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Luis Rubiales arrested in corruption investigation

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Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF), has been detained upon his arrival in Madrid from the Dominican Republic as part of a corruption investigation. It is alleged that Rubiales received illegal commissions during negotiations for the Spanish Super Cup competition to be held in Saudi Arabia.

Prosecutors are seeking a two-and-a-half-year jail term for Rubiales, who vehemently denies any wrongdoing. Following his arrival, Rubiales was taken into custody by members of the Civil Guard and is now subject to 72 hours of questioning. This action follows a previous search of his home by the police last month, along with simultaneous searches conducted at the football federation headquarters, resulting in several arrests.

In addition to the corruption allegations, Rubiales is also facing a separate trial for sexual assault. This case emerged after an incident where he kissed the player Jenni Hermoso on the mouth after the World Cup final, which she and her teammates deemed unwanted and demeaning. Despite denying any misconduct, Rubiales was forced to resign from his position as RFEF president amidst the controversy surrounding the incident.

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Vinicius Jr: Real Madrid file complaint after referee omits racist abuse allegations from report

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Real Madrid has lodged a formal complaint against the referee overseeing their recent match against Osasuna, alleging that he omitted instances of racist abuse directed at forward Vinicius Jr from his match report. The club asserts that the insults were intentionally disregarded by the referee, despite being brought to his attention by Real Madrid players during the game. Real Madrid condemns these incidents of racism and demands decisive action to address and eliminate such behavior.

The complaint is part of a broader effort by Real Madrid to combat racism in football. They have also reported alleged racist insults from Atletico Madrid and Barcelona fans, adding this latest incident to their existing complaint filed with Spanish legal authorities. These actions follow a pattern of racist abuse targeting Vinicius in recent seasons, including instances during matches and off the field, resulting in fines and stadium bans for offenders.

Vinicius Jr, who scored twice in the match against Osasuna, has unfortunately been subjected to racist abuse on multiple occasions, prompting Real Madrid to call for comprehensive measures to eradicate such behavior from the sport.

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Former Barcelona footballer Dani Alves’s rape trial begins

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Former Barcelona and Brazil footballer Dani Alves is currently facing charges of rape in a Barcelona nightclub, accused of assaulting a 23-year-old woman. The prosecution is relying on substantial scientific evidence, video footage, and witness statements to support their case. The alleged incident took place on December 30, 2022, in the VIP area of the Sutton nightclub. According to the prosecution, Alves bought the woman and her friends drinks, invited her to a bathroom without surveillance cameras, and is accused of assaulting her when she refused his advances.

Alves, aged 40, could potentially face a 12-year prison sentence if convicted. The trial began with the victim testifying from behind a screen with her voice electronically distorted for privacy. The alleged assault came to light when the victim immediately reported the incident, leading to a medical examination and the collection of extensive evidence by the police in the nightclub’s bathroom area.

The case has garnered significant attention as it is seen as a litmus test for the judiciary’s approach to sexual assault cases, particularly after the controversial “wolf pack” case. Alves has changed his defense multiple times since first being questioned by the police in January 2023. Initially denying knowing the accuser, he later admitted to various activities, citing different defenses, including intoxication.

The trial coincides with other high-profile sexual assault cases in Spain, such as the incident involving Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish football federation, who faces prosecution for forcibly kissing Jenni Hermoso during the World Cup victory celebrations. The Catalan equality minister, Tània Verge, has emphasized that these cases mark the end of impunity for alleged sexual aggressors, irrespective of their fame or power.

Notably, Alves joins a list of top-flight players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Mason Greenwood, Benjamin Mendy, and Robinho, who have faced rape accusations. In most cases, charges were dropped or settled financially, but Alves’s alleged victim has consistently refused any financial settlement. The trial is scheduled to last three days, and the outcome will be closely watched for its implications on justice for sexual assault victims.

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Luis Rubiales: Fifa uphold three-year ban against ex-Spanish football federation chief

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Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish football federation, has been unsuccessful in his appeal against a three-year ban from football-related activities imposed by FIFA. This decision follows an incident where Rubiales kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain’s Women’s World Cup final victory against England. Hermoso later filed a legal complaint, alleging that the kiss was not consensual.

FIFA stated that Rubiales violated the principles of fair play and displayed offensive behavior, citing Article 13 of the FIFA disciplinary code. The governing body’s appeal committee expressed satisfaction that Rubiales behaved contrary to these principles during and after the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The ban could potentially be contested before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

A Spanish judge has proposed that Rubiales should stand trial over the incident, describing the kiss as “not consensual and… a unilateral and surprising initiative.” Prosecutors had previously charged Rubiales with sexual assault and coercion. Despite Rubiales maintaining that the kiss was a “consensual peck,” the controversy led to his resignation as the president of the Spanish football federation, sparking a global conversation about sexism in women’s sports.

The incident also had repercussions in the coaching staff, as World Cup-winning manager Jorge Vilda was sacked in September and is under investigation as part of the criminal case against Rubiales. Jenni Hermoso, who claimed her image was tarnished by the kiss, made a return to the national side in October, scoring a crucial 89th-minute winner against Italy.

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Judge proposes Spain’s Luis Rubiales face trial over Hermoso World Cup kiss

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A Spanish judge has proposed that former football federation president Luis Rubiales should stand trial for a non-consensual kiss involving captain Jenni Hermoso during the women’s World Cup celebration. The judge in Madrid described the kiss as “not consensual” and deemed it a “unilateral and surprising initiative,” finding enough evidence for the matter to proceed to trial. Rubiales, who denies any wrongdoing, faces charges of sexual assault and coercion, with potential penalties ranging from a fine to four years in prison.

In addition to Rubiales, other football executives are implicated in the case. Hermoso’s former coach, Jorge Vilda, former marketing manager Rubén Rivera, and the sports director of the men’s team, Albert Luque, have been ordered to stand trial. They are accused of pressuring Hermoso to publicly state that the kiss was consensual. The judge’s decision implies that all involved parties will have to face legal proceedings to determine their culpability in the controversial incident.

The incident occurred during the medal ceremony in Sydney on August 20 last year, following Spain’s victory over England. Despite initially indicating in a statement that the kiss was consensual, Hermoso later complained of being pressured by officials from the Spanish football federation to endorse the statement. The conflicting narratives surrounding the incident have drawn attention to issues of consent and sexism in women’s sports, triggering a wave of global criticism and discussions on the treatment of female athletes at the highest levels of competition.

Luis Rubiales, who had maintained that the kiss was a “consensual peck,” was compelled to resign as president of the Spanish football federation in the aftermath of the incident. The judge’s decision to proceed with a trial indicates the legal ramifications that the individuals involved may face as the case unfolds.

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Hermoso Expresses Concern Over Image After World Cup Kiss by Rubiales in Spain

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Spanish World Cup-winning footballer Jenni Hermoso has disclosed that the former chief of Spain’s football federation, Luis Rubiales, kissed her on the lips without her consent following Spain’s Women’s World Cup victory in Sydney, Australia. In her statement to prosecutors, Hermoso expressed feeling disrespected by Rubiales’ actions and stated that her image had been tarnished by the Spanish Football Federation. Rubiales, who denied any wrongdoing, eventually resigned from his position amid the controversy.

An investigating judge is now assessing whether the allegations should proceed to trial, and the scope of the inquiry has expanded to include other officials in the Spanish football federation. Hermoso’s statement also highlighted the pressure she faced and her reluctance to steal the limelight during the initial incident. This revelation has brought renewed attention to the issue of consent and boundaries in the sporting world.

Furthermore, Hermoso recounted her experience of the pressure she faced after the incident, including being asked to sign a press statement indicating that the kiss was mutual. She felt coerced by football federation officials to comply with their narrative. Despite discussing the incident with her teammates, she found it challenging to address the situation without overshadowing the team’s victory celebrations.

The former team coach, Jorge Vilda, has also appeared before a judge, who is investigating whether he was part of an attempt to pressure Hermoso into stating that the kiss was consensual. Vilda denied trying to coerce Hermoso and claimed he did not witness the kiss as he was at the back of the group receiving their winners’ medals. However, he acknowledged speaking with her brother during their flight back to Madrid when he realized Hermoso was unhappy.

The pressure from federation figures continued even after the team returned to Spain, with additional officials attempting to use Hermoso’s family and a friend to communicate with her. The RFEF’s marketing director, Rubén Rivera, has also appeared before the judge and denied trying to persuade Hermoso or her brother to absolve Luis Rubiales from any blame. These revelations highlight the complexities of power dynamics and consent within the realm of professional sports.

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Spain’s National Team Resumes Participation in Nations League Matches After Boycott Agreement

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The majority of Spain’s national football team members have agreed to end their boycott, as confirmed by the Secretary of State for Sports, Victor Francos. This decision was reached after over seven hours of discussions that concluded at 05:00 local time on Wednesday.

Francos stated that the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has committed to implementing immediate and significant reforms. Out of the 23 players initially selected for this month’s Nations League matches, two, Mapi Leon and Patri Guijarro, have chosen to leave the squad.

The boycott began when the former RFEF president, Luis Rubiales, kissed forward Jenni Hermoso without her consent following Spain’s Women’s World Cup victory over England on August 20. This incident led to Rubiales’ resignation and the dismissal of Spain’s manager, Jorge Vilda.

The Spanish team is scheduled to play against Sweden and Switzerland in their upcoming matches. Francos expressed relief that the team would participate with assurances.

He mentioned that the decision was the result of “amicable” discussions in Valencia involving players, RFEF officials, the CSD (Spanish government’s national sports agency), and the women’s players’ union Futpro. A joint commission will be established to oversee the agreed-upon changes, with the signing set to take place soon.

Leon and Guijarro will not face penalties for their decision to leave, which Francos described as “fully respectable.” They had previously boycotted the national team along with 15 other players before the World Cup, citing issues with Coach Vilda. They did not participate in this year’s tournament in Australia and New Zealand.

Regarding the situation, Leon stated, “We already knew this was not the right way to return, and we are not in the right state,” and Guijarro added, “It’s quite difficult and quite hard. Mentally we are not right to be here.”

The new head coach, Montse Tome, included 15 players from the World Cup squad in her selection for the Nations League games, but the players reaffirmed their boycott in a statement, expressing their reluctance to participate and exploring potential legal implications.

Tome excluded Hermoso from the squad “to protect her,” but Hermoso argued that this decision indicated that “nothing has changed” at the RFEF.

The CSD announced the establishment of a commission to oversee the agreed-upon changes, focusing on equality policies, equal pay advancements, and improvements to women’s sports infrastructure.

Furthermore, the RFEF confirmed plans to merge the men’s and women’s Spanish national teams under a single logo and branding known as “Seleccion Espanola de Futbol” (Spanish national team). This move aims to promote equality in football.

Amanda Gutierrez, the president of Futpro, stated that most players had chosen to stay in the interest of the agreement, calling it the beginning of a long journey.

The Spain players arrived at their training camp in Valencia on Tuesday. When asked about her feelings regarding the situation, midfielder Alexia Putellas, a two-time Ballon d’Or winner, responded, “Well, bad.”

Rubiales has been ordered to stay at least 200 meters away from Hermoso after she filed a legal complaint against him. In his first court appearance, Rubiales denied the allegations of sexual assault.

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Spanish Football Federation to Pursue Legal Action Against Jennifer Hermoso for Alleged False Statements

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The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has announced its intention to pursue legal recourse in response to statements made by Jenni Hermoso concerning the federation’s president, Luis Rubiales. This follows a controversial incident where Rubiales kissed Hermoso on the lips after Spain’s Women’s World Cup victory over England. While Hermoso claimed that she did not give consent for the kiss, the RFEF disputes her account and asserts that evidence supports Rubiales’ innocence.

Represented by the players’ union Futpro, Hermoso has stated that she did not attempt to lift President Rubiales during their embrace on the podium. In response, the RFEF has released images of the embrace along with a detailed analysis, asserting that Hermoso did indeed exert force to raise Rubiales off the ground.

The RFEF expressed its intent to initiate legal actions against Hermoso or any party involved in spreading what they deem to be false information. This move comes amidst larger tensions within Spanish football, as 81 female players have declared their refusal to represent Spain’s national team until Rubiales steps down. The controversy has even extended to the men’s team, with Real Betis striker Borja Iglesias also announcing his refusal to play under Rubiales’ leadership.

The RFEF’s decision to pursue legal action follows international criticism of Rubiales’ behavior at the Women’s World Cup final. Rubiales had faced calls for resignation from government ministers, and Fifa had initiated disciplinary proceedings against him. Despite mounting pressure, Rubiales remained defiant and vowed to continue his position as president, asserting that the kiss was consensual and mutual.

The situation has also spurred solidarity among players, as evidenced by wristbands worn during a National Women’s Soccer League game in the United States, which bore the message ‘Contigo Jenni’ (With you Jenni). Prominent players like Alex Morgan have expressed their support for Hermoso and the Spanish players, condemning the alleged assault, misogyny, and failures of the Spanish federation.

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