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☆ Lawsuit Accuses Everton Bidder 777 Partners of $600 Million Fraud
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-04 | by ( Tariq Panja | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The American investment firm 777 Partners, whose bid to buy the English Premier League soccer team Everton has been on hold for months amid doubts about the company’s finances, was accused by one of its lenders on Friday of running a yearslong fraud scheme worth hundreds of millions of dollars. The accusation came in a lawsuit filed Friday in federal court in New York by Leadenhall Capital Partners, a London-based asset management company. It said that it had provided 777 Partners with more than $600 million in financing, only to discover that roughly $350 million in assets serving as collateral for the loans either were not in 777’s control or had already been pledged to other lenders. The lawsuit is the latest, most serious claim against 777 Partners, which has for years made bold assertions about its financial health — it has previously claimed $10 billion in assets — even as it was trailed a string of lawsuits, corporate failures and unpaid bills. The suit could have immediate implications for 777’s stalled bid to buy Everton: The Premier League has not approved the sale, and the financially strapped club recently said it was seeking alternate investors.

Organizations: Partners, English Premier League soccer, Everton, Leadenhall Capital Partners, The Premier League Locations: New York, London

☆ Adidas’ retro-inspired shoes are flying off shelves
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Adidas’ Samba and Gazelle sneakers might look like they’re from another decade, but they’re the hottest shoes on sale right now. Buoyed by the strength of those shoes, plus higher demand for its running, basketball and soccer shoes, Adidas registered a net profit of about $182 million through the first three months of 2024 — a sharp reversal from the same time period last year when it reported a $26 million loss. In particular, sales in Europe soared 14%, and Adidas also had strong demand for its products in China and Latin America. “The markets are still volatile and not easy, but we feel we are making progress everywhere,” said Adidas CEO Bjørn Gulden in a release. Last year, Adidas slumped to a rare annual loss, hit by the fallout from its costly break-up with rapper Ye, sluggish sales in North America and a huge tax bill.

Persons: Ye, ”, Bjørn Gulden, “ Organizations: New, New York CNN, Adidas, ’, Copa America, Rival Nike, German, soccer teams Locations: New York, German, Europe, China, Latin America, North America

☆ Aya Nakamura: The most streamed female Francophone artist has become a target in France’s culture wars ahead of Paris 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Bea Adeleke | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN —Aya Nakamura was born in the former French colony of Mali, raised in France and is widely considered the most streamed female Francophone artist in the world. However, ahead of Paris 2024, Nakamura finds herself at the center of France’s culture wars. Aya Nakamura attends the Kenzo Menswear Fall-Winter 2023-2024 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 20, 2023 in Paris, France. “I think that the people who criticize her actually don’t accept that she embodies France,” French activist Rokhaya Diallo told CNN. Politicians such as Le Pen hailed the legislation as an “ideological victory” whilst French health Minister, Aurelien Rousseau resigned in protest.

Persons: Aya Nakamura, Nakamura, Edith Piaf, Piaf, “, ”, I’m, Rachida, Kenzo, Pascal Le Segretain, Marion Maréchal, Marine Le, Rokhaya Diallo, ” Nakamura, ’, le, Geoffroy Van Der, Emanuel Macron, Nakamura “, Le Pen, Vincent Martigny, Thomas Samson, Marion Marechal, Emmanuel Dunand, Martigny, Diallo, Zinedine Zidane, ” Diallo, ‘, Oliver Roy, Reynaud Julien, Macron, Aurelien Rousseau Organizations: CNN, France’s, of Culture, Rally, Blacks, Rassemblement National, Getty, Olympic Aquatics, France Inter, Science, University of Nice, National Assembly, soccer team, Paris Olympic, Le, Palais des Sports, EUI, of Transnational Governance, Twitter, APS, France, BMFTV, RMC Locations: Mali, France, French, Paris, Bamako, Europe, ”, Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt, AFP, Rassemblement, Ukraine, North, Carhaix

Whispering in the ears of the billionaires and celebrities doing the buying, however, are investment bankers. Like other sports bankers BI interviewed for our list of top sports bankers, he exemplified a good-humored, approachable attitude, including joking about his many sports allegiances. Related stories"Earlier in my career, I made the mistake of telling Bob Kraft that I was a New York Jets fan," Carey told BI recently. They're obsessive Jets fans, and they're just fans because I'm a Jets fan," Neville told BI. So that's why we'll be Jets fans forever."

Persons: it's, Goldman Sachs, Greg Carey, everyone's, Carey, Colin Neville's, he's, David Beckham, Steve Ballmer, Joe Tsai, Ballmer, Tsai, Neville, Andrew Kline, Kline, Bob Kraft, I'm, Robert Tilliss, There's, Abramovich, Vladimir Putin, Todd Boehly, Joe Lenehan, Michael Arougheti, David Rubenstein's, doesn't, there's Organizations: NBA, JPMorgan, Business, The, PJT Partners, Chelsea FC, Baltimore Orioles, Sports, Goldman, Endeavor, WWE, Microsoft, Beckham's, Los Angeles Clippers, Brooklyn Nets, Barclays Center, St, Louis Rams, Los Angeles Rams, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, Harvard, US Rugby National, Cal, New York Jets, BI, Patriots, Giants, Rays, Chelsea, Circle, Atlanta Hawks NBA, New York Mets, NFL, soccer's Premier League, Russian, Chelsea football, LA Dodgers, Yankees, Manchester United Games, Jets, we'll Locations: European, Los Angeles, Berkeley, Barcelona, Ukraine, New York

☆ Marta: Brazil star to retire from international soccer
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Sammy Mncwabe | Duarte Mendonça | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Brazil and Orlando Pride star Marta will retire from international soccer this year, she told CNN Brasil in an interview which will air on Sunday, April 28. The 38-year-old is Brazil’s all-time record goalscorer, male or female, with 115 goals and has appeared in six World Cup tournaments. If selected for the Brazilian squad at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Marta could make her sixth appearance at the Games. There is no longer Marta in the national team as an athlete from 2025 onwards,” Marta told CNN Brasil. Three times Marta has come agonizingly close to glory with Brazil, losing the 2007 Women’s World Cup final to Germany and twice suffering defeat in the Olympic gold medal match.

Persons: Marta, I’ll, ” Marta Organizations: CNN —, Orlando Pride, CNN Brasil, soccer, FIFA, Women’s Champions League, Copa Libertadores Femenina, Copa América Locations: CNN — Brazil, Brazil, men’s, Germany, Paris

☆ A complete timeline of Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris' relationship
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Eve Crosbie | Palmer Haasch | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Sophia Bush and former US soccer player Ashlyn Harris began dating in 2023. Bush confirmed her and Harris' relationship and came out as queer in a Glamour cover story. Here's a timeline of their relationship, and what they've said about it. AdvertisementSophia Bush has opened up about her relationship with Ashlyn Harris for the first time, six months after they were first romantically linked. Here's a complete timeline of everything we know about Bush and Harris' relationship.

Persons: Sophia Bush, Ashlyn Harris, Bush, Harris, they've, —, Grant Hughes, Ali Krieger, that's, you'd Organizations: Service, United States Women's National Soccer Team, ESPN

☆ Queens Park Ladies Joined a Boys’ League. Then They Went Undefeated.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Claire Moses | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

With about four games left in the season, it became mathematically clear to the players and coaches of the Queens Park Ladies, an under-12 girls’ soccer team in Bournemouth, England, that they would win their league. But rather than resting on their laurels and enjoying their guaranteed victory, they decided to take it a step further: What if they not only won their league, but also did so without losing a match? If that wasn’t enough, they would be pulling it off as the only girls’ team in a boys’ league. The Queens Park Ladies did not lose any of their 22 matches, earning them the elusive nickname “Invincibles,” one that conjures the memory of Arsenal’s undefeated 2003-04 Premier League season under Arsène Wenger. “I just thought it was incredible that we’ve gone so far to beat some boys that are probably more physical than us,” Millie Ray, 11, a midfielder, said.

Persons: Arsène Wenger, “, Millie Ray, ” Organizations: Queens Park Ladies, soccer, Queens Park, Premier League Locations: Bournemouth, England

☆ Victoria Beckham at 50: Posh Spice’s most memorable fashion moments
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Leah Dolan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Her image shifted in 2008 after she launched her eponymous fashion brand, which has since shown regularly at London, New York and Paris Fashion Weeks. While her wardrobe today tends to skew more subtle, there’s still nothing Victoria can’t style out — including, most recently, a pair of crutches to support her broken ankle. LBDs and all-black looks were a mainstay of Victoria's wardrobe as Posh Spice, demonstrated here at Grosvenor House in London during the Ivor Novello Awards in 1997. Andreas Rentz/Getty ImagesHer penchant for color-blocking, particularly in bright reds and oranges, have become a signature feature of Victoria's look — shown here during a visit to New York in 2017. Raymond Hall/GC Images/Getty ImagesShadows of her '90s style are still visible in her wardrobe today.

Persons: Victoria Beckham, David Beckham, Victoria, ”, ” Victoria, “, Ivor Novello, Dave Benett, Dave Hogan, Mick Hutson, Redferns, Jade, David, Chris Eades, Shutterstock, Marc Piasecki, Victoria's, Birkin, Robyn Beck, Suhaimi Abdullah, forgoing, Andreas Rentz, Raymond Hall, Pascal Le Segretain Organizations: CNN, Spice Girl, burberry, Paris, Vogue, Grosvenor House, Spice, Wembley Arena Victoria, VH1, Hulton, Burberry, LA Galaxy, Cannes Locations: England, London , New York, Victoria, Grosvenor, London, Ibiza, Paris, California, AFP, Singapore, New York

☆ A beheading meme and 'Mark Ruffalo, naked' — how 'anti-Trump' posts got 5 New Yorkers booted from the hush-money trial
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

She was the first of the prospective jurors who were challenged by Trump's defense team on Tuesday over their "anti-Trump" social media. AdvertisementThe prospective juror, identified only as "B-133," had clearly "attended an "anti-Trump rally," defense lawyer Susan Necheles protested. When it was released in 2016, the clip was shared on the Facebook account of the husband of prospective juror B-330. "I would have to say that politically, yes, I do," the prospective juror answered. "Boys request to return to cave"The final prospective juror questioned on their social media posts was a retired grandmother from Manhattan's Lower East Side.

Persons: —, Trump, Mark Ruffalo, Donald Trump's, Juan Merchan deadpanned, Todd Blanche, who'd, Joe Biden's, Susan Necheles, Joshua Steinglass, stammered, Blanche, he'd, DJT, Donald Trump, Robert Downey Jr, Neil Patrick Harris, Donald Trump …, sheepishly, Barack Obama, Trump's, Steinglass, Biden, Harris, Blanche complainingly, Blanche huffed Organizations: Service, Trump, Business, Yorkers, Facebook, Economic Development Corporation, Biden, Thai, White, Republicans Locations: New York City, Midtown, Manhattan's, Thailand, Trump

☆ Opinion: Skimpy Olympic uniforms for women are an outrage
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Opinion Danielle Campoamor | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Nike’s new Olympic outfit designs for the US women and men were revealed last week, and the track and field uniforms have rightly been met with intense criticism. Just look at what Caitlin Clark, Dawn Staley and this year’s women collegiate basketball players did for the NCAA. For the uninitiated, prior to the settlement the women were earning as little as 40% of what the men were paid, despite winning four World Cup championships. A woman, Simone Biles, is the most decorated gymnast of all time, winning an astounding 37 World and Olympic medals… and she’s not done competing. Instead, while male athletes are simply referred to as “athletes,” we are “women athletes” who must shave and trim, wax and pluck our way into the hearts and minds of… men.

Persons: Danielle Campoamor, CNN —, Danielle Campoamor Ashley Batz, Leslie Jones, Katie Moon, ” Katelyn Hutchison, ” Jaleen Roberts, ” Lauren Fleshman, “, Fleshman, Caitlin Clark, Dawn Staley, Simone Biles, —, I’m, ” Organizations: NBC, CNN, Olympics, Paris Games, NPR, Nike, Air, University of Kentucky, NCAA, US Soccer, Team USA, Go Locations: Paris

☆ A Perpetual Bridesmaid Gets the Crown, and Germany (Mostly) Likes the Look
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-13 | by ( Rory Smith | Christopher F. Schuetze | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Executives at Bayer Leverkusen, the longstanding but habitually middleweight German soccer team, have been fielding the messages since at least February. Some were delivered in person, a quiet blessing after yet another victory. Others came via WhatsApp, unsolicited and unexpected notes from peers and acquaintances and, to their occasional surprise, traditional foes. But as the German league season gathered pace, plenty wanted to laud Leverkusen’s impending achievement: It was, with each victory, getting closer and closer to being crowned national champion for the first time. Leverkusen will, this weekend, surge over the line and end a run of Bayern championships that stretches back more than a decade.

Persons: laud Leverkusen’s Organizations: Bayer Leverkusen, Soccer, Rivals, Bayern Munich, Bayern, Werder Bremen Locations: German

☆ Prince William and George cheer on Aston Villa in first outing since Kate’s cancer announcement
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Lauren Said-Moorhouse | Max Foster | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Prince William and Prince George were spotted watching their soccer team Aston Villa together on Thursday evening - their first sighting since the Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnosis. Royal-watchers were thrilled to see Prince William at the game on Thursday evening. Catherine Ivill/AMA/Getty ImagesCatherine revealed in a powerful video message on March 22 that she had started treatment after being diagnosed with cancer. Specifically, they are eyeing up the D-Day 80th anniversary ceremony in Normandy, France on June 6 or his birthday parade through central London a week later. One trip the King did manage to get sign-off from doctor’s on was an escape to Scotland for a very special occasion.

Persons: CNN — Prince William, Prince George, Princess, Wales, Prince of Wales, Prince William, Catherine Ivill, Catherine, King Charles III, he’ll, Duke, Duchess, Prince Edward, Sophie, Victoria Jones, Edward, Charles, Andrew Bailey, Sarah John, Yui Mok, King, Camilla Organizations: CNN’s Royal, CNN, Aston Villa, Lille, Europa Conference League, Kensington Palace, Entente, France's Gendarmerie Garde, Guard, Getty, London, Bank of England Locations: British, Villa, Birmingham, Windsor ., Kensington, Edinburgh, Buckingham, London, Paris, Normandy, France, doctor’s, Scotland, Birkhall, Balmoral

☆ In Praise of Middle Managers - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( David Brooks | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Nobody writes poems about middle managers. So how do these managers work their magic? Let me give you a few features of ethical leadership:Knowing that moral formation is part of the job. When I was starting out at “PBS NewsHour” and I said something he thought was smart, his eyes would crinkle with pleasure. When I said something he thought was crass, his mouth would turn down in displeasure.

Persons: I’ve, Tucker Carlson, Ted Lasso, Lasso, fellas, Jim Lehrer Organizations: PBS

☆ A Soccer Team Stopped Charging for Tickets. Should Others Do the Same?
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Rory Smith | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Neither Paris F.C. There was, really, precious little to remember at all: no goals, few shots, little drama — a drab, rain-sodden stalemate between the French capital’s third-most successful soccer team and the country’s sleepiest giant. Last November, Paris F.C. There were a couple of exceptions: a nominal fee for fans supporting the visiting team, and market rates for those using hospitality suites. Everyone else, however, could come to the Stade Charléty — the compact stadium that Paris F.C.

Organizations: Paris F.C, Stade Charléty

☆ Bidens roll out the diplomatic – and literal – red carpet for Japan state visit
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Betsy Klein | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The White House will lean into the full pomp and circumstance of a state visit as the president seeks to emphasize the strong alliance between the two countries. The Bidens welcomed the prime minister and his wife to the White House on Tuesday evening, hosting the couple for a casual dinner at BlackSalt, a local seafood restaurant. The White House will serve wines from the Willamette Valley and Columbia Valley in the Pacific Northwest. The Bidens presented their counterparts with a three-legged black walnut table handmade by a Japanese American owned company in Pennsylvania, the White House said. The Biden White House has previously hosted the leaders of Australia, India, France and South Korea for state visits.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Kishida Fumio, Kishida Yuko, Paul Simon, Biden, ” Jill Biden, ”, Bryan Rafanelli, “, Cris Comerford, Susie Morrison, George W, Bush, Lyndon B, Johnson, Carlos Elizondo –, ’ toasts, Elizondo, Billy Joel, CNN’s Arlette Saenz, Kayla Tausche, Sam Fossum Organizations: CNN, Japanese, White, White House social, Wing, State Department, White House, US, National Soccer Team, National Football Team, Biden White Locations: China, Ukraine, Gaza, United States, Japan, BlackSalt, California, Willamette, Columbia, Pacific Northwest, American, Pennsylvania, Australia, India, France, South Korea

☆ British billionaire Joe Lewis fined $5 million by U.S. judge for insider trading
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

British billionaire and former owner of the Tottenham Hotspur Football Club Joe Lewis arrives at federal court for his sentencing in an insider trading case on April 4, 2024, in New York City. U.S. District Judge Jessica Clarke in Manhattan sentenced Lewis, who pleaded guilty in January to one count of conspiracy and two counts of securities fraud. Lewis in January entered a plea deal with prosecutors agreeing to a $50 million fine of his Bahamas company, Broad Bay. Under the agreement, Lewis' fine will be included in the total. Lewis has since remained in the country, posting $300 million bail secured by his yacht and a private aircraft.

Persons: Tottenham Hotspur Football Club Joe Lewis, Lewis, Joe Lewis, Jessica Clarke, Mr, Mark Herr, Prosecutors, Boxer Capital, Patrick O'Connor, Bryan Waugh Organizations: Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, US, Office, Southern, of New York, Tavistock Group, Aviva, London's Tottenham Hotspur, Boxer, Forbes, Prosecutors, Mirati Therapeutics, Boxer Capital, Tango Therapeutics Locations: New York City, U.S, Manhattan, London's, Bahamas, Broad Bay, London, New York

☆ Adidas is banning the number '44' on German soccer team jerseys over concerns that the design looks like the Nazi SS flag
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

People say it looks like a lightning bolt from the SS, a Nazi unit in World War II. Adidas said it's blocked fans from making jerseys with the "44," and an alternative design is being developed. AdvertisementAdidas has removed the option for fans to customize their soccer jerseys with the number "44" amid concerns that a design for the German national team resembles a Nazi symbol. Known widely as the SS, this unit was responsible for many of the war crimes and atrocities committed by Nazi Germany in World War II. DAMIEN MEYER/AFP via Getty ImagesAdidas told the BBC that the jerseys were designed by the German Football Association and weren't intentionally made to look like the SS logo.

Persons: it's, —, Adolf Hitler, Michael König, DAMIEN MEYER, weren't Organizations: German, soccer, SS, Nazi, Adidas, Service, German Football Association, Schutzstaffel, Getty, BBC, Union of European Football Associations, Nike, Business Locations: Nazi Germany, Germany, Nazi SS, Ploeuc, Saint, France, Herzogenaurach

☆ Germany to redesign Adidas soccer jersey numbering amid Nazi symbol controversy
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Oscar Holland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —German soccer authorities will redesign the number “4” on the country’s national jerseys amid claims it resembles a logo used by Nazi paramilitary units. The DFB unveiled Germany’s new uniforms, which will be worn by both men’s and women’s teams, in late March. Less than two weeks ago, the DFB announced that Nike will take over from Adidas as the German soccer team’s official shirt supplier from 2027. Adidas has produced the country’s jerseys since the 1950s, during which time the men’s team (either as Germany or West Germany) has claimed four World Cups. The logo was so widely used at the time that some German typewriters were produced with a stylized “SS” key.

Persons: Oliver Bruggen, Adolph Hitler, Walter Heck, Hitler, Guido von Organizations: CNN, Nazi, German Football Association, DFB, Schutzstaffel, UEFA, Adidas, Reuters, France, UEFA European, Nike, soccer, SS Locations: Germany, West Germany, Austrian

For Evan Gershkovich, the dozen appearances in Moscow's courts over the past year have fallen into a pattern. Guards take the American journalist from the notorious Lefortovo Prison in a van for the short drive to the courthouse. The periodic court hearings give Gershkovich’s family, friends and U.S. officials a glimpse of him, and for the 32-year-old journalist, it’s a break from his otherwise largely monotonous prison routine. Friends and family say Gershkovich is relying on his sense of humor to get through the days. Every day, Milman said, “I wake up and look at the clock.”“I think about if his lunchtime has passed, and his bedtime," she said.

Persons: Evan Gershkovich, He’s, Gershkovich, it’s, “ It’s, ”, Ella Milman, Milman, Nicholas Daniloff, Emma Tucker, ” Milman, Evan, Francesca Ebel, Josef Stalin's, he’s, Polina Ivanova, He's, Pjotr Sauer, ” Sauer, Mikhail Gershkovich, doesn't, “, Biden, Lynne Tracy, Gershkovich “, Vladimir Putin, Vadim Krasikov, ” Ebel, Journal's Tucker, I’m, Tracy Organizations: Wall, Journal, Federal Security Service, U.S, Associated Press, Russian Foreign Ministry, Moscow Times, Washington Post, Financial Times, Arsenal, British, Guardian, West Locations: Lefortovo, Yekaterinburg, Washington, Russia, Ukraine, “, New Jersey, Moscow, Russian, Germany, Berlin, Georgian

☆ War-battered Ukraine celebrates soccer team’s ‘crucial victory’ to reach Euro 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( James Legge | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Ukraine’s soccer team qualified for this summer’s European Championships with a come-from-behind win over Iceland, a rare moment of joy for the country more than two years into Russia’s invasion. Coach Sergiy Rebrov’s players made a ring around the center circle to lead the fans in a ‘Viking thunder clap’, the celebration made famous by their defeated opponents Iceland at Euro 2016. Ukraine finished third in their qualifying group, behind England and Italy, but beat Bosnia-Herzegovina in an earlier play-off to set up the decisive clash with Iceland. Russia will not be taking part, having been banned by European governing body UEFA because of the invasion. Ukraine will play in Group E of Euro 2024, along with Belgium, Slovakia and Romania, and face the prospect of taking to the continental stage while war rages back home.

Persons: Mykhailo Mudryk, Mudryk, Sergiy, Albert Gudmundsson, Viktor Tsyhankov’s, Volodymyr Zelensky, ”, Zelensky, Oleksandr Zinchenko Organizations: CNN, Chelsea, Iceland, Ukraine, “, UEFA Locations: Iceland, Wroclaw, Poland, Ukraine, England, Italy, Bosnia, Herzegovina, “ Ukraine, Germany, Europe, Russia, Belgium, Slovakia, Romania, Avdiivka, Western, Israel, Gaza

☆ Luis Rubiales: Prosecutors seek 2.5-year jail term for Spanish soccer boss over unwanted World Cup kiss
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Heather Chen | Pau Mosquera | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Spanish prosecutors are seeking a prison term of two years and six months for former soccer chief Luis Rubiales for giving an unwanted kiss to star forward Jennifer Hermoso after Spain’s World Cup victory. The kiss was televised globally and the scandal overshadowed a historic moment for Spain’s women’s team which was celebrating its first-ever World Cup win. Rubiales described the kiss as “mutual” – a claim Hermoso has strongly denied – and said he faces “excessive persecution” from authorities. Vilda had been filmed seeming to inappropriately touch a female staff member during the Women’s World Cup Final. He was replaced by Montse Tomé, the first woman in Spanish national team history to hold the position.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Jennifer Hermoso, Rubiales, Hermoso, Spain’s, –, Jorge Vilda, Albert Luque, Rubén Rivera, CNN Rubiales, Spain’s women’s, Vilda, Montse Tomé Organizations: CNN, Public Ministry, Royal Spanish Football Federation, FIFA, Prosecutors, Spanish, Hermoso Locations: Spain, Spanish

☆ Chen Xuyuan: China sentences ex-soccer chief to life in prison in latest crackdown on sports corruption
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The ex-soccer chief, Chen Xuyuan, was jailed on Tuesday alongside multiple senior sporting executives, according to state media, following a months-long investigation. Five years later, the Chinese soccer association unveiled a plan to make the country a “world football superpower” by 2050. The Chinese men’s soccer team currently sits third in its FIFA World Cup qualify group, with four points, behind group leader South Korea, and second placed Thailand. Last Thursday, the team drew 2-2 with city-state Singapore, in a major blow to the country’s World Cup 2026 dream. The two sides face off again, on Tuesday, in what is being billed as a crunch match for underperforming China.

Persons: Chen Xuyuan, Xi, Chen, Yu Hongchen, Li Tie, “, ”, Chen Yongliang, Yu, Dong Zheng Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, league, Chinese Super League, Winter, men’s, soccer, FIFA World, South Locations: Hong Kong, Chinese, Hubei, Huangshi, China, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore

☆ Nike shouldn't mess with England flag, UK PM says after new soccer kit design
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-22 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Racks of England's new Nike designed football shirt, with the controversial St George's cross, are displayed for sale in a central London store on March 22, 2024. LONDON — U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Friday said Nike was wrong to "mess with" the design of the flag on the England soccer team's new shirt, as a controversy that began on social media broadened into the political sphere. They feature a small version of the St. George's Cross — which appears on the England flag in red on a white background — on the collar in different shades including purple and blue. The design was criticized by a large number of people on social media who said a national flag should not be altered, while others argued the debate was being overblown. The hashtag #BoycottNike was shared by a significant number of accounts on social media platform X.Sunak on Friday said he "prefers the original," the BBC reported.

Persons: Rishi Sunak, Nike, BoycottNike, Sunak Organizations: Nike, St, LONDON, England soccer, England Football, England, BBC Locations: London, U.S

☆ Stella Artois taps David Beckham to restore its shine
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —Stella Artois, the nearly century-old brew, isn’t immune to the difficulties facing beer sales, so it’s drafting one of the world’s most recognizable personalities to help the lager return to its former glory: David Beckham. On Tuesday, the Anheuser-Busch InBev-owned brand introduced the former soccer superstar as the new face of its beer, naming Beckham as its “official ambassador” for Stella Artois. David Beckham is the new face of Stella Artois. Beckham joins fellow soccer superstar Lionel Messi in the A-B ambassador portfolio. “Beckham certainly gives Stella Artois the kind of top-tier recognition that A-B has historically leaned on to gain attention,” Sightline’s Roth said.

Persons: New York CNN — Stella Artois, David Beckham, Beckham, ”, Stella Artois, weren’t, Bump, it’s, ” Bryan Roth, Richard Oppy, Oppy, Victoria Beckham, David, ” Oppy, Matt Damon, Zoe Saldana, Lionel Messi, Bud Light, “ Beckham, ” Sightline’s Roth, “, ” Roth, Messi “ Organizations: New, New York CNN, Anheuser, Busch InBev, Bump Williams Consulting, Feel Goods Company, CNN, InBev, Maserati, Wimbledon, Roland, Garros, Inter Miami CF, Major League Soccer, Bowl, North America, Bud Light Locations: New York, Europe, America

Asian productions or nominees with a predominantly Asian cast have been making headway at the Academy Awards in recent years. South Korean thriller “Parasite” made history in 2020 as the first non-English language movie to win best picture, alongside three further awards. "The Boy and the Heron" producer Toshio Suzuki speaks at a news conference in Los Angeles on March 11, 2024. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty ImagesFor others, the award offered Japan a boost after a rough start to the year. Kelts, the Japan-based author, said the second Oscar win showed the Academy had recognized Miyazaki’s artistic genius and that Japanese animation is far from solely entertainment.

Persons: CNN —, Hayao Miyazaki, ”, Huy Quan, Malaysia’s Michelle Yeoh, Heron ”, Ghibli’s, “, Roland Kelts, Miyazaki, Richard Harbaugh, Toshio Suzuki, ‘, ’ Suzuki, Suzuki, ” Suzuki, Richard A, Brooks, Tatsuji Nojima, “ Oscar, Takashi Yamazaki, Fumio Kishida, Yamazaki, ” Kishida, Hideaki Omura, Godzilla’s, Chris Hemsworth, Anya Taylor, Joy, Patrick T, Fallon, Kelts Organizations: CNN, Academy, Sony Pictures, Culture, Oscar Academy, Ghibli, Japan’s, NHK, Getty, Japan, Sunday, Gov, Hollywood, American, Waseda University Locations: Japan, America, Vietnam, ” Tokyo, Hollywood, Los Angeles, AFP, Aichi prefecture, Miyazaki, Japanese, Ishikawa, Tokyo

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