List of All Articles with Tag 'cma'

The 2023/24 Premier League season is under way and you can follow every game and every goal right here with The Independent. This year sees Manchester City try to defend their crown and claim a historic fourth title in succession. Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering City, who also won the Champions League and FA Cup last season, will have to see off Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and the rest to claim an unprecedented sixth league title in seven years. Meanwhile Luton Town are making their first appearance in the Premier League, having risen from non-league in an incredible decade of progress. They followed Championship winners Burnley and second-placed Sheffield United in earning promotion to the top flight. Follow the latest action from the Premier League below.

Newcastle host Liverpool in a potentially crucial early-season Premier League fixture. For two sides who will hope to finish the season in the Champions League places, this is an opportunity to lay down a marker. Both have made mixed starts to the new league season, with Newcastle impressive winners against Aston Villa on the opening day but beaten by Manchester City last weekend. Jurgen Klopp’s side, meanwhile, followed a draw with Chelsea with a win over Bournemouth. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the fixture, and you can get all the latest football betting sites offers here. When is Newcastle vs Liverpool? Newcastle vs Liverpool is due to kick off at 4.30pm BST on Sunday 27 August at St James’ Park. How can I watch it? Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage on the channels from 4pm BST. Subscribers can stream the game via Sky Go. Team news Joe Willock, Emil Krafth and Javier Manquillo are unavailable to Eddie Howe, but Joelinton is set to be fit despite appearing to suffer an injury against Manchester City last weekend. Lewis Hall could feature in the squad for the first time since his move from Chelsea was confirmed. Liverpool have received a boost with the rescinding of Alexis Mac Allister’s red card, and the Argentina international could start again in midfield. Jurgen Klopp expects Trent Alexander-Arnold to be fit, but Ibrahima Konate is a doubt with a muscular issue and the Liverpool manager remains without Curtis Jones and Thiago Alcantara. Predicted line-ups Newcastle XI: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Tonali, Guimaraes, Longstaff; Almiron, Barnes; Isak. Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Endo, Szoboszlai; Salah, Jota, Diaz. Odds Newcastle win 6/5 Draw 3/1 Liverpool win 21/10 Prediction A tight encounter ends in a draw. Newcastle 1-1 Liverpool. Read More Eddie Howe urges Bruno Guimaraes to learn from social media criticism Jurgen Klopp makes definitive statement on Mohamed Salah transfer saga Meet Manchester City’s new roadrunner who took Kylian Mbappe’s breath away Burnley vs Aston Villa LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Sheffield United vs Manchester City LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta: Conceding early is not playing on our minds

Fifa has suspended Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales over his conduct at the Women’s World Cup final. Rubiales has been banned from all football-related activity for 90 days and is not allowed to contact Spanish midfielder Jenni Hermoso or those close to her. Rubiales is currently the subject of a Fifa investigation into his behaviour after the match, when he kissed forward Hermoso on the lips and was also filmed grabbing his crotch in an aggressive celebration at the full-time whistle. He has come under increasing pressure from across sport and politics but on Friday refused to resign in a chaotic press conference. “The chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee... has decided today to provisionally suspend Mr Luis Rubiales from all football-related activities at national and international level,” Fifa said in a statement. Rubiales claimed the kiss was “spontaneous, mutual, euphoric and consensual” but Hermoso, who previously suggested comments playing down the incident attributed to her by the federation were false, hit back with an attack on the organisation as a whole. The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) which Rubiales runs said it analysed four images of Hermoso and Rubiales embracing, claiming they show it was Hermoso’s force that lifted him in the air, in an effort to blame the player for the kiss. Hermoso was quoted in a statement issued by Futpro, the players’ union representing her, as stating “in no case did I seek to raise (lift) the president” during the podium incident. Hermoso had accused the Federation of a “manipulative, hostile and controlling culture” as the World Cup-winning squad refused to play while Rubiales remains in post. A total of 81 players signed a letter stating they will not accept national team call-ups while Rubiales refuses to resign. In the early hours of Saturday, RFEF said it would show there have been lies about what happened by Hermoso or people speaking for her and vowed to initiate legal action. “Where there is rule of law ... opinions are counteracted with facts and evidence, and lies are rebutted in court ... The RFEF and the President will show each of the lies that are spread either by someone on behalf of the player or, if applicable, by the player herself,” it said. The statement was accompanied by four photos of the event last Sunday that it said illustrated Rubiales’ contention that Hermoso lifted him by the hips before the incident. He appeared to forcibly kiss Hermoso as the players collected their medals and trophy. Rubiales also came under fire when footage emerged appearing to show the federation president grabbing his crotch when Spain won, while sat close to the Queen of Spain and her 16-year-old daughter. Elsewhere, Spain’s government has started legal proceedings seeking to suspend the soccer federation chief with Victor Francos, head of the state-run National Sports Council telling a news conference: “The government starts today the procedure so that Mr Rubiales has to give explanations before the Sport Court and if the Sport Court agrees, I can announce that we will suspend Mr Rubiales from his functions.” The secretary of sport also added that he hoped this incident would become “Spanish football’s Me Too moment”. The Spanish team has also been backed by the Lionesses, whom they beat in Sunday’s final in Sydney. England players declared on Friday evening that they stand with Hermoso, describing the incident as “unacceptable”. Full Fifa statement on Luis Rubiales “The chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, Jorge Ivan Palacio (Colombia), in use of the powers granted by article 51 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC), has decided today to provisionally suspend Mr. Luis Rubiales from all football-related activities at national and international level. This suspension, which will be effective as of today, is for an initial period of 90 days, pending the disciplinary proceedings opened against Mr. Luis Rubiales on Thursday, August 24. “Likewise, the chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee and in order to preserve, among other factors, the fundamental rights of the national soccer team player Ms. Jennifer Hermoso and the good order of the disciplinary proceedings before this disciplinary body, has issued two additional directives (article 7 FDC) by which he orders Mr. Luis Rubiales to refrain, through himself or third parties, from contacting or attempting to contact the professional player of the Spanish national football team Ms. Jennifer Hermoso or her close environment. Likewise, the RFEF and its officials or employees, directly or through third parties, are ordered to refrain from contacting the professional player of the Spanish national team Ms. Jennifer Hermoso and her close environment. “The decision adopted by the chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has been communicated today to Mr. Luis Rubiales, the RFEF and UEFA for due compliance.“ The FIFA Disciplinary Committee will not provide any further information on these disciplinary proceedings until a final decision has been taken.“FIFA reiterates its absolute commitment to respect the integrity of all persons and therefore condemns with the utmost vigor any behavior to the contrary.” additional reporting by PA Read More Spanish football’s ‘me-too moment’ is a mirror for the entire game Spanish football’s ‘me-too moment’ is a mirror for the entire game Spanish FA threatens legal action over Jenni Hermoso ‘lies’ in World Cup kiss row Jenni Hermoso slams Spanish football federation after Luis Rubiales incident

Right up until the moment that Luis Rubiales took the microphone at the Spanish federation on Friday afternoon, senior figures in Uefa were adamant he would resign. The expectation had even stopped some prominent football officials publicly speaking out. What followed, even for a sport like this, left many involved “speechless”. It says more than any statement, mind, that Rubiales’ “jaw-dropping political speech” – to use the words of one shocked source – probably wasn’t the most consequential moment of the day. All of this will eventually lead to real action, way beyond words or Spanish football. In terms of the most immediate effect, Fifa has now suspended Rubiales for 90 days and ordered him not to contact the player he kissed on the lips after the World Cup final, Jenni Hermoso. One of the most striking and important lines of Fifa’s statement announcing Rubiales’ suspension was the directive that he is not allowed contact her or her “close environment”. Four official complaints against Rubiales are now being investigated and they could ultimately see him banned from sport for anything between two to 15 years. “This is the end,” Miquel Iceta, Spain’s minister for culture and sport, told El Pais. “This can’t continue like this.” And yet it went on a bit longer. Iceta's comments were before the farcical late-night statement outlining how Rubiales’ federation would take legal action against the Futpro Union representing Jenni Hermoso, the player he kissed after the World Cup final, while insisting the president “has not lied” through the use of still images in an attempt to show Hermoso had initiated the incident. It felt like a point of no return, if only the latest. That deepens the question over why Rubiales didn’t just resign, although many would point to a total income from the role and connected positions of almost €1m a year. Others would point to a belligerent defiance when “cornered” that sums up his personality. It has similarly led to open comment in Spanish football about how this could be a precursor to a political career. Rubiales’ statements blaming “false feminism” undeniably played into the culture-war sentiment that Spain’s far-right party Vox has long been trying to court. This is what has finally set Rubiales in open conflict with the Spanish squad, after what has really been months of build-up. It has also brought the most significant and symbolic effect. The Spanish squad admirably came together as one, creditably supported by many of their colleagues around the women’s game as well as Spanish clubs and some male footballers, to declare they would not play for the national team while “the current management” remains at the federation. It has been quite a move – and almost the grim inverse of one of midfielder Aitana Bonmati’s supreme turns – for the country’s senior football body to turn the glory of a World Cup win into such a global public relations disaster, which is just about the most generous description. The women’s world champions currently don’t have a team. Going up against your now hugely popular winners is quite the position. The front page of Marca declared it all a “global embarrassment”, which echoes the mood of most of Spain. There are multiple other layers to this, a landmark moment for football as a whole. One of the main arguments has been what a rightful shame it is that the players’ glory has only seen a man’s behaviour being discussed, and that this man is who represents Spanish football on the global stage. It is in some ways both a separate story, though, and one more deeply fundamental to the squad’s achievements. Some of those achievements, of course, are successfully demanding better standards for women’s football that ultimately served their World Cup win. This is where there is a wider context to “little more than a kiss”, as Rubiales so provocatively put it. Even after Spain’s semi-final victory over Sweden, the federation chief was the first figure from the Spanish camp to publicly mention the player mutiny that framed this campaign, talking about “people with resentments” with a similarly provocative tone. It was impossible not to interpret all of this in terms of his own sense of personal vindication for standing by Jorge Vilda and facing down rebellious players, all of which translated into this belligerent triumphalism in the moment of victory. What else does the infamous crotch-grabbing symbolise other than “I’m the man”? And yet it is that very triumphalism that could lead to his downfall, “the end”, as Iceta put it. Those very celebrations have now led to a situation where Hermoso has now said: “I want to make clear that not in any moment did the conversation occur that Mr Luis Rubiales references, and much less that his kiss was consensual. In the same way I want to reiterate how I did in that moment that what happened was not enjoyable. “I felt vulnerable and a victim of aggression, an impulsive act, sexist, out of place and without any type of consent from my part. In short, I wasn’t respected.” Hermoso then spoke about how she, her family, friends and teammates “have been under constant pressure to come out with some sort of statement that would justify the acts of Mr Luis Rubiales”. While Victor Francos, the president of the Spanish High Council for Sport, had echoed the mood of many involved by saying nobody should “put the responsibility for this” on Hermoso, there was still a widespread pride in how she spoke. This is the other side of the shame Spain is feeling at how its football culture looks on the world stage. As regressive as much of the powerbrokers appear, the women’s teams have been pioneers. Spain can be proud of them for much more than winning a World Cup. They are affecting real change. Similarly, a lot of the country has looked at this and decided which side they are on. It is not that of Rubiales or Vilda. An admirable statement from Osasuna spoke of how the applause in the room “represents how far away Mr Rubiales and those who support him are from the majority sentiment of society”. On that, if Vilda’s managerial relationship with the players was complex before, what will it be like after effusively clapping Rubiales after his speech? All of this is why this entire story has had real cut-through, to the extent it has surprised many in Spain. Francos said: “We’re facing the ‘me too’ moment of Spanish football”. It also touches on bigger themes in global football. That is of course if global football snaps out of this apparent paralysis – although the paralysis is part of the point. The silence from some of the most senior people in football has been alarming. Uefa still have no official position on their vice president, although the explanation from those within the organisation is that Rubiales is only there because of a vote from the national federations, that they don’t want to interfere with a member association, and that do they want to cut across Fifa when the global body has opened a case. “The optics are bad if they say nothing,” one source conceded. It sums up the mood of many football figures, who all echoed a description of Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin as “such a disappointment”. Nor has there been any public comment from the Football Association, even though chair Debbie Hewitt was right beside Rubiales in her new role as Fifa president as all of this was happening. Another explanation there is the expectation he would resign and that Hewitt is now likely to be a witness in Fifa’s investigation. There has then been the widespread silence from the men’s game, other than admirable exceptions like Borja Iglesias, Isco, Hector Bellerin and Javier Aguirre. The contrast has already been drawn with how activist women’s players are by contrast, with one agent privately confiding that most male footballers only ever take on a cause if it suits their public relations purposes. “It’s a low bar but how many current men’s players ever talk up?” This is in part why this story has gone well beyond Spain. Football faces a crisis of leadership and vision, that has directly facilitated many existential threats to the sport itself, at least as regards the positive community form we know it from most of its history. Rubiales really reflects a type of man – and it is always a man – that rises to senior administrative roles in football, and doesn't seem to have the foresight, let alone other qualities, to properly serve the game as a whole. It is another vintage example of the sport mirroring society in terms of patriarchal structure, of course, but what is so troubling is how its community values could still be so positive. As the most prominent examples, what has been the response to sportswashing? What has been the response to the corrosive influence of private equity and other forms of a very Western capitalism? What has been the response to multi-club projects and how they distort club identities? What has been the response to the problematic concentration of the vast majority of football’s wealth in the men’s game in western Europe? What has been the response to the destructive erosion of competitive balance? Bar mostly waving all of this through, the most common response has just been to add more games and competitions, so even more money swirls around the top end. It has lamentably become a sport that is only ever exploiting its own immense popularity, rather than using it for the good it could do. And yet that’s the other side of such popularity, and when something spreads among more people like that. Those in charge can lose control of it. The development of the women’s game has led to that more prominent activism previously missing. This multi-layered story may well end up the most emphatic proof of that. It may end up a victory that goes further than the World Cup itself. Read More Spanish FA threatens legal action over Jenni Hermoso ‘lies’ as World Cup kiss row deepens Spain’s World Cup winners refuse to play until Luis Rubiales is removed

In offering the finishes, Raheem Sterling now looks like he is starting again. This might well be a great career rebirth, as the England forward’s goals finally launched the Mauricio Pochettino era at Chelsea. The Argentine got his first win at his new club – and a first home win at all for the club since Borussia Dortmund in March – with an otherwise resolute Luton Town beaten 3-0. While the latter was hugely encouraging for Pochettino, this was ultimately all about Sterling. Fittingly for such a fine individual performance, the key goal – and that which essentially set and settled the game – was a sensational solo run. It was like the Sterling of his early years, so much verve and vibrancy, almost impossible to pin down or shackle. The England forward – for that is what he will soon be again if this form continues – just weaved through the Luton defence to slide the ball into the corner. It was like a huge weight had lifted for Stamford Bridge as a whole. The place was flying by the end, just like Sterling. While the forward’s commitment to his physical condition preceded working with Pochettino this summer, it is precisely what the manager demands of his players, especially those who are supposed to lead by example. He wants them ultra-fit. He has got that from Sterling, who also turned the night from a badly needed win to a nicely encouraging display with a fine team goal. While the first reminded how devastating the 28-year-old is when he is allowed to just get on the ball, the second reflected how clinical he was for a time at Manchester City, with just one single touch. After a surging team move, Malo Gusto slid the ball across for Sterling to turn it in. It should be acknowledged that all of this meant more because it wasn’t always so free-wheeling or convincing. The second goal was crucial because Luton had really threatened. The doubt and concerns from the last few months were still very present for so much of this game. They might even have been all the deeper because of the knowledge that, had Chelsea failed to win here, it would have immediately set Pochettino into a “crisis” – no matter how superficial – in the way Frank Lampard and Graham Potter suffered. It would have been impossible to not put those three games without a win into the wider context of last season’s dismal run, extending this miserable streak. There was a long period where Luton sensed that, as they kept getting at Chelsea and caused some moments of nervousness. It will have only played into their mood, too, that many of Pochettino’s line-up had as little Premier League experience as their side. With the Argentine, though, such youth can be a virtue. It has been the source of his best sides. And one thing that can be said for certain right now is that there is already a Pochettino imprint on this team. The very first moment of the game was Enzo Fernandez playing one of those searching balls out wide. It was of course for Sterling, and it was something that used to regularly be seen in Pochettino’s Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur teams. From that, there was an intense pressing, and periods where they were running so hard they threatened to overwhelm Luton. That never happened, though, because the Premier League’s most patronised team also happen to be one of the most defiant. That is how they have overcome so many economic imbalances – and so much else – to get this high. And they were willing to go for it against Chelsea, constantly seeking to exploit an evident gap on the left flank. That is one flaw in the team Pochettino is going to have to work on, but not the biggest. The most obvious is the finishing. It was what made this game so tense for so long. It was like Chelsea had so much right up until the finish. The livewire Jackson was electric until he had the ball in the box, so often opting to pass rather than just go for it in the way he did outside the box. For one huge moment, then, Sterling absolutely blasted the ball at goal only for Thomas Kaminski to hold it. It initially looked like the forward should have scored. On replay, it was so evident it was a remarkable save. Sterling was in that kind of form. He’s got Chelsea back into form. Confidence followed. A goal from Jackson followed. Chelsea, for the first time in a while, can eagerly look forward to what comes next. It will likely be more Sterling quality. Read More Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink calls for patience at Chelsea under Mauricio Pochettino Ange Postecoglou keen to trim Tottenham squad after James Maddison fitness boost Mikel Arteta: Saudi Pro League transfer window should shut same time as Europe’s Roma officials fly to London for talks with Chelsea over Romelu Lukaku loan deal Chelsea vs Luton LIVE: Premier League result and reaction Chelsea transfer news: Balogun, Olise, Lukaku, Chalobah and more

The Spanish women’s team have released a joint statement on Friday saying they will not play until the federation leadership is changed, mere hours after president of the Spanish FA, Luis Rubiales, comfirmed his intention to remain at the head of Spain’s football federation. Rubiales has faced increasingly fierce criticism after he grabbed fooballber Jenni Hermoso by the head and kissed on her lips during the Women’s World Cup final trophy presentation on Sunday. Video later emerged of Rubiales grabbing his crotch in celebration in close proximity to the Queen of Spain and her 16-year-old daughter. Speaking to media on Friday morning Rubiales doubled down on his position saying that he would fight to clear his name in court if necessary and refused to resign. The statement published by players’ union Futpro included Hermoso’s rebuttal of Rubiales’ earlier assertion that the kiss was consensual. “I want to clarify that, as was seen in the images, at no time did I consent to the kiss he gave me,” Hermoso said. “I do not tolerate my word being questioned and much less the invention of words I have not said.” Hermoso and her teammates called for “real change to help the national team to keep growing, to be able to bring this great success to the generations to come”. The joint statement, signed by 56 players including all 23 from the World Cup winning squad, says that the World Cup champions will not return to play for Spain while “the current management” remains at the Rfef. It read: “As a result of the events that occurred this morning and given the perplexity of the speech delivered by the president…the players of the senior team, recent world champions, in support of Jennifer Hermoso, want to express their firm and resounding condemnation of conduct that has violated the dignity of women, “In view of the statements made by the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, Jennifer Hermoso wants to flatly deny that she consented to the kiss that Luis Rubiales gave her in the World Cup final. “After everything that happened during the Women’s World Cup medal ceremony, we want to state that all the players who sign this letter will not return to a call for the national team if the current leaders continue.” Elsewhere, Spain’s government has started the legal proceedings seeking to suspend the soccer federation chief with Victor Francos, head of the state-run National Sports Council telling a news conference: “The government starts today the procedure so that Mr Rubiales has to give explanations before the Sport Court and if the Sport Court agrees, I can announce that we will suspend Mr Rubiales from his functions.” The secretary of sport also added that he hoped this incident would become “Spanish football’s Me Too moment”. Spain’s acting labour minister Yolanda Diaz said: “What we have seen today in the Federation Assembly is unacceptable. The Government must act and take urgent measures. Impunity for macho actions is over. Rubiales cannot continue in office.” Fifa also opened its own investigation on Thursday and released this statement: “The events may constitute violations of article 13 paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code. The Fifa disciplinary committee will only provide further information on these disciplinary proceedings once it has issued a final decision on the matter. Fifa reiterates its unwavering commitment to respecting the integrity of all individuals and strongly condemns any behaviour to the contrary.” The sections of the disciplinary code referenced in the Fifa statement cover “offensive behaviour and violations of the principles of fair play”. Read More It’s tragic this World Cup will only be remembered for one thing Spanish government starts legal proceedings to sack Luis Rubiales Spain striker boycotts national team in protest against FA president Luis Rubiales Jenni Hermoso slams Spanish football federation after Luis Rubiales incident Spain’s world champions refuse to play while Luis Rubiales is RFEF president Spain’s women’s football committee president resigns over Luis Rubiales controversy

Chelsea take on Luton tonight hoping to bounce back from their defeat to West Ham in the Premier League last time out. Mauricio Pochettino’s side dominated possession at the London Stadium but an inspired performance from James Ward-Prowse helped the Hammers to a 3-1 win. That defeat continued a tricky start to the season for Chelsea who have also lost Reece James, newly installed as captain, to injury as well as midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka and winger Mykhailo Mudryk. Meanwhile, Luton had their fixture against Burnley postponed last weekend while Kenilworth Road - their home stadium - is brought up to Premier League standard. Luton were hammered 4-1 by Brighton in their opening fixture and a fortnight to resst could prove valuable to Rob Edwards’ team. The newly promoted side arrive at Stamford Bridge this evening hoping to cause a shock in and collect their first top-flight points of the season. Follow along as Chelsea host Luton and get all the latest football betting sites offers here: Read More Premier League clubs take summer spending to nearly £2billion with week to go Chelsea and Luton face a chance they can’t afford to miss Mauricio Pochettino confident of rapid Chelsea improvement after West Ham defeat

Roma officials are attending Chelsea’s home match with Luton Town on Friday night, to discuss a prospective move for Romelu Lukaku. The talks will centre on whether it is a loan or permanent deal, with the Stamford Bridge club preferring the latter. If they do agree to a temporary move, Chelsea would want a significant loan fee. That is understood to be the main sticking point, as a temporary move currently looks likeliest. Lukaku himself is deliberating on the situation as he carefully considers the next step of his career, but it is understood he is leaning towards going to Rome. The Belgian already signalled his reluctance to return to Everton this week, as the Goodison Park club also broached the possibility of a loan move. Read More Chelsea transfer news: Balogun, Olise, Lukaku, Chalobah and more Football rumours: Manchester City turn attention to Palace’s Eberechi Eze Mauricio Pochettino says Chelsea and Romelu Lukaku must share blame for standoff

Luis Rubiales refused to resign from his role as president of the Spanish FA and blamed World Cup star Jenni Hermoso for his kiss in a wild press conference. Rubiales has been widely criticised after kissing Hermoso on the mouth in the aftermath of Spain’s first-ever Women’s World Cup victory. Video later emerged of Rubiales grabbing his crotch in celebration in close proximity to the Queen of Spain and her 16-year-old daughter. Speaking to media on Friday, when he had been expected to resign and with the media briefed on his replacement, Rubiales doubled down on his position saying that he would fight to clear his name in court if necessary and calling out a “false feminism” witchhunt for the criticism. He loudly told those gathered: “No I am not going to resign,” and reiterated himself a number of times, while some of the audience, including controversial Spain women’s head coach Jorge Vilda and Spain’s men’s head coach Luis de la Fuente, applauded his statement. It was a bizarre press conference. He defended the kiss, saying: “Jenni was the one who lifted me up. I told her to ‘forget about the penalty’ and I said to her ‘a little peck?’ and she said ‘OK’. It was a spontaneous kiss. Mutual, euphoric and consensual. That’s the key. “A consensual ‘peck’ is enough to get me out of here? I will fight until the end.” Hermoso herself said after the match, when asked about the kiss: “Er...no I did not like that,” and has released a statement along with her union Futpro calling for measures against Rubiales. However, the president added in his speech: “Whoever watches the video will see the desire in that kiss is the same as with one of my daughters. There is no desire or dominance. “It’s not what is being pushed in the media and feminism. The kiss was spontaneous, mutual and consensual.” In an even more strange turn of phrase, he said that a “social assassination was taking place here” and that “I am ready to be vilified to defend my ideals”. He added: “I apologise unreservedly but I don’t deserve this manhunt I have been suffering.” Rubiales added, on his actions in the box: “I want to apologise unreservedly for something that happened in the presidential box, when in a moment of euphoria I grabbed a part of my body,” he said. “Look, I got very excited and I lost control. I have to apologise to the royal family because it is a very unedifying gesture.” Yesterday, the 46-year-old was being described as “cornered” by those with knowledge of the situation, as large amounts of public criticism have led to three formal complaints over whether his behaviour constituted an infraction of Spain’s sports law, which sanctions against sexist acts. Fifa also opened its own investigation on Thursday and released the statement: “The events may constitute violations of article 13 paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code. The Fifa disciplinary committee will only provide further information on these disciplinary proceedings once it has issued a final decision on the matter. Fifa reiterates its unwavering commitment to respecting the integrity of all individuals and strongly condemns any behaviour to the contrary.” The sections of the disciplinary code referenced in the Fifa statement cover “offensive behaviour and violations of the principles of fair play”. A further dimension to the story is that it is now being seen as potentially influencing Spain’s World Cup bid for 2030, which Rubiales has been central to. Read More ‘This is unacceptable’ – Alexia Putellas after Luis Rubiales refuses to resign Jess Carter: Spanish FA president kissing midfielder ‘ruined’ celebration Fifa opens disciplinary proceedings against Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales Spanish soccer president faces general assembly amid reports he will resign for kissing a player Luis Rubiales resists calls to resign but walls are closing in on Spanish football president Spain boss Jorge Vilda appears to grab breast of female coach during World Cup final

Chelsea take on Luton hoping to bounce back from defeat to West Ham in their last Premier League game. Mauricio Pochettino’s side were unable to make their possession count at the London Stadium, with the 3-1 loss continuing a difficult start to the season that has also seen Reece James, newly installed as captain, lost to injury. Luton, meanwhile, enjoyed a weekend off, with their fixture against Burnley postponed while Kenilworth Road is brought up to Premier League standard. A fortnight between fixtures could be valuable to Rob Edwards and his team, who will arrive at Stamford Bridge hoping to cause an early shock in their first season in the English top flight for more than three decades. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the fixture, and you can get all the latest football betting sites offers here. When is Chelsea vs Luton? Chelsea vs Luton is due to kick off at 8pm BST on Friday 25 August at Stamford Bridge in London. How can I watch it? Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage on the channels from 7pm BST. Subscribers can stream the game via Sky Go. Team news Chelsea remain without captain Reece James, who is set to miss a few weeks of action with a hamstring injury. Christopher Nkunku is a longer term absentee after undergoing knee surgery, while Carney Chukwuemeka will also reportedly miss about six weeks of football after sustaining a knee injury against West Ham. Benoit Badiashile, Wesley Fofana and Armando Broja are also sidelined. Ankle injuries continue to keep Jordan Clark and Dan Potts out of Luton’s squad, while Gabriel Osho and Reece Burke are also absent. Veteran goalkeeper Tim Krul could figure for the first time after completing his move from Norwich. Predicted line-ups Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Gusto, Fernandez, Caicedo, Gallagher, Chilwell; Sterling, Jackson. Luton XI: Kaminski; Andersen, Lockyer, Bell; Kabore, Mpanzu, Nakamba, Chong, Giles; Morris, Adebayo. Odds Chelsea win 2/9 Draw 6/1 Luton win 14/1 Prediction Chelsea emerge relatively comfortable winners. Chelsea 3-1 Luton Read More Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink calls for patience at Chelsea under Mauricio Pochettino Would a transfer to Man United or Liverpool suit Ryan Gravenberch most? Workmanlike James Ward-Prowse was the summer’s safest – and shrewdest – bet Manchester City secure winger Jeremy Doku from Rennes on five-year deal Aymeric Laporte completes move from Manchester City to Saudi side Al-Nassr Manchester City ready to walk away as Wolves dig in over Matheus Nunes transfer fee

Luis Rubiales’ future as president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) could go some way to being decided on Friday, as the incident with Jenni Hermoso could yet see him banned from sport for two to 15 years. The 46-year-old is being described as “cornered” by those with knowledge of the situation, as scores of public criticisms have led to three formal complaints over whether his behaviour constituted an infraction of Spain’s sports law, which sanctions sexist acts. That comes amid increasing political pressure that is now affecting the country’s 2030 World Cup bid. It is understood that Rubiales is not yet considering resigning, though Fifa have also opened their own disciplinary proceedings against him. The controversial official has called an emergency meeting of the football federation’s general assembly on Friday, although it is expected to reject any resignation offer if there was one and support him. Should it be the case that Rubiales stays in the job after that, it is likely the case will be taken to a higher level, in a chain of events that could see the former Hamilton Academical defender declared unfit for office and ousted from sport. The RFEF has simultaneously launched an international investigation into whether Rubiales breached their protocol against sexism, which has “forced kissing” as a punishable act. Victor Francos – Spain’s secretary of sport and president of the country’s sports council (CSD) – has asked the federation to deliver the results of its own investigation by Monday and said his council will take action if the RFEF does not. The council, which is currently studying three complaints, can then raise the case to Spain’s Administrative Court for Sports (TAD). One of them comes from Miguel Galan, president of the Cenafe coaching school, whose legal department and government prosecutors are also weighing taking the case to the TAD. The court will assess the case against Article 104 of Spain’s Sports Law, which pertains to “very serious public acts that violate dignity and decorum in sports, as well as abuses of authority”. If the TAD decides that has been violated, Rubiales could be banned for between two and 15 years. Should it get to the point where Rubiales is charged by the TAD, meanwhile, Francos has the authority to convene the CSD's board of directors to vote on suspending the federation president while deliberations take place. A further dimension to the story is that it is now being seen as potentially influencing Spain’s World Cup bid for 2030, which Rubiales has been central to, such is the global publicity. Prime minister Pedro Sanchez has urged the official to “continue taking steps” towards accountability, which is being interpreted in some quarters as calls to resign, given how active his government has been on sexism. Sanchez’s second deputy prime minister, Yolanda Diaz, has meanwhile called for the application of sports law and federal protocols against sexist acts. “Sports federations are private entities, they operate with absolute autonomy,” Francos told radio station Cadena Ser. “In a case like this, we can’t remove the president of the football federation even if we wanted to.” “I imagine that what the responsible people will do is talk to the two parties involved and issue a report,” Francos told radio station Cadena Ser. “I have personally told the federation this report has to be transparent and urgent, because, if it is not, obviously we are obliged to take the corresponding additional measures.” Among the official complainants were Spain’s women’s league, LaLiga F, who also called for him to resign: “The Professional Women’s Football League has lodged a complaint with the president of the CSD after the very serious actions and behaviour of the president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, at the final of the Women’s World Cup, and is calling for his dismissal.” Sports website Relevo meanwhile reported that Rubiales asked for Hermoso to appear on the video in which he apologised for kissing her, but the player refused. It also stated that people travelling with the Spanish squad back to Madrid saw coach Jorge Vilda trying to convince Hermoso’s family for her to appear in the video. Had Hermoso decided to press charges, Rubiales could have also faced a criminal prosecution. Francos similarly defended the player. “[Hermoso] can decide to speak out or not, and whatever she does she will be doing the right thing, because above all we cannot put the responsibility for this on her.” “The gesture of grabbing his testicles in the tribune is a gesture that no one can defend,” Francos added. “Things have happened that should not have happened. As president of the Higher Council for Sports, I can’t deny that this generates a bad image.” Rubiales has previously seen off controversies over moving Spain's Supercopa to Saudi Arabia in a deal that also involved Gerard Pique’s management company, as well as unethical recording of government ministers. This is widely seen as the greatest threat to his presidency, though. Fifa’s statement read: “The Fifa Disciplinary Committee informed Luis Rubiales, President of the Spanish Football Association, today that it is opening disciplinary proceedings against him based on the events that occurred during the final of the Women’s World Cup on 20 August 2023. “The events may constitute violations of article 13 paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code. The Fifa Disciplinary Committee will only provide further information on these disciplinary proceedings once it has issued a final decision on the matter.” The FA and Uefa have meanwhile been contacted for comment. Read More Fifa opens disciplinary proceedings against Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales Spanish FA chief Rubiales faces new accusations after Jenni Hermoso World Cup kiss Hermoso calls for ‘exemplary measures’ against Rubiales over kiss Megan Rapinoe: Luis Rubiales antics highlight ‘misogyny and sexism’ within RFEF Rapinoe condemns culture of misogyny in Spanish football Bayern Munich icon defends Spanish FA president at centre of kiss controversy

Even before Luis Rubiales had planted a kiss on Jenni Hermoso’s lips during Spain’s World Cup celebration, other officials in the stadium were so struck by his behaviour that they were sending around videos. One, confidentially sent to The Independent, shows the president of the Spanish football federation appearing to grab his crotch in triumph. The gesture, which goes back to Ancient Rome, is generally taken to mean “I’m the man”. It is certainly an aggressively masculine gesture, making it all the more out of place at a women’s football tournament that is defined by its inclusivity. It feeds into one of many growing arguments in Spain, that Rubiales did not know how to comport himself at such an event, raising further questions over his suitability to oversee the federation. That the Queen of Spain and her 16-year-old daughter were close to him has only added to that. There is still the sense that Rubiales doesn’t really know what he did wrong in the kiss on Hermoso. If a widely criticised non-apology was not indicative enough, there were his litany of comments before it. Rubiales had described those who took issue with his “public show of affection” as “idiots”, “stupid”, “fools” and “losers” before summing it all up as “bulls**t”. His subsequent apology then pretty much amounted to being sorry if anyone was offended. That happens to amount to a lot of people, who are queuing up to condemn the Spanish official in a controversy that is nowhere near quietening down. Miquel Iceta, the minister for culture and sport in Spain, described it as “unacceptable”. Yolanda Diaz, the second deputy prime minister of Spain, has said Rubiales should resign because “a woman has been harassed and assaulted”. Irene Montero, the minister for equality, went furthest and described it as a “form of sexual violence”. Such words are beginning to change the view of some in Spanish football that as usual, nothing will happen. The situation has now gone beyond pressure growing. While the kiss is obviously sufficient for such a controversy on its own, it comes amid a wider context that goes beyond Rubiales’ backing of manager Jorge Vilda despite player complaints that included not being allowed to lock doors of their hotel rooms on international duty until 2019. Sources within Spanish football were using words like “embarrassment” and “a disgrace that people like this represent our game”. Newspaper El Pais meanwhile ran an editorial lamenting how a moment of glory for Spain’s women’s footballers, who were enjoying the praise of the whole planet, was overshadowed by the behaviour of a man. Rubiales has previously caused such ructions in the game, however, that other figures were all too willing to privately Whatsapp other headlines. Among them was the story: “The ex-boss of Rubiales’ cabinet says he paid for orgies with federation money,” in relation to private parties reportedly organised. Rubiales denies it. Another read: “Luis Rubiales acquitted of the accusation of assault of the architect who renovated his house,” in a case that also saw him accused of using money from the player’s union – of which he was president – to pay for the work. And then: “Rubiales deal with [Gerard] Pique for a €24m pitch to bring the Super Cup to Saudi Arabia – ‘you are left with six kilos’”, after a series of leaks showed some controversial deals with the former Spanish defender. Up to all of this, however, he had probably been best known outside Spain for the bombshell decision to sack men’s manager Julen Lopetegui two days before the 2018 World Cup, a call that sent the Spanish team into a tailspin last-16 exit. It’s one of those historical quirks that the situation almost represents the inverse of that with Vilda, whom he has stood by. In the case of Lopetegui, Rubiales felt he had no choice because the manager had disrespected the federation by agreeing to take a job with Real Madrid after that World Cup without informing them. With Vilda, Rubiales felt Spain’s rebel players – some of whom boycotted the Women’s World Cup – had disrespected both the manager and the federation, so backed the manager adamantly. It was repeatedly pointed out that he and Vilda have a strong relationship and Vilda’s father, Jorge, is currently head of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF)’s women’s football department. Either way, compromise was never much of a consideration in either situation, although the latter did force changes to women’s team preparation standards and facilities. Some of the victorious players remain aggrieved they even had to ask and Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas made a noteworthy comment in the moment of victory. “You’ve seen that the minute women's footballers believe a little and are provided with basic facilities, everything comes out better.” Rubiales’ defenders – and there are more than a few – would say this shows an evolution. He was less than a month into the job when the Lopetegui incident happened in June 2018 and was already seen as a significant improvement on predecessor Angel Maria Villar, who was suspended as president after being detained the previous July on allegations of collusion, embezzlement and falsifying documents. On sacking Lopetegui, Rubiales came out with the following: “These are the values of the new federation and whoever doesn't like it will have to get used to it.” Rubiales rose to the role after his work with the Association of Spanish Footballers, where his experience in leading squads through bankruptcy and administration at lower-profile clubs while still a player was greatly valued. One such call to help actually came at his last club, which happened to be Scottish side Hamilton Academical. One of the last things he heard on his fourth and final appearance in Scotland – a 4-1 defeat at Rangers – was the chant: “Baldy bastard, what’s the score?” A defender, Rubiales wasn’t seen as having the typical technical skill of Spanish players, but was respected for his tenacity. He was at Hamilton in the season that ended with Spain winning the men’s World Cup in South Africa, which somewhat cuts across any purported wider influence on the women’s success. It was Spain’s coaching revolution around the turn of the millennium that led to the rise of both of Spain’s world champions, and Rubiales was at clubs like Gaudix and Lleida as this was happening. It should be stressed he is seen as a moderniser in other ways, though, for a federation that badly needed it. It is under Rubiales that a department of integrity and security has been created. And “Rubi”, as he insists staff at the federation call him, was also influential in a crucial move that has been seen as decisive in potentially bringing the 2030 World Cup to Spain. Although many had felt Saudi Arabia would win that bid through their growing influence, bringing in Morocco with Portugal and Spain has split the African vote and essentially forced the Gulf state out of the process. Those who have worked with Rubiales at Uefa level meanwhile describe him as “ambitious” and “capable”, but with a “huge ego”, that leads to a lot of abrasiveness. He has already fallen out with the successive regime at the player’s union and La Liga president Javier Tebas. Many would say that is nothing new. Otherwise, that perceived modernity at federation level now stands in contrast to the regressive behaviour of the last few days. El Pais described the kiss as “like a bad joke from Benny Hill”. Unfortunately, it is only getting more and more serious. Rubiales looked like he was certainly feeling it at Monday’s victory parade. There were no videos of his behaviour there as he was very restrained and didn’t appear on stage. In the words of one source, it’s about time. Read More How not to win a World Cup: Spain, Jorge Vilda and the story of a complicated victory Spanish football president’s kiss was an abuse of power that never should have happened Spain boss Jorge Vilda appears to grab breast of female coach during World Cup final Spanish PM condemns FA president over ‘unacceptable’ kiss at World Cup final Spain boss Jorge Vilda appears to grab breast of female coach during World Cup final Spanish FA chief says kissing footballer ‘tarnished celebration’ of World Cup win