New York State

Category Added in a WPeMatico Campaign

England ace Lucy Bronze hails ‘brave’ Spain players and former Barcelona team-mates following Luis Rubiales case verdict

Lucy Bronze of England speaks to the media at a press conference.
Getty

LUCY BRONZE praised the ‘incredible’ bravery of Spain international players who were involved in the case brought against Luis Rubiales. 

The ex-Spanish football federation chief was found guilty of kissing forward Jenni Hermoso without her consent following Spain winning the Women’s World Cup in August 2023.

Luis Rubiales leaving a building.
Former Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales was found guilty of sexually assaulting Spain forward Jenni Hermoso
PA
Jenni Hermoso leaving court.
Reuters
Spain’s record goalscorer Hermoso accused Rubiales of kissing her against her[/caption]
Spanish soccer players Alexia Putellas and Irene Paredes leaving court after testifying.
EPA
Bronze’s old Barcelona team-mates Alexia Putellas and Irene Paredes were among the Spain players who gave testimonies in support of Hermoso during the case[/caption]
Lucy Bronze of England at a training session.
Getty
Bronze says Spain’s players have been “incredibly brave” in their fight for change within the sport in their country[/caption]

Earlier Today Rubiales was convicted of sexual assault after kissing Hermoso on the lips.

The incident happened as she celebrated her team’s 1-0 defeat of England in the tournament’s final in Sydney. 

It marred the triumph for Spain’s players and the forward, who is currently her national side’s record goal scorer.

It aslo prompted an international outcry across the sport with the Spanish FA issuing a public apology.

After being found guilty of sexual assault Rubiales was fined £8935 (EUROS 10,800), but was acquitted of a charge of coercion after being accused pressuring the player to downplay the incident.

The conviction came a year and five months after he resigned as president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). 

Irene Paredes and Alexia Putellas, Bronze’s team-mates at Barcelona and Arsenal’s Laia Codina appeared at the trial to give testimonies in support of Hermoso 

Speaking shortly ahead of the verdict reached by Spain’s High Court, Bronze, who played at Barcelona for two years from June 2022 said: I am good friends with a lot of the players involved around it. 

“From my point of view it’s been incredibly brave that these players have had to go through that. 

“It’s incredibly brave, as individuals and as a team collectively they’re fighting for change, not just in that court case but in their federation. 

“It’s amazing. As an England team we’ve made changes, not for the same reasons, but we stand by them.

“During my last year at Barcelona, watching their ordeals after the World Cup, I think it was challenging for them. 

“It would be nice for them to get back to their football and focusing on that because they are incredible people and unbelievable players as well.”

Bronze and her England team-mates will play Spain in the Women’s Nations League on February 26 five days after taking on Portugal. 

Both matches and the verdict of the Rubiales case come in a month in which female athletes’ safety and abuse directed at female footballers has been in the spotlight. 

On Sunday Manchester City’s Khadija Bunny Shaw gave a Black Power salute after scoring during her side’s 4-0 win against Liverpool in the WSL. 

The Jamaica striker was the target of racist and misogynistic abuse following the Cityzens’ 4-3 loss to Arsenal in the Women’s League Cup on February 6. 

Shaw’s club and a Man City fan group said they were appalled by the “disgusting treatment” of the player who finished last season as the WSL’s top goalscorer. 

And England and Chelsea’s Millie Bright spoke out against a fan directing expletive-laden insults at her during the Blues’ 1-0 away win at Aston Villa earlier this month. 

Bronze, who has spoken out on a range of issues facing players in the women’s game, insists it’s important female athletes can use their platforms to push for change and empower each other.

The right-back, who joined Chelsea from Barcelona last July, said:  “Everyone is using their platform to make change and to try and be positive and to do the right things. 

“That is something that is special about women’s sport in general. We all have each other’s backs and try to empower each other. 

“Sadly there is that negative side to sport in general but we are trying to make change. 

Manchester City's Khadija Shaw celebrates a goal.
Getty
Khadija Shaw did a Black Power salute after being the target of racist and misogynistic abuse earlier this month[/caption]

“We want the world to be a better place, the sports that we play to be better places. 

“We want to be safe, we want to bring joy and excitement and that is why we all play the sport. 

“To use our platforms to push those things forward and make change for little boys and girls, that is something we hold really dear to our hearts.”

Read More »

MAFS UK star’s heartbreak as he reveals he’s been forced to pull out of huge US reality show at the last minute

MARRIED At First Sight star Georges Berthonneau has been forced to pull out of a huge reality show.

The hunk was due to appear in MTV’s The Challenge, which is known for featuring TV stars from around the world, but will no longer be competing.

Georges Berthonneau at a photocall.
Getty
Georges has been forced to pull out of The Challenge[/caption]
Couple in formal wear embracing outdoors.
Instagram/peggyroseofficial
He was known for marrying Peggy on MAFS[/caption]

A TV insider said: “Georges turned it down at the last minute due to some complications in his personal life which are currently taking priority.

“However, he’s really hopeful that he can work on the show in the future as he was really excited to take part.”

Georges first hit headlines when he married a complete stranger – Peggy Lawrence – for the E4 show in 2023.

The former couple’s split was acrimonious with Peggy, 33, levelling cheating claims at online coach Georges, which he has always vehemently denied.

The Challenge debuted on MTV back in 1998 and has aired 40 seasons to date.

The gruelling competition features the line-up facing off in extreme challenges to avoid elimination.

Past winners include WWE legend The Miz and The Traitors US star CT Tamburello.

This week The Sun told how five celebrities have been flown out to Chile in South America where filming is taking place.

Love Island stars Jake Cornish and Theo Campbell have both been snapped up to appear on the programme.

Theo is no stranger to the show and has taken part in four series before but for former All Star Islander Jake this is his first shot at the show.

Married At First Sight UK beauty Adrienne Naylor has also signed up for the physically demanding show in a bid to prove her strength in the show’s mind-blowing challenges.

The trio will be joined by Ex On The Beach hunk and Dreamboys stripper Rogan O’Connor – who last took part in The Challenge in 2019 – as well as Izzy Fairthorne of Netflix‘s Too Hot To Handle fame.

During his time on the show, Rogan appeared in three series, winning one, where he was able to claim an epic prize of $250,000.

Married At First Sight stars Georges and his partner at dinner.
Channel 4
The pair ended up splitting as things turned sour[/caption]

Read More »

Tragic Liam Payne’s chaotic final hours revealed in disturbing new court docs released after One Direction star’s death

LIAM Payne’s chaotic finals hours before he fell to his death have been released in new court documents, a report claims.

The former One Direction star, 31, died after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires on October 16 last year.

Liam Payne at The Fashion Awards 2022.
Getty
Liam’s final hours have been revealed in new court documents[/caption]
Drone view of a hotel building, highlighting the balcony from which Liam Payne fell.
Reuters
Liam fell to his death from his hotel room balcony on October 16[/caption]

Rogelio “Roger” Nores and two staff members at the hotel had been charged with manslaughter but were cleared, it was revealed today.

Now, as reported by the Mail, a forensic examination of Liam’s final hours found he hired two women online, Aldana Serrano, 31, and Lucila Goitea, 27, and invited them to his room.

The women arrived at 11.30am on October 16 to find Liam taking drugs from aluminium foil, docs claimed.

According to the report, the singer asked the women to bring him more drugs.

The three of them later had sex, it is understood, before Liam broke the hotel room TV and told the women to leave at around 4pm.

It was previously reported the One Direction star had been seen arguing with one woman over money in the hotel’s lobby.

The Argentinian girls were both quizzed by police and their stories are said to have matched up.

A source said previously: “Aldana and Lucila are absolutely devastated by what happened after they left the hotel.

“They co-operated with the police as soon as they were contacted and wanted to help with the investigation as much as possible.

“Police have the girls’ phone numbers and they will contact them as and when they need if they feel they need any more information.”

The report of Liam’s final hours is documented in a 35 page court ruling prepared by judges in Argentina.

It came as part of the move to drop manslaughter charges against two hotel worked and Liam’s friend Rogelio “Roger” Nores in relation to his death.

Appeal court judges cleared all three and reversed the earlier decision to charge them.

Meanwhile the pair accused of selling Liam cocaine before his fall from the CasaSur Palermo Hotel will remain in prison after being told they still face prosecution and probable trial.

a woman standing on top of a hill with a city in the background
Aldana Serrano, 31, was invited by Liam back to his hotel
a woman in a black bra is looking out of a window .
Lucila Goitea, 27, was also with the One Direction star hours before his fatal fall, according to the report
Liam Payne and Kate Cassidy at The Fashion Awards 2022.
Getty
Liam’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy opened up about the tragedy[/caption]

Nores’ lawyer Rafael Cuneo Libarona, the brother of Argentina’s Justice Minister, had fought to get the US businessman off his manslaughter rap.

He rebutted claims from the prosecution that he was Liam’s representative and had failed in his duty of care towards him.

Mr Cuneo Libarona said after news of the appeal ruling emerged: “We are happy to have reversed the decision by 360 degrees.

“We have always maintained that Rogelio Nores was not responsible for Liam Payne’s death.

“He was only his friend and had no duty or legal obligation to ensure his safety.”

The three appeal court judges announced their ruling in a written document published eight days after a hearing at Argentina’s National Criminal and Correctional Court in Buenos Aires.

The other two men now in the clear are Esteban Grassi, the chief receptionist at CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires who made a 911 call moments before Liam died, and its head of security Gilda Martin.

Liam Payne's girlfriend opens up

by Clemmie Moodie, Assistant Editor

LIAM Payne’s devastated girlfriend broke her silence about the One Direction star’s final days — and her regret at leaving him alone before his death.

US influencer Kate Cassidy, 25, hit back at critics who accused her of abandoning Liam in Argentina where he fell to his death from a hotel balcony last October.

She tells of their “fairytale romance”, how she supported him “through thick and thin” and shares touching photographs, including her last snap of Liam, 31.

In her first global interview since the tragedy, Kate reveals her final message to the One Direction superstar — the “charming soulmate” she planned to marry.

She also shares a string of never-seen-before photos of the pair and reveals how she loved Liam from the age of 10.

Kate exclusively told The Sun: “Love is so optimistic, and you just hope that everything will work out at the end. Obviously if I knew, if I could see into the future, I would never have left Argentina.”

She debunked internet conspiracy theories that she’d returned to their Florida home after a break-up and rows — explaining she dashed back to look after their rescue dog, Nala.

Kate also believes his fall from a hotel balcony last October was an accident and not suicide.

Recalling her trip home, she said: “I had a responsibility, we had a responsibility. We had our dog and obviously I never, ever thought this event would occur.

“It was a tragic accident and no, I never did think (he might die young). But, you know, we did have our own separate lives — this wasn’t the first time we have travelled separately.

“I just never thought this would have happened, that it would turn out the way it did.”

Grassi was one of the three men identified alongside Martin in the last harrowing photo of Liam to emerge showing him being carried back up to his room from his hotel lobby shortly before his fall.

Like Mr Nores they would have faced between one and five years in prison if convicted as charged – although they had been told they could be eligible for suspended jail sentences.

Waiter Braian Nahuel Paiz, 24, and 21-year-old suspended hotel worker Ezequiel David Pereyra, lost their attempts to overturn the decision to charge them with supplying Liam drugs and remand them in prison.

They have been warned they could face prison sentences of between four and 15 years if convicted.

Prosecutors can appeal the higher court decision on Mr Nores and the two hotel workers but they have not yet indicated if they will do so.

Local reports say a number of electronic devices have yet to be opened and analysed, including Mr Nores’ iPhone and Liam Payne’s computer.

Mr Nores’ alleged managerial role towards Liam, a position he had denied holding, had been key to the decision to prosecute the businessman.

Judge Laura Bruniard in an indictment ruling at the end of December accused Mr Nores of “failing in his duty of care, assistance and help” towards the star.

She alleged he “abandoned him to his fate, knowing he couldn’t fend for himself, aware he suffered multiple additions to alcohol and cocaine and fully conscious of the state of intoxication, vulnerably and defenceless he was in”.

It subsequently emerged the businessman had been described as Liam’s manager in an internal hotel email after he visited CasaSur Palermo Hotel.

Mr Nores protested his innocence and refuted claims he was Liam’s ‘de facto’ manager.

He previously said: “I never abandoned Liam, I went to his hotel three times that day and left 40 minutes before this happened.

“There were over 15 people at the hotel lobby chatting and joking with him when I left.

“I could have never imagined something like this would happen.

“I’ve given my statement to the prosecutor on October 17 as a witness and I haven’t spoken to any police officer or prosecutor ever since.

“I wasn’t Liam’s manager. He was just my very dear friend.”

Group photo of four people wearing blue jackets.
Roger Nores (left) saw the One Direction star just before his death
Fans gathered at a candlelight vigil.
Getty
Fans mourned across the globe after the tragic news broke[/caption]

Read More »

Keely Hodkinson looks stunning in bold outfit as she poses with £15million F1 car ahead of new season

OLYMPIC hero Keely Hodgkinson has swapped the running track for the race track as she posed in front of Aston Martin’s new Formula One car.

The gold medallist donned a sharp pantsuit as she attended the F1‘s 75th anniversary car launch event at the O2 in London on Tuesday.

Keely Hodkinson posing with an Aston Martin Formula 1 car.
instagram
Keely Hodkinson posed in front of Aston Martin’s F1 car[/caption]
Keely Hodgkinson holding a British flag and a crown.
PA
The Olympic hero attended F1’s launch event at the O2[/caption]

Hodgkinson, who captured the hearts of the nation with her heroics in Paris last summer, posed in front of Aston Martin’s new livery at the event.

The car, which will be driven by Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, is likely to be worth around £15MILLION – as is the average for a F1 car.

Fans of Hodgkinson and F1 were loving the crossover when she posted the snap on Instagram.

One wrote: “Almost as fast as you”.

While another added: “I wonder which is faster? My bet is on the two legged racing machine”.

And a third joked: “I see you are getting closer to your dream car!”

Hodgkinson was joined by a whole host of other stars at the event in Greenwich.

Alongside drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris, celeb attendees included Gordon Ramsay, Jack Whitehall and Maura Higgins.

Three men in suits and red ties.
Lewis Hamilton looked dapper alongside Charles Leclerc and Frederic Vasseur
Getty
Holly, Tana, and Gordon Ramsay on a red carpet.
Getty
The Ramsay family were also at the 02 Arena[/caption]
Christian Horner, Geri Halliwell-Horner, and Jack Whitehall at an event.
Getty
Christian Horner and his Spice Girl wife were seen alongside Jack Whitehall on the red carpet[/caption]
Maura Higgins at the F1 75 Live event.
Rex
Maura Higgins wore a bold outfit at the event[/caption]

Hodgkinson will have enjoyed a night to take her mind off the heartache of an injury scuppering her chances of breaking a longstanding world record.

The 22-year-old had planned to run the quickest time over 800 metres indoors at her inaugural Keely Klassic at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena last weekend.

But saw her opportunity to do so snatched away when an injury in her hamstring flared up just three days before the event.

And a scan has since revealed a significant problem that has even raised questions about her ability to compete again this winter.

Speaking on the injury, Hodgkinson revealed that she shed a tear upon finding out the news.

She said: “I’m so gutted and disappointed to be announcing this. I’m devastated to be missing the launch of the first Keely Klassic.

“Me and my team worked so hard these last couple of months to put me in a perfect position to race, and I was so excited to perform in front of a home crowd.

“I won’t lie – when I got the news this afternoon, I shed a tear.

“I’ve worked so hard for this moment and was in the best shape of my life. I’m absolutely gutted that I won’t be able to race for the fans.

“Especially after so many have bought tickets to see me try and break the world record.

“But this event was never just about me – it was always about showcasing British talent, creating something new for the sport, and bringing more energy and entertainment to athletics.

“That’s something I’m committed to for the long term. I’ll be in Birmingham on Saturday doing everything I can to make sure it’s an amazing night for the athletes and the fans.”

Keely Hodgkinson winning a women's 800-meter semifinal at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
AP
Hodgkinson was ruled out of a world record attempt at the inaugural Keely Klassic with a hamstring injury[/caption]
Keely Hodgkinson posing with young athletes at The Keely Klassic.
Getty
The star still turned up at the event[/caption]
Keely Hodgkinson holding her gold medal after winning the Women's 800m Final.
PA
Hodgkinson won gold in the Women’s 800m in Paris[/caption]
Keely Hodgkinson holding the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.
PA
She was also named as BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024[/caption]

Read More »