Abou, aged 8, was curled up inside a suitcase. Photo: Guardia Civil The heart-rending photo went round the world in 2015, showing an eight-year-old boy from Ivory Coast crammed into a suitcase that was found at a Spanish border crossing. His father goes on trial Tuesday in Ceuta, a Spanish overseas territory in northern Morocco which migrants from Africa regularly try to reach by scaling high border fences, hiding behind car dashboards or in bus chassis. Prosecutors are seeking a three-year prison term for Ali Ouattara for facilitating his son's illegal entry into Europe and endangering the child's life. "I'm going to this trial with a lot of confidence because I'm not a human trafficker," Ouattara, 45, told AFP. On May 7, 2015, Spanish police noticed a young Moroccan woman dragging what looked like a heavy suitcase across the border with Ceuta. When they put the suitcase through an X-ray machine they were shocked to see the silhouette of a … [Read more...] about Father of boy smuggled into Spain in suitcase on trial
Spain
Spain’s De Guindos in line for ECB job after Irish candidate withdraws
Irish central bank chief Philip Lane pulled out of the race for the vice-presidency of the European Central Bank on Monday, leaving favourite Spanish Economy Minister Luis De Guindos the only candidate. Eurozone finance ministers were widely expected to pick their Spanish peer for the top job, the first of a series of changes at the ECB over the coming two years, including the post of the chief of the bank currently held by Italian Mario Draghi. "I will be withdrawing Philip's name and I have spoken to Minister De Guindos and wished him the best of luck this evening," Irish Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said as he arrived for talks to fill the post with his The ministers "will make a decision tonight that will be in the best interest of the functioning and success of the European Central Bank," he added. The choice comes despite the scepticism of senior European lawmakers who said they preferred Lane, who is not a politician, over his rival after an informal hearing … [Read more...] about Spain’s De Guindos in line for ECB job after Irish candidate withdraws
Ten detained in match-fixing raids across Spain
By Andrés González MADRID (Reuters) – At least ten people were detained on Monday as part of a police operation against match-fixing in Spain’s third (Segunda B) and fourth tier (Tercera), police sources told Reuters. The investigation is led by a court in Zafra in the autonomous community of Extremadura, and the National Police’s Specialised and Violent Crime unit. However, sources say that arrests have been carried out across the country. “There’s ten who have been detained and more are expected,” a source who asked to remain anonymous told Reuters. “They were rigging matches for the Chinese betting market.” This is not the first operation of its kind in Spain. In April last year, a judge from Elda, Valencia, opened disciplinary proceedings against five people for match-fixing involving the local club. While in 2016, the Civil Guard detained 34 people linked to a match-fixing network operating in youth tennis. (Editing by … [Read more...] about Ten detained in match-fixing raids across Spain
West Brom boss Alan Pardew condemns ‘unacceptable’ behaviour of quartet in Spain
Home / Sport by Press Association 17/02/2018, 4:32 am FacebookTwitterWhatsAppEmail Send us a story Sign up to our Daily newsletter West Brom boss Alan Pardew has condemned the “unacceptable” behaviour of captain Jonny Evans and the three other senior players who embarrassed the club on a break in Spain. Evans, Gareth Barry, Jake Livermore and Boaz Myhill identified themselves as the quartet whose behaviour in Barcelona had led to their club promising disciplinary action. Head coach Pardew refused to comment on reports that the four players were involved in an incident involving a taxi, but it was widely reported they were being investigated over allegedly taking the vehicle without permission at the end of a night out. Spanish newspaper El Mundo reported the quartet had food at a McDonald’s restaurant before leaving at 5.30am on Thursday morning and taking the taxi in which they had travelled to find food, driving it to their hotel. The … [Read more...] about West Brom boss Alan Pardew condemns ‘unacceptable’ behaviour of quartet in Spain
West Brom players alleged to have ‘stolen taxi during night out in Spain’
FOUR senior West Bromwich Albion players allegedly stole a taxi on a night out in Spain, it has been reported. The club said it was investigating the incident, which happened during a mid-winter training trip to Barcelona. The Baggies announced on Friday that they have opened an investigation into the matter. The reports come just hours before West Brom are due to host Southampton in an FA Cup, and the midlands club are currently bottom of the Premier League. In a statement, the club say the quartet will be "subject to the full rigours of our internal disciplinary procedures", and that they will make no further comment until their investigation is completed. … [Read more...] about West Brom players alleged to have ‘stolen taxi during night out in Spain’