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RFEF regional presidents ask Rubiales to resign

The regional presidents of the Spanish football federation (RFEF) have demanded the resignation of president Luis Rubiales and called for a “profound and immediate restructuring” at the organisation as it tries to manage the fallout surrounding his unsolicited kiss of Spain forward Jenni Hermoso. A committee consisting of the presidents of the RFEF’s regional federations met for five hours on Monday to discuss next steps after FIFA hit Rubiales with…

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August 29, 2023

Saudi Arabia name Mancini new manager

Former Italy boss Roberto Mancini said he aims to make history after being named the new head coach of the Saudi Arabia national team by the country’s football federation on Sunday. The Saudi FA gave no further details, but Italian media reported Mancini would leave for Riyadh on Monday to attend a presentation event and sign a contract until 2027 worth €25 million ($27 million) net per year. He will…

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August 28, 2023

Spain coach condemns FA chief after staff resign

Spain coach Jorge Vilda hit out at Luis Rubiales for his “improper behaviour” following his unsolicited kiss of forward Jenni Hermoso after members of his coaching staff stepped down from their roles. Rubiales, the president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF), has been under pressure since the incident during the team’s celebration following their Women’s World Cup final victory over England on Aug. 20, but he refused to resign Friday,…

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August 28, 2023

Ten Hag praises Utd comeback after ‘horror start’

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag praised his team for overcoming a horror start to beat Nottingham Forest 3-2 in an Old Trafford thriller in the Premier League on Saturday. The hosts were 2-0 down and in disarray inside five minutes with Taiwo Awoniyi scoring a solo effort on the break and Willy Boly heading in a second goal for the visitors. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)…

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August 27, 2023

Arteta backs Havertz display amid fan complaints

Mikel Arteta has backed Kai Havertz to win over Arsenal supporters after another subdued showing in Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Fulham. The £67.5 million summer signing from Chelsea had the fewest touches (22) of any Arsenal outfield player in the first half and was substituted on 56 minutes with his side trailing 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) Arteta’s side responded to Andreas…

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August 27, 2023

FIFA suspends Spain FA boss for unsolicited kiss

FIFA has provisionally suspended Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF), from all football-related activities for 90 days following his unsolicited kiss of Jenni Hermoso after the Women’s World Cup final. Despite growing pressure throughout the week, including FIFA opening disciplinary proceedings Thursday, Rubiales refused to resign Friday, saying the kiss was “mutual and with consent.” – Charting Spain FA president’s five controversial years in charge Pachuca…

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August 27, 2023

Spain FA chief refuses to quit in explosive rant

Spain’s government has started the legal proceedings seeking to suspend president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF) Luis Rubiales after he refused to resign after a week of growing pressure following his unsolicited kiss of Spain player Jenni Hermoso. Rubiales, 46, announced the surprise move — after widespread reports that he planned to quit — in a speech in which he attempted to justify his behaviour, and lashed out at…

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August 26, 2023

Spain players boycott as Rubiales refuses to quit

All 23 players of Spain’s World Cup-winning squad have said they will not play for their country again as long as Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales remains in charge. Forward Jenni Hermoso released a joint statement via her union FUTPRO on Friday in which she denied Rubiales’ claim that she consented to his kiss during Spain’s World Cup final celebrations. The statement, co-signed by Spain’s entire World Cup…

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August 26, 2023

Cowell, MLS’s prized U21 prospects have Europe’s attention

Major League Soccer’s summer transfer window closed on Aug. 2, shortly after a rather well-known Argentinian departed Europe’s green football pastures to move his family to Florida, where he’s already absconded with a historic continental trophy and looks ready to collect another. While MLS regroups in regular season play after a month-long, Lionel Messi-laden inaugural Leagues Cup pause, the European transfer window (and windows of leagues beyond the continent) ticks…

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August 26, 2023

FIFA opens disciplinary case against Rubiales

FIFA’s disciplinary committee has opened disciplinary proceedings against Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish FA (RFEF), following his unsolicited kiss on Women’s World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso’s lips, the football governing body said on Thursday. The incident — which happened as Rubiales was presenting the players with their medals after they beat England 1-0 in the final on Sunday — sparked outrage within and outside Spain, with Hermoso saying…

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August 25, 2023

Euro 2025 group games draw record crowdsJuly 15, 2025
The group stage of the Women’s European Championship which finished on Sunday had record-breaking attendances with close to half a million fans attending games, and 22 of the 24 of them sold out. As well as 461,582 fans attending matches, there were several individual game records as well, according to European football’s governing body UEFA.… Read more: Euro 2025 group games draw record crowds
Club World Cup triumph shows Chelsea can win the Premier LeagueJuly 15, 2025
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Chelsea have “won it all,” but can the newly crowned world champions now win the Premier League? As Enzo Maresca’s team head back to London with a shiny new cup to place in the Stamford Bridge trophy cabinet, big Club World Cup performers such as Cole Palmer, João Pedro and Moisés… Read more: Club World Cup triumph shows Chelsea can win the Premier League
Wrexham’s Australia-NZ tour diary: Will back-to-back-to-back promotions catch up with them?July 14, 2025
Wrexham are touring Australia and New Zealand for the very first time. While the Championship awaits the Welsh side in 2025-26, they will first have to play three A-League clubs across three cities on their preseason tour. ESPN will be with them every step of the way as Phil Parkinson, Ryan Reynolds, Rob Mac &… Read more: Wrexham’s Australia-NZ tour diary: Will back-to-back-to-back promotions catch up with them?
FIFA, players agree to mandatory rest periodsJuly 14, 2025
Football’s player unions have secured an apparent victory in their battle for mandatory rest periods after a meeting in New York between FIFA president Gianni Infantino and senior figures from global player unions resulted in an agreement on the need for standardized player breaks. Amid concerns of player burnout, players’ groups had demanded action on… Read more: FIFA, players agree to mandatory rest periods
Wrexham’s Australia-NZ tour diary: How did they break ‘No Sherrin Rule’, and what is it?July 13, 2025
Wrexham are touring Australia and New Zealand for the very first time. While the Championship awaits the Welsh side in 2025-26, they will first have to play three A-League clubs across three cities on their preseason tour. ESPN will be with them every step of the way as Phil Parkinson, Ryan Reynolds, Rob Mac &… Read more: Wrexham’s Australia-NZ tour diary: How did they break ‘No Sherrin Rule’, and what is it?
Club World Cup final: How Chelsea, PSG compare; who will win?July 13, 2025
It’s the FIFA Club World Cup final on Sunday, and Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea will battle it out at MetLife Stadium for the honor of becoming the first winner of the 32-team tournament. After a monthlong competition in the United States, which has at times been overshadowed by low attendance, weather-enforced delays and extreme heat,… Read more: Club World Cup final: How Chelsea, PSG compare; who will win?
Palace out of Europa League amid Lyon conflictJuly 12, 2025
Crystal Palace have been demoted from the Europa League to the Conference League after UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) ruled the Premier League club was too closely linked to Lyon. Palace are now expected to take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, as has been the case with the other clubs… Read more: Palace out of Europa League amid Lyon conflict
Wenger doesn’t ‘share Klopp’s view’ of CWCJuly 12, 2025
Arsene Wenger has dismissed Jurgen Klopp’s criticism of FIFA’s revamped 32-team Club World Cup, calling the tournament a “fantastic competition” and emphasising the support it has received from participating teams, players, and managers. Klopp, the former Liverpool manager, described the expanded summer competition as “the worst idea ever invented” in an interview with German newspaper… Read more: Wenger doesn’t ‘share Klopp’s view’ of CWC
Source: Smith set for world-record Arsenal transferJuly 11, 2025
Olivia Smith is set to become the first player in the women’s game to command a transfer fee of £1 million ($1.4 million) as Arsenal seek to secure her signature from Liverpool, a source has told ESPN. The news was first reported by The Guardian, and the move is set to establish Canada international Smith,… Read more: Source: Smith set for world-record Arsenal transfer
Madrid target signings as Modrić exits – AlonsoJuly 11, 2025
Xabi Alonso has said Real Madrid are still looking to make additions to their squad for the upcoming season, after their comprehensive 4-0 defeat to Paris-Saint Germain in the Club World Cup semifinal. “We haven’t talked about it during the Club World Cup but from now on we’re open to making improvements,” the Madrid manager… Read more: Madrid target signings as Modrić exits – Alonso