Top games to watch this week
Friday
Chelsea vs Luton Town (English Premier League)
Las Palmas vs Real Sociedad (La Liga)
Celta de Vigo vs Real Madrid (La Liga)
RB Leipzig vs Stuttgart (Bundesliga)
Nantes vs Monaco (Ligue 1)
Al Fateh vs Al Nassr (Saudi Pro League)
Saturday
Bournemouth vs Tottenham (English Premier League)
Arsenal vs Fulham (English Premier League)
Manchester United vs Nottingham (English Premier League)
Sevilla vs Girona (La Liga)
Hellas Verona vs Roma (Serie A)
Milan vs Torino (Serie A)
Bochum vs Borussia Dortmund (Bundesliga)
Borussia Mönchengladbach vs Bayer Leverkusen (Bundesliga)
Gil Vicente vs Benfica (Primeira Liga)
Marseille vs Brest (Ligue 1)
PSG vs Lens (Ligue 1)
Charlotte vs Los Angeles FC (MLS)
Cincinnati vs New York City (MLS)
New York RB vs Inter Miami (MLS)
Orlando City vs St. Louis City (MLS)
Atlas vs Toluca (Liga MX)
América vs León (Liga MX)
Santos vs Guadalajara (Liga MX)
Sunday
Sheffield United vs Man City (English Premier League)
Newcastle vs Liverpool (English Premier League)
Villarreal vs Barcelona (La Liga)
Athletic Club vs Real Betis (La Liga)
Juventus vs Bologna (Serie A)
Napoli vs Sassuolo (Serie A)
Bayern vs Augsburg (Bundesliga)
Sporting vs Famalicao (Primeira Liga)
Nice vs Lyon (Ligue 1)
Minnesota United vs Seattle Sounders (MLS)
Pumas UNAM vs Tigres UANL (Liga MX)
Monterrey vs Cruz Azul (Liga MX)
Monday
Getafe vs Alavés (La Liga)
Rayo Vallecano vs Atlético Madrid (La Liga)
Cagliari vs Inter (Serie A)
Rio Ave vs Porto (Primeira Liga)
Pachuca vs San Luis (Liga MX)
Al Hilal vs Al Ittifaq (Saudi Pro League)
Al Wahda vs Al Ittihad (Saudi Pro League)
Tuesday
Wrexham vs Bradford City (Carabao Cup)
Fulham vs Tottenham (Carabao Cup)
Nottingham vs Burnley (Carabao Cup)
Internacional vs Bolívar (Copa Libertadores)
Estudiantes vs Corinthians (Copa Sudamericana)
Al Nassr vs Al Shabab (Saudi Pro League)
Wednesday
Palmeiras vs Deportivo Pereira (Copa Libertadores)
Racing vs Boca Juniors (Copa Libertadores)
Tigres UANL vs Santos (Liga MX)
Chelsea vs AFC Wimbledon (Carabao Cup)
Atlanta United vs Cincinnati (MLS)
Inter Miami vs Nashville SC (MLS)
Austin vs Seattle Sounders (MLS)
St. Louis City vs Dallas (MLS)
Defensa y Justicia vs Botafogo (Copa Sudamericana)
Thursday
Olimpia vs Fluminense (Copa Libertadores)
Lugano vs Union Saint-Gilloise (UEFA Europa League)
Sao Paulo vs LDU Quito (Copa Sudamericana)
Most-watched soccer games in the USA: August 14-20, 2023
The TV ratings for soccer matches in the USA are in, with the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup grabbing the top spot with its final game — the final! Spain and England locked horns in the ultimate game, with FOX garnering 1.8 million average viewers in a worthy curtain closer to this exciting tournament. La Roja were crowned champions for the first time after beating the Lionesses 1-0, with Olga Carmona scoring the only goal of the game.
From one final to another, Inter Miami's clash with Nashville SC in the Leagues Cup final grabbed the runners-up spot, with roughly 1.5 million viewers tuning in to Univision to watch Lionel Messi lead the MLS franchise to their first-ever silverware. The game ended in a 1-1 draw and went to penalties, with the Florida franchise triumphing 10-9 in a grueling penalty shoutout.
And wrapping things up is another FIFA Women's World Cup game, this time the semifinal showdown between Australia and England. Just over one million average viewers tuned in to FOX to catch the Lionesses' 3-1 victory over the co-hosts, with Sam Kerr's wondergoal not being enough for the Matildas.
What are this week's must-watch games?
Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest live this Saturday at 10 a.m. ET exclusively on Peacock
Manchester United return to action this weekend following their embarrassing 2-0 loss away to Tottenham last Saturday as the Red Devils aim to return to winning ways and – more importantly – improve their performance. Ten Hag's men have been disappointing in his side's first two games and were fortunate to pick up a win at home to Wolves thanks to a VAR error. Tune in to Peacock to catch this showdown live as the English giants look to make amends.
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Newcastle vs Liverpool live this Sunday at 11:30 a.m. ET on USA Network, Telemundo, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, NBC Sports App, and nbcsports.com
All eyes will be on this clash as Liverpool look to lay a marker this season. The Reds visit a Newcastle side that lost 1-0 away to Manchester City last weekend in what should be an exciting clash. It will be interesting to see how Klopp's team, who are short on midfielders, will fare against Howe's high-octane crew. The Merseyside giants won both home and away against the Magpies last term but could find it difficult to pull it off this time.
Villarreal vs Barcelona live this Sunday at 11:30 a.m. ET on ESPN Deportes, ESPN+, and the ESPN App
Just like with Manchester United, Barcelona are another European superpower that have been lackluster so far this season. The Spanish champions drew nil-nil in their opener against Getafe before limping to a 2-0 triumph over Cadiz last weekend. Furthermore, Villarreal should hand Xavi's side a stern test as the Catalan giants must make do without Pedri, who has picked up an injury.
The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup has now been consigned to the history books, with Spain winning their first-ever title. As such, fans will have to wait another four years to see many of these same players in action, but for now, attention will shift back to club soccer all around the world.
Here's all you need to know ahead of another week of women's soccer.
NCAA
The 2023 NCAA Division I soccer season is already underway, as numerous teams compete to become one of the 64 who will get to feature in the annual tournament that will determine who becomes the national champions of NCAA Division I women's soccer.
Fans in the USA have several options to follow the game, with ESPN+, ESPN App, and FuboTV all providing ways to live-stream games. For a detailed schedule of games, including where and how you can watch them, check out our special NCAA Division I women's soccer page here.
NWSL
Although many of the league's players were involved in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, the 2023 NWSL season is still in full swing. At the moment, North Carolina Courage are on top of the table with 26 points but have a host of teams, including Portland Thorns, Gotham, Washington Spirit, OL Reign, and San Diego Wave all in hot pursuit.
In fact, depending on the outcome of the games being played this weekend, the Courage could find themselves knocked out of the top spot. For instance, San Diego Wave, who have 24 points, will be facing ninth-placed Orlando Pride on Friday, August 25th. Should the Wave win that match, they will move to 27 points ahead of the Courage's match against the last-ranked Chicago Red Stars on Sunday.
Paramount+ and CBS Sports Golazo are your options to follow the upcoming round of NWSL games. For more details, including a comprehensive schedule of matches coming up, make sure to check out our special NWSL match page here.
Damallsvenskan, Toppserien, and Elitedivisionen
In Scandinavia, the top leagues in women's soccer are all still in process, with ongoing title races in Sweden's Damallsvenskan, Denmark's Elitedivisionen, and Norway's Toppserien.
Here's where you can catch key games in Sweden, Denmark, and Norway with the pause having ended earlier this next month.
Top news in women's soccer
World Cup manager Sarina Wiegman linked with surprising new move
Although she was not able to help England finally "bring it home", Sarina Wiegman's success has certainly not gone unnoticed in some quarters.
The Dutch tactician is widely regarded as one of the best managers in women's soccer after successfully leading both England and the Netherlands to four consecutive finals. In 2017, she was in charge of the Oranje as they won the EURO 2017 title, and two years later, led the same team to the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup final, where they were beaten by the USWNT 2-0.
Three years later, she was the mastermind behind England's success at the EURO 2022 competition, which marked the first major title win for the Lionesses and the first overall for England in decades. This past summer, England sought to end the country's 57-year-long wait for a World Cup title, but were beaten 1-0 by Spain in the final.
Nonetheless, Wiegman is reportedly on the radar of several organizations - and not just in the women's game. According to reports, the Netherlands are considering making a move for her to switch to manage the men's team, as Ronald Koeman has had mixed results since his return. Additional reports have linked her with interest from the FA to replace Gareth Southgate at the helm of the men's side - despite Southgate leading England to a runners-up berth at the EURO 2021 competition.
Meanwhile, the USA are in the hunt for a permanent manager after Vlatko Andonovski's departure, and have placed Wiegman high on their list of top candidates.
While Wiegman appears to be perfectly settled in her current gig as manager of the Lionesses, it's safe to say that if these reports are to be believed, she certainly has no lack of suitors - in both the women's and men's game - should she decide to pursue other opportunities in the future.
Tragedy for Spain's World Cup winner Olga Carmona
On Sunday, Spain made history as they won their first-ever World Cup, making them the second nation after Germany to win both the men's and women's titles.
Defender Olga Carmona was the heroine for her side as her effort proved to be the deciding factor to help La Roja earn a 1-0 win over England, who came into the contest hoping to add a World Cup trophy to their collection after winning the Women's EURO competition last summer.
However, amongst the celebrations, some sad news emerged: Carmona's father had reportedly passed away just a few hours before his daughter featured in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup final. According to reports, Spain's officials were aware of the news but wisely opted not to tell the player until after the game.
Didn't find your favorite women's league on this list? No worries, as this is just a highlight of some of the exciting games coming up this week. Make sure to check out our special women's soccer Page here at LiveSoccerTV.com for full broadcast info, match updates, news, and more.
Major League Soccer: Preview, news and broadcast details for matchday 28
The 2023 MLS season continues as matchday 28 gets underway this weekend with plenty of great games to keep fans entertained over the next few days.
Here's all you need to know ahead of matchday 28 in MLS.
How to watch Matchday 28 in the 2023 MLS season
Matchday 28 kicks off on Saturday, August 26th with several games taking place at 7.30 pm ET (4.30 pm PT). Among these matches are Eastern Conference leaders Cincinnati, who will welcome New York City as they aim to rebound from a 3-0 loss to Columbus Crew in the last round. Meanwhile, the Crew, who ended a three-game winless streak with that aforementioned win over Cincinnati, will look to build on that positive result when they host a Toronto side who have lost their last five games.
Fans hoping to see Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in action will also be in for a treat as the Herons, who are now into the finals of the US Open Cup, will travel to face New York Red Bulls on Saturday, with kick-off at 7.30 pm ET. This will be Messi's official MLS debut after featuring in several cup ties for Gerardo "Tata" Martino's side, who currently are last in the Eastern Conference and will hope that their improved form will help them start climbing the league table.
Saturday also features an Eastern vs. Western Conference matchup, with St. Louis City, who are top of the Western Conference, traveling to face fourth-placed Orlando City. Later in the same day, Real Salt Lake and Houston Dynamo will renew acquaintances following their meeting in the US Open Cup semifinals, which was won 3-1 by Houston.
Matchday 28's action concludes on Sunday, August 27th with Minnesota United welcoming Seattle Sounders. That match commences at 4.30 pm EST (1.30 pm PST).
Some fans, especially those in the USA and Canada, will be able to follow some of these games on TV. However, for those who can't access MLS games via TV or prefer a more flexible option, MLS Season Pass offers live streaming of MLS matches in over 100 countries worldwide.
Top news of the week in Major League Soccer
Cincinnati looking to make history this weekend
Although Cincinnati won't get to feature in the US Open Cup final after they were beaten on penalties by Inter Miami, Pat Noonan's side still have a chance to make history this weekend.
Cincinnati, who are still on top of the Eastern Conference by eight points despite a heavy 3-0 loss to Columbus Crew last time out, will be taking on New York City at home this weekend. Should the Orange and Blue pick up a win, it will make it a 12th home victory for the Eastern Conference leaders, and in doing so, they will become only the 10th side to achieve at least 12 home victories since the league became a 34-match format.
So far, Cincinnati are unbeaten at home, with 11 wins and one draw to date, and naturally, given this, will be the heavy favorites to pick up all three points against their upcoming opponents. They could also potentially beat the record of 43 home points earned by New York Red Bulls back in 2018; currently, the Orange and Blue have 34. Given that there are five home games remaining, Noonan's men do have a great chance to break that five-year record as well.
Real Salt Lake hope to rebound after heavy loss
Real Salt Lake were beaten 3-1 by Houston Dynamo in US Open action midweek, but they still do have a solid run in MLS play. They're currently third in the Western Conference and are unbeaten in their last nine league games, and certainly will be looking for revenge when they face Houston this weekend. Should they win, it will mark the third time they've gone ten games unbeaten in the league - although it still falls quite short of the 18 they managed between July 2010 and April 2011.
However, it may be easier said than done. Houston Dynamo will come into this contest having ended their four-match winless streak in MLS by cruising to a 5-0 win over Portland Timbers, and including their confidence-boosting 3-1 win over Real Salt Lake in the US Open Cup, the visitors might give their hosts quite a tough battle this weekend.
Will Inter Miami's uptick in form help them overcome poor start to regular MLS season?
Since Lionel Messi's arrival in July, Inter Miami have been unbeaten in all of their games. However, this has been solely in League Cup and US Open Cup play, and fans will be eager to see the Argentinian superstar, plus his former Barcelona colleagues Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, in action this weekend. At the moment, Inter Miami, who recently won their first-ever League Cup title, are in last place in the Eastern Conference and have failed to win their last five games. They will face a New York Red Bulls side who haven't been in the best form as of late and will naturally hope that their recent resurgence will give them the three points they desperately need to start working their way up the table.
Make sure to check out our special Major League Soccer page here at LiveSoccerTV.com for full broadcast info, match updates, news, and more.
Biggest stories of the week
Details of heated argument between Al-Khelaifi and Mbappé revealed
Things between PSG and Kylian Mbappé may have been sorted out, but the relationship between club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and the footballer is far from being the best.
Reports from L'Equipe have revealed details of a discussion between the Qatari executive and the top scorer in the 2022 World Cup, which saw both men shouting at each other during the reunion.
The French media outlet claims that Al-Khelaifi, at one point, started to threaten Mbappé with the possibility of freezing him out for the rest of his career. The player did not hold back and reportedly replied in the same tone.
"You'll see! I will see you never go back to playing again!" Al-Khelaifi yelled at Mbappé due to his stance on not extending his deal with PSG.
The attacker then replied by mocking his decision.
"I'm going to see? What is the thing I'm going to see? You will go down in history as the only football president not to use me on a pitch," Mbappé mockingly replied.
The meeting abruptly ended with both men leaving with no agreement reached. In the end, Mbappé and Al-Khelaifi agreed that the player should be reinstated after PSG's first match of the season, but there have been continuous signs of disrespect even after allowing Mbappé to go back to the first team's activities.
Soon after the club announced Mbappé was to be reinstated, the president rushed to claim this was a sign of things to come, which means that the player was set to extend his deal with Les Parisiens. Nevertheless, Mbappe's inner circle dismissed that idea and went on the record to state they had no plans whatsoever to extend their deal with the French side.
Aitana Bonmatí and Salma Paralluelo make history following Spain's 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup win
It is official: Spain are your 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup champions.
La Roja, who did not enter this tournament as the favorites despite their talented squad — this is mainly due to the turmoil between the players, the coaching staff, and the federation — faced England in the final and emerged victorious.
Olga Carmona's goal just before the half-an-hour mark was enough to secure Spain a 1-0 triumph, thus breaking the hearts of England and its fans while sending their own supporters back home and in the stands into pandemonium.
While the nation has won a World Cup before, lifting the men's title in 2010 during the era of Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Xabi Alonso, Iker Casillas, and Carles Puyol; the European side had never won the FIFA Women's World Cup until today. And that is not the only record they set in this tournament.
Aitana Bonmatí, regarded by many as the best women's player in world soccer currently, was awarded the Golden Ball after picking up three goals and two assists in the tournament. However, her performance in Australia and New Zealand cannot be summed up with stats as her displays from midfield were nothing short of outstanding.
And just like that, she became the first Spaniard in history to receive the Golden Ball at the FIFA World Cup, including the men's tournament. While Andres Iniesta and David Villa were inspirational in La Furia Roja's 2010 World Cup win in South Africa, Diego Forlan was named Player of the Tournament, meaning Bonmati has achieved something no other player from her country has pulled off.
And she is not alone. Salma Paralluelo, who scored in both the quarterfinals and semifinals, was named the Young Player of the Tournament and became the first player in the history of the beautiful game to become the reigning World Cup champion at the U20 and senior level.
The 19-year-old Barcelona sensation led her country to the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup title, scoring a brace in the final before leaving her mark at the 2023 Women's World Cup. The attacker has already won the U17 World Cup and European Championship in her short career, proving that the sky is the limit for this superstar-in-the-making.
Official: Mason Greenwood to leave Man United following widespread backlash over potential return
Manchester United have finally communicated an official decision regarding the future of Mason Greenwood following an internal investigation that lasted months. The Englishman, once regarded as the country's most talented youngster, will not be returning to the Red Devils and will be leaving the club to continue his career elsewhere.
The 21-year-old has been dominating the headlines, and for understandable reasons, after being suspended by his club in late January of 2022 after being accused of attempted rape. Disturbing images and recordings that appear to involve the alleged victim and the Englishman sparked a criminal case from the UK's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The charges were not limited to attempted rape but also included assault and coercive control.
However, the case was discontinued as a conviction was no longer possible due to key witnesses withdrawing their cooperation. As a result, Manchester United launched an internal investigation in February to decide the former Three Lions ace's future.
"Manchester United has concluded its internal investigation into the allegations made against Mason Greenwood," their official statement read.
"Our process commenced in February 2023, following all charges against Mason being dropped. Throughout, we have taken into account the wishes, rights, and perspective of the alleged victim along with the club's standards and values, and sought to collate as much information and context as possible. This has required us to proceed with sensitivity and care to obtain evidence not in the public domain, including from those with direct knowledge of the case.
"Based on the evidence available to us, we have concluded that the material posted online did not provide a full picture and that Mason did not commit the offenses in respect of which he was originally charged. That said, as Mason publicly acknowledges today, he has made mistakes which he is taking responsibility for.
"All those involved, including Mason, recognize the difficulties with him recommencing his career at Manchester United. It has therefore been mutually agreed that it would be most appropriate for him to do so away from Old Trafford, and we will now work with Mason to achieve that outcome."
Greenwood is under contract until 2025 and while the club's statement indicates sympathy towards the player, his time at Old Trafford is over. However, it should be noted that this decision came in the wake of heavy public backlash towards the Premier League giants after a report from the Athletic revealed that the Red Devils initially decided to bring back the player.
According to that report, chief executive Richard Arnold already communicated to his superiors the decision to reintegrate the player into the first team in the first week of August, with manager Erik ten Hag supporting this move. However, this was pushed back as Arnold desired to reach out to key stakeholders first, which includes the women's team. The issue was that a few key members were away with the England national team at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup and could not be disturbed.
This move was thus revealed to the entire world courtesy of the Athletic, sparking a united backlash from fans and even members of parliament, thus forcing a U-turn.
The Premier League giants reportedly went as far as listing the potential reaction from external figures, including pundits, journalists, politicians, and related charity groups, labeling them as "supportive", "open-minded", and "hostile". The manager was also debriefed on how to handle questions from the media once Greenwood returned.
The club have denied this story, however, with Arnold penning an open letter via their official website to offer transparency. According to Arnold, a final decision had not been made but the Red Devils were simply preparing for the likelihood of a return, which he admits was a possibility. Furthermore, Arnold also states that the internal investigation found Mason innocent of the crimes he was charged with.
"Last week the media reported that we had decided to reintegrate Mason and that elements of a plan to do so had been leaked to them. Reintegration was one of the outcomes we considered and planned for. For context, over the course of the past six months, several outcomes have been contemplated and planned for, and my view has evolved as our process progressed. While the ultimate decision rested with me, I was taking various factors and views into account right up until the point of finalizing my decision.
"While I am satisfied that Mason did not commit the acts he was charged with, Mason's accepted that he has made mistakes which he takes responsibility for. I am also mindful of the challenge that Mason would face rebuilding his career and raising a baby together with his partner in the harsh spotlight of Manchester United. Further, this case has provoked strong opinions, and it is my responsibility to minimize any distraction to the unity we are seeking within the club.
"Although we have decided that Mason will seek to rebuild his career away from Manchester United, that does not signal the end of this matter. The club will continue to offer its support both to the alleged victim and Mason to help them rebuild and move forward positively with their lives."
Greenwood also put out a statement, thanking the club and his friends and family for their support while claiming his innocence. However, the player admits that all of his actions were not honorable and vowed to grow and improve.
Karim Benzema unhappy at Al Ittihad just two months after leaving Real Madrid for the Saudi Pro League
Karim Benzema was one of the biggest names in world soccer to make the move from Europe to the Saudi Pro League this summer. In fact, the reigning Ballon d'Or was arguably the first superstar to take the plunge following Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Al Nassr from Manchester United.
However, despite this mega-money move, life in Jeddah has not been going well for the Frenchman. While he has three goals under his belt in the King Salman Club Cup, the 35-year-old is yet to score in the Saudi Pro League.
And that is merely the tip of the iceberg. Karim's biggest issue stems from Nuno Espírito Santo, the current manager. According to the Saudi-owned newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat, the Portuguese boss did not want the Frenchman and thus the relationship between the two is tense.
The former Tottenham tactician informed his current club that Benzema does not tactically fit the team and, as a result, the manager was never in favor of this signing.
Furthermore, the Real Madrid icon wanted the captaincy but was denied the armband by Nuno. As a result, Benzema is unhappy at the club and feels he is being treated unfairly by the manager. Furthermore, the report claims that the striker has contacted the Saudi negotiator who sealed this deal to find a solution to the problem he has with the gaffer.
The report does not predict an exit but one cannot help but speculate. Could these tensions come at the cost of the player or manager? Could the striker, who has a few good years left in him, demand an exit as a result? Only time will tell.
Messi consoles Cincinnati star's heartbroken son after inspiring Inter Miami's incredible US Open Cup comeback win
Lionel Messi shows once again why he is a classy player both on and off the pitch!
The Argentine sensation stole the show for Inter Miami once more as he helped his club reach a second consecutive final, this time beating Cincinnati on penalties in the semifinals of the US Open Cup.
And while the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner did not score, he was at the heart of their comeback victory. The Herons were trailing 2-0 up until the 68th minute until La Pulga assisted two goals, the latter coming in 90+7, to force this game into extra-time.
The game ultimately ended in a 3-3 draw and penalties were thus needed to declare the winners. Tata Martino's side emerged triumphant, winning 5-4 to make it to the final where they will face Houston Dynamo in late September.
And is often the game, Messi was seen with his countrymen after the game. This includes Cincinnati star Luciano Acosta, the Argentine attacker who broke the deadlock in that game. The pair exchanged shirts but it was Leo's gesture towards Acosta's son that won everyone's heart.
The young boy appeared heartbroken following his father's elimination from the US Open Cup. Upon noticing it, Messi quickly pinches his cheek and rubs his head in an attempt to console him before hugging Luciano and parting ways.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner was in an emphatic mood following this victory but it was another gruelling match for the 35-year-old. Nonetheless, his Inter Miami side will return to action this Saturday, taking on New York Red Bulls live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV in what could be Messi's MLS debut.
Spanish soccer chief Rubiales to quit over World Cup kiss scandal - reports
Spanish soccer chief Luis Rubiales will quit his post after being roundly condemned by the football world and beyond for forcibly kissing a Spain player on the mouth following the Women's World Cup final, several media outlets reported Thursday.
Rubiales, 46, will submit his resignation as president of the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) on Friday at an extraordinary general assembly, according to the reports.
After Spain's 1-0 win over England in the final in Sydney on Sunday Rubiales gave midfielder Jennifer Hermoso an unsolicited kiss on the lips. He also celebrated the victory by grabbing his genitals.
The RFEF did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment.
Rubiales came under unprecedented pressure to resign, with days of criticism from figures including Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez, Spain's women's league, and several men's La Liga clubs, as well as internationally.
FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against Rubiales earlier Thursday. FIFA said the incident "may constitute violations of article 13 paragraphs 1 and 2 of the FIFA disciplinary code".
Spain star Hermoso released a joint statement with union Futpro on Wednesday, which called for action to be taken against the RFEF president.
"We are working to ensure that acts such as those we have seen never go unpunished, that they are sanctioned, and that the exemplary measures are adopted to protect women footballers from actions that we believe are unacceptable," the statement said.
Human rights organization Amnesty International offered their backing to Hermoso on Thursday.
"Amnesty International wants to show their support for the demands of the player, who has asked the (RFEF) to set underway 'exemplary measures' regarding the non-consensual kiss," said the organization in a statement.
"(We) underline that this behavior is a form of sexual violence like any other, and cannot be justified in any way."
Rubiales laughed off the incident earlier in the week, branding his critics "idiots" for reading too much into what an RFEF spokesman initially described to AFP as a "spontaneous celebration".
However, he later issued an apology which was also criticised, with prime minister Sanchez saying it was "insufficient".
Earlier Thursday Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti admonished Rubiales for his conduct as the criticism continued to mount.
"It's a very delicate topic, like most people it was behavior that I obviously did not like," Ancelotti told a news conference.
"It was not the behavior of a president of the federation."
Further Spanish clubs joined the wave of dissent against Rubiales on Thursday, following Getafe president Angel Torres the day before.
"We must all be consistent with what we do and say, that's a fundamental thing," Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo told the TV show Jugones on Spanish channel Mega.
"He will have to do what he considers appropriate, but I think that what he has to do is present his resignation."
Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay also positioned himself against Rubiales.
"This should have been over days ago, it's a shame that we are here and this has not been concluded," he told Radio Euskadi.
Rubiales became president of the RFEF in May 2018 and has since been mired in a number of controversies.
He sacked Spain coach Julen Lopetegui two days before the country began their 2018 World Cup campaign, and moved the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia.
Rubiales backed controversial coach Jorge Vilda amid a wider dispute with 15 female players who refused to play for Spain, although several relented and three were called up to the World Cup-winning squad.
Other key headlines from the world of soccer
Fernandes demands apology for Man Utd penalty call at Spurs
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes said his side deserve an apology after not being awarded a penalty early on in Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Tottenham.
The score was level at 0-0 when no action was taken for a handball by Cristian Romero that turned Alejandro Garnacho's shot behind for a corner.
United benefitted from a controversial call in their favor to beat Wolves 1-0 in their opening game of the season.
Goalkeeper Andre Onana punched Sasa Kalajdzic as he flapped at a cross deep into stoppage time at Old Trafford.
Wolves boss Gary O'Neill said after the game that referees' chief Jon Moss had contacted him to apologize for VAR not intervening to award a penalty.
Both the on-field and VAR referees were then demoted from Premier League duty this weekend.
"Last week they made a big thing on United not having a penalty against them," said Fernandes.
"I want to see what's going to happen this week if it's going to happen the same show they did last week.
"I want to see if Jon Moss also comes to apologize to our dressing room like they said he did to the manager of Wolves."
Thierry Henry to coach France at 2024 Olympics - source
Thierry Henry was on Monday named as coach of France's Under-21s and will be in charge of the team competing at next year's Olympics in Paris, said a source close to the negotiations.
The 46-year-old former Arsenal and France striker replaces Sylvain Ripoll and returns to management after leaving his role as Belgium assistant following last year's World Cup.
Henry, who won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 with France, has struggled to hit the same heights in coaching that he reached as a player.
He lasted barely three months as Monaco coach in the 2018-19 season and stepped down at MLS club Montreal Impact in February 2021 after just over a year at the helm.
He has also worked previously with Arsenal's youth teams and twice served on the Belgium coaching staff, helping the country finish third at the 2018 World Cup.
Henry, scorer of 51 goals in 123 games for France, has been working as a TV consultant in recent times.
He could have a team built around Kylian Mbappe at the Olympics, with the France captain making no secret of his desire to play at the tournament, which is largely reserved for players aged 23 or younger.
