Sports

Three Valencia fans jailed for racist attack on Real Madrid’s Vinicius

Published

3 weeks ago

June 11, 2024

Three Valencia fans jailed for racist attack on Real Madrid’s Vinicius

Three Valencia fans have been handed eight-month jail terms for racist abuse towards Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior, in what Spain’s La Liga said was the first such conviction in Spain.

The defendants, who were not identified, were convicted of an offence against moral integrity with the aggravating factor of racially motivated discrimination, Valencia court said.

They were also slapped with a two-year match ban. With no previous criminal record, none will serve jail time as judges habitually suspend prison sentences of less than two years for first-time offenders.

La Liga hailed the ruling as “the first sentence handed down for racist insults in a Spanish football stadium”.

“This sentence is very good news for the fight against racism in Spain,” said La Liga president Javier Tebas.

READ ALSO:

“It sends a clear message to anyone who goes to a football stadium to hurl insults that La Liga will find and prosecute them and that they will face criminal consequences.”

The incident took place on May 21, 2023, when Real Madrid played away to Valencia at the Mestalla stadium during a match that saw home fans hurling abuse and chanting monkey noises at the Brazilian forward.

The play was halted as Vinicius stood in front of fans and pointed at those responsible, prompting stadium officials to demand an end to racist insults before the match could resume.

All three “shouted and chanted at the player with… evident contempt for the colour of his skin… making racist gestures of contempt and causing him to feel frustration, shame and humiliation”, court documents showed.

It said they were “simulating the gestures made by primates and repeatedly making… the sound made by monkeys” in front of a full stadium and a “massive” TV, radio, and media audience.

In a statement, Real Madrid said the trio had admitted their wrongdoing and sent a letter apologising to Vinicius, the club and to everyone else “who felt belittled or offended by their behaviour”, urging fans to avoid all expressions of “racism and intolerance”.

Three Valencia fans jailed for racist attack on Real Madrid’s Vinicius

Sports

Updated: Amuneke set to be announced new Heartland head coach

Published

1 day ago

July 2, 2024

Trends Admin

Super Eagles’ former forward, Emmanuel Amuneke

Updated: Amuneke set to be announced new Heartland head coach

Super Eagles’ former forward, Emmanuel Amuneke, is set to return to coaching after a year away from the sidelines.

The former Tanzania coach has previously assisted Samson Siasia as well as Augustine Equavoen in the national team.

Amunike’s last role was with Zambia’s Zanaco FC, where he served as both coach and consultant before leaving in 2023.

He recently applied for the Super Eagles head coach position, but the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) opted for Finidi George instead

READ ALSO:

According to reports from Owerri, Amunike is close to joining Heartland, which plans to return to the elite NPFL next season.

The report added that Amuneke, who has been quietly working with his hometown club, has started recruiting players for the upcoming season.

Heartland FC was relegated to the NPFL after finishing in the 19th position on the 20-team table last season.

The club is reportedly planning to buy the NPFL slot of Beyond Limits, who earned promotion from the Nigeria National League (NNL), but face participation issues due to their affiliation with Remo Stars.

Amuneke, 53, has extensive coaching experience in domestic and international football.

Updated: Amuneke set to be announced new Heartland head coach

Sports

Asisat Oshoala scores first-ever penalty for Bay FC in NWSL

Published

1 day ago

July 2, 2024

Trends Admin

Asisat Oshoala Scores First-Ever Penalty for Bay FC In NWSL

Super Falcons forward Asisat Oshoala has etched her name in the history books by becoming the first Bay FC player to score a penalty in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).

Oshoala scored the winning goal in Bay FC’s 1-0 victory over Racing Louisville.

She calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot, 14 minutes before the end of the match.

READ ALSO:

This record-setting goal adds to the former Barcelona star impressive start at Bay FC, where she previously scored the club’s first-ever goal on her debut in the USA.

Since joining the club, Asisat Oshoala has now scored three goals.

Meanwhile, her international teammate, Uchenna Kanu, did not feature in Racing Louisville’s matchday squad for the game.

Asisat Oshoala Scores First-Ever Penalty for Bay FC In NWSL

Sports

Super Eagles Ademola Lookman wins Africa’s Best footballer award

Published

1 day ago

July 2, 2024

Trends Admin

Super Eagles Ademola Lookman wins Africa’s Best footballer award

Nigeria attacker Ademola Lookman has been named the Best African International Footballer at the Ghana Football Awards in Accra.

The Atalanta star got the award after a remarkable season with Nigeria’s Super Eagles and his Italian club. Lookman scored a hat-trick to help Atalanta beat Bayer Leverkusen and win the UEFA Europa League last season.

He outperformed Victor Boniface and Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmund Tapsoba to clinch the title. Lookman succeeds his compatriot and Napoli forward Victor Osimhen, who won last year after leading his team to the Serie A title and later secured the CAF Africa’s Best Player award.

Lookman is now a strong contender for Africa’s top individual football award this year.

READ ALSO:

The former Fulham and Leicester City player had a standout year, guiding Nigeria to the Africa Cup of Nations final and scoring a hat-trick in the Europa League final.

He also played a key role in Atalanta’s fourth-place finish in Serie A, with 17 goals and 10 assists across all competitions.

In a video message, he expressed his gratitude: “Thank you for the consideration, the recognition, and the votes. This means a lot to me and my family. I wish I was in Ghana, but my heart is with you all. Thank you and God bless.”

Also celebrated at the Ghana Football Awards was West Ham United’s Mohammed Kudus. He won two awards, including Ghana Player of the Year, for his excellent season in England and his contributions at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Kudus’ solo goal against Freiburg in the UEFA Europa League was named the best goal of the night.