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☆ Carlos Alcaraz: World No. 2 suffers shock defeat to Russia’s Roman Safiullin at Paris Masters
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Ben Church | Patrick Sung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —He may have developed into one of the best players in the world, but Carlos Alcaraz is not immune to an off day. The reigning Wimbledon champion suffered a surprise defeat to Russia’s Roman Safiullin in the Paris Masters on Tuesday, the first time the 20-year-old has lost an opening round match at a tournament this year. There’s only one tournament left, but these losses hurt a lot.”Roman Safiullin produced a brilliant performance to peg back the world No. “For Carlos, it was not his best performance, but still I’m happy that I can win,” Safiullin said after the match. The Serb is set to start his Paris Masters campaign against Argentina’s Tomás Etcheverry on Wednesday as he looks to win his seventh title at the event.

Persons: Carlos Alcaraz, Alcaraz, “, ” Alcaraz, Safiullin, Stephanie Lecocq, Reuters Safiullin, Carlos, ” Safiullin, he’s, I’m, Grigor Dimitrov, Novak Djokovic, Argentina’s Tomás Etcheverry Organizations: CNN, Wimbledon, Paris, Reuters, Shanghai Masters, Paris Masters Locations: Switzerland

☆ 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

☆ Vinícius Jr.: Barcelona board member writes then deletes derogatory social media post about Real Madrid star
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( George Ramsay | Patrick Sung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —FC Barcelona coach Xavi said that he hopes Saturday’s El Clásico can be played with “mutual admiration” after a board member at the club deleted a derogatory social media post about Real Madrid forward Vinícius Jr. Neither Real Madrid nor Vinícius have publicly commented on the tweet. Vinícius testified earlier this month in a Spanish court about a racist incident which took place in the Mestalla Stadium when Madrid played Valencia. Footage and pictures widely posted on social media show a man performing monkey gestures towards Vinícius during the match. CNN has contacted Real Madrid and Vinícius for comment.

Persons: Xavi, Saturday’s El, ”, Vinícius Jr, Miquel Camps, Vinícius, Camps, “, Real, Raphinha, Kevin Langley, We’ve, Saturday’s, Sevilla, Rafael Yuste, Movistar, Yuste, Rodrygo, Florentino Pérez Organizations: CNN — FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Real Madrid’s Champions League, Sporting Braga, CNN, Los Blancos, Sevilla, Madrid, Valencia, Shakhtar Donetsk, La Liga, Real, Sevilla FC, ”, Shakhtar, Braga Locations: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Spain, Spanish, Arlington , Texas

CNN —Rafael Nadal says he’s not setting any “deadlines” for his long-anticipated return to tennis, with the Spaniard still recovering from a hip injury. “It’s going to depend on how I feel physically and tennis wise, when I can really test myself. Nadal says his recovery from the surgery is going well, but admitted the process hasn’t been easy. “I’m happier today sporting wise than a month-and-a-half ago. So I trust that in two months, I’ll be happier sporting wise than what I am today.

Persons: CNN — Rafael Nadal, he’s, ”, Craig Tiley, Nadal, Benito Pérez, Barbadillo, CNNE, ” Nadal, “ It’s, “, …, MANAN VATSYAYANA, I’ll Organizations: CNN, Getty Locations: Australian, AFP

☆ Joan Laporta: FC Barcelona president under investigation for bribery and other crimes, according to court document
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Matias Grez | Patrick Sung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta is officially being investigated as a “suspect” in the ongoing alleged improper payment scandal, according to court documents obtained by CNN – the latest twist in a scandal overshadowing the club and Spanish soccer. The investigation relates to alleged improper payments made by Barça to José María Enríquez Negreira, a former leading refereeing official in Spain. CNN has reached out to FC Barcelona for comment from Laporta but has yet to hear back. Laporta began his second term as club president in 2021. “As such, the statute of limitations of the crimes referred to previously has not expired in respect to [Laporta], as well as those people who were members of the Board of Directors of FC Barcelona respectively during his leadership,” Wednesday’s court document read.

Persons: Joan Laporta, ”, Barça, Judge Joaquín Aguirre López, Enríquez Negreira, Javier, Aguirre López, “, –, Judge Aguirre López, Negreira, invoiced, Blaugrana, Xavi, Caso, Juan Manuel Serrano Arce, Laporta’s, Laporta, Pau Mosquera Organizations: CNN — FC Barcelona, CNN, Spanish, 1st, FC Barcelona, Mundo Deportivo, Caso, Prosecutors, CTA, Osasuna, Barcelona, Estadio El Locations: Spain, Barcelona, Spanish, Estadio El Sadar

CNN —FC Barcelona and several of the soccer club’s current and former executives are officially being investigated as suspects for “the sustained crime of active bribery,” according to a court document obtained by CNN – the latest twist in an alleged improper payment scandal overshadowing Spanish soccer. The investigation relates to alleged improper payments made by Barcelona to José María Enríquez Negreira, a former leading refereeing official in Spain. The spokesperson declined to share more details about the search but said that no arrests are expected to be made. He added that in his opinion the payments “produced the desired effects on referees,” resulting in “consequent systemic corruption in … Spanish refereeing” affecting soccer in the country. CNN has reached out to Negreira via his company for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Persons: “, –, Javier Soriano, invoiced, Negreira, ” Judge Joaquín Aguirre López, Aguirre López, ”, Barça, Caso, Xavi, Juan Manuel Serrano Arce, Javier Tebas, Los Blancos, CNN’s Matt Foster Organizations: CNN — FC Barcelona, CNN, Spain’s Civil Guard, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Guardia Civil, An FC Barcelona, Caso, Spanish, AFP, Getty, Prosecutors, CTA, 1st, La Liga, Barcelona, Osasuna, Civil Guard, Real, Real Madrid, UEFA Locations: Barcelona, Spain, Guardia, Spanish, Real Madrid

☆ 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

“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

“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

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 .

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

CNN —Spain’s National Court has admitted the complaint made against former soccer chief Luis Rubiales for “the crimes of sexual assault and coercion” by Spanish prosecutors, according to a court press release issued on Monday. The admittance of the prosecutor’s complaint – part of the Spanish legal process – allows the court to begin gathering evidence, which could lead to possible charges against Rubiales, who resigned from his position as president of country’s soccer federation (RFEF) on Sunday. Jenni Hermoso filed an official complaint with Spanish prosecutors last week, which has now been accepted by the National Court. The unwanted kiss on Hermoso sparked condemnation in Spain and led to widespread calls for Rubiales to resign from his role as RFEF president. Jorge Vilda was fired as head coach of the Spanish women's team in a series of "regeneration" changes being made by RFEF.

Persons: CNN —, Luis Rubiales, “, ”, Jennifer Hermoso, Rubiales, El, Jenni Hermoso, ” Rubiales, Hermoso, –, Jorge Vilda, RFEF, Juan Manuel Serrano Arce, Pedro Rocha, Montse Tomé, Rocha, Víctor, Verónica Boquete, Vilda, ” Boquete Organizations: CNN, Diario AS, Vanguardia, Spanish, Hermoso, National Court, FIFA, Getty, High Council of Sport, Nations League, Sweden, Cadena COPE Locations: Spanish, ”, Spain, RFEF

☆ 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

CNN —Players competing in the top-tier of women’s football in Spain will go on strike for the opening two weeks of the new season after a pay dispute, players’ union FUTPRO announced on Thursday. The dispute between the five unions representing the players – including many of Spain’s World Cup-winning squad – and Liga F primarily came about because of a disagreement in the minimum salary for players and the wage gap which exists. The new Liga F season was scheduled to kick off this weekend, with the first game meant to be held on Friday night with Sevilla hosting UD Granadilla Tenerife. FIFA, soccer’s global governing body, suspended Rubiales for 90 days while disciplinary proceedings are underway. He was replaced by Montse Tomé, the first woman in Spanish national team history to hold the position.

Persons: FUTPRO, ”, ” FUTPRO, “, Luis Rubiales, La Roja, Jennifer Hermoso, Hermoso, Rubiales, TAD, Jorge Vilda, Montse Tomé Organizations: CNN — Players, –, Liga F, Liga, CPI, ” Liga, ”, Sevilla, UD Granadilla Tenerife, Rubiales, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Spanish, FIFA, women’s Locations: Spain, Rubiales, Spanish

CNN —Jorge Vilda has been sacked from his role as head coach of the Spanish women’s soccer team amid ongoing fallout from Luis Rubiales’ unwanted kiss on a player at the Women’s World Cup final. The move comes as part of a major shake-up in Spanish soccer ever since Rubiales, the president of the country’s soccer federation (RFEF), forcibly kissed forward Jennifer Hermoso. Rubiales has apologized for his actions and described the kiss as “mutual” – a claim Hermoso denied, saying she was not respected. The soccer chief has been handed a 90-day suspension by FIFA, soccer’s global governing body, while disciplinary proceedings are underway. In a statement announcing Vilda’s sacking, the RFEF said: “The coach was key to the notable growth of women’s football and leaves Spain as world champions and second in the FIFA rankings.

Persons: CNN — Jorge Vilda, Luis Rubiales, Jennifer Hermoso, Rubiales, Hermoso, Pedro Rocha, Jorge Vilda, “ RFEF Organizations: CNN, FIFA, Royal Spanish Football Federation Locations: Spanish, Spain

☆ Luis Rubiales: Spanish government faces setback in efforts to suspend soccer chief Rubiales after tribunal ruling
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Patrick Sung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The Spanish government has suffered a setback in its attempts to remove beleaguered soccer chief Luis Rubiales from his post over the unwanted kiss he gave to Spain star Jennifer Hermoso. This development comes as pressure continues to mount on Rubiales ever since he gave an unwanted kiss to Hermoso after Spain won the Women’s World Cup on August 20. Spain's Women's World Cup victory has been overshadowed by the case surrounding Luis Rubiales. Rubiales has admitted that he made a mistake kissing Hermoso but has claimed the act was consensual. Hermoso has insisted that she did not give her permission to be kissed and felt violated by Rubiales’ actions.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Jennifer Hermoso, TAD, Rubiales, Sport Miquel Iceta, Hermoso, Spain's, Catherine Ivill, Pedro Rocha, “ Organizations: CNN, of Culture, Sport, Spain, FIFA, government’s, of Sport, country’s, United Nations Locations: Spain, Spain’s, Spanish, United, Madrid

☆ 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

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