The beautiful game, a tapestry woven with skill, passion, and unpredictable drama, has always been resistant to radical change. In today's time, the fast development of technology has brought about the biggest change in how football matches are officiated: the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). Since its full introduction, VAR has been a constant source of debate, lauded for correcting "clear and obvious errors" but simultaneously lambasted for disrupting the game's flow and generating its own brand of controversy. As the 2026 FIFA World Cup looms on the horizon, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the custodians of the Laws of the Game, The upcoming changes are set to bring more major changes to VAR rules, trying to find a better balance between being accurate and keeping the real feel of football. These proposed changes are not mere tweaks; they are a direct response to years of scrutiny, fan frustration, and the desire to evolve the sport without irr...
England will face Spain at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday in their first meeting since the Women's World Cup final, which was overshadowed when Rubiales kissed Hermoso during the trophy ceremony in Sydney.
Last week, Madrid's High Court found Rubiales guilty of sexual assault and ordered him to pay a fine in excess of €10,000, but cleared him of coercion.
Earlier on Tuesday, England manager Sarina Wiegman praised Hermoso's "remarkable courage" in bringing Rubiales to court, while England players praised their Spanish counterparts for speaking out and demanding change.
"We're talking about it again today, and I think we'll have to keep talking about it, unfortunately," Wiegman said at Wembley. "We have to keep telling the world that we stand in solidarity with them and hopefully it will make change."
When asked about Wiegman's comments, Tome stated that she would only speak about the upcoming Nations League match against England and would not discuss the Rubiales case.
"I appreciate Sarina's words and she's a great coach who I respect," Tome informed the crowd. "My intention has been to ensure that whenever we are together for international duty or training camps, we talk about football.
"I would appreciate any questions about football. The case is now coming to an end, and it is clear that we sided with the player. We hope things will return to normal now. We want to concentrate on football, and we are preparing for the match tomorrow."
Tome served as Jorge Vilda's assistant head coach at the Women's World Cup before taking over as head coach when Vilda was fired following the Rubiales scandal. Vilda's position was made untenable when Spain's World Cup winners refused to play for the team again while he was in charge.
Tome served as Jorge Vilda's assistant head coach at the Women's World Cup before taking over as head coach when Vilda was fired following the Rubiales scandal. Vilda's position was made untenable when Spain's World Cup winners refused to play for the team again while he was in charge.
"We are now just focused on the game," said Tome, who claimed she had discussed the matter previously in Spain despite refusing to discuss the Rubiales verdict before last week's match against Belgium.
Tome has not selected Hermoso since October, and she has stated that her decision to omit Spain's record goal scorer was based on "sporting merit" and that no player was barred from returning.
Tome's responses to questions about the Rubiales case at Wembley Stadium contrasted with those of Spain's two-time Ballon d'Or winner, Aitana Bonmati. Barcelona said she appreciated Wiegman's words of support, as well as those of England players Lucy Bronze and Alessia Russo, and that Spain "did not feel alone" during the ordeal.
Tome has not selected Hermoso since October, and she has stated that her decision to omit Spain's record goal scorer was based on "sporting merit" and that no player was barred from returning.
Tome's responses to questions about the Rubiales case at Wembley Stadium contrasted with those of Spain's two-time Ballon d'Or winner, Aitana Bonmati. Barcelona said she appreciated Wiegman's words of support, as well as those of England players Lucy Bronze and Alessia Russo, and that Spain "did not feel alone" during the ordeal.
"Everyone here is aware of the events of recent months and years. "The sentence is correct, it is a positive thing, and the team agrees," Bonmati stated prior to Tome's press conference. "I was surprised there was no sentence related to coercion, but the trial served its purpose. We're all happy. We've been performing well on the field and supporting our teammates. We have fought hard, and we know our efforts have not been in vain.
"I hope that this case leads to changes in our country and football, and that people will respect us more as footballers. But it is also a global issue. I don't just want to talk about footballers. I believe this occurs in other jobs. I hope that this case can help anyone who is going through similar experiences. I hope this contributes to greater respect for women's rights."
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