Latest news with #SpanishFootball
CNN
2 days ago
- Sport
- CNN
Spain's High Court upholds conviction of ex-soccer chief Luis Rubiales in kiss case
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. The court rejected multiple appeals against the conviction, reaffirming Rubiales kissed Hermoso without her consent during the medal ceremony after Spain's women had won the trophy, according to the ruling seen by Reuters. Rubiales was fined over 10,000 euros ($11,592) and acquitted of coercion charges alongside three co-defendants. Prosecutors had sought a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence and called for a retrial, both of which were dismissed. The incident sparked widespread debate about sexism in Spanish society and women's football, fueling momentum for the 'Me Too' movement in the country. Rubiales argued that his actions were motivated by an uncontrollable joy, but the court ruled that his restraint with other players and attendees demonstrated he could have avoided such behavior with Hermoso. 'Since that emotion did not lead him to express his joy so effusively by kissing the other players or the accompanying persons in the box, and he restrained himself, he could also have done so, without too much effort, with the captain of the team,' the court said.
Reuters
3 days ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Spain's High Court upholds conviction of ex-soccer chief Rubiales' in kiss case
MADRID, June 25 (Reuters) - 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. The court rejected multiple appeals against the conviction, reaffirming Rubiales kissed Hermoso without her consent during the medal ceremony after Spain's women had won the trophy, according to the ruling seen by Reuters. Rubiales was fined over 10,000 euros ($11,592) and acquitted of coercion charges alongside three co-defendants. Prosecutors had sought a 2-1/2-year prison sentence and called for a retrial, both of which were dismissed. The incident sparked widespread debate about sexism in Spanish society and women's football, fueling momentum for the "Me Too" movement in the country. Rubiales argued that his actions were motivated by an uncontrollable joy, but the court ruled that his restraint with other players and attendees demonstrated he could have avoided such behaviour with Hermoso. "Since that emotion did not lead him to express his joy so effusively by kissing the other players or the accompanying persons in the box, and he restrained himself, he could also have done so, without too much effort, with the captain of the team," the court said. ($1 = 0.8627 euros)
New York Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Nico Williams, Lamine Yamal and the faction of friends at Barcelona
It was one of the defining images of Spain's victorious European Championship campaign last summer — and it looks set to be repeated for Barcelona. Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal's dancing goal celebration during the round of 16 win against Georgia seemed to present a powerful image of Spanish diversity. But it also summed up a friendship between two youngsters enjoying themselves on the world stage. Advertisement Both wingers played a key role in terrorising opposition defences as Spain went on to lift the trophy in Germany. Williams scored twice — including the opener in the final against England — and provided an assist over the course of the tournament. Yamal, meanwhile, contributed a goal and four assists, only turning 17 the day before that final. The 22-year-old Williams has now agreed terms on a potential €60million (£50m, $62m) move to join his great friend Yamal at Barcelona. On Tuesday, The Athletic reported that he had informed Athletic Club he intends to leave for Barca this summer. Leaving Athletic, his boyhood club in Bilbao where his elder brother Inaki also plays, is not a decision he will take lightly. But it helps to know he already has a number of dressing-room allies at the Catalan club, not least Yamal. During the Euros, the Spanish national team released a video interview with Williams and Yamal in which they spoke about playing rock, paper, scissors to decide who got to drink first from a water bottle, argued over who was the other's 'son' and discussed taking inspiration from TikTok for their dances — although Williams added: 'We talked about it in the bus on the way to the (Georgia) game and it came out naturally.' ¿🪨📰✂️? ¡¡Estos dos '𝗯𝗿𝗼𝘀' se juegan hasta el sitio donde sentarse!!@willliamsssnico y Lamine Yamal nos cuentan quién es 'padre' de quién, sus juegos, bailes… 🤪 ¡¡Vaya dos cracks se han ido a juntar en la @SEFutbol!! | #EURO2024 — Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) July 2, 2024 The same can be said for their friendship. Williams and Yamal met at the latter's first camp with Spain's senior squad in September 2023, during which he became the national team's youngest player and goalscorer at 16 years and 57 days old in a Euros qualifier against Georgia. Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde introduced the pair as he thought they would get on. Advertisement 'I remember the first day I met him. He was more timid than now,' Williams said in an interview with the former Argentina and Real Madrid forward-turned pundit Jorge Valdano for Spanish broadcaster Movistar Plus in January. 'The first time I trained with him, I said 'hostia' (bloody hell). 'What I tell him is you're pretty humble, you're pretty normal, considering everything that's happening to you. When you're that age, you can lose your head. And he continues to be the same person that has taken him to where he is. I always support him — and I'm always going to be there to give him a slap on the back of the neck if he goes too far.' When Yamal appeared on late-night TV show El Hormiguero in September and was asked why he and Williams were friends, he appeared nonplussed. He explained that they share the same interests, enjoy watching TikTok videos and like the same music, including reggaeton, along with French and Brazilian songs. But it is not just Yamal — Williams has plenty of friends at Barcelona. One moment from the last game of the 2024-25 La Liga season was significant. Barca had just beaten Athletic 3-0 at their San Mames stadium when a host of their players swamped Williams. Raphinha and Balde both covered their mouths to speak to the winger, while Fermin Lopez ran to give him a playful slap on the head. Williams ended up swapping shirts with Ansu Fati and gave the Barca forward a hug. Last summer, Williams spent most of his days at Spain's sleepy Euros base in the Black Forest, in south-western Germany, with his soon-to-be Barca team-mates. He is very close to Fermin, with the attacking midfielder having referred to Williams as his best friend outside of Barcelona colleagues within the camp. He is close to Pedri and Dani Olmo and also gets on with Gavi, Pau Cubarsi and Eric Garcia, who he played with at under-21 level for Spain. When the tournament was over, Yamal met Williams and other international team-mates for their holidays in Marbella, on Spain's southern Costa del Sol. Advertisement Many of those players believed Williams would join Barcelona that summer. But when he returned to Bilbao and realised Barca would not be able to guarantee him automatic registration given their issues with La Liga's salary cap, he had second thoughts. His family preferred him to stay at Athletic, who were aiming to lift the Europa League, with the final being played at San Mames last season (they came close, but were knocked out by Manchester United in the semi-finals). Even so, the links with Barca never really went away. When reports emerged about them reigniting their interest in mid-June, Yamal posted a picture on Instagram of the pair celebrating together for Spain. It was reminiscent of the saga over former Arsenal and Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas' future before he re-joined Barcelona from the north London side in 2011. During international camps, Fabregas spent his days with Barca players Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol, while he was also close to Andres Iniesta and Xavi. Pique and Puyol regularly posted on social media joking about his return to Camp Nou and the pair even pulled a Barcelona shirt onto Fabregas as Spain celebrated their 2010 World Cup win. The prospect of Williams and Yamal combining for Barca in the same way they have done at international level is a thrilling one for the club's fans. When Yamal was asked on El Hormiguero whether he thought he and Williams would be club team-mates this year, he initially shrugged his shoulders and said, 'I don't know' with a laugh. Then he was asked whether he would like that to happen. 'Yes, hopefully yes,' he said. 'His decision is to be at Athletic now but hopefully I'll be able to play every week with him.' Now he is close to getting his wish.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Euro 2025: Spain team guide – have things finally settled for the World Cup winners?
The 2022 European Championship sparked a crisis in Spanish football. The team went to their debut Euros with certain expectations, including a hope of winning their first competition or, at least, going far. But they were eliminated in the first round of the knockout stages by England in extra time. It proved to be the last straw for many players. Advertisement The reckoning was less about losing to England — the eventual winners — and more about Spain's best generation of footballers being let down by a coach who could not help them in certain matches. While off the field, the players felt that the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) did not support them enough or provide them with the professional tools that other countries had. It sparked the 'Las 15' movement, with 15 players refusing to return to play for the RFEF until conditions changed. Only three of the 15 played in the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which Spain won. That final was marred by the non-consensual kiss from Luis Rubiales to Jennifer Hermoso during the celebrations. It also ended with the dismissal of the then-coach, Jorge Vilda, along with Rubiales. Who is the manager? Montse Tome was Vilda's assistant coach and, following his dismissal, she was appointed head coach in September 2023. Her first roster was limited by players protesting Rubiales' non-consensual kiss. Advertisement At her first press conference, ahead of the UEFA Nations League qualifiers against Sweden and Switzerland in September 2023, Tome said she had spoken to all of the players who had declared themselves ineligible as a group. But the players said they had not spoken to the coach. As a result, RFEF and the team's captains met for a long meeting that lasted until the early hours of the morning. The result was a restructuring of the federation. Over time, tensions have settled, but Tome is a coach that many still see as part of Vilda's staff. Despite her saying 'I am not Jorge Vilda' on several occasions, Tome has not managed to fully win the trust of the dressing room and her future with the team after the Euros is uncertain. How do they play? Spain play in a style very similar to Barcelona. In a 4-3-3 formation, they want to dominate the ball, be offensive through possession and position, and get a lot out of their midfield while playing out of defence. Advertisement In terms of selection, the defence and midfield are set, with perhaps the only question mark being whether Olga Carmona or Leila Ouahabi will play at left-back. Up front, there is an excess of attacking options. Mariona Caldentey has been playing as a right-winger, Esther Gonzalez has returned to the national team in fine form, having scored four goals in the last three games, and Real Madrid's Athenea del Castillo is also in the mix. Another big question is whether Salma Paralluelo or Claudia Pina will play on the left wing, as both have been selected in the squad. Pina has had a great season, but Spain seem to prefer her as a substitute. Who are their most influential players? The midfield trio of Patri Guijarro, Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas is the key to Barcelona's — and Spain's — success. Mariona Caldentey, of Arsenal, provides a bonus to this setup. Advertisement Caldentey was the Women's Super League (WSL) player of the season and won the Champions League with Arsenal, playing a key role in the final win over Barcelona, her third consecutive Champions League title. Although it is not her ideal position, Tome plays Caldentey as a right-winger. Guijarro has returned to defensive midfield after two years playing in the attack, and this is where she shines most. The 27-year-old organises the team, provides balance between attack and defence, and is the compass for her side. Bonmati was considered one of the top players in the Champions League, but she did not have her best season in Liga F. The 27-year-old still has the ability to shine in big games and is the one who sets the tempo for the team. Putellas is back to form after an ACL injury suffered the day before the start of Euro 2022, which prevented her from performing at her prime in the World Cup and the following season. This season in Liga F, she has been Barcelona's top assist provider and second-highest goalscorer behind Ewa Pajor. The 31-year-old gives the team vision and is a player who tends to make good, quick decisions. What is their biggest strength? An ability to link up well. The World Cup winners know how to play an attacking and entertaining style of football thanks to the talent of one of the best generations of players the national team has ever had. Advertisement It also helps that the core of the team is made up of Barcelona players, who are used to playing together. What weakness might other teams be able to exploit? Teams that sit back in a defensive block are Spain's biggest weakness. Due to their attacking style of play, they can leave themselves exposed at the back and can be hurt by quick counter-attacks. Any notable absences? Jennifer Hermoso and Misa Rodriguez. Both were singled out by Tome for what she considered to be bad behaviour that did not help the team after the Olympic Games, where the team failed to collect a medal. What is their strongest starting XI? How have they performed over the past 12 months? The last Olympic Games were the first time Spain's women had played in the Games, and they were left disappointed. Advertisement The players expected the organisation to be on a par with the European Championship or the World Cup, but what they found surprised them. The players felt far removed from what the Olympic Games were about, spending little time in the athletes' village. 'Did I take anything away from the Olympics? The shirt, nothing else,' Caldentey explained in her book, released earlier this year. On a sporting level, it didn't end as they had hoped either. They started as favourites, but Brazil beat them 4-2 in the semi-finals. They then lost 1-0 to Germany in the bronze medal match. After the Olympics, Spain drew with Italy and Canada (both 1-1). Since then, they have scored 30 goals in eight games and conceded 10. They collected seven wins and only one defeat (1-0 at Wembley against England in February). Advertisement They beat the Lionesses 2-1 in their last game in Barcelona, which gives them confidence for what lies ahead. What are they expected to achieve at these Euros? Spain and England have been locked in a battle since Euro 2022, and if the two teams meet in the knockouts, it could be quite the rematch. The fact that Spain won the last match in Barcelona, which qualified them for the Nations League semi-final, gives them a boost of confidence. But the memory of the match played at Wembley remains fresh in their minds, as does the fact they have always found it difficult to beat the Lionesses. The group they have been drawn into is manageable: Portugal, Belgium and Italy. They faced the first two opponents in the first phase of the Nations League, beating Portugal 7-1 and 4-2 over two matches. They beat Belgium 5-1 and 3-2 over their two fixtures. In October, they drew 1-1 with Italy, the only opponent who could complicate things. Advertisement Many are focusing on the semi-finals, where they could face England, though the teams from northern Europe also command a certain amount of respect. Did you know? In Spain's last starting 11 against England in the Nations League, which will likely be the one Tome will use for the Euros, nine of the 11 players were from Barcelona or had played for the club at some point. Laia Aleixandri played in the club's youth teams and Mariona Caldentey played there until last summer when she signed for Arsenal. Carmona signed with Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona in June. This article originally appeared in The Athletic. Spain, UK Women's Football, Women's Euros 2025 The Athletic Media Company
New York Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Euro 2025: Spain team guide – have things finally settled for the World Cup winners?
The 2022 European Championship sparked a crisis in Spanish football. The team went to their debut Euros with certain expectations, including a hope of winning their first competition or, at least, going far. But they were eliminated in the first round of the knockout stages by England in extra time. It proved to be the last straw for many players. Advertisement The reckoning was less about losing to England — the eventual winners — and more about Spain's best generation of footballers being let down by a coach who could not help them in certain matches. While off the field, the players felt that the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) did not support them enough or provide them with the professional tools that other countries had. It sparked the 'Las 15' movement, with 15 players refusing to return to play for the RFEF until conditions changed. Only three of the 15 played in the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which Spain won. That final was marred by the non-consensual kiss from Luis Rubiales to Jennifer Hermoso during the celebrations. It also ended with the dismissal of the then-coach, Jorge Vilda, along with Rubiales. Montse Tome was Vilda's assistant coach and, following his dismissal, she was appointed head coach in September 2023. Her first roster was limited by players protesting Rubiales' non-consensual kiss. At her first press conference, ahead of the UEFA Nations League qualifiers against Sweden and Switzerland in September 2023, Tome said she had spoken to all of the players who had declared themselves ineligible as a group. But the players said they had not spoken to the coach. As a result, RFEF and the team's captains met for a long meeting that lasted until the early hours of the morning. The result was a restructuring of the federation. Over time, tensions have settled, but Tome is a coach that many still see as part of Vilda's staff. Despite her saying 'I am not Jorge Vilda' on several occasions, Tome has not managed to fully win the trust of the dressing room and her future with the team after the Euros is uncertain. Spain play in a style very similar to Barcelona. In a 4-3-3 formation, they want to dominate the ball, be offensive through possession and position, and get a lot out of their midfield while playing out of defence. In terms of selection, the defence and midfield are set, with perhaps the only question mark being whether Olga Carmona or Leila Ouahabi will play at left-back. Advertisement Up front, there is an excess of attacking options. Mariona Caldentey has been playing as a right-winger, Esther Gonzalez has returned to the national team in fine form, having scored four goals in the last three games, and Real Madrid's Athenea del Castillo is also in the mix. Another big question is whether Salma Paralluelo or Claudia Pina will play on the left wing, as both have been selected in the squad. Pina has had a great season, but Spain seem to prefer her as a substitute. The midfield trio of Patri Guijarro, Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas is the key to Barcelona's — and Spain's — success. Mariona Caldentey, of Arsenal, provides a bonus to this setup. Caldentey was the Women's Super League (WSL) player of the season and won the Champions League with Arsenal, playing a key role in the final win over Barcelona, her third consecutive Champions League title. Although it is not her ideal position, Tome plays Caldentey as a right-winger. Guijarro has returned to defensive midfield after two years playing in the attack, and this is where she shines most. The 27-year-old organises the team, provides balance between attack and defence, and is the compass for her side. Bonmati was considered one of the top players in the Champions League, but she did not have her best season in Liga F. The 27-year-old still has the ability to shine in big games and is the one who sets the tempo for the team. Putellas is back to form after an ACL injury suffered the day before the start of Euro 2022, which prevented her from performing at her prime in the World Cup and the following season. This season in Liga F, she has been Barcelona's top assist provider and second-highest goalscorer behind Ewa Pajor. The 31-year-old gives the team vision and is a player who tends to make good, quick decisions. An ability to link up well. The World Cup winners know how to play an attacking and entertaining style of football thanks to the talent of one of the best generations of players the national team has ever had. It also helps that the core of the team is made up of Barcelona players, who are used to playing together. Teams that sit back in a defensive block are Spain's biggest weakness. Due to their attacking style of play, they can leave themselves exposed at the back and can be hurt by quick counter-attacks. Jennifer Hermoso and Misa Rodriguez. Both were singled out by Tome for what she considered to be bad behaviour that did not help the team after the Olympic Games, where the team failed to collect a medal. The last Olympic Games were the first time Spain's women had played in the Games, and they were left disappointed. The players expected the organisation to be on a par with the European Championship or the World Cup, but what they found surprised them. The players felt far removed from what the Olympic Games were about, spending little time in the athletes' village. Advertisement 'Did I take anything away from the Olympics? The shirt, nothing else,' Caldentey explained in her book, released earlier this year. On a sporting level, it didn't end as they had hoped either. They started as favourites, but Brazil beat them 4-2 in the semi-finals. They then lost 1-0 to Germany in the bronze medal match. After the Olympics, Spain drew with Italy and Canada (both 1-1). Since then, they have scored 30 goals in eight games and conceded 10. They collected seven wins and only one defeat (1-0 at Wembley against England in February). They beat the Lionesses 2-1 in their last game in Barcelona, which gives them confidence for what lies ahead. Spain and England have been locked in a battle since Euro 2022, and if the two teams meet in the knockouts, it could be quite the rematch. The fact that Spain won the last match in Barcelona, which qualified them for the Nations League semi-final, gives them a boost of confidence. But the memory of the match played at Wembley remains fresh in their minds, as does the fact they have always found it difficult to beat the Lionesses. The group they have been drawn into is manageable: Portugal, Belgium and Italy. They faced the first two opponents in the first phase of the Nations League, beating Portugal 7-1 and 4-2 over two matches. They beat Belgium 5-1 and 3-2 over their two fixtures. In October, they drew 1-1 with Italy, the only opponent who could complicate things. Many are focusing on the semi-finals, where they could face England, though the teams from northern Europe also command a certain amount of respect. In Spain's last starting 11 against England in the Nations League, which will likely be the one Tome will use for the Euros, nine of the 11 players were from Barcelona or had played for the club at some point. Laia Aleixandri played in the club's youth teams and Mariona Caldentey played there until last summer when she signed for Arsenal. Carmona signed with Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona in June.
