₦airaland Forum

After obtaining one of the most desired achievements of my sporting career and after a few days of reflection, I want to thank, with all my heart, my teammates, fans, followers, media and everyone who has made this dream a reality; your work and unconditional support has been a fundamental part to be able to win the World Cup.

In reference to what has happened today [Rubiales’ speech] and while I don’t want to interfere with the multiple ongoing legal procedures, I feel obligated to say that the words of Mr Luis Rubiales explaining the unfortunate event are categorically false and part of the manipulative culture he has created.

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.

The situation left me in shock because of the context of the celebration, and with the time passed, and those initial feelings being able to sink, I feel the need to denounce this as I feel that no one, in no work space, sporting or social, should be a victim to this time of unconsensual behaviour. 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.

I was asked to released a joint statement to relieve the pressure off the president, but in those moments, in my head I only had being able to celebrate the historic achievement I accomplished with my teammates. That’s why, in that moment I communicated with the RFEF … and the same with media and people I trust, that I would not be releasing an individual statement nor a joint statement about the matter, as I understood that, by doing it, I would take away the spotlight from a very special moment for my teammates and I.

Despite my decision I have to state that I have been under constant pressure to come out with some sort of statement that would justify the acts of Mr Luis Rubiales. Not only that, but also, via different ways and different people, the RFEF has pressured my close circle (family, friends, teammates, etc) so I would give a statement that had little or nothing to do with how I felt.

It’s not my place to evaluate communication practices or integrity, but I am sure that as world champions we do not deserve a culture so manipulative, hostile and controlling. These types of incidents are added to a long list of situations that us, the players, have been [enduring] for the last few years, for what has been done, for what I have experienced, this is only a drop in a full glass and only what the whole world has been able to see. Acts like these have been part of daily life in our national team for years.

Overall, I want to restate my position that I have taken from the start, considering that I don’t have to support the person that has committed this action against my will, who didn’t respect me, in a historic moment for me and for women’s sport of this country.

In no situation, can it be my responsibility to assume the consequences to have to transmit something that I don’t believe, and for that reason I have ignored the pressure [I was put under].

I want to close by making it very clear that while it is me expressing this, these words are that of all the players in Spain and the world that have given me strength to come out with this statement. After the lack of respect and the incapacity to recognise errors and accept the consequences, I have made the decisions to not return to the national team while the current leaders are in position.

Thank you to everyone for the messages of support and words of encouragement I have received. I know that I am not alone and thanks to everyone we will continue forward together. I leave the trusted people from TMJ and Futpro [players’ union] with this topic and they will continue working in the next steps after the recent advancements.

lovewins:
Exactly what I anticipated will happen. Borja Iglesias and Iker Casillas speaking up is just the beginning. Many more will likely speak up and board members will be pressured to change position. He was dumb not to resign.

Official statement

25/08/2023 14:07:24

After the celebration of the Extraordinary Assembly of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and waiting for the resolutions that can be taken in this sports and judicial body regarding the attitude of its president, Luis Rubiales, during the dispute of the final of the Women's World Cup in Sydney and the subsequent celebration, RCD Espanyol de Barcelona wants to show its condemnation and rejection of the way of proceeding of the highest executive position of the RFEF, as well as his explanations and statements made today.

In that sense, the images that were seen during the celebration of the FIFA World Championship achieved by the Women's National Team are unacceptable and improper and, once we have heard the explanations about them, they move us to demand the immediate dismissal or dismissal of the President by the bodies authorized to do so.

RCD Espanyol, which has not participated in this Extraordinary Assembly, has always been active and courageous in denouncing behaviors and situations that we have considered unfair or unacceptable, although that has sometimes led to negative consequences for our entity. We will continue to do so in the future because those are our values.

The Club also wants to show its full support to the player Jennifer Hermoso. We deeply regret that these facts - which are far from being an exemplary and professional behavior - can detract from a historic achievement achieved by the Spanish National Team.

We strongly believe in the importance of setting an example through good leadership and promoting an atmosphere in which everyone is treated with respect, dignity and equality.

FC Barcelona statement

FC Barcelona wishes to make it clear that it considers the RFEF president's actions during the World Cup totally improper and unfortunate

fcbarcelona.cat
02:13PM FRIDAY 25 AUG
CLUB
14 min ago

After the Extraordinary Assembly of the RFEF held this Friday, it seems that the explanations given by the President of the Federation, Mr. Rubiales, have been sufficient for the members present of the Assembly who had the power to ratify him in office.

FC Barcelona, however, wants to make it clear that it considers the performance of the president of the RFEF during the celebration of the World Cup achieved by the Spanish women's team totally improper and unfortunate. These are facts that we consider regrettable, that Mr. Rubiales himself has considered a mistake and for which he apologized.

In view of these unjustifiable facts, FC Barcelona undertakes to continue supporting women's sport, full equality between men and women in the world of sport and society in general, to guarantee the safety of women in sport and to denounce any action that violates our principles and Statutes.

'I will not resign!' 📣

Luis Rubiales passionately refuses to step down as president of the Spanish FA ❌

He's faced criticism for kissing forward Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain's World Cup win.#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/OnxlFbwpv9

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 25, 2023

Falcons allowance: Lawmakers demand evidence from NFF

August 24, 2023

House adhoc committee says the Nigeria Football Federation should furnish it with meticulous and comprehensive documentation that outlines the financial support extended to the Super Falcons for their involvement in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

This documentation according to the Chairperson, Blessing Onu, should encompass a breakdown of all match bonus payments, leaving no detail unaccounted for.

Furthermore, she said NFF was to provide precise records, valid receipts, and individual payment slips for all 23 players and members of the coaching staff no later than August 30.

Ibrahim Gusau, President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had told the committee that all match bonuses and allowances for the Super Falcons have been paid.

When the ad-hoc further made inquiries regarding unpaid allowances for the 2019 FIFA women’s world cup, Mr Gusau explained that no funding was released for participation but revealed that in the 2023 FiFA Women’s World Cup hosted by Australia and New Zealand $960,000 was given to all 32 countries that qualified.

The NFF President, Mr disclosed this, when he appeared before the House ad-hoc committee set up to investigate the dispute between the Super Falcons and the NFF.

According to him, the preparation money provided by FIFA was to be used by the countries to prepare the teams for the world cup.

The NFF President added that no fund was provided by the federal government for its staff and officials, rather the federation gets its operational cost from FIFA and CAF.

“The Confederation of African Football (CAF) provides $250,000 per annum as subvention fund”, said the NFF President. “We can’t use this money to pay outstanding allowances for 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup,” he said.

House ad-hoc committee was set up to investigate the dispute between the Super Falcons and the NFF.

Reporting by Ibrahim Shehu, Editing by Omolola Ameen and Annabel Nwachukwu

naptu2:
Drama is happening in Spain right now. The Spanish Federation called a press conference and the president of the federation, Luis Rubiales was supposed to announce his resignation because he kissed Jenni Hermoso, but right now at the conference he is shouting that he is not resigning. He said that Jenni lifted him up a bit and he asked her if it was OK and she said OK.

Dshocker:
For a state to destroy a monument, all because it has Christian inscription on it is totally appalling and despicable.

Akpata Steps Aside From Law Firm To Pursue Political Ambition

Akpata recently joined the Labour Party in Edo State and expressed interest to contest the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

By Shola Soyele
Updated August 24, 2023

The Immediate-past President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Akpata, has stepped aside from Templars, a leading law firm where he served as Senior Partner.

A statement by the firm dated August 24, 2023 stated the former NBA President formally notified the other partners and management of the firm of his decision to participate in active politics and in line with the firm’s governance protocols, it was agreed that he stepped aside from the firm with effect from Thursday, August 31, 2023.

The firm said this will enable him fully focus on his project of contributing towards nation building.

It will be recalled that Akpata recently joined the Labour Party in Edo State and expressed interest to contest the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

While thanking Akpata for the significant role he played in the growth of the firm, the firm said its clients will continue to be served by its over 100 lawyers led by twenty other partners (across different practice areas) working out of the Firm’s offices in Nigeria and Ghana.

With mixed feelings, but with a great sense of pride and responsibility, I announce my disengagement from
@templars_law with effect from 31st August 2023.