arabnews.com - Spanish prosecutors accuse Rubiales of sexual assault and coercion for kissing a player at World Cup

Spanish prosecutors accuse Rubiales of sexual assault and coercion for kissing a player at World Cup

BARCELONA, Spain: Spanish state prosecutors have accused Luis Rubiales of sexual assault and coercion for kissing a player without her consent after the Women’s World Cup final, the country’s prosecutors’ office said Friday. Rubiales, the now-suspended president of the Spanish soccer federation, kissed Jenni Hermoso during the awards ceremony after Spain beat England to win the title on Aug. 20 in Sydney, Australia. Prosecutors presented a case against Rubiales to Spain’s National Court in Madrid two days after Hermoso formally accused him of sexual assault. According to a sexual consent law passed last year, Rubiales could face a fine or a prison sentence of one to four years if found guilty of sexual assault. Prosecutors added Friday that Rubiales could have committed an act of coercion when, according to Hermoso, he pressured her to speak out in his defense immediately after the scandal erupted regarding his behavior. Rubiales has insisted the kiss was consensual.

Saudi transfer window closes after a $1 billion spending spree on soccer stars

MANCHESTER, England: After an outlay of $1 billion, Saudi Arabia’s transfer window shut on Thursday with the Kingdom having announced itself as a new powerhouse in global soccer. Leading target Mohamed Salah may not have joined Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Karim Benzema by moving to the lucrative Saudi Pro League, but it seems inevitable more stars will eventually be lured away from Europe’s biggest clubs. Liverpool last week reportedly rejected a bid worth 150 million pounds ($188 million) from Al-Ittihad for Salah and despite speculation a renewed offer would come before Thursday’s deadline, no deal was struck for the Egypt international. There is, however, little suggestion Saudi Arabia’s spectacular spending will end there as the country has sought to move its way into international sports, investing in recent years in golf, boxing, Formula One racing and tennis, as well as soccer. Based on reported fees, Saudi clubs paid just over $1 billion on players, which would place it behind only the English Premier League in terms of global spending during the window. Then there are the large salaries said to be on offer, with Ronaldo’s deal reportedly worth up to $200 million a year. Despite anticipation that Salah could be the latest superstar signing, the Saudi window ended relatively quietly.

LeBron James makes young Saudi players starry-eyed during first country visit

RIYADH: Global basketball legend LeBron James, in his first visit to Saudi Arabia, held a clinic this week for starry-eyed young Saudi Arabia players, including emerging stars from the women’s national team.

Gauff, Sabalenka into US Open final after climate protest

NEW YORK: American teenager Coco Gauff shrugged off disruption from climate protesters to reach the US Open final on Thursday as Aryna Sabalenka survived a huge scare to stay on course for a second Grand Slam title.

Neymar says not 100 percent fit for Brazil, compares Saudi league to French

SAO PAULO: Brazil striker Neymar said he is not fully fit to play in the two opening rounds of World Cup qualifying due to the right ankle injury that has sidelined him since February.

Messi scores from a free kick to give Argentina 1-0 win in South American World Cup qualifying

BUENOS AIRES: Once again, and now as a World Cup champion, Lionel Messi came to Argentina’s rescue when the team most needed him.

Molano beats Groves in sprint to stage 12 Vuelta victory

BARCELONA: Juan Sebastian Molano sprinted to stage 12 victory in the Vuelta a Espana on Thursday, while Sepp Kuss kept the red jersey.

France stay perfect in European qualifiers, Poland triumph to revive campaign

PARIS: Two-time champion France were rock solid again as they resumed their qualifying campaign for the European Championship with a fifth straight win Thursday, while the Netherlands eased to a 3-0 victory over Greece to keep their chances alive in Group B.

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Spanish prosecutors accuse Rubiales of sexual assault and coercion for kissing a player at World Cup

Saudi transfer window closes after a $1 billion spending spree on soccer stars

LeBron James makes young Saudi players starry-eyed during first country visit

Gauff, Sabalenka into US Open final after climate protest

Neymar says not 100 percent fit for Brazil, compares Saudi league to French

Messi scores from a free kick to give Argentina 1-0 win in South American World Cup qualifying

Molano beats Groves in sprint to stage 12 Vuelta victory

France stay perfect in European qualifiers, Poland triumph to revive campaign