Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media reports injuries in ramming operation in al-Naqab.
Sheikh Daamoush: Zionists must remain worried, as they have committed a grave error.
Sheikh Daamoush: All concessions given by Lebanese government to date bore no fruit.
Sheikh Daamoush: It is the duty of the state to protect its citizens and sovereignty, government must push plans to that effect and refuse external pressures, diktats.
Sheikh Ali Daamoush: We are not concerned with any plans so long as enemy not abiding by ceasefire.
Israeli media says reports incoming of suspected ramming operation in Tal al-Sabe', al-Naqab.
Sheikh Daamoush: Sayyed Abou Ali's martyrdom will not undermine resistance or prevent it from continuing his plans.
Sheikh Daamoush: We announce today that Sayyed Abou Ali was one of the highest leaders who managed "People of Might" battle, bravely and successfully.
Sheikh Daamoush: Sayyed Tabatabai was a man of the field, present in all confrontations, and one of the architects of liberation and victory.
Hezbollah Executive Council head Sheikh Ali Daamoush delivers eulogy of martyred Commander Haitham Tabatabai, fellow martyrs.

Rubiales banned by FIFA over unsolicited kiss

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 26 Aug 2023 21:58
3 Min Read

Following a week-long scandal, FIFA has decided to ban Spain's football federation president from all sporting activities.

  • x
  • Rubiales banned by FIFA over unsolicited kiss
    President of Spain's soccer federation, Luis Rubiales, right, embraces Alba Redondo as Queen Letizia of Spain second left, congratulates Laia Codina, and Princess Infanta Sofia embraces Athenea Del Castillo during the awards ceremony for the Women's World Cup soccer final at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023 (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has threatened to take action against any person including Jenni Hermoso, for spreading "lies" about the federation President.

"The evidence is conclusive. The President has not lied," RFEF which is headed by Luis Rubiales stated.

RFEF said that it will demonstrate "each of the lies that are spread either by someone on behalf of the player" or Hermossa herself.

"The RFEF and the President [Luis Rubiales], given the seriousness of the content of the press release from the Futpro Union, will initiate the corresponding legal actions," the federation stated.

Rubiales also made a speech after he kissed Hermosa on the lips during celebrations following the Spanish team's victory FIFA Women's World Cup Final on Sunday.

In his speech, the president insisted that he would not resign from his position as he repeated the same phrase multiple times amid applause from officials in attendance. 

Hermoso rejects Rubiales's claims

In response, Hermoso said Rubiales's detailing of the scandal was "categorically" incorrect, adding, "I want to reiterate as I did before that I did not like this incident."

She further explained that she was urged to issue a statement following the incident in order to "alleviate the pressure" on Rubiales, saying she had been "under continuous pressure to make a statement that could justify Mr. Luis Rubiales’ actions."

“Not only that, but in different ways and through different people, the RFEF has pressured my surroundings (family, friends, teammates, etc.) to give a testimony that had little or nothing to do with my feelings," she underlined.

The Spanish player's union, FUTPRO, shared a statement condemning Rubiales' actions, stating that the signatories will not "put themselves forward for National team selection as long as the actual leadership remains in place."

"No woman should see herself needing to answer questions based on the blunt images that the entire world has seen and, of course, no one should be involved in attitudes without consent."

Read more: Luis Rubiales refuses to step down as Spanish FA chief

FIFA bans Rubiales

The world football governing association, FIFA, has suspended Rubiales from all football-related activities for 90 days while it takes disciplinary measures against the 46-year-old.

"(We) decided today to provisionally suspend Mr. Luis Rubiales from all football-related activities at national and international level," FIFA stated.

FIFA added that both Rubiales and the RFEF are prohibited from contacting Hermoso and those close to her.

The RFEF responded to FIFA's actions, saying Rubiales has "full confidence in the FIFA bodies" and will defend himself "so the truth prevails and his complete innocence is proven".

The federation said that Pedro Rocha would fill in for Rubiales during his period of suspension as interim president.

Domestically, the president of Spain’s High Council of Sport (CSD), Víctor Francos, said the council seeks to suspend Rubiales as soon as possible while following due process.

Read more: Media coverage of women's football: On track, but more steps needed

  • Spain
  • Royal Spanish Football Federation
  • FIFA
  • Fifa Women's World Cup
  • luis rubiales
  • Jenni Hermoso

Most Read

Inside the Epstein-Rothschild web behind 'Israel’s' spy tech empire

Inside the Epstein-Rothschild web behind 'Israel’s' spy tech empire

  • Politics
  • 19 Nov 2025
Hamas fighters stand in formation as they prepare for the ceremony of Israeli captive hand over to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Feb. 22, 2025. (AP)

US plot for Gaza in shambles amid continued popular support for Hamas

  • Politics
  • 17 Nov 2025
Democracy at the civilizational crossroads: Critical analysis of bourgeois Democracy, its alternatives

Democracy at the civilizational crossroads: Critical analysis of bourgeois Democracy, its alternatives

  • Analysis
  • 19 Nov 2025
Hezbollah announces the martyrdom of Haitham al-Tabatabai

Hezbollah announces the martyrdom of commander Haitham Tabatabai

  • West Asia
  • 23 Nov 2025

Coverage

All
In Five

Read Next

All
AP
Politics

Settler attacks intensify as Palestinians face systematic displacement

Beirut demonstration
West Asia

Beirut protest affirms right to resist, condemns Israeli aggression

Israeli military failure
Palestine

IOF dismisses generals, disciplines others after Oct 7 investigation

Pope Leo XIV celebrates a Mass for the Jubilee of the Choirs in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.(AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Politics

Pope's Lebanon visit still on track, Church official confirms

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS