In a stunning turn of events, Jorge Vilda, the coach who led Spain’s women’s national soccer team to World Cup victory, has been relieved of his duties amid the ongoing controversy surrounding Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). Montse Tome has been announced as Vilda’s successor, making history as the first woman to hold this prestigious position.

Spain’s historic Women’s World Cup win had initially garnered praise and celebration; however, it was soon overshadowed by a scandal involving Luis Rubiales. The controversy erupted when forward Jenni Hermoso publicly stated that a kiss from Rubiales was not consensual, causing outrage and division within the Spanish football community.

In the aftermath of this scandal, a wave of resignations hit Vilda’s coaching staff, and a staggering 81 players refused to represent Spain, leaving the national team in turmoil. FIFA, the global governing body for football, provisionally suspended Rubiales, but he has adamantly refused to resign from his position as RFEF president.

The RFEF’s decision to terminate Vilda’s contract was met with speculation, as the federation did not provide a specific reason for his dismissal in its official statement. However, reports suggest that the RFEF had been exploring the possibility of removing the 42-year-old coach, who was seen as a close ally of Rubiales, for some time leading up to this decision.

As Montse Tome takes the helm, she faces the daunting task of restoring unity and stability to the Spanish women’s national team, which had been riding high on their World Cup success before being embroiled in this scandal.

In the midst of these developments, the football world will be watching closely to see how Spain’s women’s national team navigates this challenging period and whether Rubiales can weather the storm of controversy that has engulfed him.

Final Report Published for Leicester City Helicopter Crash That Claimed Five Lives

The final report into the tragic helicopter crash outside Leicester City’s King Power Stadium on October 27, 2018, which resulted in the deaths of five people, including the club’s chairman, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, has now been released to the public.

The report concludes that the pilot, Eric Swaffer, made a chilling statement just moments before the helicopter spiralled out of control and crashed. Swaffer reportedly said, “I’ve no idea what’s going on,” as he struggled to maintain control of the aircraft.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) determined that a tail rotor bearing seized during the flight, leading to the catastrophic crash. The report highlights a sequence of mechanical failures that made the crash “inevitable.”

Chief inspector of air accidents at the AAIB, Crispin Orr, commended Swaffer for his efforts to control the Leonardo AW169 helicopter under extremely challenging circumstances. However, the severe failure of the tail rotor bearing resulted in the aircraft making a sharp right turn, ultimately leading to the tragic crash.

The crash claimed the lives of not only Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha but also two members of his staff, Nusara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare, along with pilots Eric Swaffer and Izabela Roza Lechowicz. The incident remains a somber chapter in the history of Leicester City Football Club and the broader aviation community.

Callum Hudson-Odoi’s Nottingham Forest Debut Ends in Defeat

Callum Hudson-Odoi, the 22-year-old winger who recently transferred from Chelsea to Nottingham Forest, made his debut for the club in a match against League Two club Harrogate Town in the EFL Trophy group stage. Unfortunately for Hudson-Odoi and Forest, the match ended in a 2-1 defeat.

Hudson-Odoi played for 62 minutes before being substituted shortly after George Thomson’s penalty gave Harrogate Town the lead. Anthony O’Connor added a second goal for the Sulphurites with just eight minutes left in the match, seemingly sealing Forest’s fate. However, Detlef Esapa Osong quickly pulled one back to provide a glimmer of hope.

Hudson-Odoi was one of seven players who joined Nottingham Forest on transfer deadline day. The Premier League club’s U21 side, captained by former Porto and Atletico Madrid defender Felipe, saw Hudson-Odoi have limited impact in front of a crowd of 1,178 at the EnviroVent Stadium.

Despite the defeat in his debut, Nottingham Forest fans will be eager to see how Hudson-Odoi can contribute to the team’s success in the upcoming season.

Bukayo Saka Named England Men’s Player of the Year for Second Consecutive Season

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka has been awarded the title of England Men’s Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. The 22-year-old, who celebrated his birthday on Tuesday, secured the honour after topping the supporter vote, demonstrating his growing popularity among English football fans.

Midfielder Jude Bellingham came in second place in the ballot, while England captain and all-time top scorer Harry Kane finished third. Saka’s recognition comes on the back of an impressive year in which he scored seven goals in 10 appearances for the England national team. One of the standout moments was his first career hat-trick during a 7-0 victory over North Macedonia at Old Trafford.

Bukayo Saka’s consistent performances and contributions to the England squad have solidified his status as one of the nation’s rising football stars, and this award serves as a testament to his talent and potential on the international stage.