عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Sports

Sweden’s Rolfo No Longer Cheering for Spain at World Cup 

Soccer Football - FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Sweden Press Conference - Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand - August 14, 2023 Sweden's Fridolina Rolfo during the press conference. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Sweden Press Conference - Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand - August 14, 2023 Sweden's Fridolina Rolfo during the press conference. (Reuters)
TT
TT

Sweden’s Rolfo No Longer Cheering for Spain at World Cup 

Soccer Football - FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Sweden Press Conference - Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand - August 14, 2023 Sweden's Fridolina Rolfo during the press conference. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Sweden Press Conference - Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand - August 14, 2023 Sweden's Fridolina Rolfo during the press conference. (Reuters)

Sweden's Fridolina Rolfo has been cheering on her Barcelona teammates playing for Spain at the Women's World Cup but will now hope to send them packing from the tournament after Tuesday's semi-final.

Nine of the winger's club teammates were in "La Roja" squad that edged the Netherlands 2-1 in the quarter-final in Auckland on Friday, including both goalscorers, Mariona Caldentey and Salma Paralluelo.

Rolfo said she has a "special bond" with the Barcelona cohort, having shared back-to-back championships in Spain's domestic women's league and won the Women's Champions League with them.

"I have been cheering for them in every game. We have been sending each other messages throughout the tournament – congratulations when they win or we win," the 29-year-old said in comments published by FIFA on Monday.

"I want them to go far in this tournament. Or I did. I think they've now gone far enough."

One of Rolfo's closest friends at Barcelona is also one of Spain's best players at the World Cup.

Quick-footed midfielder Aitana Bonmati has been Spain's engine room during their first trip to a World Cup semi-finals.

"What can you say? She’s absolutely amazing," said Rolfo.

"She had a great season for Barcelona, and she’s having an incredible World Cup.

"To be honest, even though people are talking about her a lot, I still don’t think she gets the credit she deserves."

Sweden, who meet Spain at Auckland's Eden Park, will hope to book their first World Cup final since their runner-up finish at the 2003 tournament won by Germany.

The winner will take on Australia or England for the title on Sunday.

Sweden have never won a World Cup but are perennial contenders, making the quarter-finals or better at seven of the nine tournaments to date.

Rolfo said Spain would be really tough to beat but took heart from Sweden's knockout wins over the United States and in-form Japan.

"Now we have another excellent team to play, but we have a lot of confidence right now," she said.

"I can’t promise that we will beat Spain, but I can promise that we will give it everything.

"We’ve come close (to a major trophy). Now we want to win this title for Sweden and the Swedish people."

Most Viewed

 
 
Sports

Morocco Refer AFCON Champions Senegal to CAF and FIFA

Senegal's Idrissa Gueye calls players to walk off the ptich during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP)
Senegal's Idrissa Gueye calls players to walk off the ptich during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP)
TT
TT

Morocco Refer AFCON Champions Senegal to CAF and FIFA

Senegal's Idrissa Gueye calls players to walk off the ptich during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP)
Senegal's Idrissa Gueye calls players to walk off the ptich during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP)

The Moroccan Football Federation said Monday it has formally referred to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA incidents involving Senegalese players and supporters protesting a penalty to Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations final.

Senegal's protest in added time of normal play during Sunday night's clash in Rabat led to the match being paused for nearly 20 minutes as the players walked off the pitch in anger.

Some Senegalese fans at the opposite end of the stadium threw chairs and other objects and attempted to get onto the field of play.

The AFCON hosts' football federation said these acts "had a significant impact on the normal course of the match and on the players' performance", with Morocco then missing the penalty that could have granted them their first African title in 50 years.

The federation said "it will resort to legal procedures" with CAF, the tournament's organizing body, and FIFA "in order to rule on the withdrawal of the Senegalese national team from the field"... "as well as on the events that accompanied this decision".

It said the referee's decision to grant the Atlas Lions a penalty was "deemed correct by unanimous opinion of specialists".

FIFA president Gianni Infantino condemned "some Senegal players" for the "unacceptable scenes".

Senegal scored the game's only goal just four minutes into extra time after the players returned to the pitch following an appeal from star forward Sadio Mane.

Several Moroccan media outlets on Monday criticized Senegal for a lack of fair play and unsporting behavior.

Sports

Man City Announce Signing of Defender Marc Guehi

Soccer Football - Premier League - Crystal Palace v Sunderland - Selhurst Park, London, Britain - September 13, 2025 Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi applauds fans after the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
Soccer Football - Premier League - Crystal Palace v Sunderland - Selhurst Park, London, Britain - September 13, 2025 Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi applauds fans after the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
TT
TT

Man City Announce Signing of Defender Marc Guehi

Soccer Football - Premier League - Crystal Palace v Sunderland - Selhurst Park, London, Britain - September 13, 2025 Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi applauds fans after the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
Soccer Football - Premier League - Crystal Palace v Sunderland - Selhurst Park, London, Britain - September 13, 2025 Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi applauds fans after the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

England defender Marc Guehi has signed for Manchester City from Crystal Palace on a five-and-a-half year contract, the Premier League club announced on Monday, AFP reported.

City stepped up their pursuit of Guehi in a deal reportedly worth £20 million ($27 million) after suffering an acute injury crisis at centre-half and confirmation of the move had been widely expected.

Sports

Djokovic Reaches 100th Australian Open Match Win in Hunt for 25th Grand Slam

Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 19, 2026 Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning his first round match against Spain's Pedro Martinez REUTERS/Tingshu Wang
Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 19, 2026 Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning his first round match against Spain's Pedro Martinez REUTERS/Tingshu Wang
TT
TT

Djokovic Reaches 100th Australian Open Match Win in Hunt for 25th Grand Slam

Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 19, 2026 Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning his first round match against Spain's Pedro Martinez REUTERS/Tingshu Wang
Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 19, 2026 Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning his first round match against Spain's Pedro Martinez REUTERS/Tingshu Wang

Novak Djokovic began his ​hunt for a record 25th Grand Slam title with a 6-3 6-2 6-2 win over unseeded Spaniard Pedro Martinez in the Australian Open first round on Monday, the Serb easing pre-tournament concerns about his fitness with a sparkling display.

Doubts had been raised about Djokovic's preparedness for the major he has won a record 10 times after the 38-year-old skipped the Adelaide tune-up event and cut short practice on Sunday, but he had no trouble sealing his 100th ‌match win at ‌Melbourne Park, Reuters reported.

The flawless performance means Djokovic has reached ‌a ⁠century ​of match ‌wins in three of the four Grand Slams, with 95 at the US Open.

"What can I say? I like the sound of it - centurion is pretty nice, it's a nice feeling to be a centurion," Djokovic said as a montage of his greatest Melbourne moments on Rod Laver Arena played out on the big screen.

"History-making is great motivation, particularly in the last five to 10 years of my career. ⁠Once I got myself into a position to eventually make history, I was even more inspired to ‌play the best tennis, and that's what I've done.

"I ‍was very fortunate early on in ‍my career to encounter people who taught me and guided me to ‍play the long shot, not burn out too quickly, to take care of my body and mind and try to have as long a career as possible.

"I'm blessed to be playing at this level and another win here tonight is a dream come true."

A ​potentially tricky start against first-time opponent Martinez turned into a routine workout when Djokovic seized control with a break and never loosened ⁠his grip under the bright lights of the main showcourt to take the opening set.

Despite last playing in November when he claimed his 101st career title in Athens, Djokovic barely missed a beat as he let rip a fiery crosscourt winner en route to breaking early and wrapping up the second set.

While the spotlight has largely swung toward reigning Melbourne champion Jannik Sinner and world number one Carlos Alcaraz, Djokovic reminded the duo of his threat with some sublime tennis to power through the third set and prevail at his favourite hunting ground.

"It's definitely my favourite court, a court that has given me so much," added Djokovic, who will ‌hope to return when he takes on Italian qualifier Francesco Maestrelli.

"I always try to give back and I hope you enjoyed the tennis."