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Spanish court wants Rubiales, Vilda to stand trial

A Spanish High Court judge proposed on Thursday that former football federation chief Luis Rubiales stand trial for kissing player Jenni Hermoso’s lips after Spain’s victory in the Women’s World Cup. The court said in a statement that the judge, Francisco de Jorge, also sought a trial for former women’s team coach Jorge Vilda, as well as Albert Luque, the men’s team’s sport director, and Ruben Rivera, the federation’s marketing…

Union boss banned 3 games for shoving Sané

Union Berlin coach Nenad Bjelica was banned for three matches and fined €25,000 ($27,075) on Thursday after he shoved Bayern Munich’s Leroy Sané, the German Football Association (DFB) said. The Croatian coach was sent off after 74 minutes in Wednesday’s 1-0 Bundesliga loss to Bayern after shoving Sane. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) The player had gone to get the ball from Bjelica near the Union bench…

Maidstone United’s long journey from the abyss to the FA Cup fourth round

Bill Williams, 81, has seen it all at Maidstone United across his 50-year association with the club. “I was first a player here back in 1972,” he tells ESPN. “I’ve been here a long time, but I’ve been a player and a manager since we made it to the Football League in 1989. I’ve been general manager, chairman, the chief executive, and now I’m director of football.” Back during his…

If you’re not watching the UEFA Women’s Champions League, you’re missing out

At the start of 2024, ESPN’s Gab Marcotti laid out his wishes for the year, a belated Christmas list that could help common sense prevail in football governance. Among Gab’s wishes were that the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) be given a bigger platform to help the game grow, while noting the incoming format change that arrives in 2025-26. To achieve this, the two burning questions are: 1) Is there…

Only lifting the Carabao Cup will do for Chelsea’s Pochettino

After nine years of waiting, Mauricio Pochettino has scratched the itch of reaching a cup final in England. But playing in next month’s Carabao Cup final won’t be enough for the Chelsea head coach — he has to win it. Chelsea’s emphatic 6-1 semifinal second-leg win against Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge confirmed the Blues’ first Carabao Cup final since losing to Liverpool in 2022. Jurgen Klopp’s team will be their…

Guinea urge calm as six die in Cup celebrations

The Guinean Football Federation have asked fans to tone down their celebrations after six people were killed following a 1-0 win over Gambia at the Africa Cup of Nations on Friday. Jubilant Guinea fans took to the streets around the country after a victory that put coach Kaba Diawara’s side on the brink of reaching the knockout rounds at the tournament in Ivory Coast. The Federation released a video from…

Hayes expects emotional Chelsea exit for USWNT

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes has said she expects an emotional end to her illustrious stint at the Women’s Super League side when she leaves at the end of this season to take charge of the United States women’s national team. Hayes took over at Chelsea in 2012 and helped them become the dominant force in English women’s football, winning six league titles and five FA Cups. It was announced in…

FIFA: Teams should ‘forfeit’ for racist fan chants

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Saturday that teams whose fans engage in racist abuse should be made to forfeit following incidents in Italy’s Serie A and England’s Championship. AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan briefly left the pitch in protest during a 3-2 win at Udinese due to repeated racist chants from home fans. He alerted the referee before walking to the team’s dressing room, followed by his teammates, before…