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☆ FIFA Bars Former Spanish Soccer Chief for 3 Years
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Cassandra Vinograd | Tariq Panja | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Soccer’s global governing body on Monday barred Luis Rubiales, the former president of Spain’s soccer federation, from the sport for three years over his forcible kiss of a player after the Women’s World Cup final in August. It also led to accusations in the days that followed that Mr. Rubiales and others at the federation had pressured the player to say the kiss was consensual. Ms. Hermoso instead filed a criminal complaint of sexual assault, and Mr. Rubiales — who initially resisted calls to resign — was placed under a provisional 90-day suspension while FIFA, soccer’s governing body, investigated the episode. He quit as the head of Spain’s soccer federation less than a month after the final, under pressure from players who were refusing to take the field for the women’s national team. It did not provide further details on the findings but said that Mr. Rubiales could request them, at which point a so-called reasoned decision would be made public.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Rubiales, Jennifer Hermoso, Hermoso, Rubiales —, — Organizations: Mr, FIFA, women’s

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Five-time Olympic gold medalist Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner head up the USA Basketball Women’s National Team roster announced Thursday for a pair of November exhibition games and training camp in Atlanta. The national team will play the Tennessee Lady Vols on Nov. 5 in Knoxville and Duke on Nov. 12. The team will hold a training camp Nov. 7-9 in Atlanta as the U.S. women chase an eighth straight Olympic gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This roster features seven Olympians including two-time gold medalist Griner (2016 and 2021), Angel McCoughtry (2012 and 2016), Ariel Atkins (2021), Gray (2021 in 3-on-3), Kelsey Plum (2021 in 3-on-3) and Jackie Young (2021 in 3-on-3). Stephanie White, the 2023 WNBA Coach of the Year with Connecticut, will be at training camp and a court coach at Duke.

Persons: Diana Taurasi, Brittney, A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Chelsea Gray, Taurasi, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Sabrina Ionescu, Azurá Stevens, Griner, Angel McCoughtry, Ariel Atkins, Gray, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, Betnijah Laney, Plum, Ionescu, Dearica, Natasha Howard, Arike Ogunbowale, Cheryl Reeve, Mike Thibault, Curt Miller, Tanisha Wright, Stephanie White, ___ Organizations: USA Basketball Women’s, Team, Tennessee Lady Vols, Duke, USA Basketball, Paris Games, Las Vegas Aces, WNBA, Atkins, New York Liberty, Aces, Boston, Sparks, Minnesota Lynx, Mystics Locations: COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo, Atlanta, Knoxville, Sydney, Connecticut

☆ Sandro Tonali: Newcastle United and Italy midfielder banned for 10 months for violating betting regulations
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Newcastle United and Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali has been banned for 10 months for violating betting regulations, the president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Gabriele Gravina, said on Thursday. Tonali signed for Newcastle in the summer for a reported fee of $74 million, per Reuters. Tonali came on as a second-half substitute in Newcastle’s Champions League defeat to Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday. The decision comes just weeks after Juventus midfielder Nicolò Fagioli was handed a seven-month ban and fined €12,500 ($13,200) for also breaching betting rules. Tonali and his fellow Italy international teammate Nicolò Zaniolo withdrew from the national team squad earlier this month after their involvement in gambling investigations was released.

Persons: Sandro Tonali, Gabriele Gravina, “, ”, Gravina, Tonali, Eddie Howe, Reuters –, Nicolò Fagioli, Nicolò Zaniolo, Zaniolo, CNN’s Barbie Nadeau Organizations: CNN, Newcastle United, Italian Football Federation, Federal Prosecutor’s, Sky24, Newcastle, AC Milan, men’s, Newcastle’s Premier League, Crystal, BBC, FIFA, UEFA, Reuters, Serie, League, Newcastle’s Champions League, Borussia Dortmund, Wednesday, Juventus, Italy Locations: Italy, Italian

☆ Christine Sinclair: Record goalscorer announces retirement from international soccer
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Christine Sinclair, one of the most decorated soccer players of all time, has announced her retirement from the international game, effective at the end of the year. “You’ll learn Canadian women’s national team players were playing for $10 a day. “You will stand up to your federation to push forward on a landmark equal pay agreement for the national team. “Here I am preparing to tie the bow on an unbelievable international career shared with so many incredible teammates, coaches, support staff, fans and of course family. While Sinclair will be retiring from international football, the Portland Thorns star hints at an encore for her NWSL side.

Persons: Christine Sinclair, Sinclair, “, ” Sinclair, “ You’ll, Julie Ertz, Martin Bernetti, ” Organizations: CNN, Canadian, Globe, Olympic Games, Canadian national, women’s, Getty, ”, Brazil, Portland Thorns Locations: Vancouver, Canada, US, AFP, ” Canada, – Portland

☆ Pakistan coach says ‘I’ve not seen so many grown men cry in all my life’ after first-ever World Cup qualifying round win
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Stephen Constantine, the head coach of Pakistan’s men’s national football team, said he has “not seen so many grown men cry in all my life” after his side claimed its first-ever World Cup qualifying round win. Pakistan beat Cambodia 1-0 at Islamabad’s Jinnah Sports Stadium thanks to a 67th-minute goal from Harun Hamid. “It is an unbelievable atmosphere here, I’ve not seen so many grown men cry in all my life,” Constantine told the BBC. Pakistan is ranked 197th in the world and will now face matches against Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Jordan in the second round of qualifying, which begins in November. “We don’t have regular football; half of them have part-time jobs … and that makes the double result even more impressive.

Persons: Stephen Constantine, Pakistan’s, Harun Hamid, I’ve, ” Constantine, haven’t, “, I’m, Li shanze, Constantine, ” Organizations: CNN, football team, Pakistan, Islamabad’s Jinnah Sports, BBC, Saudi, Pakistan Football Federation, FIFA Locations: Cambodia, India, Nepal, Malawi, Sudan, Rwanda, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Jordan

☆ Patrick Mahomes: Super Bowl Champion, Olympic Gold Medalist?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Louise Radnofsky | Andrew Beaton | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The National Football League propelled the plucky upstart sport of flag football into the Olympics. Now organizers are opening up the door for the biggest NFL stars to play in the Games. The U.S. already has a men’s national flag football team that’s the best in the world. It’s also home to the planet’s best tackle football players, some of whom have already hinted that they are intrigued by the possibility of playing when its cousin sport arrives in Los Angeles in 2028.

Persons: It’s Organizations: National Football League, NFL, Games, U.S, football team Locations: Los Angeles

☆ England downs Italy, 3-1, and leaves Azzurri in danger of not qualifying for another major tournament
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —England came back to beat Italy on Tuesday to book its spot at Euro 2024 and leave the reigning champion’s hopes of qualifying hanging by a thread. The result enacted a modicum of revenge for England, which lost to Italy in the same stadium in the Euro 2020 final two years ago. However, the defeat leaves Italy’s hopes of qualifying in the balance with the Azzurri on 10 points after six games, three points behind Ukraine which has 13 points after seven games. For a four-time world champion and the reigning European champion, not making it to Germany would signal another major failure. Italy head coach Luciano Spalletti said he thought his side didn’t deserve Tuesday’s result with the way it played.

Persons: champion’s, Gianluca Scamacca, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Italy’s, Luciano Spalletti, Naomi Baker, ” Spalletti –, Roberto Mancini, –, Kane’s, Jude Bellingham, – Bellingham, Gareth Southgate, “, Jude, ” Southgate, ” Organizations: CNN, Italy, Wembley, Lions, Ukraine, C, Italian men’s, England, Reuters, Real Madrid, Blancos, “ Locations: England, Italy, Germany, North Macedonia, European, Bellingham

☆ Karim Benzema: French Interior Minister makes baseless claim about soccer star
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Ben Morse | Claudia Colliva | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Speaking to French outlet CNews on Monday, French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin accused Benzema of having connections to the Muslim Brotherhood, a religious and political group which France considers a terrorist organization. And in recent weeks, I’ve been particularly interested, Mr. Benzema is linked, we all know it, notoriously with the Muslim Brotherhood. The Muslim Brotherhood is a religious and political group founded on the belief that Islam is not simply a religion, but a way of life. The Muslim Brotherhood officially rejects the use of violent means to secure its goals. There is no evidence that the Muslim Brotherhood has any connection to Hamas’ attack on Israel.

Persons: CNN —, Ballon, Karim Benzema, Gérald Darmanin, Benzema, Darmanin, I’ve, ’, Gilles Kepel, ”, Sarah Meyssonnier, ” Benzema, “, Benzema’s Organizations: CNN, French, Muslim, French Interior Ministry, UEFA Champions League, Real Madrid, Saudi Pro League, Al, France’s men’s, Palestinian Health Ministry, Reuters, Twitter, Muslim Brotherhood Locations: Israel, France, Ittihad, Gaza, Paris, Palestinian

The retiring star was honored by club team OL Reign on Friday night in front of a National Women's Soccer League record crowd of 34,130 fans, many of whom wore pink wigs in her honor. Rapinoe had already played her final match with the U.S. national team last month in Chicago, but Friday marked her final regular-season home game for the Reign. The 38-year-old Rapinoe has played in 114 regular-season games for the Reign and scored 49 goals. “And she's really embraced her role with her full authentic self.”Rapinoe is also known for her social justice activism. She led the national team's long fight for equal pay with the men’s national team, which started with an EEOC complaint in 2016.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, “, ”, Sue Bird, Rapinoe, Lumen, Lauren Barnes, Abby Wambach, Ken Griffey Jr, Magic Johnson, Billie Jean King, isn't, —, Ballon, Jessica Berman, ” Berman, Colin Kaepernick Organizations: SEATTLE, Women's Soccer League, Washington, U.S ., Chicago Red Stars, Orlando Pride, FIFA, men’s, U.S, Soccer, NFL Locations: Chicago, Australia, New Zealand, France, Netherlands, U.S

“I will play in the Olympics next year,” Durant adamantly said at Phoenix’s media day. Hopefully this will help remind him.”Durant could join six women, all of them Americans, with four Olympic basketball golds. It’s been reasonable to think that USA Basketball will have plenty of experienced options to choose from next year. That pushes the list of realistic candidates for USA Basketball to choose from to about 40 names, at minimum. “I think anytime you’re asked to play for USA Basketball, it’s really hard to say no,” Miami forward and Olympic gold medalist Kevin Love said.

Persons: Kevin Durant, Durant —, —, Durant, ” Durant, Bam Adebayo, he’s, DeMar DeRozan, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Jaylen Brown, Donovan Mitchell, Khris Middleton, Julius Randle, Zach LaVine, Aaron Gordon, Fred VanVleet, Brook Lopez, Irving, Draymond Green, ”, LeBron James, he's, Joel Embiid, ” Embiid, “, I’m, that’s, Zion Williamson, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Kyle Kuzma, Jimmy Butler, Anthony Davis, ” Brown, Grant Hill, Sean Ford, Steve Kerr, I’ve, Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Teresa Edwards, Lisa Leslie, Tamika Catchings, Sylvia Fowles, Stephen Curry, Atlanta’s Trae Young, you’re, ” Young, It’s, — Durant, Chris Paul, Green, James, it’s, Kevin Love, Brian Mahoney, Dan Gelston, Greg Beacham, Andrew Seligman, Kristie Rieken, Teresa M, Walker, Noah Trister, Brett Martel, Steve Megargee, Kyle Hightower, Beth Harris, Tom Withers, Charles Odum, David Brandt, Pat Graham, ___ Organizations: Olympics, U.S, Dallas, Los Angeles Lakers, Paris Games, USA Basketball, FIBA, World, Team, USA, Paris, men’s, Golden State, Olympic, NBA, AP Sports Locations: France, Cameroon, Paris, Milwaukee, Miami

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

☆ Christiane Endler: Chile’s football federation criticized for handling of star player’s 100th appearance
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —The Chilean football federation (ANFP) has been criticized for its handling of a star player’s 100th appearance for the women’s national team. On Tuesday, Endler, the team’s captain and goalkeeper, made history by becoming the first player to reach 100 caps for the Chile women’s national team in a 2-1 victory over New Zealand. One more for you guys,” Chile national team player Daniela Pardo replied to the graphic on Instagram. Endler captained Chile at its first ever Women's World Cup in 2019. That she has been able to achieve so much is remarkable, coming from a country whose federation has sometimes overlooked its women’s national team.

Persons: Christiane Endler, Endler, “, Edgar Merino, Pablo Milad, ” Milad, Justin Tallis, Tiane, Daniela Pardo, Claudio Bravo, Endler hasn’t, Michael Chow, ” Endler, Germain, Harold Cunningham, FIFPro, Gabriel Boric, ” Camila Garcia, ” Organizations: CNN, Chilean, women’s, Chile women’s, New, New Zealand, Lyon, Women's Champions League, Getty, Chile’s Sports Commission, La Tercera, Chile national, Chile men’s, South, Estadio Nacional, Argentina, Santiago’s, USA, Network, Reuters, ADN, FIFA, Paris Saint, Champions League, America Femenina, Ministry, Labour Locations: Chile, New Zealand, France, La, South American, Santiago’s La Florida, La Florida, Paris, Lyon, Chilean, Haiti

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

☆ Megan Rapinoe to leave behind a remarkable legacy after final US game
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Rapinoe won the Women's World Cup twice, most recently in 2019. She continued to do so for the US national team, a symbol not appreciated by everyone in the country. But, despite all the success that went before, her World Cup dreams ended in a penalty shootout heartbreak. There was to be no perfect ending for Rapinoe as the US was dumped out of the 2023 Women's World Cup last-16. A smile of disbelief masked the pain as she trudged off the pitch, never to play in a World Cup again.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, she’s, ” Rapinoe, Féminin, Rapinoe, Richard Heathcote, Bill Simmons, Colin Kaepernick, Donald Trump, she’d, Joe Biden, “, Biden, Emma Lazarus, ‘, ’ ” Joe Biden, Kevin Lamarque, ”, “ We’ve, I’m, Alex Pantling, ’, Kelley O’Hara, “ There’s Organizations: CNN, US, National, South, London Olympics, Getty, France, Seattle, NFL, White House, Reuters, US Soccer, men’s, FIFA, Fox Sports Locations: California, South Africa, Chicago, United States, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden

CHICAGO (AP) — Megan Rapinoe got a triumphant send-off, and the United States beat South Africa 2-0 on Sunday. The 38-year-old Rapinoe was presented a framed jersey representing her 203 games with the United States prior to the win, and she raised her arms as the crowd roared. Rapinoe let them flow following the U.S. loss to Sweden at this summer’s Women’s World Cup, knowing it would be her last tournament with the national team. She entered her final match for the United States with 63 goals, including two directly from corner kicks at the Olympics. At the 2019 World Cup in France, she scored six goals and took home the Golden Ball as top player.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, Trinity Rodman, Emily Sonnett, Rodman, Alex Morgan, Rapinoe, Sonnett, she's, Sue Bird, Joe Biden, Colin Kaepernick, ___ Organizations: CHICAGO, South Africa, U.S, United, Portland Thorns, men’s, San Francisco 49ers, Soccer Locations: United States, South, Sweden, Seattle, France

☆ US Women’s National Team victorious in Megan Rapinoe’s final match
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( Jacob Lev | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —International soccer star Megan Rapinoe will leave her national team career a winner. The United States Women’s National Team defeated South Africa 2-0 in a friendly at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sunday as Rapinoe played her final match with the team. Before kickoff, Rapinoe was recognized with a jersey bearing “203” for her number of appearances for the national team. US forward Megan Rapinoe played the final match of her international career on Sunday. While celebrating with teammates, Rapinoe did her iconic celebration, arms widely outstretched, to the crowd’s delight.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, Rapinoe, Sue Bird, Trinity Rodman, Erin Hooley, Emily Sonnett, ” Rapinoe, ”, “ It’s, Féminin Organizations: CNN — International, United, United States Women’s National Team, South, Soldier, WNBA, Trinity, AP, US Soccer Federation, London Olympics Locations: United States, South Africa, Chicago, California

☆ Alexia Putellas and Irene Paredes speak out on ‘systemic discrimination’ in Spanish soccer ahead of first match since Women’s World Cup win
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Jacob Lev | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Ahead of the Spanish national soccer team’s first match since winning the Women’s World Cup last month and the fallout from ex-soccer boss Luis Rubiales’ unwanted kiss on La Roja player Jennifer Hermoso, star players Alexia Putellas and Irene Paredes spoke out on “systemic discrimination” within the country’s federation. Earlier this week, a dispute between the Spanish women’s soccer team and the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) appeared to have reached a breakthrough after the two parties, along with the government’s High Council of Sport (CSD), came to a series of agreements. Having previously refused to represent the national team, 21 of the 23 players selected in the squad for the upcoming matches agreed to play and traveled to Sweden. Paredes celebrates with her Women's World Cup winners' medal after Spain's victory against England. Rubiales himself testified on September 15 and, according to Spanish prosecutors, denied all charges.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, La, Jennifer Hermoso, Alexia Putellas, Irene Paredes, d’Or, Putellas, “, ”, Paredes, Marc Atkins, Jorge Vilda, Montse Tomé, Tomé, ” Tomé, hasn’t, ” RFEF, General Andreu Camps, Rubiales, Mapi León, Patricia Guijarro, Francisco de Jorge Organizations: CNN, Spanish, soccer team’s, Reuters, soccer, Royal Spanish Football Federation, government’s, of Sport, England, UEFA Women’s Nations League, RFEF, men’s, Spanish National Football Team, Barcelona Locations: Sweden, Barcelona, Spain, Gothenburg

BERLIN (AP) — Germany hired Julian Nagelsmann to lead the men’s national soccer team on Friday, entrusting the former Bayern Munich coach with doing a better job than the last Bayern Munich coach who tried. Political Cartoons View All 1173 ImagesNagelsmann previously took over from Flick when he became Bayern coach in 2021 with Flick leaving to coach the national team. Germany national team sporting director Rudi Völler took over as interim coach and oversaw a morale-boosting 2-1 win over France in its next game. Völler, who was Germany coach from 2000-04, had made clear he only ever wanted to take over again on a temporary basis. Before coaching Bayern, Nagelsmann enjoyed success in charge of Leipzig and Hoffenheim, where he became the youngest coach in the Bundesliga in 2016.

Persons: —, Julian Nagelsmann, Nagelsmann, Otto Nerz, Hansi Flick, Flick, wasn’t, Joachim “ Jogi, Löw, Rudi Völler, Lothar Matthäus, Stefan Effenberg, Michael Ballack, Louis van Gaal, ___ Organizations: BERLIN, Bayern Munich, ”, Bayern, Bayern —, Germany, France, Hoffenheim, Bundesliga Locations: — Germany, German, Germany, Japan, Bavarian, United States, East Hartford , Connecticut, Mexico, Philadelphia, Austria, Vienna, Leipzig

☆ Julie Ertz to play in final US women’s national team match against South Africa
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Amy Woodyatt | Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

ET Thursday will see the two-time Women’s World Cup winner and two-time Olympian earn her 123rd and final cap for the US. She announced her retirement last month, adding that she made the decision “with immense emotion and processing.”Ertz controls the ball against Sweden in what would be her final Women's World Cup match. Jenna Watson/USA TODAY Sports/ReutersErtz, 31, was an integral member of the US teams which won the Women’s World Cup in 2015 and 2019. She represented the US women’s team on 122 occasions, losing just five matches and scoring 20 goals during her 10-year international career. Ertz, pictured as the US celebrates its victory over the Netherlands at the 2019 Women's World Cup final, was an integral member of the US teams which won women's soccer's showpiece event in 2015 and 2019.

Persons: Julie Ertz, Jenna Watson, Reuters Ertz, Richard Heathcote, Ertz, “ There’s, Momma can’t, Momma, ” Ertz, Madden, Twila Kilgore, Ertz’s Organizations: CNN, US, National, TQL, Sweden, USA, Reuters, Getty, Chicago Red Stars, US Soccer, National Women’s Soccer League, Angel City, Interim, “ Locations: South Africa, Cincinnati, Netherlands, Angel, Australia, New Zealand, Interim US

☆ Spanish women’s players agree to end national team boycott after striking deal with federation and Spain government
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( George Ramsay | Patrick Sung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Earlier this week, 20 players named to the national team squad reiterated their refusal to play in two upcoming UEFA Women’s Nations League fixtures, including against Sweden on Friday. A Mixed Commission featuring representatives for the players, RFEF and CSD will also be created to implement further changes in the future. How we got hereWednesday’s announcement is the latest development in a long-running saga between the Spanish women’s team players, who won a first Women’s World Cup title last month, and RFEF. Spanish midfielder Alexia Putellas runs with the ball against Japan at the Women's World Cup. Marty Melville/AFP/Getty ImagesOf the 15 players who signed the letters, only three were in Spain’s World Cup squad: Mariona Caldentey, Aitana Bonmatí and Ona Batlle.

Persons: Víctor Francos, Mapi León, Patricia Guijarro, ” Francos, ”, …, we’ve, ” Amanda Gutiérrez, FUTPRO, Montse Tomé, Jorge Vilda, Rafael del Amo, Tomé, del Amo, “, ” Tomé, León, it’s, “ We’ve, Guijarro, you’re, Luis Rubiales, Jennifer Hermoso, Rubiales, Alexia Putellas, Marty Melville, Mariona, Aitana, Ona Batlle, RFEF Organizations: CNN, Spanish, soccer, Royal Spanish Football Federation, government’s, of Sport, UEFA Women’s Nations League, Sweden, Barcelona, women’s, RFEF, Guijarro, World, Spanish women’s, Japan, England, Federation Locations: Sweden, Switzerland, Spanish, Sydney, AFP, Australia, New Zealand, women’s soccer

☆ Spain Women’s Soccer Team Agrees to Play After Talks
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Rachel Chaundler | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Nearly a month after Spain’s World Cup-winning women’s national soccer team was thrown into turmoil over a forcible kiss, the players have agreed to come back and play their scheduled high-profile matches in the coming days. The players’ participation had been in doubt after many of them demanded an overhaul of Spain’s soccer federation to guarantee a “safe place where women are respected.” In addition to the furor over the kiss, by Spain’s top soccer official, Luis Rubiales, after the team’s World Cup victory in Australia on Aug. 20, the players had voiced longstanding complaints of sexism and of unequal treatment compared with their male counterparts. Mr. Rubiales has since stepped down over the episode, and the team’s coach, Jorge Vilda, was fired amid complaints of outdated training methods and controlling behavior. But the players continue to push for more changes within the federation as well as demands like equal pay and better-quality sports facilities. On Wednesday morning, after a meeting of players, government officials and soccer federation bosses that went on through the night, the president of the state-run National Sports Council said that 21 of the 23 players on the roster for U.E.F.A.’s Nations League matches against Sweden and Switzerland over the coming week had agreed to play.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Rubiales, Jorge Vilda Organizations: soccer, Spain’s, Sports Council, U.E.F.A, Nations League, Sweden Locations: Australia, 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

☆ Jennifer Hermoso Excluded From Spain’s Game Roster
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Rachel Chaundler | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Spain unveiled its roster on Monday for the first two matches of the women’s national team since the team’s World Cup win — and a postgame kiss that plunged women’s soccer into turmoil. Many of the players chosen to play for Spain, however, have made it clear that they are unwilling to take the field unless management changes are made at the soccer federation, and the announcement and the outraged response from many of the players highlighted the uncertainty and mistrust pervading the program. Only eight of the World Cup winners were left off Monday’s roster, including three who are injured, one who has retired — and Jennifer Hermoso, the star player who was forcibly kissed by the man who was Spain’s top soccer executive at the time. “We are with Jenni. We believe it’s the best way to protect her,” said the new coach, Montse Tomé, at a Royal Spanish Football Federation news conference, when she was asked why Ms. Hermoso had not been chosen to play in the UEFA Nations League, which is the qualifier for European teams in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Persons: Jennifer Hermoso, Jenni, ”, Montse Tomé, Hermoso Organizations: women’s, Spain, Royal Spanish Football Federation, UEFA Nations League, Olympic Games Locations: Spain

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

“We wish to end this statement expressing that the players of the Spanish women’s national team are professional players, and what most fills us with pride is putting on the shirt of the national team and always taking our country to the highest places. World players’ union FIFPRO posted on X in support of the players’ decision saying, “FIFPRO fully supports the Spain Women’s National Team in their united call for change. The identical letters said that “the situation” within the Spanish national team – about which RFEF was “aware” – had been affecting the players’ “emotional state” and health. Of the 15 players who signed the letters, only three were in Spain’s World Cup squad: Mariona Caldentey, Aitana Bonmatí and Ona Batlle. Despite their youth and relative inexperience, the Spanish players produced an impressive performance Down Under.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Jennifer Hermoso, Rubiales, RFEF, d’Or Féminin, Alexia Putellas, “, FIFPRO, Pau Gasol, –, Hermoso, Pedro Rocha, Jorge Vilda, Montse Tomé, Rocha, Víctor, Tomé, Thomas Coex, ” –, Mariona, Aitana, Ona Batlle, Amanda Perobelli, Spain’s Organizations: CNN, Women’s Nations League, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Spanish women’s, “, Spain Women’s National Team, High Council of Sport, Sweden, Getty, Spanish, Reuters, Vilda Locations: Spanish, Spain, “, RFEF, Switzerland, Madrid, AFP, Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands, Sweden, women’s

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