following a remarkable and enduring period of success, he said: “My wife Cathy has been the key figure throughout my career, providing a bedrock of both stability and encouragement. Words are not enough to express what this has meant to me.” A Manchester United club statement said: “Everyone at Manchester United sends our heartfelt condolences to Sir Alex Ferguson and his family. “Lady Cathy was a beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother, and a tower of strength for Sir Alex throughout his career.” When the Jason Ferguson-directed documentary titled ‘Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give In’ was released in 2021, Lady Cathy revealed Sir Alex had taken her to the cinema on their first date. “He bought me a box of liquorice allsorts at the movies, of which he ate all of them, and a local paper when we came out. That was my romantic day,” she said. “We got married in Glasgow registry office in 1966 and that was the start. I went to my work and he went to his football.” More follows Read More Listen: VAR audio reveals how incorrect offside decision against Luis Diaz was made Dog chased around pitch during Mexican football game after stealing ball The answers to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter quiz Auckland shooting takes place just 5km from venue of World Cup match Danish journalist ‘detained in Qatar for filming attack on Iranians by mob’ Rafael Nadal and wife welcome first child
2023-10-06 22:55

Kempe and the Kings cruise to a comfortable 5-1 win over the Blues
Adrian Kempe had a goal and an assist, and the Los Angeles Kings defeated the St. Louis Blues 5-1
2023-11-19 14:47

Is Kadarius Toney playing this week? Latest Chiefs injury report vs. Bears
Kadarius Toney bounced back from a rough season debut with five catches in a win over the Jaguars. But he also aggravated a toe injury that could keep him out for Week 3.
2023-09-24 01:27

Lakers looking for boost after falling behind Denver in conference finals
The Los Angeles Lakers' late-season transformation is one of this NBA season's best stories, but LeBron James and his teammates finally appear to be running out of steam in the Western Conference finals
2023-05-20 06:45

Mo'unga ready to forget All Blacks after Japan switch
New Zealand playmaker Richie Mo'unga said Tuesday that he can imagine playing in Japan "until I retire" and is not thinking about a future...
2023-11-21 15:48

Ben Shelton tops Frances Tiafoe at the US Open for his first Slam semifinal. Novak Djokovic is next
Ben Shelton has reached his first major semifinal by beating Frances Tiafoe in four sets at the U.S. Open
2023-09-06 12:49

Juventus agrees to fine but won't appeal in plea bargain over salaries probe
Juventus will be fined 718,000 euros but will agree not to make any appeals as part of a plea bargain with the Italian soccer federation after the club and seven former team directors were charged with alleged fraud for the way they handled player salary cuts during the coronavirus pandemic
2023-05-30 21:16

Jahmyr Gibbs might’ve cost a Giants LB his job in joint practice embarrassment
Detroit Lions rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs ran past New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke in joint practice. Could the Giants be calling in reinforcements?The first preseason games for all 32 NFL teams are scheduled to take place this week. For some, joint practices are being held with th...
2023-08-09 09:50
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