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Controversy Surrounding Spanish Football Federation Celebrations and Gibraltar Chanting

Learn about the controversy surrounding the Spanish Football Federation celebrations and the issue of Gibraltar chanting in this insightful content.

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The Spanish Football Federation Scandal

The Spanish Football Federation Scandal

The Spanish football federation has been hit by another scandal just two days after celebrating one of the most thoroughly deserved victories in football’s history. On Sunday, La Roja won a record-fourth Euro championship after beating England 2-1 in the final in Berlin in a dominant tournament performance studded with seven victories out of seven games.

The Spanish squad was treated to a hero’s return when they set foot back on home soil and paraded through the streets of Madrid on Monday to mark the achievement. The players gathered on a stage at Cibeles Square to meet the fans when Rodri and Álvaro Morata took the mic and invited the crowds to join the chant “Gibraltar is Spanish“.

Footage circulating on social media shows most of the Spanish team jumping and singing along. The crowd’s response to Rodri’s call appeared to be tepid, but Gibraltar’s response came fast.

On Tuesday, Gibraltar’s football federation published a statement saying they had filed an official complaint to UEFA over Spain’s “unacceptable chanting and songs“. “The Gibraltar FA has noted the extremely provocative and insulting nature of the celebrations around the Spanish men’s national team winning Euro 2024,” it said, adding that “football has no place for behaviour of this nature.”

The episode risks spoiling the season of the 28-year-old midfielder, whose full name is Rodrigo Hernández Cascante. In 2023-24, Rodri won the Euro championship with Spain – where he was also named player of the tournament – as well as the Premier League with Manchester City, and is now tipped as one of the favourites to win the next Ballon d’Or.

Why is the Gibraltar issue so contentious?

Gibraltar, on the southern tip of Spain, has been a British overseas territory since 1713, when it was handed over as part of a treaty following the War of the Spanish Succession. With a population of about 35,000 people, it’s today the only remaining UK enclave in continental Europe.

Calls for a return of the territory under Madrid have grown exponentially after Brexit. The UK’s exit from the EU created a hard border between Gibraltar and mainland Spain, which made it harder for people and goods to flow. In recent years, Madrid and London have held 19 rounds of negotiations to try to reach an agreement on the issue. The latest meeting in April did not produce a definitive deal.

In the 2016 Brexit referendum, 96% of voters in Gibraltar supported remaining in the EU.

Rodri’s controversy comes after a long series of political and diplomatic rows at Euro 2024. UEFA has not yet commented on the episode, but a disciplinary proceeding looks likely. European football’s top body has demonstrated zero tolerance for politically-charged statements and provocations this summer. Countries like Albania, Serbia and Turkey faced hefty fines during the tournament, and UEFA even banned journalists over nationalist gestures.

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Dominique Pelicot Testifies in Harrowing Rape Trial

Join us as Dominique Pelicot courageously testifies in a harrowing rape trial, shedding light on the complexities of trauma and justice. Her powerful story raises crucial questions about the legal system and the importance of support for survivors.

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Dominique Pelicot Takes the Stand in Shocking Rape Trial

In a courtroom drama that has captivated France and garnered international attention, Dominique Pelicot, the man at the center of a harrowing rape trial, finally addressed the court. With tears streaming down his face, he recounted how his wife had been instrumental in helping him cope with a tumultuous past marked by trauma. He revealed that he had endured a sexual assault at the tender age of nine while hospitalized, and he also witnessed a gang rape during his teenage years while working as an apprentice electrician on a construction site.

“She didn’t deserve this, I acknowledge that,” Mr. Pelicot stated, his voice barely audible as he struggled to convey his emotions. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on him, and the courtroom fell silent, straining to catch his every word.

Now 71 years old, Mr. Pelicot faces serious allegations of drugging his wife, Gisèle Pelicot, whom he has been married to for half a century, over a span of nearly ten years. Prosecutors contend that he used drugs to render her comatose, allowing him to rape her repeatedly. Furthermore, authorities allege that he went so far as to invite numerous men into their home, facilitating a nightmarish scenario where they, too, engaged in the assault of his wife.

Overall, 51 men, including Mr. Pelicot, are on trial concurrently, primarily facing charges related to the aggravated rape of Ms. Pelicot. Among them, one individual has already pleaded guilty to similar crimes, admitting to drugging his own wife to assault her and inviting Mr. Pelicot to partake in the horrific act while she was incapacitated.

Mr. Pelicot’s unexpected testimony came after a tumultuous start to the trial. Just a week in, he was stricken with severe health issues that forced him to miss four consecutive days in court. The head judge ultimately decided to postpone proceedings, as Mr. Pelicot was diagnosed with kidney stones, a kidney infection, and prostate complications, adding yet another layer of complexity to this already harrowing case.

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Meta Bans Russian State Media Outlets from Social Media Platforms

Explore the implications of Meta’s decision to ban Russian state media outlets from its social media platforms. Understand the impact on information dissemination and the ongoing battle against misinformation in the digital landscape.

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Meta Imposes Global Ban on Russian State Media Outlets

In a significant move, Meta Platforms, Inc., the parent company of Facebook, has announced the prohibition of Russian state media outlets, including RT (Russia Today) and Rossiya Segodnya, from all its social media platforms. The decision stems from the company’s concerns regarding the deceptive strategies employed by these media organizations to execute covert influence operations across the internet.

Meta made this announcement on Monday, emphasizing that the ban will be enforced worldwide across its various platforms, such as Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads. The rollout of this ban is expected to take place over the coming days.

Statement from Meta

A spokesperson for Meta elaborated on the decision, stating, “After careful consideration, we have expanded our ongoing enforcement actions against Russian state media outlets. As a result, Rossiya Segodnya, RT, and other affiliated entities are now banned from our applications globally due to their involvement in foreign interference activities.”

For further insights into this development, watch the video in the player above.

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Trump Recalls Alleged Assassination Attempt While Golfing

Explore Donald Trump’s chilling recollection of an alleged assassination attempt he experienced while enjoying a round of golf. Delve into the tense moments and his reflections on safety, fame, and the unpredictability of public life.

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In a recent interview on the social media platform X, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump recounted a harrowing incident he claims to have experienced while playing golf. Trump described how, during a peaceful Sunday morning round with friends, the tranquility of the day was abruptly shattered by the sound of gunfire in the air.

“It was a beautiful day, everything was just perfect,” Trump reflected. “Then all of a sudden, we heard shots being fired—probably around four or five in total.” He went on to explain that a Secret Service agent was the first to spot the suspect, who was allegedly armed with an AK-47, a powerful assault rifle.

“The agent saw the barrel of the weapon and immediately took action, returning fire at the barrel and aiming in the direction of the bushes,” Trump detailed. “I would have loved to have sunk that last putt, but we decided it was best to leave the scene promptly.”

Trump expressed his gratitude towards the agents and a vigilant civilian who aided in tracking down the suspect, who was eventually apprehended following a high-speed chase.

Suspect Faces Multiple Federal Gun Charges

The FBI has identified the suspect as Ryan Wesley Routh, accusing him of targeting Trump during his time at the golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida. According to an FBI report, Routh had allegedly hidden among the hedges of the golf course for an astonishing 12 hours. Authorities discovered an SKS-style assault rifle, a GoPro camera, and a bag of food at the scene.

The 58-year-old Routh is now facing two serious federal gun charges. If convicted on both counts, he could face a combined maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Notably, neither of the charges is directly related to an assassination attempt. The first charge pertains to possessing a firearm despite a prior felony conviction, which carries a potential 15-year sentence, a fine of $250,000 (€225,000), and three years of supervised release.

The second charge involves possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, which could result in a five-year prison term, the same financial penalties, and also three years of supervised release. As the investigation continues, additional charges could be forthcoming.

While the motive behind Routh’s actions remains unclear, his digital footprint reveals strong political affiliations, particularly concerning issues surrounding Ukraine and China. Routh consistently expressed support for Ukraine across various social media platforms, even claiming to have orchestrated a recruitment scheme for international volunteers aiming to assist Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion. This behavior has been denounced by Ukrainian soldiers and members of the International Legion, who disavowed Routh’s actions and motives.

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