FIFA launches women’s futsal championship and expands U20 women’s finals
October 6 – FIFA has unveiled plans for a new women’s futsal tournament while expanding its existing women’s age-group competitions.
Women
Arsenal break WSL attendance record for season opener against Liverpool
October 4 – Arsenal Women have broken the Barclays Women’s Super League attendance record for the second season, as 54,115 fans entered the gates at the Emirates Stadium to watch the team’s league opener versus Liverpool on Sunday.
WSL boosts season launch with ‘Where Greatness Lives’ campaign
September 26 – The Barclays Women’s Super League has unveiled its new promotional campaign, ‘Where Greatness Lives’, as part of its 2023/24 season launch, with first matches kicking off this weekend.
Alexia Putellas says RFEF meeting will mark a watershed for women and sports in Spain
September 22 – The decision by Spain’s women players to terminate their boycott should be a “turning point” in her country for society as well as sport, says two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas.
England’s Lionesses agree pay deal with the FA
September 22 – England’s Lionesses, have reached an agreement with the FA over pay and bonuses, England defender Millie Bright, standing in as captain for the injured Leah Williamson, revealed in a media interview.
WSL edges towards creation of non-FA owned company to expand league
September 20 – England’s Women’s Super League breakaway plan from the apron strings of the FA towards a fully independent entity is progressing with a ‘newco’ expected to be launched to hold the league’s ownership and operations at the end of the year.
Spanish court imposes restraining order on Rubiales as judge calls for video footage
September 15 – Luis Rubiales, the now former president of the Spanish FA and ex-vice president of Uefa, went to the High Court in Madrid today to give his eagerly awaited testimony to prosecutors investigating his infamous kiss on the lips of World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso.
Medal of Honour winner Putellas doubles down on call for gender equality and an end to abuse
September 14 – Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas has called on authorities to show “courage and leadership” to eliminate lack of respect in the women’s game.
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.
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.