Spanish women call off strike as FPF agrees minimum wage package
September 14 – Spain’s women’s players have called off a strike after reaching an agreement with Liga F and its clubs over minimum wages. The season will now start this weekend.
Women
Rubiales due to testify in Spanish court on sexual assault charges on Friday
September 12 – Former Spanish football boss Luis Rubiales will testify on Friday at Spain’s National Court on charges of sexual assault and coercion after he resigned from his role at the weekend following his unsolicited kiss on Spain forward Jennifer Hermoso’s lips during the Women’s World Cup final trophy presentation.
Rubiales bows to pressure and steps down from RFEF, but vows to clear his name
September 11 – After weeks of pressure Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish FA (RFEF), has resigned following his unsolicited kiss with World Cup winner Jennifer Hermoso after the tournament’s final, but the football official vowed to clear his name.
Spanish Liga F season delayed as women start two week strike over pay
September 6 – Players in Liga F, the top tier of women’s football in Spain, are set to go on strike over pay which will see them miss the first two scheduled games of the league season. The opening game of season between Sevilla and Grenadilla Tenerife is scheduled for tonight.
WISL blows on to US women’s pro soccer scene promising an open league, meritocrisy and opportunity
September 8 – The Women’s Independent Soccer League (WISL) has applied to the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) for sanctioning as a Division II women’s professional league with a view to kicking off its inaugural season in 2024.
RFEF fires women’s head coach and Rubiales-backed ally Jorge Vilda
September 6 – Women’s world champions Spain are looking for a new national coach after Jorge Vilda was fired amid the controversy involving suspended federation president Luis Rubiales.
RFEF issues apology to world football over the damage caused by Rubiales’ actions
By Samindra Kunti
September 5 – The Spanish FA (RFEF) have issued an apology for the “totally unacceptable” behaviour of Luis Rubiales after kissing Jenni Hermoso at the Women’s World Cup final. The RFEF has also sacked coach its head women’s coach Jorge Vilda.
Spanish men’s team condemn Rubiales and express solidarity with women’s players
September 5 – In their first public statement in the Rubiales affair, Spain’s men’s national team have condemned the “unacceptable behaviour” of their federation president in a show of support for the women’s World Cup-winning side.
Infantino says Rubiales kiss spoiled Spain’s win; Hermoso critical of ‘controlling culture’
September 1 – FIFA President Gianni Infantino says Luis Rubiales “spoiled” the Spanish team’s celebrations at the Women’s World Cup by kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the lips.
World Cup fallout: Norway’s Riise and Colombia’s Abadia step down from women’s roles
September 1 – Norway’s Hege Riise and Colombia’s Nelson Abadia will step down as managers after leading their countries at the recent Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Brazil fire Pia Sundhage after disappointing 2023 World Cup
August 31 – Brazil have dismissed Pia Sundhage as coach after their first-round exit from the recent Women’s World Cup, the country’s earliest departure since the 1995 finals.
Rapinoe to make US national team final bow against South Africa
August 30 – Women’s footballing icon Megan Rapinoe will play her final game for the United States on September 24 in a friendly against South Africa in Chicago.
Ireland end contract with Pauw after maiden World Cup final appearance
August 30 – Vera Pauw (pictured) will depart her role as Republic of Ireland Women’s manager following the expiry of her contract at the end of August. Eileen Gleeson will take charge on an interim basis.
Rubiales’ mother protests ‘hounding’ of her son by going on hunger strike
August 29 – The mother of under-fire Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales has begun a hunger strike in defence of her son as the pressure continues to grow on him to resign over “that” kiss.
FIFA suspend Rubiales as Spanish open criminal investigations and players refuse to play
By Andrew Warshaw
August 28 – One week after the most infamous kiss in football history during the Women’s World Cup awards ceremony, the reputation of Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales reputation is in tatters after FIFA temporarily banned him from the game.