The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has harshly sanctioned three Spanish Primera Iberdrola teams; Levante, Villarreal, and Real Sociedad while Rayo Vallecano, Real Betis and Valencia were warned.
The Single Judge of the RFEF has sanctioned these three teams with a fine and a reduction of three points for “non-compliance, conscious and repeated, of orders, instructions, agreements, and regulatory obligations -uniformity- (Art.88). It also fines three other teams: Rayo, Betis, and Valencia.
The exact reason is that these teams do not wear the RFEF competition logo on their sleeve. A breach that has been warned and fined in previous resolutions.
Failure to wear the patch on the first kits is an offence. Away from home, Rayo Vallecano, Real Betis and Valencia all failed to comply by not having the logo printed. By not being withdrawn, they were only penalized with a fine.
With these fines, Villarreal is more bottom in the table. In the absence of a possible appeal, the yellow team is last and Rayo takes three points in the standings.
The Nigerian league Champions, Rivers Angels bowed out of the maiden TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League despite a 4-0 win over Vihiga Queens of Kenya in its final Group B match on Friday.
To earn a progression, the WAFU-B runners-up needed to win by at least four goals against Vihiga, while hoping South African giants Sundowns edge Moroccan champions ASFAR in the final group matches.
Despite being the best side from start of the kickoff whistle, the Angels were unable to utilize any of their first half chances, registering more than ten shots.
The goal would later come in the second half as it was a Vivian affair when Vihiga’s Vivian Makokha handled the ball inside the box to hand Rivers a penalty, which Vivian Ikechukwu calmly converts to scored the Angels’ first goal of the competition in the 67th minute.
Makokha’s hand ball.
Ten minutes later, another penalty was awarded to Rivers Angels as goalkeeper Onyango tripped Damilola Koku. Vivian Ikechukwu stepped forward once again and shines with a brace that doubled the lead for Rivers Angels.
Onyango tripped Koku
With ten minutes of regular time left, Damilola Koku then beats an offside trap to loop over Onyango – who was already off her mark – and finds the back of the net.
Substitute Monday Gift completed the rout with a superb close range strike in the 84th minute.
This is a result that wrongly portrays the saying “save the best for the last”, as the Angels’ crashed out of the competition after paying their goal debt.
Rivers had lost its first two group games to ASFAR FC (3-0) and Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies FC (1-0).
Despite the emphatic win, Edwin Okon’s side were eliminated from the first edition of the continental showpiece as Sundowns failed to do the Nigerians any favour in beating ASFAR, ending the contest in a stalemate draw at El Salam Stadium.
Following her individual contributions, Rivers Angels star Koku was named Player of the Match against Vihiga.
Rivers Angels finished in the third position in Group B with three points from three games.
At the other end, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies FC played out a goalless draw against ASFAR FC to ensured both teams joined Hasaacas Ladies and Malabo Kings in the semifinals. A result that ensured the complete elimination of Rivers Angels.
ASFAR were the better side, knocking on the goal mouth of already qualified Sundowns but they were unable to register any of their scoring chances.
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies FC finished top of the group with seven points and will face Malabo Kings in the semi-final while ASFAR FC will play Hasaacas Ladies FC.
Asisat Oshoala is set to be out of action for two months and has been ruled out of the Nigeria camp in November later this month in Abuja after picking up injury.
The Nigerian forward suffered a torn posterior cruciate ligament in her right knee against Hoffenheim.
As reported by the Club’s Medical Services, Asisat Oshoala suffered a rupture of the posterior cruciate ligament in her right knee. The Nigerian forward, who was forced off in the second half of Barcelona’s 4-0 Champions League group stage win over Hoffenheim on Wednesday will be out for about two months.
In her fourth season at Barça, Oshoala has played 12 games in which she has scored 12 goals. She is the top scorer in the League, with 11 goals in 9 games played.
Despite her good form at club level, the 28-year-old has been unable to re-enact her Barcelona scoring form for the nine-time African champions, with her last Nigeria goals coming against Equatorial Guinea in February.
The Africa Women’s Cup of Nations, Morocco 2022 will be used to decide Africa’s qualifiers for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and Nigeria is scheduled for the doubleheader with the Elephants next Feburary.
All 24 players invited by Head Coach Gernot Rohr have arrived in Tangier and trained on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifying match against the Lone Star of Liberia.
Commitment, focus and absolute dedication oozed from the session at the training pitch of the Grand Stade de Tangier, with goalkeeper John Noble and forward Odion Ighalo arrival.
“I am happy to be able to make it here. Good to be back with the group and the spirit is excellent,” Ighalo, reigning top scorer of the Africa Cup of Nations, told NFF media after Thursday evening’s session.
There were no dull moments as Captain Ahmed Musa, Victor Osimhen and Kelechi Iheanacho fired from all cylinders to the delight of the technical and administrative staff in moderate weather in Morocco’s principal northern city.
Head Coach Rohr added: “It’s a good feeling here and we hope the weather stays nice as it has been since we got here. Everything is calm and the team has been able to concentrate very well.”
The reception was vibrant as the group welcomed back Ighalo from retirement, as well as midfielders, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi and forward Samuel Chukwueze from injury
On Friday, the Super Eagles will have a feel of the turf of Grand Stade Tangier during the official training in the evening.
The match is scheduled for Saturday, 5pm Nigeria time.
Paris Saint-Germain player Aminata Diallo has been released from custody without charge as French police continue to investigate a Tonya Harding-style attack on teammate Kheira Hamraoui.
The 26-year-old midfielder was driving Hamraoui and another unnamed team-mate home after a team meal in Paris on November 4, and she is being accused of orchestrating an attack on Hamraoui – after two men allegedly dragged her out of the car and beat her leg with iron bars for 2 minutes, requiring medical attention.
Diallo and one other person – 34-year-old man – were detained and questioned in connection with the attack have now been released by the police.
The Versailles prosecutor’s office has not issued any further comment on the investigation.
PSG released a statement Wednesday … saying, “Paris Saint-Germain can confirm that Aminata Diallo was taken into custody this morning by the Versailles Regional Police Service as part of the proceedings opened following an attack on the Club’s players last Thursday evening,” the team said.
“Paris Saint-Germain condemns in the strongest possible terms the violence committed.”
The team is also working with authorities as the investigation continues.
Hasaacas Ladies of Ghana and Malabo Kings of Equatorial Guinea are through to the semifinals of the first ever TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Championd League on Thursday.
Already qualified Hasaacas took on the hosts Wadi Degla of Egypt at the 30 June Stadium in a game that ended 2-2, to finish top of Group A with seven points.
The Egyptians needed a win or draw with Malabo Kings defeat to qualify for the next phase. This they have in mind as Jasmin Zachwieja opened the scoring from closed range in the 9th minute as Hasaacas defense was caught unguarded while trying to keep offside.
Faustina Aidoo restores parity for the Ghanaians with a beautiful header from a well crafted Agyekum’s free-kick in the 21st minute. Five minutes later, the Egyptians have the lead once again from a brilliant left-footed direct free-kick by Noha Abdulaziz before Veronica Appiah headed home the equalising goal four minutes after the break.
Hasaacas Ladies could have taken the lead on the 61 minutes but Boaduwaa’s brilliant shot was met with an equal energy from Elham who parried the ball into the feet of an opponent striker who then shoot wide.
Elsewhere, Malabo Kings of Equatorial Guinea had to rely on a late equaliser from Muriellynda Abossolo to book a qualification ticket to the semi-final of the maiden TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League on Thursday.
Bassira Toure had given AS Mandé of Mali an early lead in two (2) minutes into the game, as she slotted home from a scrabbled clearance.
Malabo Kings thought they had equalized in the added time of the first half but assistant referee flagged up for an offside. The equalising goal later come through Muriellynda Abossolo’s wonderful strike from outside the box with 10 minutes left on the clock.
Despite the elimination, Fatoumata Diarra’s outstanding performance for AS Mande against Malabo Kings FC earns her the TotalEnergies Woman of the Match award.
Hasaacas Ladies FC finished top of Group A with seven points ahead of Malabo Kings FC which finished second with four points and superior goal difference than the host, Wadi Degla FC while AS Mandé return to Mali with a point.
After over a week since the rumors started to make rounds, Aston Villa Football Club has announced the appointment of Steven Gerrard as new Head Coach.
The 41-year-old has attracted many admirers in the game for his work in transforming the fortunes of the Glasgow giants while also implementing an attractive, attacking style of football. The former Liverpool player joined Rangers in 2018 following a spell as an Academy Coach at Liverpool.
In the 2020/2021 season, Gerrard guided Glasgow Rangers to their 55th Scottish title, going the entire season unbeaten while defeating Celtic back to back on their way to claiming the title for the first time in a decade.
CEO Christian Purslow said: “The Board of Aston Villa are delighted to appoint Steven as our new Head Coach.
“Since moving into coaching after his illustrious playing career, Steven began by managing and developing top young players in the Liverpool FC Academy which is experience we value highly at Aston Villa.
“He then took the brave decision to test himself in the intense and high pressured environment of the Scottish Old Firm. His subsequent achievement in winning the Premiership title with Glasgow Rangers really caught our eye as did his experience in Europe.
“It has been very clear in our discussions with him that Steven’s coaching ambitions, philosophy and values entirely match those of Aston Villa.
“We are excited he has agreed to lead us in the next phase of our ambitious plans as we look to build on the progress made since Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens took over the club in 2018.”
Steven Gerrard said: “Aston Villa is a club with a rich history and tradition in English football and I am immensely proud to become its new Head Coach.
“In my conversations with Nassef, Wes and the rest of the Board, it was apparent how ambitious their plans are for the club and I am looking forward to helping them achieve their aims.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everybody associated with Glasgow Rangers for giving me the opportunity to manage such an iconic football club. Helping them secure a record-breaking 55th league title will always hold a special place in my heart. I would like to wish the players, staff and supporters the very best for the future.”
Lyon and Barcelona both maintained their perfect records on Wednesday while Arsenal also gained a useful win and Häcken record first win under new manager.
Alexia Putellas scored two goals as defending Champions, FC Barcelona Femeni defeated TSG Hoffenheim of Germany 4-0 to make it four straight wins in the group stage of the 2021/22 UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Jenifer Hermoso opened the scoring five (5) minutes into the game. Alexia Putellas doubled FC Barcelona’s lead in the 19th minute before making it 3-0 from Mapi Leon’s assist in the 33rd minute, then assisted Marta Torrejon who converted the fourth goal in the 74th minute.
FC Barcelona with a maximum of nine points from three games seats at the top of Group C ahead of Arsenal, Hoffenheim, and Køge.
The 2006/07 winners, Arsenal put in a dominant performance to move three points clear of third-placed Hoffenheim.
With nothing to separate the two sides at 15 minutes, Kaylan Marckese saved Nikita Parris’s penalty before Steph Catley’s fine free-kick broke the deadlock in the 27th minute.
Second half resumed with Parris doubling Arsenal’s lead in the 62nd minute and Caitlin Foord extended the lead six minutes later.
Three minutes later, Maddie Pokorny pulled one back with a rare foray forward from the home team, producing a crisp finish for the Danish side’s first group goal. However, substitute Anna Patten restored the lead margin in the 85th minute before captain Jordan Nobbs rounded up the scoring four minutes later.
Häcken earned their first win with Robert Vilahamn taking the helm for his UWCL debut in the Häcken’s dug out following the departure of Mats Gren on 22 October.
A late penalty from Elin Rubensson was enough to get Häcken off the mark in the group and move them to within a point of second-placed Bayern. Benfica – who held Bayern in their opening game but are yet to register a goal in the group – hit the post through Francisca Nazareth but when substitute Stine Larsen went down, Rubensson drove in off the post.
Lyon saw off German opposition on Wednesday to maintain their perfect records in their UEFA Women’s Champions League groups.
The seven-time champions came from behind to end Bayern’s unbeaten start. On the 25th minute, Kadeisha Buchanan slotted into the back of her net to give Bayern the lead at halftime. Janice Cayman had slotted the hosts level five minutes after the break before Amandine Henry’s expert 86th-minute header sent Lyon five points clear of their visitors.
Rivers Angels head coach, Edwin Okon has attributed his team’s defeat to Mamelodi Sundown Ladies to missed chances while also blaming the officiating.
The Nigeria side suffered a 1-0 loss to Sundowns in the second group game played on Tuesday which dropped the team to the bottom of the table with no point.
While reacting to the outcome of the match, Okon said despite having most of the ball they failed to convert their chances.
“Yes, we were better with the ball but we missed chances and we paid for it. The officiating did not help too, that was never a goal but there’s nothing we can do about it.”
The Nigeria champions will confront Vihiga Queens of Kenya on Friday and an outright win, coupled with a huge number of goals is required for them to progress.
“We will approach the match as we normally approach other games and if the qualification comes we will take it,” he added.
According to L’équipe, Paris Saint Germain and France midfielder Aminata Diallo is in police custody on allegations of attempting to eliminate one of her teammates.
The 26-years-old midfielder was arrested on Wednesday morning. She allegedly hired masked men to injure France and PSG teammate Kheira Hamraoui and remove her from competition for playing time.
Someone close to Hamraoui explains that she was on her way back from a club event, accompanied by two teammates. She had been near her home and sitting in a car with Diallo at the wheel, when two masked individuals appeared, one of whom dragged her out of the car. The attacker then struck her with an iron bar multiple times on the legs for several minutes, before escaping.
The former Barcelona player, who returned to PSG this summer, was then taken to hospital and emerged with various stitches on her legs and hands, according to the same source. As a result, Hamraoui was unable to play in yesterday’s Champions League tie against Real Madrid, which would have been her 100th appearance with the club.
One observer notes that as nothing was robbed from either of the two players, and that Hamraoui’s legs were being targeted, a scenario involving a potential internal rivalry at PSG is being explored.
PSG released a statement condemning any form of violence.
Since Thursday evening the Club has taken all necessary measures to guarantee the health, well-being and safety of its entire women’s team.
Paris Saint-Germain is working with the Versailles Police to clarify the facts. The Club is paying close attention to the progress of the proceedings and will study what action to take.
MOLATsportgist 