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☆ Griner receives WNBA Cares Community Assist Award
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

May 21, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner (42) reacts after scoring against the Chicago Sky in the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 27 (Reuters) - Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner has received the season-long WNBA Cares Community Assist Award in part for her continued work in championing the safe return of wrongful detainees overseas, the league said on Friday. Throughout the 2023 WNBA season, Griner, who was freed from a Russian penal colony in a high-profile prisoner exchange last year, worked with Bring Our Families Home, a campaign that helps spread awareness about wrongfully detained Americans. "I know the opportunity, privilege and responsibility I have to make a difference in the lives of others, and I'll always remain committed to that," Griner said in a WNBA news release. During the season, Griner and the Mercury also hosted families and friends of wrongful detainees at their games.

Persons: Rick Scuteri, Griner, Viktor Bout, Frank Pingue, Ken Ferris Organizations: Phoenix Mercury, Chicago Sky, Footprint Center, Mercury, Griner, BG, Phoenix Rescue, National Basketball Association, Russia, Thomson Locations: Phoenix , Arizona, USA, Russian, Phoenix, Moscow, Ukraine, Toronto

☆ The 16 most valuable global AI companies in sports, plus other takeaways from new data on VC investment in the sector
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Margaret Fleming | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

While generative AI startups are attracting more investment overall, 2023 could be a notably slow year for venture capital investment in sports AI following several years of activity, according to new data from PitchBook. The year could mark the lowest level of investment in the sector since 2018 when PitchBook tracked just under $200 million in VC activity. Both those years had 114 VC investments, compared to just 54 in 2023 through mid-October, PitchBook data shows. These are the top 16 highest-valued sports AI companies globally in 2023, according to PitchBook:1) SigmaStar — $4.55 billion. The Beijing-based computer vision technology company offers solutions in sports and health, evaluating movement in real-time, according to its website.

Persons: PitchBook, Hudl, STATSports, Creatz, Ligatech, Simplebet, Zepp Organizations: Yi Technology, WSC Sports, Cleveland Cavaliers, Kakao, Arsenal FC, US, National Soccer Team, Duke University, Kansas City Chiefs, Ligatech, Tempus, Francisco's Tempus, Chelsea FC, NFL, Sports, NBA, MLS, Premier League, AI Research Locations: deepfakes, Beijing, Israel, New York, Korean, Europe, Mexico, Lincoln , Nebraska, Northern Ireland, Shanghai, PitchBook, Los Angeles, China, Vancouver

Inter Miami was eliminated from playoff contention earlier this month. He and Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham have enormous followings in Asia, along with several endorsement deals in the region. This is the first international tour for Inter Miami, which is about to end its fourth MLS season. The team won the Leagues Cup this season, doing so shortly after Messi began playing for Inter Miami in July. That suggests this trip could be another major financial win for Inter Miami.

Persons: — Lionel Messi, Messi, Ballon, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Chris Henderson, Messi —, —, David Beckham, “, Xavier Asensi, hasn't, ___ Organizations: Inter Miami, Major League Soccer, Chinese Super League, Qingdao Hainiu, Chengdu Rongcheng, MLS, Inter, ” Inter Miami, men's, Rose, Argentina, Australia, Olympic, Beijing Games, Leagues, Beijing, Charlotte, Wednesday, Argentina's, World Locations: FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla, China, Qingdao, Chengdu, Argentina, California, Beijing, Asia

☆ US ready to prove they can beat top teams, says McKennie
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

NEW YORK, Oct 11 (Reuters) - The U.S. men's national team are ready to show they can beat the world's top teams, midfielder Weston McKennie said on Wednesday, as they prepare to face Germany in a home friendly. "We always compared ourselves in terms of, you know, we wanted to compete with top-level countries," McKennie told reporters. "We expect ourselves to win these games now instead of just competing with them." "It's a great opportunity to kind of see where we're at," said McKennie. They are hungry for a chance at redemption after exiting at the group stage for the second World Cup in a row.

Persons: Weston McKennie, McKennie, Amy Tennery, Ed Osmond Organizations: men's, Juventus, Ghana, Thomson Locations: Germany, East Hartford , Connecticut, U.S, Qatar, Nashville , Tennessee, Mexico, Philadelphia, New York

☆ Check out pitch deck slides from a startup that raised $11 million to sell smart basketball hoops that use AI to up your game
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Margaret Fleming | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Childhood friends Paul Anton and Lyth Saeed continued to play basketball together while going to college in different states by using Snapchat. It looks like a TV screen behind the hoop and lets players remotely form teams and compete in challenges. "It's more than just the basketball hoop," Saeed, who serves as the company's COO, told Insider. Anton said Atar supported the technology right away and gave Huupe its first $1 million check. Check out 5 key slides from Huupe's most recent pitch deck, which has been updated since their $8 million seed round:

Persons: Paul Anton, Lyth Saeed, Anton, Saeed, Shaquille O'Neal, Dyson Daniels, Thaddeus Young, Huupe, Jake Paul's, Audie Atar, Conor McGregor, Jozy Altidore, Atar, Young, That's Organizations: Huupe, Marvan Ventures, TRI Investments, Studios, Paradigm Sports Management, US Men's National, Ventures Locations: Miami

Underwood Archives/Getty Images Feinstein gets her makeup touched up for a photo shoot in San Francisco in 1955. Bettmann Archive/Getty Images Feinstein attends a campaign event for her mayoral run in San Francisco in 1971. Clem Albers/San Francisco Chronicle/Getty Images Feinstein attends a memorial service for assassinated Supervisor Harvey Milk in San Francisco in 1978. Roger Ressmeyer/CORBIS/VCG/Getty Images Feinstein speaks at the signing of an anti-gun bill at San Francisco City Hall in 1982. Douglas Graham/CQ Roll Call/Getty Images Feinstein greets first lady Hillary Clinton at the 2000 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles.

Persons: Washington CNN — Dianne Feinstein, Feinstein, Gavin Newsom, Newsom, NBC’s “, ”, Feinstein’s, Ramsay Hunt, I’m, “, ” Feinstein, Lindsey Graham, Amy Coney Barrett, Leah Millis, Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Sen, Dick Durbin, Kevin McCarthy, Chuck Schumer, “ Dianne Feinstein, ” Schumer, Sen, Dianne Feinstein, Joe Biden, Celeste Sloman, Dianne Emiel Goldman, George Moscone, Harvey Milk, Duke Downey, Clem Albers, Janet Fries, Quentin Kopp, Sal Veder, Richard Blum, Walter Mondale, Georges, Roger Ressmeyer, Steve Ringman, Tony Bennett, Jeff Reinking, Neal Ulevich, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Eric Risberg, Willie Brown, Cecil Williams, Dr, Martin Luther King Jr, Paul Sakuma, Kim Komenich, Mark Reinstein, Barbara Boxer, Alan Greth, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Carol Moseley, Braun, Doug Mills, Charles Tasnadi, Kathleen Brown, Bill Clinton, Dirck Halstead, Lisa Leslie, Gigi Goshko, Douglas Graham, Hillary Clinton, Clinton, Paul J, Richards, Orrin Hatch, Patrick J, Leahy, William H, Pryor Jr, Scott J, Ferrell, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Schwarzenegger, Tim Sloan, Rick Friedman, Condoleezza Rice, George W, Bush, Colin Powell, Chuck Kennedy, John Roberts, Mark Wilson, Eileen Mariano, Mariano, interning, Tom Williams, Carson, Jay L, Barack Obama, Ralf, Finn Hestoft, Hina Rabbani Khar, Brendan Smialowski, Jacquelyn Martin, AP Sen, Chuck Grassley, Christine Blasey Ford, Brett M, Kavanaugh, Ford, Donald Trump, Chip Somodevilla, Barrett, Bonnie Cash, Graham, Samuel Corum, Jonathan Ernst, Simone Biles, Larry Nassar, Aly Raisman, Maggie Nichols, McKayla Maroney, Bob Dole, Oliver Contreras, Kent Nishimura, Kevin Dietsch, Dianne Feinstein's, Moscone, Milk, CNN’s Dana Bash, Dan White, ‘ Dan, ’, Harvey, California’s, Bash, Richard Blumenthal, Bill Clark, Annette Bening, Donald Trump’s, South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham’s Organizations: Washington CNN, Senate, California Democratic, Democratic, Press, Democrats, Democratic Party, Capitol, Senate Intelligence, California Democrat, Capitol Hill, CNN, Golden State ”, Illinois, Republican, New York Times, Underwood Archives, Getty, San Francisco City Hall, San Francisco, of Supervisors, Bettmann, San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Ice Company, White, Steiner, Forbidden, Democratic National Convention, United States Senate, United, United States women's, team, Convention, Washington Post, Circuit, Images California, McClatchy, Tribune, Service, Supreme, California, Rancho, Pakistan's, AP, Committee, White House, Los Angeles Times, Stanford University, San, Supervisors, Administration Committee, federal, Inc, South Carolina Republican, Judiciary, Intelligence, Appropriations Locations: Washington, California, San Francisco, America, ” San Francisco, Washington , DC, DC, Forbidden City, Beijing, China, Feinstein , California, Los Angeles, United States, New York, AFP, Boston, Rancho Bernardo, San Diego, San Francisco , California, Maryland, San Francisco County, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut

☆ Spanish court includes former women's soccer coach Vilda in probe over Rubiales kiss
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MADRID, Sept 27 (Reuters) - The investigating judge at Spain's High Court has expanded the scope of a sexual assault probe over the allegedly non-consensual kiss on women's national team player Jenni Hermoso to include Jorge Vilda, the squad's former coach, the court said on Wednesday. Vilda was sacked by interim RFEF president Pedro Rocha 10 days after FIFA suspended Rubiales from his post. The coach was widely criticised for repeatedly applauding Rubiales during an emergency RFEF assembly in which the latter railed against "false feminism" and vowed not to resign. Spanish media reports have said Vilda allegedly pressured Hermoso to put out a statement exonerating Rubiales. After the controversial kiss, the RFEF issued a statement quoting Hermoso as saying the kiss was a "mutual, totally spontaneous gesture".

Persons: Jenni Hermoso, Jorge Vilda, Judge Francisco de Jorge, Luis Rubiales, Vilda, Pedro Rocha, Rubiales, De Jorge, Hermoso, Albert Luque, Ruben Rivera, Jorge, Inti Landauro, David Latona, William Maclean Organizations: Spain's, RFEF's, FIFA, England, Thomson Locations: MADRID, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Hermoso

☆ Liberty star Stewart named WNBA MVP
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sep 24, 2023; Brooklyn, New York, USA; New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) brings the ball up court in the fourth quarter against the Connecticut Sun during game one of the 2023 WNBA Playoffs at Barclays Center. "Stewie’s first season with the New York Liberty has been nothing short of historic on every level," Liberty General Manager Jonathan Kolb said in a statement. Alyssa Thomas, a forward for the Connecticut Sun, finished second in the voting in a close race while last year's MVP, Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson, finished third. Stewart, the Liberty's first MVP, arrived in Brooklyn this season as one of the most highly sought-after free agents following her prolific tenure in Seattle. The twice Finals MVP finished second in scoring and third in both rebounding and total blocks, with a career-best average of 23 points per game.

Persons: Breanna Stewart, Wendell Cruz, Jonathan Kolb, Alyssa Thomas, A'ja Wilson, Stewart, Amy Tennery, Toby Davis Organizations: New York Liberty, Connecticut Sun, Barclays Center, National Basketball Association, Brooklyn, Seattle Storm, WNBA, Liberty, Las Vegas Aces, Thomson Locations: Brooklyn , New York, USA, Brooklyn, Seattle, New York

☆ Bonmati scores twice as Spain outclass Switzerland with 5-0 win
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

CORDOBA, Spain, Sept 26 (Reuters) - Aitana Bonmati scored a brace to help World champions Spain thrash Switzerland 5-0 in a Nations League group game on Tuesday. Spain were playing their first game at home after winning the World Cup in Australia last month and following the furore caused by former Spanish Federation (RFEF) boss Luis Rubiales kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the lips at the medal ceremony. "We were looking forward to celebrating with the fans," Bonmati told TVE. Lucia Garcia and Putellas both had good early chances to open the scoring from close-range denied by Swiss goalkeeper Elvira Herzog. Reporting by Fernando Kallas Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Aitana Bonmati, Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Alexia Putellas, Irene Paredes, Bonmati, Lucia Garcia, Putellas, Elvira Herzog, Herzog, Caldentey, Garcia, Olga Carmona, Oroz, Fernando Kallas, Toby Davis Organizations: Spain, Nations League, Spanish Federation, Nuevo Arcangel, women's, TVE, Swiss, UEFA, League, Thomson Locations: CORDOBA, Spain, Switzerland, Australia, Cordoba, Paris, Sweden, Italy

Whether she was advocating for equal pay and racial justice or just scoring a rare goal off a corner kick, Megan Rapinoe was always unabashedly authentic during her soccer career. Rapinoe sobbed following the U.S. loss to Sweden at this summer's Women's World Cup, knowing it would be her final tournament with the national team. "I’ve just loved every moment of my career,” she said through tears at the World Cup last month in Australia. At the 2019 World Cup in France, Rapinoe scored six goals, including a penalty in the final against the Netherlands. Rapinoe led her team's long fight for equal pay with their men's national team, which started with an EEOC complaint back in 2016.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, Rapinoe, I’ve, ”, “ I’ll, Kelley O'Hara, There's, Christine Sinclair, “ I’ve, We’re, she’s, ” Sinclair, She’s, Ballon, Megan, Lynn Williams, Donald Trump’s, “ She’s, Jill Ellis, Colin Kaepernick, —, ” Rapinoe Organizations: Portland, Chicago's, Rapinoe, University of Portland, Pilots, Portland Pilots, FIFA, Ballon d'Or, national, U.S, Soccer, House, San Francisco 49ers, Sweden, soccer's Locations: Sweden, Australia, U.S, United States, South Africa, Seattle, Portland, Canada, France, Netherlands, New York City

☆ Spain women's national coach Tome acknowledges communication mistakes in team selection
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

GOTHENBORG, Sweden, Sept 21 (Reuters) - The new coach of Spain's women's national team coach on Thursday acknowledged "communication mistakes" after a standoff with players that followed a furore over former Spanish football federation president's allegedly unsolicited kiss on a player's lips. Montse Tome, speaking ahead of a match against Sweden in Gothenborg, was asked about players denying they had spoken to her ahead of the announcement of the squad for the match. She said there had been a misinterpretation of her words and that she only spoken with some players, not all. Tome also said had not heard players say they do not want her and her team as their coach. "I am confident in our work and want this situation to be resolved," Tome said.

Persons: Spain's, Montse Tome, Tome, David Latona, Charlie Devereux Organizations: Spanish, president's, Sweden, Thomson Locations: GOTHENBORG, Sweden, Gothenborg, Madrid

MADRID (AP) — Most of Spain's World Cup-winning players ended their boycott of the women's national team early Wednesday after the government intervened to help shape an agreement that was expected to lead to immediate structural changes at the country's soccer federation. Specific details of the changes agreed upon were not revealed following the hours-long meetings involving the government’s top sports official, players, Tomé and federation officials. Francos said that the names of the two players who decided to leave would be later revealed by the federation. On Monday, Tomé picked nearly half of the 39 players who said they would not play for the national team until their demands were met, including 15 World Cup-winning players. Not responding to a call-up by a national team can expose a player to fines or even being banned from playing for their clubs.

Persons: Montse Tomé, Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Víctor, ”, Pedro Rocha, Rubiales ’, Francos, “, ” Francos, Tomé, Jorge Vilda, Hermoso, ” Tomé, Rubiales, Vilda, ___ Organizations: MADRID, women's, Players, Sports, Higher Council for Sports, Nations League, Sweden Locations: Spanish, Australia, Spain, Switzerland

☆ Exclusive: Senior Spanish soccer officials to leave or be fired after uproar over World Cup kiss-source
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Pablo Garcia, a spokesman for the RFEF, did not immediately respond to a Reuters' request for comment. Spanish soccer has been in turmoil since Luis Rubiales, then the RFEF chief, kissed midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the World Cup presentation ceremony on Aug. 20. His actions outraged players, government officials and many in wider Spanish society and raised questions over sexism in sport. The RFEF said the word "female" would be removed from the women's national team's official brand to harmonise it with the men's squad. From now on, both will be known as "Spanish national football team".

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Bruna Casas, Pablo Garcia, Rafael Del Amo, Victor Francos, RFEF, Pedro Rocha, Aislinn Laing, Jon Boyle Organizations: Royal Spanish Football Federation, REUTERS, Bruna, Rights, Reuters, Spanish National Sports Council, Nation's League, Sweden, team's, Spanish national football team, Madrid, Thomson Locations: Sant, Barcelona, Spain, Rights MADRID, Valencia, Sweden, Gothenburg

Legendary golfer Gary Player thinks government and sports shouldn't mix, as the golf world goes through a major merger that has triggered antitrust concerns. He was an ambassador for Golf Saudi, an organization pushing to make the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia a more prominent force in the sport. Player also said he supports the proposed merger between Saudi-backed LIV Golf and the PGA Tour, which has drawn criticism and scrutiny from regulators and lawmakers, not to mention golfers. (Previously, Player has spoken out against players leaving the PGA Tour to join LIV Golf, saying it's for "guys that can't win one the regular tour any more.") Last week, a U.S. Senate subcommittee held its second hearing on the proposed merger.

Persons: Gary Player, We've, LIV Golf, Connecticut Sen, Richard Blumenthal Organizations: CNBC, Golf Saudi, Aramco, PGA Tour, U.S, Connecticut, Democratic, Saudi Public Investment Fund, soccer team Locations: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Saudi

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

☆ Scotland Women withdraw legal claim against Scottish FA over pay
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 14 (Reuters) - Scotland Women have withdrawn their legal claim against the Scottish FA (SFA) regarding equal pay and conditions compared to the men's team, the country's governing body said on Thursday. The Scottish women's national team began legal action in December last year, with captain Rachel Corsie saying there were a "significant number of examples" where players felt they were not provided with proper resources. They wanted equality on pay, which the SFA claimed was already the case, and resources including training facilities, hotels, travel, kits and medical and nutritional support. "The Scottish FA has made significant inroads in this regard and together we are on an evolutionary journey. The news comes hours after Spain's women's team called off a strike after reaching an agreement on minimum wages.

Persons: Rachel Corsie, Corsie, Spain's, Pearl Josephine Nazare, Ken Ferris Organizations: Scottish FA, SFA, Scottish women's national, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru

☆ Yamashita among first women referees for men's Asian Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Soccer Football - FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Round of 16 - Netherlands v South Africa - Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, Australia - August 6, 2023 Referee Yoshimi Yamashita during the match REUTERS/Carl Recine/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 14 (Reuters) - Japan's Yoshimi Yamashita is among five officials who will be the first women to referee matches at the men's Asian Cup next year, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced on Thursday. Yamashita also officiated at last year's men's World Cup in Qatar. Australian Katherine Jacewicz will also be among the referees for the tournament, while assistants include Japanese duo Makoto Bozono and Naomi Teshirogi and Kim Kyoung-min of South Korea. "For the first time ever, women match officials are poised to make their debut at Asia's most prestigious men's national team competition...," the AFC said in a statement. Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Yoshimi Yamashita, Carl Recine, Yamashita, Katherine Jacewicz, Makoto Bozono, Naomi Teshirogi, Kim Kyoung, Aadi Nair, Toby Davis Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Sydney Football Stadium, REUTERS, Asian Football Confederation, AFC, Asia's, men's, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Netherlands, South Africa, Sydney, Australia, Qatar, South Korea, China, Bengaluru

DUESSELDORF, Germany (AP) — Germany removed Hansi Flick as coach of the men's national soccer team on Sunday, one day after a 4-1 loss to Japan deepened the gloom around the squad ahead of hosting next year's European Championship. Political Cartoons View All 1148 ImagesFlick won the Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2020 and swapped the club for the German national team the following year. Germany captain Ilkay Gündogan backed Flick to remain after the Japan game but said the team sorely lacked cohesion and self-belief. The men's national team, four times a World Cup winner, has not made it to the quarterfinals in any of its last three major tournaments. The women's national team, a two-time World Cup winner, was eliminated in the World Cup group stage last month in one of the tournament's biggest-ever shocks.

Persons: Hansi Flick, Rudi Völler —, Germany hasn't, Bernd Neuendorf, Flick, Ilkay Gündogan, ” Gündogan, beIN, ”, Sandro Wagner, Hannes Wolf, Julian Nagelsmann, Thomas Tuchel Organizations: —, team, DFB, France, “, European, Champions League, Bayern Munich, German national, Bayern Locations: DUESSELDORF, Germany, — Germany, Japan, German, Dortmund, Wolfsburg, Qatar, Argentina, France, United States, Mexico

☆ Spain's soccer chief Luis Rubiales quits in kiss scandal
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( Graham Keeley | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Reuters reached out to Hermoso's representative for comment on Rubiales' resignation, and they did not return the telephone call. Hermoso, Spain's all-time top scorer with 51 goals, currently plays at Mexican top-tier side Pachuca, where she moved in June 2022 following her second spell at Barcelona. "The feminist country is advancing faster and faster," Spain's acting Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz posted on X after news of Rubiales' resignation. The Spanish Football Federation said in a statement that Rubiales had resigned as its president and also as a vice-president of UEFA. Although he stepped down as boss of the federation, Rubiales continued to defend his version of events.

Persons: Jennifer Hermoso, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Hannah, Luis Rubiales, Rubiales, Pedro Rocha, Jenni Hermoso, Hermoso, Yolanda Diaz, Jenni, Irene Montero, Pedro Rocha Junco, FUTPRO, Piers Morgan, Luis, Anita Kobylinska, Tommy Lund, Toby Davis, Frances Kerry, Aislinn Laing Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, England, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Spanish Football Federation, Sydney, High, Rubiales, Spain, UEFA, Twitter, Reuters, Pachuca, Barcelona, Labour, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Spain, Australia, Sydney, BARCELONA, Spanish, Gdansk

☆ Spanish prosecutors accuse Rubiales of sexual assault and coercion for kissing a player at World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Spanish state prosecutors have accused Luis Rubiales of sexual assault and coercion for kissing a player on the lips without her consent after the Women's World Cup final, the country's prosecutors' office said Friday. Prosecutors presented a case against Rubiales to Spain's National Court in Madrid two days after Hermoso formally accused him of sexual assault. The new law eliminated the difference between "sexual harassment" and "sexual assault," sanctioning any unconsented sexual act. Spain's women's players have said they won't play again for their nation until big changes are made in the federation. Rubiales, a former player and former head of Spain's biggest players' union, has run the federation since 2018.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Jorge Vilda, Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Prosecutors, Hermoso, Germain, Spain, Spain's, Saudi Arabia —, Cristiano Ronaldo —, women's Organizations: Spanish Royal Football Federation, Spain women's, football team's, La, Spain, England, National, Prosecutors, Pachuca, Paris Saint, Atletico Madrid, FIFA, Spain's, Liga, Spanish, Super, UEFA Locations: Spain, Madrid, Spanish, Sydney, Australia, Barcelona, Paris, Saudi Arabia, Portugal, Morocco

☆ Spain women's national team coach Vilda fired after kiss furore
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MADRID, Sept 5 (Reuters) - Spain's World Cup-winning women's team coach Jorge Vilda has been sacked, the country's football federation (RFEF) said on Tuesday 10 days after FIFA suspended its president for kissing national team player Jenni Hermoso on the mouth. "The coach has been key to the remarkable growth of women's football and leaves Spain as world champions and second in the FIFA rankings," the RFEF statement said. The furore involving Rubiales has quickly spiralled into a national debate over women's rights and sexist behaviour. Vilda and Luis de la Fuente, the men's national team manager, applauded Rubiales when he refused to resign on Aug. 25 but later issued statements condemning his behaviour. Spain's top 58 female players said they would not play for the national team under the existing leadership.

Persons: Jorge Vilda, Jenni Hermoso, Luis Rubiales, RFEF, Rubiales, Pedro Rocha, Rocha, Vilda, Danae Boronat, Spain's, ”, Luis de la Fuente, Fernando Kallas, Inti Landauro, Charlie Devereux, Christian Radnedge, Ken Ferris Organizations: FIFA, Reuters, Thomson Locations: MADRID, Spain, Spanish

MADRID (AP) — The Spanish soccer federation fired women’s national team coach Jorge Vilda on Tuesday, less than three weeks after his team won the Women’s World Cup title and amid the controversy involving suspended federation president Luis Rubiales. Fifteen players stepped away from the national team for their mental health, demanding a more professional environment. The players who left the team had signed a letter complaining about Vilda and the conditions for the national team. The women's team made it to only its third World Cup appearance in Australia and New Zealand. The president currently in charge of the Spanish soccer federation, Pedro Rocha, released a letter on Tuesday apologizing to the soccer world and to society in general for Rubiales’ behavior.

Persons: Jorge Vilda, Luis Rubiales, Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Vilda, Luis de la Fuente, ”, Spain’s, Rubiales ’, ” Vilda, Spain hadn’t, Roja, hadn't, Pedro Rocha, Rocha, — “, ” Rocha, ___ Organizations: MADRID, FIFA, eventual, women’s, — Locations: Spanish, Sydney, Madrid, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, United States

☆ Spanish women's soccer team coach Jorge Vilda fired after kiss furor
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Jennifer Hermoso of Spain is congratulated by head coach Jorge Vilda after the team's victory in the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Final match between Spain and England at Stadium Australia on August 20, 2023 in Sydney / Gadigal, Australia. Spain's football federation (RFEF) has sacked Jorge Vilda, the coach of its World Cup-winning women's team, the RFEF said on Tuesday, 10 days after FIFA suspended its president for kissing national team player Jenni Hermoso on the mouth. In a statement that did not mention Hermoso, Rubiales or the scandal, the RFEF thanked 42-year-old Vilda for his "extraordinary sporting legacy. The furore involving Rubiales has quickly spiraled into a national debate over women's rights and sexist behavior. Vilda and Luis de La Fuente, the men's national team manager, applauded Rubiales when he refused to resign on Aug. 25 but later issued statements condemning his behavior.

Persons: Jennifer Hermoso, Jorge Vilda, Jenni Hermoso, Luis Rubiales, Rubiales, Vilda, Danae Boronat, Spain's, Luis de La Fuente Organizations: FIFA, England, Australia Locations: Spain, New, Sydney, Gadigal, Australia

☆ Spanish government urges soccer boss suspension after mild court ruling
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Rubiales caused a storm when he kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain's victory in the women's World Cup 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". Spain's Olympic chief said on Friday Rubiales' actions were "inappropriate, unacceptable" and did not represent Spanish sport as a whole.

Persons: Pedro Sanchez, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Juan, TAD, Luis Rubiales, Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Letizia, Miquel Iceta, Hermoso, Luis de la Fuente, Jessica Jones, Fernado Kallas, Emma Pinedo, David Latona, Andrei Khalip, Frances Kerry, Peter Graff Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Spain's, Moncloa, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Sports Council, Administrative, El Mundo, Prosecutors, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Madrid, Spain, MADRID, Sydney

"It is the tip of the iceberg publicly of what we used to see privately," Veronica Boquete, who captained Spain at their first World Cup in 2015, told Reuters. In the case of football, the women's team's efforts to combat sexism and achieve parity with their male peers date back nearly a decade. Boquete led a mutiny seeking the resignation of coach Ignacio Quereda after a woeful performance at the 2015 World Cup, the only one his teams reached in nearly three decades. Quereda resigned in 2015 in a statement issued by the federation making no reference to the players' mutiny. Boronat, who interviewed Spain's leading female players for her book "Don't Call Them Girls, Call Them Footballers", said players accused Vilda of micromanaging, such as instructing senior players what to say in interviews.

Persons: Jennifer Hermoso, Jenni, Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Veronica Boquete, Boquete, Ignacio Quereda, Quereda, Roser Serra, Mar Prieto, Prieto, Jorge Vilda, Danae Boronat, Spain's, Vilda, Berta Collado, Enrique Cerezo, Carlota Planas, Planas, Boronat, Fernando Kallas, Charlie Devereux, Emma Pinedo, Aislinn Laing, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: Soccer Football, America, FC Barcelona, Estadio Azteca, Club America, FIFA, MADRID, Spanish, Spain, Reuters, Quereda, men's, Atletico Madrid, Unik Sports Management, Regional, Thomson Locations: Mexico City, Mexico, Spanish, Spain, Cerezo

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