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Blackstone Inc. wrapped up a record $5.2 billion fund for deals that defy easy categorization and aren’t constrained

Luis Rubiales, the Spanish FA president at the centre of a storm following the Women’s World Cup final, has been caught making an obscene gesture during celebrations at full-time. Rubiales came under fire in the aftermath of Spain’s 1-0 win over England in Sydney for kissing Spanish player Jenni Hermoso on the lips on the presentation stage. Asked about the moment, Hermoso intially said: “Eh... yeah, I did not enjoy that.” Later, via quotes put out by the Spanish FA, she described the kiss with the organisation’s president as “mutual and spontaneous”. Now footage has emerged of Rubiales grabbing his genitals in celebration in the moments after Spain’s victory. Standing close to Queen Letizia of Spain and her 16-year-old daughter, video shows him punch the air and apparently point at the players before making the gesture. Rubiales was later asked about the kissing incident, in which he grabbed Hermoso’s head. He told Radio Marca that it was merely “two people having a minor show of affection” and that he will not take notice of “idiocy,” referencing those outraged by his behaviour. “The kiss with Jenni? There are idiots everywhere,” he said. “When two people have a minor show of affection, we can’t listen to idiocies. We are champions and that is what stays with me.” Spain’s Equality Minister Irene Montero criticised his actions, saying: “We shouldn’t assume that kissing someone without their consent is something that just happens. It’s a form of sexual violence women suffer regularly, and invisibly, that we cannot normalise.” The latest footage is likely to increase pressure on Rubiales, whose role in charge of the country’s game has also come under scrutiny for his handling of a players’ protest which saw several Spain stars boycott the World Cup. Read More Moment Spanish FA president kisses Jenni Hermoso on the lips after world cup win Spain star reacts after FA president kisses her on lips Jorge Vilda: Spain’s World Cup coach at the heart of a civil war

Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl has responded to Jude Bellingham's supposed criticism of the "levels" at the German club.

Liverpool will appeal against Alexis Mac Allister’s red card on Saturday as they attempt to ensure the midfielder is not banned for three games. The Argentina international was sent off on his home debut by referee Thomas Bramall for a high challenge on Bournemouth’s Ryan Christie in Liverpool’s 3-1 win. The World Cup winner is set to be suspended for the Premier League matches against Newcastle, Aston Villa and Wolves, unless an appeal succeeds, but Liverpool run the risk the ban could be extended if it is deemed frivolous. If Mac Allister, a £35 million summer signing from Brighton, is not allowed to play at St James’ Park, it increases the chance Wataru Endo will be given a first start. Manager Jurgen Klopp said on Saturday he disagreed with the decision to dismiss Mac Allister, which was upheld by VAR Paul Tierney, though he had some sympathy for Bramall. He explained: “I 100 percent understand how it looks for the ref in that moment but when you see it back, it’s the inside of the foot with no power in it. "We’ve seen harsher challenges that weren’t red cards that should’ve been. I think we should talk about it. If he said it was a yellow, the VAR wouldn’t have upgraded to a red card. "Everything is lacking for a red card, the intensity. Yes, there was contact but there must be a different intention when it’s a red card. We will talk to the people about it." Read More Jurgen Klopp to consider appeal against Alexis Mac Allister’s red card New signing Wataru Endo compared to ‘one of the biggest Liverpool legends’ by Jurgen Klopp Liverpool recover from rocky opening to see off Bournemouth

Ivan Chittenden from Canada, and Brendan Wall, originally from County Meath, died during the event.

As Olga Carmona ran back to the Spanish celebrations, having just declared that the federation’s support was “marvellous” with a World Cup medal around her neck, she and manager Jorge Vilda high-fived then shared a huge hug. It was an image that went against the more prolific pictures of other players refusing to even look at their coach in the moment of glory. This is not to try and say it was all much rosier in the Spanish camp than had been reported. It is quite the opposite. It points to how multi-layered the many issues in the squad were, going way beyond a mutiny against the manager. The tragic news of Carmona's father passing away before the final illustrates this. But, separate from this tragedy, the issues were real. The Spanish federation’s social media account did put out a post with a picture of the coach and the Women’s World Cup trophy declaring “Vilda in”. The manager, having eventually appeared for his press conference after almost three hours of celebrating, was asked about this – and those who doubted him. In other words, the players at the core of the mutiny, who did not come back. Vilda’s answer was perhaps the most direct reference he’s made to the controversy throughout this World Cup, but was still oblique. “I’m happy for everyone we made happy and that wanted our squad to win. That’s it.” It was just another layer to a situation that has seen a core of players mutiny against the coach and the federation, some come back, with individuals then standing alongside replacements for rebels. It is understood there is a growing Real Madrid-Barcelona issue, to go alongside a more complicated split between those who are in the squad and have little time for Vilda and those who are completely indebted to him. Madrid’s Carmona, whose influence in the squad grew after the mutiny, is very much one of the latter. There is a lot that can be said about all this, but all pale next to the most relevant statement of all. Spain are world champions. Jenni Hermoso had an unintentionally pointed comment on that: “It is easier to say you are world champions than to achieve it.” That has rarely been so true. The most fascinating part of it all is that nobody has ever won any major tournament in a manner even close to this. It is a victory completely without precedent in the history of the sport. There’s an obvious reason for that. Squads faced with such strife usually fall apart. The centre doesn’t hold. It is in many ways how not to win a World Cup. You only have to look at France 2002 and 2010, the Netherlands at Euro 96 and even various men’s Spanish teams. And yet, in the moment of glory, there was another image that symbolised so much. By the penalty area where goalkeeper Cata Coll withstood England’s late pressure, all of the Spanish players had come together in one big group. Almost at the other end of the pitch, by the sideline, the coaching staff celebrated in their own separate huddle. That alone symbolised so much. And yet there was more. In the middle was the entire England squad, Sarina Wiegman and her staff gathering the players together for a consoling message of pride. It was the team with much more unity that had, in many ways, been taken apart. The question isn’t quite how, though. There are obvious explanations. Just as a very specific set of circumstances fostered this crisis, a very specific set of circumstances have also made Spain the best team in the world. All of these players have come through a superb coaching infrastructure, immersed in a highly specific identity, that just isn’t yet visible anywhere else in a developing women’s game. It has given them a supreme advantage that allows them to overcome an unprecedented number of problems. You only have to look at the instinctive way their players get out of the tightest of spaces, to initiate an intricate passing triangle. Any conscious issues are inevitably overcome when it comes that naturally. Carmona’s goal was the perfect example of this. It was executed at such speed and with such flow it was as if they didn’t even need to think about it. They just knew what to do. It was ingrained. It used to be like this for the Spanish men, goalkeeper Coll even making a point of mentioning of how she was inspired by Andres Iniesta and Iker Casillas in 2010. It was just that other countries caught up and began to develop plans that worked very well to counter it. Wiegman gave as good an attempt as anyone, other than Japan. This is another historic anomaly with this Spanish team. No one outside West Germany 1954 has ever won either a men or women’s World Cup having lost a game by more than two goals. Wiegman and her staff had, of course, pored over footage of Spain’s 4-0 defeat to Japan. They thought they had something figured out, but found Vilda’s side had stepped up a level. The Japan match had evidently allowed insight into potential solutions for Spain’s tactical problems. Wiegman almost seemed blown away by how good Spain were, in a very gracious press conference. She naturally admitted they deserved it and then elaborated on the almost impossible balance she tried to strike between pressing Spain but not leaving space in behind. It’s immensely difficult when a player like Aitana Bonmati can just escape in the way she does. That is, again, the other side of this issue. If Spain’s preparation shows how not to win a World Cup, their idea of the game is just how to play football. There are so many moments you watch one of those moves and think every single footballer should have this as a fundamental of their game. There may be fair questions over whether Vilda is any good as a coach at all but he did get one big call right on Sunday: it was clearly correct to go with Salma Paralluelo over Alexia Putellas and became more pronounced given Wiegman’s reluctance to play Lauren James from the start. One stuck. One twisted. It is one of many turns in the story of this campaign, that has never been as neat or as binary as portrayed. It still isn’t how you’d want to prepare for a World Cup, though. That is by far the most remarkable aspect of this fully deserved win. Read More Jorge Vilda: Spain’s World Cup coach at the heart of a civil war Spain star Jenni Hermoso reacts after FA president kisses her on lips Olga Carmona: Spain’s World Cup-winning goalscorer is informed of father’s death minutes after final ends Spanish FA boss who kissed player filmed making obscene gesture The anguish, emotion and the story of the Women’s World Cup in photos Women’s World Cup 2023 LIVE: England head home after final heartbreak

Everton have condemned “vile” racist abuse aimed at midfielder Amadou Onana on social media and vowed to track down the alleged perpetrator. The Premier League club released a statement on Monday revealing the 22-year-old Senegal-born Belgium international had been targeted and reiterating its zero-tolerance stance on discrimination. An investigation is under way with the Toffees ready to support police in any action they may take. The statement read: “Everton Football Club strongly condemns any form of racist and discriminatory abuse towards our players. “The club is aware of a racist post targeted at Amadou Onana. Such abuse is vile and will not and should not be tolerated. “The club is conducting an investigation to identify the individual responsible and will also be supporting police with any investigation they conduct. “We must all take a zero-tolerance stance by reporting such behaviour to social media platforms and the authorities. Racism has no place online, in our stadia or in our communities.” Onana, a £34million signing from French club Lille last summer, played the full 90 minutes in Sunday’s 4-0 Premier League defeat at Aston Villa. The defensive midfielder has been linked with a move to Manchester United in recent weeks.

Bayern Munich & Liverpool have both shown interest in Man City midfielder Kalvin Phillips.

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Jeremy Doku communicates to Rennes that he only wants to join Manchester City despite interest from West Ham United.

Ben Foster has retired from professional football for a second time, Wrexham have announced. The former England goalkeeper came out of retirement to help the Welsh club’s push for promotion to the football league in March. Foster made 12 appearances for the club, including four this season, during his second spell, having played for them back in 2005 on loan. He played as recently as Saturday (19 August) in Wrexham’s thrilling 5-5 draw with Swindon, but the 40-year-old made up his mind after the game, despite being just 10 weeks into his year-long contract. “The honest truth is that my performances this season haven’t reached the level I demand of myself, and I feel that now is the right time to retire,” Foster said in a statement. “At the forefront of my mind, when making this decision, was not only what was best for me but also the Club, and making the decision now gives the Club every opportunity to assess their options before the [transfer] window closes. “Wrexham will always have a special place in my heart.” Foster, who has eight England caps to his name, first hung up his gloves in September 2022 when his contract at Watford expired and they were relegated to the Championship. It was a career that began with Foster playing for RC Warwick and then Stoke back in 2001, and in the 22 years since he has played for a number of clubs including Manchester United. His return to Watford in 2018 marked his second spell with the Hornets. Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson said: “Ben has been the model professional while at Wrexham and has done everything we have asked of him. “It takes a big person to make the decision he has and one who really understands this Football Club, with the timing of his decision. I am sure I speak for everyone, when thanking him for his contribution that went far beyond that one magnificent penalty save against Notts County to help us gain promotion last season. “Wrexham AFC was a better place for having Ben Foster around the Club.” Read More Hugh Jackman joins Ryan Reynolds at Wrexham game: ‘Finally snagged an invite!’ Wrexham’s league return in front of Hollywood stars spoiled by MK Dons Why James McClean needs Wrexham just as much as the club needs him Wrexham goalkeeper Ben Foster retires from football for a second time The anguish, emotion and the story of the Women’s World Cup in photos Are Everton the first crisis club of the season?

Mikel Arteta explains what he has changed at Arsenal to try and win the Premier League title.