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Spain World Cup players to testify in Rubiales case

Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas and two other Spain players will testify before a judge over the Women's World Cup kiss scandal involving Luis Rubiales, a judicial source said Monday.

Spain World Cup players to testify in Rubiales case
Alexia Putellas and Irene Paredes (L) are two of the three players who will testify in court in the Rubiales case. (Photo by Jonathan NACKSTRAND / AFP)

Putellas, defender Irene Paredes and goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez are all slated to testify on October 2nd in the case against Rubiales who is facing sexual assault charges after kissing midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain beat England in the final on August 20th.

Rubiales was head of Spain’s RFEF football federation at the time but has since resigned. He made his first appearance in court on September 15th.

Putellas, one of four players who captain the national squad, was quick to publicly defend Hermoso in the scandal that erupted over the forcible kiss, denouncing Rubiales’ refusal to resign as “unacceptable”.

Barcelona defender Paredes, also a national squad captain, and Rodriguez, who was on the bench for the final, will also testify at next week’s session.

On Monday, investigating judge Francisco de Jorge heard testimony from Hermoso’s brother and one of her friends, the source said.

Both confirmed Hermoso’s statements that she did not consent to the kiss and had been under pressure to justify Rubiales’ actions.

The disgraced former football boss is also facing charges of coercion after Hermoso stated that she “and those close to her had suffered constant ongoing pressure by Luis Rubiales and his professional entourage to justify and condone” his actions.

Several experts also testified on Monday, with the judge due to hear testimony from RFEF members on Thursday.

It was not immediately clear whether Hermoso — who has since returned to Mexico where she currently plays for Pachuca FC — would be called to testify, and if so, when it would happen.

Following the initial hearing, the judge slapped Rubiales with a restraining order, banning him from being within 200 metres of Hermoso.

Rubiales’ actions in front of the world’s cameras sparked a huge backlash, but he refused to resign, prompting FIFA to suspend him and prosecutors to file suit against him before he finally threw in the towel and resigned on September 11th, three weeks after the incident.

But the kiss provoked a rebellion within women’s football with scores of players staging a strike to demand far-reaching changes within the RFEF.

Ahead of their first Nations League match on Friday, the World Cup squad staged a joint protest with their Swedish opponents holding up a giant banner in Spanish saying “It’s over” in reference to sexism within football.

Spain won the Gothenburg clash 3-2.

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SPORT

Atlético Madrid hit with partial stadium closure after racist abuse

Atlético Madrid must partially close their stadium for two La Liga matches after Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams suffered racial abuse there, the Spanish football federation said.

Atlético Madrid hit with partial stadium closure after racist abuse

The Spain international heard monkey chants directed at him in the first half of his team’s 3-1 defeat at Atlético’s Metropolitano stadium in Spain’s top flight on Saturday.

“(Atlético have been issued) a sanction of partial closure of their sports venue for a period of two matches and a financial penalty of €20,000 ($21,350),” said the federation’s competition committee in a statement.

READ ALSO: World Cup winner Del Bosque to watch over Spain’s scandal-hit federation

One area of Atlético’s stadium will be shut for the upcoming league matches against Celta Vigo and Osasuna, as they strive for a top four finish.

“I went to take the corner and I heard monkey noises,” said Williams after Saturday’s game.

“There weren’t many of them. There are stupid people everywhere… I hope this changes bit by bit.”

Williams scored after the abuse and celebrated by pointing to his arm in reference to his skin colour.

“(The celebration) was with a bit of anger, it’s not normal to be insulted for the colour of your skin,” he added.

Spanish football has suffered a spate of racist incidents in recent years, many of which have been aimed at Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior.

The Brazil international earned global support after facing off with a fan who was abusing him last year at Valencia’s Mestalla stadium, which also faced subsequent partial closure.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: The racism problem that has blighted Spanish football

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