Football Notes: Cristiano Ronaldo Addresses Rape Allegations

A "defiant" Cristiano Ronaldo expressed "every confidence that he will be vindicated over the rape allegations that have engulfed him." He said, "I have everything. So the rest, it doesn't interfere on me. ... My lawyers, they are confident and, of course, I am, too" (London TELEGRAPH, 10/23).

The Scottish FA, along with UEFA, launched a program to "keep girls playing football at grassroots level." It will potentially include after-school football offered across 120 schools. SFA Head of Girls & Women's Football Donald Gillies said, "There's a level below club football that hasn't necessarily been catered for" (BBC, 10/22).

A-League side Wellington Phoenix "gave fans plenty of reasons to cheer" when it beat the Newcastle Jets 2-1 on Sunday. However, the supporters' cheers "were regularly drowned out by music." The decision to blast music during the game "hit a bum note with supporters" (STUFF, 10/23).