TALES AZZONI

AP Sports Writer

Spanish league match briefly interrupted because of racist chants

Athletic Bilbao’s game at Espanyol in the Spanish league was briefly interrupted because of fans’ racist chants. The referee activated the anti-racism protocol and stopped Sunday’s match in Barcelona about 20 minutes into the first half.

Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti grimaces before the start of the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid trusting new improvised defense to hold on to La Liga lead

Real Madrid will have to stick to an improvised defense when it tries to hold on to its narrow lead of La Liga this weekend. Madrid will visit Osasuna on Saturday with a one-point lead over Atletico Madrid and a two-point advantage over Barcelona.

The former president of Spain's soccer federation Luis Rubiales arrives at a court on the outskirts of Madrid, Spain, Monday Feb. 3, 2025 where he goes on trial for his unsolicited kiss on forward Jenni Hermoso. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Rubiales’ defense team asks for his acquittal. Hermoso’s lawyer reiterates sexual assault claim

Luis Rubiales’ defense team has reiterated in closing arguments that Jenni Hermoso consented to the World Cup kiss by the former Spanish soccer federation president.

Former coach of the women's national soccer team Jorge Vilda arrives at a court on the outskirts of Madrid, Spain, Monday Feb. 3, 2025 to appear as a witness during the trial of former president of Spain's soccer federation Luis Rubiales for his unsolicited kiss on foreword Jenni Hermoso. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Former coach Vilda denies pressure on Hermoso to downplay kiss after Women’s World Cup final

Jorge Vilda, the former coach of Spain women’s soccer team, has told a judge that ex-soccer federation president Luis Rubiales did not ask him to put pressure on Jenni Hermoso following the outcry that erupted after Rubiales kissed the player.

The former president of Spain's soccer federation Luis Rubiales, top, leaves a court on the outskirts of Madrid, Spain, Monday Feb. 3, 2025 where he is on trial for his unsolicited kiss on forward Jenni Hermoso. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Rubiales tells judge that Hermoso gave him consent for kiss after 2023 Women’s World Cup

Former Spanish soccer federation president Luis Rubiales has reiterated before a judge that forward Jenni Hermoso gave him consent for a kiss at the 2023 Women’s World Cup final presentation ceremony.

Barcelona player denies inappropriately touching opponent in women’s soccer match

Spanish club Espanyol has denounced “unacceptable action” by Barcelona player Mapi Leon who allegedly touched one of its players on her genital area during a Spanish women’s league game last weekend.

Soccer player Jenni Hermoso leaves after testifying at a court on the outskirts of Madrid, Spain, Monday Feb. 3, 2025 during the trial of former president of Spain's soccer federation Luis Rubiales for his unsolicited kiss on her. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Spain women’s coach says she was not punishing Hermoso by omitting her after the Rubiales kiss

Spain women’s coach Montse Tomé has told a judge she was not trying to punish Jenni Hermoso by omitting her from the national team in the fallout of the kiss by former soccer federation president Luis Rubiales.

Barcelona's Eric Garcia celebrates with Jules Kounde, left, after scoring his side's fourth goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Sevilla and FC Barcelona at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in Seville, Spain, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

Barcelona inches closer to Madrid rivals in Spanish league with 4-1 win at Sevilla

Barcelona has moved closer to rivals Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid at the top of the Spanish league by routing Sevilla 4-1.

Barcelona's Ferran Torres celebrates his side's fourth goal during a Spanish Copa del Rey, or King's Cup, quarter-final soccer match between Valencia and Barcelona at the Mestalla Stadium in Valencia, Spain, Thursday Feb. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)

Barcelona routs Valencia again to reach Copa del Rey semifinals. Sociedad gets past Osasuna

Ferran Torres has scored a hat trick in the first half hour to lead Barcelona to another rout of Valencia and a spot in the semifinals of the Copa del Rey. Torres scored in the third, 17th and 30th minutes in Barcelona’s 5-0 win at Valencia.

Atletico Madrid's head coach Diego Simeone gives directions to his players during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between FC Salzburg and Atletico Madrid at the Salzburg Arena in Salzburg, Austria, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

First place on the line in Madrid derby as Real and Atletico squabble over refereeing

Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid meet in their second derby of the season with the Liga lead on the line and the focus on refereeing. Real Madrid has spent the days ahead of Saturday’s match complaining of mistakes against the club.

Real Madrid's Gonzalo Garcia, left, heads the ball to score his side's third goal during a Spanish Copa del Rey, or King's Cup, quarter-final soccer match between CD Leganes and Real Madrid at Butarque stadium, in Leganes, outside Madrid, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Real Madrid beats Leganes 3-2 to reach Copa semifinals on García’s goal in stoppage time

Gonzalo García has scored in stoppage time as Real Madrid escaped an upset by defeating Leganes 3-2 to reach the semifinals of the Copa del Rey.

The former president of Spain's soccer federation Luis Rubiales sits in a courtroom on the outskirts of Madrid, Monday Feb. 3, 2025 where he goes on trial for his unsolicited kiss on forward Jenni Hermoso. (Chema Moya, Pool photo via AP)

Hermoso’s teammate and brother say in court the Spain player was pressured to downplay Rubiales kiss

The brother of Jenni Hermoso and one of her teammates have told a judge there were attempts to pressure the player into downplaying the unsolicited kiss by former Spanish federation president Luis Rubiales in the awards presentation ceremony following the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

Simeone scores twice as Atletico Madrid reaches Copa semifinals with 5-0 rout of Getafe

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone’s son, Giuliano, scored two early goals as the team eased into the Copa del Rey semifinals with a 5-0 home victory over Getafe.

The former president of Spain's soccer federation Luis Rubiales arrives at a court on the outskirts of Madrid, Spain, Monday Feb. 3, 2025 where he goes on trial for his unsolicited kiss on forward Jenni Hermoso. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Spain men’s coach De la Fuente distances himself from Hermoso kiss case at Rubiales trial

Spain men’s coach Luis de la Fuente has told a judge in the Luis Rubiales trial in Madrid that he did not get involved in discussions related to Jenni Hermoso following her World Cup kiss from the former Spanish soccer boss.

Espanyol's Carlos Romero, right, challenges for the ball with Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Espanyol and Real Madrid at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday Feb.1, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Real Madrid sends harsh letter to Spanish soccer bosses complaining of ref mistakes

Real Madrid has formally complained of refereeing mistakes to the Spanish soccer federation and the country’s top sports authority.

Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski, left, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Alaves at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Lewandowski scores winner as Barcelona beats Alaves to move closer to the top in Spanish league

Robert Lewandowski has scored a second-half winner as Barcelona beat Alaves 1-0 to cut its gap to Spanish league leader Real Madrid.

The former president of Spain's soccer federation Luis Rubiales arrives at the National Court in Madrid, Spain, Monday, April. 29, 2024. Rubiales will testify on Monday as a defendant for alleged corruption during his time at the head of the organization. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue, File)

What to know as former Spain soccer official Rubiales goes on trial for unsolicited kiss of player

The former president of the Spanish soccer federation goes on trial Monday for an unsolicited kiss of forward Jenni Hermoso after Spain’s victory at the Women’s World Cup final in 2023.

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham, left, celebrates with his teammate after scoring his side's second goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Brest and Real Madrid at Roudourou stadium in Guingamp, France, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Real Madrid could face Man City in the near future but celebrates return to good form

Real Madrid is celebrating its return to good form despite placing low in the Champions League and failing to avoid a possible playoff against Manchester City.

Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski celebrates after scoring his side's sixth goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Valencia at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Flick’s Barcelona setting milestones in attack to stay in contention in all competitions

It’s raining goals for Barcelona. There were five against Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final, five more against Benfica in the Champions League, and most recently seven against Valencia in La Liga.

Barcelona's Raphinha celebrates after Fermin Lopez, not in the picture, scored his side's fifth goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Valencia at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona scores four goals in opening 24 minutes and overwhelms Valencia 7-1 in Spanish league

Barcelona overwhelmed Valencia in the Spanish league with four players scoring in the first 24 minutes of a 7-1 rout Frenkie de Jong opened in the third minute, Ferran Torres added to the lead in the eighth, Raphinha found the net in the 14th and Fermín López struck in the 24th at Montjuic stadium.

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior celebrates after scoring his side's 5th goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and FC Salzburg at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Vinícius Júnior reaches 100 goals with Real Madrid as club advances in Champions League

Vinícius Júnior has reached 100 goals with Real Madrid in the team’s 5-1 victory over Salzburg to secure a playoff spot after a slow start in the Champions League. Vinícius scored his 99th and 100th goals on Wednesday.

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe holds a ball during a Spanish La Liga soccer match against Las Palmas at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Mbappé says change in mentality helped him to start playing better for Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappé says a change in mentality is what allowed him to start playing better for Real Madrid. Mbappé has struggled in his first season with Madrid but he has been starting to meet the expectations that came with his high profile.

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring a goal against Las Palmas during a Spanish La Liga soccer match at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Mbappé puts on a show again with 2 goals as Real Madrid beats Las Palmas 4-1

Kylian Mbappé has continued his scoring streak with a brace as Real Madrid routed 10-man Las Palmas 4-1 to return to the top of the Spanish league.

Real Madrid's Endrick celebrates after scoring his side's 3rd goal against Celta de Vigo during a Copa del Rey round of 16 soccer match at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Pablo Garcia)

Endrick scores in extra time to help Madrid top Celta in Copa. Titleholder Athletic loses to Osasuna

Real Madrid needed two goals from Endrick in extra time to get past Celta Vigo in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey and avoid another embarrassing setback less than a week after losing 5-2 to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.

Barcelona's Jules Kounde celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during a Spanish Copa del Rey round of 16 soccer match between Barcelona and Real Betis at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona reaches Copa del Rey quarterfinals with 5-1 rout of Real Betis. Atletico also advances

Barcelona has followed up its rout of Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final with a comfortable 5-1 win over Real Betis in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey.

President of Barcelona Joan Laporta, centre, and his players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Spanish Super Cup against Real Madrid at King Abdullah Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Laporta defends Barcelona’s handling of Olmo situation, says club was under attack

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has defended his administration’s handling of the Dani Olmo case and has claimed that there was a campaign to tarnish the club’s image.

Real Madrid players leave the pitch after the final soccer match between Real Madrid and Barcelona at King Abdullah Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Real Madrid has 3-game home run to rebound from Barcelona loss in Super Cup final

Real Madrid hopes some home comfort will help the team get over yet another embarrassing loss to Barcelona. Madrid has three home games in seven days after losing to Barcelona 5-2 in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday in Saudi Arabia.

Barcelona players celebrate with their team's trophy of the Spanish Super Cup after the final soccer match between Real Madrid and Barcelona at King Abdullah Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Barcelona routs Real Madrid again to win Spanish Super Cup final 5-2

Real Madrid came out looking for some payback in the latest “clasico” against Barcelona but ended up being embarrassed again. Madrid lost 5-2 to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

Barcelona cruises into Copa del Rey last 16 after another setback to register Olmo

Barcelona has endured another setback while trying to get Dani Olmo registered and cruised past fourth-division club Barbastro 4-0 in the Copa del Rey.

Barcelona's Dani Olmo, controls the ball during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona request to register Olmo is denied again by Spanish league

The Spanish league and federation have again denied Barcelona’s request to register Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor for the rest of the season.