Fifa

Subterms

    More stories

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Deluded Spain FA chief Luis Rubiales sends video of Jenni Hermoso to FIFA that he claims will clear his name

      by

      SUSPENDED Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales was last night hoping a new video clip will clear him of his alleged sexual assault kiss with World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso.Rubiales, who may face prosecution, reportedly sent the footage — in which Spain’s Hermoso laughs and jokes about the incident — to football governing body Fifa.
      Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales was hoping a new video clip will clear him of his alleged sexual assault kiss
      Rubiales kissed World Cup winner Jenni HermosoCredit: Pixel8000
      Rubiales reportedly sent the footage to Fifa but one anti-domestic abuse campaigner said he was ‘deluded’
      A source said: “This video is gold dust for Rubiales. All along we have said for Jenni to tell the truth. There was no sexual assault.”
      But one anti-domestic abuse campaigner said Rubiales was deluded if he thought it would exonerate him.
      Teresa Parker, who developed a campaign in football for Women’s Aid, said it was wrong to pressure Hermoso to change her story.
      She added: “If a woman says she didn’t consent, she didn’t consent, it is that straightforward.”
      READ MORE ON Luis Rubiales
      The video, posted on X/Twitter by a reporter, shows smiling Hermoso, 33, swigging bubbly and showing a phone snap of the incident on the team bus after the final in Sydney.
      She is heard asking team-mates whether they have seen it, before demonstrating how he came over to hug her.
      Other players chant “beso” — Spanish for kiss.
      Team-mates also compare it to retired Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas’s snog with his TV reporter girlfriend Sara Carbonero after the men’s 2010 World Cup win.
      Most read in Football
      And when Rubiales boards the coach, he tells the women: “Stop, you’re making me blush.”
      Three days later, CF Pachuca midfielder Hermoso, 33, denounced the kiss.
      Colleagues have joined her in refusing to play for their country until Rubiales is axed.
      Female footballers from Barcelona and Club América also held a “You are not alone” banner ahead of a friendly in Mexico City on Tuesday.
      Spain’s government, meanwhile, has submitted paperwork to a sports tribunal which is examining two formal complaints against Rubiales.
      The 46-year-old, who faces a Fifa investigation as well as a criminal sexual assault investigation, has claimed the kiss was consensual,
      His mum, Angeles Bejar, 72, was taken to hospital last night on the third day of her hunger strike in support of her son at a church in Motril, near Malaga.
      Female footballers from Barcelona and Club América held a ‘You are not alone’ bannerCredit: AFP
      Rubiales faces a Fifa investigation as well as a criminal sexual assault investigationCredit: AFP More

    • 238 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      How infamous World Cup kiss has become Spain’s MeToo moment sparking mass resignations – and even a hunger strike

      by

      IT should have been one of Spain’s proudest moments as the country lifted the Women’s World Cup after beating England in a thrilling final.But a “celebratory” kiss planted on striker Jenni Hermoso by her football association boss has seen anger replace joy and led to thousands of women taking to the streets in protest.
      A ‘celebratory’ kiss planted on Jenni Hermoso by her boss has seen anger replace joy in Spain after they won the World CupCredit: Getty
      A MeToo-style revolution has now been unleashed across the countryCredit: Reuters
      Social media has been flooded with the hashtag #SeAcabo, meaning ‘it’s over’Credit: Getty
      The #MeToo-style revolution that has been unleashed and is reverberating through Spain has also caused mass resignations and even a dramatic hunger strike.
      Gender issues have become a prominent topic in the country in recent years, with marches against sexual violence and reforms around equal pay and abortion rights.
      Now the outpouring of solidarity for forward Hermoso, 33 — who received the unwanted kiss on the lips from Royal Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales — may yet prove more significant than the victory in the final itself.
      Reserve goalie Misa Rodriguez tweeted a cartoon of an old woman and a child with the caption: “Grandma, tell me about how your team won the World Cup.”
      READ MORE WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
      The grandmother answers: “We didn’t just win the World Cup, little one. We won so much more.”
      Social media has been flooded with posts bearing the hashtag #SeAcabo, meaning, “It’s over”.
      And in an extraordinary mutiny, Hermoso, her 23 World Cup team mates and 56 other women footballers have refused to play for Spain while Rubiales remains in post.
      Fifa have stepped in, removing Rubiales from all football-related activities for 90 days.
      Most read in Football
      Bizarre and crude
      On Monday, Spanish prosecutors opened a criminal investigation into Rubiales’ behaviour.
      His own RFEF association has even called on him to step down.
      Demonstrators continue to march against RubialesCredit: AP
      And feminist associations continue to support JenniCredit: Getty
      However, Rubiales has remained bullishly unrepentant and insists the kiss was consensualCredit: Pixel8000
      But Rubiales, 46, has remained bullishly unrepentant, insisting the kiss was consensual.
      His mum, Angeles Bejar, has locked herself inside a church and gone on hunger strike in protest at her son’s treatment.
      She insisted: “I will remain here for as long as my body can.
      “I am willing to die for justice because my son is a decent person and it is not fair what they’re doing.”
      Rubiales’ cousin Vanessa Ruiz says the family want Hermoso to “tell the truth” and acknowledge that the kiss was not forced.
      For her part, the player says she was “the victim of an aggression” and “at no time did I consent to the kiss he gave me”.
      This dispiriting story began in what should have been a joyous occasion amid the heaving cauldron of Stadium Australia on August 20.
      Spain had dominated the first half against England, going 1-0 up.
      Then with 20 minutes to go, La Roja (The Red One), as the Spain team are nicknamed, were awarded a penalty.
      Veteran striker Hermoso stepped up to take it, only to see it saved by Lioness keeper Mary Earps in front of more than 75,000 fans.
      Spain clung on to win by their single goal. As the final whistle sounded, Rubiales leapt up to celebrate in bizarre and crude fashion.
      Standing next to Spain’s queen and her 16-year-old daughter, he gestured at the players on the field, then grabbed his crotch.
      Worse was to follow.
      Rubiales, also a vice-president of European football’s governing body Uefa, was positioned on the winners’ rostrum to greet his victorious team.
      As Hermoso approached, he hugged her around the neck and appeared to lift his body weight off the ground and swing both knees close to her hips.
      Then he dropped his feet to the ground, cupped his hands around her head and kissed her on the lips.
      Back in the dressing room, La Roja players replayed the incident on a phone.
      As some of the Spain stars giggled and screamed, Hermoso could be seen shouting: “But I didn’t like it!”
      When quizzed about his behaviour afterwards, Rubiales dismissed critics of his unwanted kiss as “idiots”.
      He added: “When two people have a minor show of affection, we can’t listen to idiocy. We are champions and that’s what I’ll take.”
      Yet many around the world were now talking about his boorish and sexist behaviour rather than La Roja’s brilliant victory.
      Miquel Iceta, Spain’s minister for culture and sport, said: “We’re in a moment of equality, of rights and respect for women.
      “I think it’s unacceptable to kiss a player on the lips to congratulate her.”
      As the Spanish team stopped off in Qatar en route home, Rubiales finally issued a mealy-mouthed apology, saying he was, “Sorry to those who were offended”.
      Later that same day, the RFEF released a statement on behalf of Hermoso in an attempt to draw a line under the furore.
      It quoted Hermoso as saying: “It was a totally spontaneous mutual gesture due to the immense joy of winning a World Cup.
      “The president and I have a great relationship, his behaviour with all of us has been excellent and it was a natural gesture of affection and gratitude.”
      But players’ body FIFPRO, which represents 65,000 footballers worldwide, took a different view.
      It said in a statement: “Uninitiated and uninvited physical gestures towards players are not appropriate or acceptable in any context.
      “This is especially true when players are put in a position of vulnerability because a physical approach or gesture is initiated by a person who holds power over them.”
      Back in Spain, the country’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, said Rubiales’ apology was “insufficient and inadequate”.
      He added: “It shows that in our country there’s a long way to go in terms of equality and respect between men and women.”
      As pressure built, there were reports that Rubiales was set to resign.
      Then last Friday, the defiant chief not only refused to quit but also cast himself as the victim.
      He tried to make amends for his crotch grab, saying: “I have to apologise to the royal family. It wasn’t very edifying.”
      ‘False feminism’
      He suggested there was “no dominance” in the kiss planted on Hermoso and claimed he asked the player if she agreed to “a peck” and she had said yes.
      Rubiales insisted he was subject to a “social assassination”, adding that his critics were harnessing “false feminism, one of the scourges of this country”.
      Players at her club team of Pachuca in Mexico stood in support of JenniCredit: Getty
      Rubiales also celebrated with another of Spain’s winning players by lifting her upCredit: AFP via Getty
      Hermoso hit back, calling Rubiales’ claims “categorically false and part of the manipulative culture that he himself has generated”.
      She said: “At no time did I consent to the kiss. It fills us with sadness that such an unacceptable event is managing to tarnish the greatest sporting success of Spanish women’s football.”
      But RFEF hit back, accusing Hermoso of “lies’” and threatening legal action.
      Hermoso’s teammates rallied round, boycotting the national team.
      And 11 enraged technical staff from Spain’s women’s team quit.
      The Spanish government has begun legal proceedings to suspend Rubiales.
      But staggeringly, he remains in post with a key role in trying to win Spain’s joint bid to host the 2030 men’s World Cup.
      Born in the Canary Islands and raised in Motril, southern Spain, Rubiales was a journeyman defender for teams including Mallorca B and Hamilton in Scotland.
      He became RFEF chief in 2018, earning some £300,000. He also earns around £210,000 as a Uefa vice-president.
      But his tenure at the Spanish FA has been dogged by allegations of sleaze.
      In 2020, his uncle, Juan Rubiales, told Spanish anti-corruption prosecutors that his nephew ordered him to use FA funds to pay for a private party with eight or ten young women said to be sex workers.
      Juan, who Rubiales had sacked as his head of staff, claimed the women attended the “orgies” under the pretext of a work event.
      RFEF denied the claim, saying it was a “new exercise in falsehoods by a former federative employee motivated by spite”.
      Dad-of-three Rubiales, who is separated from his wife, is being investigated by Spanish authorities for using RFEF funds for a week-long break in New York with partner Roberta Lobeira, a Mexican painter.
      Rubiales insists he was meeting UN and Major League Soccer representatives.
      Meanwhile, Hermoso was met with rapturous applause when attending the Women’s Cup final between Atletico Madrid and AC Milan on Saturday.
      Read More on The Sun
      The players unfurled a giant banner reading, “We’re with you, Jenni Hermoso”, as did players at her club team of Pachuca in Mexico.
      And millions watching this sorry saga unfold will surely agree.
      Millions watching the sorry saga unfold stand in support of JenniCredit: Getty More

    • 188 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Disgraced Spanish FA chief Luis Rubiales BANNED by Fifa after kissgate row with Jenni Hermoso

      by

      SHAMED football chief Luis Rubiales has been BANNED by Fifa over his kissgate scandal.The Spanish FA president kissed Spain World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso on the lips immediately after their final win over England.
      Luis Rubiales has been suspended by FifaCredit: The Mega Agency
      The Spanish FA president kissed Jennifer Hermoso after the Women’s World Cup final
      On Thursday, Fifa announced that they had opened disciplinary proceedings against Rubiales in the wake of the incident.
      And they have since suspended him from all football-related activities for the next 90 days.
      The controversial Rubiales has received widespread criticism this week – both for the kiss and his leadership of the Spanish FA – including from players, LaLiga clubs, the Lionesses, the protesting Spanish public and even politicians.
      As a response, the entirety of the coaching staff of Spain’s women’s team have now resigned except for head coach Jorge Vilda.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Hermoso stated that the kiss was not consensual – but the Spanish FA have defended their president and instead waged war with their midfielder by threatening to sue her.
      A number of stars, including men’s striker Borja Iglesias, have quit the national team in protest against the chief, who performed a dramatic U-turn and refused to resign in a press conference on Friday.
      Rubiales was criticised for his behaviour during Sunday’s Women’s World Cup final as Spain beat England 1-0 to be crowned champions for the first time.
      He was filmed grabbing his crotch to celebrate the winning goal and then kissed Hermoso on the lips as she came up to receive her winner’s medal.  
      Most read in Football
      The controversial chief also went into the team dressing room after full-time, where he vowed to take the women on holiday to Ibiza and even marry Hermoso.
      But the midfielder said in the immediate aftermath that she “did not enjoy” the unsolicited kiss.
      The Spanish FA put out a statement on Sunday night claiming to be from Hermoso, but she gave her own version of events to confirm that the act from Rubiales was NOT consensual.
      Rubiales initially hit out at the “idiots” criticising his behaviour before a weak apology on Monday.
      And as the backlash continued against his actions in Sydney and also his ongoing leadership of the RFEF, he was expected to quit on Friday.
      However, in the press conference, he defiantly said: “I am not resigning.”
      Rubiales also slammed “false feminism” for his “social assassination” and described the kiss as a “consensual, spontaneous little peck”.
      The decision not to step down was widely condemned by players, clubs and even Spanish politicians.
      And that prompted Spain’s men’s team two-cap striker Iglesias to go on strike from international football until Rubiales resigns in solidarity with his female counterparts.
      A staggering 81 Spanish women players have also said they will refuse to play while England’s Lionesses released a statement labelling the Spanish FA as “sexist and patriarchal”.
      David De Gea, Hector Bellerin and Alex Morgan were among the high-profile footballers who also used social media to voice their anger – as did TNT presenter Laura Woods.
      Hermoso said she was being put under “continuous pressure” by the Spanish FA to publicly support Rubiales.
      A football match called ‘Friends of Luis Rubiales Match’ in the town that he grew up in that he was due to play in has now been suspended by Town Hall officials due to security reasons.
      The decision was made as several feminist organisations announced plans to protest outside the event.
      ‘VULNERABLE VICTIM’
      The 33-year-old also revealed she was made to feel “vulnerable and a victim of an impulse-driven, sexist, out-of-place act without any consent on my part” in a brave Instagram post.
      Hermoso, who plays her club football for Pachuca in Mexico, spoke out after her loyal Spain team-mates confirmed they would not take to the field again until Rubiales left his position.
      Despite winning the World Cup, the atmosphere around La Roja was already toxic due to the deeply unpopular Vilda, who applauded Rubiales at the press conference.
      The Spanish FA hit back at Hermoso by threatening her with legal action and posted photos of their star player allegedly lifting him up, which she denies.
      However, Fifa have now taken the step to temporarily ban Rubiales – and ordered him and the Spanish FA not to make any contact with Hermoso.
      An official statement from world football’s governing body says: “The president of the Fifa Disciplinary Committee, Jorge Ivan Palacio (Colombia), using the powers granted by article 51 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code (CDF), has agreed today to provisionally suspend Mr Luis Rubiales of all soccer-related activities at a national and international level.
      “This suspension, which will be effective as of today, extends for an initial period of ninety days, and as long as the disciplinary procedure opened by this Disciplinary Commission against Mr Luis Rubiales on Thursday, August 24, is processed.    
      “Likewise, the president of the Fifa Disciplinary Committee in order to preserve, among other factors, the fundamental rights of the player of the national soccer team Ms Jennifer Hermoso and the good order of the disciplinary procedure that is in process before this disciplinary body, has issued two additional directives (article 7 CDF) by which it orders Mr Luis Rubiales to refrain, through himself or third parties, from contacting or attempting to contact the professional player of the Spanish national team Ms Jennifer Hermoso or to your immediate surroundings.
      “Likewise, the RFEF and its officers or employees, directly or through third parties, are ordered to refrain from contacting the professional player of the Spanish national team Ms Jennifer Hermoso or her close environment.
      “The decision adopted by the president of the Fifa Disciplinary Committee has been communicated today to Mr. Luis Rubiales, the RFEF and UEFA, for due compliance.
      Read More on The Sun
      “The Fifa Disciplinary Committee will not offer any further information on this disciplinary procedure until a final decision has been taken on it.
      “Fifa reiterates its absolute commitment to respecting the integrity of all people and therefore condemns it with the greatest vigour any behaviour to the contrary.”
      Hermoso confirmed she did not consent to the kissCredit: AP
      Fifa is run by Gianni Infantino, leftCredit: Getty
      The Spanish public came out in force to protest againstCredit: EPA
      Spanish women’s manager Jorge Vilda has supported RubialesCredit: Getty More

    • 125 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Who is Luis Rubiales and what happened with Jenni Hermoso?

      by

      LUIS Rubiales is known for his football career as well as being the president of the Spanish football federation.He has been caught up in some controversy with Jenni Hermoso, but who is he and what happened?
      Luis Rubiales kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lipsCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      Who is Luis Rubiales?
      Luis Rubiales is the president of the Spanish football federation and also quite the football career himself.
      He is a Spanish football official and former professional player who played as a defender.
      Rubiales was born in Las Palmas, Canary Islands on August 23, 1977.
      During his Spanish career he represented multiple teams such as Guadix CF, RCD Mallorca B, UE Lleida, Xerez CD, Levante UD and Alicante CF.
      Read more on sport
      What happened with Jenni Hermoso?
      Rubiales has come under fire after kissing Spanish football player Jenni Hermoso on the lips after they won the Women’s World Cup.
      He was also criticised for grabbing his crotch as he celebrated La Roja’s historic victory at the final whistle.
      It has been reported that he also went into the dressing room after full-time, vowing to take the women’s team on a holiday to Ibiza and to marry Hermoso.
      What has Luis Rubiales said?
      Fifa opened a disciplinary proceeding into the matter and a press conference was held where Rubiales said he would not resign.
      Most read in Football
      Explaining his crotch grab, he said: “In a moment of euphoria I grabbed that part of my body.”
      On the kiss, he said: “I was very moved when after winning the World Cup you turned around and dedicated it to me. There I made the gesture.
      “I apologise to the Queen and the Infanta for a very unedifying gesture. I do not justify myself: sorry.
      “The kiss was consented. We had very affectionate moments in this concentration.
      “The moment Jenni appeared, she picked me up from the ground and we almost fell. And when she left me on the ground, we hugged. She took me up in her arms and we hugged.
      “I told her ‘forget the [missed] penalty, you’ve been fantastic in this World Cup’ and she told me ‘you’re a crack’ and I told her, a little peck? and she said okay.”
      Is Luis Rubiales married and does he have children?
      The short answer is no.
      As of 2023, Rubiales is not married and does not have any children. More

    • 213 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Fifa opens disciplinary proceedings into Spanish FA president Rubiales after he grabbed women’s star and kissed her

      by

      FIFA have opened disciplinary proceedings over the conduct of Luis Rubiales after he grabbed and kissed a World Cup star.The Spanish FA president planted his lips on Jenni Hermoso after they beat England 1-0 in the final.
      Luis Rubiales is being investigated by FifaCredit: Rex
      Rubiales forced a kiss on Hermoso’s lips
      Rubiales was presenting the Spain team with their winners’ medals when the shocking incident occurred.
      The 46-year-old grabbed several members of the squad and hugged them tightly on their way to the podium.
      Footage showed him forcing a kiss Hermoso’s lips with the attacking midfielder revealing afterwards that she “did not enjoy” it in a clip addressing the situation on Instagram.
      The chief rewarded his winning players with a holiday to Ibiza and vowed to marry Hermoso on the island during a dressing room speech.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Rubiales has faced widespread criticism, including from Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sanchez.
      Hermoso has also issued a statement with the players’ union calling for “measures to protect the players against actions we believe are unacceptable”.
      Rubiales was also caught on camera grabbing his genitals in the stands during the match.
      The former defender was positioned next to Queen Letizia and her 16-year-old daughter Sofia at the time.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      There has been calls for Rubiales to resign.
      He initially seemed to defend his kiss with Hermoso and branded critics as “idiots”.
      Rubiales spoke on radio Marca and said: “When two people have a minor show of affection, we can’t listen to idiocy.
      “We are champions and that’s what I’ll take.”
      He later released an apology, saying: “I’ve no doubt made a mistake and I have to admit it.
      “At a moment of maximum excitement, without any bad intention or bad faith, what happened happened in a very spontaneous manner, I repeat without bad faith on either side.”
      Fifa confirmed they will look into his actions, saying: “The events may constitute violations of article 13 paragraphs 1 and 2 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
      “The FIFA Disciplinary Committee will only provide further information on these disciplinary proceedings once it has issued a final decision on the matter.
      “FIFA reiterates its unwavering commitment to respecting the integrity of all individuals and strongly condemns any behaviour to the contrary.”
      Luis Rubiales has been widely criticisedCredit: Rex More

    • 213 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Fifa president Gianni Infantino blasted for ‘peak cringe’ and embarrassing fashion faux-pas at Women’s World Cup final

      by

      FIFA president Gianni Infantino was blasted for his “peak cringe” performance at the Women’s World Cup final.That’s after committing an embarrassing fashion faux-pas in Australia.
      Gianni Infantino was slammed for his outfit at the Women’s World Cup finalCredit: Getty
      The Fifa chief wore white trainers with a dark suitCredit: Getty
      Infantino watched from the stands as England suffered a 1-0 defeat to Spain in Sydney.
      Olga Carmona scored the only goal of the game with a fine hit in the 29th minute.
      And it saw England’s dreams of winning back-to-back tournaments come to a shuddering end Down Under.
      The Lionesses were not best pleased with their opponents, with some fans accusing Spain of play-acting throughout the game.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      But the most controversial moment of the tournament may have come AFTER the final ball was kicked.
      Fifa chief Infantino handed out medals to both England and Spain before presenting the latter with their World Cup trophy.
      However, he caught the eye for the wrong reasons after wearing bright white trainers with a dark suit.
      The combo left many supporters scratching their heads.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      And Infantino was slammed for delivering “peak cringe” to the best women’s World Cup in memory.
      One fan said: “Infantino wearing trainers with a designer suit is peak cringe. Embarrassing.”
      Another declared: “There’s no excuse for a grown man wearing white trainers with a suit.
      “Infantino looks like a page boy at a wedding reception who’s been allowed to swap shoes after the photographer has finished up.”
      One noted: “What bothers me most about the outcome of today’s final is Infantino handing out the medals in a suit and white trainers!”
      Another added: “Only Infantino can make the black suit and white trainer combo look totally dorky.”

      Spain vs England LIVE – Latest updates from Women’s World Cup final More

    • 188 Shares119 Views

      in Soccer

      Is the Women’s World Cup trophy made of gold and how much is it worth?

      by

      THE 2023 Women’s World Cup is set to culminate in a face-off between Spain and England.The football squads will compete at Stadium Australia in Sydney on August 20, with the hopes of bringing home the coveted trophy for their team – and their country.
      Spain and England will compete for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup trophyCredit: Isabel Infantes/Shutterstock
      What is the Women’s World Cup trophy made of?
      According to FIFA, the Women’s World Cup trophy is made of sterling silver but is covered in 23 karat white and yellow gold.
      The trophy measures 47 centimetres and weighs 4.6 kilograms.
      The award’s design features a spiral with a football at the top.
      There is also a cone-shaped platform at the bottom of the trophy, where the names of past winners of the tournament are displayed.
      Read More on Women’s World Cup
      FIFA states that the composition of the trophy symbolises “the athleticism, dynamism and elegance of women’s football”.
      The trophy was designed by William Sawaya for the 1999 Women’s World Cup, held in the USA.
      It was handcrafted in Milan, Italy.
      The current trophy is the second iteration of the Women’s World Cup prize.
      Most read in Football
      The first trophy was only awarded at the first two Women’s World Cups in 1991 and 1995.
      It had to be replaced after it was stolen in 1997 from the Ullevaal stadium in Oslo following Norway’s 1995 win.
      How much is the trophy worth?
      According to reports, in 2015 the Women’s World Cup trophy had an estimated value of around £23,000 in 2015.
      The Men’s World Cup trophy, meanwhile, was valued at £227,000 in 2022.
      That trophy is made up of 6.175 kilograms of 18 karat gold.
      Which teams have won the most Women’s World Cup trophies?
      The United States is the team that has won the most Women’s World Cup tournaments.
      They have lifted the trophy four times, in 1991, 1999, 2015, and 2019.
      The US squad has also had the most top four finishes at the tournament, having made it to the semi-finals eight times.
      They also have made five appearances in a Women’s World Cup final, making them the team with the most final appearances.
      Germany have won the Women’s World Cup the second-most times.
      They have two victories to their name, having been crowned champions in 2003 and 2007.
      Read More on The Sun
      The Lionesses have never secured World Cup glory but have reached the semi-finals twice, in 2015 and 2019
      Their 2023 opponents, Spain, will also be winning for the first time if victorious at the World Cup final. More

    • 238 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Gianni Infantino ‘at it again’ say fans as Fifa president gives cringe speech telling women ‘you have the power’

      by

      FIFA president Gianni Infantino has baffled fans with a bizarre speech ahead of the Women’s World Cup final.The 53-year-old, who holds the most powerful position in football, told female players that they have to “pick the right battles” in the fight for equal pay and treatment.
      Infantino gave a bizarre speech on Friday about women in footballCredit: Getty
      Those in the audience looked unimpressedCredit: Sky Sports
      The speech drew criticism from former Ballon d’Or winner HegerbergCredit: Getty
      Speaking in Sydney, he said: “I say to all the women, and you know I have four daughters, so I have a few at home, I say to all the women that you have the power to change.
      “Pick the right battles. Pick the right fights. You have the power to change.
      “You have the power to convince us men what we have to do and what we don’t have to do. You do it. Just do it.
      “With men, with Fifa, you will find open doors. Just push the doors. They are open.”
      Read More on the World Cup
      Infantino’s bizarre speech left many fans gobsmacked, with one person tweeting: “I regret to inform you that FIFA President Gianni Infantino is at it again.”
      Another added: “It’s easier to tweet when he’s not at it.”
      A third wrote: “As a man myself, people like him making comments like that make me cringe.
      “Many of us fellas are better than him, believe me. Women are better than him. Most people are better than him!”
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
      A fourth person commented: “Decades of keeping women out and now he’s saying just push the doors open. No, you need to invite them in.”
      While a fifth simply said: “He really needs to just stop talking.”
      Infantino’s comments also drew criticism from Lyon striker and former Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg.
      The Norway international tweeted: “Working on a little presentation to convince men. Who’s in?”
      Infantino shocked fans with his unusual speech prior to the Men’s World Cup in November.
      He started an hour-long presentation by saying: “Today I feel Qatari. Today I feel Arab. Today I feel African. Today I feel gay. Today I feel disabled. Today I feel a migrant worker.
      “Of course I am not Qatari, Arab, gay or disabled.”
      England are set to face Spain in the Women’s World Cup final on Sunday.
      Read More on The Sun
      The Lionesses are undefeated so far at this Women’s World Cup, having secured wins over Haiti, Denmark, China, Nigeria, Colombia and Australia.
      Meanwhile, Spain have won all-but one game on their way to the final. More