Women’s World Cup 2023

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      Liverpool legend backs Spain players’ push for change in football federation hours before sacking of secretary general

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      XABI ALONSO hailed Spain Women stars’ push for “decisive changes” within their country’s football federation.The Bayer Leverkusen boss was speaking after a majority ended their boycott of the national team.
      Spain players including 15 of the World Cup winning squad ended their boycott of the national team on WednesdayCredit: AP
      Xabi Alonso backed Spain’s players’ calls for changes within their federation and the sport describing it as the right causeCredit: AP
      The players’ boycott preceded the resignation of former Spain football federation president Luis Rubiales and the sacking of secretary general Andreu CampsCredit: AP
      Their move came after players were given assurances the Spanish FA was committed to making “profound and immediate” changes to its structure
      And tonight the federation (RFEF) sacked its secretary general Andreu Camps.
      Reports in Spain described Camps as an ally of the organisation’s former president Luis Rubiales. 
      Rubiales resigned from his role after facing a backlash following his unwanted kiss of Spain forward Jenni Hermoso following her team’s World Cup final win against England in August. 
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      Alonso, whose side will play BK Hacken in the Europa League on Thursday, told reporters: “My daughters will remember what these women fought for.
      “Football is just a game. This is why everything that is happening right now can only be the first step. But it is an important step
      “They became world champions, we should talk about their success.
      “Good things can come from bad things if you fight for the right cause.
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      “The footballers are fighting for their rights and clearly “they are on the right path.
      “After the things we have seen in the recent past, it is important that things change in Spanish football and in the RFEF”.
      The halt of Spain players’ boycott saw the bulk of the 23 called up for Women’s Nations League duty remain in camp after returning on Tuesday.
      The group includes 15 of the squad who helped Spain win the World Cup for the first time in their history in August.
      Players’ protest came in the wake of Hermoso being kissed on the mouth by Rubiales.
      It also followed ongoing concerns regarding the federation’s management of the women’s national side and 
      However they agreed to end their mutiny on Wednesday following several hours of talks that ended at 5am.
      And Spanish women’s football union president Amanda Guitteriez was among the officials involved in discussions.
      Two of the 23 aces called up by head coach Montse Tome before the team’s Women’s Nations League matches left the camp on Wednesday morning.
      Mapi Leon and Patri Guijarro departed group before the games against Sweden on Friday and Switzerland next Tuesday. 
      The Barcelona stars were among 39 players who had stood down from duty this month after sharing a collective written statement flagging their concerns.
      The statement’s included a call for a restructuring of the RFEF and and its organisation of women’s football.
      After leaving Spain’s camp Leon said: “The situation is different for me and Patri.
      “It’s not been the right way for us to return. We’re not in a place to be told: ‘Now you’re coming back.’ 
      “It’s a process. We’re happy changes are happening but we need time. We support our team-mates, as we have done until now.”
      Patri added: “These changes are being worked on and it is true that they have not happened yet, but work is being done.
      “It is quite difficult and hard. Being here, and as everything has happened, mentally you are not able to be there.
      Mapi Leon (right) and Patri Guijarro left Spain women’s national team training camp in Valencia due to personal discomfortCredit: EPA
      “This is our explanation.”
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      Of their decision to leave the camp, Francos said: “They have requested to due to personal discomfort.
      “I hope that the same respect will be given to those who stay as for those who do not.” More

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      Spain women’s team given new NAME after crisis talks following Rubiales kiss storm

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      SPAIN’S women’s team have been given a new name in the wake of the Luis Rubiales kiss storm.As part of the Spanish FA’s gender-neutral rebrand with the men’s side, they will no longer be called Spain Women.
      Spain’s women’s team will be renamed ‘Spanish Football Team’Credit: Getty
      Instead, the Women’s World Cup winners will be renamed the Spanish Football Team, the same name held by the men’s side.
      The decision follows crunch talks between the RFEF and players from their World Cup triumph.
      Talks were held in a bid to move on from the Rubiales scandal, dating back to the disgraced FA president’s kiss on Jenni Hermoso following last month’s World Cup final.
      In a statement, the RFEF confirmed the name change, with interim president Pedro Rocha promising it will open the door to a changed attitude regarding the women’s team.
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      “Beyond a symbolic step,” he explained. “We want it to imply a change in concept, and the recognition that football is football, practiced by whoever practices it.”
      The name change will also apply to the country’s futsal and beach soccer national teams.
      Spanish players had written to the RFEF about the importance of structural changes to the national set-up ahead of the talks.
      Of those that were involved, two players are said to have left the camp following the talks for mental health reasons.
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      Spain return to action this week, facing Sweden in the Nations League on Friday in their first match since the scandal.
      New manager Montserrat Tome has named her first squad as boss, having replaced World Cup-winning coach Jorge Vilda.
      However, 39 players are understood to have turned down call-ups from the national team, including 15 World Cup winners.
      Meanwhile, Pachuca forward Hermoso was left out completely. More

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      Eagle-eyed fans convinced Sam Kerr is ENGAGED to Kristie Mewis after US star’s EA FC card is revealed

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      EAGLE-EYED fans are convinced that Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis are engaged.The pair have become women’s football’s power couple since going public with their relationship.
      Eagle-eyed fans have spotted a ring on Kristie Mewis’ fingerCredit: Twitter
      Mewis appeared to be wearing a ring in a promotional video for EA FC 24Credit: Twitter
      Mewis was spotted wearing a ring during a recent promotional video for the new EA FC 24 game.
      Having celebrated Kerr’s 30th birthday following the Women’s World Cup, Mewis has now returned to the USA.
      Whilst she has linked up with club side NJ/NY Gotham FC, Kerr headed to London for pre-season training with Chelsea.
      However, the Australia forward appears to be in New York this week after sharing an image of a rainy skyline on Monday.
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      That snap has now been followed by engagement rumours after Gotham FC posted a clip of Mewis and her team-mates.
      In the video, she can be seen revealing her ratings in EA FC 24, with a ring spotted on her finger.
      The ring has sent fans into a frenzy, despite no official announcement from either Kerr or Mewis.
      “Not the ROCK,” tweeted one excited fan.
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      Sam Kerr and Mewis are women’s football’s power coupleCredit: Instagram.com/kmewis19
      Fans are convinced Kerr and Mewis are engagedCredit: Instagram.com/kmewis19
      Another also commented: “Omg is Kristie wearing an engagement ring?”
      Meanwhile, a third added: “WHAT’S THAT ON YOUR HAND KRISTIE??”
      Kerr and Mewis first met in 2019 whilst they were both playing in the NWSL.
      They later spoke online for four months during Covid lockdown in 2020, before spending two weeks together in quarantine.
      The couple first met back in 2019Credit: Getty
      Kerr starred for Australia at the Women’s World Cup this summerCredit: Reuters
      Their relationship finally became public in 2021 after the USA beat Australia in the semi-finals of the Olympics.
      An on-pitch embrace between the duo was caught on camera and made headlines as Kerr’s split from Nikki Stanton had not yet been made public.
      Kerr and Mewis have since documented their relationship on social media, with the Chelsea star explaining they are not a private couple.
      “We’re not private people,” she told Gaffer earlier this year. “I like sharing my story. I like sharing who I am outside of football. Football is five per cent of my life.” More

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      Spain chaos continues as 39 players including 15 Women’s World Cup winners REFUSE call-ups after Rubiales kiss storm

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      SPANISH football has been plunged into deeper chaos after 39 players including 15 World Cup winners refused call-ups to the women’s team.The stars say “nothing” has changed to make them back down as the fallout from Luis Rubiales kissing Jenni Hermoso on the lips continues.
      The scandal over Luis Rubiales kissing Spanish World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso has led to a large-scale player boycott
      Spain beat England in the Women’s World Cup final in Sydney in AugustCredit: Getty
      Rubiales finally quit as Spanish football federation president last week after the scandal of his behaviour towards midfielder Hermoso at the World Cup medal ceremony intensified.
      A group of 81 players, including all 23 members of the World Cup squad, had said they would not play while Rubiales remained in charge.
      New Spain head coach Montse Tome went ahead and named most of them anyway – but not Hermoso – for Nations League games against Sweden and Switzerland.
      But the players have doubled down on their stance – confirming in a statement on Monday night that “nothing” had changed.
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      They had turned up the heat last Friday after Rubiales resigned, saying they would only return after more changes to the system.
      The players added they were not yet “in a safe place” and stressed problems at the federation ran far deeper than Rubiales.
      And after Tome picked a huge batch of them on Monday, they responded by doubling down as they again rejected call-ups.
      A new statement from the players included: “As elite professional players and after everything that has happened today, we will study the possible legal consequences to which the RFEF exposes us by putting us on a list from which we had asked not to be called for reasons already explained publicly and in more detail to the RFEF, and with this make the best decision for our future and for our health.”
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      They argued their selection was “not in accordance” with Fifa regulations, meaning the federation was “not in a position to require us to go”.
      Meanwhile, Tome has emphasised she strongly backs Hermoso despite her omission.
      The coach said: “We stand with Jenni. We believe that the best way to protect her is like this, but we are counting on Jenni.
      “It’s the start of a new phase, the clock is ticking. There is nothing behind us and we really want to connect with these players.”
      Rubiales, 46, has been banned from going within 200 metres of Hermoso as the national court in Madrid considers a complaint of sexual assault, which he denies. More

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      Spain call up 15 Women’s World Cup winners but NOT Jenni Hermoso after Rubiales kiss storm

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      WORLD CUP winners Spain have NOT called up Jenni Hermoso to their squad following the Luis Rubiales kiss saga.Montserrat Tome has taken over as manager of the Spanish national team following the sacking of Jorge Vilda.
      Jenni Hermoso has been left out of Spain’s first squad after their Women’s World Cup triumphCredit: Getty
      Former Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales has resigned after kissing Hermoso after the team’s World Cup winCredit: Getty
      And Tome has included 15 players from the World Cup-winning squad for their games against Sweden and Switzerland.
      However, Hermoso has not been included.
      At a press conference, Tome said: “We are with Jenni in everything, the best way to protect her is like this.”
      It comes after Spain’s players confirmed last week they will boycott the upcoming two fixtures as they seek change in the Spanish FA.
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      Of the initial 80 who went on strike, 39 remain unavailable – 21 of the 23 World Cup winners plus 18 more – but 41 changed their stance.
      Spain’s striking players believe the departures of Rubiales and Vilda are not enough to have fixed the situation, and that more needs to be done.
      Of their victorious World Cup-winning squad, only Athenea del Castillo and Claudia Zornoza have not co-signed the statement.
      Two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas said earlier this week: “We are asking for changes so no woman, inside or outside of soccer, should ever have to experience again situations of disparagement, disrespect, or abuse.
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      “We need consensus, courage and leadership from the institutions, please. This is why we will not stop here.”
      The boycott comes despite Rubiales’ eventual resignation in his interview with Piers Morgan this week and Vilda’s sacking.
      The disgraced pair were both accused of misogyny even before Rubiales kissed Spanish midfielder Hermoso following the final win over England in Sydney.
      Vilda, who angered the women’s team throughout his eight years in charge, was largely excluded from the celebrations and was removed from his post as pressure mounted on the Spanish FA.
      Shameless Rubiales tried to fight on – boldly declaring “I’m not quitting” – before he relented and announced his resignation having already been suspended by Fifa.
      Rubiales – who has refused to apologise to the World Cup star – denies Hermoso’s claim there was no consent and says there was “no sexual content, no aggression” and that it was a “very common kiss between friends”.
      The full squad is as follows:

      Goalkeepers : Misa Rodriguez, Cata Coll, Enith Salon
      Defenders : Irene Paredes, Laia Alexandri, Maria Mendez, Oihane Hernandez, Olga Carmona, Ona Batlle, Maria Leon
      Midfielders : Aitana Bonmati, Alexia Putellas, Patri Guijarro, Maria Perez, Tere Abelleira, Rosa Marquez
      Forwards : Athenea del Castillo, Esther Gonzalez, Eva Navarro, Mariona Caldentey, Inma Gabarro, Amaiur Sarriegi and Lucía García More

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      Shamed ex FA chief Luis Rubiales forced to sell his £1.2m home in the wake of ‘kiss-gate’ scandal and divorce battle

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      EX-Spanish Football Association Chief Luis Rubiales has been forced to sell his luxury Madrid apartment in the wake of the “kiss-gate” scandal.The £1.2million mansion has been put on the market as Rubiales faces mounting legal bills after his non-consensual kiss with footballer Jenni Hermoso and an increase in alimony to his ex-wife and kids.
      Rubiales set it on the market, allegedly to help with legal billsCredit: Obras Nuevas
      The modern property was recently put on the marketCredit: Obras Nuevas estate agency
      The former FA chief already has to pay double alimony for his daughters after his ex-wife won a lawsuit against him, according to El Mundo.
      Rubiales separated from his wife in 2013, and now has to pay 800 euros per month for each of his three daughters – another financial blow.
      Hermoso filed an official criminal case against Rubiales earlier this month, as the disgraced FA chief continues to insist he is innocent of any wrongdoing.
      Now in a bid to secure funding for his legal fight, the ex-football boss has put his stunning duplex apartment in the exclusive neighbourhood of Rosales, in Madrid, up for sale.
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      Rubiales bought the completely renovated property for £1.1million, but could make a profit of £100k by selling it £1.2million, according to Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia.
      Spread over two floors, the stunning property has two bedrooms with separate bathrooms, a private pool with access to shared gardens, a community pool, gastrobar, home cinema room and gym.
      The ground floor boasts a large living and dining room, two en-suite bedrooms, three bathrooms, fully equipped kitchen, an office, storage room and double garage.
      Finishing touches include a home automation system, underfloor heating and motorised blinds. 
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      The property is located in a historic building that dates back to 1946 and was, coincidentally, the old Provincial Court of Madrid.
      It is situated in the heart of the capital, just a short walk away from the Plaza de España, and was designed by top architect firm Touza Arquitectos.
      Rubiales put the property up for sale after Hermoso, 33, claimed she “felt vulnerable and the victim of aggression” after the kiss.
      Footage appeared to show Rubiales planting a kiss on the player after Spain triumphed over England at the Women’s World Cup final last month.
      Rubiales initially refused to resign and blamed “false feminism” for his “social assassination”.
      Only days ago, the ex-footy chief was hit with another blow as he was given a restraining order which bans him from contacting Jenni Hermoso or going near her.
      Spain’s former FA president was banned from coming within 200 meters of Hermoso or trying to communicate with her.
      It comes after Hermoso alleged she and her relatives were put under pressure by Rubiales and his entourage to say that she approved what happened.
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      He was hauled into court to be quizzed by a judge after Hermoso filed a formal criminal complaint weeks ago.
      Judge de Jorge launched a criminal investigation into suspected sexual assault after a formal complaint was made by prosecutors.
      The apartment boasts a dining room as wellCredit: Obras Nuevas
      It offers a private pool and balconyCredit: Obras Nuevas estate agency
      He testified in a Madrid court on FridayCredit: Zuma Press
      The £1.2million flat in Madrid has gone on the marketCredit: Obras Nuevas estate agency
      The ex-footy chief could face criminal chargesCredit: Zuma Press More

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      I’m an international football manager dreaming of reaching the World Cup – but I also work as a dentist

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      HEIMER HALLGRIMSSON is using his wisdom as Jamaica’s head coach – when he is not pulling out wisdom teeth in his other job as a dentist. The Icelandic manager took over as the Reggae Boyz boss in September 2022.
      Heimir Hallgrimsson is the head coach of the Jamaica national football teamCredit: Getty
      He is also a fully qualified dentistCredit: Refer to Caption
      And he dreams of taking his adopted nation to the next World Cup – in the United States, Canada and Mexico in 2026.
      But if things do not work out for Hallgrimmsson in the Caribbean, he knows he can return home to his tiny Icelandic island of Heimaey and resume his dentistry full-time.
      The former defender, who first cut his teeth in management at Hottur’s women’s team while playing for the men in 1993, opened his own clinic nearly 30 years ago – even combining his pro career on the pitch by seeing patients in the dentist chair.
      He did put the fillings and treatments on the backburner when he co-managed Iceland at Euro 2016 and then took over singlehandedly for the nation’s first World Cup appearance in 2018.
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      Hallgrimmsson told SunSport ahead of the tournament in Russia: “I still have my clinic and I like to keep my fingers working.
      “So I try to go there as much as I can in my spare time and do some dentistry.
      “Some coaches go and play golf, I do dentistry.
      “The reality of a football coach, you never know when you are out of a job so it’s good to have another profession to jump into.
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      “The clients love it, and I love it too.
      “They talk about football until I’m fed up… and then I give them anaesthesia!”
      Hallgrimmsson even had to step into action while watching a game from the stands in 2016 – even having to repair a tooth.
      He added: “I was watching a local women’s game when one of the players got knocked out and her tooth came out.
      “So I jumped on the pitch and put the tooth back in, took her to a dental office and fixed it.
      “That kind of thing can happen.”
      It may seem like two totally different careers – football management and dentistry.
      But Hallgrimmsson certainly sees some similarities, adding: “Working as a dentist has helped me a lot as you’re always working one-on-one.
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      “Some people are really afraid of going to the dentist, so you have to find the right way to talk to each individual client.
      “You might have to relax one, be funny to the next one, be serious to the third, but you have to be quick to adapt. It is the same with footballers.”
      Jamaica have played at just one World Cup previously, winning one and losing two of their group games in France in 1998.
      But under the tutelage of Hallgrimmsson, they could be in with a shot of making it in three years’ time.
      Hallgrimmsson will be hoping to get experience in facing some of the big hitters in international football, including world champions Argentina, at the 2024 Copa America, which has six spots for CONCACAF nations.
      Demarai Gray, Michail Antonio, Leon Bailey, Bobby Decordova-Reid and incoming Chelsea youngster Dujuan Richards help make up an exciting Jamaica squad.
      He said: “I think we can do good things in the World Cup in 2026. We are just starting our journey.
      “Now we have to try to find players, to select players who we want to have on the bus on this long journey to 2026, and this is like the beginning for us the coaches.
      “I have to be patient and Jamaica has to be patient, but given the quality of the players I think we can be very, very good.
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      “To prepare for the World Cup, it would be huge to be able to play in the Copa America finals with the likes of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and so forth.
      “Our plan, our aim, our mission is to do well in the USA, Canada, and Mexico in 2026.”
      Jamaica are aiming to qualify for the 2026 World CupCredit: Getty
      Hallgrimsson led Iceland to their first World Cup in 2018Credit: Reuters More

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      We want to turn iconic World Cup venue and world’s third most expensive football stadium into a block of flats

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      ARCHITECTS are hoping to turn derelict stadiums once used to host World Cup matches into a network of social housing for destitute Brazilians.The Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha in capital Brasilia once hosted deafening capacity crowds during the most anticipated competition in the country’s history.
      The Mané Garrincha in Brasilia is now a spine-chilling shadow of its former selfCredit: Alamy
      The ground was packed to the rafters when Argentina and Belgium faced off in the World Cup group stageCredit: AFP
      The arena is a ghost town these daysCredit: Alamy
      But today, the 72,000 seat arena stands eerily quiet, sparsely filled for tattoo conventions and culinary events and rarely, if ever, used for football matches.
      Re-inaugurated and renovated for $900million in preparation for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2014 FIFA World Cup, the complex also deputises as a bus depot.
      And it is still draining funds to this day, costing £132,000 per month to maintain.
      However, for the last few years, two architects have rallied to propose the stadium be repurposed to accommodate Brazilians enduring squalid living conditions.
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      The ‘Casa Futebol‘ project has suggested turning the Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha and other vacant domestic arenas into affordable housing.
      The project, however, has been met with significant resistance since its inception, a crying shame in a country currently working its way out of a housing deficit.
      “The stadiums are so absurdly big, and the housing issues in Brazil are so real,” architect Sylvain Macaux told NBC News.
      “This is just a concept and an example of what people could do with these stadiums after the World Cup.
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      “It’s not the only answer, but we think it has real potential.”
      In the run up to his polarised presidential victory, Lula da Silva prioritised lifting millions of Brazilians out of poverty before he snatched the keys away from populist Jair Bolsonaro.
      “We have to make inequality a priority and not the spending cap,” he told reporters of independent websites.
      “Brazil has to put the poor back in the budget and tax the rich,” he said, referring to his Workers Party support for taxing corporate profit and dividends.
      Lula, 76, governed Brazil from 2003-2010 and his government’s social programs pulled millions of Brazilians from squalor.
      Elsewhere, the once impressive Pontiac Silverdome stadium was left to sit abandoned for years after playing host to some iconic events.
      The 82,000 seat venue hosted some legendary sporting events over the years, including the 1987 WrestleMania, the Super Bowl XVI and part of the 1994 Fifa World Cup.
      The arena was abuzz with activity during the 2014 World CupCredit: Alamy
      The ground is mostly used for conventions and eventsCredit: Alamy More