Spain's High Court on Wednesday upheld a verdict that found former soccer federation president Luis Rubiales guilty of sexual assault for an unsolicited kiss on the lips of national team player Jenni Hermoso at the 2023 World Cup in Sydney.
Luis Rubiales told a court on Tuesday that player Jenni Hermoso had given her consent for him kiss her in the aftermath of the Spain women's World Cup victory in 2023.
Spanish soccer star Jenni Hermoso has lodged a criminal complaint over the unsolicited kiss by football federation boss Luis Rubiales
Spain's soccer federation said it would take legal action to defend its president Luis Rubiales.
Sanchez said the federation was not part of the Spanish government, which lacked the power to appoint or fire the federation's president.
Spanish football federation chief Luis Rubiales quit his post on Sunday after three weeks of scandal over allegations he gave an unsolicited kiss to a player.
FIFA on Saturday suspended Spanish federation chief Luis Rubiales from all soccer-related activities
Spain's High Court has found former soccer federation boss Luis Rubiales guilty of sexual assault for kissing player Jenni Hermoso without her consent
Prosecutor Marta Durantez requested the trial be repeated, arguing that evidence and many of her questions were not admitted.
Rubiales has said it was consensual and scoffed at critics in the aftermath, but Hermoso said she felt a victim of aggression and had pressure put on her to sign a statement exonerating him, which she said she refused to do.
Prosecutor files complaint against Rubiales for sexual assault, coercion.
Regional leaders of the RFEF held a crisis meeting in Madrid on Thursday to discuss Rubiales's future and options for a potential successor, a source told Reuters.
All 23 of the World cup-winning squad including Jenni Hermoso, as well as 32 other squad members, said they would not play internationals while Luis Rubiales remains head of the Royal Spanish Football Federation.
A spokesperson for the prosecutor's office said the court had received several complaints but would launch a full inquiry only if Hermoso sought one. Hermoso has said she did not want to be kissed.
Portman said in a speech to the European Clubs' Association General Assembly on Thursday that other teams had in the past had to fight for equal pay.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Luis Rubiales "spoiled" the Spanish team's celebrations at the Women's World Cup by kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the lips.
Jenni Hermoso was kissed by Spanish soccer federation boss Luis Rubiales after Spain won the World Cup last Sunday, sparking calls for his resignation.
Asked again about the incident on Spain's COPE Radio station, Hermoso said: "I wish they created (controversy) involving someone else, I'm a world champion and that's what matters."
Spanish soccer boss' mother taken to hospital after hunger strike
The agreement follows the racist insults 22-year-old Vinicius suffered in a LaLiga match at Valencia
Jenni Hermoso, the player at the centre of the scandal after Rubiales grabbed her head and kissed her on her lips, sparking fury over sexist attitudes toward women footballers, on Monday accused the RFEF of trying to divide and manipulate the players.
The Spanish Government mistakenly honoured celebrity Ivana Icardi, sister of Argentinian footballer Mauro Icardi, instead of Women's World Cup winning captain Ivana Andres, with the country's Royal Order of Sports Merit, Spain's National Sports Council (CSD) confirmed on Wednesday.
Close to half of women soccer fans in England and Wales have personally experienced sexist or misogynistic abuse at matches but most have never reported it to authorities, a new study by anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out revealed on Wednesday.
Real Madrid star Vinicius racially attacked for 10th time this season.
The three-judge panel denied a request by Alves's lawyer Ines Guardiola for the trial to be suspended on the basis that he was not given enough time to prepare for his first police interview after his arrest and had suffered a parallel trial by media.
Norwegian Haaland beat his team mate Kevin De Bruyne and 2022 World Cup champion Lionel Messi after helping City win three major trophies, the Champions League, English Premier League and FA Cup.
Luis Rubiales' kiss of Jenni Hermoso triggered a torrent of allegations from other women in sport of predatory behaviour by men.
Lights go out at Rio's Christ the Redeemer in support of Vinicius Jr
Luis Enrique was sacked as Spain's coach on Thursday after the team's elimination in the last 16 at the World Cup.
'Our psychologists and physiotherapists are also at the disposition of the health service workers'
Brazil lived up to expectations by smashing Bolivia 5-1 at home in their 2026 World Cup qualifiers opener on Friday.
The Spanish football federation (RFEF) said on Twitter that the news conference would take place at the team's World Cup base in Krasnodar at 0930 GMT (1230 local time).
Coach Ernesto Valverde and midfielder Sergio Busquets were due to give a news conference before the training session but spoke to the media after training due to their late arrival.
The new head coach of Spain's national team needed to be a person of strong character, President of Spain's Football Federation Luis Rubiales said during a press conference.
A former midfielder for Sporting Gijon, Real Madrid and Barcelona, Luis Enrique won two Liga titles, one Champions League and three King's Cups as Barca coach between 2014 and 2017.
Last week, RFEF chief Luis Rubiales ruled out cancelling the current season saying the campaign would resume once the health crisis was under control.
Luis Enrique's new task is to rebuild a Spain team that ruled international football between 2008 and 2012 by winning successive European Championships and the 2010 World Cup but have been deeply disappointing at their last three international tournaments.
Moreno, who holds a degree from the University of Barcelona in trade and international relations, began working alongside Luis Enrique with Barcelona's B team in 2010 in the scouting department.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
'This is a structural measure with no time limit which will strengthen the commitment of the professional clubs and La Liga with Spanish sport.'
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