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☆ Luis Rubiales: Prosecutors seek 2.5-year jail term for Spanish soccer boss over unwanted World Cup kiss
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Heather Chen | Pau Mosquera | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Spanish prosecutors are seeking a prison term of two years and six months for former soccer chief Luis Rubiales for giving an unwanted kiss to star forward Jennifer Hermoso after Spain’s World Cup victory. The kiss was televised globally and the scandal overshadowed a historic moment for Spain’s women’s team which was celebrating its first-ever World Cup win. Rubiales described the kiss as “mutual” – a claim Hermoso has strongly denied – and said he faces “excessive persecution” from authorities. Vilda had been filmed seeming to inappropriately touch a female staff member during the Women’s World Cup Final. He was replaced by Montse Tomé, the first woman in Spanish national team history to hold the position.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Jennifer Hermoso, Rubiales, Hermoso, Spain’s, –, Jorge Vilda, Albert Luque, Rubén Rivera, CNN Rubiales, Spain’s women’s, Vilda, Montse Tomé Organizations: CNN, Public Ministry, Royal Spanish Football Federation, FIFA, Prosecutors, Spanish, Hermoso Locations: Spain, Spanish

☆ Women’s Champions League: Salma Paralluelo’s brace leads Barcelona to comeback victory over Frankfurt
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Salma Paralluelo’s second-half brace ensured defending champion Barcelona avoided a Champions League upset against Eintracht Frankfurt, as the Catalan club came from behind to secure a 3-1 victory. “I’m happy above all for being able to help the team,” Paralluelo said after the match. But the team was frustrated by some resolute Frankfurt defending in the first half, before Freigang’s goal against the run of play. Against the best team in the world, that’s not a surprise, but I think we played well today. Benfica’s 1-0 victory over FC Rosengård on Wednesday puts the Portuguese club in third.

Persons: CNN — Salma Paralluelo’s, Laura Freigang’s, –, Mariona Caldentey, Paralluelo, “, ” Paralluelo, ”, Dan O, Connor Organizations: CNN, Barcelona, League, Eintracht Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Benfica, Barça, ”, FC Rosengård, Wednesday, Portuguese Locations: Catalan, Ona Batlle’s, Barcelona, ” Barcelona

☆ Jennifer Hermoso says that she has received threats after Luis Rubiales’ unwanted kiss
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Patrick Sung | Wayne Sterling | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Spanish Women’s World Cup star Jennifer Hermoso revealed on Monday that she has “received threats” in the aftermath of the unwanted kiss she received from former Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales. I’ve received threats and that’s something which you will never get used to.”Rubiales gave an unwanted kiss to Hermoso during the medal ceremony after Spain’s Women’s World Cup triumph in August. Alexia Putellas, Hermoso and Irene Paredes celebrate winning the Women's World Cup. Catherine Ivill/Getty ImagesIn her GQ interview, Hermoso didn’t go into detail as to what those threats had been, but added that: “These weeks have been very hard. She returned to the Spanish women’s team late last month and scored the winning goal in a 1-0 victory against Italy.

Persons: Jennifer Hermoso, Luis Rubiales, ” Hermoso, “ I’ve, I’ve, ” Rubiales, Spain’s, Rubiales, Alexia Putellas, Hermoso, Irene Paredes, Catherine Ivill, Hermoso didn’t, I’m, she’s, that’s, ” Organizations: CNN, Spanish, Spanish Football Federation, GQ Spain, FIFA, La, Spanish women’s, Italy, Olympic Games, Spain’s National Locations: “, Mexico, Spain

☆ Ballon d’Or: Lionel Messi and Aitana Bonmatí win men’s and women’s awards
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( George Ramsay | Patrick Sung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Lionel Messi won a record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or on Monday, while Barcelona and Spain star Aitana Bonmatí won the Ballon d’Or Féminin – the annual soccer awards celebrating the best players in the men’s and women’s game. This [award] is also for you, I share it with you and with all of Argentina.”Barça and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati receives the Woman Ballon d'Or award during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony on October 30. “I’m very proud to receive the Ballon d’Or tonight. In both places, I have the best teammates next to me that make me better every day.”Aitana Bonmatí has won the Ballon d'Or Féminin for the first time. Barcelona Femení won Women’s Club of the Year for its standout year, which included three titles – Liga F, the Spanish Super Cup and the Women’s Champions League – and having a roster which included six Ballon d’Or Féminin nominees, including the winner, Bonmatí.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Ballon d’Or, Aitana Bonmatí, Féminin, Messi, Ballon, Erling Haaland, Germain, Kylian, “, I’ve, ”, David Beckham, Aitana, ” Messi, Odd Andersen, Diego Maradona, Diego, Maradona, ” Barça, Aitana Bonmati, Franck Fife, ” Bonmatí, Novak Djokovic, haven’t, ” Aitana Bonmatí, Javier Borrego, Alexia Putellas, Sam Kerr, Bonmatí’s, Salma Paralluelo, Jude Bellingham, Gerd Müller, Stefan Wermuth, Pep Guardiola’s, Barcelona Femení, d’Or Féminin, Bonmatí, Ballon d’Or Lionel Messi, Argentina Ballon, Spain Gerd Müller, Striker, Emiliano Martínez, Socrates, Vinícius Jr Organizations: CNN, Argentina’s, Inter Miami star’s, Manchester City, Paris Saint, Inter Miami, Argentina –, Copa América, Getty, Argentina national, …, Copa, France Football, Barcelona, Liga, League, Wolfsburg, world’s, FC Barcelona, Europa Press, Chelsea, Roja, Bellingham, Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, German, FA, Men’s Club, pipping Inter Milan, Women’s Club, Spanish, Women’s, League –, Norway Yashin, Aston Villa, Argentina Kopa, Real, Brazil Men’s Club, Year Manchester City Women’s Club Locations: Barcelona, Spain, Paris, Argentina, Qatar, Argentine, AFP, Australia, New Zealand, Barça, Spanish, Bellingham, Los, Madrid, El Clásico, Manchester, Istanbul, Bonmatí, Manchester City, Norway, Real Madrid, Brazil

☆ Luis Rubiales: FIFA bans Rubiales from ‘all football-related activities’ for three years after unwanted kiss on Jennifer Hermoso
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —FIFA, soccer’s world governing body, has banned Luis Rubiales – the former president of the Spanish Football Association (RFEF) – from all football-related activities for three years over his unwanted kiss on Spain’s Women’s World Cup-winning star player Jennifer Hermoso. In a statement released on Monday, FIFA said Rubiales’ actions during the medal ceremony at the Women’s World Cup final in August was in breach of article 13 of its disciplinary code. FIFA said the decision remained subject to a possible appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee. The fallout over Rubiales’ behaviour triggered a crisis in Spanish soccer and sparked condemnation in Spain and across the world. Following weeks of fierce criticism, Rubiales resigned last month as the country’s soccer president.

Persons: Luis Rubiales –, Jennifer Hermoso, Rubiales Organizations: CNN — FIFA, Spanish Football Association, FIFA, FIFA Appeal Locations: Spanish, Spain

☆ Jenni Hermoso scores the winner on triumphant Spain return after unwanted kiss
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( David Close | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Spain’s Jenni Hermoso scored a late winning goal on Friday in a glorious return to the national team following the unwanted kiss controversy that overshadowed La Roja’s World Cup win in August. Television broadcasts showed traveling Spanish fans jumping for joy as Hermoso was surrounded by her celebrating teammates. “When Italy sat deep, we needed someone like Jenni to step up with her shooting boots,” Spain’s head coach Montse Tomé said after the game. The fallout over Rubiales’ behavior triggered a crisis in Spanish soccer and sparked condemnation in Spain and across the world. Rubiales’ actions partly “ruined” the tournament and “derailed” Spain’s joyous celebrations, a senior official at soccer’s governing body FIFA said.

Persons: CNN — Spain’s Jenni Hermoso, “, Jenni, ”, Montse Tomé, We’ve, ” Hermoso, Tomé, Hermoso, Luis Rubiales, Rubiales, General Fatma Samoura, Darren Lewis Organizations: CNN, La, UEFA Women’s Nations League, Italy, Salerno . Television, Pachuca Femenil, Spain, Sweden, Spanish Football Federation, England, Spanish, FIFA Locations: Salerno, Italy, Switzerland, Sydney, Spanish, Spain, Africa, London

☆ Luis Rubiales’ unwanted kiss on Jennifer Hermoso ‘derailed’ joy of Spain’s Women’s World Cup success, says FIFA Secretary General
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Zayn Nabbi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —FIFA’s outgoing Secretary General Fatma Samoura said she was encouraged by the global support Jenni Hermoso received after Luis Rubiales’ unwanted kiss on her following Spain’s triumph in the Women’s World Cup final, saying the Spanish football federation president’s actions partly “ruined” the tournament and “derailed” the world champion’s joyous celebrations. Rubiales resigned from his roles as president of the Spanish Football Federation and one of UEFA's vice-presidents. I think we have to have 211 member associations deciding who’s the best for the FIFA president. Samoura shakes hands with Spain's Salma Paralluelo during the award ceremony following the 2023 Women's World Cup final. It takes 1,000 people to organize the World Cup, it takes even more to fight all forms of discrimination in the stadium,” said Samoura.

Persons: CNN —, General Fatma Samoura, Jenni Hermoso, Luis Rubiales, “, ” Samoura, Darren Lewis, Rubiales, Irina R, Hipolito, ”, Samoura, George Floyd, Catherine Ivill, Hermoso, Jorge Vilda, Jenni, you’ve, Shane Anthony SInclair, “ It’s, Gianni Infantino, ” Infantino, FairSquare, Lise Klaveness, Klaveness, Infantino, Spain's Salma Paralluelo, Alex Pantling, Sepp Blatter, Jérôme Valcke Organizations: CNN, Spanish, Spanish Football Federation, Europa Press, UN, FIFA, Samoura, Amnesty, Norway, organisation’s, FIFA Congress, “ Locations: Spanish, Africa, London, Spain, America, Russia, Qatar, Australia, New Zealand, Doha, Kigali

MADRID (AP) — With Jenni Hermoso back in the squad following the kiss controversy at the World Cup, Spain’s women’s players hope to start talking more about soccer than the off-the-field problems that marred their title celebrations. Olga Carmona, one of the team’s captains, said Tuesday the players are happy again on the national team and want to focus on securing a spot at the 2024 Paris Olympics. They joined the team anyway because Spanish sports law states that athletes are obligated to report to national teams. “The agreement takes us a lot closer to improving women’s soccer,” she said. Spain won 3-2 at Sweden and 5-0 against Switzerland in its first two matches after the World Cup.

Persons: —, Jenni Hermoso, Spain’s, Olga Carmona, ” Carmona, Hermoso, Luis Rubiales, Montse Tomé, “ Jenni, Carmona, ”, “, Rubiales, ___ Organizations: MADRID, Nations League, Italy, Hermoso, Tomé, Olympic, Women's Nations League, Switzerland, Paris Games, Spain Locations: Spain, Switzerland, Spanish, Sweden, Italy

MADRID (AP) — Two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas and two of her teammates in Spain’s women’s national team appeared before a judge Monday as witnesses in the investigation of former soccer federation president Luis Rubiales for his kiss on a player. Putellas, Irene Paredes and Misa Rodríguez all answered questions from the judge in Madrid. Rubiales eventually resigned and the players ended their boycott of the national team after being given some guarantees of change within the federation. According to a sexual consent law passed last year, Rubiales could face a fine or a prison sentence of one to four years if found guilty of sexual assault. The new law eliminated the difference between “sexual harassment” and “sexual assault,” sanctioning any unconsented sexual act.

Persons: Ballon d’Or, Alexia Putellas, Luis Rubiales, Putellas, Irene Paredes, Misa Rodríguez, Rodríguez, Paredes, Jenni Hermoso, Jorge Vilda, Vilda, Hermoso, Rubiales, ___ Organizations: MADRID, Spain’s Locations: Madrid, Spanish, Putellas, Barcelona, Australia

CNN —Former Spain women’s soccer coach Jorge Vilda, Spanish national team director Albert Luque, and Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) marketing director Rubén Rivera have been summoned to testify as suspects as part of the case against RFEF’s former president Luis Rubiales, Spain’s National Court announced on Wednesday. “The judge of the National Court Francisco de Jorge has summoned former women’s national team coach Jorge Vilda and men’s national team director, Albert Luque, and RFEF marketing director, Rubén Rivera, to testify as suspects in the case … on October 10,” the court said in a statement. Patricia Pérez, press manager of the women’s team and Miguel Garcia Caba, RFEF’s former director of integrity are set to testify on Thursday, according to the court. The naming of Vilda and the others as suspects comes as the Spain’s women’s national team looks to move on from the incident which marred its World Cup celebrations. However, despite being called up to the national team, many players had refused to participate until sweeping, structural changes were made by RFEF.

Persons: Jorge Vilda, Albert Luque, Rubén Rivera, Luis Rubiales, Jennifer Hermoso, Luque, Rivera, Francisco de Jorge, “, ”, Patricia Pérez, Miguel Garcia Caba, Caba, RFEF, Linnea Rheborg, Rubiales, de Jorge Organizations: CNN, Spain women’s, Spanish, Royal Spanish Football Federation, National, men’s, ” CNN, Women’s Nations League Locations: Rubiales, Spain, Sweden, Vilda, Switzerland

“The federation has worked to be able to talk to the players,” she said. “The Royal Spanish Football Federation has no right to deprive Spain of the women’s national team, even more so after having won the World Cup. Alexia Putellas controls the ball against Japan during the Women's World Cup. Of the 15 players who signed the letters, only three were in Spain’s World Cup squad: Mariona Caldentey, Aitana Bonmatí and Ona Batlle. However, now that Vilda and Rubiales have left their positions, RFEF hopes to kick-start a new chapter in women’s soccer.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Jennifer Hermoso, Montse Tomé’s, Jorge Vilda, RFEF, Athenea del Castillo, Misa Rodríguez, Olga Carmona, Teresa Abelleira –, Friday’s, Rodríguez, Tomé, ”, “ I’ve, We’ve, Montse Tomé, Rodrigo Jimenez, Hermoso –, –, Hermoso, Víctor Francos, Francos, “, Miquel Iceta, ” Iceta, Alexia Putellas, Marty Melville, Iker Casillas, ” AFE, Mariona, Aitana, Ona Batlle, Rubiales, Thomas Coex, Carla Vall Organizations: CNN, Spanish women’s, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Sweden, Athenea, UEFA Women’s Nations League, Cadena SER, Spanish, of Sport, country’s, Sport, Spain’s Law of Sport, ’, High, women’s, Japan, Getty, Women’s Nations, England, Federation, National Court Locations: Switzerland, Spain, Madrid, AFP, RFEF, Sweden, Spanish, Australia, New Zealand, women’s soccer

MADRID (AP) — The new coach of Spain’s women’s team included 15 of the World Cup-winning players in her squad on Monday even though they have not publicly announced an end to their boycott of the national team. Spain coach Montse Tomé said she talked to Hermoso and decided not to include her as a way to protect her. “I'm believe this was the best way to protect her.”The new coach, who was an assistant at the Women's World Cup to former coach Jorge Vilda, did not say whether it was Hermoso who asked not to be called up. They called for deep reforms and new leadership after Rubiales refused to resign for kissing Hermoso at the World Cup awards ceremony in Sydney. Tomé said she talked to the World Cup-winning players that she selected and expected them to report to training camp on Tuesday.

Persons: Spain’s, Jenni Hermoso, Luis Rubiales, Montse Tomé, Hermoso, Rubiales, Jenni, ” Tomé, “, Jorge Vilda, Ballon, Alexia Putellas, Tomé, Vilda, It's, Pedro Rocha, Rocha, ___ Organizations: MADRID, Spanish national, Nations League, Sweden Locations: Spain, Spanish, Sydney, Switzerland

☆ Spain’s Women’s Team Demands Full Reorganization of National Federation
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Rachel Chaundler | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Shortly before the roster was due to be announced for the Spanish women’s first international soccer match since their World Cup victory, the Royal Spanish Football Association postponed the event until further notice. It became clear why five minutes later, when Spain’s star players made public a list of demands for a top-to-bottom reorganization of the federation, Spain’s soccer governing body. The events came the same day as a restraining order was granted against Luis Rubiales, the former head of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the country’s governing body. Mr. Rubiales, who appeared in court Friday on charges of sexual assault against a star forward, Jennifer Hermoso, whom he forcibly kissed after the team won the World Cup in August, must stay 200 meters, or more than 650 feet, away from the player while the investigation continues. “We believe that it is time to fight to show that there is no place for these situations and practices in our football or our society, and that the structure needs to be changed,” the players’ statement said.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Rubiales, Jennifer Hermoso Organizations: Spanish women’s, Royal Spanish Football Association, Royal Spanish Football Federation

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Spain's World Cup-winning players are continuing their refusal to play for the women's national team, the country's soccer federation said Friday, just hours before new coach Montse Tomé was set to announce her first squad. Rubiales was first suspended by soccer governing body FIFA, then his interim replacement fired women’s national team coach Jorge Vilda, who was unpopular with players. But it appears that the players want more changes, even though they have not made their specific demands public. The federation — led by Rubiales — firmly backed Vilda, and only three of those players relented and were eventually included in the World Cup squad. In Vilda’s place, the federation hired Tomé, his former assistant, as the first female coach of Spain’s women’s team.

Persons: Montse Tomé, Tomé, Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Rubiales, Jorge Vilda, ”, Rubiales —, —, Spain’s, Alexia Putellas, Ballon, ” Alexia, ” Rubiales, Hermoso, ___ Organizations: women's, Nations League, Sweden, FIFA, Spain, Vilda, World Locations: BARCELONA, Spain, Switzerland, Sydney, Australia, New Zealand

MADRID (AP) — The players in Spain’s women’s soccer league have called off a strike after reaching a deal to increase minimum wage, the league and unions said Thursday. The first set of games was not played last weekend because of the strike, but the second block of matches will now go ahead as scheduled. The minimum salary for the women’s league until now was 16,000 euros ($17,100), compared to 182,000 euros ($195,000) for the men's league. The new deal will increase the minimum wage for the women's league to 21,000 euros ($22,500) this season, with that sum rising to 23,500 euros ($25,200) by 2025. Last season, of 334 players, 80 players made less than 20,000 euros ($21,400) per year, while the average salary was about 40,000 euros ($42,900), according to the league.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Rubiales, ___ Organizations: MADRID Locations: Spanish

CNN —Players competing in the top-tier of women’s football in Spain – Liga F – have called their strike off after reaching a minimum pay agreement, players’ union FUTPRO announced on Thursday. We cannot compare men’s football dimension with women’s football dimension,” Malabia told CNN Sport’s Amanda Davies. Spain won the Women's World Cup earlier this year. I believe the value of women’s football is so high,” he added. The 2023/24 Liga F season gets underway on Friday with Valencia hosting Real Madrid.

Persons: FUTPRO, ” FUTPRO, ”, Pedro Malabia Sanchis, ” Malabia, Amanda Davies, Catherine Ivill, Keka Vega, Malabia, Luis Rubiales, La Roja, Jennifer Hermoso, Rubiales Organizations: CNN — Players, Spain – Liga, –, Liga F, CNN, La Liga, Spanish Footballers ’ Association, Reuters, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Liga, Valencia, Real Madrid Locations: Spain, Jennifer Hermoso .

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — One day before Spain’s new women’s coach announces her first squad, the players who won the Women’s World Cup have yet to say if they are ready to come back to the team after rebelling against their disgraced former federation president. The federation firmly backed Vilda, and only three relented and were eventually included in this year's Women’s World Cup squad. In Vilda's place, the federation named his former assistant, Monste Tomé, to become the first female coach of Spain’s women’s team. Rafael del Amo, the head of women’s soccer at the federation, said this week that he is hopeful the players will come back. Spain, ranked second in the world, beat Sweden 2-1 in the Women's World Cup semifinals before edging England 1-0 in the final.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Rubiales, Jorge Vilda, ”, Alexia Putellas, Ballon, Rubiales —, —, Monste, Spain’s, Rafael del Amo, Amanda Gutiérrez, Gutiérrez, Hermoso, ___ Organizations: FIFA, Spain, Vilda, Cadena SER, Women’s Nations, England Locations: BARCELONA, Spain, Sydney, Australia, New Zealand, Rubiales, Madrid, Sweden

☆ Players in Spain’s Women’s League Call Off Strike
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Rachel Chaundler | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Players in Spain’s women’s soccer league have called off a strike that delayed the opening of the season after reaching an agreement with the league over minimum salaries, a rare moment of harmony in what has been an acrimonious period in Spanish soccer. The agreement, confirmed early Thursday, would raise the minimum salary for players in the league to 21,000 euros, or about $22,500, from 16,000 euros this season, a significant increase but still far short of what their male counterparts make. The minimum is scheduled to rise to €23,500 for the 2025-2026 season, with the potential for an even higher benchmark “if enough profits are obtained from commercial assets,” such as sponsorship, according to a statement from the unions representing the players. Spanish soccer is in the midst of a turbulent moment, touched off by an unwanted kiss by Luis Rubiales, the nation’s top soccer official at the time, on Jennifer Hermoso, one of the national team’s top players. The episode occurred last month after Spain’s 1-0 victory over England in the Women’s World Cup final in Sydney, Australia.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Jennifer Hermoso Organizations: England Locations: Spain’s, Sydney, Australia

CNN —Luis Rubiales, the former head of Spain’s soccer federation (RFEF), has been summoned to testify before a Spanish court on Friday as part of an investigation into his unwanted kiss on Jennifer Hermoso at the Women’s World Cup final. This comes after Spain’s National Court admitted a complaint by Spanish prosecutors against Rubiales for “the crimes of sexual assault and coercion” on Monday. That process also includes requesting videos of the kiss from various news outlets, as well as footage of Spain’s Women’s World Cup medal ceremony and locker room celebrations, a court spokesman told CNN. “Well, there’s been more than Rubiales’ resignation, there’s also been other changes, we have a new coach,” Carmona said. “Rubiales’ resignation is still very recent, it only happened last night, and so we have to discuss as a group and see what happens.”

Persons: CNN — Luis Rubiales, Jennifer Hermoso, Rubiales, ”, Luis Francisco de Jorge, LUIS MANUEL RUBIALES BÉJAR, Hermoso, Friday’s, Spain’s, –, Pedro Rocha, Jorge Vilda, Montse Tomé, Víctor Francos, Rocha, Olga Carmona, Vilda, “, there’s, ” Carmona Organizations: CNN, National Court, women’s, High Council of Sport, Nations League, Sweden Locations: Spain, Spanish, RFEF

☆ Spain’s Top Soccer Official Resigns Over Unwanted World Cup Kiss
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( Michael Wolgelenter | Rachel Chaundler | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The head of the Spanish soccer federation, Luis Rubiales, resigned on Sunday, weeks after kissing a member of Spain’s women’s team on the lips after the team won the World Cup last month, setting off a national scandal and drawing accusations of abusing his power and perpetuating sexism in the sport. In a statement posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, on Sunday, Mr. Rubiales said he had submitted his resignation as the federation’s president and as vice president of UEFA, European soccer’s governing body.vic“After the rapid suspension carried out by FIFA, plus the rest of proceedings open against me, it is evident that I will not be able to return to my position,” he wrote. “My daughters, my family and the people who love me have suffered the effects of persecution excessively, as well as many falsehoods, but it is also true that in the street, the truth is prevailing more every day.”Mr. Rubiales, 46, was largely unrepentant about his actions, but pressure had grown on him and the group he leads, known formally as the Royal Spanish Football Federation, and it became clear that his position was untenable as the outrage against him showed no signs of abating. Spanish prosecutors opened a sexual assault case on Friday after the player Jennifer Hermoso, who said she was made to feel “vulnerable” and a “victim of an attack” when he kissed her, filed a formal complaint, and there were signs of opposition to his continued presence at the top of Spanish soccer at every turn.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Spain’s, Rubiales, body.vic “, ”, “, Mr, Jennifer Hermoso Organizations: UEFA, FIFA, Royal Spanish Football Federation Locations: Spanish, European

☆ Luis Rubiales resigns as president of Spanish football federation following World Cup kiss scandal
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( Issy Ronald Homero De La Fuente Zoe Sottile Patrick Sung Laura Perez Maestro | Issy Ronald | Homero De La Fuente | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Luis Rubiales on Sunday resigned from his position as president of the Spanish soccer federation following weeks of fierce criticism over his unwanted kiss with Women’s World Cup winner Jennifer Hermoso. Among other things, because the powers that be will prevent my return.”The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) confirmed that Rubiales had presented his resignation as chief of the Spanish football association as well as vice president of UEFA. “The Royal Spanish Football Federation confirms that Luis M. Rubiales Béjar has presented his resignation tonight,” RFEF said in a statement. He was replaced by Montse Tomé, the first woman in Spanish national team history to hold the position. Public outcry to the unwanted kiss and Rubiales’ staunch defense of it has come from every sphere of Spanish society, including from politicians and sports stars.

Persons: CNN — Luis Rubiales, Jennifer Hermoso, Pedro Rocha, RFEF, ” Rubiales, “, ”, Rubiales, Luis M, Rubiales Béjar, ” RFEF, Pedro Rocha Junco, it’s, Hermoso, ’, Irene Montero, ” Yolanda Diaz, Spain’s, Jenni, Jorge Vilda, Vilda, Montse Tomé, Spain’s women’s, ” Hermoso, Rubiales “, Ángeles Organizations: CNN, UEFA, Spanish Football Federation, Spanish, Royal Spanish Football Federation, FIFA, Hermoso Locations: Spanish, “, Spain, ”, Rubiales, Motril, Grenada

☆ Coach of Spain’s Women’s Soccer Team Is Fired
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Rachel Chaundler | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Players have said they would not take the field for the national team unless changes were made on a managerial level. Last year, 15 star Spanish players staged a protest, refusing to play on the national team unless Mr. Vilda was fired. That rebellion drew a stern rebuke from the Spanish soccer federation, which backed Mr. Vilda. Mr. Rubiales backed Mr. Vilda at the time. In an interview with the Spanish newspaper El País in October 2022, Mr. Rubiales connected the success of the women’s team to Mr. Vilda’s coaching skills and dismissed the accusations of ill treatment.

Persons: Rubiales, Vilda, Spain’s, Jennifer Hermoso Organizations: FIFA, El País, Spain, England Locations: Spanish, Sydney, Australia

☆ Luis Rubiales: Complaints stack up against Spanish football chief -- and not just over his forcible kiss of a World Cup star
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Atika Shubert | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

A chauvinist act, by a president who is already plagued by corruption scandals and sexism,” he told CNN on Thursday. But when that didn’t assuage public anger, he doubled down in a widely-broadcast Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) meeting and defiantly refused to resign, to the applause of the mostly male audience. The uproar over the kiss, he told CNN, is just the beginning of a longer fight. “I was not surprised by that at all,” Juan Rubiales told El Mundo of the kiss. The person some of us knew privately but now the whole world can actually see him,” she told CNN.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Miguel Angel Galan, Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, ”, Spain’s, Hermoso, “, Manaure Quintero, Galan, – Angel Maria Villar, ” Galan, Juan Rubiales, ” Juan Rubiales, El Mundo, Beatriz Alvarez, Alvarez, ” Alvarez Organizations: CNN, Spain’s Football Federation, Spain, Galan, National Training Center of Football, Spanish, of Sport, Federation, Rubiales, Spanish Football Federation, Bloomberg, Getty, El Mundo, ” CNN, FIFA, La Liga, Football Federation Locations: Madrid, Spain, Spanish, Saudi Arabia

☆ Luis Rubiales: As under-fire soccer chief stands firm, women's soccer in Spain may be preparing for new beginnings
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Spain won the Women’s World Cup for the first time last month yet, just two weeks on, no one is talking about the success. In that intoxicating, finite pocket of time, Spain’s players had the freedom to lose themselves in the victory of their lives. The decades-long battle for equality in women’s soccer, and society, has a way to go but nothing changes in silence. But beyond the headlines, this is a story which symbolizes the problems within women’s soccer and society, of women not being respected or listened to. England women’s head coach Sarina Wiegman dedicated her UEFA Women’s Coach of the Year award to the Spanish national team.

Persons: wasn’t, “, ”, Luis Rubiales ’, Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso’s, Hermoso, Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Spain’s, ’, there’s, Ballon d’Or, Alexia Putellas, Maddie Meyer, –, Aitana Bonmatí, hasn’t, Jorge Vilda, England, Sarina Wiegman, ” Wiegman, Putellas Organizations: CNN, Spain, country’s, United, Human, Spain soccer, England, FIFA, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Spanish, soccer, TUDN, UEFA, Liga, “, Spanish national Locations: Spanish, Spain, Sydney, Eurasia, Rubiales

CNN —Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has praised the country’s women’s soccer team – and Spanish society itself – for taking a critical stance against Luis Rubiales for his unwanted kiss of World Cup winner Jennifer Hermoso. Speaking at an event in the city of Malaga in southern Spain on Saturday, Sanchez said he did not believe the scandal had damaged the Spanish brand abroad thanks to the Spanish women’s team. Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez with the women's team during a reception at Moncloa Palace. Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images‘Tip of the iceberg’Joining the debate was Vero Boquete, who captained Spain’s women’s national team at the 2015 Women’s World Cup. The soccer world has rallied behind Hermoso.

Persons: Pedro Sanchez, Luis Rubiales, Jennifer Hermoso, Rubiales –, –, Sanchez, “, ‘, ” Sanchez, …, Pablo Blazquez Dominguez, Vero Boquete, Spain’s, TAD, Rubiales, Sport Miquel Iceta, Hermoso, ” Hermoso, ”, Béjar Organizations: CNN, Spanish, Royal Spanish Football Federation, England, soccer team, Twitter, Moncloa, Getty, Spain’s women’s, Reuters, FIFA, of Culture, Sport, Anadolu Agency, Hermoso, Rubiales Locations: Spain, Malaga, Spain’s, Madrid

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