List of All Articles with Tag 'sp'

Spain skipper Olga Carmona has dedicated her World Cup triumph to her late father after firing the nation to victory over England. The 23-year-old learned that her father had died after scoring the only goal in Sunday’s 1-0 victory over the Lionesses in Sydney. Real Madrid defender Carmona said in a tweet on Monday: “I have no words to thank you for all your love. “Yesterday was the best and the worst day of my life. “I know that you would like to see me enjoy this historic moment – that is why I will be with my companions – so that from wherever you are, you know that this star is also yours, dad.” Carmona struck 29 minutes into the game at Stadium Australia to hand Spain their first World Cup triumph at the expense of Sarina Wiegman’s England, sparking delirious celebrations on and off the pitch. However, the heart-breaking news of her father’s death was confirmed by Real and the Spanish football federation (RFEF) hours later. Carmona herself then took to social media to pay tribute to him, writing: “And without knowing it, I had my star before the game started. “I know that you have given me the strength to achieve something unique. “I know that you have been watching me tonight and that you are proud of me. Rest in peace, dad.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

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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

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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

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The Lionesses gave their all during the Women’s World Cup and none have made a bigger impression than Mary Earps. The goalkeeper bailed England out on plenty of occasions and brought fans some of the best moments of the tournament. Most of all, though, the Manchester United player powered the team through with sheer force of personality, playing a key part in England’s run to the final. The likes of Lauren Hemp, Alessia Russo and Lauren James also impressed, but it was the keeper that gave us the something to cheer during the final despite the result. Earps won the 2023 Women’s World Cup golden glove – which is even more remarkable to think that she came close to quitting the sport entirely until coach Sarina Wiegman gave her a chance in the side before the Euros. These are five times she proved she was a national treasure. Her rant during the final Earps became an instant viral sensation after launching into a very sweary rant immediately after saving a penalty against Spain. It proved the standout moment for England during a disappointing 1-0 defeat. The shot-stopper saved a penalty from Spain's Jenni Hermoso in the final and reacted by shouting "f***ing yes, f*** off." It was the only real moment fans had to celebrate during the game. She’s a TikTok star @england The bona fide queen of TikTok: Mary Earps ? #england #Lionesses #FIFAWWC Fans have more insight into life in the England camp than ever before, and that’s partly due to Earps and her behind-the-scenes videos on TikTok. “I’m known as TikTok Queen,” she said recently, talking about entertaining her 868,000 followers. “I think TikTok just suits my personality and it gives people a real insight into who I am as a person, but also what the team’s like… you see a lot of training pictures and things like that - who we are as people and who were are as human beings. If I see anything that documents our journey then I might make a little video of it.” Dancing on the tables after the Euros 'It's coming home!' England players storm press conference chanting slogan | #WEURO2022 | Lionesses www.youtube.com The Lionesses raised the profile of the women’s game back in 2022 after winning the Euros, and the celebrations stretched out into the days after the game. One of the best moments saw the entire England team gatecrash coach Wiegman’s press conference, and who was the one to lead the chanting and dance on the table? Earps, of course. Getting a badger named after her You know you’re reaching national treasure status when things are named in your honour – and a baby beaver was named after the goalkeeper in honour of England reaching the World Cup final. The kit was born at the National Trust’s Holnicote Estate, near Exmoor, in Somerset, and joins siblings Russo, Toone and Rashford. Earps is the sixth member of the family born at an enclosure known as Paddocks, with twins – named Moss and Fern – born at a second enclosure nearby. Members of the public were invited to help name the three kits, with the final decision made by the ranger team on the estate. Earps is the younger sibling of Rashford, the first beaver born on Exmoor for 400 years, who was named after Manchester United player Marcus Rashford in 2021. He was followed by twins Russo and Toone, named after Lionesses Alessia Russo and Ella Toone, last summer. The kit debacle One of the biggest talking points before the tournament was Earps and her campaign to get the England goalkeeper shirt available for people to buy. Fans have been unable to purchase the shirt, with Nike deciding it wasn’t profitable to sell them. It led them to launch petitions with more than 65,000 signatures and even make their own shirts at home. Speaking earlier this summer about Nike’s decision not to sell the shirt, Earps said: “I can't really sugarcoat this any way so I'm not going to try, it's hugely disappointing and very hurtful. “It's something that I've been fighting behind closed doors. I've been desperately trying to find a solution with the FA and with Nike.” She added: “Unfortunately it's become very evident that is not possible and there's not going to be an acceptable solution for the young kids out there. On a personal level it's obviously hugely hurtful, considering the last 12 months especially. “For my own family, friends and loved ones not to be able to buy my shirt, they're just going to come out and wear normal clothes. All my team-mates, they've ordered a lot of shirts for their friends and family, they're talking at the dinner table 'I wasn't able to get this' and I'm saying 'I wasn't able to get it at all'. “I know there's a lot of people who have spent a tremendous amount of money on outfield shirts and then put '1 Earps' on the back, which doesn't sit well with me either. “It's a very scary message that's being sent to goalkeepers worldwide that 'you're not important'. A lesson I've learned is that I should have made a public statement sooner maybe. I look back on it and I've tried everything. I offered to fund it myself and my team-mates have been really supportive.” Sign up for 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.

Provides and overview of Guatemala, including key facts about this Central American country.

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.