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Daily Record
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Steve Clarke owes Scotland only one thing and if he can't guarantee it then he should walk away
It doesn't mention it in the manual and they don't hand it out with the coaching badges either. But, somewhere along the line, in order to even want to be a manager these days, it seems as if nursing masochistic tendencies is almost a prerequisite. Really, why else would they put themselves through it? Why would Russell Martin, for example, have stalled for so long on taking an easy life at Leicester City in order to throw himself into the lion's den at Ibrox? Martin hasn't even clocked into Auchenhowie for his first day in the office but he is well aware already there are Rangers supporters out there who would prefer that he didn't bother. The same goes for Steven Pressley at Dundee even though he's currently celebrating his 25th wedding anniversary in Vietnam and has still to set foot back in the city he once called home. He's about to discover a far more arduous marriage awaits. Barry Ferguson, meanwhile, is relaxing with the family in the Greek sunshine but probably still simmering a little inside at the manner with which he was waved off to the airport by Kevin Thelwell and Gretar Steinsson. Ange Postecoglu will be hitting a beach too with a big fat redundo cheque in the back pocket of his togs, after doing the impossible and winning a trophy for Spurs and getting sacked off by them for his trouble. And then there's the curious case of Steve Clarke - the man who ushered Scotland back in from the wilderness years - but who now stands accused of botching the job with the most talented group of players the country has assembled in decades. It all feels a little bit like touch and go right now for Clarke ahead of the friendly in Liechtenstein - on the back of a pride crushing defeat at home to Iceland on Friday night. Any more missteps at the Rheinpark Stadium and he'd be better off hiding out in Vaduz for the summer rather than returning to Glasgow Airport on Scotland's team charter, where only misery and malevolence will be waiting for him at arrivals. It won't happen, of course. No matter what side Clarke cobbles together - and even if the unfortunate Cieran Slicker remains in goal - Scotland will still have enough about them to get out of town with a win against the Lilliputians of the European game. And it will mean absolutely nothing in any case. Because there are Scotland fans out there who have decided that Clarke's time ought to be up. That he's taken this team just as far as he can. Perhaps, that some of the star performers in his team have outgrown him along the way. And, in all honesty, all of the above may well be correct. But here's the thing about Clarke. After leading Scotland to successive European Championships he owes us almost nothing at all. Nothing, that is, apart from complete and utter honesty. If deep down he truly believes he's still the man for the job and that these players of his are receptive to his messaging and instructions, then he has more than earned the right to have a crack at taking them to the next World Cup before bowing out from the position. If, however, he is experiencing any self doubt or feeling as if he's got little more to give, then he should walk away from it with his held high and with a nation's gratitude for the tournaments that he has delivered. It really is as simple as that where Clarke and Scotland are concerned. If he wants to continue in the job one last campaign then he should be allowed to do exactly that. But he has to be certain. And he must be honest to himself. Because the squad he has nurtured and brought to this point cannot be hindered or hamstrung by the man in charge nor can it have its growth stunted at this moment in time, when it feels as if it should be capable of trading blows with the giants. If Clarke is feeling jaded or fatigued by it all, after six years in charge, then he should step aside immediately and let someone else have a go while the likes of Kieran Tierney, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, Billy Gilmour, Lewis Ferguson and John McGinn are operating at the peak of their powers. These players deserve to be paraded on the biggest stage of all and it's not inconceivable that the likes of Postecoglou or even former Rangers interim Ferguson might connect with them and accelerate their collective development. But that's all down to how Clarke sees things. And rightly so. He gets to decide his own fate where this gig is concerned. Sadly, the same cannot be said for new Rangers boss Martin who is already a hostage to fortune in terms of his job security, even though he's not even started working with his players on the training ground yet. Martin is an articulate, highly intelligent and very likeable young manager. That he has such an ardent and clear view on how he wants the game to be played is another admirable trait. If it works, then he could have the kind of transformational impact on Rangers that Postecoglou had across the city at Parkhead. Let's not forget, a large section of Celtic's supporters were also completely underwhelmed by the big Aussie's appointment when he was rushed into the position after Eddie Howe had taken cold feet at the eleventh hour. But that's where the similarities end. Postecoglou had a track record of trophies and triumphs behind him before he arrived in Glasgow. Martin has the wreckage of a relegation season with Southampton still smouldering in his rear view mirror. All of which means the new man will start next season under the cosh with a support which already suspects the worst of him. Unlike Clarke and Scotland, Martin has deposited nothing whatsoever in the bank of goodwill so - in order to build up some early credit - he will have to be absolutely immaculate in the manner with which he goes about his work over the first few weeks and months of the season. And, given the woeful state of the squad he is inheriting, the chances of that happening seem remote at the very best. Martin must truly believe in himself, in his philosophy and in his staff, or else he wouldn't have touched this task with a bargepole. And that courage in his convictions is to be respected, especially considering the offer he had to slip back down into the quiet life of England's Championship at the King Power. Instead, he has chosen to step into a furnace. All of which just adds weight to the theory that you don't have to be a masochist to be a football manager. But it certainly seems to help.
Hans India
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
IPL 2025: Rising Stars Who Are Shaping the Future of Indian Cricket
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has always been a platform where talent meets opportunity. In the 2025 season, a fresh wave of young cricketers has not only seized their chances but also left an indelible mark on the tournament. These emerging players have showcased skill, temperament, and maturity beyond their years, signaling a promising future for Indian cricket. Vaibhav Suryavanshi (Rajasthan Royals): The Teenage Sensation At just 14 years old, Vaibhav Suryavanshi has become the talk of the cricketing world. Representing Rajasthan Royals, he made headlines by scoring a blistering 101 off 38 balls against Gujarat Titans, becoming the youngest player to score a century in IPL history. His innings included 11 sixes, showcasing his fearless approach and natural talent. Suryavanshi's journey from a small village in Bihar to the grand stage of the IPL is nothing short of inspirational. His family made significant sacrifices to support his cricketing aspirations, including selling land to fund his training. Despite his meteoric rise, he remains grounded, balancing his studies with rigorous training. While he faced a setback with a second-ball duck in his subsequent match, such fluctuations are part and parcel of a cricketer's journey. With proper guidance and support, Suryavanshi has the potential to be a mainstay in Indian cricket for years to come. Ayush Mhatre (Chennai Super Kings): The Composed Finisher Seventeen-year-old Ayush Mhatre has been a revelation for Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Stepping in for the injured Ruturaj Gaikwad, Mhatre seized the opportunity with a composed 94 off 48 balls against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. His ability to anchor the innings and accelerate when needed has drawn praise from CSK's coaching staff. Mhatre's temperament under pressure and his adaptability to different match situations highlight his maturity. With continued exposure and experience, he is poised to be a vital cog in CSK's batting lineup and a potential candidate for national selection. Vignesh Puthur (Mumbai Indians): The Emerging Pace Sensation Vignesh Puthur made an immediate impact for Mumbai Indians (MI) by claiming three crucial wickets in his debut match against Chennai Super Kings. His dismissals of Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, and Deepak Hooda showcased his ability to perform under pressure. Although an injury curtailed his season, Puthur's initial performances have marked him as a promising fast-bowling prospect. With proper rehabilitation and training, he could be a valuable asset for both MI and the Indian national team in the future. Shaik Rasheed (Chennai Super Kings): The Technically Sound Opener Shaik Rasheed, a 20-year-old top-order batsman from Andhra Pradesh, has been steadily making his presence felt in the IPL. Representing Chennai Super Kings, he became the franchise's youngest-ever opener, showcasing his technical proficiency and calm demeanor at the crease. Rasheed's experience as the vice-captain of India's Under-19 World Cup-winning team in 2022 has equipped him with leadership qualities and a deep understanding of the game. His consistent performances in domestic cricket and the IPL suggest a bright future ahead. Priyansh Arya (Punjab Kings): The Explosive Left-Hander Priyansh Arya has emerged as a dynamic left-handed batsman for Punjab Kings. His aggressive stroke play and ability to dominate bowlers have added a new dimension to the team's batting lineup. Arya's performances in the IPL have not only bolstered his team's fortunes but also caught the attention of national selectors. With a focus on refining his technique and building on his strengths, Arya could soon find himself donning the national colors. Conclusion: A Promising Horizon for Indian Cricket The 2025 IPL season has been a testament to the depth of cricketing talent in India. Youngsters like Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Ayush Mhatre, Vignesh Puthur, Shaik Rasheed, and Priyansh Arya have not only entertained fans but also signaled a bright future for Indian cricket. Their performances underscore the importance of nurturing young talent and providing them with platforms to shine. As these players continue to evolve and gain experience, they are poised to be integral parts of India's cricketing journey in the years to come.
New York Times
26-02-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
With Rubiales gone (and guilty of sexual assault), is Spanish football rethinking how it treats women?
Last Friday night, Spain's women's team played their first game since Luis Rubiales was found guilty of sexual assault for kissing Jenni Hermoso after the 2023 Women's World Cup final. Spain came from 2-0 down against Belgium in Valencia with 20 minutes left to win a thrilling game 3-2. Hermoso was not involved, having again been left out of the squad by coach Montse Tome. But she was on the minds of many. Today during Spain – Belgium. A woman and her daughter went to the match to give support to Jennifer Hermoso even if she was not in the call-up. A day earlier, judge Jose Manuel Clemente Fernandez-Prieto found Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), guilty of sexual assault and issued him with a fine of more than €10,000 (£8,300; $11,400) for the kiss on Hermoso as she received her World Cup winners' medal. The judge found Rubiales and his three co-defendants — former women's coach Jorge Vilda, ex-Spain men's team sporting director Albert Luque and former Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) marketing director Ruben Rivera — not guilty of coercion for their efforts to persuade Hermoso to publicly say she had consented to the kiss. Rubiales intends to appeal the decision. The two-week trial at Spain's Audiencia Nacional, the country's high court, in San Fernando de Henares near Madrid demonstrated the RFEF's lack of respect for Hermoso and her team-mates, going back long before the World Cup. GO DEEPER The Rubiales-Hermoso court case revealed so much - and the story is not complete yet Spain were far from their best in Friday's UEFA Nations League game. Belgium's opening goal followed a mistake by team captain Irene Paredes, who was among the national team players called as witnesses to the trial in Madrid. But they showed impressive collective effort in staging a fightback. 'What we want is to win games,' Arsenal's Mariona Caldentey said in the stadium's mixed zone afterward. 'It's been a difficult few months for everyone. Now the sentence is out, everything's been said and done, we've come out to win — and in the end, we've done it.' Advertisement Recently elected RFEF president Rafael Louzan attended the game in Valencia and has spoken about a new era of openness and inclusivity. But, for many of those within women's football in Spain, the feeling is that the battle for full respect and equality goes on. After the World Cup final in Sydney, many in Spanish society and football spoke about an urgent need for reform. At a moment of intense global focus, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and other government ministers quickly called for action and change. Once FIFA suspended Rubiales and the eyes of the world drifted away, the impetus for real change and modernisation at the federation's Las Rozas headquarters also started to stall. Rubiales' handpicked successor Pedro Rocha quickly fired Vilda as coach, but replaced him with his assistant, Tome, who had been in that role at the 2023 World Cup. Hermoso was not called up in her first squad, with Tome claiming she wanted to 'protect the player', which she was asked about when she gave testimony in the Rubiales trial. Tome told the court Hermoso was not selected for 'sporting' reasons and that 'protecting her came into that because of the situation we were experiencing'. It was Hermoso and her colleagues who helped force the first real changes. Eighty-one national team players said they would not play for the team until serious reforms were made to end structural sexism at the federation. After an awkward stand-off — which required mediation from players' union FUTPRO and government intervention — interim president Rocha agreed to some measures. He fired figures deemed part of Rubiales' inner circle when he was at the RFEF — former general secretary Andreu Camps, integrity director Miguel Garcia Caba and communications director Pablo Garcia Cuervo. GO DEEPER The Rubiales-Hermoso court case revealed so much - and the story is not complete yet More of Rubiales' closest associates were forced out in March 2024, including legal adviser Tomas Gonzalez Cueto, when Spanish police raided the federation's headquarters as part of an investigation into alleged corruption during Rubiales' time in charge that is still in the evidence-gathering phase. Rubiales and Cueto have both denied any wrongdoing. Advertisement Rocha himself was investigated as part of that operation — and the Spanish government tried to force him out too but he denied being involved in any corruption and clung on to power. As the political and legal struggles continued, attempts to implement better structures for women's football were stymied. 'We could hardly do anything,' FUTPRO president Amanda Gutierrez tells The Athletic of her organisation's lobbying on behalf of its members, including Hermoso. 'There were many situations we wanted to talk about and negotiate, but it was not possible. They could not take significant decisions as Rocha was not a permanent president.' A lack of professionalism and concern for the team was again shown in November 2023, when Paredes, Ivana Andres, Esther Gonzalez and Caldentey missed a key Nations League game against Switzerland due to mistakes in submitting the official squad to UEFA and then the teamsheet on the day of the game. The federation did hire Markel Zubizarreta as sporting director of women's football in November 2023, filling a role Vilda had occupied alongside his coaching role. Zubizarreta was the architect of Barcelona's all-conquering women's team — who won 16 trophies, including four league titles and two Champions League trophies — and was respected by the players. But less than 12 months later he left to become global sporting director at Michele Kang's Kynisca Sports group, which runs U.S. side Washington Spirit, Lyon in France and London City Lionesses. 'One of the changes we asked for was to have a proper selection process for hiring staff, not just placing friends or contacts in roles,' Gutierrez says. 'Markel was perfectly qualified, with wide experience in the sector. But we had the bad luck that Kang came and made him an offer he could not refuse.' Advertisement During the recent trial, the prosecution pointed out that, before the World Cup, the federation had in place a 'protocol of action against sexual violence', under which Rubiales' actions after the final should have been punishable. Rubiales admitted while giving evidence to having ratified this protocol 'in a hurry' just before the World Cup, under pressure from the government, but claimed not to know its contents. Hermoso and Tome testified they were not aware it existed. In the weeks after Sydney, FUTPRO made a formal complaint to a Spanish government body, which in March 2024 mandated the federation update this protocol and make sure everyone at the RFEF know about it. Asked whether these changes had been made, an RFEF spokesperson replied: 'The problem here before was not the regulations that existed, it is that they were not applied. This is a new era, Rubiales and his people are all gone now, the difference with the past is like night and day.' The trial also showed how Hermoso was left completely alone after events in Sydney, as the entire federation apparatus was put in place to protect Rubiales — actions that led to the prosecution charge of coercion against the four accused at the trial. Most of the staff involved in that operation no longer work at the RFEF. Some of those who still do — such as women's team press officer Patricia Perez — were fully supportive of Hermoso as they gave evidence at the trial. Other figures still at the federation were not so clear. Tome appeared to try to steer a neutral course. Luis de la Fuente, the European Championship-winning men's national team coach, appeared more concerned with protecting his reputation than securing justice for Hermoso. He made multiple attempts to distance himself from any of the discussions about Hermoso and how the RFEF dealt with the fallout from the sexual assault by Rubiales. Advertisement 'If a player came out today and made an official complaint, the federation would respond,' Arantxa Uria, vice president of Spain's Association for Women in Professional Sport, tells The Athletic. 'There is now more media attention, which offers protection. We still have the doubt about whether — if it was not made public — how they would act. Jennifer was always very alone, and remains very alone.' At all international tournaments, FIFA mandates that teams nominate a 'safeguarding officer', responsible for protecting all those taking part from harm or abuse. For Spain at the World Cup, this was team psychologist Javier Lopez Vallejo, who said in court he had no formal training in this area, and added that he saw nothing during the tournament that he should have been concerned about. The RFEF did not respond when asked if any current staff had taken any of FIFA's official safeguarding courses. While the Rubiales trial took 18 months to be investigated and tried, the regional barons who have long dominated the federation successfully headed off the government's talk of electoral reform. Last December, Galician regional president Louzan was elected the new permanent president of the RFEF, despite being found guilty in May 2022 of misuse of public funds during his former job as governor of the city of Pontevedra. That decision was overturned by Spain's supreme court in February, clearing him to continue in his role at the football federation. Gutierrez says the idea of a complete outsider — perhaps even a woman — coming in with a clean broom to sweep up the federation was always unlikely. She argues that some progress has been made. FUTPRO's lobbying led to Spain internationals Ona Batlle and Patri Guijarro, plus two female referees and two coaches, becoming members of the 142-strong 'general assembly', which ultimately controls the federation and elects its president. 'That it took until (November) 2024 to have any women's players in the assembly is crazy, but shows where we are coming from,' Gutierrez says. In January, a new 'convention agreement' was signed between the top division of women's football in Spain (Liga F) and FUTPRO. That included a strengthening of the league's own sexual abuse protocol and initiatives to protect mental health — but the minimum wage in Spain's top division is still just €22,500 a year. Advertisement Another high-profile incident took place in Spanish women's football during the trial. Video footage circulated on social media appearing to show Barcelona defender Mapi Leon inappropriately touching Espanyol player Daniela Caracas during a Liga F clash. Espanyol released a statement expressing their 'total discontent and condemnation' of an action that they said 'violated the privacy' of Caracas. Leon said, 'At no time did I violate, nor did I have the intention to violate, the privacy of my professional colleague Daniela Caracas.' Liga F has not made an official statement on the incident. FUTPRO offered its support to both players to 'clarify what happened and help in any relevant way'. No official action has yet been taken, and Leon — who has not represented Spain since stepping away in protest at problems with Vilda and the RFEF in July 2022 — has continued to play for Barcelona. GO DEEPER Espanyol call for action after 'unacceptable' Leon incident with Caracas during Liga F game There are other ways the convention agreement does not appear to have made a significant difference. 'The new agreement signed recently for the women's players was promoted as a great step forward,' says Uria. 'But the players still earn the minimum salary of any Spaniard. There was no real advance.' Just before the trial started, the federation named a new director of women's football — Reyes Bellver, a lawyer who has respect among players and others within the game. 'They are talking about wanting to change things, a lot,' says Uria. 'We will have to wait and see what job (Bellver) does, what measures she can take within the federation structure. Just hiring a woman for a certain role is not enough. We want to see real changes made, not just nice words.' Louzan's new board of 30 directors features 15 women, as mandated by Spanish law. These include Liga F president Beatriz Alvarez Mesa and Maria Jose Rienda, a former head of the government's Superior Sports Council (CSD). Although Alvarez is the only female among the eight vice presidents, RFEF sources — who, like all those cited in this article, asked to remain anonymous to speak freely — maintain the new regime is serious about having women in senior positions of power. Other reforms at the federation since Rubiales left include changes made to its government mandated 'Equality Plan', a new equality strategy and a new department of equality. Advertisement 'We're going to continue in the line of unity, consensus, hard work and absolute transparency,' Louzan told an assembly meeting that took place during the trial. 'The moment has come to do everything that could not be done until now. We've initiated a transformation process for this institution, which needs to modernise and adapt to new trends.' Those words have been welcomed, but everyone involved also knows Louzan was a vice president throughout Rubiales' presidency. The Galician met with the Spanish government on Monday and issues known to be on the agenda included Spain's hosting of the 2030 men's World Cup. There have been very few specific reforms implemented that directly help the women's team. Louzan has announced that Liga F will receive €2.5million from the RFEF to develop women's football. The federation declined to specify how much of its €379.6million budget for 2025 would go towards the women's game, but said it spent significantly more on women's football than it earned. This argument is not accepted by Gutierrez, who pointed to Zubizarreta's role as women's sporting director remaining currently vacant. 'The players are not asking for the same salary as the men, they're asking for the same resources — the same installations, hours, transport, equipment, staff,' she says. 'This is our battle. Have we achieved that yet? Obviously not. Hopefully, someday, we will have this equality of conditions, and the players will be free to perform to their best level.' As Caldentey said last Friday, Spain's women's team are focused on winning games on the pitch. The issue remains whether their undoubted talent is backed up by structures and support from the federation. The word from the RFEF is that this is a new era, that the guilty verdict should allow all involved to draw a line and move on. It is not so simple. Advertisement 'The guilty verdict for sexual assault seems correct, but it's strange there was no guilty verdict for coercion,' Paredes said at a press conference from the team camp last week. 'That sums up what the dressing room feels.' Tome said last week that 'each person can have their own thoughts about something' when asked about the effect of the case on the squad. The coach's own testimony at the trial did not convince everyone that she fully backed Hermoso and it remains strange to see Spain play without their record all-time goalscorer involved. 'The players are professionals, and they have shown (in the past) they are capable of handling anything,' Gutierrez says. 'But it's true that it would be better if these bad feelings did not exist, and that they could just perform to their best level. The space for improvement is so huge. There is still a long way to go.'
