FIFA announced this Saturday (26) the provisional suspension of the Spanish leader and president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, Luís Rubiales. He forcibly kissed Spain international and world champion Jenni Hermoso, although he says the incident was “consensual”.
Rubiales must be removed from all football-related activities, both in Spain and abroad. The suspension determined by FIFA will last for 90 days.
Last Sunday (20), after Spain’s victory against England in the final of the Women’s World Cup, during the delivery of medals to the champions, the manager was caught holding Jenni Hermoso’s head and giving her a kiss on the mouth .
The statement also explains that, as determined by the head of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, Rubiales will not be able to come into contact with the player or anyone around her.
In a note, FIFA also reinforced the “commitment of the entity with respect for the integrity of all people, and vigorously condemned any behavior that violates this”.
So far, the official has not commented on the decision of the highest body in world football. At an event of the Spanish Football Federation, this Friday (25), Rubiales had vehemently stated that he would not resign from the position he currently holds and that the kiss had been consensual.
This Saturday (26), the Royal Spanish Federation joined Rubiales’ thesis and published a note saying that the player lies when she claims that she was kissed by force.
Jenni Hermoso plays for Spain. Since then, she has been declaring to the press that she felt disrespected by the Spanish leader’s attitude. She will seek legal action through her union, Futpro.
About 80 Spanish players, including the 23 who played for the national team at the World Cup in Australia, came to Hermoso’s defense and announced that they would not accept a call-up to the national team if Luís Rubiales remains in charge. Other leaders and even the Spanish government came out in defense of the athlete and condemned Rubiales’ behavior.
Editing: Rodrigo Durão Coelho
