Rubiales banned by FIFA over unsolicited kiss

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
26 Aug 2023 21:58

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

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."

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.