
Spain World Cup 2030 chief resigns after stadium fix allegation: Reports - World
Spain's head of World Cup 2030 organisation resigned Wednesday after being accused of fixing the process to decide which stadiums would host matches to favour one city, reported Spanish media.
Maria Tato stood down from her post at the Spanish football federation (RFEF) following a report published by newspaper El Mundo which said ratings for potential venues were altered to favour Anoeta in San Sebastian, at the expense of Balaidos in Vigo.
"On 25 June 2024, Balaidos was among the 11 venues (in Spain), but on 27 June the list was modified," complained mayor of Vigo, Abel Caballero, on X this week.
"This is extremely serious, we demand that they explain to us who changed it, why and with what criteria."
The RFEF did not respond to an AFP request for comment.
The federation announced last year that Spain would have 11 venues at the tournament, including Barcelona's rebuilt Camp Nou stadium and Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu, while co-hosts Portugal have three and Morocco six.
The RFEF has been hit with various crises in recent years.
Former president Luis Rubiales resigned in disgrace in September 2023 after forcibly kissing Women's World Cup star Jenni Hermoso on the lips following Spain's triumph in Sydney.
His successor Pedro Rocha was suspended for overstepping his duties after initially arriving on an interim basis, with Rafael Louzan taking the reins in December 2024.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
Follow us on:
Facebook
Instagram
Whatsapp
Short link:

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Al-Ahram Weekly
an hour ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
De Bruyne signs for Napoli after leaving Man City - Egyptian Football
Kevin De Bruyne has signed for Napoli as a free agent after being released by Manchester City, the Serie A champions' president Aurelio De Laurentiis confirmed on Thursday Film mogul De Laurentiis posted a picture of himself shaking hands with De Bruyne on social media with the message "welcome Kevin!" Belgium midfielder De Bruyne has reportedly signed a two-year deal with an option for a third at Napoli, where he will join up with international teammate Romelu Lukaku and former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay. The 33-year-old left City at the end of this past season after a trophy-packed decade in Manchester, where under Pepe Guardiola he won six Premier League titles and in 2023 the Champions League. He has however suffered from a series of physical problems in recent seasons, with two hamstring injuries causing him to miss significant chunks of the last two campaigns. Napoli have brought in one of Europe's top midfielders as the Italians try to bolster a squad which next season will defend the Scudetto while also having the extra fixture pressure of the expanded Champions League. Antonio Conte's Napoli beat Inter Milan to the Serie A title on the final day of the season, their second league crown in three years. But they had no European football clogging up their calendar, unlike Inter who got to the Champions League final only to be thumped 5-0 by Paris Saint-Germain. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:


Al-Ahram Weekly
3 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Ahly's Abou Ali joins squad in US as Gradisar resumes training ahead of Club World Cup
Abou Ali, 26, missed Ahly's initial departure for the US due to international duty with Palestine in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Palestine's campaign ended with a 1-1 draw against Oman after conceding a late penalty in their final group match. Gradisar, 22, resumed training on Thursday after recovering from a muscle injury sustained during a friendly against Mexican side Pachuca last Sunday. Ahly, the reigning African champions, are in Group A alongside Inter Miami, Brazil's Palmeiras, and Portuguese champions Porto in the newly expanded 32-team Club World Cup. The Cairo-based club will open their campaign on Sunday against Inter Miami at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. As part of their preparations, Ahly lost 5-3 on penalties to Pachuca after a 1-1 draw in a friendly earlier this week. All players are fit and available for selection, according to a team statement on Thursday. Ahly arrived in the US last week to begin their training camp ahead of the tournament's kickoff. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Short link:


Egypt Today
4 hours ago
- Egypt Today
England boss Tuchel interested in contract extension after 2026 World Cup
England manager Thomas Tuchel before the match REUTERS/Paul Childs/File Photo (Reuters) - Thomas Tuchel suggested he is tempted to seek a contract extension as England manager beyond the 2026 World Cup up to the 2028 European Championship, despite his team drawing criticism for recent poor performances. Tuchel, whose contract runs through the end of the World Cup, suffered his first defeat in four games as manager in a 3-1 loss to Senegal in a friendly on Tuesday, in which the Senegalese became the first African nation to beat England. "I will always be tempted to stay because I love the group and the opportunity, it's an honour to be England coach," Tuchel said in an interview with radio station Talksport on Wednesday. "I can tell you that even after the disappointment yesterday. "If you ask me today, yes. I am enjoying it, I feel the support, trust and respect of people in the FA. I wanted a new challenge and environment." The 51-year-old conceded to little enjoyment, however, in the hours after Tuesday's game at the City Ground where Senegal repeatedly punished England's lacklustre defence. "I'm not very good, I didn't sleep well after last night. I'm disappointed, it was a short night, we hate to lose," Tuchel said. "The way we lost, losing at home, didn't make me sleep well." The German said England lacked joy and energy, which was also evident in their 1-0 win over Andorra in World Cup qualifying on Saturday. "I am trying now and still we feel we are lacking the enthusiasm and joy consistently at international level," he said. "I think it's massively about connections that the team generates, that we have joy in playing together. "Senegal arrived with the objective to win and to make history. Would we have had the same joy as them if we won? I don't think so. "Celebrate the goals more, be more happy, create an environment where the players feel they can express their joy more lively. Or is it just not in us? Is it a way of lifestyle connected to different cultures?" Tuchel will travel to the United States next week to begin preparations for next summer's World Cup in the U.S., Mexico and Canada, looking at factors such as heat adaptation.