Category: Spain

Athletic Club vs. Mallorca: How to watch Copa del Rey final, live stream

The two side meet in an unlikely final in Seville

Athletic Club and Mallorca will square off Saturday afternoon in an unlikely Copa del Rey final matchup.

Athletic is the second-most successful side in Copa del Rey’s history with 23 titles to its name, but the Basque outfit has not won the competition since 1984.

They’ll enter this tie as a firm favorite, having got past Barcelona in the quarterfinal and Atlético Madrid in the semifinal en route to the showpiece in Seville.

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While Athletic is in fifth place in La Liga, Mallorca enters this final in 15th as it looks to avoid relegation.

Mexican coach Javier Aguirre led Mallorca past Girona and Real Sociedad in the quarterfinals and semifinals to reach its first cup final since 2003.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.

Athletic Club vs. Mallorca (Copa del Rey final)

  • When: Saturday, April 6
  • Where: Estadio La Cartuja (Seville, Spain)
  • Time: 4 p.m. ET
  • Channel/streaming: ESPN+ (WATCH NOW)

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Spain vs. Brazil: How to watch international friendly, live stream

The two global powers meet in a high-profile friendly in Madrid

Spain will host Brazil on Tuesday in a showcase friendly at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid.

Both sides will be aiming to take home continental championships this summer, with Brazil participating in Copa América in the U.S. and Spain heading to Germany for Euro 2024.

Spain will be looking to end this international break on a high after losing 1-0 to Colombia on Friday in a friendly in London.

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Brazil, meanwhile, beat England 1-0 on Saturday, as 17-year-old Endrick stole the headlines with his first international goal.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.

Spain vs. Brazil (international friendly)

  • When: Tuesday, March 25
  • Where: Santiago Bernabéu Stadium (Madrid, Spain)
  • Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
  • Channel/streaming: FuboTV (WATCH LIVE)

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Spain federation turns over new leaf by calling in players against their will

Spain’s players began arriving to camp on Tuesday amid legal threats

It appears everything isn’t quite fixed between the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and its World Cup-winning women’s national team.

Spain’s players have been on strike for nearly a month, calling for structural changes at the RFEF. Even after the much-maligned duo of federation president Luis Rubiales and national team head coach Jorge Vilda were forced out, the national team said last week that their strike would continue.

So when new head coach Montse Tomé called in a 23-player squad on Monday that included 20 of the striking players, there were questions over whether there had been some kind of thaw in relations between the players and the federation.

It didn’t take long to get the answer: nope.

In statements posted to social media on Monday, Spain’s players lamented the RFEF putting them in a situation “we never would have wanted,” adding that they would “study the possible legal consequences to which RFEF has exposed us by putting us on a list which we had asked not to be called up to, due to reasons which were already explained publicly and in more detail to the RFEF.”

Jenni Hermoso, who was not called up after being at the center of a firestorm surrounding an unwanted kiss from Rubiales, said in a statement that Spain’s players were all “certain that this is yet another strategy of division and manipulation to intimidate and threaten us with legal repercussions and economic sanctions.”

At issue is a law in Spain that requires athletes to accept a call to their country’s national team unless there is a circumstance that would preclude it, such as an injury.

Faced with possible legal repercussions, Spain’s players have begrudgingly started reporting to camp ahead of Nations League matches against Sweden and Switzerland on September 22 and 26.

They have made it clear that they are coming into the national team against their will.

Victor Francos, the president of the supreme council for sports in the country [CSD], has said he will act as a mediator between the players and the RFEF in an attempt to broker a solution.

“I hope that the call-up was agreed to with [the players],” Francos told Cadena SER on Monday. “If they don’t show up, the government will do what it has to do, which is apply the law, which is unfortunate for me, I assure you, and it hurts me. I would never want to do what I would have to do in that moment.

“But the law is the law, the Law of Sport says what it says. International laws for national teams say what they say, but I still trust that there could be a path to a solution.”

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Spain’s World Cup winners are still on strike

Even with Luis Rubiales and Jorge Vilda gone, players are demanding more changes

Even with Luis Rubiales and Jorge Vilda gone, the Spanish women’s national team is still on strike.

After Rubiales refused to resign as Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president last month, Spain’s entire World Cup-winning team and dozens of others said they would turn down future national team call-ups “if the current leaders continue.”

With controversial ex-national team head coach Vilda fired and Rubiales having resigned amid a scandal over his unwanted kiss of Jenni Hermoso, Spain was set to announce a roster on Friday for two upcoming Women’s Nations League matches.

However, Spain’s World Cup winners said that the changes they’ve seen haven’t been enough, and they would turn down call-ups for matches on September 22 against Sweden and September 26 against Switzerland.

“The changes made are not enough for the players to feel safe, where women are respected, where there is support for women’s football and where we can maximize our potential,” read a statement signed by 39 players.

“We believe that it is time to fight to show that these situations and practices have no place in football or society, that the current structure needs changes and we do it so that the next generations can have equality in football and at the level that we all deserve.”

Among the players’ demands were a restructuring of the women’s soccer organization, the presidential cabinet and general secretary, the communications and marketing area, and the ethics/integrity department.

After the statement from the players, the RFEF announced that the roster set to be announced by new head coach Montse Tomé would be delayed.

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Hermoso gets hero’s welcome at Pachuca on same day Rubiales resigns

The Spain star played her first minutes since the World Cup final in a 2-1 Pachuca win over Pumas

Jenni Hermoso was given an emotional tribute on Sunday as she made her return to Pachuca after winning the World Cup with Spain.

The 33-year-old has been at the center of a global scandal surrounding an unwanted kiss from Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales in the aftermath of the World Cup final last month.

Hermoso has insisted the kiss was not consensual, with players and fans all over the globe uniting to support her.

Hermoso returned to her club team in Mexico on Sunday, ironically the same day that saw Rubiales finally resign amid weeks of intense pressure.

Fans at the Estadio Hidaldo unveiled a massive tifo of Hermoso, showing her lifting the World Cup trophy with the flags of Mexico and Spain on either side.

(Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)

Hermoso’s teammates would also give her a guard of honor as she entered the pitch wearing her World Cup winner’s medal.

Prior to the game, Hermoso was presented with a framed No. 10 jersey as she received a huge ovation from the crowd.

Pachuca would defeat Pumas 2-1 in the game, with Hermoso entering as an 85th minute substitution for her first minutes since she played the full match in a 1-0 World Cup final win over England on August 20.

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Luis Rubiales, the guy who wouldn’t resign, actually resigns

The Spain federation president has, both inevitably and also somewhat surprisingly, stepped aside

Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales has, both inevitably and also somewhat surprisingly, resigned.

Rubiales confirmed his resignation in an open letter published on Sunday, as well as in an interview with Piers Morgan.

“I have handed in my resignation to the acting president, Pedro Rocha,” Rubiales said in the letter. “I have also informed him that I have done the same with my position at UEFA, so that a replacement for my role as vice president can be sought.

“After the suspension by FIFA, in addition to the rest of the proceedings against me, it is clear that I will not be able to return to my position.”

As Rubiales mentioned, he has been under an intense amount of pressure stemming from his actions in the aftermath of the World Cup final on August 20.

Among other acts, Rubiales kissed Spain star Jenni Hermoso on the lips — an act Hermoso has insisted was not consensual.

Hermoso has filed a complaint with the country’s prosecutors office accusing Rubiales of sexual assault. Rubiales also remains under investigation by Spain’s top sport court (TAD) and by FIFA, which has issued him a preliminary 90-day suspension while its inquiry continues.

Spain’s entire World Cup-winning roster also said it was going on strike until the president is ousted.

Despite all of the pressure, Rubiales’s resignation also felt somewhat surprising due to his seemingly unending defiance in the face of scandal.

This was demonstrated most clearly in an August 25 speech, during which he refused to stand down as was expected. Even in his resignation letter, Rubiales continued to allude to his insistence that his kiss with Hermoso was consensual.

“My daughters, my family and the people who love me have suffered the effects of unconscionable persecution, as well as many falsehoods, but it is also true that on the street, every day more and more, the truth is prevailing,” he said.

Aside from the huge pressure campaign against him, Rubiales also hinted at another potentially significant reason for his resignation: the perception that his continued presence was damaging Spain’s bid for the 2030 World Cup, which also includes Portugal, Morocco and Ukraine.

“I am taking this decision after having made sure that my departure will contribute to the stability that will allow both Europe and Africa to remain united in the dream of 2030,” he said.

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Lamine Yamal, 16, scores after becoming youngest Spain player ever

This kid is a bit special

Lamine Yamal has got big things ahead of him.

The 16-year-old has already set several age-related records, including in May when he became Barcelona’s youngest player in La Liga history at 15 years and 290 days old.

Now at the ripe old age of 16 years, 57 days, Yamal is setting more records on the international stage.

Yamal became Spain’s youngest ever player when he entered Friday’s Euro 2024 qualifier at Georgia just before halftime. The winger broke the record previously held by his club and international teammate Gavi, who debuted at 17 years and 62 days.

But Yamal wasn’t content with simply being on the pitch. In the 74th minute the teenager got on the end of a Nico Williams cross and slammed home a first-time strike to make it 7-1 for the visitors.

Spain would end up winning by that 7-1 scoreline, with Álvaro Morata scoring a hat-trick.

Not only did Yamal make history for Spain, he also became the youngest player to score for a European nation in 117 years — and the third-youngest ever.

“I’m happy obviously, for my debut and my goal,” Yamal told Teledeporte after the game. “It’s a dream, I’m living in a dream right now.

“I’m very happy and I have to thank my teammates and the coach for the confidence he has given me, and to everyone who has helped me on this path.”

Yamal has already started three of Barcelona’s first four games this season, becoming the youngest player to register a La Liga assist in the 21st century.

This kid is special.

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Hermoso files sexual assault complaint against Rubiales

The fallout continues from the federation president’s non-consensual kiss

Spain forward Jennifer Hermoso has filed a complaint with the country’s prosecutors office accusing Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales of sexual assault.

Rubiales sparked worldwide outrage when he kissed Hermoso on the lips after the World Cup final on August 20 — an act Hermoso has insisted was not consensual.

Spanish prosecutors opened an investigation into Rubiales on August 28, with Hermoso’s complaint the next step that will allow the Spanish justice system to pursue charges against the RFEF president.

According to the AP, Rubiales could face a fine or a prison sentence of one to four years if found guilty.

Rubiales has apologized for his actions following the World Cup final, which Spain won 1-0 over England, but has refused to resign from his post despite heavy pressure to do so.

After a defiant speech on August 25 in which Rubiales insisted the kiss was consensual and refused to step down, Spain’s entire World Cup-winning roster said it was going on strike until the president is ousted.

In addition to the complaint filed by Hermoso, Rubiales remains under investigation by Spain’s top sport court (TAD) and by FIFA, which has issued him a preliminary 90-day suspension while its inquiry continues.

With Rubiales suspended, acting RFEF president Pedro Rocha announced on Tuesday that women’s national team head coach Jorge Vilda — a controversial figure who was strongly backed by Rubiales — had been fired.

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Vilda sacked as Spain women’s head coach amid ongoing upheaval

The manager was removed amid a tumultuous period for Spanish soccer and society as a whole

Spain women’s national team head coach Jorge Vilda has been sacked after a controversial reign that ended with a World Cup title last month.

With Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales currently suspended over his behavior in the aftermath of the World Cup final, acting president Pedro Rocha confirmed the decision to fire Vilda on Tuesday.

“The RFEF, in one of the first renovation measures announced by president Pedro Rocha, has decided to dispense with the services of Jorge Vilda,” a statement read.

The federation also announced that Vilda’s former assistant Montse Tomé has been named his successor. Tomé is the first woman to be head coach of the Spain women’s national team.

Vilda had been at the helm since 2015, with the final year of his time in charge marked by significant turmoil.

In September 2022, 15 players wrote letters to the federation, decrying Vilda for both a lack of appropriate preparation for games and refusing to grant players privacy, among other issues.

Rubiales swiftly leapt to Vilda’s defense, not only keeping the coach in charge but demanding an apology from the 15 players if they wished to represent the national team again.

Of the group of 15, only three were named to the 23-player roster that lifted the World Cup in Sydney last month.

Even with the World Cup win, the RFEF has been under pressure to dismiss Vilda for some time and finally did so on Tuesday, amid a tumultuous period that has seen Rubiales receive worldwide condemnation for his behavior in the aftermath of the World Cup final.

Rubiales kissed Spain star Jenni Hermoso on the lips after the game against England — an act Hermoso has insisted was not consensual. His refusal to resign has led to Spain’s entire World Cup-winning roster going on strike until he is ousted.

Prior to announcing Vilda’s dismissal, the RFEF released a statement apologizing for everything that has occurred following the World Cup final.

“The RFEF wants to convey to the whole of society and to the whole of world football its deepest regret for what has happened, which has tarnished our national team, our football and our society,” the statement reads. “The damage caused to Spanish football, to Spanish sport, to Spanish society and to the values of football and sport as a whole has been enormous.”

“The actions of Mr. Rubiales do not represent the values defended by the Spanish federation, nor the values of Spanish society as a whole, and his actions must be attributed solely and exclusively to him.”

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Spanish court puts road block on government actions against Rubiales

Rubiales is facing multiple proceedings

The Spanish government’s attempts to remove Luis Rubiales from his post have hit a speed bump.

The country’s Administrative Sports Court (TAD) has started proceedings against Rubiales, the Spanish federation (RFEF) president, but only under statutes applying to “serious” breaches of conduct.

That designation, rather than the “very serious” label the government had sought, means that while Rubiales could receive a two-year ban after the court’s investigation, the government’s sports council cannot suspend him on its own.

The court “only considers the [charges] serious. We believe that they are very serious,” said Spain’s minister of culture and sports, Miquel Iceta. “The Superior Sports Council itself could have directly suspended Mr. Rubiales if they were very serious. But as TAD have not qualified it as such, it is up to the court itself. We will file a request for them to [designate the charges as very serious].”

Rubiales has refused to step down despite national and international pressure over his actions in the immediate aftermath of Spain’s World Cup final victory over England. Most notably, Rubiales kissed attacker Jenni Hermoso on the lips just after she had received her winner’s medal, an incident that the Pachuca star has repeatedly said was not consensual.

The federation’s lack of willingness to act against Rubiales has resulted in public demonstrations in Spain, and a strike by the entire squad just after lifting the World Cup trophy. Last week, FIFA suspended Rubiales for 90 days.

Spanish prosecutors have launched a preliminary investigation into whether Rubiales’ conduct could result in criminal charges.

Rubiales issues yet another denial

Not long after the TAD decision went public Friday, Rubiales issued yet another denial of wrongdoing, echoing his previous statements on the matter.

Rubiales apologized for what he called “obvious mistakes,” only to once again insist the kiss was consensual.

“The spontaneity and happiness of the historic moment led us to carry out a mutual and consented act, the product of great enthusiasm. At no time was there any aggression, indeed, there was not even the slightest discomfort, but an overflowing joy in both,” said Rubiales in his written statement.

The latest chapter is somewhat confusing, as this latest statement seems to only reiterate his previous insistences. With Rubiales’ insistence that the kiss was not problematic, it is unclear exactly which actions he has been apologizing for. Amid the celebrations, Rubiales gestured towards his crotch, grabbed multiple players, and at one point was seen on an Instagram story declaring that he would marry Hermoso in Ibiza.

In any case, the RFEF has named Pedro Rocha as its interim president, and has since demanded that Rubiales resign. FIFA also retains the option to ban Rubiales under its own disciplinary process, which is where his current ban stems from. UEFA would seemingly also have the power to open its own proceedings against Rubiales, but president Aleksander Čeferin told L’Equipe on Wednesday that he didn’t see a point in doing so.

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