Spain Fines Soccer Federation and Barcelona Over Gender Equality Failures

The fines follow an incident where the federation's president kissed a player, highlighting the need for proper equality and harassment protocols.

Spain's labor ministry fined the Spanish soccer federation and Barcelona for not having gender equality plans and harassment protocols in place.
The fines were issued after an inspection ordered following an incident where the federation's president kissed a player during the Women's World Cup trophy presentation.
Barcelona and two other clubs were found lacking proper equality plans, though they had harassment protocols.
Barcelona, defending its gender equality policies, stated it has had an equality plan since 2013 and is updating it.
Spain's labor minister emphasized that the fines send a strong message against sexism in sports, stressing the need for change.