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☆ Champions League: Xavi laments ‘really bad’ referee in Barcelona’s elimination to Paris Saint-Germain
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Xavi was shown a red card in the second half. “The red card marked the tie. For as much as we speak [about the match], the red card marks everything. PSG manager Luis Enrique, who enjoyed two trophy-filled spells at Barcelona as a player and manager, said he thought his team would have won even without Araújo’s sending off. Obviously, the red card is a factor, but you still have to know how to play these games and not make mistakes.

Persons: Xavi, Germain, István Kovács, Barça, Ronald Araújo’s, Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, Araújo, Bradley Barcola, Kovács, Ousmane Dembélé, Hugo Pfeiffer, Kylian Mbappé, João Cancelo, clumsily, Dembélé, ” Xavi, It’s, “, Robert Lewandowski’s, José Ramón, Luis Enrique, Enrique, Kylian, Juan Medina, Reuters “, Lamine, ” Enrique, Atlético Madrid Organizations: CNN —, team’s Champions League, Paris Saint, Tuesday’s, Barcelona, Barcola, PSG, ESPN, Fuente, League, Reuters, ” PSG, Borussia Dortmund, Champions League Locations: CNN — Barcelona, Paris, Romanian, Barcelona

☆ England's Bellingham and Colwill withdraw with shoulder injuries
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Soccer Football - Champions League - Group C - Real Madrid v S.C. Braga - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - November 8, 2023 Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham celebrates after the match REUTERS/Juan Medina/ File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 14 (Reuters) - Jude Bellingham and Levi Colwill withdrew from the England squad with shoulder injuries on Tuesday ahead of their last two Euro 2024 qualifier matches. Midfielder Bellingham and defender Colwill will return to their clubs to continue their rehabilitation, the English FA said in a statement. Colwill missed Chelsea's Premier League match against Manchester City on Sunday, while Bellingham has been out of Real Madrid's last two matches. England, who sit atop Group C with 16 points from six matches, have already qualified for Euro 2024. Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru, editing by Pritha SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jude Bellingham, Juan Medina, Levi Colwill, Midfielder Bellingham, Colwill, Chiranjit, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Soccer Football, Real Madrid, S.C, Braga, Santiago Bernabeu, REUTERS, England, FA, Chelsea's Premier League, Manchester City, Thomson Locations: Madrid, Spain, Bellingham, Real, Malta, North Macedonia, Bengaluru

[1/4] Portugal's Prime Minister Antonio Costa attends the informal meeting of European heads of state or government, in Granada, Spain October 6, 2023. REUTERS/Juan Medina/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLISBON, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa resigned on Tuesday, just hours after prosecutors detained his chief of staff in a probe into alleged corruption in his administration's handling of lithium mining and hydrogen projects. Costa, who prosecutors said was the target of a separate investigation, announced the decision in a televised statement after meeting President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. Over 40 searches were carried out on Tuesday at several government buildings, including Escaria's office and the infrastructure and environment ministries, the prosecutor's office said. "At stake may be ... facts capable of constituting crimes of malfeasance, active and passive corruption of politicians and influence peddling," the prosecutor's office said.

Persons: Antonio Costa, Juan Medina, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Costa, Rebelo de Sousa, Vitor Escaria, Joao Galamba, Nuno Lacasta, Catarina Demony, Patricia Rua, Sergio Goncalves, Andrei Khalip, Emelia Organizations: Portugal's, REUTERS, Rights, Costa's Socialists, of State, TAP, APA, Prosecutors, Thomson Locations: Granada, Spain, Rights LISBON, Portuguese, Costa, Portugal, Sines

☆ Irish PM says Israel actions in Gaza resemble 'something approaching revenge'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Juan Medina/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsDUBLIN, Nov 3 (Reuters) - Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on Friday described Israel's actions in Gaza as "something approaching revenge", in some of the strongest criticism of Israel by a leader of a European Union member state. Gaza health authorities say at least 9,061 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its assault on the enclave of 2.3 million people in retaliation for deadly attacks by Hamas militants on southern Israel. And I don't think that's how Israel will guarantee future freedom and future security," he said. Asked by a journalist whether Israel's actions were war crimes, Varadkar said "that's not for me to determine." The Gaza war has highlighted foreign policy divisions within the EU.

Persons: Leo Varadkar, Juan Medina, Israel, Varadkar, that's, Conor Humphries, Christina Fincher Organizations: Ireland's, REUTERS, Rights, Irish, European Union, RTE, United Nations, Thomson Locations: Granada, Spain, Gaza, Israel, South Korea, France, Netherlands, Portugal, Belgium, Ireland, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Western

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reacts during a meeting of European heads of state or government in Granada, Spain October 6, 2023. REUTERS/Juan Medina/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsROME, Nov 3 (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Friday that her chief diplomatic adviser had resigned, carrying the can for a prank call fiasco that led to the release of unfiltered remarks on Ukraine and migration. "This matter was not handled well, we are all sorry, Ambassador (Francesco) Talo took responsibility for it," Meloni said, announcing that her aide had quit. Meloni's office confirmed on Wednesday that she had a phone conversation with a Russian comedian who successfully posed as a high-ranking African Union official. Reporting by Angelo Amante and Alvise Armellini, editing by Keith WeirOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Giorgia Meloni, Juan Medina, Francesco, Talo, Meloni, Angela Merkel, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Britain's Prince Harry, Angelo Amante, Alvise, Keith Weir Organizations: Italian, REUTERS, Rights, NATO, African Union, Kyiv, Democratic Party, Lexus, Thomson Locations: Granada, Spain, Ukraine, Israel, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Russian, Italy, Russia, Kremlin

☆ Italy PM Meloni talks of Ukraine fatigue, migration in prank call
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reacts during a meeting of European heads of state or government in Granada, Spain October 6, 2023. REUTERS/Juan Medina/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsROME, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni spoke of international fatigue with the conflict in Ukraine and a lack of support for Italy in dealing with migration in a phone call with Russian pranksters. Asked about Russia's war in Ukraine, Meloni, speaking in English, said: "I see that there is a lot of fatigue, I have to say the truth, from all the sides. Prankster Lexus, or Alexei Stolyarov, said Meloni was at least someone who was willing to share her real opinions. Meloni, Italian prime minister for a year, split with her TV presenter partner last month after off-air video excerpts from his programme showed him using foul language and appearing to make advances to a female colleague.

Persons: Giorgia Meloni, Juan Medina, Vovan, Meloni's, Meloni, Lexus, Alexei Stolyarov, Alex Marrow, Federico Maccioni, Keith Weir, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: Italian, REUTERS, Rights, Russian, Lexus, African Union Commission, United Nations General Assembly, Thomson Locations: Granada, Spain, Ukraine, Italy

EU officials also drafted a statement in support of the proposal for an EU summit later this week, although they cautioned the text could still change in the coming days. "There's a vital need to get water, to get food, to get medical supplies into Gaza," said Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin. Some questioned whether a pause would impede Israel's right to defend itself as it seeks to destroy Hamas positions in Gaza. But Israel has the right to self-defence," said Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky questioned "how such a ceasefire should be established with a partner inside Gaza, where the Hamas terrorist organisation now is controlling the situation".

Persons: Josep Borrell, Juan Medina, Antonio Guterres, Borrell, Micheal Martin, Annalena Baerbock, Israel, Alexander Schallenberg ., Jan Lipavsky, Andrew Gray, Bart Meijer, Jan Strupczewski, Charlotte Van Campenhout, Alison Williams Organizations: European Union for Foreign Affairs, REUTERS, Rights, Hamas, U.N, United Nations, Irish, Austrian, Thomson Locations: Granada, Spain, Rights BRUSSELS, Israel, Palestinian, Gaza, Egypt, Rafah, Luxembourg, France, Netherlands, Ireland, Slovenia, Germany, Alexander Schallenberg . Czech

It was seen on taking power as the country's most right-wing since wartime dictator Benito Mussolini, as Meloni's Brothers of Italy party traces its roots to the post-fascist Italian Social Movement (MSI). At home she pleased her rightist grassroots through measures to defend the traditional family, protect Italy's cultural heritage and try to stem migrant arrivals. That makes it harder for Meloni to keep her tax-cutting promises and makes Italy's debt, equal to 140% of national output, vulnerable to market sell-offs. Last week Meloni weathered the first of several reviews on Italy's debt when S&P Global Ratings confirmed the country's BBB rating with a stable outlook. COMMANDING POSITIONAt home Meloni has so far avoided the domestic political chaos that dogged so many of her predecessors.

Persons: Giorgia Meloni, Juan Medina, Meloni's, Meloni, Benito Mussolini, Valentina Meliciani, Andrea Giambruno, Meliciani, Italy's, Ukraine Meloni, Enzo Moavero Milanesi, Giovanni Orsina, Angelo Amante, Giselda, Gavin Jones, Alex Richardson Organizations: Italy's, REUTERS, Western, Coalition, Italian Social Movement, EU, Ukraine, Democratic Party, Star Movement, League, Forza Italia, Analysts, Thomson Locations: Granada, Spain, ROME, EU, Ukraine, Russia, Italy, Rome, Brussels, Africa

☆ Hungary to ban rallies supporting 'terrorist organisations' -PM Orban
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban attends the informal meeting of European heads of state or government, in Granada, Spain October 6, 2023. REUTERS/Juan Medina/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBUDAPEST, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Hungary will not allow any rallies supporting "terrorist organisations," Prime Minister Viktor Orban told public radio on Friday, adding that all Hungarian citizens should feel safe, regardless of their faith or origin. Hamas is designated a terrorist organisation by Israel, the United States, European Union, Canada, Egypt and Japan. "It is shocking that there are sympathy rallies supporting the terrorists across Europe," Orban said, referencing the European fallout from the Hamas attack on Israel. "But we will not allow sympathy rallies supporting terrorist organisations as that would entail a terror threat to Hungarian citizens."

Persons: Viktor Orban, Juan Medina, Orban, Nationalist Orban, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Khaled Meshaal, " Orban, Gergely, Christina Fincher Organizations: Hungary's, REUTERS, Rights, Hamas, Israel, Hungarian Foreign Ministry, Facebook, Thomson Locations: Granada, Spain, Hungary, Israel, Gaza, United States, European Union, Canada, Egypt, Japan, Europe, Palestine, Budapest

☆ What is Hamas? What you need to know about the militant group that rules the Gaza Strip
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

The militant Palestinian group orchestrated an unprecedented attack on Israel on Saturday, killing many hundreds of people and injuring thousands more. Israel's counteroffensive against Hamas has seen its military conduct a barrage of airstrikes across the enclosed territory of the Gaza Strip, also killing many hundreds of people. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators protest at Puerta del Sol square amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, in Madrid, Spain, October 9, 2023. Relief and Works Agency said that conditions in the Gaza Strip remain "difficult" as heavy airstrikes continue, with some shelters overcrowded. watch now"I am deeply distressed by today's announcement that Israel will initiate a complete siege of the Gaza Strip.

Persons: Mahmud Hams, Benjamin Netanyahu, Sameh, Ismail Haniyeh, Fatah, Juan Medina, Israel, Antonio Guterres, Basim Naim, BBC's, Naim, Israel's Netanyahu Organizations: Brigades, Afp, Getty Images Hamas, Israeli, Hamas, Nurphoto, Palestinian Health Ministry, Israeli Defense Forces, European Union, Movement, West Bank —, United Nations, Palestinian National Liberation Movement, Palestinian National Authority, West Bank, Pro, Puerta del Sol, Palestinian, Reuters, Works Agency Locations: Gaza, Mahmud, Israel, Hamas, Gaza City, U.S, Japan, Australia, Palestine, Palestinian, Madrid, Spain, Iran

[1/5] European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen attends the informal meeting of European heads of state or government, in Granada, Spain October 6, 2023. On Thursday night, Von der Leyen was visiting Granada's famed Alhambra Palace and fortress - built by the city's Muslim rulers in the 13th century - when she complemented guide Sumaya Abdelbi on her silk scarf. Abdelbi, who was born in Germany and is of Moroccan origin, briefed Von de Leyen and her husband on the palace. "I told her that she was now also part of the history of the Alhambra and she was very impressed," Abdelbi told Reuters. As Von der Leyen was leaving the event, Abdelbi saw her again and shouted: "I want to give you my scarf!".

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, Juan Medina, Ursula Von der Leyen, Von der Leyen, Granada's, Von de Leyen, Abdelbi, Belén Carreño, Andrei Khalip Organizations: European, REUTERS, Rights, European Union, Alhambra, Reuters, EU, Thomson Locations: Granada, Spain, Rights GRANADA, Spanish, Alhambra, Germany

☆ Head of Spanish women's soccer league says Rubiales-led FA was 'sexist'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Elena Rodriguez | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

President of Spain's women's Liga F soccer league Beatriz Alvarez speaks with Reuters during an interview at their headquarters in Madrid, Spain, September 27, 2023. "At least since I came to the Liga F, there has been an absolute lack of institutional respect - as well as sexism - from the federation," Alvarez added. Alvarez recounted how her third child had been born just a day before the Liga F season kicked off. Alvarez said she was not invited by the RFEF to the Women's World Cup final in Sydney, which she believes would never have happened to the president of the men's league. Still, she said the fact that the women's team won the World Cup had put them in the global spotlight, which should boost women's football, help to stamp out sexist attitudes and promote equality.

Persons: Spain's, Beatriz Alvarez, Juan Medina, Luis Rubiales, Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso's, Hermoso, Alvarez, Elena Rodríguez, Guillermo Martínez, David Latona, Andrei Khalip, Ed Osmond Organizations: Liga F, Reuters, REUTERS, Rights, Spain's, Liga, women's, Thomson Locations: Madrid, Spain, Rights MADRID, Spanish, videoconference, Sydney

[1/9] Spain's opposition People's Party leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo reacts after giving a speech during an investiture debate at parliament in Madrid, Spain, September 26, 2023. REUTERS/Juan Medina Acquire Licensing RightsMADRID, Sept 26 (Reuters) - Spain's rightwing opposition leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo on Tuesday launched a likely fruitless bid to form a government following an election in which no party won a majority. Feijoo will get a second vote on Friday, which only requires a simple majority. If, as expected, Feijoo fails, acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who leads the Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE), will have two months from Wednesday to make his bid before parliament is dissolved and fresh elections are called. In his speech, Feijoo outlined the policy proposals he would carry out as prime minister, including lowering taxes for entrepreneurs and low- and middle-income earners and devising a plan to capture foreign investment.

Persons: Alberto Nunez Feijoo, Juan Medina, Feijoo's, Feijoo, Pedro Sanchez, Sanchez, Eurointelligence, Esquerra, Belen Carreno, Emma Pinedo, Charlie Devereux, Bernadette Baum Organizations: People's, REUTERS, Rights, Feijoo's People's Party, Debating, Spanish Socialist Workers Party, PSOE, Vox, Union, Canarian Coalition, Basque Nationalist Party, Galician Nationalist Bloc, Thomson Locations: Madrid, Spain, Rights MADRID, Catalonia, Catalan, Basque

☆ Spain's women players to end boycott after federation commit to change
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The decision was reached around 5 a.m. (0300 GMT) after more than seven hours of meetings at a hotel in Oliva, an hour from Valencia, involving the players, RFEF officials, the National Sports Council (CSD) and the women's players' union FUTPRO. "A joint commission will be created between RFEF, CSD and players to follow up on the agreements, which will be signed tomorrow," CSD President Victor Francos told reporters. "The players have expressed their concern about the need for profound changes in the RFEF, which has committed to making these changes immediately." The revolt by the players was triggered after former RFEF chief Rubiales kissed forward Hermoso on the lips following Spain's World Cup victory. Hermoso was not in the squad list announced on Monday and accused the RFEF of trying to divide and manipulate the players.

Persons: Jennifer Hermoso, Juan Medina, Rights OLIVA, Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Victor Francos, Rafael del Amo, Amanda Gutierrez, Montse Tome, Francos, Rubiales, Hermoso, RFEF, Fernando Kallas, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Football, FIFA, REUTERS, Rights, National Sports Council, Women's Nations League, Sweden, Switzerland, Nations League, Olympic Games, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Spain, Madrid, Oliva, Valencia, Gothenburg, Cordoba, Europe

☆ Cuba issues conflicting statements on use of its citizens in Ukraine war
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The apparently conflicting statements follow Cuban state-run and foreign media reports suggesting that young Cuban men have enlisted in the Kremlin´s military in recent months as mercenaries and victims in alleged human trafficking schemes. Cuba´s top diplomat in Moscow, Julio Antonio Garmendia Pena, told Russia´s state-run RIA news agency hours earlier on Thursday that those arrested in Cuba, all Cuban citizens, had been engaged in illegal activities and had broken the law. Cuba did not respond to Reuters inquiry regarding the apparently contradictory statements. Cuba's foreign ministry said last week the human trafficking network that authorities were now working to "neutralise and dismantle" had operated from Russia "to incorporate Cuban citizens living there, and even some from Cuba, into the military forces participating in war operations in Ukraine". Cuba has denied any involvement in the war in Ukraine.

Persons: Juan Medina, Bruno Rodriguez, Rodriguez, Cuba ´, Julio Antonio Garmendia Pena, Vladimir Putin, Maxim Rodionov, Dave Sherwood, Gareth Jones, Leslie Adler Organizations: REUTERS, Cuban Foreign, Cuban, Russia, Cubans, Thomson Locations: Cuban, Cuba, Madrid, Spain, Moscow, Russia, Ukraine, Havana

☆ Inditex can afford to start sharing its cash pile
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

An employee arranges clothes at one of the largest Zara stores in the world, in Madrid, Spain, April 7, 2022. REUTERS/Juan Medina/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Sept 13 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Marta Ortega is facing a test on Inditex’s (ITX.MC) bulging cash pile. In the same period, Inditex delivered 2.5 billion euros of net profit, up 40% year-on-year. Still, growing profits mean its cash pile will only get larger. Net cash is expected to balloon to 12 billion euros by year-end, LSEG data show.

Persons: Juan Medina, Marta Ortega, Massimo Dutti, Inditex, Ortega, Inditex’s, Aimee Donnellan, BoE, Lisa Jucca, Streisand Neto Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Reuters Graphics Reuters, X, Treasury, UBS, Warner Bros Discovery, Thomson Locations: Zara, Madrid, Spain, Asia

☆ Former Spanish soccer chief Rubiales to testify in court in Hermoso kiss case
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The incident, at the medal ceremony following the Spanish women's team's World Cup victory in Sydney, Australia, last month, unleashed a wave of indignation against sexism and macho behaviour in Spain. Rubiales had refused demands from many players, sports bodies and politicians to quit his position as president of the Royal Spanish Football, saying he had done nothing wrong and the kiss was mutual and consensual. However, the furore did not die down and on Sunday he resigned after Hermoso lodged a criminal complaint against him. The complaint by Hermoso describes how Rubiales kissed her on the mouth "without her consent" while holding her head with both hands after Spain defeated England in the women's World Cup final on Aug. 20. High Court judge Francisco de Jorge is in charge of the probe as the incident took place outside Spain.

Persons: Pedro Sanchez, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Juan Medina, Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Rubiales, Hermoso, Francisco de Jorge, Emma Pinedo, David Latona, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Spain's, Moncloa, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales REUTERS, Rights, Royal Spanish Football, Sunday, Spain, England, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Madrid, Spain, Rights MADRID, Spanish, Sydney, Australia

REUTERS/Juan Medina/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsHAVANA, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Cuba has uncovered a human trafficking ring that coerced its citizens to fight for Russia in the war in Ukraine, its foreign ministry said, adding that Cuban authorities were working to "neutralize and dismantle" the network. It was not immediately clear if the Cuban foreign ministry statement was associated with the Ryazan report. The defense ministers of Cuba and Russia earlier this year discussed the development of joint "technical military" projects at a meeting in Moscow. "Cuba is not part of the war in Ukraine," the foreign ministry said late on Monday. Cuba said it had already begun prosecuting cases in which its citizens had been coerced into fighting in Ukraine.

Persons: Juan Medina, Miguel Diaz, Canel, Dave Sherwood, Marc Frank, Felix Light, Michael Perry, Bill Berkrot Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Russia, Monday, Cuban, Thomson Locations: Cuban, Cuba, Madrid, Spain, Rights HAVANA, Ukraine, Caribbean, Moscow, Russia, Ryazan, Havana, Tbilisi

☆ Spain's sport court opens case against soccer boss in World Cup scandal - El Pais
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Rubiales sparked a storm when he kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain's win in Sydney. He also grabbed his crotch while standing feet away from Spain's Queen Letizia and her 16-year-old daughter. World soccer governing body FIFA has already suspended Rubiales from all football-related activities for three months while it investigates, but the CSD said it would move ahead with its own case regardless. Hermoso has said she did not consent to the kiss and felt "vulnerable and the victim of an aggression". Reporting by Jessica Jones, Jesús Aguado and David Latona, Editing by Frances KerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Pedro Sanchez, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Juan Medina, TAD, Luis Rubiales, Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Letizia, Hermoso, Jessica Jones, Jesús Aguado, David Latona, Frances Kerry Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Spain's, Moncloa, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales REUTERS, Rights, National Sports Council, Sydney, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Madrid, Spain, Rights MADRID, El Pais

☆ Luis Rubiales: what to know about the World Cup kiss scandal
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/2] FILE PHOTO-Soccer Football - FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez receive the World Cup champions - Moncloa Palace, Madrid, Spain - August 22, 2023 President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales REUTERS/Juan Medina/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsAug 30 (Reuters) - Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF), has stirred a furore by kissing midfielder Jenni Hermoso during the Women's World Cup trophy presentation. Rubiales sacked Spain manager Julen Lopetegui two days before their 2018 World Cup campaign in Russia because the coach had a pre-agreement to join Real Madrid after the tournament. There was further controversy last year when members of the Spanish women's team mutinied against their coach Jorge Vilda. The RFEF backed Vilda who then cut 12 of the 15 players involved from the squad that went on to win the World Cup. Rubiales' actions on World Cup final day, and later defiance, have brought a torrent of public criticism in Spain and elsewhere, but also a backlash in some circles against feminism.

Persons: Pedro Sanchez, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Juan Medina, Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Rubiales, Julen Lopetegui, Jorge Vilda, Vilda, Letizia, Sofia, peck, Yolanda Diaz, Irene Montero, Xavi Hernandez, Angeles Bejar, TAD, Trevor Stynes, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Spain's, Moncloa, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales REUTERS, WHO, Hamilton Academical, Association of Spanish, Real Madrid, Spanish, England, Reuters, Sports Council, Administrative, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Madrid, Spain, Spanish, Scotland, Russia, Australia, Barcelona, Motril

☆ Spain promises bigger role for women in sport as Rubiales asked to resign
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

MADRID, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Spanish regional soccer chiefs demanded federation boss Luis Rubiales resign for grabbing and kissing World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso, as the country's caretaker government promised on Tuesday to ensure women play a bigger role in running sports. Prosecutors have opened a preliminary investigation into whether Rubiales might have committed an act of sexual aggression when he grabbed Hermoso and kissed her on the lips after Spain's victory in the women's World Cup in Sydney on Aug. 20. Many of the federation representatives had initially applauded Rubiales when he announced on Friday he would not quit. "Following recent events and the unacceptable behaviour that has seriously damaged Spanish football's image, the (regional) presidents demand that Luis Rubiales immediately resign," they said in a statement. Acting Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz demanded the dismissal of the head coaches of both the men's and women's national teams.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Hermoso, Guadalupe Martin, Rubiales, Martin, Miquel Iceta, Pedro Sanchez, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Juan Medina, Iceta, Amparo Macias, Yolanda Diaz, Inti Landauro, Mariano Valladolid, Belén Carreño, David Latona, Emma Pinedo, Charlie Devereux, Andrei Khalip, Ed Osmond, Conor Humphries Organizations: Prosecutors, federation's, Sports, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Soccer Football, FIFA, Spain's, Moncloa, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales REUTERS, Socialist, Labour, women's, Thomson Locations: MADRID, Spanish, Sydney, Madrid, New Zealand, Spain, Motril

☆ FIFA provisionally suspends Spanish football president Rubiales
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"The chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee... has decided today to provisionally suspend Mr Luis Rubiales from all football-related activities at national and international level," FIFA said in a statement. Its disciplinary committee also ordered Rubiales and RFEF officials and employees alike to refrain from contacting or attempting to contact Hermoso or those around her. The Spanish national team that won the World Cup as well as several other players have said they would not play international matches while Rubiales remains head of the federation. "The decision adopted by the chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has been communicated today to Mr Luis Rubiales, the RFEF and (European soccer body) UEFA for due compliance." The committee said it would not provide any further information on the disciplinary proceedings until a final decision was taken.

Persons: Pedro Sanchez, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Juan Medina, Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso's, Rubiales, Hermoso, Rohith Nair, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Spain's, Moncloa, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales REUTERS, Spanish, UEFA, Reuters, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Madrid, Spain, Spanish, Bengaluru

☆ Italy's president calls for more legal migration to beat people trafficking
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Juan Medina/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsROME, Aug 25 (Reuters) - The European Union should allow more legal migration into its borders to stop people trafficking, Italian President Sergio Mattarella said on Friday, amid a surge in arrivals by sea to his country. Meloni's government has partly followed Mattarella's advice, saying in July it would raise entry quotas for non-EU migrant workers to 452,000 for 2023-2025. The Italian president, who as head of state is a non-partisan figure, said action needed to be taken at EU level. Migration has long been a political hot potato within the bloc, hampering joint decisions by its 27 member states. "This drawing reminds me that, behind the migration numbers and percentages which we often list, there are countless individual people, each one with their own story, projects, dreams, future," the president said.

Persons: Juan Medina, Sergio Mattarella, Giorgia Meloni's, Mattarella, Alvise Armellini, Christina Fincher Organizations: Uno, Guardia, REUTERS, Rights, European, Thomson Locations: Lampedusa, Italy, North Africa, Rimini, Europe

☆ Spanish federation chief refuses to resign over kiss scandal
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Speaking at an RFEF emergency assembly on Friday, Rubiales complained that "false feminists" were "trying to kill me". He described the kiss as a "little peck" that was "spontaneous, mutual, euphoric and consensual". Rubiales, 46, said in his speech that Hermoso was the one who initiated physical contact by lifting him off the ground by his hips. Criticism of Rubiales's behaviour has built throughout the week of the incident which occurred while the players were being handed their medals after they beat England 1-0 in the World Cup final in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday. As players filed past, Rubiales grabbed Hermoso by the head and planted a kiss on her mouth.

Persons: Pedro Sanchez, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Juan Medina, Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Rubiales, peck, Yolanda Diaz, Diaz, Hermoso, Queen Letizia, Fernando Kallas, Inti Landauro, Charlie Devereux, Andrei Khalip, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Spain's, Moncloa, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales REUTERS, Rights, Socialists, Labour, England, Reuters, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Madrid, Spain, Spanish, Sydney, Australia

☆ FIFA opens disciplinary proceedings against Spanish FA chief Rubiales
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"The FIFA Disciplinary Committee informed Luis Rubiales, President of the Spanish Football Association, today that it is opening disciplinary proceedings against him based on the events that occurred during the final of the Women's World Cup," it said in a statement. "The events may constitute violations of article 13 paragraphs 1 and 2 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code." Rubiales, who initially called his critics "idiots", issued a video apology late on Monday, but it failed to quell the uproar . Acting Second Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz called for Rubiales' resignation because "without any doubt (he) attacked a woman". Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; editing by Christina Fincher and Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Pedro Sanchez, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Juan Medina, Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Rubiales, Yolanda Diaz, Hermoso, FUTPRO, TMJ, Rohith Nair, Christina Fincher, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Spain's, Moncloa, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Spanish, England, Spanish Football Association, Liga, National Sports Council, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Madrid, Spain, Bengaluru

Search resuls for: "Juan Medina"

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