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
Sayyed Khamenei: In the 12-day war, the Iranian people defeated the Americans and the Zionists without a doubt
Sayyed Khamenei: We must enhance mobilization and pass on its concept to future generations, and I have always advised all government agencies to operate in a mobilization-oriented manner
Sayyed Khamenei: The scientists who were martyred in the 12-day aggression were not involved in the mobilization, but they embodied the true image of being part of the mobilization move
Sayyed Khamenei: The IRGC may be the official side concerned with mobilization, but any zealous group that wants to work for the sake of this country is part of this mobilization
Sayyed Khamenei: The phenomenon of resistance will continue and grow, and the oppressed people of the world will feel that someone supports them and that there is a power that amplifies their voice
Addressing the Iranian nation, Iranian leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei: A country like Iran needs mobilization more than any other country in light of foreign ambitions and interventions [affecting it]
Larijani to Pakistan's HUM TV: We are not seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, but we will continue to seriously develop our peaceful nuclear program
Larijani: Whoever wants to genuinely engage in negotiations does not predetermine the outcome; that is not negotiating
Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani: Iran has not and will not abandon genuine negotiations
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli aircraft launch airstrike on al-Mahmoudiya.

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

Hezbollah announces the martyrdom of Haitham al-Tabatabai

Hezbollah announces the martyrdom of commander Haitham Tabatabai

  • West Asia
  • 23 Nov 2025
Hezbollah publishes biography of martyred leader Haitham al-Tabatabai

Hezbollah publishes biography of martyred leader Haitham Tabatabai

  • Politics
  • 23 Nov 2025
Hezbollah releases the names of the four martyred with Tabatabai

Hezbollah releases the names of the 4 martyred alongside Tabatabai

  • West Asia
  • 24 Nov 2025
A boy tries to stand near missiles displayed in the National Aerospace Park of the Revolutionary Guard, just outside Tehran, Iran, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025 (AP)

Key Israeli sites destroyed, nuclear docs moved to Tehran: Minister

  • Politics
  • 22 Nov 2025

Coverage

All
In Five

Read Next

All
Turkey
Politics

Turkey: Lebanon-Cyprus maritime deal ignores Turkish Cypriots

US Navy, San Francisco
US & Canada

US Navy withheld plutonium alert from San Francisco for 11 months

India weighs a major expansion of its S-400 fleet, as the Su-57 remains off the table.
Politics

India weighs major expansion of S-400 fleet; Su-57 stays off the table

China warns of rising nuclear risks after Trump announces a testing plan.
Politics

China warns of rising nuclear risks after Trump announces testing plan

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