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☆ Luis Rubiales: Spain's government presses for suspension of soccer chief Luis Rubiales after unwanted kiss. What's next?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( George Ramsay Benjamin Brown Patrick Sung | George Ramsay | Benjamin Brown | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —The Spanish government has taken further steps toward suspending beleaguered soccer chief Luis Rubiales after submitting all necessary documentation to the country’s Court of Arbitration of Sport (TAD). The development comes as pressure continues to mount on Rubiales ever since he gave an unwanted kiss to soccer star Jennifer Hermoso after Spain won the World Cup final on August 20. A government statement released on Tuesday said that Rubiales displayed “unacceptable behavior” at the Women’s World Cup final and called his actions “very serious” violations of the country’s Law of Sport. On Monday, all 19 regional presidents called for Rubiales to resign while also offering unanimous support for Rocha, who stepped into the role following Rubiales’ suspension by FIFA. Along with mounting public pressure to resign, Rubiales also faces an investigation that could end in sexual aggression charges from Spanish prosecutors.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, TAD, Jennifer Hermoso, Rubiales, “, ”, Hermoso, Miquel Iceta, Iceta, Pedro Rocha, Rocha, Víctor Francos, ” Francos, ” Paloma Torres, ” Inés, Isabel Fuentes, Fuentes, Ángeles, Rubiales ’ Organizations: CNN, Spain, FIFA, Spanish, of Sport, country’s, England, ’, Rubiales, ” Locations: country’s, Madrid, Spain, Sydney, ”, Spanish, Rubiales, Motril

CNN —Jennifer Hermoso, Spain’s star player on the winning Women’s World Cup team, said Friday at no point did she consent to an unwanted kiss by the country’s soccer chief. “I can’t stand that my word is put into question and far less that words are invented that I didn’t speak,” Hermoso added. Luis Rubiales kisses Jennifer Hermoso during the medal ceremony of the FIFA Women's World Cup on August 20 in Sydney, Australia. Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images/FILEHermoso, along with teammates on Spain’s 2023 World Cup winning squad and other professional women soccer players, said Friday they would not play again for the country until Rubiales has been removed from his position. The national team players continued: “It fills us with sadness that an act, so unacceptable as this, is managing to tarnish the biggest sporting achievement in Spanish women’s football history.

Persons: Jennifer Hermoso, “, ”, Hermoso, Luis Rubiales, ” Rubiales, Rubiales Organizations: CNN, Royal Spanish Football Federation, FIFA, National Locations: Sydney, Australia, Eurasia, Spanish

☆ Luis Rubiales: Spain's RFEF president refuses to resign after fierce criticism for unwanted kiss on Jennifer Hermoso
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( Patrick Sung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Spanish soccer chief Luis Rubiales has refused to resign from his position as Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president following a week of fierce criticism after video showed him placing an unwanted kiss on a star player of Spain’s winning Women’s World Cup team. “It was a spontaneous kiss … It was spontaneous, mutual, euphoric and with consent, which is the key. This is the key to all of the criticism, of all of the campaign which has been mounted in this country: that it was without consent. She’s the one who picked me up in her arms and she pulled me into her body. While acknowledging he needed to apologize for his actions, Rubiales described calls for his resignation as a “witch hunt.”More to follow.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Spain’s, Rubiales, ” Rubiales, Jennifer Hermoso –, “, Pedro Sánchez, ”, ” Luis Rubiales, Jennifer Hermoso, Noe Llamas, Hermoso, TMJ, Jenni, ‘, ’, peck, excusing Organizations: CNN, Spanish, Royal Spanish Football Federation, La Roja, Spain’s, England, Spain’s Association of Professional Soccer, FIFA Locations: Spain, Sydney –, Spanish, “

☆ Alexia Putellas: World Cup winner says ‘FIFA should take note’ of issues in women’s football
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Matt Foster | Patrick Sung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Newly crowned Women’s World Cup winner Alexia Putellas spoke passionately after Sunday’s final victory over England about the need for FIFA to “take note” of the issues facing women in the sport. (From L to R) Alexia Putellas, Jennifer Hermoso and Irene Paredes celebrate with the trophy after winning the World Cup. The 2023 Women’s World Cup broke several viewing records throughout the competition and in a number of different countries. In his speech at the FIFA Women’s Football Convention in Sydney on Friday, FIFA president Gianni Infantino claimed over 2 billion people had tuned in to the competition, hailing it as a “truly transformational” event. Spain’s victory earned the country’s maiden Women’s World Cup title, having only qualified for the flagship event three times, and it now joins Germany as the only nations to win both a men’s and women’s World Cup.

Persons: Alexia Putellas, – Putellas, it’s, Ballon d’Or, ” Putellas, “, “ We’ve, Jennifer Hermoso, Irene Paredes, Saeed Khan, Jorge Vilda, Putellas, ”, Gianni Infantino Organizations: CNN, FIFA, Colombian, CNN Sport, Getty, Spain, England, US Soccer, Seven Network, OzTAM, FIFA Women’s Football Convention Locations: England, AFP, Canada, Jamaica, Australia, New Zealand, Barcelona, Sydney, Germany

Spain celebrate after defeating England in the final of the Women's World Cup. Rick Rycroft/APThe full-time whistle goes and Spain wins its first ever Women's World Cup, sending its players and fans into rapturous celebrations! Olga Carmona's goal proved the difference between the two teams and, although England rallied in the second half after Spain missed a penalty to double its lead, ultimately, the brave Lionesses could not find the back of the net. It could have been an even more comfortable win for Spain as England goalkeeper Mary Earps came up huge with several acrobatic saves throughout the match. Spain joins Germany as one of two nations in soccer history to win both a men's and women's World Cup.

Persons: Rick Rycroft, Olga Carmona's, Mary Earps Organizations: England, Spain Locations: Spain, England, Germany, Sydney

☆ Luis Rubiales: Spanish soccer chief faces criticism after giving World Cup winner Jennifer Hermoso a surprise kiss on the lips after she receives gold medal
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( John Sinnott Patrick Sung Matias Grez | John Sinnott | Patrick Sung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President Luis Rubiales is facing criticism for giving Spain midfielder Jennifer Hermoso a surprise kiss on the lips after the 33-year-old received her gold medal following the team’s Women’s World Cup final victory over England on Sunday. Video shows Rubiales embracing Hermoso, then putting both hands on her head before kissing her. Mark Baker/APAsked by Radio Marca about the incident with Hermoso, Rubiales replied: “The kiss with Jenni? After other members of Spain’s squad received their medals, video shows Rubiales kissing them on the cheeks as well as holding some of them in his arms. Another video clip shows Rubiales interrupting a group of Spanish players celebrating, before kissing Olga Carmona, who scored Spain’s winning goal in the 1-0 victory over England, on the cheek.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Jennifer Hermoso, Rubiales, Gianni Infantino, Letizia, Anthony Albanese, pats, Irati Vida, Mary Earps, Jennifer Hermoso's, Mark Baker, Jenni, Alberto Ortega, El Confidencial, “ Rubiales, Queen Leticia, ”, Ortega, Colin Millar, Millar, X, Hermoso, Olga Carmona, Spain’s, Salma Paralluelo, hadn’t Organizations: CNN, Royal Spanish Football Federation, England, Australian, Radio Marca, Daily, Spanish Locations: Spanish, Spain, Ibiza, Australia

England fans celebrate inside Stadium Australia during the semifinal after Alessia Russo's game-sealing goal. CNN/ Hilary WhitemanEngland fans may have been vastly outnumbered inside the stadium, but they made their voices heard in this semifinal. While plenty in gold and green looked glum, England supporters were singing and dancing as they watched their side reach its first ever World Cup final. CNN/ Hilary WhitemanFans of the Lionesses saw their side score three goals and they didn't shy away from celebrating them in style. Meanwhile, Australian fans looked stunned and deflated by the end.

Persons: Alessia, Hilary Whiteman England, Hilary Whiteman Organizations: England, Australia, CNN Locations: England, Sydney

Molly Darlington/ReutersAnother international football tournament, another case of Swedish heartbreak. Tuesday's semifinal exit to Spain marked the fourth time this has happened to the Blågult at this stage at World Cups. Add on the nation losing the 2003 World Cup final and two silver medals in the past two Olympic Games and Sweden has become the specialist in international tournament disappointment. "I'm so tired of crying championship tears," team captain Kosovare Asllani said in a post-game interview according to Reuters, wiping tears from her eyes throughout. It really sucks, we dreamed of a World Cup final.

Persons: Sweden's, Molly Darlington, Kosovare Asllani Organizations: Reuters, Olympic Games Locations: Spain, Sweden

A "spent" Steph Catley told reporters that the Matildas "put their heart, their soul, their body – everything into playing for this team in a game like that." Catley, who captained the team in superstar Sam Kerr's absence, added: "We've been in situations where we've been in extra-time plenty of times in our career at major tournaments... And I think, by now, we're in that perfect maturity level where we have that spark of youth that are almost too young to realize the gravity of the situation, but then we've got that maturity in the team where we've done it before and we know what it takes." Looking ahead to the rest of the World Cup, Catley said the team is taking it "one step at a time."

Persons: Steph Catley, Catley, Sam Kerr's, we've

Sophie Ralph/APLinda Caicedo signed for Real Madrid earlier this year and was already highly regarded before the Women's World Cup got underway. Caicedo scored twice and inspired Colombia to two victories in the group stage, including a famous win against two-time world champion Germany. It was a magical passage of play that underlined her potential to become one of the finest players in the women’s game. Born in Candelaria in the west of Colombia, Caicedo attributes her exciting, slightly unorthodox style to playing street soccer as a child. A key player for Colombia at this year's World Cup, Caicedo will be looking to be at her mesmerizing best against Jamaica to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.

Persons: Colombia's Linda Caicedo, Sophie Ralph, Linda Caicedo, Caicedo Organizations: Leichhardt Oval, Germany, Real Madrid, Colombian, América, América de Cali Locations: Sydney, Australia, Colombia, Germany, Candelaria, América de, Jamaica

England is the reigning European champion and one of the hot favorites to win this year's World Cup, but it's looked a little unsteady in the opening 21 minutes. It's failed to cope with Nigeria's intensity and is lucky to still be level. The African side, the clear underdog in this fight, looks unfazed and has enjoyed all the chances so far. Nigeria's Ashleigh Plumptre has already seen a shot crash off the crossbar and England goalkeeper Mary Earps has been very busy. Is another shock on the cards tonight?

Persons: it's, It's, Nigeria's Ashleigh Plumptre, Mary Earps Organizations: England Locations: England, European

Megan Rapinoe reacts to missing during the penalty kick shootout. The US soccer icon announced she would retire at the end of the 2023 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season, meaning this could be her final match for the US national team. Rapinoe came on as a second-half substitute against Sweden but failed to score her penalty in the shootout. "She’s going to leave a legacy and we’re going to continue to grow as feminine soccer players and I think it’s great." It was a sentiment echoed by fellow fan Tina Lordanou, who was watching from the same bar.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, Brad Smith, Rapinoe, I’ve, Gia Díaz, Tina Lordanou Organizations: USSF, Getty, Women’s Soccer League, US, Sweden Locations: New York

This truly has been a World Cup of upsets. Three countries ranked inside the top 10 have now been eliminated before the knockout stages as Germany makes an early exit alongside Canada and Brazil. Instead, South Africa, Morocco and Jamaica will all make their debuts in the final 16. Morocco was ranked a lowly 72nd in the world ahead of the tournament, the second-lowest behind Zambia at No. This World Cup has had some incredible drama so far and no doubt there will be more to come in the knockout stages.

Organizations: Zambia Locations: Germany, Canada, Brazil, South Africa, Morocco, Jamaica

United States' goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher (L) makes a save during the match against Portugal in Auckland on August 1. Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty ImagesThe US was a post width away from exiting the Women’s World Cup at the group stage, but survived a late scare to earn a goalless draw against Portugal and reach the last 16. Defeat for the US – a team aiming for a third consecutive world title – would have ended its participation in the tournament. It is the first time in the history of the competition that the US has won just one group stage match. This team gave everything, we just didn’t put the ball in the back of the net.

Persons: Alyssa Naeher, Saeed Khan, Ana Capeta, “, Alex Morgan, didn’t, ” Morgan Organizations: Portugal, Getty, US, FIFA Locations: United States, Auckland, AFP, Netherlands, Vietnam, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand

The only plus for Vietnam is that not many people are inside the Dunedin Stadium to watch it get thrashed by the Netherlands. There are a lot of empty seats around, but small pockets of Vietnamese fans are still trying to enjoy the experience. The clash was always going to be less glamorous than the other match between the USWNT and Portugal today, but it's no less important in terms of the tournament. The Dutch needed a big win to put pressure on the US and the Oranje is currently heading into the last 16 as group winner.

Organizations: Dunedin, Oranje Locations: Vietnam, Netherlands, Portugal

☆ Barcelona scrapes by Atlético Madrid 1-0 to remain in firm control of La Liga title race
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-23 | by ( Patrick Sung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —FC Barcelona scraped by Atlético Madrid 1-0 at the Camp Nou to extend its lead at the top of La Liga over eternal rival Real Madrid to 11 points. Ferrán Torres’ goal in the 44th minute made the difference, ensuring Atlético continued its 17-year winless drought – with 8 draws and 15 losses – at the Camp Nou. Antoine Griezmann was Atlético's main offensive threat, but he was thwarted by the crossbar and Marc-André ter Stegen twice. Just when Barça’s domination of possession in the first half seemed to be fruitless, the first goal materialized near the stroke of half-time. The win means Barcelona remains in firm control in the La Liga title race with eight matches remaining and an 11-point lead ahead of Real Madrid.

☆ LeBron James leads the Los Angeles Lakers to a 111-101 win and 2-1 series lead against the Memphis Grizzlies
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-23 | by ( Patrick Sung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James and center Anthony Davis had strong performances to help lead LA to a big 111-101 win over the Grizzlies in front of a sold-out crowd at Staples Center on Saturday to take a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven first round NBA Playoff series. Brooks was ejected from Game 3 for a flagrant 2 foul on LeBron James. Anthony Davis had a massive night, racking up 31 points, 17 rebounds and three blocks. Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/Getty ImagesAfter the game, James said that the game wasn’t about making a “statement” to Brooks and the rest of the Grizzlies. Sixers forward Tobias Harris led the way for Philly with 25 points and 12 rebounds in what is Brooklyn’s second straight first-round sweep.

☆ Real Madrid eases past Celta de Vigo 2-0 to put pressure on Barcelona
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-23 | by ( Patrick Sung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Real Madrid eased past Celta de Vigo 2-0 on Saturday in what was a relatively calm and assured performance for Los Blancos to cut Barcelona’s lead atop La Liga to eight points ahead of Atlético Madrid’s visit to the Camp Nou on Sunday. Vinícius Jr. proved a dangerous threat to Celta throughout the match, including getting his 17th assist of the season across all competitions. Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto/Getty ImagesThe 1-0 marked Asensio’s 11th goal of the season in all competitions and Vinícius’ 17th assist across all competitions. In the 48th minute, Asensio took a great corner into the area, where an on-rushing Militão powered a header into the bottom left corner for his fifth league goal of the season past a helpless Villar. Militão puts his powerful header into the bottom left corner of the net to make it 2-0.

CNN —The head doctor at Spanish football club Atlético Madrid has been called upon by the Vatican to treat Pope Francis’ knee injury. José María Villalón, a specialist in orthopedic surgery and traumatology, told Spanish radio station COPE that he was part of a group of specialists who traveled to treat Pope Francis. In an interview with Reuters in July, Pope Francis spoke about the injury for the first time, saying he had suffered “a small fracture” in the knee when he took a misstep while a ligament was inflamed. Villalón told COPE that Pope Francis is suffering from an “arthritic process which is affecting various joints.”He continued: “Sometimes, it starts in a joint with arthritis and other joints worsen because they carry more load than normal. CNN has reached out to the Vatican and Atlético for comment.

☆ Diego Maradona: How the 'Hand of God' and the 'Goal of the Century' redefined football
▼ + stars: | 2018-06-11 | by ( Marcela Mora Y Araujo For Cnn Video Patrick Sung | Marcela Mora Y Araujo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +19 min

With the scores between England and West Germany level at 2-2 in the 1966 World Cup final, striker Geoff Hurst's shot hit the crossbar and deflected downwards. With the scores between England and West Germany level at 2-2 in the 1966 World Cup final, striker Geoff Hurst's shot hit the crossbar and deflected downwards. STAFF/AFP/AFP/Getty Images Diego Maradona, 1986 — "The Hand of God" needs little introduction. BONGARTS/Getty Images Maradona followed that act of subterfuge with one of the greatest ever World Cup goals as England lost 2-1. Ian Walton/Getty Images Maradona is also venerated in Naples after leading Napoli to the Italian Serie A title in 1987 and 1990.

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