Man City move for Gonzalez, Tel joins Spurs on deadline day

MADRID: Spain men’s coach Luis de la Fuente told a judge in the Luis Rubiales trial on Tuesday that he did not get involved in discussions related to Jenni Hermoso following her World Cup kiss from the former Spanish soccer boss.
Rubiales is accused of sexual assault for kissing Hermoso, the Spain forward, at the 2023 Women’s World Cup final presentation ceremony in Sydney, as well as of coercion for allegedly trying to convince the player to support his version of the kiss. Hermoso says she did not consent to the kiss while Rubiales says it was consensual.
De la Fuente said during his brief appearance in court that he spoke with Hermoso only about two months ago at a gala. He was at the Women’s World Cup final in Australia but said he did not have any discussions with Spanish federation officials about the kiss and alleged attempts to support Rubiales.
The 47-year-old Rubiales and three other former federation officials — former Spain women’s coach Jorge Vilda, former sports director of the Spain men’s team Albert Luque, and former head of marketing Rubén Rivera — are accused of pressuring Hermoso to defend Rubiales publicly in a statement after the incident, which she refused to do.
“Nobody talked to me or asked me about” a possible statement, De la Fuente said.
The coach said that when he visited the federation in the days following the scandal, he only “talked about football” and business related to his position as the men’s national coach.
De La Fuente last week had his contract with the men’s national team extended to 2028.
The judge got angry at one point on Tuesday with the testimony of former federation press chief Pablo García Cuervo, asking him to be more clear with his answers.
Cuervo said he wrote up some of Hermoso’s comments to a local radio station to release them to the media. He said Hermoso asked if they wanted her to do a video with the comments, and he said that it was not necessary.
Hermoso testified on the first day of the trial on Monday and said she “felt disrespected” by Rubiales after winning the Women’s World Cup final and the kiss “stained one of the happiest days of my life.”
The kiss sparked outrage in Spain about the prevalence of sexism in sports and beyond.
Rubiales has yet to testify and denied the charges. He resigned under pressure three weeks later and was banned by FIFA for three years. Rubiales had said he was the victim of a “witch hunt” by “false feminists.”
Prosecutors, Hermoso and the Spain players’ association want Rubiales jailed for two and a half years, fined 50,000 euros ($51,800) for damages, and banned from working as a sports official. They want the other three defendants sentenced to one and a half years in prison.
The trial will continue on Wednesday. It is expected to last at least 10 days. Rubiales attended the first day on Monday.

SHARJAH: Dubai Capitals delivered a commanding performance on Monday as they dismantled the Desert Vipers with both bat and ball, cruising to a resounding nine-wicket victory in the final group-stage clash of the DP World International League T20 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Qais Ahmad was the standout performer for the Capitals, claiming an exceptional four wickets for 25 runs to dismantle the batting lineup.

Meanwhile, Gulbadin Naib underlined his all-round credentials with a blistering unbeaten 55 to help guide his side to a comfortable win. The victory marked a remarkable turnaround for the Capitals, who began their campaign with just one win in their first four matches but rallied to claim four victories in their last five outings and secure second place in the table.

With the group stage now complete, the Capitals will face the Vipers once again on Wednesday in Qualifier 1, with the winner progressing to the final on Sunday. Meanwhile, MI Emirates will take on Sharjah Warriorz in the Eliminator on Thursday, the winner of which will meet the loser of Qualifier 1 on Friday for the remaining spot in the final.

Chasing a target of 138, Capitals openers Adam Rossington and Shai Hope set the tone early with an aggressive approach. The duo raced to 34 runs within four overs, with Rossington smashing a quickfire 20 off 15 balls before falling to David Payne.

Naib entered at No. 3 and immediately stamped his authority on the game, hitting Sam Curran for a boundary. The Capitals powered their way to 50 for 1 at the end of the powerplay. Although Wanindu Hasaranga briefly stemmed the flow of runs with some tight overs, Hope and Naib kept the scoreboard ticking over, reaching 76 for 1 at the 10-over mark.

A stroke of luck allowed Naib to survive not one but two mistimed shots in the 11th over, with both top edges carrying over the boundary. The Vipers missed a crucial fielding opportunity when Hope skied a slower delivery, only for the catch to be put down.

With momentum firmly in their favor, the Capitals breezed past the 50-run mark for the second wicket. Naib reached his half-century in style, launching Khuzaima Tanveer for a massive six over deep midwicket. Another dropped catch followed, emphasizing the Vipers’ poor fielding display. Hope, unfazed by the opponents’ missed opportunities, reached his fourth 50 of the tournament as he steered the Capitals to victory in the 15th over.

Earlier, the Capitals’ bowlers delivered a scintillating display that left the Vipers all out for 137. Obed McCoy struck with his very first ball, removing Azam Khan, before dismissing Alex Hales with a cleverly disguised slower delivery. At 39 for 2 after five overs, the Vipers tried to steady the ship through Curran and Dan Lawrence, who put together a 45-run partnership.

Curran’s six into the Sharjah streets off Naib briefly swung the momentum back in the Vipers’ favor, but Qais had other plans. The leg-spinner dismissed Curran with a well-disguised wrong ’un, sending him packing for 28 off 20 balls. Lawrence battled on but was trapped by Qais for a well-made 44.

His departure triggered a collapse, with the Vipers losing their final seven wickets for only 36 runs. Qais continued to dominate, removing Sherfane Rutherford for a duck before claiming two more wickets in the 14th over, bowling Adam Hose and trapping Michael Jones LBW.

With the Vipers struggling on 104 for 7, the runs dried up in the final overs and they were eventually bowled out for a modest 137.

Vipers captain Lockie Ferguson remained optimistic despite the heavy defeat.

“These things happen,” he said. “I will still back the boys. Qais bowled exceptionally. We will have to go back to the drawing board and come back again.

“We have been outstanding, and a little blip in the end will not change anything. Max (Holden) had a back twinge but he should hopefully be fine for the playoffs.”

Qais, the player of the match, credited his teammates for his success in the game and throughout the tournament.

“When you are playing with such legendary cricketers like Sam Billings, they always support me and give me confidence,” he said. “He kept saying: ‘You are our main bowler and will take wickets.’

“The wicket was very good for spin, so I tried my best to turn the ball. I am happy for these four wickets.”

Talking about his dismissal of Curran, he said: “Of course, I enjoyed that wicket; Sam Curran is a big wicket.”