Tag: Spain

  • Shakira to pay €7.3m to settle Spain fraud case

    Shakira to pay €7.3m to settle Spain fraud case

    Colombian superstar, Shakira will pay a fine of over €7.3 million ($7.98 million) as part of a deal with Spanish prosecutors to avoid trial for tax fraud, a Barcelona court said Monday.

    Prosecutors had accused the superstar of defrauding the Spanish state of around €14.5 million ($15.7 million) on income earned between 2012 and 2014, charges Shakira had denied, saying she only moved to Spain full-time in 2015.

    Under the deal, announced at the start of what would have been the trial of the 46-year-old singer, Shakira agreed to receive a three-year suspended sentence and to pay a fine of €7.33 million ($7.98 million) amounting to 50 percent of the amount of unpaid tax.

    The “Hips Don’t Lie” singer will also pay a separate fine of €432,000 to have her jail sentence suspended, bringing the total amount she will have to pay to around €7.8 million.

    The singer, who had previously rejected a deal offered by prosecutors, said in a statement she had settled “with the best interest of my kids at heart who do not want to see their mom sacrifice her personal well-being in this fight.”

    She added, “I need to move past the stress and emotional toll of the last several years and focus on the things I love – my kids and all the opportunities to come in my career, including my upcoming world tour and my new album.

    “I admire tremendously those who have fought these injustices to the end, but for me, today, winning is getting my time back for my kids and my career.”

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  • Modric’s Croatia aims for first trophy against Spain

    Modric’s Croatia aims for first trophy against Spain

    Luka Modric has been Croatia’s driving force on the way to Sunday’s Nations League final, where they could earn their first-ever major trophy against a Spain team he knows inside out.

    Questions surround the veteran midfielder, 37, over his future both in international football and at club level with Real Madrid, with his contract set to end this month.

    Before resolving them, Croatia captain Modric is aiming to lead his country, with a population of only four million people, to glory in Rotterdam at De Kuip.

    The Balkan nation has consistently over-performed on the world stage over the past 25 years, starting with their third-place finish at the 1998 World Cup.

    They followed that up by reaching the 2018 World Cup final, where they were beaten by France, and again finished third in Qatar last year, eliminating favourites Brazil along the way.

    “We have once again become a powerhouse in football, showing that despite all our problems, we have quality and character,” said Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic.

    “Now we need to stay calm and smart, not rush anywhere, towards that gold. That’s my great wish … bronze, silver and gold.”

    Modric, who made his international debut in 2006, earned his 165th international cap against the Netherlands on Thursday.

    He converted a penalty to help fire Croatia into the Nations League final with a 4-2 extra-time triumph, one step closer towards that elusive “gold”.

    The midfield maestro pulled the strings for his country, getting the better of Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong, but Manchester City’s Rodri will provide an even sterner test.

    City’s Champions League final hero is the key piece in Luis de la Fuente’s La Roja, who are still finding their footing.

    Joselu’s later winner to help them beat Italy in Enschede calmed the storm around Spain and they can end a trophy drought of over a decade, with their last triumph coming in Euro 2012.

    With Luis Enrique at the helm, they lost in the 2021 Nations League final against France, a couple of months after they defeated Croatia in a thrilling 5-3 triumph to reach the Euro 2020 semi-finals.

    – ‘Never tired’ –

    Despite having a richer history on paper, thanks to their 2008 and 2012 Euros wins and lifting the 2010 World Cup, as well as having a greater player pool to draw from, Spain will not underestimate Croatia or Modric.

    “Luka Modric is another example of a sportsman, a player that at his age still has that hunger and ambition to win things, he’s never tired of it,” said Joselu.

    “He’s an example for all kids out there and another sign that age means nothing.”

    There are some reports Modric may retire from international duty after the Nations League but the player said he would decide his future after the tournament.

    “I always enjoy playing for the national team, it’s not because it could be my last competition or my last match,” said Modric.

    “Every single match, every training session is a joy. As long as I feel I can help, there’s no reason for me not to be here.”

    Nations League victory could provide a triumphant moment to bow out on or prove the springboard for an assault on Euro 2024 next summer.

    Modric has proved relentlessly he still has the legs to compete at the top level, playing 119 minutes against the Netherlands in the semi-finals.

    “Luka is unique, unrepeatable in the whole world, he is an icon wherever he goes,” said Dalic.

    “When he was substituted he received an ovation from the whole stadium.”

    Croatia triumphed in extra time, just as they did against Brazil and Japan in Qatar, and England, Russia and Denmark in 2018.

    Spain have had plenty of 120-minute plus games themselves in recent years but avoided it on Thursday thanks to Joselu’s strike.

    De la Fuente hoped his players would recover in time for Sunday’s final after having a day less rest than Croatia.

    “Extra time wears you down but with a win, you recover more easily,” said the Spain coach.

    “This group of players have played so many games, but I’m very optimistic.”

    Italy face hosts the Netherlands in the third-place play-off match on Sunday afternoon.

    AFP

  • Spain approves first fully paid ‘menstrual leave’ law

    Spain approves first fully paid ‘menstrual leave’ law

    Spain has just passed a law allowing those that experience painful periods to take paid ‘menstrual leave’ from work.

    The law is the first of its kind to be enacted in European.

    The sexual and reproductive health law, which includes the right for women to take time off work when they have their period, came into effect on Thursday.

    The Gender Equality Ministry’s bill, put forward by the left-wing government, was approved by parliament in February.

    Since then, amendments have been passed as part of the new law.

    Barriers have been removed, which makes access to abortions and changing the gender of trans-people easier.

    After the parliamentary vote in February, Equality Minister Irene Montero spoke of a “historic day for the advancement of feminist rights.”

    Menstrual leave is not a common regulation as there is no comparable provision in German law.

    In Taiwan, women can only stay at home for three days in a year, and can only get 50 per cent of their salary.

    In South Korea, employers have to give their female employees one day off a month if they make a request, but the law does not regulate who pays the employee’s salary.

    To take menstrual leave, female workers in Spain require a doctor’s note and the duration of the leave from work is, in principle, unlimited.

    According to the law, it depends on how severe the menstrual pain is and how long it lasts.

    The legislation entitles employees experiencing period pain to as much time off as they need, with the state social security system, not employers, picking up the tab for the sick leave.

    The law gives the right to a three-day ‘menstrual” leave of absence’, with the possibility of extending it to five days, for those with disabling periods, which can cause severe cramps, nausea, dizziness and even vomiting.

    As with paid leave for other health reasons, it requires a doctor’s approval, though the length of sick leave is not specified in the law.

    About a third of women suffer from severe menstrual pain, according to the Spanish Gynaecology and Obstetrics Society.

    “Periods will no longer be taboo. No more going to work with pain, no more taking pills before arriving at work and having to hide the fact we’re in pain that makes us unable to work, ”Montero said after the law was initially approved by the cabinet in May 2022.

    NAN

     

  • VINICIUS JUNIOR: Spanish FA boss says Spain has serious problem with racism

    VINICIUS JUNIOR: Spanish FA boss says Spain has serious problem with racism

    The President of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, has acknowledged that the country has a “serious problem” with racism after Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jnr was targeted during their match against Valencia.

    Vinicius Jnr was subjected to racist chants before and during the game at the Mestalla Stadium, where Real were beaten 1-0 by the hosts.

    This incident is the latest in a series this season where the 22-year-old has been a victim of abuse.

    Following the match, Vinicius Jnr strongly criticized LaLiga and the Spanish Football Federation for their perceived lack of action to combat racism. The Brazilian player declared that Spanish football has reached a new low, especially considering its previous reputation as a league envied by Europe.

    During a press conference, Rubiales admitted that Spanish football has a “serious problem” and pledged to work tirelessly to address this issue.

    ‘We have a behavioral problem, of education, of racism,’ Rubiales said.

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    ‘As long as there is a single undesirable or a group of undesirables that insults by sexual condition, skin colour, or creed, we have a serious problem.

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    ‘Vinicius Jnr and any footballer, woman or man, who suffers an insult, any violent act, has my support and that of the entire RFEF because we are here to help and ask them to help us improve.

    ‘The objective that we have set ourselves is that as soon as possible Vinicius and the rest of the footballers, women and men, who have suffered this at some point can publicly say that it is no longer a problem in Spain.

    ‘Hopefully, this day will come as soon as possible and for this, we will work tirelessly.’

    Vinicius Jnr had claimed that ‘racism is normal in LaLiga’ following the match, declaring that ‘Spain is known as a country of racists’ in his home country Brazil.

    ‘The competition thinks it’s normal, the Federation does too and the opponents encourage it. I’m so sorry,’ he wrote.

  • Spain FA suspends Cadiz players, staff over altercation in Getafe match

    Spain FA suspends Cadiz players, staff over altercation in Getafe match

    The Spanish soccer federation on Wednesday suspended two Cadiz players and several staff members due to their involvement in an altercation that occurred after the team’s recent match against Getafe in the Spanish league.

    Argentine goalkeeper Jeremias Ledesma received a four-match suspension, while defender Iza Carcelén was suspended for three games. The incidents took place during Cadiz’s 2-2 draw at home against Getafe, where they conceded a controversial penalty kick in the final minutes of the game.

    Carcelén was shown a red card for hitting a Getafe player from behind during the goal celebration, and Ledesma was accused of shoving one of his teammates into the referee in the tunnel.

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    In addition, Cadiz’s goalkeeping coach received a six-match ban, and the team’s assistant coach was suspended for four games. After the game, Cadiz coach Sergio González publicly criticized the refereeing.

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    Cadiz, who are currently sitting one point outside the relegation zone, released a statement on Wednesday expressing their disagreement with the sanctions and stating their intention to appeal.

    This is not the first time that Cadiz has protested refereeing decisions. Earlier this month, the club requested that a sports tribunal temporarily suspend the Spanish league following a previous refereeing mistake against the team.

    Cadiz wanted to stop the competition until a decision was reached regarding their challenge of a 1-1 draw against Elche in January.

    During that match, a video review failed to spot that an Elche player was in an offside position during the buildup to Elche’s 81st-minute equalizer.

  • Highly decorated Spanish defender Sergio Ramos retires from international football

    Highly decorated Spanish defender Sergio Ramos retires from international football

    Paris Saint Germain’s defender Sergio Ramos has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 36.

    With 180 Caps for Spain, he was one of the most established members of the Spanish squad. He won the World Cup with Spain in 2010 alongside Andreas Iniesta and Xavi.

    Ramos scored 17 goals throughout his career, which made him Europe’s highest-scoring international defender.

    Ramos, who made his Spain debut aged just 18 in 2013, becoming the nation’s youngest player to ever reach 100 caps, took to his Instagram page to announce his exit: “ The time has come, the time to say goodbye to the National Team, our beloved and exciting Red.

    This morning I received the call from the current coach who told me that he doesn’t count and that he won’t count on me, regardless of the level I can show or how I continue my sporting career”.

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    He added, “With great regret, it is the end of a journey that I hoped would be longer and that would end with a better taste in the mouth, on the height of all the successes we have achieved with our Red”.

    Ramos expressed his sadness at retiring not because he couldn’t offer more to the team but because of his age.

    “Humbly, I think that that career deserved to end because of a personal decision or because my performance was not up to what our National Team deserves, but not because of age or other reasons that, without having heard them, I have felt”, said Ramos.

    Ramos added: “will continue to cheer on my country from home with the thrill of the privileged who has been able to proudly represent it 180 times. Heartfelt thanks to everyone who always believed in me!”.

  • Nigerian player collapses, dies during match in Spain

    Nigerian player collapses, dies during match in Spain

    A Nigerian player, Ado Hadi, with CD Madridejos in the Spanish Terceira division, collapsed and died during his side’s home match against SP Cabanillas on Sunday.

    In a Castilla-La Mancha Football Federation statement, Hadi reportedly collapsed “for no apparent reasons” in the 39th minute of the ill-fated match, a report by The Nation says.

    The medical team on the ground at the Municipal Toledo ground immediately came to his aide but efforts to revive him proved abortive as he was later pronounced dead minutes after.

    “The Castilla-La Mancha Football Federation and Castilian-La Mancha football, with its President Pablo Burillo at the helm, are totally dismayed at such an event,” the statement added. “For this reason, the federative body remains at the disposal of CD Madridejos for everything it needs in these difficult times.”

    The 21-year-old Hadi last played in Nigeria with Jigawa Golden Stars, according to The Nation.

    Until his death, Hadi was one of the four Nigerian players playing for CD Madridejos.

    Club Deportivo Madridejos is a football club based in Madridejos, Castile-La Mancha in Spain. Founded in 1968, the team plays in Tercera División Group 18. The club’s home ground is Nuevo Estadio, with a 2,000-seat capacity, The Nation says.

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  • 23 individuals including players arrested in Spain over match-fixing

    23 individuals including players arrested in Spain over match-fixing

    Nearly two dozen people, including players, have been arrested as part of an investigation into match-fixing in lower-division soccer matches in Spain, Andorra, and Gibraltar, authorities said Tuesday, January 31, 2023.

    The European Union police agency Europol said those arrested are alleged members of a betting syndicate where “several footballers are suspected of having used their position to steer the outcome of games in which they participated in.”

    Authorities said 30 games are under investigation, with profits from the betting estimated at more than 500,000 euros ($542,000).

    The arrests were made in a joint operation by Europol, Interpol, and Spanish police.

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    Europol said the arrests were made in November in several Spanish provinces and followed 21 arrests of members of the same organization in 2021.

    Authorities said the organization had two leaders with close connections with players and team staff.

    “The intermediaries were responsible for the coordination of the match-fixing schemes, while the corrupted athletes would provide confidential information in order to influence matches,” Europol said.

    “This organized crime group also relied on mules who would place sports bets at bookmakers and collect the prize money, and a network of procurers responsible for providing identities for online betting on rigged matches.

  • Fed Govt woos Spain to invest in Nigeria 200TCF gas, security

    Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva yesterday wooed a delegation from Spain to invest in Nigeria’s proven 200 Trillion Cubic Feet (TCF) of gas and provision of…

  • Spain imposes COVID-19 tests for China arrivals

    Spain imposes COVID-19 tests for China arrivals

    Passengers arriving at Spanish airports from China will be screened for Covid starting Saturday, authorities said, following an explosion of cases in China.

    The measure will remain in place until at least February 15, Spain’s health ministry said in a statement, with travellers arriving from China required to undergo a temperature check and a Covid-19 test.

    “A major concern lies in the possibility of new variants appearing in China that have not been controlled,” Spanish health minister Carolina Darias told a press conference on Friday.

    “Given the health situation in that country, we know the importance of acting with coordination, but also the importance of acting quickly.”

    The first flight from China that will be affected by the new rules is scheduled to arrive at Madrid airport on Saturday at 6 pm (1700 GMT), the ministry’s statement said.

    Coronavirus infections have surged in China, overwhelming hospitals as the country unwinds hardline controls that torpedoed the economy and sparked nationwide protests.

    A growing number of countries, including the United States, have imposed restrictions on all visitors from mainland China after Beijing decided to end mandatory quarantine on arrival, prompting many jubilant Chinese to make plans to travel abroad.

    But the European Union’s health agency said Thursday that such restrictions weren’t warranted in the bloc.

    Chinese citizens have been largely confined to their country since Beijing pulled up the drawbridge in March 2020

    But Darias said China was set to lift its travel restrictions on January 8, which would likely cause a “significant” rise in people travelling abroad.

    In 2019, around 700,000 tourists with Chinese residency visited Spain, according to Spain’s tourism ministry.

    That figure dropped sharply to about 130,000 in 2020 and 30,000 in 2021, according to the Spanish statistics institute.

    (AFP)